IMIZWA YAMI

(Pic: “Self portrait (2008) - melted plastic on plastic)

KZNSA hosts major exhibition of the work of Mbongeni Richman Buthelezi.

Currently running at the KZNSA is Imizwa Yami, an exhibition of key works from major series produced from 2007 to 2009. The artist feels that showing the collection in Durban is a symbolic returning to his place of birth.

Mbongeni Richman Buthelezi has developed a unique technique of art making using discarded plastics. Harnessing the melting properties of these plastics he paints, in impasto, solid forms burnt with a heat gun onto a thick roofing plastic surface. These unique works are often larger than life, and the artist works in extreme detail in both realistic and abstract depictions. Born in KwaZulu-Natal and raised in Springs, Buthelezi has moulded these worlds together and tries to make sense of his rural upbringing with his urban existence in his work.

His subject is almost biographical, which starts to emerge in the series Childhood where, with figurative images, he explores games in the township alongside stereotypical textbook images. It is in the black and white Jazzing it up and Winter in Kliptown series that one is able to sense this artist’s uncanny ability to use an unforgiving medium to capture an atmosphere, grain and the very subtle hues of his experiential grapplings.

Having studied at the Funda Centre in Soweto, Mbongeni Richman Buthelezi also holds a teacher training certificate from the Johannesburg Art Foundation and an Advanced Diploma in Fine Arts from the University of the Witwatersrand. He has been invited on a number of international residencies, including the Artelierrhaus Hoherweg (Dusseldorf), Vermont Studio Center (New York), OMI International Artists Center (New York) and Kunst-Raum Stylt: Quelle (Sylt Island and Wiesbaden).

Buthelezi has had solo exhibitions in Johannesburg at the Seippel Gallery, Everard Read Gallery, Johannesburg Art Gallery and Spark Gallery. He represented South Africa at the Cairo Biennale in 2007, The International Biennale for Contemporary Art Prague (2005) and participated in both of the Johannesburg Biennales (1995 and 1997). In 2004-2005 he had a travelling solo exhibition on tour to Museum Goch (Kunst Raum Sylt Quelle) and Seippel Gallery (Koln). Buthelezi has conducted workshops at the Museum of Art (Houston), Museum for African Art (New York), Royal State Theatre (London), The Drum (Birmingham), Conny Dietzschold Gallery (Sydney), Second Biennale, National Gallery (Prague) amongst others.

His works are in major collections including the Plastic Federation of South Africa (the largest collection of his early works), Daimler Art Collection, Mercedes Benz Collection, Museum for African Art, Coca Cola, The Development Bank of Southern Africa and numerous other private collections.

The exhibition is brought to the KZNSA Gallery courtesy of Seippel Galleries Johannesburg (South Africa) and Koln (Germany).

Imizwa Yami runs until March 20 at the KZNSA Gallery 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

EXILE AND CULTURAL INTERSECTIONS

Exhibition by Simmi Dullay at DUT Art Gallery

In completion of her Masters Degree in Fine Arts through the Durban University of Technology, Simmi Dullay will present an exhibition which is part of her studies under the title Exploring Exile As Personal and Social Transformation through Critical Reflection and Creative And Artistic Expression.

Comprising a mixture of multimedia photography, paintings and installation, the exhibition will deal with the cultural bricolage of exile both visually and textually.

Exile and Cultural Intersections will be opened by Dr Betty Govinden on March 1 at 18h00 at the DUT Art Gallery which is situated above the library on Steve Biko Campus, Steve Biko Road (Mansfield Road). The exhibition will run until March 18.

LALELANI MBHELE & BHEKINKOSI GUMBE

(Pic: “Kahle MaBhele” by Lalelani Mbehele)

The African Art Centre will be joining the rest of South Africa in celebrating and commemorating the 2010 Soccer World Cup on South African soil by hosting a series of exhibitions and development programmes. To proficiently utilise this opportunity, young artists and crafters will be offered a platform to expose and market their work to the rest of the world.

Currently running at the African Art Centre is a group exhibition by two versatile young artists - Lalelani Mbhele and Bhekinkosi Gumbi. The aim is to generate interest in the creative expression associated with the upcoming soccer celebration and serve to unite both art lovers and soccer fans by filling galleries and museum in support of South African artists.

Bhekinkosi Gumbi is a young sculptor who hails from the rural Nongoma area in Zululand. This self-taught artist carves sculptures of high profile figures and celebrities either in plain or painted ‘Umganu’ indigenous wood. Although Gumbi still practises the traditional method of woodcarving, his work is characterised by the use of subtle humour and whit. Realistically rendered, his sculptures intimately communicate gestures and emotions associated with the subject matter’s stature or occupation.

Complementing the exhibition are large canvas works by Lalelani Mbhele, a young artist from Inanda Township in Durbanl. Lalelani, who works from his studio at the BAT Centre, has created a special series of paintings which reflect on his own versions and aspirations of the 2010 Soccer World Cup. His visual narrative undoubtedly draws the viewer to intimately engage with each painting; the soccer players are accentuated in colourful uniquely textured backgrounds. A captivating aspect of works are that the soccer players are all women dressed in traditional ‘Izidwaba’ (skirts) and ‘Izicholo’(Zulu hat) eager to showcase their soccer skills.

The titles of the paintings, for example Angisiyona Inkomo (I am not a cow) emphasise the complacent attitudes of his subject matter. Beautifully dressed women in traditional Zulu regalia are depicted eagerly engaged in soccer matches, enthusiastic to demonstrate their expertise in the game. The visual quality of the work, demonstrates the artists creative, innovative interpretation of the 2010 soccer event.

The exhibition runs until March 10 at the African Art Centre at 94 Florida Road, Morningside. More information from the Director, Sharon Crampton on 031 312 3804/5 or email africanartcentre@afri-art.co.za

ENTRIES INVITED FOR ABSA L'ATELIER

Entries invited for artists between the ages of 21 and 35 for Absa L'Atelier Competition.

The Absa L’Atelier Competition, South Africa’s most prestigious art award, is held annually for artists between the ages of 21 and 35. This award not only ensures South Africa’s emerging artists of recognition, but also affords them the opportunity to develop their talents abroad.

Eleven prizes are awarded: The overall winner receives R110,000 in total from Absa, as well as a return air ticket to Paris, France. The prize money must be used for time of study of at least three months, but not more than six months, in the studio apartment purchased for this purpose at the Cité Internationale des Arts. The money will be made available when the winner leaves for Paris. Four additional merit prizes of R25,000 each will be awarded. The top ten finalists will receive R2,000 each.

The Alliance Française, the French Institute and the French Embassy are sponsoring the Gerard Sekoto Award for the most promising artist with an income of less than R60,000 per annum. This prize consists of a return air ticket to Paris, three months’ stay in the Cité Internationale des Arts, nationwide touring exhibitions, training in French and commission for a poster for the exhibition – total value approximately R80,000.

