Ibrah Silas Jackson is going international. He has already shown his play The Hereditary in six locations in Europe as part of the European program Attitudes, but now he is even crossing the European border. Lloyds company supported him at the beginning of his career. Now he's joining the lineup of the Afrovibes Festival and the San Francisco International Hip Hop DanceFest.

The powerful theatre and dance performance DOPE shows how drugs connect all layers of our society like an invisible thread. Through dynamic (hip hop) dance, monologues and intimate conversations, a drug dealer, a parent, a customs officer and a user tell the honest story of the role of drugs in their world. For one person, it's a party, for another, it's literally the bin. That's how you sometimes find yourself in the middle of a drug deal. Slowly, you are confronted with the consequences of dreams of quick money, the temptation of social media, failing poverty policies and the feeling among many young people that they don't matter.

Recently, the dancers from our new performance KABITENI gave a short preview in the AVROTROS program CultuurCrush. They showcased with a freestyle which styles and energy will come together in the performance, a powerful encounter between hip-hop and Surinamese Awasa dance. For many viewers, this was their first introduction to the world of KABITENI, which will be available to watch in the Netherlands starting November 2025.

On Maroon Day in Rotterdam, October 10th, we will be showing a preview of our performance KABITENI at Theatre Zuidplein. This theatre offers a full program that celebrates the strength, culture, and fighting spirit of the Maroon community. In addition to KABITENI, you can also enjoy performances by Young Cosje and "The Boni Trail - Campfire Story," where the past is told as if you were there yourself. You can also watch the documentary 'On the Road to the Price of Freedom': a powerful film about rebellion, freedom, and what it means to be a Maroon — then and now. Throughout the evening, you can wander around a cultural market featuring art, fashion, food, and spirituality from the 'smart world'.

Choreographer and dancer Giorgio Costa was invited to appear on the radio programme Kunststof. There, he told presenter Eric Corton all about the theatre and dance performance he conceived and created under the banner of Lloydscompany: “Klein, klein vogeltje” (Little, little bird). It has been nominated for the Jonge Zwaan Dance Production 2025 award.

The performance "Unbreakable" by the Soweto Skeleton Movers was a great success in 2023 and 2024. We even performed it during the state visit by the Dutch king and queen to South Africa. Now, these South African dancers will perform at the Pan-African Creative Exchange (PACE). This convergence of arts showcasing, networking, and critical discourse takes place from July 9-13. The Soweto Skeleton Movers will perform on July 13th.

Lloyd Marengo, founder of Lloydscompany, presented the Next Step Award as chairman of the jury. This annual prize from the VandenEnde Foundation helps exceptional artistic talent take the next step in their career. This year, saxophonist Kasper Rietkerk won the sum of €25,000 and a work of art.

With their first piece, Until the Quiet Comes, Lloydscompany presented Ibrah Jackson at the Creative Europe Project Attitudes. The jury was enthusiastic and selected Ibrah with dancers Juan and Angel for Attitudes. He will further develop his work The Hereditary and perform in six countries: Kampnagel in Hamburg (DE), Dansekapellet in Copenhagen (DK), Malmö Dance Week in Malmö (SE), Norrlandsoperan in Umeå (SE), and at the HOP Festival in Barcelona (ES).

Mark your calendar for Saturday, February 22nd, and discover promising talents at Lloydscompany Presents! From powerful performances and live music to innovative choreographies, this event will take you through various styles and forms. Choreographer Lloyd Marengo presents a selection of emerging and established makers in the dance world. Be surprised by the diversity of stories this evening has to offer. Giorgio Costa, as a charming host, will guide the evening smoothly. Make sure you're there and enjoy an unforgettable experience!