M-NET Channel firm favourites do not disappoint with glitz and glamour.
M-Net Channel firm favourites did not disappoint at this year’s 67th Annual Golden Globes®, held at the Beverley Hilton Hotel in California. Comedian, actor, film-maker and writer, of The Office and comedian Ricky Gervais was the host of this year’s awards, that honour the best in motion picture and television.
The category Best Television Drama Series was highly contested, with big names Big Love, Dexter, Mad Men, House and True Blood, but it was Mad Men who stole top honours. The series also won at last year’s Academy awards in the same category. Newcomer Julianna Margulies took her first ever Golden Globe® win for her role as Alicia Florrick in The Good Wife which starts on M-Net on January 25 at 20h30.
Dexter received two wins this year, with Michael C. Hall for Best performance by an Actor in Drama Series, and John Lithgow for Best Supporting Actor In a Series. The fourth season of Dexter returns to M-Net in February. M-Net Series’ Big Love saw Chloe Sevigny take the award for The Best Performance by a supporting actress in a Drama.
The Comedy/Musical category saw Glee taking top honours as Best Television Comedy/Musical Series; Toni Collette as Best Actress in a Comedy for United States of Tara; Alec Baldwin as Best Actor in a Comedy for 30 Rock. Grey Gardens, which is currently on M-Net channels, scooped the award for Best mini-series, Best Performance by an Actress in a mini-series (Drew Barrymore).
Presenters on the night included Nicole Kidman, Lost’s Matthew Fox, Felicity Huffman from Desperate Housewives, Chucks Zachary Levi, Kiefer Sutherland from M-Net Action series 24, Cameron Diaz, Halle Berry, Julia Roberts and many more.
Friday, January 29, 2010
MICHAEL GREEN’S WINE NOTES #237
Growing number of Cape wineries offering picnic lunches.
One way of selling wine is to sell food and promote one’s wines as an accompaniment. And one result of this tactic is the growing number of Cape wineries that are offering picnic lunches. Many of the Western Cape’s wineries and estates have restaurants. Most of them are superior establishments with superior prices. The new vogue for picnics is to provide less formal meals at less challenging charges, while pursuing the common aim of persuading people to buy wine. These picnic lunches are not exactly inexpensive (nothing in the Western Cape is) but they sound good. Here are a few examples.
Warwick, the distinguished Stellenbosch estate, has launched what it calls “the gourmet picnic experience”. The picnic sites are in a sunny, forested part of the estate, and sun umbrellas, scatter cushions and bean bags are provided on lawns, or you can sit on chairs. The picnics are served on a board with fitted boxes and tablecloth, and this is what you get to eat: a 45cm French baguette; spinach and mushroom chicken roulade; potato salad and summer salad; cold meats; goat’s cheese, caramelised red onion and macadamia nut quiche; biltong and brandy pâté; chickpea hummus; a wedge of camembert cheese; sauvignon blanc preserve; chocolate brownies; a fruit kebab with spicy lime syrup; and a little jar of wine gums. A vegetarian option is available. The cost of a picnic that serves two or three people is R299. You can do a wine tasting at R25 a head, refundable on purchase of wines. To book phone 021 884 3144.
The Warwick estate, incidentally, owes its very English name to the fact that after the Anglo-Boer War ended in 1902, it was bought by Colonel William Alexander Gordon, commanding officer of the Warwickshire Regiment, who renamed the farm. It has been in the Ratcliffe family since 1964.
The Rickety Bridge estate at Franschhoek (the name comes from an old bridge in the area) offers a picnic menu that includes asparagus spears; melon, feta and mint skewers; prawn skewers with cucumber ribbons; salmon roulade; sticky chicken wings; and biltong. The charge here is R135 per person and you can sit on the grass or at a table on a sun deck. A wine tasting costs R15, refundable on purchase. Phone 021 876 2129.
Klein Genot estate, also at Franschhoek, offers picnic baskets at R128 per person. These include snoek and liver pâtés; roast chicken, beef and lamb; three cheeses; French salad; and brownies. The picnics are served on a river bank. Tasting R20. Phone 021 876 2738.
If at the end of the day you are overcome with weariness you can spend the night at Klein Genot’s guest house, which has six double bedrooms. The charge in summer (bed and breakfast) is R1,548 per person sharing. Why worry? Klein Genot means “small indulgence”. – Michael Green
One way of selling wine is to sell food and promote one’s wines as an accompaniment. And one result of this tactic is the growing number of Cape wineries that are offering picnic lunches. Many of the Western Cape’s wineries and estates have restaurants. Most of them are superior establishments with superior prices. The new vogue for picnics is to provide less formal meals at less challenging charges, while pursuing the common aim of persuading people to buy wine. These picnic lunches are not exactly inexpensive (nothing in the Western Cape is) but they sound good. Here are a few examples.
Warwick, the distinguished Stellenbosch estate, has launched what it calls “the gourmet picnic experience”. The picnic sites are in a sunny, forested part of the estate, and sun umbrellas, scatter cushions and bean bags are provided on lawns, or you can sit on chairs. The picnics are served on a board with fitted boxes and tablecloth, and this is what you get to eat: a 45cm French baguette; spinach and mushroom chicken roulade; potato salad and summer salad; cold meats; goat’s cheese, caramelised red onion and macadamia nut quiche; biltong and brandy pâté; chickpea hummus; a wedge of camembert cheese; sauvignon blanc preserve; chocolate brownies; a fruit kebab with spicy lime syrup; and a little jar of wine gums. A vegetarian option is available. The cost of a picnic that serves two or three people is R299. You can do a wine tasting at R25 a head, refundable on purchase of wines. To book phone 021 884 3144.
The Warwick estate, incidentally, owes its very English name to the fact that after the Anglo-Boer War ended in 1902, it was bought by Colonel William Alexander Gordon, commanding officer of the Warwickshire Regiment, who renamed the farm. It has been in the Ratcliffe family since 1964.
The Rickety Bridge estate at Franschhoek (the name comes from an old bridge in the area) offers a picnic menu that includes asparagus spears; melon, feta and mint skewers; prawn skewers with cucumber ribbons; salmon roulade; sticky chicken wings; and biltong. The charge here is R135 per person and you can sit on the grass or at a table on a sun deck. A wine tasting costs R15, refundable on purchase. Phone 021 876 2129.
Klein Genot estate, also at Franschhoek, offers picnic baskets at R128 per person. These include snoek and liver pâtés; roast chicken, beef and lamb; three cheeses; French salad; and brownies. The picnics are served on a river bank. Tasting R20. Phone 021 876 2738.
If at the end of the day you are overcome with weariness you can spend the night at Klein Genot’s guest house, which has six double bedrooms. The charge in summer (bed and breakfast) is R1,548 per person sharing. Why worry? Klein Genot means “small indulgence”. – Michael Green
AVIGAIL THROUGH TO SEMI-FINALS
(Pic: Avigail Bushakevitz)South African violinist continues to fly flag.
South African violinist Avigail Bushakevitz continued to fly her country’s flag high when she formed part of the 12 musicians from 10 countries selected to go through to the semi-finals of the Vodacom-sponsored 5th Unisa International String Competition.
Avigail is one of the three South Africans who qualified for the competition following their outstanding performances in last year’s 2nd Unisa National String Competition, which earned her top place in that competition.
The semi-finalists were announced last night at the conclusion of the second round of the competition, which is being held in Pretoria.
The semi-finalists are (in alphabetical order, followed by their instrument and country): Georgi Anichenko (cello; Belarus); Hrachya Avanesyan (violin; Armenia); Andrey Baranov (violin; Russia); Avigail Bushakevitz (violin; South Africa); Charles-Antoine Duflot (cello; France); Alexander Gilman (violin; Germany); Hans Kristian Goldstein (cello; Norway); Yura Lee (violin; Republic of Korea); Anton Pavlovskiy (cello; Russia); Alexander Ramm (cello; Russia); Deanna Talens (cello; USA); and Yuuki Wong (violin, Dominica).
Bob Collymore, Chief Officer: Corporate Affairs of the Vodacom Group says: “With ten countries now represented on the platform, the 5th Unisa International String Competition proudly continues to be a showcase of great musical talent from around the world. We look forward to further sterling performances from these young cellists and violinists, as they aim for the finals.”
Each competitor will now present an hour-long recital in the third round, following which the jury will select the six to compete in the finals of this prestigious international music competition, the only one of its kind in Africa recognised by the World Federation of International Music Competitions in Geneva. With an equal number of cellists and violinists (six competitors for each instruments), the competition continues to provide strong representation from each of these musical genres. Each of the 12 players is now a step closer to claiming the Vodacom-sponsored main prizes totalling R890,000, including first prizes of R200,000 each for violin and cello.
Several special prizes will also be awarded for performances in the first three rounds. These are: R10,000 for best performance of the South African composition in the first round, sponsored by SAMRO; R10,000 for best performance of a sonata by Mozart or Beethoven in the second round, sponsored by the Desmond Willson Memorial Trust; and R15,000 for best recital in the third round, sponsored by the Desmond Willson Memorial Trust.
The finalists will perform over two evenings, February 4 and 5 at 19h30 [GMT+2], in what promises to be a feast of the world’s best-loved violin and cello concertos. They will be accompanied by the Johannesburg Philharmonic Orchestra (JPO), led by Pretoria-born conductor, Conrad van Alphen who is currently based in The Netherlands.
Parents, family members and friends from across the globe will also be able to listen live to the final rounds of the competition via the internet. The live streaming will be done through Radio Today’s website www.1485.org.za, while in the greater Johannesburg, classical music lovers will listen to the live broadcast on Radio 1485 AM. The broadcast will also be available on Radio Today’s DSTV Channel 169, nationally and across the SADC sub-region.
More information about the competition is available from the Unisa Music Foundation at 012 429 3344/3336.
THREE SHADES OF RAGA
Legend of Indian classical music to appear in Durban on February 10.
Lovers of classical Indian music will be treated to a festival of Indian Classical Music, titled Three Shades of Raga, in February 2010 with concerts in Durban (February 10 at 19h00 in the Durban City Hall); Cape Town (February 12 at the Artscape Opera House) and Johannesburg (February 14 at Lyric Theatre, Gold Reef City).
The Durban concert is a fund-raiser for the important work of the Aryan Benevolent Home and is hosted in association with tireless supporters of the arts and long-time partners of ABH, New National Assurance.
The festival is headlined by the doyen of Indian Classical vocal, Pandit Jasraj, and features ace violinist Kala Ramnath; tabla maestro Pandit Anindo Chatterjee; and Swiss-based sarod player Ken Zuckerman.
Jasraj is known for his soulful and sonorous voice which traverses masterfully over three and a half octaves, Pandit Jasraj’s vocals is characterized by a harmonious blend of the classic elements projecting traditional music as an intense spiritual expression. This gives his music a unique and sublime emotional quality, reaching out to the very soul of the listener. Pandit Jasraj celebrates his 80th birthday in January, and Three Shades of Raga is part of his global birthday celebrations.
Maestro Kala Ramnath stands today amongst the most outstanding instrumental musicians in the North Indian classical genre. She was born into a family of prodigious musical talent which has given Indian music such violin legends as Prof. T.N. Krishnan and Dr. N. Rajam. Ken Zuckerman is internationally acclaimed as one of the finest sarod virtuosos performing today. He has completed 35 years of training under the rigorous discipline of India’s legendary sarod master the late Ustad Ali Akbar Khan and has performed with Maestro Khan in numerous concerts in Europe, India, and the United States.
Widely considered one of the greatest table maestros, Pandit Anindo Chatterjee has helped spread Indian classical music across the world. He is one of the most well-respected solo tabla performers of his generation. BBC presenter, musicologist and author Jameela Siddiqi will present a free pre-concert talk prior to all concerts. The pre-concert lectures will take place alongside the concert venues and will be clearly marked in each instance.
Three Shades of Raga is produced by Inner Circle Entertainment, the premier producer of Indian Classical music concerts in South Africa. Its previous productions include Raga on 200 Strings featuring the santoor legend Shivkumar Sharma with Grammy award winner Bhawani Shankar and Rahul Sharma; Jagjit Singh Live in South Africa; Raga Afrika (the world’s first musical collaboration between South Africa and India), and more recently Two Shades of Raga with sitar genius Ustad Shahid Parvez and flautist Rupak Kulkarni.
Three Shades of Raga is presented in association with South African Airways, Pro Helvetia Swiss Arts Council, Mail & Guardian, SABC 2's Eastern Mosaic and tabla.co.za
The Durban performance takes place on February 10 at 19h00 in the Durban City Hall preceded by the free pre-concert lecture at 18h00. 6pm (60 minutes before). Tickets at R150, R120 and R100 for the Durban event available at Computicket. For further details, contact Shamila Surjoo, PRO - ABH Council on 083 775 1921.
Tickets available from Computicket nationwide and from select Checkers money market counters nationwide. Tickets can be booked on www.computicket.co.za or on 083 915 8000.
Lovers of classical Indian music will be treated to a festival of Indian Classical Music, titled Three Shades of Raga, in February 2010 with concerts in Durban (February 10 at 19h00 in the Durban City Hall); Cape Town (February 12 at the Artscape Opera House) and Johannesburg (February 14 at Lyric Theatre, Gold Reef City).
The Durban concert is a fund-raiser for the important work of the Aryan Benevolent Home and is hosted in association with tireless supporters of the arts and long-time partners of ABH, New National Assurance.
The festival is headlined by the doyen of Indian Classical vocal, Pandit Jasraj, and features ace violinist Kala Ramnath; tabla maestro Pandit Anindo Chatterjee; and Swiss-based sarod player Ken Zuckerman.
Jasraj is known for his soulful and sonorous voice which traverses masterfully over three and a half octaves, Pandit Jasraj’s vocals is characterized by a harmonious blend of the classic elements projecting traditional music as an intense spiritual expression. This gives his music a unique and sublime emotional quality, reaching out to the very soul of the listener. Pandit Jasraj celebrates his 80th birthday in January, and Three Shades of Raga is part of his global birthday celebrations.
Maestro Kala Ramnath stands today amongst the most outstanding instrumental musicians in the North Indian classical genre. She was born into a family of prodigious musical talent which has given Indian music such violin legends as Prof. T.N. Krishnan and Dr. N. Rajam. Ken Zuckerman is internationally acclaimed as one of the finest sarod virtuosos performing today. He has completed 35 years of training under the rigorous discipline of India’s legendary sarod master the late Ustad Ali Akbar Khan and has performed with Maestro Khan in numerous concerts in Europe, India, and the United States.
Widely considered one of the greatest table maestros, Pandit Anindo Chatterjee has helped spread Indian classical music across the world. He is one of the most well-respected solo tabla performers of his generation. BBC presenter, musicologist and author Jameela Siddiqi will present a free pre-concert talk prior to all concerts. The pre-concert lectures will take place alongside the concert venues and will be clearly marked in each instance.
Three Shades of Raga is produced by Inner Circle Entertainment, the premier producer of Indian Classical music concerts in South Africa. Its previous productions include Raga on 200 Strings featuring the santoor legend Shivkumar Sharma with Grammy award winner Bhawani Shankar and Rahul Sharma; Jagjit Singh Live in South Africa; Raga Afrika (the world’s first musical collaboration between South Africa and India), and more recently Two Shades of Raga with sitar genius Ustad Shahid Parvez and flautist Rupak Kulkarni.
Three Shades of Raga is presented in association with South African Airways, Pro Helvetia Swiss Arts Council, Mail & Guardian, SABC 2's Eastern Mosaic and tabla.co.za
The Durban performance takes place on February 10 at 19h00 in the Durban City Hall preceded by the free pre-concert lecture at 18h00. 6pm (60 minutes before). Tickets at R150, R120 and R100 for the Durban event available at Computicket. For further details, contact Shamila Surjoo, PRO - ABH Council on 083 775 1921.