The conditions of entry are contained in the brochures available on www.basa.co.za or visit vwww.absa.co.za for more information. Candidates will be expected to take cognisance of these conditions. The entry form must be completed and delivered to the collection point with the works of art and a curriculum vitae as well as a brief description of the works of art by the closing date.

The closing date for entries in all the regions is March 5, 2010. Works will be received between March 1 and 5.

ELEPHANTS' FATE STILL UNDECIDED

The following is an article by Peter Machen titled “Is the return of Art under political siege again?” (courtesy of SA Art Times, www.arttimes.co.za)

The fate of the elephants constructed by sculptor Andries Botha and his team of workers on a freeway island in Durban remains unknown at the time of writing, although clouded with rumour. It has now been widely reported that Botha's team was told to cease construction several weeks ago after a man in a black SUV stopped on the freeway, where the sculptures were being built from stone and steel gabions, and ordered that the work be halted - apparently because the elephants are a symbol of the IFP and Durban is an ANC city.

That man was identified by the workers as John Mchunu, regional chairperson of the ANC, although Mchunu has reportedly denied this. As yet, there has been no formal response from the City or the ANC, other than the suggestion that the elephants were not properly ratified by City Council. When contacted for this story, City Manager Michael Sutcliffe said "We really have nothing to say at this stage". However, in an informal conversation with Durban businessman John Charter, who is a supporter of Botha's Human Elephant Foundation, Sutcliffe reportedly said, "We're going to take them down immediately. It's not your fault. It's just not politically expedient. Don't talk about it". It seems, however, that Sutcliffe is caught up in a political web that is not of the City's making.

Botha has already been paid a half-payment of R750,000 for the elephants and expects the city to pay up the other half (through Rumdel Cape, the contracting company assigned to the Warwick Avenue redevelopment, of which the sculptures form a part), regardless of whether they be allowed to stay in their current location. Rumours abound as to the elephants' fate. Some have suggested that the three elephants, which Botha designed so that they seem to be emerging from the earth, might be joined by additional elephants or other members of the so-called big five.

Botha points out that the elephant is probably the strongest symbol of Africa and that it is intricately woven into local history and culture. For starters, the elephant is also the symbol of the Msunduzi Municipality in Pietermaritzburg and appears on the twenty rand note. While the debacle has gathered a smattering of national press, including a column by Ben Trovato in the Sunday Times, it's gone viral on the web, where it's been discussed on blogs and webforums and even pitched up in the form of a 'Save the Elephants' Facebook page.

In a narrative that is awash with irony, the most ironic element of the story is that Botha erected the elephants on roughly the same spot where the last free-roaming elephant in Durban was purportedly shot. Now there is the strong possibility that these elephant simulacra will also be destroyed or at least removed from the public realm.

What is certain is that the breadth of meaning of the elephant as a symbol vastly outweighs any political association with the IFP. The city - or national government, apparently the issue was to be discussed at a national ANC caucus - now has two choices: to get rid of the elephants or allow them to stay. Either way, there will be egg on their faces. But the egg will be minimised if they back down. (A third option would be to move the elephant to somewhere less public, which would incur considerable expense and more egg).

There's one more aspect to the story which has received very little attention. This is not the first time that the city has comissioned public artworks from Andries Botha which have yet to make their way into the public space for one reason or another. The artist has previously been comissioned by the city to produce a series of struggle statues, including likenesses of John Dube, Nelson Mandela and Dorothy Nyembe, which were to be installed in the historically important area of Ohlanga. Additionally, the city also comissioned a sculpture of Isaiah Shembe from Botha several years ago. The struggle heroes are still sitting in the city's architecture department while the sculpture of Shembe has not been installed because of factional rivalry in the Shembe community and also because to do so would apparently be idolatrous to those of the Shembe faith. It seems that public art in eThekwini is bedevilled with difficulties, all the more so if your name happens to be Andries Botha. - Peter Machen (courtesy of SA Art Times, www.arttimes.co.za)

MELANIE LOWE LIVE

Hexagon Dive in Pietermaritzburg to host South African songstress on March 5.

KZN born, South African songstress, Melanie Lowe is returning to Pietermaritzburg as part of her 2010 tour of the province, for a one-night-only show at The Hexagon Dive on March 5. It has been nearly seven months since Melanie performed in her home province and this tour promises to be Melanie at her best! Featuring her much-loved hit songs and a few surprises, each show will strip back the mask and offer an intimate portrait into Melanie’s life, as she shares her own experiences and the stories behind her songs. Sultry and sexy as ever, but 100% Melanie, loyal fans won’t be disappointed and new fans will be captivated.

Melanie Lowe’s music career started many years ago when she began to write songs at the age of 14. She has been a professional singer/songwriter for 15 years but many people will remember her when she became a household name seven years ago as she made her way to the third slot of the first South African version of Idols. Since then she has won, and been nominated for, several SAMA awards, and has carved out a successful music career for herself as a singer/songwriter, gaining herself many fans worldwide, as well as much respect from her peers in the music industry.

Melanie Lowe performs at the Hexagon Dive on March 5 at 19h00 for 19h30. This is a picnic evening show – patrons should take their own food but no drinks as there is a cash bar. Tickets R75pp and tables seat ten. Bookings on 033 260 5537 or e-mail hexagon@ukzn.ac.za

DISH OF THE DAY

Gillian Brunings to appear in adult comedy piece at Westville Theatre Club.

Gillian Brunings is to appear in an adult comedy piece titled Dish of the Day at the Westville Theatre Club.

What should have been a quiet night at an Italian restaurant is thrown into chaos by an inept waiter, the antics of an inebriated ‘hen party ‘and the interference of a pompous businessman. To make matters worse, there’s a rat loose on the premises and a lollipop man stuck in the toilet. And that’s before the first course has arrived.

Directed by Coney Bundock, Dish of the Day runs at the Westville Theatre Club, Attercliffe Road in Westville from March 4 to 13 (no performances on March 7, 8 or 9) with curtain up 20h00. Tickets R40 each (March 10 special: two for the price of one). This is a supper theatre show so patrons are invited to bring snacks and drinks.

Bookings through Vanessa on 031 764 2559 or Coney on 084 581 0690 or e-mail coney@datasupp.com

BIG BLUE

Adventure down a trail of blues with group headed by Tim Wells.

Rhumbelow Theatre will present Big Blue, an adventure down a trail of blues which covers a variety of artists such as Ray Charles, Billy Joel, Eric Clapton, Jimi Hendrix and Van Morrison.

Big Blue features the talents of Tim Wells on lead vocals, Peter Enslin on piano and keyboards, Nux Schwartz on guitar, Jason Andrew on Bass and Steve Du Plessis on Drums. The thread these experienced musos follow is one of heart-wrenching and often get-up-and-go foot-stomping blues with their hearts and souls certainly part of the equation.

