Uncle Walter.
Uncle Walter is a certified dancer and teacher. He has weekly dance classes at the National Theatre and his students can attest to how professional and talented he is.
Those who do not attend his classes have at least seen his production on the big stage.
Aptly titled ‘I Sold My Culture’, an initiative that he started two years ago, the Warom Dance Company proprietor uses the show to benchmark some of the challenges that the industry faces and beyond that, some of the challenges that people face in society.
The last edition of the dance production portrayed how African leaders and businessmen have abandoned their dresscode and languages and taken over foreign ways.
This year’s edition, which happened last weekend at National Theatre had a slightly different theme. ‘Sold My Culture Lost Identity’ focused so much on how Africans have lost their identities.
The show that was supposed to start at 7pm was delayed for at least an hour but despite the glitch, it was a worthwhile piece with a good theme, excellent lighting, fine costumes, and outstanding dance moves.
One thing with Walter is that his dance moves tell a story, but it requires high intellect to see that. Someone has to know dance to know exactly what his routine are. Actor and film director Phillip Luswata regarded Walter’s dance as ‘Great’.
But unfortunately, many in the audience just came to support with absolutely no idea what the whole dance routine was all about.
“Great effort with no reaction. Such is work that they need to intentionally take on, especially at this time, but they also simply ‘watch’,” said Luswata.
Luswata added that he did not see the first edition but would have loved to see how it had matured over time and credited Walter for being brave to put up a ‘solo’ event, and only needed a brush up on presentation.
Uncle Walter’s production was a mixture of poetry and dance just like the first edition.