Tickets available from Computicket nationwide and from select Checkers money market counters nationwide. Tickets can be booked on www.computicket.co.za or on 083 915 8000.
MAN OF LA MANCHA
(Pic by Illa Thompson taken in rehearsal: The lovers: Caitlin Kilburn as Aldonza and Cobus Venter as Don Quixote)TheatreBIZ presents first production of 2010 with Dale Wasserman’s musical at Catalina Theatre.
As its first production of 2010, TheatreBIZ presents Dale Wasserman’s Man of La Mancha at the Catalina Theatre from February4.
TheatreBIZ aims to reclaim Man of La Mancha's experimental roots and turn it back into the show it was originally meant to be. Written in the middle of the turbulent 1960s (one year before Hair), it explores the price paid for the losses of Freedom of Speech and Freedom of Religion, two fundamental rights that are being threatened every day by governments and institutions throughout Africa.
It's about the dangers of mixing religion and government, about the destructive power of religious absolutism, about throwing people in jail for dissent, about violence against women, and it's about people standing up for themselves and refusing to be silenced - just like the Civil Rights movement of the 60s, the gay rights and women's rights movements of the 70s, and the AIDS movement of the 80s. There is hardly a show that is more potent right now, at this moment in history.
The show also explores the roles of audience and actor, the power of the imagination, and the usually passive nature of modern audiences in this age of increasingly mind-numbing mainstream entertainment.
Dale Wasserman's script used the classic novel Don Quixote as a jumping off place, as it originally told the story of Quixote's author, Miguel de Cervantes and his courage in standing up to the horrors of the Spanish Inquisition. TheatreBIZ has set the musical in a new context where criminals and a few riotous students arrested after mayhem at the Ballito ‘rage’ are held together in the overcrowded backyard of the Ballito Police station. As they sit in prison waiting to be called for processing and interrogation, they tell the other prisoners the tale of this mad knight, Don Quixote, fighting for justice, purity, freedom, and above all, love. All these years later, it's still a powerhouse of a musical, with a rich, Spanish-flavoured score by Mitch Leigh and Joe Darion. Man of La Mancha argues, quite persuasively, that theatre and storytelling aren't just important, they are a matter of life and death.
The production is directed by award-winning director, Themi Venturas and has an ensemble cast led by Cobus Venter (seen as Freddie Einsford-Hill in My Fair Lady recently) as Don Quixote and Liam Magner (of Neon Anthems and Spit Monkey fame) as his sidekick Sancho with Caitlin Kilburn as Aldonza. Under the musical direction of Luke Holder, currently head of music at Westville Boys High School who makes his debut at the Catalina Theatre, the musicians/cast members of the cast will be led by virtuoso ‘flamenco’ guitarist Demi Fernandez.
Also in the cast are Grant Jacobs, Professor Bhengu, Ntando Ncube, Lungelo Gwala; Ayanda Khanyile, Allison Grace; Judith Hawthorne; Silindile Ndlovu; Simthandile Mtolo; Maya Spector; Nomonde Matiwane and Demi Fernandez
The original Man of La Mancha is a musical with a book by Dale Wasserman, lyrics by Joe Darion and music by Mitch Leigh inspired by Miguel de Cervante’s Don Quixote; it was adapted from Wasserman’s production I Don Quixote.
Man of La Mancha previews at Catalina Theatre from February 4 until its opening on February 10, thereafter it will run until March 7. Performances are Thursday to Saturdays at 20h00 with an early show at 17h00 on Saturdays (Sundays at 14h00 and 18h00) Tickets R90 (R50 for previews and matinees.) Bookings through Thandeka on 031 305 6889 or email tsibisi@mweb.co.za
Catalina Theatre tickets are now available online at www.strictlytickets.co.za or at www.catalinatheatre.co.za or at www.goingplacesSA.co.za / www.goingplacesSA.com
The Catalina Theatre is still functioning thanks to support from Rainbow Chicken; National Arts Council and Ethekwini Municipality.
BASA TODAY
New host Zingi Mfeka delivers culture-packed show.
BASA Today has long been a favourite of South African arts lovers and now its new host, Zingi Mkefa is kicking off the year with a jam-packed programme.
Mkefa began his career in the arts as a dancer, choreographer and composer for the First Physical Theatre Company. After receiving a Fulbright Scholarship in 2006 and completing his Master’s Degree in Journalism at New York University, he returned to South Africa as an independent arts critic and cultural commentator for a variety of publications, most notably the Sunday Times. Now Mkefa is in the driving sea of BASA Today, an hour-long show each Sunday from 11h00 to 12h00, sponsored by Business and Arts South Africa.
The new-look BASA Today kicked off on January 17 with an interview with Hugh Masekela and James Ngcobo on their latest collaboration, Songs of Migration. The programme also featured Michael Coulson's commentary on the contemporary art scene in Johannesburg. January 24 saw Mkefa interview Sello Maake ka-Ncube who is currently acting in The Pen at the Market Theatre, as well as Florian Uhlig, the Artistic Director of the Johannesburg International Mozart Festival. Once again the programme also featured Michael Coulson's commentary on Johannesburg’s contemporary art scene.
Radio Today, 1485am is a community radio station, broadcasting in English to the mature listener in the greater Johannesburg area, with a signal extending from Alberton in the south, Midrand in the north, Randfontein in the west and Benoni in the east. The station also broadcasts nationally, as well as to eight English-speaking Southern African countries, on DStv Audio Channel 169.
BASA Today has long been a favourite of South African arts lovers and now its new host, Zingi Mkefa is kicking off the year with a jam-packed programme.
Mkefa began his career in the arts as a dancer, choreographer and composer for the First Physical Theatre Company. After receiving a Fulbright Scholarship in 2006 and completing his Master’s Degree in Journalism at New York University, he returned to South Africa as an independent arts critic and cultural commentator for a variety of publications, most notably the Sunday Times. Now Mkefa is in the driving sea of BASA Today, an hour-long show each Sunday from 11h00 to 12h00, sponsored by Business and Arts South Africa.
The new-look BASA Today kicked off on January 17 with an interview with Hugh Masekela and James Ngcobo on their latest collaboration, Songs of Migration. The programme also featured Michael Coulson's commentary on the contemporary art scene in Johannesburg. January 24 saw Mkefa interview Sello Maake ka-Ncube who is currently acting in The Pen at the Market Theatre, as well as Florian Uhlig, the Artistic Director of the Johannesburg International Mozart Festival. Once again the programme also featured Michael Coulson's commentary on Johannesburg’s contemporary art scene.
Radio Today, 1485am is a community radio station, broadcasting in English to the mature listener in the greater Johannesburg area, with a signal extending from Alberton in the south, Midrand in the north, Randfontein in the west and Benoni in the east. The station also broadcasts nationally, as well as to eight English-speaking Southern African countries, on DStv Audio Channel 169.
VACANCY FOR GRAPHIC DESIGN ARTIST
Philatelic Services division of the SA Post Office has a vacancy for a Graphic Design artist in Pretoria.
The Philatelic Services division of the South African Post Office has a vacancy for a Graphic Design artist at its offices in Silverton, Pretoria. The division is responsible for the design of South Africa’s postage stamps. Images of the commemorative stamps that were issued in 2009 can be viewed at http://www.postoffice.co.za/philately/2009%20prog.html
The job will include design, layout, compiling of philatelic and marketing products and Philatelic Services’ website as well as philatelic products, stamps, stamp sheets, miniature sheets, commemorative covers, post cards, aerogrammes and cancellers.
Other duties include marketing products such as posters, pamphlets, brochures and newsletters, Banners and the Internet and intranet web sites. Also required are: Exhibition material including the Post Office Museum; Material for children’s stamp collection club; Designing of packaging for products; Research of stamp themes in order to conceptualize and write briefs for stamp artists; Production management; Printing from workstation (A4 to A1); Draw up print specifications for all printed material; Arrangements for maintenance and repair of computer equipment and ordering of consumables for printers); Consultation and advice to clients and suppliers (including briefing of stamp artists) as well as Management, administration and project planning
Minimum requirements are a University degree or National Diploma (NQF level 6) in Visual Communication/Graphic Design; at least five (5) years relevant work experience; computer literacy (MS Office); proficiency in working on the Apple Macintosh platform using the following software: Adobe InDesign CS, Adobe Photoshop CS, Adobe Illustrator CS, Adobe Flash CS, Adobe Fireworks CS and Adobe Dreamweaver CS. The application must also have a Code 08 drivers license and own transport.
Creative skills include being able to conceptualize an idea, create a visual form and translate the idea to express, inform, persuade and inspire the audience. Also needed are good communication and problem solving skills; diplomacy and tact and a team worker; the ability to research and develop designs for products independently and the capacity to work under pressure.
Candidates must include a portfolio or samples of their work with application – preferably on CD-Rom in pdf or tiff format. To apply, go to WWW.SAPO.CO.ZA and click on careers or send your cv to: The Senior Manager: Recruitment and Selection; Human Resources: Head Office; Attention: Cobus Prinsloo; PO Box 2042; CORPORATE SHOP, 0074 or email: Cobus.Prinsloo@postoffice.co.za or fax 0866 883 531.
The closing date is February 9.
The Philatelic Services division of the South African Post Office has a vacancy for a Graphic Design artist at its offices in Silverton, Pretoria. The division is responsible for the design of South Africa’s postage stamps. Images of the commemorative stamps that were issued in 2009 can be viewed at http://www.postoffice.co.za/philately/2009%20prog.html
The job will include design, layout, compiling of philatelic and marketing products and Philatelic Services’ website as well as philatelic products, stamps, stamp sheets, miniature sheets, commemorative covers, post cards, aerogrammes and cancellers.
Other duties include marketing products such as posters, pamphlets, brochures and newsletters, Banners and the Internet and intranet web sites. Also required are: Exhibition material including the Post Office Museum; Material for children’s stamp collection club; Designing of packaging for products; Research of stamp themes in order to conceptualize and write briefs for stamp artists; Production management; Printing from workstation (A4 to A1); Draw up print specifications for all printed material; Arrangements for maintenance and repair of computer equipment and ordering of consumables for printers); Consultation and advice to clients and suppliers (including briefing of stamp artists) as well as Management, administration and project planning
Minimum requirements are a University degree or National Diploma (NQF level 6) in Visual Communication/Graphic Design; at least five (5) years relevant work experience; computer literacy (MS Office); proficiency in working on the Apple Macintosh platform using the following software: Adobe InDesign CS, Adobe Photoshop CS, Adobe Illustrator CS, Adobe Flash CS, Adobe Fireworks CS and Adobe Dreamweaver CS. The application must also have a Code 08 drivers license and own transport.
Creative skills include being able to conceptualize an idea, create a visual form and translate the idea to express, inform, persuade and inspire the audience. Also needed are good communication and problem solving skills; diplomacy and tact and a team worker; the ability to research and develop designs for products independently and the capacity to work under pressure.
Candidates must include a portfolio or samples of their work with application – preferably on CD-Rom in pdf or tiff format. To apply, go to WWW.SAPO.CO.ZA and click on careers or send your cv to: The Senior Manager: Recruitment and Selection; Human Resources: Head Office; Attention: Cobus Prinsloo; PO Box 2042; CORPORATE SHOP, 0074 or email: Cobus.Prinsloo@postoffice.co.za or fax 0866 883 531.
The closing date is February 9.
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
UNDER THE UMDONI TREE
(Pic: "Mother and Child" by Omar Badsha)The Art of Ebrahim & Omar Badsha at the Durban Art Gallery.
The Durban Art Gallery and South African History Online have announced the opening of Under the Umdoni Tree, an exhibition of the work of Omar and Ebrahim Badsha, on the 27th of January 2010.
Including over 70 paintings, drawings, and sculptures executed between the early 1950s and the late 1960s, this timely exhibition explores the rich but little-known history of artists and intellectuals that contributed to the tapestry of life in the Grey Street complex of Durban, one of the best known of Apartheid’s ghettos.
The title of the exhibition pays homage to the Douglas Lane family home in the Durban area of Casbar, where the Badsha family lived from 1917. The tree was planted in the house’s backyard by Omar’s grandmother, and several generations of the Badsha family—including Omar and his father Ebrahim—were born under its shade. A resonant symbol of the struggle to establish roots and community in southern Africa, the uMdoni tree stood watch over a bustling family home which served as a centre of gatherings and discussion about art and politics, and where most of the work in this exhibit was produced. The Badsha family’s connection to Douglas Lane was severed in 1972 when they were forcibly removed under the terms of the Apartheid government’s Group Areas Act.
As the exhibition establishes, Ebrahim Badsha was a member of a little-recognized pioneer generation of black artists in South Africa whose work explored questions of home, modernity, and the challenge of seeing the country in ways that transcended the imposed optic of white domination. Excluded from the commercial galleries and largely overlooked in South African art history, Ebrahim and his peers had a significant influence on the generation of black artists who came to the fore in the 1960s. The pieces in this exhibition were chosen from close to 200 drawings, woodcuts, mono prints that Omar found after his father’s death in 2003. This work had gathered dust for more than 40 years under piles of books, documents, and hundreds of Arabic calligraphy drawings.
Although best known as a social documentary photographer and public historian, Omar Badsha began his career as a visual artist and, in 1965, was one of the first prize recipients in the non-racial Art South Africa Today exhibitions. A member of the post-Sharpeville generation of protest artists (which included his close friend Dumile Feni), Omar played a central role in the debates over the relationship between art and politics that developed in Durban during the mid-1960s and his art work frequently wrestled with the challenges that black artists and intellectuals faced in a period of triumphant Apartheid and intensive repression.
This exhibition is a critical reminder that the rewriting of South African art history and the full recognition of black South Africans’ contributions remains an unfinished task. It is also a timely exhibition in that it is one of the first events that celebrates the work of artists of Indian origin being held in the year when the country is marking the 150th anniversary of the first Indian migrants to the then British Colony of Natal.
The exhibition will be open by Professor Ari Sitas on January 27 and will run until March 21.
IN CAMERA: CEDRIC NUNN
SA struggle photographer and founder member of Afrapix Photo-Agency to present exhibition at The Luthuli Museum.South African struggle photographer and founder member of the independent Afrapix Photo-Agency, Cedric Nunn will be at the Luthuli Museum on February 5, 2010, to open his exhibition entitled In Camera.
Nunn’s work has been commissioned by the Apartheid Archive Study Project and is a contemporary look at the country - 15 years after the birth of South Africa’s new democracy. It aims to capture the gap that still exists between rich and poor, black and white. It also attempts to document the re-engineering that has taken place in this once-divided state. The photographs must be seen in the context of South Africa’s exposure to the world economy and, on a deeper level, it begs the question what has the change really meant for those at the lower end of the economy and for the wealthy.
“The hosting of this kind of exhibition at the Luthuli Museum is an attempt to place this national institution on the map and to reflect the broad principles of Chief Albert Luthuli namely those of democracy and human rights. It is also an endeavour to link the Luthuli Museum to an ongoing debate in our society around issues of repression, access to resources and poverty,” said Luthuli Museum director Rooksana Omar.
Nunn will give a short presentation of his more than 50 photographs that reflect images from all over the province of KwaZulu-Natal. From the rolling sugar fields of the North Coast, to the first-world beach front of Umhlanga, the exhibition features Nunn at his best.
He will be joined on the platform by his former colleague and photo-journalism lecturer from the Durban University of Technology, Deseni Soobben, who worked with Nunn during the early 1980’s. She will address those present about the importance of photography as a means of social commentary.