The show has been described by Tim Wells as: “An adventure down a trail of blues - sometimes dark, brooding and whiskey soaked pain, sometimes uplifting toe-tapping escapism...this is our blues journey and we sometimes divert from the path a little … come along for the ride!”

Big Blue runs from March 12 to 14 and March 19 to 21. Friday and Saturday performances at 20h00 with Sunday shows starting at 18h30. The venue opens 90 minutes before show for picnic dinner.

Tickets R90. 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

KZNPO PRE-CONCERT LECTURES

Concerts held prior to KZN Philharmonic concerts introduce compositions to be performed that night.

The second half of the summer season of the KZN Philharmonic Orchestra continues on March 4 and so do the pre-concert lectures, which are proving highly popular with concertgoers.

Organised by the Friends of Music, the lectures are given in the Royal Hotel at 18h15 and end at 19h00 in ample time for those attending to walk across to the Durban City Hall for the concert beginning at 19h30.

The purpose of these talks is to introduce the compositions being performed that night. The speakers give an entertaining and informative background to the music and provide musical illustrations of the themes to be heard in works on the programme.

The speakers for the remaining lectures are: Michael Green (speaking on music by Mozart, Cesar Franck, Gounod and the modern Japanese composer Toru Takemitsu (March 4); Omri Hadari, who will conduct that evening’s concert, speaking on Rachmaninov and Sibelius (March 11); and Ted Brien on Tchaikovsky and Miaskovsky (March 18).

All three speakers are well known to lecture audiences, and they have shown in the past that they have humour and the light touch in speaking about music. Tickets for the lectures are R30 each and include tea, coffee and sandwiches.

CHICAGO

St Anne’s College to present timeless musical of crime and passion.

The Theatre – St Anne’s College, by arrangement with Dalro (Pty) Ltd., is to present the musical Chicago based on the book by Fred Ebb and Bob Fosse with music by John Kander and lyrics by Fred Ebb. The musical is based on the play Chicago by Maureen Dallas Watkins

This popular story of crime and passion will be brought to life by a big cast of talented young performers. An eight-piece live band, led by professional jazz musician Jeff Judge, backs up the action. Never before have the issues of press manipulation and the powerlessness of the judicial system been more appropriate for contemporary consumption. In a world teaming with crime and violence, one questions how much has changed from the crazy world of Chicago in the twenties?

The production promises stunning musical and dance numbers, infused with glitz and jazzy rhythms, and a healthy dose of comedy. Chicago is directed by Lynn Chemaly with musical direction by Mark Stenhouse, choreography by Bonwa Mbontsi and Sharl McNeill, and technical direction by Brian McFall.

Chicago runs from March 16 to 19 at 19h00 at The Theatre – St Anne’s College in Hilton. Tickets R50 (R30 concessions). Bookings on 033 343 3300. More information on http://www.stannes.co.za/page_theatre.php

MELANIE & KRYSTLE

Melanie Lowe and Krystle Temmerman will be performing at Lincoln Steakhouse on the lower ground floor of the Kingsburgh Centre in Amanzimtoti on March 1 at 19h00.

STRATEGIC LEADERS PROGRAMME

British Council to present important programme in Johannesburg.

Over 60 leaders from Africa and the UK will converge in Johannesburg from March 8 to 11 under the prestigious international British Council Strategic Leadership Programme (SLP) which offers an opportunity for established leaders from the public, private and voluntary sectors in Africa and the UK to explore issues that can transform their organisations and provides them with the tools to meet today’s global challenges.

The British Council has run leadership programmes for five years, in 19 African countries and in the UK. Over 3,000 leaders now use its tools to understand better their own role as leaders, and to bring out the best in their teams. The group, which has already gone through the first learning session in London in January, will meet in Johannesburg for the second part of their learning.

The Strategic Leadership Programme is not about teaching leadership skills - it is about leaders coming together to look at their own leadership skills, reflecting on how they make decisions about the world they live in and the way they lead. They will learn from each other through skilled facilitation.

“Many business schools offer leadership programmes bringing text books, case studies and methodologies from Europe and the USA. Five years ago the British Council in Africa pioneered a very different approach to leadership called InterAction, not based upon tired Western notions such as leader as hero or as shareholder champion. This distinctive approach brought African leaders together from across the continent and the UK to generate African solutions to African problems. This exciting programme inspired leaders from different organisations to find their passion, use cutting edge theory and launch breakthrough initiatives. The key was in leaders discovering how success arises from a different approach to their relations with others,” explains British Council’s Tom Hinton: Director: Professional Development; Sub Saharan Africa.

“At the British Council we believe that our future in this crowded, dangerous world depends on people of all cultures living and working together to build engagement and trust. In the Strategic Leaders Programme we bring to leaders, the Council’s distinctive leadership approach, through our speakers, alumni and our facilitator team. Our vision is to bring a large cohort of African leaders together with UK leaders, to focus and produce leadership that generates sustainable solutions to the real and pressing challenges we now face in Africa, the UK and throughout the globe,” concludes Hinton.

The programme is anchored in the management theory of transformational leadership and built around the pillars of ‘appreciative inquiry’, ‘systems thinking’ and ‘working with difference’. Appreciative Inquiry (AI) – is about focusing on what works in any given situation, organisation or context. It is not about problem solving because this often leads to ignoring the areas we are succeeding in and leads to a feeling of being overwhelmed by problems. Appreciative Enquiry is about looking at any given area and seeing what is working in order to build on that. The intention is to provide a forum to impart skills to motivate workforce, accelerate sustainable change, and provide the opportunity to network with international peers.

The programme offers experiential learning led by professional and skilled African and UK facilitators allowing for space for cross-cultural conversations and mutual learning under the guidance of international guest speakers with global and organisational insights.

Among this year’s facilitators are London-based Tony Page and Elana Friedman and Twalib Ebrahim Hazara from Kenya. This year participating countries include: South Africa and UK with delegates from Botswana, Cameroon, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Malawi, Namibia, Nigeria, Senegal, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

The purpose of the British Council, the UK’s international organisation for cultural relations, is to build engagement and trust for Britain through the exchange of knowledge and ideas between people worldwide. The Strategic Leadership Programme falls within the remit of this purpose.

A GUIDE TO SOUTH AFRICA MOUNTAIN PASSES AND POORTS

Osborne Porter publishes book by Patrick Coyne inspired by epic journey over mountain passes and ports.

Osborne Porter Literary Services has published a book titled A Guide to South Africa Mountain Passes and Poorts by Patrick Coyne, who describes himself as both a passes fanatic and an old car fanatic. The book was inspired by the epic journey undertaken by Patrick and his wife, Helen, in their classic Rover over 50 of the country's mountain passes and poorts.

The book is illustrated with monochrome pictures of each pass visited with a centre colour section, as well as maps of each area. A feature of the book is the list of GPS co-ordinates for every stop mentioned. Included are places of interest that are within reach of each pass or poort described, as well as hiking trails nearby. Some of the information has never been published before.

