Diary of Events: Dance & exhibitions

On August 3 and 4, the Titan Games - a Breakdance and All-Style Dance Championship will take place at the Royal MAS Arena in Colombo with the internationally renowned French judge, Bboy Lilou as guest of honour.

The country’s top break-dancers will gather to battle for the honours in three categories: Pro Breaking, Beginner Breaking, and All Style Dance. MCs and DJs will be on hand to entertain competitors and audiences alike, with workshops, and panel discussions. Organised by the French Embassy in Sri Lanka, the event from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. is open to all.

It’s time to head to Kandy for a better understanding of the artistic and cultural heritage of Sri Lanka. The Samula Festival presented by the Santani Foundation, is an immersive festival with interactive workshops and educational sessions, and will focus on traditional dance, drumming, craftsmanship and other elements of the historic Kandy Esala Perahera.

Samula 2024 will be held from August 2-4 at Dunhinna Secondary School in Kandy. The three-day event is curated by Heshma Wignaraja, Artistic Director of the Chitrasena Dance Company and School, with contributions from experts like Waidyawathie Rajapakse and Ravibandu Vidyapathi.

Local arts and crafts associated with the Kandy perahera will also be showcased.

Veteran artist Chandraguptha Thenuwara’s annual memorial exhibition ‘Meta- Real’, commemorating the events of ‘Black July’ 1983 is now on at the Saskia Fernando Gallery in Colombo and will continue until August 13.

Thenuwara will also be hosting the exhibition ‘Home/Land’, that explores themes of memory, home and loss and the artists’ insights into the impact of war, displacement and dispossession on the people and landscapes of Jaffna. Curated by Professor T. Shanaathanan, Honeland is on display at JDA Perera Gallery in Colombo and will be on view until July 31.