The exhibition officially opens at 10h00 on February 5 and runs until the end of March. The Luthuli Museum is at 3233 Nokhukhanya Luthuli Street, Groutville, near Stanger. For further information contact Marketing Manager Heidi Gibson or Community Liaison Officer Zinhle Nyembe on 032 559 6822.
CARTE BLANCHE DONATION TO KING EDWARD
Carte Blanche Make A Difference Campaign in KZN
R1.7 Million donation to King Edward VIII Hospital
The Carte Blanche Make A Difference Campaign gave neo-natal healthcare in Durban a massive boost today (January 26) when the trust and sponsors met at King Edward VIII Hospital to hand over equipment to the value of nearly R1.7 million.
The Make A Difference Campaign, established to celebrate Carte Blanche’s 20th Birthday, focuses on raising the standard of medical facilities in South Africa through partnerships with corporates. So far it has raised in the region of R67 million.
Partners, including Sibaya Casino, Investment Solutions, Investec PB, Petzetakis Africa, Dormac, SASOL, Care Africa, KFC, LG Electronics and the Panathanaiki Ladies’ Organisation teamed up to purchase new equipment including Brainz Instruments, pulse oximeters, cribs and ultrasound machines, for the hospital’s neo-natal and paediatric care units.
The R1.7 million donation forms part of a larger overhaul of the hospital’s facilities which include the construction of a new building to the tune of R20 million, generously sponsored by BHP Billiton. The total contribution to the hospital should, according to Carte Blanche Executive Producer George Mazarakis, exceed R30 million.
R1.7 Million donation to King Edward VIII Hospital
The Carte Blanche Make A Difference Campaign gave neo-natal healthcare in Durban a massive boost today (January 26) when the trust and sponsors met at King Edward VIII Hospital to hand over equipment to the value of nearly R1.7 million.
The Make A Difference Campaign, established to celebrate Carte Blanche’s 20th Birthday, focuses on raising the standard of medical facilities in South Africa through partnerships with corporates. So far it has raised in the region of R67 million.
Partners, including Sibaya Casino, Investment Solutions, Investec PB, Petzetakis Africa, Dormac, SASOL, Care Africa, KFC, LG Electronics and the Panathanaiki Ladies’ Organisation teamed up to purchase new equipment including Brainz Instruments, pulse oximeters, cribs and ultrasound machines, for the hospital’s neo-natal and paediatric care units.
The R1.7 million donation forms part of a larger overhaul of the hospital’s facilities which include the construction of a new building to the tune of R20 million, generously sponsored by BHP Billiton. The total contribution to the hospital should, according to Carte Blanche Executive Producer George Mazarakis, exceed R30 million.
52ND ANNUAL GRAMMY AWARDS
Channel O to broadcast 52nd Annual Grammy Awards live throughout Africa!
Channel O starts 2010 in excellent style with news that the Original.African channel will once again be broadcasting the 52nd Annual Grammy Awards live, direct from Los Angeles.
Music fans throughout Africa will be able to be the first to see who walks away with the music world’s most coveted awards statuette on February 1 at 03h00 when the live broadcast kicks off in Los Angeles Staples Centre. Will it be leading GRAMMY® Award nominee Beyoncé, who goes into the awards event with a massive 10 nominations and will be looking to add to her already impressive seven Grammy Awards collection? Or will it be 2009’s undisputed comeback kid Maxwell? Or maybe even country-pop artist Taylor Swift who is the second most nominated artist going into the event with eight nods and who will no doubt be on the lookout for any Kanye West stage invasions on the night!
All three of these leading nominees are also amongst the star-studded list of performers slated to take to the stage at the Staples Centre in what has all the markings of a phenomenal live music show. Beyoncé, Maxwell and Swift will be joined by other nominees the Black Eyed Peas (who, like Maxwell, have six nominations) and Lady Antebellum who has two nominations.
Organisers have also just announced several additional performers for the event including South African-born Dave Matthews and his band, Green Day, Lady Gaga, Pink, and the Zac Brown Band.
The 52nd Annual GRAMMY Awards are produced by John Cossette Productions and AEG Ehrlich Ventures for The Recording Academy. Established in 1957, The Recording Academy is an organisation of musicians, producers, engineers and recording professionals that is dedicated to improving the cultural condition and quality of life for music and its makers. Internationally known for the GRAMMY Awards — the pre-eminent peer-recognised award for musical excellence and the most credible brand in music — The Recording Academy is responsible for groundbreaking professional development, cultural enrichment, advocacy, education and human services programmes.
Catch the 52nd Annual Grammy Awards live on Channel O on February 1 at 03h00 with a repeat on M-Net - Channel 101 - at 21h30.
Channel O starts 2010 in excellent style with news that the Original.African channel will once again be broadcasting the 52nd Annual Grammy Awards live, direct from Los Angeles.
Music fans throughout Africa will be able to be the first to see who walks away with the music world’s most coveted awards statuette on February 1 at 03h00 when the live broadcast kicks off in Los Angeles Staples Centre. Will it be leading GRAMMY® Award nominee Beyoncé, who goes into the awards event with a massive 10 nominations and will be looking to add to her already impressive seven Grammy Awards collection? Or will it be 2009’s undisputed comeback kid Maxwell? Or maybe even country-pop artist Taylor Swift who is the second most nominated artist going into the event with eight nods and who will no doubt be on the lookout for any Kanye West stage invasions on the night!
All three of these leading nominees are also amongst the star-studded list of performers slated to take to the stage at the Staples Centre in what has all the markings of a phenomenal live music show. Beyoncé, Maxwell and Swift will be joined by other nominees the Black Eyed Peas (who, like Maxwell, have six nominations) and Lady Antebellum who has two nominations.
Organisers have also just announced several additional performers for the event including South African-born Dave Matthews and his band, Green Day, Lady Gaga, Pink, and the Zac Brown Band.
The 52nd Annual GRAMMY Awards are produced by John Cossette Productions and AEG Ehrlich Ventures for The Recording Academy. Established in 1957, The Recording Academy is an organisation of musicians, producers, engineers and recording professionals that is dedicated to improving the cultural condition and quality of life for music and its makers. Internationally known for the GRAMMY Awards — the pre-eminent peer-recognised award for musical excellence and the most credible brand in music — The Recording Academy is responsible for groundbreaking professional development, cultural enrichment, advocacy, education and human services programmes.
Catch the 52nd Annual Grammy Awards live on Channel O on February 1 at 03h00 with a repeat on M-Net - Channel 101 - at 21h30.
REALITY BITES
(Pic by Tyrone Bradley: DJ King B (Nathan Redpath), Lisa Bobbert and Aaron McIlroy)Listen to the experts as they lift the veil on how to become a superstar overnight.
Reality TV will never be the same again. With Durban’s live entertainment scene upping its pace as 2010 gets into stride, first off the mark are Aaron McIlroy and Lisa Bobbert. The irrepressible husband-and-wife comedy duo is set to unleash fresh waves of hilarity over their fans with their hot-property new show, Reality Bites.
Reality Bites spotlights the inimitable show biz couple as they probe the global obsession with instant celebrities spawned by that media malaise of our age, the reality television show. Aided and abetted by DJ KingB, alias Nathan Redpath, McIlroy and Bobbert, in the guise of their vacuous stage alter egos, Bruce and Charmaine Siringinson, promise to demolish any misconceptions we may cling to about what it takes to become an overnight sensation.
Rule of thumb for quick-fix super-stardom? It’s simply a case or ‘Less Is More’. The less you have to offer, the greater your chance of hitting the jackpot – and becoming an overnight celebrity, say our experts. Think Paris Hilton on a shopping spree for designer pet food. Think Tiger Woods, emerging from rehab to set up shop as a marriage guidance councillor.
More specifically, picture our own upwardly-mobile Charmaine, dragging that ultimate loser of a hubbie of hers, the hapless Bruce, mercilessly along in her wake as she gate-crashes the tantalising world of botoxed silver-screen sirens, nipped-and-tucked personal trainers, know-it-all lifestyle experts, ruthlessly outspoken fashion-stylists, and the rest.
Presented by MacBob Productions, Reality Bites promises a fast-paced evening of satire and mirth. The show is liberally laced with up-beat musical interludes and in-your-face multi-media inserts, featuring ‘celebrity guests’ who are drawn from McIlroy’s and Bobbert’s inexhaustible gallery of stage characters – all quick to offer their own advice on how to upgrade your personal branding, and attain instant material success.
Reality Bites runs at the Elizabeth Sneddon Theatre from February 10 to March 7 2010. Early booking is advised. Tickets R95 available through Computicket, on 083 915 8000, or online at www.computicket.co.za
BOLLYWOOD CAMPUS PREVIEWS
Pinky Mothie to hold two special previews at Sibaya on January 29 and 30.
Veteran Durban show producer turned filmmaker Pinky Mothie is to hold to special previews of her long-awaited movie Bollywood Campus at the iZulu Theatre at Sibaya Casino at the end of this week.
The audience will be treated to live entertainment by the multi-national cast before the screening. The two-in-one programme will include professional singers and dancers in sequences choreographed for the production by India-trained dancer Rajiv Mothie.
Screenings take place on January 29 and 30. Tickets R100 booked through 031 400 1246 or 083 327 4666.
Veteran Durban show producer turned filmmaker Pinky Mothie is to hold to special previews of her long-awaited movie Bollywood Campus at the iZulu Theatre at Sibaya Casino at the end of this week.
The audience will be treated to live entertainment by the multi-national cast before the screening. The two-in-one programme will include professional singers and dancers in sequences choreographed for the production by India-trained dancer Rajiv Mothie.
Screenings take place on January 29 and 30. Tickets R100 booked through 031 400 1246 or 083 327 4666.
YOUNG ACTORS WANTED
New youth theatre company casting for young actor and actress to play lead roles.
Candace Wait, the founder of Drama Darlings, Durban’s new youth theatre company, is casting for a young actor and actress to play the leads in her new primary schools touring production.
The work will be staged during the second and third school terms and the July holidays. Rehearsals begin early next month.
Actors must be 17 years or over and have completed schooling. Those wishing to be considered should be able to speak English fluently and must be able to improvise both physically and verbally during rehearsal with the director and cast. The ability to sing would be an advantage as would the ability to respond ”appropriately to sometimes excited and voluble young audiences”.
Professional experience would be an advantage. All those auditioning are asked to wear rehearsal clothing and a head-and shoulders pic.
To apply for an audition or for more information contact 073 605 3421 between 08h00 and 17h00 no later than February 1.
Candace Wait, the founder of Drama Darlings, Durban’s new youth theatre company, is casting for a young actor and actress to play the leads in her new primary schools touring production.
The work will be staged during the second and third school terms and the July holidays. Rehearsals begin early next month.
Actors must be 17 years or over and have completed schooling. Those wishing to be considered should be able to speak English fluently and must be able to improvise both physically and verbally during rehearsal with the director and cast. The ability to sing would be an advantage as would the ability to respond ”appropriately to sometimes excited and voluble young audiences”.
Professional experience would be an advantage. All those auditioning are asked to wear rehearsal clothing and a head-and shoulders pic.
To apply for an audition or for more information contact 073 605 3421 between 08h00 and 17h00 no later than February 1.
MY NAME IS LUCKY AT MUSHO!
Energetic Grant Jacobs in physical theatre at its best. (Review by Maurice Kort)
Lucky is a rare breed. Although a street urchin, he takes his job earning an honest living as a car guard most seriously, only accepting money he has earned, as the car guard, but also as an acrobat and a professional beggar. He has a remarkable outlook on life, believing that he is like a seagull, soaring the skies over land and sea and dipping into the ocean. All this is depicted by the very energetic Grant Jacobs in physical theatre at its best.
Through much of the play, film of the streets which are home to Lucky is projected onto a screen. Very pertinent to the story, the projections include a lady rushing away after tipping Lucky for guarding her car and who drops a R50 note and a father figure, Mr James (Loyiso McDonald).
This is an enchanting, uplifting play, tightly directed by Jean van Elden, with Grant Jacobs continuing to be very active in the Durban Theatre scene, very hard working indeed.
My Name is Lucky came second place in both the 2010 Musho Audience Award and the 2010 Suliman Selection. Winners of these awards were Senzo Mthethwa and iainEWOKrobinson is LIVE! respectively. – Maurice Kort
Lucky is a rare breed. Although a street urchin, he takes his job earning an honest living as a car guard most seriously, only accepting money he has earned, as the car guard, but also as an acrobat and a professional beggar. He has a remarkable outlook on life, believing that he is like a seagull, soaring the skies over land and sea and dipping into the ocean. All this is depicted by the very energetic Grant Jacobs in physical theatre at its best.
Through much of the play, film of the streets which are home to Lucky is projected onto a screen. Very pertinent to the story, the projections include a lady rushing away after tipping Lucky for guarding her car and who drops a R50 note and a father figure, Mr James (Loyiso McDonald).
This is an enchanting, uplifting play, tightly directed by Jean van Elden, with Grant Jacobs continuing to be very active in the Durban Theatre scene, very hard working indeed.
My Name is Lucky came second place in both the 2010 Musho Audience Award and the 2010 Suliman Selection. Winners of these awards were Senzo Mthethwa and iainEWOKrobinson is LIVE! respectively. – Maurice Kort
CONSCIENCE AT MUSHO
Standout performances in play that certainly deserves further exposure. (Review by Maurice Kort)
Directed by Thomas Mpoeleng, Conscience is about the relationship between two brothers, Thembiso (Mandla Biyela), and the older Temba (Andile Mdletshe). The audience is introduced first to the young Thembiso and his relationships with his mother and his father. This is depicted by an energetic Mandla Biyela switching rapidly among the various roles of the mother, so busy with the washing and keeping the house clean; the father, who bullies Thembiso unmercifully, and of course Thembiso. Along the way he is also a preacher and a young girl on whom Thembiso has his eye. All this is beautifully accomplished with only a towel as a prop used as an apron, a scarf, a priest top or a skirt.
In due course, the older Temba makes his appearance, with a gammy leg and not in good health. This occurs after the death of their parents in a car crash and he is arranging the double funeral. This is when the drama begins. There is a bitter argument and fight over the money left by the parents.
There are standout performances by the two actors who are most convincing in their roles. The only small criticism is a lack of projection by Andile Mdletshe at times but this in no way detracts from excellent performances and what the Musho Festivals is all about, giving exposure to up and coming actors and playwrights. This play certainly deserves further exposure. – Maurice Kort
Directed by Thomas Mpoeleng, Conscience is about the relationship between two brothers, Thembiso (Mandla Biyela), and the older Temba (Andile Mdletshe). The audience is introduced first to the young Thembiso and his relationships with his mother and his father. This is depicted by an energetic Mandla Biyela switching rapidly among the various roles of the mother, so busy with the washing and keeping the house clean; the father, who bullies Thembiso unmercifully, and of course Thembiso. Along the way he is also a preacher and a young girl on whom Thembiso has his eye. All this is beautifully accomplished with only a towel as a prop used as an apron, a scarf, a priest top or a skirt.
In due course, the older Temba makes his appearance, with a gammy leg and not in good health. This occurs after the death of their parents in a car crash and he is arranging the double funeral. This is when the drama begins. There is a bitter argument and fight over the money left by the parents.
There are standout performances by the two actors who are most convincing in their roles. The only small criticism is a lack of projection by Andile Mdletshe at times but this in no way detracts from excellent performances and what the Musho Festivals is all about, giving exposure to up and coming actors and playwrights. This play certainly deserves further exposure. – Maurice Kort
IT’S ME, NOMFUNDO AT MUSHO!