KENSINGTON BOND AUCTIONEERS

Next auction to take place on March 3 in Howick.

Kensington Bond Auctioneers will hold their next auction on March 3 in Howick.

The sale includes fine South African paintings - Lucky Sibiya, Terrance McCaw, W G Wiles, Marie Vermuelen Breedt, Lucy Mullins, Louis Maqhubela, Welcome Koboka, Edward Charles Moore, Roy Taylor, Allerley Glossop and more - 18K gold pocket watches - A big selection of antique English sterling silver, from George II waiters by Ebenezer Cocker to Edwardian hollow wares, a fine set of 4 Georgian open salts - a set of 12 Russian silver and enamel ice cream spoons, and many other pieces. There are also Gold coins, many stamp albums, antique and later furniture, clocks and watches and Mercury Barometers.

The auction will take place from 10h00 on March 3 at the Green Acres Centre in Howick. A full illustrated list, GPS co-ords and directions to be found at http://www.kensingtonbond.co.za

Further information from Daryl Kriel on 033 330 4207 or email kenbond.art@gmail.com

BIJOU BOOK COMPETITION

Write a novella and Osborne Porter will publish the winners.

“The novella is much overlooked type of book, but one that we feel should have a more prominent place in current reading materials, and we would like to launch a new range with Bijou Books,” explains a representative from Osborne Porter. (“bijou” means a jewel or something small, delicate and exquisitely wrought.)

Novels, whilst absorbing, can take some wading through - especially for busy people. Short stories are fun reads, but can leave the reader wanting more. Novellas fall into the middle of these two categories and give the writer and the reader a more developed plot and characters, but at the same time get a good story told in a shorter number of words.

Many authors write novellas. Stephen King, a copious writer, keeps all the ‘discarded bits’ from the editing and paring down of his main novels, and turns them into short, sharp reads. Some of the best films have been made from novellas or short stories:

One of Stephen King’s best-known novellas – Rita Hayworth and the Shawshank Redemption was made into the box office hit The Shawshank Redemption, and The Langoliers was produced as TV movie. Breakfast at Tiffany’s was based on Truman Capote’s novella and Brokeback Mountain was one of Annie Proulx’s short stories.

The genre is open (but no children’s stories) with a minimum required number of words 20,000 (maximum 30,000). Entries must not have been previously published, and must be in English. Only e-mail entries accepted (as an attached MsWord file). Entrée fee R50 per book and the closing date is March 31, 2010.

The winning books will be published by Osborne Porter and will be made available on their website, as paperbacks and as a downloadable PDF e-books. First prize 20 copies (+ e-book); second prize 15 copies (+ e-book) and third prize 10 copies (+ e-book). The hard copy books can be used to give away to friends, or as review copies, to send to suitable people who will read and comment on them – useful for further promotion.

The winners will be chosen by an independent, qualified judge whose decision will be final. Authors will receive short critique on each entry. For more information visit www.osborne-porter.com or www.osborne-porter.co.uk

TALENT CAMPUS DURBAN #3

Intensive five-day workshop programme for film festival.

The 31st Durban International Film Festival has announced the third edition of Talent Campus Durban from July 23 to 27, an intensive five-day programme of workshops and seminars delivered by film professionals to enhance both theoretical and practical approaches to filmmaking. The 3rd Talent Campus Durban theme Focusing on Africa: Unleashing Talent in 2010 will focus activities towards the development and strengthening of partnerships between African filmmakers.

Talent Campus Durban invites filmmakers from Africa to apply to participate in these workshops and seminars, which take place in Durban, South Africa, over five days. In addition to specific activities offered by the Campus, the selected talents will have the opportunity to attend films and events at the 31st Durban International Film Festival.

Deadline for application is March 15. Full rules and regulations can be downloaded from www.cca.ukzn.ac.za/talentdiff2010.htm For further details contact 031 260 2506/1367 or fax031 260 3074 or email: talent at ukzn.ac.za or talent.durban at gmail.com

The 31st Durban International Film Festival (DIFF) runs from July 22 to August 2. Talent Campus Durban is produced as a co-operation between the DIFF and the Berlinale Talent Campus, and Berlin International Film Festival and is supported by the German Embassy in South Africa, the Goethe-Institut South Africa and the Department of Economic Development - KwaZulu-Natal. The Durban International Film Festival is organised by the Centre for Creative Arts (UKZN) with principle funding and support from the National Film & Video Foundation, HIVOS and the City of Durban.

EVIDENCE DANCE COMPANY

NAF coming to high school students in Grahamstown much earlier than usual this year.

The National Arts Festival will be coming to high school students in Grahamstown much earlier than usual this year. On March 1 at 15h00, in association with the US Embassy, the National Arts Festival will present the New York-based Evidence dance company at the Guy Butler Theatre in the 1820 Monument Theatre.

“We want to create a year-round programme of high quality arts events which would be easily accessible for Grahamstown’s youth,” said the Festival Director, Ismail Mahomed. “We want to give them access to artists who will inspire them to strive to greater heights. The Festival has enjoyed a long term partnership with the US Embassy who over a number of years has supported several projects at the Festival, so we’re delighted that we are able to kick off our 2010 Grahamstown outreach initiative with the Embassy’s continued loyal support of the Festival.”

Performances by Evidence are powerful, physical and uplifting. Their mission is to promote understanding of the human experience in the African Diaspora through dance and storytelling, and to provide sensory connections to history and tradition through music, movement, and spoken word. The company will make their South African debut in Grahamstown straight after a successful tour of Senegal.

The dance company was founded in 1985 by choreographer Ronald K. Brown whom The New York Times has praised as "… one of the most profound choreographers of his modern dance generation". Ronald K. Brown has created works for his company Evidence, as well as works for the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, Cinque Folkloric Dance Theater, and Jeune Ballet d'Afrique Noire, among others. He has received numerous awards and fellowships including a Guggenheim Fellowship, a National Endowment for the Arts Choreographer's Fellowship, a New York Foundation for the Arts Fellowship, and a New York Dance and Performance Award (Bessie), among many others. In 2006, Brown received the inaugural United States Artists Rose Fellowship.

During the brief Grahamstown stopover, Ronald K. Brown and the company have conducted three workshops to aspirant dancers and dance students.

The “15 days of amazing!” at the National Arts Festival will run from June 20 to July 4, 2010, in Grahamstown. For more information visit the website on www.nationalartsfestival.co.za

The National Arts Festival is sponsored by Standard Bank, The Eastern Cape Government, The National Arts Council, The National Lottery Distribution Trust Fund, The Sunday Independent and M-Net.

HILTON FESTIVAL FRIEND

An invitation to become a Festival Friend!

The Witness Hilton Arts Festival is entering its 18th year. It is the premier arts festival of KZN and one of the leading festivals in South Africa.

