SOUNDTRACK OF THE FRINGE

Eclectic mix of South African musicians for National Arts Festival fringe in Grahamstown.

The 2009 National Arts Festival Fringe (Grahamstown July 2 from 11) boasts an eclectic mix of South African musicians: from chart-topping contemporary artists The Parlotones, Dear Reader and Jesse Clegg to acoustic guitarists Guy Buttery, Nibs van der Spuy and Tony Cox. There are also classical, choral and orchestral concerts, plus a bit of reggae, jazz and gospel, a couple of steel bands, a marimba or two, some djembe drums and a spate of glorious a cappella singing.

Making their Festival debut in Burning Bridges are the talented Kristel Birkholtz on violin and Michael Watt (piano) who perform a selection of work from Mozart, Francoeur, Bacewitz, and other composers. Terence Marais, who wowed audiences in his 2008 debut, is back with more passionate finger dexterity, for a follow-up piano recital that will include new work from composer, Gareth Walwyn.

Having only ever performed in Grahamstown as a member of the Tap Talk Rhythm Dance Company, Valerie Kerr is changing the focus in 2009. Combining projected images with soothing piano playing, her therapeutic approach provides much needed relief to the hurry-scurry of our daily lives.

The Boulevard Harmonists return for their seventh Festival. This six-voice mixed a cappella group from the University of Potchefstroom were winners of the prestigious Prague International Competition in 2008. Their exquisite harmonies and varied programme are a must-see Festival highlight.

Keith Moss, inspired by the poetry of Nobel prize-winner, Octavio Paz, presents a brand new composition for sextet and Cor Anglais. Come Closer – Can you Hear it?, performed by the Paz Consort, also includes a string sextet by Brahms and an oboe quartet by Benjamin Britten.

Rhodes University’s Voice of Glory Choir and the Still 4 Eva Choir join up to present a series of three gospel concerts. Concord Nkabinde (Young Artist Award-winner 2007) joins them in their finale after presenting two Gospel Music Workshops for Spiritfest. Soprano, Liesl de Jager, presents a celebration of well-known secular songs in Sacred Songs and Arias, and cathedral organist Wilf Stout gives Noot vir Noot a twist in his organ recital Spot the Tune.

The Limpopo Youth Orchestra and the Cape Youth Philharmonic Orchestra are must-see orchestral concerts that emphasise the incredible glut of musical talent in young South Africans. Both programmes feature a variety of genre from jazz to classical, traditional African, and contemporary music.

Taking the Steeldrum out of its regular Caribbean costume, the Wynberg Boys’ High School Steelband asks How Far Can Drums Go? in an intrepid journey through world music. Steeldrums and Bass adds the djembe, violin, bass, and marimba to their instrumentation in a ‘get-up-and-dance’ concert that crosses the divide between African and western music.

Usiba Noncwadi, the Zabalaza Music Group, Dread Kings, ETC Crew, and the Moses Molelekwa Jazz Band join up in a series of three mixed genre concerts in Jozi – Live @ Nombulelo.

In Bontkoei Blond en Bitterglas cabaret artist Melina Smit sings the words of 16 Afrikaans poems, against a backdrop of photographs from internationally renowned journalists, Chris Marais and Jullienne du Toit. Anton Calitz returns to the Fringe with Kwaaihoek Stories, a melange of anecdotes, songs and stories with a definitive Eastern Cape flavour. Calitz performs his original music on harmonica, pan flute and guitar.

The ever-popular Centrestage All-Star Band presents tributes to U2 and Neil Diamond, the music of the 70s, and the ‘Vagabonds of Rock’. Barbara Streisand, Liza Minelli, Aretha Franklin and Tina Turner come under their scrutiny in Divas are Forever and, in the Magnificent 7 concerts, the spotlight falls on musical greats across the decades – Queen, Bob Marley, the Rolling Stones, Creedence Clearwater Revival and others.

Grahamstown is fast becoming the playground for the top acoustic guitarists in the country. Nibs van der Spuy, Tony Cox, Guy Buttery, Steve Newman, and Gary Thomas (formerly of Cabins in the Forest) are joined by Festival newcomer JP Redpath at the guitar guru’s hangout – the Graham Hotel. Expect interactive, personalised sessions from these gifted musos, who show off their talents on a multitude of instruments, including Nylon Flamenco guitars, Mbirators, Contraltos, and Nylon Resonators.

Steve Newman joins Ashish Joshi, Marc Duby and Greg Georgiades to present In the Clouds. Using guitar, the oud (a North African fretless lute), tabla (Indian classical drums), dhol and zarb (Iranian drums), and the upright double-bass, their musical style is deeply rooted in Africa, with undertones of Arabic and Cape Ghoema sounds.

The line-up of contemporary musicians at the Cuervo Music Room includes Jesse Clegg, triple platinum selling Nianell, and pop-indie rock band The Parlotones. Plus aKing, Dear Reader, Tidal Waves, Stereotypes, Outside the New, ETC Crew, Dread Kings, Andy Lund & the Mission Men, Reburn, Captain Stu and Unit 7. Catch a minimum of three bands for the price of one every night of the Festival! And if that isn’t enough, the late night DJ will keep the lights burning til late, late, late.

The Singer/Songwriter slots offer a more relaxed atmosphere for Festinos to get to know some of the quiet geniuses of the South African music scene. Matthew van der Want, Farryl Purkiss, Guy Buttery, Andy Lund, Nibs van der Spuy, Dear Reader and aKing will all be chilling on this unplugged platform.

Catch a train or a plane – come in a hot-air balloon, hike if you have to – but get yourself to Grahamstown for 10 days of amazing music and a whole lot more.

Booking Kits are available at selected Standard Bank branches, Exclusive Books and Computicket outlets, or call the Festival hotline – 046 603 1103. Visit www.nationalartsfestival.co.za for the complete low-down.

The “10 days of amazing!” at the National Arts Festival, Grahamstown will run from July 2 – 11. The National Arts Festival is sponsored by Standard Bank, The Eastern Cape Government, The National Arts Council, The National Lottery Distribution Trust Fund, The Sunday Independent and M Net.