Exciting premise but script needs more development and tighter focus. (Review by Maurice Kort)
Short play on a woman in search of her identity is an exciting premise but the script needs more development and tighter focus.
It’s Me, Nomfundo is performed by Silindile Ndlovu, taking on several roles, and directed by Bandile Mkhize, who also performs several characters as the story takes shape. The opening scene depicts a new Department of Home Affairs being opened by the Minister (Silindile Ndlovu), not exactly assisted by a most inept lackey (Bandile Mkhize).
There are many aspects to Nomfundo. She is abused by her boyfriend, being very much a sex object; she is the maid, Rose, at the beck and call of her very upper-class madam (Bandile Mikhize); also a mother, a wife, a prostitute, a victim, and very much in search of an identity - not helped by her consistently being denied an Identity Document by the Department of Home affairs.
There are nice performances by the two actors but there are too many characters and very few are given any chance to develop in the script, making the play rather fragmented and it lacks focus as a result. The lighting cues were not always well-handled. Adding to the confusion are the attempts of Ben to obtain an Identity Document by telephone for his twin brother, also Ben, who has been shot in a Shebeen. The idea of Nomfundo searching for an identity certainly has great potential.
It was indeed most gratifying to see an almost full house at the Catalina Theatre for this further production at the 2010 Musho Mini Festival, albeit a one-off performance. – Maurice Kort
Short play on a woman in search of her identity is an exciting premise but the script needs more development and tighter focus.
It’s Me, Nomfundo is performed by Silindile Ndlovu, taking on several roles, and directed by Bandile Mkhize, who also performs several characters as the story takes shape. The opening scene depicts a new Department of Home Affairs being opened by the Minister (Silindile Ndlovu), not exactly assisted by a most inept lackey (Bandile Mkhize).
There are many aspects to Nomfundo. She is abused by her boyfriend, being very much a sex object; she is the maid, Rose, at the beck and call of her very upper-class madam (Bandile Mikhize); also a mother, a wife, a prostitute, a victim, and very much in search of an identity - not helped by her consistently being denied an Identity Document by the Department of Home affairs.
There are nice performances by the two actors but there are too many characters and very few are given any chance to develop in the script, making the play rather fragmented and it lacks focus as a result. The lighting cues were not always well-handled. Adding to the confusion are the attempts of Ben to obtain an Identity Document by telephone for his twin brother, also Ben, who has been shot in a Shebeen. The idea of Nomfundo searching for an identity certainly has great potential.
It was indeed most gratifying to see an almost full house at the Catalina Theatre for this further production at the 2010 Musho Mini Festival, albeit a one-off performance. – Maurice Kort
IAIN EWOK ROBINSON IS LIVE AT MUSHO!
Very popular hip-hop poetry exponent blows the audience away with quick-fire delivery and superb audio-visuals. (Review by Maurice Kort)
Very popular hip-hop poetry exponent Iain (Ewok) Robinson blows the audience away once again with his quick-fire delivery aided by superb audio-visuals.
Iain (Ewok) Robinson has a huge following and is deservedly very popular, proved by his having been a two-time past Musho Festival winner of the Audience Favourite Award. Witness again an almost full theatre. One, of course, has to appreciate hip-hop rap and this particular form of entertainment - but even if one doesn’t, one has to admire his ability.
The poetry itself varies, some is amazing, other less so. A large part of his show includes awesome video projections (visuals by Karen Melissa Logan and audio by DJ Veranda Panda) and these deserve special mention. It can be overdone though as the title, and premise, of the presentation is “live” and Iain Ewok is offstage a fair amount. This could be excused if there were costume changes but this only involved a change of footwear on one occasion. However, the programme does explicitly state - referring to “what you see and what you get” - that just because it’s “Live” doesn’t mean that it’s happening right now. An example, of the audio-visual overkill is that one of the excellent videos showed “Insert Verse” sub-titles and then on a subsequent showing later, Ewok was on stage to insert verses and chorus. The first showing could well have been omitted.
Much thought has gone into the poetry, audio-visuals, performance, and even the programme, and they show. I loved the “Act Won”, “Act Too” and “Act Free” in the programme – all relevant to the show.
Liam Magner did a superb job handling the sound effects, with and without Iain Robinson on stage. It is a great pity that both Liam Magner and Iain Robinson have relocated to Cape Town so Durban audiences will see less of them. – Maurice Kort
Very popular hip-hop poetry exponent Iain (Ewok) Robinson blows the audience away once again with his quick-fire delivery aided by superb audio-visuals.
Iain (Ewok) Robinson has a huge following and is deservedly very popular, proved by his having been a two-time past Musho Festival winner of the Audience Favourite Award. Witness again an almost full theatre. One, of course, has to appreciate hip-hop rap and this particular form of entertainment - but even if one doesn’t, one has to admire his ability.
The poetry itself varies, some is amazing, other less so. A large part of his show includes awesome video projections (visuals by Karen Melissa Logan and audio by DJ Veranda Panda) and these deserve special mention. It can be overdone though as the title, and premise, of the presentation is “live” and Iain Ewok is offstage a fair amount. This could be excused if there were costume changes but this only involved a change of footwear on one occasion. However, the programme does explicitly state - referring to “what you see and what you get” - that just because it’s “Live” doesn’t mean that it’s happening right now. An example, of the audio-visual overkill is that one of the excellent videos showed “Insert Verse” sub-titles and then on a subsequent showing later, Ewok was on stage to insert verses and chorus. The first showing could well have been omitted.
Much thought has gone into the poetry, audio-visuals, performance, and even the programme, and they show. I loved the “Act Won”, “Act Too” and “Act Free” in the programme – all relevant to the show.
Liam Magner did a superb job handling the sound effects, with and without Iain Robinson on stage. It is a great pity that both Liam Magner and Iain Robinson have relocated to Cape Town so Durban audiences will see less of them. – Maurice Kort
IAIN EWOK ROBINSON IS LIVE AT MUSHO!
Ewok satisfies fans with his superb rhyming skills and thought-provoking lyrics. (Review by Shika Budhoo)
This show featured the talents of Iain ‘Ewok’ Robinson himself assisted on audio by DJ Veranda Panda (Liam Magner). In this latest show of his, Ewok satisfies fans with his superb rhyming skills and thought-provoking lyrics.
The show focuses a lot on self image, projected image, a damaged image, the media and its control on a society that is ever willing to follow and feed on whatever they provide, regardless of possible negative consequences. Like most of the shows that Ewok brings to theatres, it highlighted the importance of the need for a self-aware and conscious society.
“Whoever controls the media- the images- controls the culture.” –Allen Ginsberg, 1926-1997. The piece was divided into three sections, Act Won: The Catchphrase King ‘in which cool things get said to cool the head’; Act Too: What You See And What You Get ‘where just because its “LIVE!” doesn’t mean that its happening right now’… and Act Free: Freak Out ‘because “Of course they like it LIVE!”.’
The three sections are distinctly different in style rhythm and rhyme. Innovative in his design and the mechanisms used, it added another lever of interest every time the focus shifted to a different part on stage, or to the screen projecting typical media images, distorted media images, Ewok himself and amusing links and ‘aside’ comments that occurred concurrently with the live action. The interaction between what is seen on the screen and what is done live drives the message of mediocrity or rather MEDIA-ocrity! To be after seeing something being, to think what you think you’re thinking, but actually thinking what other things want you to think. The piece keeps you thinking, it reflects a society distorted by its own thoughts as well as the actions taken on beliefs based on the distortion.
Another clear message expressing the essence of the piece was “It is no measure of health to be well adjusted to a profoundly sick society.” – J Krishnamurti. Ewok emphasized this statement with controlling cool collected and quirky rhymes that had the audience at times responding and other times completely contemplative. Veranda Panda brought some awesome beats assisting Ewok in his performance. -Shika Budhoo
This show featured the talents of Iain ‘Ewok’ Robinson himself assisted on audio by DJ Veranda Panda (Liam Magner). In this latest show of his, Ewok satisfies fans with his superb rhyming skills and thought-provoking lyrics.
The show focuses a lot on self image, projected image, a damaged image, the media and its control on a society that is ever willing to follow and feed on whatever they provide, regardless of possible negative consequences. Like most of the shows that Ewok brings to theatres, it highlighted the importance of the need for a self-aware and conscious society.
“Whoever controls the media- the images- controls the culture.” –Allen Ginsberg, 1926-1997. The piece was divided into three sections, Act Won: The Catchphrase King ‘in which cool things get said to cool the head’; Act Too: What You See And What You Get ‘where just because its “LIVE!” doesn’t mean that its happening right now’… and Act Free: Freak Out ‘because “Of course they like it LIVE!”.’
The three sections are distinctly different in style rhythm and rhyme. Innovative in his design and the mechanisms used, it added another lever of interest every time the focus shifted to a different part on stage, or to the screen projecting typical media images, distorted media images, Ewok himself and amusing links and ‘aside’ comments that occurred concurrently with the live action. The interaction between what is seen on the screen and what is done live drives the message of mediocrity or rather MEDIA-ocrity! To be after seeing something being, to think what you think you’re thinking, but actually thinking what other things want you to think. The piece keeps you thinking, it reflects a society distorted by its own thoughts as well as the actions taken on beliefs based on the distortion.
Another clear message expressing the essence of the piece was “It is no measure of health to be well adjusted to a profoundly sick society.” – J Krishnamurti. Ewok emphasized this statement with controlling cool collected and quirky rhymes that had the audience at times responding and other times completely contemplative. Veranda Panda brought some awesome beats assisting Ewok in his performance. -Shika Budhoo
AMAGAMA AMATHATHU AT MUSHO
Play tenderly deals with issues facing youth and adults in dealing with the HIV/AIDS. (Review by Shika Budhoo)
Amagama Amathathu is a two hander show starring Mpume Mthombeni and T-Bone Hlahane. Well -known journalist and innovative director Gisele Turner, heads this South African play dealing with HIV and AIDS. The piece is defined in the Musho! programme as being under the genre ‘Puppet Storytelling’, the puppets created by Wendy Nel.
This show has run in Durban and greater Durban areas over the last four years and has evolved in the process as most great shows do. In the original cast was Kaseran Pillay who initially assisted this great team in the workshop process and elements of his collaboration with this team are still evident. Funny enough, this was my first viewing of this show and I’m certain when it comes back I will make sure I see it again.
The play tenderly deals with the issues facing the youth as well as adults in dealing with the HIV/AIDS crisis we ALL face. The use of puppets brings out the magic of the theatre and the performers carry the entire show with their brilliance as voice artists, singers, puppeteers, rappers, and dancers. With the topic being a ‘touchy’ subject, these two performers must be commended for their abilities to make an audience cry and then moments later have them bent over with laughter.
When faced with a play such as this, with its strong didactic nature and unusual story-telling mechanisms I have noticed that audiences tend to shy away in fear of being bombarded with too many ‘íssues’ on stage. That said, the house was decently filled and the audience overwhelmed with all types of awareness, from HIV (all the beliefs and beliefs in it cures), unexpected pregnancy, rape, child-led households to other joyful natural feelings of love, happiness and expectation.
Amagama Amathathu will be touring schools soon, so if possible make sure its on your itinerary of shows to watch this year. - Shika Budhoo
Amagama Amathathu is a two hander show starring Mpume Mthombeni and T-Bone Hlahane. Well -known journalist and innovative director Gisele Turner, heads this South African play dealing with HIV and AIDS. The piece is defined in the Musho! programme as being under the genre ‘Puppet Storytelling’, the puppets created by Wendy Nel.
This show has run in Durban and greater Durban areas over the last four years and has evolved in the process as most great shows do. In the original cast was Kaseran Pillay who initially assisted this great team in the workshop process and elements of his collaboration with this team are still evident. Funny enough, this was my first viewing of this show and I’m certain when it comes back I will make sure I see it again.
The play tenderly deals with the issues facing the youth as well as adults in dealing with the HIV/AIDS crisis we ALL face. The use of puppets brings out the magic of the theatre and the performers carry the entire show with their brilliance as voice artists, singers, puppeteers, rappers, and dancers. With the topic being a ‘touchy’ subject, these two performers must be commended for their abilities to make an audience cry and then moments later have them bent over with laughter.
When faced with a play such as this, with its strong didactic nature and unusual story-telling mechanisms I have noticed that audiences tend to shy away in fear of being bombarded with too many ‘íssues’ on stage. That said, the house was decently filled and the audience overwhelmed with all types of awareness, from HIV (all the beliefs and beliefs in it cures), unexpected pregnancy, rape, child-led households to other joyful natural feelings of love, happiness and expectation.
Amagama Amathathu will be touring schools soon, so if possible make sure its on your itinerary of shows to watch this year. - Shika Budhoo
BLACK ON WHITE EXHIBITION
(Pic: “Taking Good Care of our Belongings” by Linga Diko)Works on paper executed in black draw together a group of artists at the African Art Centre.
In line with the Mission of The African Art Centre which is to promote the work of artists and crafters mainly from KwaZulu-Natal, but also from the other provinces in South Africa, to provide an outlet for exposing and selling art, the Centre is to mount a group exhibition of works by 11 artists.
The artists are Ezequiel Mabote, Gabisile Nkosi, George Msimang, Judas Mahlangu, Linga Diko, Malibongwe Shangase, Thabani Msomi, Mxolisi Sithole, Thulani Makhaye, Vukile Teyise and William Zulu. This exhibition of works on paper - all executed in black - draws together a group of both celebrated and up and coming artists working with a diverse range of processes and media. Spanning some 15 years to the present, the exhibition provides insight into the personal passages that each artist has experienced and recorded on paper.
Judas Mahlangu’s work illustrates his ability to achieve subtle effects by producing aquatints with a variety of grey gradients and atmospheric quality showing intricate detail on an intimate scale. Vukile Teyise, an artist currently working in Grahamstown, draws his inspiration from the values and cultural traditions of society around him with humour and sharp comment. Linga Diko’s work represents through delicate mark-making and subtle humour the struggles and hopes of people living under difficult conditions.
In the linocuts by late Gabisile Nkosi, we see the artist’s use of metaphors and symbolism as a way of sharing emotions and life experiences. Ezequiel Mabote’s works always offer an insight into his concern about the ways of the world. Malibongwe Shangase has emerged as a distinctive new voice who uses the medium of woodcut to describe everyday life in the townships and rural areas of KZN.
Local artist, Mxolisi Sithole, the youngest of the group, is a versatile young upcoming artist who through his work provides a narrative of everyday life of township dwellers. Highly skilled printmaker, William Zulu reflects on the challenges of life and the rights of all individuals. Two works, a lithograph and charcoal drawing by one of KZN’s finest artists, late George Msimang depicts the artist’s sense of humour and delicate use of line.
This exhibition of artworks by artists who have a strong academic background and others who are self taught, from both rural and urban areas will be supplemented with a collection of black and white craft items. Products include table linen, telephone wire woven baskets and beaded dolls.
Black on White runs at the African Art Centre at 94 Florida Road, Morningside, from January 27 to February 13. More information from the Director, Sharon Crampton on 031 312 3805 or email africanartcentre@afri-art.co.za
Monday, January 25, 2010
ON-LINE
The 2010 KZNSA Members Exhibition.
The 2010 KZNSA Members’ Exhibition opens on January 26 at 18h00.
The KZNSA is a member-based organisation that has been in existence for the past 108 years. In this time, it has grown from a non-formal association of artists (who met to discuss, exhibit and market their work) to a public-benefit organisation that today is home to one of the leading contemporary art galleries in South Africa, a shop that stocks important local and national craft and design, and a number of outreach programmes that sees the love for and benefit of arts and culture nutured with a range of communities, especially young people.