“Throughout its existence it has had generous business partners. We salute The Witness, Hilton College, Spar KZN, Nedbank, SA Breweries, Budget Car Rental, Production Projects, XPR Sound and a host of companies giving us support,” says festival director Sue Clarence. “Being a proudly KZN festival, we are very grateful for the ongoing support of the KZN Department of Arts & Culture who regard us as their provincial platform.

“In the past, the festival has received significant funding from the National Lotteries Board and hopes to do so again. However, the difficultly in dealing with such bodies and extricating promised money from them is well-documented in the national media. Such vagaries cause problems in the budgeting and planning of an annual festival. The fact remains that the arts have, since time began, relied on the generosity of patrons. We have the de Medici family to thank for Michelangelo’s David, the Hapsburg emperors for Mozart’s music and Standard Bank for the National Arts Festival in Grahamstown.

“We wish to invite you to become a patron of the arts, in this time honoured tradition, thus ensuring that the festival remains a high quality, enjoyable event for everyone and that the arts continue to flourish in KZN,” Sue Clarence concludes.

By becoming a Festival Friend at an annual cost of R5,000 (plus VAT) patrons will receive an advance format programme, by email only, before the official programme is released publically, enabling them to book in advance of the general public. Festival Friends also get a 10% discount on two tickets per Main festival production booked, as specifically indicated in the advance format programme as well as a Festival Friend parking disc enabling the vehicle to pass through security quickly and on to a designated parking area.

“Friends will also have access to a brand new Festival Friends reception area throughout the course of the weekend, where there will be tea and coffee, comfortable seating, an escape from the madding crowd and the opportunity, at specified times, to meet some of the performers and directors,” adds Sue Clarence. “Leave all your craft market shopping here, instead of lugging it around with you!”

Festival Friends and/or their company will be listed in the programme and on the festival website as generous patron/s of the arts. For a membership form, email: theatre@hiltoncollege.com and join the prestigious ranks of the world’s art patrons!

KZNPO CONCERT: FEBRUARY 25, 2010

(Pic: Julian Lloyd-Webber)

Gratifyingly large audience for all-Russian concert. (Review by Michael Green)

This was an all-Russian concert, the modern and the late-Romantic, Shostakovich and Rachmaninov, and there was a gratifyingly large audience in the Durban City Hall to hear another excellent performance from the KZN Philharmonic Orchestra and a distinguished soloist.

The conductor was Yasuo Shinozaki from Japan, small of stature but big in personality, as he has shown in previous appearances here. The soloist was the English cellist Julian Lloyd-Webber, brother of Andrew Lloyd-Webber, the celebrated composer of musicals.

The concert opened with a brilliant account of Shostakovich’s Festive Overture, conducted and performed with great vigour and enthusiasm. Shostakovich was a master of orchestration and he shows all his skills in this short work. The 70 players involved obviously enjoyed the performance, as did the audience. Here was proof again that, good as they may be, CDs and other recorded music are not quite like a live performance by a big orchestra.

Shostakovich’s Cello Concerto No. 1 in E flat major was written in 1959, fifty years ago, but it is still very modern to most ears. It has an unusual structure. There are four movements but only one break, so the work is divided into two parts. One of those movements is a lengthy Cadenza for solo cello. The first movement is dominated by a four-note phrase and it is typically astringent. The Moderato that follows is a good deal more mellow and approachable, and there is a fast finale with driving rhythms.

Julian Lloyd-Webber, a burly man who looks younger than his 58 years, is a cellist of the first rank, and he played this difficult work with great sensitivity and authority. The cadenza, full of tricky double-stopping, gave him ample opportunity to display his technical prowess, and he produced a beautiful tone in the cantabile passages.

This concerto is scored for strings, wind instruments, celeste and a solitary horn. The conductor and all the players deserve commendation for their contribution. In response to prolonged applause, Julian Lloyd-Webber played an encore, sustaining the modern mood with a short piece by Benjamin Britten.

After the interval the orchestra scored another success with Rachmaninov’s long and eloquent Symphony No. 2 in E minor. The audience seemed to find this an interesting and not displeasing comparison with what had gone before. - Michael Green

HUM TUM

(Pic: Jethro McNamee and Tiffany Harold)

Shirdika Pillai is to be congratulated on her first drama-dance production. (Review by Caroline Smart)

It’s always exciting to see a new director moving onto the local theatre scene, particularly in Durban where the performing arts battle to attract a strong enough following to make the industry sustainable here.

So, all kudos to Shirdika Pillai for presenting – both as a writer and a director - her first offering titled Hum Tum (meaning “You and I” in Hindi) which opened at The Zone at Suncoast Casino last night. Having completed her Honours degree in Drama and Performance Studies, Shirdika is currently reading for her Masters degree in Culture and, among other issues, Hum Tum looks at love across a religious divide – in this case Hindu and Muslim.

The drama, which incorporates dance links from Zama Mtshali and Shaneel Sookdeo, is set to well-known Bollywood hits and is placed in a university drama department. At the start of a new semester, drama lecturer Aanchal (Dhiya Bahadur) is directing a play and has just identified her cast which is made up of a contrasting group of students - some egotistic or free-spirited, others emotional and insecure.

There’s Tahir (Jethro McNamee) who considers himself irresistible to the ladies and his loyal friend Zaakir (Warrick Frank). The love bug hits Tahir for real when he is paired with the feisty Dhiya (Tiffany Harold) in the play, much to the amusement of her friends Ashley (Nhlakanipho Mangele) who is gay and the bubbly chatterbox Sapna (Tasha Govender).

While things are volatile enough at work for Aanchal, things are just as complicated on the home front. Her relationship with her lover Yasteel (Byron T) is in tatters and her mother Smita (Yegeshnie Chetty) and grandmother Daadi (Krisandri Padayachee) aren’t helping!

All kudos, too, to producer Shivani Kara of Eastern Moves Productions and Suncoast itself for having faith in a drama production and hosting it in this expansive venue. With four settings – Aanchal’s sitting room, the rehearsal room and Ashley’s room as well as outdoor campus scenes – the stage set-up works well with curtained areas on the side highlighting these locations and helping to break up this wide stage. The screens also provide good surfaces for the attractive lighting design.

Generally, the speech delivery was too rapid for the size of this venue and there were some uncomfortably shrill sections but this can easily be corrected. Shirdika Pillai has pulled credible and sincere performances from her well-focused cast as well as characters that are well-sustained. The script is humorous as well as sensitive and would work well in a more intimate venue. Notable performances came from Dhiya Bahadur, Tiffany Harold and Jethro McNamee with Nhlakanipho Mangele stealing the show in many instances.

Hum Tum has matinee and evening performances over this weekend (February 26 to 28). Tickets R100 via the Suncoast Box Office and Computicket on 083 915 8000. Tickets are not for sale to persons under the age of thirteen. – Caroline Smart

EGOLI – PLACE OF GOLD

How will the series end on March 2, 2010?

