FUN IN THE SUN

(DJ Mike Williams)

What’s going to be the party of the year, be sure to join thousands of party goers in the annual Fun in The Sun outdoor music festival. It’s bigger and better, with over 100 artists on 3 stages including International DJ Mike Williams who is sure to amp up the party vibes!

Hosted at Hazelmere dam in Durban - a mere 20km off the shoreline of Umhlanga, on October 1. Gates open at 06h00.

Get your camping gear, tent or caravan, sleeping bags, sunscreen, cozies and sunnies ready for a full day programme of fun with music, food and clothing stalls, plus water sports. There’s plenty to keep you entertained.

For all festival goers, expect a festival filled with an amazing experience waiting to happen.

Be entertained by non-stop music from international headliner, Mike Williams from Netherlands and over 100 South African acts and DJ’s such as Timo ODV, Chunda Munki, Zinc, Chris Taylor, Mat OD (Digital Kaos), Max Hurrell, Hendrik Joerges, Mogey, Msizi James, Bhashkar, Tim Lewis, Ryan James, Jazzy Jay, gregg od aka tom ford, Ty Stoltz, George boy, SLEDGE, DEEPSPACE, Beebz, Shadow, Syzo, Mark Crundwell, G Major, I am Rogue, Alex M, Barefoot, CHES, BONE, GIN, Jayy Jabs, Huckfinn, Woody, Ron Rowely x Garuni, Ryan Stylz, Ty Campbell and many more.

Mike Williams, labelled as one of Holland's youngest DJ talents, has become an international sensation at only 19 and recently signed with Spinnin’ Records and MusicAllStars Management, adding an exciting new chapter to his career.

At the age of 12 Mike started taking his DJing more seriously and booked several events, sharing the stage with DJs like Martin Garrix, Jay Hardway, Yellow Claw and Alvaro, as well as producing his own tracks.

2015 saw him performing at a variety of festivals as well as launched a successful bootleg of Carly Rae Jepsen’s I Really Like You, which gained over 3 million SoundCloud plays. Mike is also known for his catchy debut release, Sweet And Sour, which was signed to Tiësto imprint (and Spinnin’ sublabel) Musical Freedom.

Initially going round as an ID track, the record quickly gained DJ support earlier this year, getting played by major artists like Tiësto, Hardwell, Dimitri Vegas & Like Mike, Oliver Heldens, Afrojack, R3hab, Firebeatz and Axwell.

To add to the fun, catch adrenaline filled activities, from boat riding, wet biking, wake boarding, tubing, skiing, as well as chilled activities such as camping, braaing, fishing and of course, partying all day long! There will also be a food court, ATM, clothing stalls, medical tent as well as a security tent to ensure the festival is a top class safe experience.

Tickets R300 for general access and R600 for VIPs. Those with VIP status will have access to unlimited drinks, a private lounge and bar, private toilets and security as well as camping space and access to the festival. However, NO camping gear will be provided!

Tickets on sale at www.fitsfest.co.za or Computicket outlets. Not for sale to persons under the age of 18. Terms and conditions apply

Fun in the Sun takes place on October 1 at Hazelmere Dam. Gates open at 06h00. For more information visit http://www.fitsfest.co.za  or contact Big Nite Out on 031 512 5000.

GUY BUTTERY & THE ODEION STRING QUARTET

(Guy Buttery is pictured performing with The Odeion String Quartet’s Samson Diamond, Sharon De Kock, Jeanne-Louise Moolman and Anmari van der Westhuizen. 

Pic by Damien Davis)

Having recently travelled around the United States, gleaning inspiring insights into their strong music culture, home-grown guitar virtuoso Guy Buttery is back in Durban and will perform his new collaboration for one night only with The Odeion String Quartet at the Elizabeth Sneddon Theatre on October 3.

Since 2011, renowned South African guitar player Guy Buttery has been working on a project that combines his virtuosic solo guitar playing and distinctly African musical voice with contemporary compositional techniques and arrangements combined with a String Quartet.

Having worked with the KZN Philharmonic Orchestra in an associated project, this collaboration sets up the perfect platform to take Buttery’s intricate guitar-based compositions out of their solo guitar environment and re-contextualizes them in a contemporary symphonic setting.

Buttery has worked closely with arranger and composer Chris Letcher. Together they collaborated with the KZN Philharmonic in a performance that was described as “a flawless synchronization of Africa and the West”. Based on this success, the team were immediately discussing how to take this project further. This unique pairing creates a world of opportunity for the strings and guitar operating as musical equals, and even at times as rivals, rather than simply as soloist and accompanying ensemble.