The cornerstone of the KZNSA is its member base from which, annually, the KZNA council and working group committees are selected. In appreciation for the support by its consituency, the KZNSA hosts an annual members’ exhibition, presenting members with an opportunity to produce and exhibit artwork according to a theme. This year, the theme is ON-LINE. Expect an eclectic and exciting mix of submissions from some of the province’s leading professional artists, and also work from emerging young talents.
Online: The 2010 KZNSA Members’ Exhibition runs from January 26 until February 20. The KZNSA Gallery is situated at 166 Bulwer Road, Glenwood, in Durban. More information on 031 277 1703, fax 031 201 8051 or cell 082 220 0368 or visit www.kznsagallery.co.za
The 2010 KZNSA Members’ Exhibition opens on January 26 at 18h00.
The KZNSA is a member-based organisation that has been in existence for the past 108 years. In this time, it has grown from a non-formal association of artists (who met to discuss, exhibit and market their work) to a public-benefit organisation that today is home to one of the leading contemporary art galleries in South Africa, a shop that stocks important local and national craft and design, and a number of outreach programmes that sees the love for and benefit of arts and culture nutured with a range of communities, especially young people.
The cornerstone of the KZNSA is its member base from which, annually, the KZNA council and working group committees are selected. In appreciation for the support by its consituency, the KZNSA hosts an annual members’ exhibition, presenting members with an opportunity to produce and exhibit artwork according to a theme. This year, the theme is ON-LINE. Expect an eclectic and exciting mix of submissions from some of the province’s leading professional artists, and also work from emerging young talents.
Online: The 2010 KZNSA Members’ Exhibition runs from January 26 until February 20. The KZNSA Gallery is situated at 166 Bulwer Road, Glenwood, in Durban. More information on 031 277 1703, fax 031 201 8051 or cell 082 220 0368 or visit www.kznsagallery.co.za
JABULISA 2010
Dates of submission February 15 and 16.
Planning and implementation of one of the country’s most significant art exhibitions, Jabulisa 2010, is underway. Jabulisa, which previously took place in 1996, 2000 and 2006, is a touring exhibition that showcases the art and craft of KwaZulu-Natal, and is a project of the Natal Arts Trust. This is an independent body with meaningful ties to the five art museums of the province, and the majority of the Natal Arts Trust board are curators of these art museums. The work of the Trust is largely upublicised but its efforts focus on supporting and assisting the various public art museums to acquire meaningful works for their own collections. The five art museums of KZN are: the Tatham Art Gallery in Pietermaritzburg; the Margate Art Museum; the Empangeni Museum; the Carnegie Art Gallery in Newcastle; and the Durban Art Gallery.
“Jabulisa is the premier exhibition reflecting art and craft production in KwaZulu-Natal,” says Tatham Director Brendan Bell, who is also Chairman of the Natal Arts Trust. “Submissions must be representative of all visual arts, and may include such diverse artworks as paintings, beadwork, fibre art, jewellery and garments, installations, photography and video art, mosaics, etchings – the list is endless. The emphasis is on absolute excellence, with a hint of the quirky, the new, the innovative.”
The exhibition requires a rigorous and extensive sourcing process to ensure comprehensive and quality submissions from artists and crafters across the province. This role is managed by each of the art museums through their media/publicity networks and their longstanding relationships with artists in their regions, as well as through contact with previous Jabulisa entrants. Works are chosen by majority vote from selection panels, with attention paid to diversity of media, diversity of aesthetic and technical issues surrounding the individual artists, and diversity of representations in communicating life in KZN. The selection panel seeks the most appropriate and relevant works for exhibition, and will solicit works from outside the submissions process if necessary to present an accurate representation.
The Durban Art Gallery will accept submissions for Jabulisa 2010 on February 15 and 16 between the hours of 10h00 and 15h00. Telephone Jenny Stretton on 031 311 2264 for further enquiries. The selection day will be February 17 and the collection date for unselected works will be February 18.
Jabulisa 2010 will open at the Tatham Art Gallery on June 8 and will then move to Durban, Margate, Empangeni, Eshowe’s Vukani Museum and Newcastle.
For details about Jabulisa 2010, contact Brendan Bell or Kobie Venter at the Tatham Art Gallery on 033 392-2801. Entry forms are available at regional art museums or www.tatham.org.za
Planning and implementation of one of the country’s most significant art exhibitions, Jabulisa 2010, is underway. Jabulisa, which previously took place in 1996, 2000 and 2006, is a touring exhibition that showcases the art and craft of KwaZulu-Natal, and is a project of the Natal Arts Trust. This is an independent body with meaningful ties to the five art museums of the province, and the majority of the Natal Arts Trust board are curators of these art museums. The work of the Trust is largely upublicised but its efforts focus on supporting and assisting the various public art museums to acquire meaningful works for their own collections. The five art museums of KZN are: the Tatham Art Gallery in Pietermaritzburg; the Margate Art Museum; the Empangeni Museum; the Carnegie Art Gallery in Newcastle; and the Durban Art Gallery.
“Jabulisa is the premier exhibition reflecting art and craft production in KwaZulu-Natal,” says Tatham Director Brendan Bell, who is also Chairman of the Natal Arts Trust. “Submissions must be representative of all visual arts, and may include such diverse artworks as paintings, beadwork, fibre art, jewellery and garments, installations, photography and video art, mosaics, etchings – the list is endless. The emphasis is on absolute excellence, with a hint of the quirky, the new, the innovative.”
The exhibition requires a rigorous and extensive sourcing process to ensure comprehensive and quality submissions from artists and crafters across the province. This role is managed by each of the art museums through their media/publicity networks and their longstanding relationships with artists in their regions, as well as through contact with previous Jabulisa entrants. Works are chosen by majority vote from selection panels, with attention paid to diversity of media, diversity of aesthetic and technical issues surrounding the individual artists, and diversity of representations in communicating life in KZN. The selection panel seeks the most appropriate and relevant works for exhibition, and will solicit works from outside the submissions process if necessary to present an accurate representation.
The Durban Art Gallery will accept submissions for Jabulisa 2010 on February 15 and 16 between the hours of 10h00 and 15h00. Telephone Jenny Stretton on 031 311 2264 for further enquiries. The selection day will be February 17 and the collection date for unselected works will be February 18.
Jabulisa 2010 will open at the Tatham Art Gallery on June 8 and will then move to Durban, Margate, Empangeni, Eshowe’s Vukani Museum and Newcastle.
For details about Jabulisa 2010, contact Brendan Bell or Kobie Venter at the Tatham Art Gallery on 033 392-2801. Entry forms are available at regional art museums or www.tatham.org.za
TORCHWOOD
Separate from the government, outside the police, beyond the United Nations: Torchwood sets its own rules.The Torchwood Series 2 is running on Sundays at 18h25 on BBC Entertainment (channel 120 on DStv).
Separate from the government, outside the police, beyond the United Nations: Torchwood sets its own rules. Led by the enigmatic Captain Jack Harkness, the Torchwood team use scavenged alien technology to solve crime - both alien and human. Bigger and bolder than before, Russell T Davies' hit BBC drama series returns for 13 new adventures. With fearsome new aliens, compelling new storylines, and amazing guest stars, the second series takes the close-knit Torchwood team through dare-devil action, temptation, heartache ... and a life changing event for one of the team.
With John Barrowman as Captain Jack Harkness, the cast includes Eve Myles; Burn Gorman; Naoko Mori; Indira Varma; Gareth David Lloyd and Kai Owen.
HALLMARK NEW BEGINNINGS
“Wild at Heart” Series 4 and “Sea Patrol” season 3 roll out the year for Hallmark.
January also sees the return of two familiar shows with brand new series not seen before in South Africa. Wild at Heart series is running on Sundays at 20h00 and Sea Patrol season 3 premieres on January 25 at 19h10.
Wild at Heart deals with life for the Trevanions at Leopards Den, the game park in Africa. In this series, things are changing. After the tragic loss of Sarah in the fire, Danny and the family have to move on. A new animal hospital has been built and a new vet called Alice, accompanied by her daughter Charlotte, has been hired to aid them in the reconstruction process. There is another new face in the shape of Alice's brother Rowan, who becomes ensconced with businesswoman Vanessa at the neighbouring game park Mara. Danny also has to deal with the possibility of losing his stepson Evan, since Sarah's death means he should legally go back to his real father in the UK.
Sea Patrol is about adventures that forge deep and lasting friendships. Every hour of every day, in all weather imaginable, young men and women battle the elements and the odds to defend Australia's borders and enforce its economic zone. They provide security, surveillance, protection, support and relief for the world's largest island and longest coastline, facing two of the biggest and most dangerous oceans on the face of the earth. The series offers explosive action and monumental stillness with a closeness to nature through the awesome beauty of tropical waters, its wildlife, and the terrifying intensity of tropical storms. There are mysterious events and deadly consequences. Patrol Boat sailors say their job is the best in Navy, a small boat and its crew facing real dangers -not just war games.
January also sees the return of two familiar shows with brand new series not seen before in South Africa. Wild at Heart series is running on Sundays at 20h00 and Sea Patrol season 3 premieres on January 25 at 19h10.
Wild at Heart deals with life for the Trevanions at Leopards Den, the game park in Africa. In this series, things are changing. After the tragic loss of Sarah in the fire, Danny and the family have to move on. A new animal hospital has been built and a new vet called Alice, accompanied by her daughter Charlotte, has been hired to aid them in the reconstruction process. There is another new face in the shape of Alice's brother Rowan, who becomes ensconced with businesswoman Vanessa at the neighbouring game park Mara. Danny also has to deal with the possibility of losing his stepson Evan, since Sarah's death means he should legally go back to his real father in the UK.
Sea Patrol is about adventures that forge deep and lasting friendships. Every hour of every day, in all weather imaginable, young men and women battle the elements and the odds to defend Australia's borders and enforce its economic zone. They provide security, surveillance, protection, support and relief for the world's largest island and longest coastline, facing two of the biggest and most dangerous oceans on the face of the earth. The series offers explosive action and monumental stillness with a closeness to nature through the awesome beauty of tropical waters, its wildlife, and the terrifying intensity of tropical storms. There are mysterious events and deadly consequences. Patrol Boat sailors say their job is the best in Navy, a small boat and its crew facing real dangers -not just war games.
THREE SHADES OF RAGA
Treat for lovers of Indian classical music supported by the Swiss Arts Council.
Lovers of Indian classical music are in for a treat in February 2010 when world-renowned, Swiss-based sarod player Ken Zuckerman will be touring South Africa in a festival titled Three Shades of Raga, supported by the Swiss Arts Council, Pro Helvetia.
Zuckerman is one of three principal artists featured at the festival and will be accompanied on tabla by the highly rated Pandit Anindo Chatterjee. The other artists are violin virtuoso Kala Ramnath, and the doyen of Indian classical vocal, Pandit Jasraj.
Three Shades of Raga will have one performance on February 10 in the Durban City Hall. Booking is at Computicket. More information at www.tabla.co.za
Lovers of Indian classical music are in for a treat in February 2010 when world-renowned, Swiss-based sarod player Ken Zuckerman will be touring South Africa in a festival titled Three Shades of Raga, supported by the Swiss Arts Council, Pro Helvetia.
Zuckerman is one of three principal artists featured at the festival and will be accompanied on tabla by the highly rated Pandit Anindo Chatterjee. The other artists are violin virtuoso Kala Ramnath, and the doyen of Indian classical vocal, Pandit Jasraj.
Three Shades of Raga will have one performance on February 10 in the Durban City Hall. Booking is at Computicket. More information at www.tabla.co.za
MAN OF LA MANCHA
Dream the Impossible Dream in new TheatreBiz production.
TheatreBIZ, founded to promote South African talent, has laid claim to Man of La Mancha’s experimental roots and “turned it back into the show it was originally meant to be” with additional South African flavour.
The publicity material continues: “It's about the dangers of mixing religion and government, about the destructive power of religious absolutism, about throwing people in jail for dissent, about violence against women, and it's about people standing up for themselves and refusing to be silenced - just like the Civil Rights movement of the 60s, the gay rights and women's rights movements of the 70s, and the AIDS movement of the 80s.”
Directed by Themi Venturas, the production stars Cobus Venter (seen as Freddie Eynsford-Hill in the Playhouse production of My Fair Lady recently) as Don Quixote and Liam Magner (of Neon Anthems and Spit Monkey fame) as his sidekick Sancho. Under the musical direction of Luke Holder, currently head of music at Westville Boys High School, who makes his début at the Catalina Theatre, the musicians who will be members of the cast will be led by virtuoso ‘flamenco’ guitarist Demi Fernandez.
Man of La Mancha runs from January 28 to February 28 at the Catalina Theatre. Tickets R90 (R50 concessions) with performances Thursday to Saturday at 20h00 with an extra performance on Saturdays at 17h00) (Sundays at 14h00 and 18h00). Booking through Strictly Tickets or the Catalina Theatre on 031 305-6889.
TheatreBIZ, founded to promote South African talent, has laid claim to Man of La Mancha’s experimental roots and “turned it back into the show it was originally meant to be” with additional South African flavour.
The publicity material continues: “It's about the dangers of mixing religion and government, about the destructive power of religious absolutism, about throwing people in jail for dissent, about violence against women, and it's about people standing up for themselves and refusing to be silenced - just like the Civil Rights movement of the 60s, the gay rights and women's rights movements of the 70s, and the AIDS movement of the 80s.”
Directed by Themi Venturas, the production stars Cobus Venter (seen as Freddie Eynsford-Hill in the Playhouse production of My Fair Lady recently) as Don Quixote and Liam Magner (of Neon Anthems and Spit Monkey fame) as his sidekick Sancho. Under the musical direction of Luke Holder, currently head of music at Westville Boys High School, who makes his début at the Catalina Theatre, the musicians who will be members of the cast will be led by virtuoso ‘flamenco’ guitarist Demi Fernandez.
Man of La Mancha runs from January 28 to February 28 at the Catalina Theatre. Tickets R90 (R50 concessions) with performances Thursday to Saturday at 20h00 with an extra performance on Saturdays at 17h00) (Sundays at 14h00 and 18h00). Booking through Strictly Tickets or the Catalina Theatre on 031 305-6889.
Sunday, January 24, 2010
START OF 5TH UNISA INTERNATIONAL STRING COMPETITION
Jacqueline Wedderburn-Maxwell of Durban joins two other SA musicians to compete against international talent.
Three young South African musicians – one each from Cape Town, Durban and George – are among the 27 competitors who are gathering for the start of the prestigious Vodacom-sponsored 5th Unisa International String Competition in Pretoria today.
Jacqueline Wedderburn-Maxwell (16) of Durban joins Avigail Bushakevitz (22) of George and Vicente Espi (22) of Cape Town to fly the South African flag against 24 other musicians from 17 other countries. The three qualified for the competition following their outstanding performances in last year’s 2nd Unisa National String Competition, which earned them the top three places respectively.
Bob Collymore, Chief Officer: Corporate Affairs of the Vodacom Group says: “We are pleased to be able to extend a hand of hospitality to all participating countries. We look forward to a feast of music and trust that as the musicians showcase their extraordinary talents, the experience will be just as rewarding. Good luck to all!”
For the first time, parents, family members and friends from across the globe will be able to listen live to the final rounds of the competition via the internet. The live streaming will be done through Radio Today’s website www.1485.org.za, while in the greater Johannesburg area, classical music lovers will listen to the live broadcast on Radio 1485 AM. The broadcast will also be available on Radio Today’s DSTV Channel 169, nationally and across the SADC sub-region.