Egoli fans are in for a number of surprises, as M-Net’s golden soap nears its final episode, which will be broadcast on March 2 at 18h00 on M-Net. Last week Egoli’s famous patriarch, Chris Edwards, was gunned down by a revengeful, manic Krynauw and in the last episodes the intrigue will increase with characters, such as Cecile (Sandra Prinsloo) returning, families reuniting, and trying twists.

But what will happen in the very last episode and in the final scene of South African television’s longest running daily drama? “That’s of course the question everyone is asking right now,” says Burgert Muller, Egoli’s Executive Producer. “And, can you believe, there’s less than a week left before the story comes to a close and Egoli fans are bound to be moved by the show’s last moments before the final credits roll.”

Not many people know, however. To keep the way the Egoli story ends top secret, only creator Franz Marx knew exactly where the plotline was going. Franz Marx Films even deliberately filmed some additional scenes, the editors who worked on the final episode were only roped in at the last minute and two different versions of the ending were made.

“We knew that the guessing-game would be on and had to go to all this effort to ensure that nothing – or nobody – spoils the story for all our loyal fans,” explains Muller.

The final episode of Egoli will be followed by 18 commemorative episodes, covering the highlights of 18 years of Egoli, which will run from March 3 to 26. “The final series episode is next week Tuesday,” reiterates Muller. “Please don’t get confused with the dates, because it will be a great pity to miss out on the end of the Egoli saga.”

Albeit not on television, the Egoli brand will live on! An Egoli feature film is due for distribution in cinemas from 16 June, 2010.

MOYA TROMBONE QUARTET FOR FOM

Four gifted trombonists show there is no end to musical ingenuity and enterprise in Friends of Music concert. (Review by Michael Green)

The trombone is nothing if not assertive, as anybody who has heard it in action in an orchestra will confirm. It is the brassiest of brass instruments and the last thing I would associate with chamber music, but in this concert four gifted trombonists showed that there is really no end to musical ingenuity and enterprise.

The players are from South Africa (Ross Butcher and Anthony Boorer, who comes from England but is now the principal trombone in the KZN Philharmonic Orchestra) and France (Christophe Legrand and Maxime Chevrot). They call themselves the Moya Trombone Quartet and they presented a programme ranging from Verdi and Gershwin to, wait for it, Debussy, with a lavish helping of modern music and jazz. All of which was much to the taste of the Friends of Music audience at the Durban Jewish Centre.

The Moya Quartet was established four years ago and is based at Geneva in Switzerland. The name Moya comes from the Zulu word for the wind and spirit, highly appropriate for this group (some of you may remember a beautiful lady named Moya, and the name was appropriate for her, too).

For this concert both the composition of the quartet and their programme were changed considerably from the advertised details. An Italian and a French member of the usual quartet were not present, and their places were taken (very effectively) by Anthony Boorer and Maxime Chevrot. Perhaps this was why the programme was altered. Anthony Boorer stood in at two days’ notice and played with distinction.

The evening had an informal atmosphere. The players were dressed casually, and breezy announcements were made from the stage.

The trombone is not a very nimble or soulful instrument, and, in spite of skilful performance, I did not think it was well suited to arrangements of Verdi’s La forza del destina overture, Mascagni’s Cavalleria Rusticana intermezzo or songs by Debussy. But the players seem to come into their own in an interesting, three-movement suite called Wars by the American composer Joey Sellers and in popular pieces by Gershwin, Thelonious Monk, Christian Lindberg and Queen (the British rock band).

I would guess that about 60 members of the audience of about 80 had seldom before attended a Friends of Music concert, and they obviously enjoyed themselves. Different strokes for different folks, as the rather peculiar saying goes. This concert was a success. Would this audience return for an evening of Bach or Mozart? I wonder.

The evening’s prelude performer, funded by the National Lottery, was the 15-year-old violinist Yea Kyung Kim, a pupil at Durban Girls’ College. She is taught music by Isaac Melamed. Accompanied by David Smith, she played the chaconne attributed to the Italian composer Vitali (1663-1745), and she played it with confidence and competence. - Michael Green

JULIAN LLOYD WEBBER FOR KZNPO

Top international cellist to perform with KwaZulu-Natal Philharmonic on February 25.

Top international cellist Julian Lloyd Webber is to perform the Shostakovich Cello Concerto No. 1 in this week’s World Symphony Season concert on February 25 in a programme conducted by Yasuo Shinozaki.

An extremely creative musician, Julian Lloyd Webber has premiered more than 50 new works for cello and has inspired new compositions from diverse composers. Presented with the Crystal Award at the World Economic Forum in 1998, Julian is working to promote personal and community development in some of England's most deprived areas, through orchestral-based learning and musical experiences. He plays the ‘Barjansky’ Stradivarius cello of c.1690.

Conducting the orchestra for the third consecutive year, Yasuo Shinozaki has acquired a truly international reputation for his emotionally direct style of music making. This style is perfect for Shostakovich's playful Festive Overture. Musicologist and friend of Shostakovich, Lev Nikolayevich Lebidinsky, said of this composer: “when [Shostakovich] wrote light music he was able to talk, make jokes and compose simultaneously.”

Rachmaninov’s Symphony No. 2, marked by the typical Rachmaninov combination of melancholy and sweetness brings the evening to a close.

The concert takes place on February 25 in the Durban City Hall at 19h30 (doors open at 18:30). Booking through Computicket or tickets at the door. More information on the KZNPO, click on the banner advert above.

BIG IS BEAUTIFUL & ELLIS PEARSON

(Pic: Work by Ellis Pearson)

artSPACE durban hosts large scale works, geographic video and Pearson’s last solo exhibition before he leaves Durban.

artSPACE durban currently has two exhibitions and a video on view.

Situated in the Middle Gallery is Silently Singing, a solo exhibition of paintings by Ellis Pearson who is also well-known as an acclaimed theatre performer and visionary. This will be his last exhibition before he leaves Durban.

Running in the Main Gallery is Big is Beautiful which features 12 works from 12 artists. This exhibition is all about the artworks being large in scale by this group of esteemed artists: Terri Broll, Petros Ghebrehiwot, Louise Hall, Terry King, Jeannie Kinsler, Grace Kotze, Peter Machen, Kerry Michau, Jenny Parsons, Janet Solomon, Andrew Verster, and Ingrid Winterbach.

The DVD, An Exploration of the Southern African Geography, which can be seen in the Front Room includes Georgia Papageorge’s magnificent Africa Rifting - Lines of Fire, Namibia / Brazil.

The exhibitions run until March 6. artSPACE durban is situated at 3 Millar Road (off Umgeni Road) close to the Waste Centre. More information on 031 312 0793 or visit www.artspacedurban.co.za or www.artspacedurban.blogspot.com

LANDSCAPES

(Pic: “Dirt road” by Daniel Novela)

Daniel Novela exhibits for the first time in Durban.