Buttery’s new project creates an enhanced musical interaction between contemporary ‘classical’ music and his own distinctive compositional style. Composing and arranging these two forces is what has been the driving force behind the project which ultimately brought this dynamic collaboration to life at the National Arts Festival in July 2016. Together with the work of Chris Letcher, the project brings a rich and uniquely South African score set amongst Western instrumentation. Each of the members of the quartet as well as Buttery on guitar and mbira, the African thumb piano, are treated as independent musical voices, creating unique string textures, polyphonic melodic lines and polyrhythms, rooted in Buttery’s adventurous musical style.

Based in Bloemfontein, The Odeion String Quartet is the ultimate “mini-orchestra”. Creating a myriad musical layers and colours, this collaboration stretches the possibilities of its known format and instrumentation. Performing a “best-of” of his collective works from the last 15 years along with brand new compositions unique to this project, Buttery relooks at the guitar and string quartet presentation and catapults it to new heights.

The Odeion String Quartet comprises Guy Buttery on acoustic guitar and mbira; Samson Diamon on first violin; Sharon de Kock on second violin; Jeanne Louise Moolman on viola; and Anmari van der Westhuisen on cello.

Guy Buttery and The Odeion String Quartet will perform at 19h30 on October 3 at the Elizabeth Sneddon Theatre on the UKZN campus after sold-out performances at this year’s National Arts Festival.

A sneak peak of the performance can be viewed on Guy Buttery’s YouTube channel or click https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rnxMYQTomVs  or you can visit http://www.guybuttery.co.za/.

For enquiries, contact the theatre on 031 260 2296. Tickets R120 and can be purchased at the door.

NATIONAL YOUTH CONCERTO FESTIVAL

(Conductor Lyk Temmingh)

The National Youth Concerto Festival has been a tradition in South Africa for over 40 years. Founded by David Tidboald in 1971 in Cape Town and brought to Durban in 1983 as part of the inaugural year of the Natal Philharmonic Orchestra (now the KZN Philharmonic), the concert has provided an annual stage for South Africa’s emerging musical talent.

South African international classical music stars such as Ben Schoeman, Anton Nel and François du Toit all received their first taste of performing in front of an orchestra through the National Youth Concerto Festival.

2016 will feature a diverse selection of soloists performing repertoire from Mozart to Ravel to Liebermann. These young musicians worked through a rigorous audition process in order to share the stage with the musicians of the KZN Philharmonic on this special evening.

The National Youth Concerto Festival takes place on September 29 at 19h30 in the Durban City Hall. Booking is at Computicket.

(To link direct to the KZN Philharmonic’s website click on the orchestra’s banner advert on the top right hand of the page)

AWESOME ILEMBE & ONEXUS MUSIC BUSINESS

(Qadasi & Maqhinga. Pic by Simanga Zondo)

Awesome Africa International Arts Festival has partnered with iLembe District Municipality and Onexus Music Business Solutions to offer musicians in the iLembe region a two- week music business programme. Primarily funded by National Lotteries Commission (NLC) under their Arts, Culture and Heritage.

This first week of these workshops took place on September 19, 20 and 21. 80 musicians from throughout ilembe District gathered at the Luthuli Museum in Groutville, eager to learn more about the music business. Topics such as setting goals, contracts and agreements, social media and the performance industry were discussed. Aside from the facilitators from Onexus, guests such as artists Mbuso Khoza, Qadasi and Maqhinga and studio owner Malcolm Nhleko were invited to give the musicians their best tips and advice.

“Having received my first record deal at the age of 18, during my last year of school, I had almost no knowledge of the music industry and the struggles, and work involved in 'making it'. This was a new adventure and my first couple of years was spent learning the ropes and grasping a basic understanding of music business, especially with regards to financial implications, tax requirements, and the various laws pertaining to the industry. After five years as a professional musician, I have learnt a great deal and continue to learn everyday. Ones understanding of 'music business' can either make or break a career,” says Qadasi.

The programme will continue on September 26 and cover many more topics, such as copyrights and marketing. Next week’s programme will also include a panel discussion on indigenous music and the use of traditional instruments and songs with guests Mbuso Khoza, Dr. Sazi Dlamini and Lu Dlamini.

THE SATURDAY SESSIONS

(Collage by Karl Flynn)

The KZNSA Gallery offers an invitation to the opening of The Saturday Sessions, an exhibition of works made at the KZNSA LAB Saturday Sessions. Mediums include collage, painting, expressive drawing and beadwork and the exhibition is a tribute to the course facilitators - Fran Saunders, Jeanette Gilks, Hlengiwe Dube and Joseph Manana.

The Saturday Sessions is one of three new exhibitions opening at the KZNSA on September 27 at 17h30 for 18h00 - visit the KZNSA website for more information, and be sure to join them for a glass of wine and beautiful artwork.

The Saturday Sessions runs from September 27 to October 16 in the KZNSA’s Mezzanine Gallery. The KZNSA Gallery is situated at 166 Bulwer Road, Glenwood, in Durban. More information on 031 277 1705, fax 031 201 8051 or cell 082 220 0368 or visit www.kznsagallery.co.za