The three finalists of each category, violin and cello, will be heard live over two evenings, February 4 and 5 at 19h30 [GMT+2], in what promises to be a feast of the world’s best-loved violin and cello concertos. The finalists’ violin and cello concertos will be accompanied by the Johannesburg Philharmonic Orchestra (JPO), led by Pretoria-born conductor Conrad van Alphen who is currently based in The Netherlands.
Van Alphen is the artistic director and chief conductor of Sinfonia Rotterdam which he has moulded into one of the best orchestras in The Netherlands. He is known as a well-established conductor who has gained popularity with orchestras for the way in which he rehearses and performs. His return to his birth country to direct the JPO, which he has conducted on many occasions previously, will bring a thoroughly South African energy to the finals.
With all the role players putting their best efforts into the competition, it will be an event to look forward to and - with a total purse of R890,000 sponsored by Vodacom - the contest for top honours will be an intense challenge.
Tickets for the first three rounds are available at the door, while bookings for the two final rounds on February 4 and 5 can be made through Computicket. More information from the Unisa Music Foundation on 012 429 3344/3336.
Three young South African musicians – one each from Cape Town, Durban and George – are among the 27 competitors who are gathering for the start of the prestigious Vodacom-sponsored 5th Unisa International String Competition in Pretoria today.
Jacqueline Wedderburn-Maxwell (16) of Durban joins Avigail Bushakevitz (22) of George and Vicente Espi (22) of Cape Town to fly the South African flag against 24 other musicians from 17 other countries. The three qualified for the competition following their outstanding performances in last year’s 2nd Unisa National String Competition, which earned them the top three places respectively.
Bob Collymore, Chief Officer: Corporate Affairs of the Vodacom Group says: “We are pleased to be able to extend a hand of hospitality to all participating countries. We look forward to a feast of music and trust that as the musicians showcase their extraordinary talents, the experience will be just as rewarding. Good luck to all!”
For the first time, parents, family members and friends from across the globe will be able to listen live to the final rounds of the competition via the internet. The live streaming will be done through Radio Today’s website www.1485.org.za, while in the greater Johannesburg area, classical music lovers will listen to the live broadcast on Radio 1485 AM. The broadcast will also be available on Radio Today’s DSTV Channel 169, nationally and across the SADC sub-region.
The three finalists of each category, violin and cello, will be heard live over two evenings, February 4 and 5 at 19h30 [GMT+2], in what promises to be a feast of the world’s best-loved violin and cello concertos. The finalists’ violin and cello concertos will be accompanied by the Johannesburg Philharmonic Orchestra (JPO), led by Pretoria-born conductor Conrad van Alphen who is currently based in The Netherlands.
Van Alphen is the artistic director and chief conductor of Sinfonia Rotterdam which he has moulded into one of the best orchestras in The Netherlands. He is known as a well-established conductor who has gained popularity with orchestras for the way in which he rehearses and performs. His return to his birth country to direct the JPO, which he has conducted on many occasions previously, will bring a thoroughly South African energy to the finals.
With all the role players putting their best efforts into the competition, it will be an event to look forward to and - with a total purse of R890,000 sponsored by Vodacom - the contest for top honours will be an intense challenge.
Tickets for the first three rounds are available at the door, while bookings for the two final rounds on February 4 and 5 can be made through Computicket. More information from the Unisa Music Foundation on 012 429 3344/3336.
Saturday, January 23, 2010
ZULU BASKETRY
First comprehensive pictorial record of this craft form makes for fascinating reading. (Review by Caroline Smart)Jannie van Heerden is Deputy Chief Education Specialist in the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Education in charge of Visual Arts and Design education in KZN, and has spent 16 years documenting basket weavers in the field. He has placed his considerable experience and knowledge in a well-presented soft cover book titled Zulu Basketry which is hailed is the first comprehensive pictorial record of a craft form that has endured political change in education and empowered basket weavers with a sustainable means of making a living.
Zulu Basketry focuses on contemporary basket weaving from the Hlabisa area of KZN where some of the best work is produced. Master weavers from this area – like Beauty Ngxongo and the late Reuben Ndwandwe – are represented in the permanent collection of the Metropolitan Museum, New York, and in private collections worldwide.
The cover of the book contains a splendid large bowl-shaped basket (ukhamba) by Ntombi Mhlongo. As the front flap indicates, crafts have played an important role in the cultural survival of the Zulu people and basketry remained in the school curriculum during the apartheid years as it was not seen as a threat. Basket weavers and other craftspeople empowered themselves as they established their independence of unscrupulous dealers, eventually becoming entrepreneurs in their own right and earning a sustainable living.
Many years ago, I remember browsing around the now sadly-defunct Bayside Gallery at the BAT Centre one day when a large group of people arrived and began discussing and handling the baskets, fascinated by the various patterns and complexities. Picking up a number of international accents, I asked the shop owner, Sue Greenberg (who now runs the Artisan Gallery in Florida Road), where the group was from and why their specific focus on the baskets. She explained that they mathematicians who were researching how rural and mainly-uneducated people were able to produce such intricate designs without working from patterns. Such complicated designs produced presumably by instinct and skill alone, virtually defy explanation.
One look at the early baskets featured in Zulu Basketry, such as Bettina Mlotshwa’s large necked pear-shaped ilala basket (isichumo) circa the early 1980’s makes one understand what fired the interest of those mathematicians.
As the years progressed, basket patterns became incredibly more intricate and, before long, involved more complex images such as people, huts, trees and animals. Then telephone wire baskets hit the craft scene, pioneered by the inimitable Elliot Mkhize who used to while away his time as a night watchman at Delta Security and later the Natal Playhouse, working on covered sticks before progressing to finely woven flat bowls with complex geometric designs.
Basketware – whether made from ilala palm or telephone wire – is now highly sought after and can reach impressive prices on the international scene. Jannie van Heerden can be proud that his energies formed a considerable part of its success.
The book contains 98 pages with full colour photography and the author takes great pains to explain works in detail, pointing out the dyes used and their origins as well as interesting information on the patterns involved. There is also a very helpful glossary explaining the Zulu terms used in the making of baskets.
Zulu Basketry by Jannie van Heerden is published by Print Matters. RRP: R195 (incl. VAT and postage) within South Africa and can be ordered from all good bookstores and from 021 789 0155 or fax 086 616 4932. ISBN: 978-0-9802609-4-6 More information from www.printmatters.co.za and www.readersforumbooks.co.za – Caroline Smart
CRANFORD SERIES 1
(Pic: Lisa Dillon, Dame Eileen Atkins, Dame Judi Dench and Imelda Staunton)
Dame Judi Dench leads magnificent ensemble cast in classic Elizabeth Gaskell adaptation.
Oscar-winner Judi Dench leads a magnificent ensemble cast in the first series of Cranford, a classic Elizabeth Gaskell adaptation which offers a uniquely rich and comic drama. The series is aired on BBC Entertainment (channel 120 on DStv) from January 19 on Tuesdays at 21h30.
Based on three Elizabeth Gaskell novels: Cranford, My Lady Ludlow and Mr Harrison’s Confessions, this witty and poignant story follows the small absurdities and major tragedies in the lives of the people of Cranford during one extraordinary year. Cranford in the 1840s is a small Cheshire market town on the cusp of change. The railway is pushing its way relentlessly towards the town from northern industrial city Manchester, bringing fears of migrant workers and the breakdown of law and order. The arrival of handsome new doctor Frank Harrison from London causes a stir - not only because of his revolutionary medical methods, but also because of the effect he has on many of the ladies’ hearts in the town.
Judi Dench plays Miss Matty Jenkyns, whose hopes and rebellious spirit was crushed when she was forced as a young woman to give up Mr Holbrook (played by Michael Gambon), the man she loved. Others in the cast include Dame Eileen Atkins, Philip Glenister, Francesca Annis and Imelda Staunton.
PECHA KUCHA
Series of powerpoint presentations focused on art, design and architecture.Pecha Kucha is a series of powerpoint presentations focused on art, design and architecture to be held at the Durban Art Gallery next week.
“Pecha Kucha is unique in that each speaker has 20 slides and can only show them for 20 seconds each so each presentation only lasts six minutes,” explains art curator Carol Brown. “It’s really stimulating and lots of variety. I will be presenting some of the stadium artworks and other Durban speakers will be showing their projects.”
Pecha Kucha will take place on January 28 at 18h30 for 19h00 at the Durban Art Gallery. There is a R10 donation requested per person at the door and a cash bar.
BACK TO BORGE CANCELLED
Jonathan Roxmouth exchanges Borge at Rhumbelow for his new show.
Due to an unexpected retraction requested from Borge Productions Inc, Jonathan Roxmouth’s one man show Back to Borge has not been able to tour to Durban as advertised.
However, Jonathan Roxmouth will still appear at Durban's Rhumbelow Theatre from January 22 to 24 as well as January 29 to 31 with his new show entitled In Black & White. In it, he shares a personal semi-biographical take on showbiz life with the audience through songs, sketches and backstage stories that have held special significance for him.
The programme is jam-packed with dazzling piano prowess, a vocal tour de farce in his Phantom Of The Opera in 10 Minutes and Performer's Pandemonium as well as hysterical antics inspired by Tom Lehrer, Peter Sellers, Ronnie Barker and Rowan Atkinson. With songs like Being Alive, Without A Song and On the Boards, Jonathan shares his triumphs, flops and dreams with the audience. All of these culminate in an evening of no holds barred entertainment in its purest form from one of South Africa's leading stage performers.
Shows take place on Fridays and Saturdays at 20h00 and Sundays at 18h30. The venue opens 90 minutes before show for picnic dinner. Tickets R80. Take along food picnic baskets and braais will be available. There is limited secure parking and booking is essential. A cash bar is available (no alcohol may be brought on to the premises). Rhumbelow Theatre is situated in Cunningham Avenue off Bartle Road. Booking is through Computicket or contact Roland on 031 205 7602 (h) or 082 499 8636, email roland@stansell.za.net or visit www.rhumbelow.za.net
Due to an unexpected retraction requested from Borge Productions Inc, Jonathan Roxmouth’s one man show Back to Borge has not been able to tour to Durban as advertised.
However, Jonathan Roxmouth will still appear at Durban's Rhumbelow Theatre from January 22 to 24 as well as January 29 to 31 with his new show entitled In Black & White. In it, he shares a personal semi-biographical take on showbiz life with the audience through songs, sketches and backstage stories that have held special significance for him.
The programme is jam-packed with dazzling piano prowess, a vocal tour de farce in his Phantom Of The Opera in 10 Minutes and Performer's Pandemonium as well as hysterical antics inspired by Tom Lehrer, Peter Sellers, Ronnie Barker and Rowan Atkinson. With songs like Being Alive, Without A Song and On the Boards, Jonathan shares his triumphs, flops and dreams with the audience. All of these culminate in an evening of no holds barred entertainment in its purest form from one of South Africa's leading stage performers.
Shows take place on Fridays and Saturdays at 20h00 and Sundays at 18h30. The venue opens 90 minutes before show for picnic dinner. Tickets R80. Take along food picnic baskets and braais will be available. There is limited secure parking and booking is essential. A cash bar is available (no alcohol may be brought on to the premises). Rhumbelow Theatre is situated in Cunningham Avenue off Bartle Road. Booking is through Computicket or contact Roland on 031 205 7602 (h) or 082 499 8636, email roland@stansell.za.net or visit www.rhumbelow.za.net
DIAMONDS & PEARLS
(Pic: Johan Liebenberg (centre) performs Neil Diamond)Tribute to Neil Diamond and Celine Dion at Barnyard at Gateway.
Neil Diamond and Celine Dion are two of the most successful recording and performing artists of all time, and The Barnyard Theatre at Gateway eases audiences into the new year with a tribute to these two diverse icons in Diamonds & Pearls directed by Adrian Poulsen from January 26 to March 7.
Neil Diamond is one of pop music’s most enduring and successful singer-songwriters having sold over 48 million records in America and being rated the third most successful Adult Contemporary artist ever, ranking behind only Barbara Streisand and Elton John. In Diamonds & Pearls, his evergreen hits like Sweet Caroline, Song Sung Blue, Cracklin’ Rosie, Beautiful Noise and Forever In Blue Jeans are uncannily brought to life by Johan Liebenberg.
Celine Dion is regarded as the premier contemporary pop vocalists of the 90s. Having come from humble beginnings in a rural French Canadian home town, she has risen to international superstardom like a shooting star. From the tender age of five, she and her 13 siblings quickly acquired the knack of performing live when singing in her parents’ piano bar, and her first composition was at the age of 12 which would forever change the course of her life. Her meteoric rise to fame and huge following saw her perform in Vegas for five years where over three million people saw her in 717 shows. Her slew of iconic hits include Think Twice, Power Of Love, Falling Into You, Let’s Talk About Love, My Heart Will Go On and It’s All Coming Back to Me Now.
An added bonus to the hits of Neil Diamond and Celine Dion is the surprise dedication to duet performances with tributes to Meat Loaf, Barbra Streisand, Bryan Adams and many more.
Running at the Barnyard at Gateway, Diamonds & Pearls is a spectacular show performed by a nine-piece cast, including five vocalists.
Tickets R115 pp Wednesday to Saturday (R80 pp Tuesday night and Sunday matinees). For bookings and enquiries, phone The Barnyard Theatre on 031 566 3045, e-mail gateway@barnyardtheatres.co.za or visit www.barnyardtheatres.co.za for more information.
MUSHO– A SURPRISING SUCCESS!
The Musho Mini Festival packed seven productions into three days of intensive theatre-going.
The Musho Mini Festival of One and Two Hander Theatre at the Catalina Theatre packed seven productions into three days of intensive theatre-going. Hosted by the Performing Arts Network of South Africa (PANSA) KZN, the fifth Musho International Theatre Festival of One and Two Person Theatre was held at the Catalina Theatre in Wilsons Wharf from January 14 to 17.
The festival is an annual event and showcases one-hander and two-hander productions, focusing on the art of the performer and excellence in story-telling, staging and entertainment.
Despite that the fact that the usual ten day festival held at two venues was condensed into one weekend-long festival at the Catalina Theatre, the audience attendance was substantial higher than previous years. There was a marked increase in both the audience numbers and audience demographics – with many first-timers attending the festival.
The festival was held on a reduced scale this year as none of the funders and partners who traditionally support Musho were able to offer funding this time, so the festival held productions gleaned mostly from in and around Durban, with the exception of Gaetan Schmid’s Rumpsteak – a delicious mime / physical theatre piece about a frenetic French restaurant - which was bought to Durban by Pentravel, a specialist leisure travel agency. On hearing the plight of the festival, Pentravel generously came on board to enable the headline show to travel from Cape Town. The Rumpsteak Company was accommodated courtesy of the Royal Hotel.
As has become tradition, The Musho Festival has an audience vote allowing all members of every audience to give feedback of what they thought of the show. The winner of the 2010 Musho Audience Award went to Senzo Mthethwa – a self-titled charming original story about a young Zulu boy growing up with an Indian family in Reservoir Hills, based on real experiences. The piece is jointly devised and written by Mthethwa, Kumseela Naidoo (who also directs) and Koobeshan Naidoo. The premise is Mthethwa, as himself, contemplating writing his life story and deciding where to start, what anecdotes to include and what to leave out.
The audience vote runner up prize went to Grant Jacobs performing his first solo piece – My Name is Lucky, which is directed by Jean van Elden. It is a compelling tale of a Durban street urchin with a heart of gold, who works as a car guard.
