Tongue Tied?

‘Tongue Tied?’ was an annual fundraiser night that ran from 2008 to 2011. It started after Artistic Director Xenoula went on tour with Tavaziva Dance to Zimbabwe. Inspired by the energy, talent and perseverance of the artists she met there, Xenoula returned and founded Xen Arts to set up the first of these fundraisers. She was working part time at the Cochrane Theatre in London’s West End and shared her thoughts and ideas with Theatre Manager Deirdre Malynn who was enthusiastic and allowed the use of the theatre for one night to hold the event. All the staff at the Cochrane also got on board and gave their time for free to man the stage, doors and bar! 

“The more I told people about the idea, the more people got involved and helped out for free - from artists to photographers, from DJ’s to MC’s! It was amazing to see everyone coming together to support the idea.”

‘Tongue Tied?’ ’08 was a great success and raised money for Tumbuka - an amazing dance company in Zimbabwe that had once toured worldwide but was now struggling to survive due to the economic crisis. Tongue Tied? carried on for four years, with artists such as Ballet Black, Eska, Tavaziva Dance, Dhindindi, Jorge & Freddie, Sean Graham, Tsungai Tsikirai and others all performing for free to support the Xen Arts projects that were now running regularly in Zimbabwe, funded by the proceeds from these nights.

As well as professional musicians, dancers and poets performing, the night was also developed over the years to include Xen Arts youth group MAD (Mossbourne Academy Dance), working with them beforehand to prepare a piece for performance on the night. Other youth groups were also invited to perform each year and artists from Zimbabwe came to choreograph and perform too.