A full, rich spectrum of landscape art will be exhibited at the Crouse Art Gallery from February 26 with artist, Daniel Novela’s first KZN solo exhibition titled Landscapes.

Reflecting on the natural world takes centre stage in these lush paintings that Novela masterfully constructs. Using oils, he paints subjects which are close to his heart with a powerful range of techniques, sensitivity, depth and sophistication.

“I want to recapture the beautiful simplicity of herding the cattle, collecting firewood and water. It was so peaceful,” he states. “My technique evolved a lot through my studies but my subject matter remained the same – memories of that happy childhood, open fields under the endless sky, the Africa that was mine when I was a boy.”

Based in the North West Province, Novela offers an exciting fresh talent and this is the first time he will be exhibiting in Durban. Having exhibited nationally and internationally, the prolific artist is constantly participating in a number of exhibitions and community art projects. Raised in Mozambique, his artwork is colourful and vibrant, depicting everyday life around him. Capturing a simplistic lifestyle with bold colours, his artwork attracts a gazing eye and draws his viewer in deeper.

He attended the Escola de Artes Visuais near Maputo, a school of visual arts that aimed to develop, establish and deepen the contact with the artists’ work. This was the first building block that ignited his passion to follow his dream of becoming a full- time artist.

Crouse Art Gallery KZN offers professional advice to the discerning art lover. They also offer free evaluations of work by known and established South African artists. They also buy South African old masters.

Landscapes. Opens on February 26 at the Crouse Art Gallery which is situated at 254 Lillian Ngoyi / Windermere Road. Gallery hours are 09h00 to 16h00 weekdays (Saturdays 09h00 to 12h00). More information on 031 312 2315 or visit www.crouseartkzn.co.za

GUY BUTTERY AT RAINBOW

(Pic: Guy Buttery)

Rainbow Restaurant builds on success of first Thursday evening concert.

Building on the success of their first ever Thursday evening concert staged in December featuring 340ml, the Rainbow Restaurant and Jazz Club has announced another such event, this time featuring the first performances on the Rainbow stage from Guy Buttery and Babu.

Since the release of his third studio album, Fox Hill Lane in 2009, Guy Buttery's star has never shone brighter. His mastery of stringed instruments has resulted in him receiving performance offers from around the globe. Despite this global interest in his talent, he remains true to his KwaZulu-Natal roots and the rolling hills of the province will forever inspire him. He will present a solo set from approximately 20h30 that will have audiences well-tuned in for the next act - Babu.

“It is almost a year since this Cape Town based jazz fusion group visited the East Coast and Nicola and I were fortunate enough to be in the audience at Snap! Wine Bar,” says co-owner of the Rainbow, Neil Comfort. “We knew it would be good as, in July 2008, the Rainbow had hosted a jazz quintet under the leadership of Andile Yenana with Kesivan Naidoo on drums. We were simply blown away by his performance and were not surprised when, later that year, he was named as the Standard Bank Young Artist Award winner for Jazz. All of that meant that 2009 was a very busy year for Naidoo and his partners in Babu - Reza Khota on guitar, Shane Cooper on bass and Ronan Skillen on tabla, extended percussion and didgeridoo. Do not miss this whirlwind tour as it might be another year before you get a chance to see them again.”

The performance takes place on February 25, doors open at 20h00. Tickets R50 presale (R60 at the door). The Rainbow Restaurant is situated at 23 Stanfield Lane in Pinetown. More information on 031 702 9161 or 083 463 8044 or email bandwagon@artslink.co.za or visit www.therainbow.co.za

MOYA TROMBONE QUARTET

Geneva-based quartet to perform at Howard Collage on February 22.

The MOYA Trombone Quartet (established in 2006) is based in Geneva, Switzerland. They will perform a free lunch-hour concert on February 22 at the University of KwaZulu-Natal.

Their concert programme includes music by Verdi, contemporary music for trombone quartet with a jazzy style, film music, and classic rock. Members of the quartet are Ross Butcher, Christophe Legrand, Maxime Chevrot and Tony Boorer.

The concert takes place in Howard College Theatre on February 22 from 12h15 to 13h00 and entrance is free.

CELEBRATING CHOPIN - 1810 to 2010

(Pic: Christopher Duigan)

Christopher Duigan launches classical piano recital programme marking 200th anniversary of Chopin’s birth.

Marking the 200th anniversary of Fredrick Chopin’s birth in Żelazowa Wola, near Warsaw, Poland in 1810, Christopher Duigan marks this special occasion with a selection on music focusing on this composer's highly engaging musical output.

Widely regarded as one of South Africa’s most innovative concert pianists Christopher Duigan has maintained a busy concert career having performed extensively with all leading South African orchestras. His CD recordings are regularly aired on ClassicFM, Johannesburg and Fine Music Radio. Major performances for 2008 include a number of solo performances in gala concerts with the KwaZulu-Natal Philharmonic Orchestra, recitals in Cape Town and the Franschhoek International Literary Festival.

With a local parish document listing the birth of Fredrick Chopin on February 22 1810, the official date of March 1 was the date the composer usually used. Now, 200 years later, Christopher Duigan devotes an entire performance to Chopin's magnificent piano writing. Chopin wrote almost exclusively for the piano and his name is synonymous with the world's most popular piano music. While previously admired for his poetic, even nostalgic overtones, in recent years and under closer technical scrutiny, Chopin's music has revealed a highly complex and classical construction. It is, in fact, this balance of poetry and intellect, personal freedom and classical principal in the design of the music, that makes the music so profound and also so appealing.

This celebratory programme includes Waltz in C-sharp minor, ‘Minute’ Waltz, Nocturne in E-flat, Ballade No 1, Scherzo No 2 in B-flat minor, Mazurkas, ‘Raindrop’ Prelude, Fantasie-Impromptu and other works.

KZN performances are scheduled as follows: February 23 - Howard College Theatre, UKZN Durban at 19h30 (Tel: 031 260 3353); February 24 - St Agnes Church in Kloof at 19h30 (Tel: 031 764 2037); February 25 - St Michael’s Church in Himeville at 19h30 (Tel: 033 702 1013); February 26 - Hilton College Memorial Concert Hall at 19h30 (Tel: 033 383 0126), and March 1 - 35 Montgomery Drive in Pietermaritzburg at 19h30 (Tel: 033 342 3051).

Further performances take place at the NG Church in Franschhoek on February 27 at 19h30 (Tel: 083 417 4473) and on February 28 in Johannesburg at Olde'e'New in Empire Road at 15h30 (Tel: 083 414 0041).