The other award which is a tradition at Musho is The Suliman Selection. The Suliman family has seen every show at every Musho festival over its five years of existence. Ahead of the second year, they donated a floating trophy which gets awarded annually to the show their family has enjoyed the most. This year the trophy went again to Ewok for this show iainEWOKrobinson is LIVE! This is the fourth in a series of shows, this time staged, in collaboration with visual artist Karen Logan and DJ Veranda Panda a.k.a. Liam Magner. “It comes complete with lyrical riddles, one liners, original music and video visuals, to leave your thoughts suitably scattered enough to start thinking again, from scratch.”
Runner up for the Suliman Selection was also Grant Jacobs for My Name is Lucky. They acknowledged that My Name is Lucky gave a face to the faceless and taught the audiences to be more attentive to people who most of us consider “invisible”. The Suliman family made a special mention of the talent of Senzo Mthethwa and his remarkable story.
In her closing address, Festival Director Emma Durden thanked the PANSA committee who organized the festival on a voluntary basis this year. She thanked the press for their amazing support and the Livewires word of mouth theatre supporters club for their reviews – which is an important facet of the festival and a useful feedback tool for the participants.
The general consensus was that the Musho Mini Festival was a great success in its current form and perhaps the intensity of a short festival encouraged more patrons to see multiple shows than the previous extended two shows an evening over ten days’ format. The weekend format certainly bodes well for the future, especially in the light of reduced arts funding.
After extensive research, PANSA realized that a festival early in the year staging more intimate theatrical productions is considered a great start to the year by performers and audiences alike. Musho benefits the performers as staging their shows and collecting reviews early in the year helps them for future seasons of the production through the year. The audiences love seeing an array of fabulous theatre early in the year when calendars are quiet and when the festive flurry is over.
For more information and for detailed reviews of the various shows, visit www.mushofestival.co.za
The Musho Mini Festival of One and Two Hander Theatre at the Catalina Theatre packed seven productions into three days of intensive theatre-going. Hosted by the Performing Arts Network of South Africa (PANSA) KZN, the fifth Musho International Theatre Festival of One and Two Person Theatre was held at the Catalina Theatre in Wilsons Wharf from January 14 to 17.
The festival is an annual event and showcases one-hander and two-hander productions, focusing on the art of the performer and excellence in story-telling, staging and entertainment.
Despite that the fact that the usual ten day festival held at two venues was condensed into one weekend-long festival at the Catalina Theatre, the audience attendance was substantial higher than previous years. There was a marked increase in both the audience numbers and audience demographics – with many first-timers attending the festival.
The festival was held on a reduced scale this year as none of the funders and partners who traditionally support Musho were able to offer funding this time, so the festival held productions gleaned mostly from in and around Durban, with the exception of Gaetan Schmid’s Rumpsteak – a delicious mime / physical theatre piece about a frenetic French restaurant - which was bought to Durban by Pentravel, a specialist leisure travel agency. On hearing the plight of the festival, Pentravel generously came on board to enable the headline show to travel from Cape Town. The Rumpsteak Company was accommodated courtesy of the Royal Hotel.
As has become tradition, The Musho Festival has an audience vote allowing all members of every audience to give feedback of what they thought of the show. The winner of the 2010 Musho Audience Award went to Senzo Mthethwa – a self-titled charming original story about a young Zulu boy growing up with an Indian family in Reservoir Hills, based on real experiences. The piece is jointly devised and written by Mthethwa, Kumseela Naidoo (who also directs) and Koobeshan Naidoo. The premise is Mthethwa, as himself, contemplating writing his life story and deciding where to start, what anecdotes to include and what to leave out.
The audience vote runner up prize went to Grant Jacobs performing his first solo piece – My Name is Lucky, which is directed by Jean van Elden. It is a compelling tale of a Durban street urchin with a heart of gold, who works as a car guard.
The other award which is a tradition at Musho is The Suliman Selection. The Suliman family has seen every show at every Musho festival over its five years of existence. Ahead of the second year, they donated a floating trophy which gets awarded annually to the show their family has enjoyed the most. This year the trophy went again to Ewok for this show iainEWOKrobinson is LIVE! This is the fourth in a series of shows, this time staged, in collaboration with visual artist Karen Logan and DJ Veranda Panda a.k.a. Liam Magner. “It comes complete with lyrical riddles, one liners, original music and video visuals, to leave your thoughts suitably scattered enough to start thinking again, from scratch.”
Runner up for the Suliman Selection was also Grant Jacobs for My Name is Lucky. They acknowledged that My Name is Lucky gave a face to the faceless and taught the audiences to be more attentive to people who most of us consider “invisible”. The Suliman family made a special mention of the talent of Senzo Mthethwa and his remarkable story.
In her closing address, Festival Director Emma Durden thanked the PANSA committee who organized the festival on a voluntary basis this year. She thanked the press for their amazing support and the Livewires word of mouth theatre supporters club for their reviews – which is an important facet of the festival and a useful feedback tool for the participants.
The general consensus was that the Musho Mini Festival was a great success in its current form and perhaps the intensity of a short festival encouraged more patrons to see multiple shows than the previous extended two shows an evening over ten days’ format. The weekend format certainly bodes well for the future, especially in the light of reduced arts funding.
After extensive research, PANSA realized that a festival early in the year staging more intimate theatrical productions is considered a great start to the year by performers and audiences alike. Musho benefits the performers as staging their shows and collecting reviews early in the year helps them for future seasons of the production through the year. The audiences love seeing an array of fabulous theatre early in the year when calendars are quiet and when the festive flurry is over.
For more information and for detailed reviews of the various shows, visit www.mushofestival.co.za
ACT APPLICATIONS FOR FESTIVALS
Applications open for Arts & Culture Trust festival grants.
The Arts & Culture Trust (ACT) has announced support from Breadline Africa (BLA) for arts festivals in the form of ACT | BLA Fringe Grants.
“The aim of these grants is to assist organisers of South African festivals to extend their programmes by providing support specifically to facilitate the participation of artists, performers and groups from peri-urban and rural areas,” explains Ashraf Johaardien, general manager of ACT.
Festivals taking place between April 1 and November 15, 2010, are eligible to apply for support and successful applicants will be awarded grants up to a maximum of R50,000. At least 90% of the grant must be utilised to cover the costs of registration fees, venue/equipment hire, transport and accommodation of the designated groups. The remaining 10% may be utilised to cover the costs of administering the grant.
BLA is an African-based charity organisation which aims to help break the cycle of poverty within Africa by helping communities to help themselves. BLA supports projects which will make a permanent difference in the lives of communities affected by extreme poverty in Africa: hunger, homelessness, lack of skills-training and unemployment. BLA encourages communities to achieve long-term self-sustainability and seeks out partnerships of hope and growth in Africa in order to connect people who are struggling to achieve the most basic living conditions with others who are more fortunate and in a position to make a difference. To this end ACT | BLA Fringe Grants aim to assist impoverished communities that are engaged in arts, culture and heritage to realise their full potential.
Application guidelines for ACT | BLA Fringe Grants may be downloaded from www.act.org.za/programmes_festival.htm. The deadline for applications is February 22, 2010.
The Arts & Culture Trust (ACT) is South Africa’s premier, independent arts funding and development agency. For more information go to www.act.org.za
The Arts & Culture Trust (ACT) has announced support from Breadline Africa (BLA) for arts festivals in the form of ACT | BLA Fringe Grants.
“The aim of these grants is to assist organisers of South African festivals to extend their programmes by providing support specifically to facilitate the participation of artists, performers and groups from peri-urban and rural areas,” explains Ashraf Johaardien, general manager of ACT.
Festivals taking place between April 1 and November 15, 2010, are eligible to apply for support and successful applicants will be awarded grants up to a maximum of R50,000. At least 90% of the grant must be utilised to cover the costs of registration fees, venue/equipment hire, transport and accommodation of the designated groups. The remaining 10% may be utilised to cover the costs of administering the grant.
BLA is an African-based charity organisation which aims to help break the cycle of poverty within Africa by helping communities to help themselves. BLA supports projects which will make a permanent difference in the lives of communities affected by extreme poverty in Africa: hunger, homelessness, lack of skills-training and unemployment. BLA encourages communities to achieve long-term self-sustainability and seeks out partnerships of hope and growth in Africa in order to connect people who are struggling to achieve the most basic living conditions with others who are more fortunate and in a position to make a difference. To this end ACT | BLA Fringe Grants aim to assist impoverished communities that are engaged in arts, culture and heritage to realise their full potential.
Application guidelines for ACT | BLA Fringe Grants may be downloaded from www.act.org.za/programmes_festival.htm. The deadline for applications is February 22, 2010.
The Arts & Culture Trust (ACT) is South Africa’s premier, independent arts funding and development agency. For more information go to www.act.org.za
Saturday, January 16, 2010
LAST CHOIR STANDING
Exhilarating primetime entertainment series on BBC Entertainment.
Last Choir Standing is to be presented on BBC Entertainment (channel 120 on DStv) on Sundays at 19h30 from January 17.
Singing in choirs is one of Britain’s favourite pastimes, with over 25,000 registered choirs and at least half a million members across the country. Last Choir Standing is an exhilarating primetime entertainment series, presented by Myleene Klass and Nick Knowles, in which choral groups from across the nation go head to head to find out who has the power and passion needed to be the Last Choir Standing.
Thousands of choirs from diverse communities and singing any style of music send in their applications on video, and the best are invited to perform in front of a panel of judges. From these, the most outstanding make it to the call-backs, where they perform in front of a live studio audience in a battle for the 15 places in the heats. They need to show they have both the technical ability and the enthusiasm to bring their songs to life.
In each edition of the show, two choirs go through to the live 'knockouts' where their fate is decided by the audience. Three choirs make it through to the finale, in which the most rousing performance will earn one of them the title of Last Choir Standing.
Last Choir Standing is to be presented on BBC Entertainment (channel 120 on DStv) on Sundays at 19h30 from January 17.
Singing in choirs is one of Britain’s favourite pastimes, with over 25,000 registered choirs and at least half a million members across the country. Last Choir Standing is an exhilarating primetime entertainment series, presented by Myleene Klass and Nick Knowles, in which choral groups from across the nation go head to head to find out who has the power and passion needed to be the Last Choir Standing.
Thousands of choirs from diverse communities and singing any style of music send in their applications on video, and the best are invited to perform in front of a panel of judges. From these, the most outstanding make it to the call-backs, where they perform in front of a live studio audience in a battle for the 15 places in the heats. They need to show they have both the technical ability and the enthusiasm to bring their songs to life.
In each edition of the show, two choirs go through to the live 'knockouts' where their fate is decided by the audience. Three choirs make it through to the finale, in which the most rousing performance will earn one of them the title of Last Choir Standing.
THE STRANGE CASE OF THE MIDNIGHT PHANTOM
Paul Spence and Annie Robinson back with dinner thriller for Hexagon in Pietermaritzburg.
For our first show of 2010 the Hex is delighted to host the latest in The Strange Case series of Murder Mysteries, which have proved so popular over the last four years. Audiences are invited to put their sleuthing prowess to the test as they try to unravel this mysterious whodunit.
It is September, 1939. Storm clouds have gathered over Europe. In a private school in the Natal Midlands, trouble is brewing of a different kind. A housemaster’s wife has met with an unfortunate accident… The much-loved school librarian has been ‘put out to grass’… The widowed headmaster has taken a vivacious new wife… And a ghostly phantom glides across the school grounds in the dead of night… Could it be the wraith of the headmaster’s first wife?
Paul Spence and Annie Robinson are delighted to return to The Hex with their latest ‘dinner thriller’ and invite audiences to join Michael Buchan, the unlikely detective, on his quest to unravel the mystery behind a singularly enigmatic murder; the challenge is on to work out whodunit; and why!
The Strange Case of the Midnight Phantom runs at the Hexagon Dive on January 29 and 30 at 19h00 for 19h30. Tickets R150 pp on January 29 at 719h00 for 19h30 includes a three-course dinner (January 30 is picnic evening with tickets at R75pp). No drinks to be brought into the theatre as there is a cash bar. Tables seat 10. To book, e-mail hexagon@ukzn.ac.za or phone 033 260 5537
For our first show of 2010 the Hex is delighted to host the latest in The Strange Case series of Murder Mysteries, which have proved so popular over the last four years. Audiences are invited to put their sleuthing prowess to the test as they try to unravel this mysterious whodunit.
It is September, 1939. Storm clouds have gathered over Europe. In a private school in the Natal Midlands, trouble is brewing of a different kind. A housemaster’s wife has met with an unfortunate accident… The much-loved school librarian has been ‘put out to grass’… The widowed headmaster has taken a vivacious new wife… And a ghostly phantom glides across the school grounds in the dead of night… Could it be the wraith of the headmaster’s first wife?
Paul Spence and Annie Robinson are delighted to return to The Hex with their latest ‘dinner thriller’ and invite audiences to join Michael Buchan, the unlikely detective, on his quest to unravel the mystery behind a singularly enigmatic murder; the challenge is on to work out whodunit; and why!
The Strange Case of the Midnight Phantom runs at the Hexagon Dive on January 29 and 30 at 19h00 for 19h30. Tickets R150 pp on January 29 at 719h00 for 19h30 includes a three-course dinner (January 30 is picnic evening with tickets at R75pp). No drinks to be brought into the theatre as there is a cash bar. Tables seat 10. To book, e-mail hexagon@ukzn.ac.za or phone 033 260 5537
TRIBUTE TO TONY DARRELL
Friends and colleagues of late musician to host an extensive fund-raising show to help his family.
Drummer Don Hastings and Eric “Smelly” Fellows – both well-known on the contemporary music scene – are arranging a fund-raising show to help the family of their late friend and colleague, Tony Darrell.
The line-up includes a veritable who’s who of Durban musos - Jo's Garage, Sippies, Blues Experience, Undusted, Bobby & the Dynamites, West End Boys, Will's Blues Band, Steve Fataar, Salty Dog, Rock 'n Roll Madhouse, Rits, Stroh Dogs and True To Adopted. Each act will do 30 minutes with a 15 minute turn-around.
Compères are Danny Fisher, "Spider" Murch and Lamy. Music starts at 14h00 and the show will end after 23h30.
“We've had an overwhelming response from musos who want to play, which explains the huge line-up,” says Smelly Fellows who went on to add that people are still offering their services but he cannot accommodate any more. “The Cranford Hotel in Clarens has confirmed their sponsorship of a prize which is accommodation for two for a weekend, including a meal for two at the Phat Chef restaurant.”
The show will be held at the German/Shamwari Club, 7 Barham Road, Westville, on February 6 and runs from 14h00 to 21h00. Entry to the show is R30pp (children under 12 free). More information on 031 466 1046 or 078 264 9475.
Drummer Don Hastings and Eric “Smelly” Fellows – both well-known on the contemporary music scene – are arranging a fund-raising show to help the family of their late friend and colleague, Tony Darrell.
The line-up includes a veritable who’s who of Durban musos - Jo's Garage, Sippies, Blues Experience, Undusted, Bobby & the Dynamites, West End Boys, Will's Blues Band, Steve Fataar, Salty Dog, Rock 'n Roll Madhouse, Rits, Stroh Dogs and True To Adopted. Each act will do 30 minutes with a 15 minute turn-around.
Compères are Danny Fisher, "Spider" Murch and Lamy. Music starts at 14h00 and the show will end after 23h30.
“We've had an overwhelming response from musos who want to play, which explains the huge line-up,” says Smelly Fellows who went on to add that people are still offering their services but he cannot accommodate any more. “The Cranford Hotel in Clarens has confirmed their sponsorship of a prize which is accommodation for two for a weekend, including a meal for two at the Phat Chef restaurant.”
