Mimi's Shebeen

this is a Mimi Shebeen
our house is her house
we come here, we rejoice and we cry
this is a Mimi Shebeen
people take their places with them
women do not need to be saved
if she ain’t your sister
she must be your aunt
this is a Mimi Shebeen
we dance, we discuss, we lay our lives down here
they can turn everything upside down
but not our smile
this is a Mimi Shebeen
everything is purple here
a life lived on the tips of our tongues
a promise a picture

Starting with the exile of South African singer Miriam Makeba from her own country, Seutin uses Makeba’s legacy as a political activist to convey stories of exile, immigration and humanity.

Mimi’s Shebeen will infuse the unique and unmistakable signature style of Seutin’s hybrid Dance Theatre. Lebo Mashile and Lisette Ma Neza provide the text, Angelo Moustapha and Zouratié Koné the music, and Tutu Puoane sings.