The show will be held at the German/Shamwari Club, 7 Barham Road, Westville, on February 6 and runs from 14h00 to 21h00. Entry to the show is R30pp (children under 12 free). More information on 031 466 1046 or 078 264 9475.
ROWAN STUART
Guitarist Rowan Stuart to perform at Jackie Horner Pub and Grill in Glenwood on January 17.
The Jackie Horner Pub and Grill in Glenwood hosts laid-back solo artist Rowan Stuart on January 17 from 13h00 to 15h00.
Durban singer, song-writer and guitarist Rowan Stuart has been described as an 'excellent guitarist' and he is no stranger to the stage as he has performed in theatre hits such as The Guitar That Rocked The World, Walking in Memphis, We Will Rock You and tribute shows to Eric Clapton and Santana. Nominated for a Durban Vita Award for best newcomer at 16, Rowan took the audience by storm and hasn’t stopped in doing so. Wowing the audience with his Indie/Rock, Alternative/Pop, Adult Contemporary and awesome guitar playing is what he does best, leaving everyone entertained.
Entrance is free. Bookings on 031 202 9192 to book.
The Jackie Horner Pub and Grill in Glenwood hosts laid-back solo artist Rowan Stuart on January 17 from 13h00 to 15h00.
Durban singer, song-writer and guitarist Rowan Stuart has been described as an 'excellent guitarist' and he is no stranger to the stage as he has performed in theatre hits such as The Guitar That Rocked The World, Walking in Memphis, We Will Rock You and tribute shows to Eric Clapton and Santana. Nominated for a Durban Vita Award for best newcomer at 16, Rowan took the audience by storm and hasn’t stopped in doing so. Wowing the audience with his Indie/Rock, Alternative/Pop, Adult Contemporary and awesome guitar playing is what he does best, leaving everyone entertained.
Entrance is free. Bookings on 031 202 9192 to book.
SENZO MTHETHWA
Great potential for further longer runs. (Review by Shika Budhoo)
The second show to take the stage at the 5th Musho! Festival was the one-man show, Senzo Mthethwa, directed by Kamseela Naidoo and performed by Senzo Mthethwa himself. I promise you will not meet many men with a story like Senzo’s. The show premiered at the Musho festival and with minor tightening, I see it having great potential for further longer runs. It is not often you see a person not of Indian descent with such a grand knowledge of Indian culture and with the understanding of the subtleties of South African Indian life. It is truly a unique story that has its moments of drama and comedy. Essentially a comedy genre play, it explores his life growing up in an Indian household and how he dealt with the hilarious situations and consequences that often popped up due to his conflicted cultural identity.
A talented performer in characterization; Senzo, achieves to portray a wide range of characters that come from all sides of the race-spectrum. He plays old Indian and African aunties, old Indian and African uncles, children and teenagers from all races and economic backgrounds as well as some typical characters you expect to see walking down any Durban street. He knows the Tamil language well, and I must say that the majority of Tamil people I know do not. It was refreshing to see the language spoken and sung with such authority and proficiency.
In search for a unique identity Senzo reveals the struggles, smiles and often confusion that he went through growing up. A truly gifted performer with a distinctive South African story! First standing ovation of the festival, well done Senzo! – Shika Budhoo
For programme details visit http://news.artsmart.co.za/2010/01/musho-programme.html
The second show to take the stage at the 5th Musho! Festival was the one-man show, Senzo Mthethwa, directed by Kamseela Naidoo and performed by Senzo Mthethwa himself. I promise you will not meet many men with a story like Senzo’s. The show premiered at the Musho festival and with minor tightening, I see it having great potential for further longer runs. It is not often you see a person not of Indian descent with such a grand knowledge of Indian culture and with the understanding of the subtleties of South African Indian life. It is truly a unique story that has its moments of drama and comedy. Essentially a comedy genre play, it explores his life growing up in an Indian household and how he dealt with the hilarious situations and consequences that often popped up due to his conflicted cultural identity.
A talented performer in characterization; Senzo, achieves to portray a wide range of characters that come from all sides of the race-spectrum. He plays old Indian and African aunties, old Indian and African uncles, children and teenagers from all races and economic backgrounds as well as some typical characters you expect to see walking down any Durban street. He knows the Tamil language well, and I must say that the majority of Tamil people I know do not. It was refreshing to see the language spoken and sung with such authority and proficiency.
In search for a unique identity Senzo reveals the struggles, smiles and often confusion that he went through growing up. A truly gifted performer with a distinctive South African story! First standing ovation of the festival, well done Senzo! – Shika Budhoo
For programme details visit http://news.artsmart.co.za/2010/01/musho-programme.html
MUSHO OPENING & RUMPSTEAK
Report on the opening of the Musho Mini Festival 2010 and the production “Rumpsteak”. (Review by Shika Budhoo)
The Musho Festival 2010 opened with the one-man show Rumpsteak directed by Rob van Vuuren and performed by Belgian born, Gaetan Schmid. This year’s festival is a shorter festival running from January 14 to 17. Emma Durden, Musho Festival Director, in her opening speech welcomed guests, special invited guests and theatre patrons of the festival giving big thanks to Pentravel, the only company that came to the party in funding this year’s Musho Festival. The venue for Musho 2010 is the Catalina Theatre, at Wilson’s Wharf, offered to the festival free of charge by Catalina Theatre head Themi Venturas. The change in festival schedule means the majority of shows in the festival have only one performance with exceptions being the two shows, Rumpsteak and Iain ‘Ewok’ Robinson Is Live, as they are the shows respectively opening and closing the festival. This year’s festival programme, as usual, offers a range of theatre pieces from different genres and dealing with a variant of issues from show to show. Although a shorter festival, it promises audiences theatre that stimulates the senses and psyche. (See http://news.artsmart.co.za/2010/01/musho-programme.html)
Rumpsteak is a one-man show, entirely in French and extremely physical in presentation. This show takes us through the spontaneous as well as the routine activities in a French restaurant’s kitchen and front of house. Gaetan Schmid, a highly skilled physical theatre performer, along with a soundtrack of sound effects (the majority which sounded vocally formed and recorded) expressing the sounds heard in a typical restaurant; takes an audience member aurally and visually into this environment playing all the known characters expected in a busy business such as this. Jacqueline, the beautiful waitress with a distinctive hip swagger; Rocky, the dark and broody in-house butcher (meat-cutter); Jacque, the suave skilled and over the top barman as well as other devoted, dodgy and neurotic characters that can be found on both sides of the kitchen door in any restaurant.
If you’re worried about the language being an alienating element, don’t be! Before the show, Gaetan gives a mini French lesson on expected French words used in any restaurant. He performs the entire show on a square-tiled block centre stage and the lights are simply designed to depict the two locations, the kitchen and the restaurant front of house. Accompanying me to this show was a friend fluent in French, from Mauritius, and although she may have been the only one in the audience to fully understand the language and its link to the physically expressed, with all the subtle jokes in between, we both enjoyed the show somewhat equally, due to it belonging in the physical theatre category. In its presentation, the show does not distance the audience, and the performer with his jolly demeanour in the French lesson, leaves the audience confident with their knowledge of specific French words, you learn and end up knowing enough to understand and appreciate the play.
Rumpsteak has a second performance on January 15th at 20h00. Tickets R50 (R25 concessions). All-day tickets for Saturday or Sunday are R100. Call the Catalina Theatre on 031 305 6889 to book your ticket for this year’s Musho Festival. And check out www.mushofestival.co.za for updates and a festival programme. -Shika Budhoo
The Musho Festival 2010 opened with the one-man show Rumpsteak directed by Rob van Vuuren and performed by Belgian born, Gaetan Schmid. This year’s festival is a shorter festival running from January 14 to 17. Emma Durden, Musho Festival Director, in her opening speech welcomed guests, special invited guests and theatre patrons of the festival giving big thanks to Pentravel, the only company that came to the party in funding this year’s Musho Festival. The venue for Musho 2010 is the Catalina Theatre, at Wilson’s Wharf, offered to the festival free of charge by Catalina Theatre head Themi Venturas. The change in festival schedule means the majority of shows in the festival have only one performance with exceptions being the two shows, Rumpsteak and Iain ‘Ewok’ Robinson Is Live, as they are the shows respectively opening and closing the festival. This year’s festival programme, as usual, offers a range of theatre pieces from different genres and dealing with a variant of issues from show to show. Although a shorter festival, it promises audiences theatre that stimulates the senses and psyche. (See http://news.artsmart.co.za/2010/01/musho-programme.html)
Rumpsteak is a one-man show, entirely in French and extremely physical in presentation. This show takes us through the spontaneous as well as the routine activities in a French restaurant’s kitchen and front of house. Gaetan Schmid, a highly skilled physical theatre performer, along with a soundtrack of sound effects (the majority which sounded vocally formed and recorded) expressing the sounds heard in a typical restaurant; takes an audience member aurally and visually into this environment playing all the known characters expected in a busy business such as this. Jacqueline, the beautiful waitress with a distinctive hip swagger; Rocky, the dark and broody in-house butcher (meat-cutter); Jacque, the suave skilled and over the top barman as well as other devoted, dodgy and neurotic characters that can be found on both sides of the kitchen door in any restaurant.
If you’re worried about the language being an alienating element, don’t be! Before the show, Gaetan gives a mini French lesson on expected French words used in any restaurant. He performs the entire show on a square-tiled block centre stage and the lights are simply designed to depict the two locations, the kitchen and the restaurant front of house. Accompanying me to this show was a friend fluent in French, from Mauritius, and although she may have been the only one in the audience to fully understand the language and its link to the physically expressed, with all the subtle jokes in between, we both enjoyed the show somewhat equally, due to it belonging in the physical theatre category. In its presentation, the show does not distance the audience, and the performer with his jolly demeanour in the French lesson, leaves the audience confident with their knowledge of specific French words, you learn and end up knowing enough to understand and appreciate the play.
Rumpsteak has a second performance on January 15th at 20h00. Tickets R50 (R25 concessions). All-day tickets for Saturday or Sunday are R100. Call the Catalina Theatre on 031 305 6889 to book your ticket for this year’s Musho Festival. And check out www.mushofestival.co.za for updates and a festival programme. -Shika Budhoo
DANCE WITH ME BABY … AGAIN
Dance under the Bollywood umbrella of styles made for good evening’s entertainment at Suncoast. (Review by Shika Budhoo)If you like dance, dance and more dance all under the Bollywood umbrella of styles, then Dance With Me Baby…Again is the show for you.
Unfortunately I was only able to get to the penultimate show of the January 2010 run so there are no further shows unless acclaimed director, producer and choreographer Shivani Kara decides to bring it back to Durban or tour it further around South Africa.
The second instalment of the Dance With Me Baby series ran at the Suncoast Entertainment Centre from January 3 to 10. It was a spectacular display of beautiful lights, costumes, and dancers. The choreography was superbly mastered as dance styles, feeling and atmosphere varied from one dance to the next. The first half - and the first part of the second half - showed this. The music was of great quality and I must say this is one of the best technically-run shows I’ve seen in a while. The music selection, however, did not grab my full attention. Of course, I do watch some Bollywood - but not enough to fully identify with the majority of songs danced to.
Well done to the dancers. This show was two and a half hours long with an innumerable amount of sequences and I did not notice a single dancer go off their routine. The rehearsal process must have been long and rigorous as these dancers did not forget a single move in any particular sequence. The dancers did look a bit tired, though - so smiles and full energy were lacking.
The first half costumes for the female dancers were delightful and graceful - and in the case of male dancers’ costumes, they screamed “Bollywood!” Varshan Sookhun of Lotus Fm has a cameo role on stage dancing opposite Shivani Kara herself. Shivani’s grace and skill as a dancer shone through as she supported Varshan in his daring debut dance experience.
The venue was slightly bigger than their resident Suncoast Zone venue but seating still placed audience members too close together. The marquee outside at the entrance was shabby compared to the inside, but the stage and its effects were spectacular for a tent-venue.
This show is the Bollywood Dance experience to the full: beautiful people, in beautiful costumes, doing beautiful choreography in a full-on extravaganza with brilliant technical production quality. Dance With Me Baby…Again, promises, and delivers all that. - -Shika Budhoo
Friday, January 15, 2010
YESTERDAY ONCE MORE
(Pic: Marion Loudon, Barry Thomson and Melanie Roberts)Memorable musical tribute to the Carpenters at Heritage Theatre. (Review by Rosalie Howard)
The Heritage Theatre has kicked off into 2010 with Yesterday Once More, a memorable musical tribute to the "Carpenters", the brother and sister duo who were the biggest selling group of the 70's.
The production features Heritage Theatre's favourite, Marion Loudon and the inimitable Melanie Roberts, back on stage for the first time since her return from Dubai. Backed by the outstanding, well rehearsed band - Dawn Selby (musical director/backing voice support), Barry Thomson on guitar and vocals, Glen Turrell on bass and Andy Turrell on drums, pedal steel (and anything he can get his hands on!). This talented group jump from instrument to instrument during the show very competently and it was great fun to see Marion playing drums at one stage in Andy's place while he moved onto the pedal steel! Glen Turrell who is usually the quiet, unobtrusive one provided us with a couple of deep base 'fillers' on voice which added a touch of fun to a couple of the songs.
This show is purely a musical tribute and includes some 24 well-remembered Carpenter's numbers, including favourites such as For All We Know, This Masquerade, Close To You, Top of the World, Desperado, Jambalaya, Mr Postman and many others - too many to mention!
Melanie, with her 'seductive', deep alto voice together with Marion with her sweet mezzo, true yet powerful voice with an enormous range, created a perfect balance in the songs they sang together, with Dawn providing complementary harmonies to most of the songs. With her perfect pitch which is so dependable, Dawn performs solo a couple of the soul-touching numbers we remember so well which brought tears to my eyes. The multi-talented Barry Thomson has the knack of performing in a sensitive and gentle manner and is so nimble on his strings, he is an absolute pleasure to both listen to and watch!
Gary McKenzie, with his effervescent, light way of looking at life, and his sense of humour has created a delightful show, with Melanie Roberts as the Host/MC during the performance. A perfect choice with her vast experience. The stage decor was sensitive and subdued, creating an up-market lounge effect. The girls' many costume changes were slick and extremely elegant.
The supporting musicians are, as ever, professional, well-rehearsed and talented making up the perfect mix for a show such as this. The music is mellow and flows easily yet infectious enough to encourage audience members joining in many of the favourites, particularly the final number which was, appropriately Sing. It was a lovely change to enjoy a night of creative music as the Carpenters' repertoire always was performed by top musicians with a love for music.
The show played to a full house and, apart from one very loud table who seemed to find everything sensitive very funny, the audience thoroughly enjoyed the show which was evident from the volume of applause after each song.
The choices on the menu were, as usual, beautifully presented and the selection good. However, I was disappointed with the starter selection which was Gazpacho, Stuffed Squid Salad (too much tomato!) or Apple Crumble Salad. Main choices were the Heritage's famous Karoo Lamb Shank or Line Fish or Traditional half Roast Portuguese Chicken followed by an immense Cheese Board, Bread and Butter pudding and Crème Brule.
This production is a must for those looking for a refreshing change, an evening of romance, sweet and gentle entertainment. Congratulations must also be proffered to Colin Peddie for his sound design, Vera Platt who operated the lighting, designed by Illuminati and Danielle and Sara Jane for the follow spots.
Yesterday Once More runs until January 24. Tickets R190 Wednesdays to Saturdays at 19h00 (R165 Tuesdays at 19h00 and Sundays at 12h30) include the show and a two-course meal. For more information or to book, call the theatre on 031 765 4197 or visit www.heritagetheatre.co.za - Rosalie Howard
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