PHUTU AND MASALA

(Pic: Some of the cast members: Kogie Naidoo, Senzo Mthethwa, Karunai Chetty, Terena Balakisten, Veekram Ramgoolam and Sathie Moodley)

Phutu and Masala is a comedy dealing with a black guy who is sort of a ‘player’ who meets and befriends an Indian girl. While she is quite homely, her family has everyone running for cover. With surprising twists to the relationship, intertwined with a meddling friend and a bumbling buffoon of a jealous ‘wannabe boyfriend’, audiences are promised some hilarious entertainment with some good humour that comprises both intelligence and slapstick. “Throw into the pot a mix of additional colourful characters and spice with some music and dance and you have the recipe for good family fun,” promise the organisers.

The cast features some well-known faces in the entertainment arena and includes: Terena Balakisten, Dean Chetty, Genean Chetty, Karunai Chetty, Sathie Moodley, Senzo Mthetwa (who appeared in winning play of the 2010 Musho Audience Award), Kershen Naidoo, Kogie Naidoo, and radio personality Neel Pillay.

Phutu and Masala will have a performance on February 27 at the SCDIFA Hall in Chatsworth. Tickets R20 available from either Nazir’s and Nagiahs in the Chatsworth Centre. Tickets can also be bought at 1st Floor, 312 Florence Nightingale Road, Westcliff (Lotus Loans Building). For more information contact 031 401 6270.

KZN YOUTH ORCHESTRA

KZN Youth Orchestra to hold first concert of 2010 at Roseway Waldorf School.

The KZN Youth Orchestra will hold their first concert of 2010 season on February 29 in Assagay. This is described as an “open air concert showcasing the musical talent of our youth in the structured setting of an orchestra, and promises to replace any despondency with uplifting hope.”

The orchestra recently returned from a very successful camp at Greystone and is now on the lookout for new recruits. Pupils must be grade 3 level in order to audition for the B (starter) orchestra and grade 5 in order to audition for the A orchestra. Lyk Temmingh conducts the A orchestra whilst Lindsay Johnstone and Cathy Peacock tutor and conduct the starter orchestra. Rehearsals take place at St Mary’s in Kloof on Friday afternoons from 16h00 to 18h30.

Those interested should contact Bryan Human on email: bryan.human@iafrica.com or Cathy Peacock on cathypea@webstormsa.co.za or visit www.kznyo.co.za

The forthcoming concert takes place at the Roseway Waldorf School, Assagay, on February 26 at 19h00. Tickets R25 pp (R10 scholar) available at the door with food available on site.

CRAFT OF NORTHERN KWAZULU-NATAL

(Pic: Isipethu embroidery by S Mabaso)

The Craft of Northern KwaZulu-Natal Exhibition which is currently on view at the Durban Art Gallery, has been a joint venture between the Natal Arts Trust and the Carnegie Art Gallery in Newcastle and includes work from the Carnegie’s permanent collection and also privately owned items. To give visibility and promote the craft sector in the outlying areas of KwaZulu-Natal, the Natal Arts Trust provided funding to the Newcastle, Empangeni and Margate Galleries for them to purchase craft items produced in their respective regions. This particular exhibition reflects the contemporary craft being produced in the Northern region.

The craft on show was sourced from people in Ladysmith, the Northern Drakensberg, Nongoma, Msinga and the north-west part of KwaZulu-Natal, including Newcastle, Vryheid and Dundee. Items were made by independent crafters as well as artists and crafters who are affiliated to Ardmore Ceramic Art, Baskets for Africa, the ELC Arts and Crafts Centre in Rorke’s Drift, and Senzokuhle.

Curator Judy Jordan, however, is concerned that some craft skills may be lost forever if action isn’t taken to encourage crafters to continue making items: “I had to order a lot of work because people often think that it’s not worthwhile making something that no-one will buy,” she said. “We could be facing a vacuum in some crafts. It’s a real tragedy. “If the government could put money into warehousing craft it would encourage crafters to make items which could be sold later on.”

The Craft of Northern KwaZulu-Natal Exhibition will be on show at the Durban Art Gallery until March 28. The DAG will be running a few bead-making workshops during this period so watch the press for dates.

FROM HALLMARK TO UNIVERSAL

Africa becomes first territory to launch rebranded Universal Channel

In a successful period of growth and expansion, Universal Networks International is now also focusing on harmonising its TV channels under five revitalized core brands delivering new original, first-run content targeted at local audiences around the globe. Hallmark Channel Africa, the number 1 international channel in the region with subscribers approaching 3,7million in total (Africa and South Africa combined), will change its name to Universal Channel on March 24.

Africa is the first market to introduce the new look channel globally.

MultiChoice and Universal Networks International are confident that the iconic entertainment brand will enhance an already-popular channel and that loyal Hallmark viewers will appreciate the warm, contemporary look of the new channel brand. With more first-run series and movies, featuring characters and stories that connect to the viewer on an emotional level, Universal Channel is set to increase its popularity on the African continent.

François Roux, Managing Director, EMEA, Universal Networks International, said, “This is a natural evolution of the Hallmark Channel in Africa. Building on Universal’s entertainment heritage we will continue showing quality content in an engaging TV environment, now emphasized by a modern, colourful channel look and feel. We’re delighted to bring our viewers an even greater programming line-up, with the very latest seasons from a host of award winning programmes such as Law & Order, Law & Order: Special Victims Unit and Monk”.

John Burnett, VP Commercial Operations and MD Africa , Universal Networks International said; “Universal Channel is more than television, it’s entertainment you feel, with compelling characters we know our viewers really relate to, from the psychics and neurotics to the compulsives and perfectionists, such as Dr Gregory House, Monk, Jack McCoy from Law & Order and Erica Strange from Being Erica”.

Aletta Alberts, Head of Content, MultiChoice said; “We are very positive about this development of Hallmark Channel. We have co-operated closely with Universal Networks International making sure our subscribers benefit from even stronger content delivered under the new Universal Channel name”

The change of name to Universal Channel will happen at 21h00 on March 24 kicking off with a double bill of the premiere of Law & Order Series 17 – the longest running crime series in the history of television. Other content premieres will include Monk, Psych, Being Erica season 2 and Law & Order: Special Victims Unit season 8.

Universal Networks International, the global channels division of NBC Universal, is one of the world’s premier entertainment networks, delivering quality content and compelling brands to over 150 million viewers in 130 countries across Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Latin America and Asia. The portfolio is spearheaded by five core channels - Syfy Universal, Diva Universal, Studio Universal, Universal Channel and 13th Street Universal - which deliver a full range of entertainment experiences to local audiences across the globe. Universal Networks International also operates Movies 24, the (non-US) Hallmark Channel and an interest in the KidsCo joint venture.

KZNPO CONCERT: FEBRUARY 18, 2010

KZNPO rose splendidly to the occasion in gala concert. (Review by Michael Green)

This was a gala occasion: an all-Beethoven programme featuring a brilliant violin soloist, plus the presentation of a bust of himself to Bongani Tembe, the KZN Philharmonic Orchestra’s long-serving chief executive.

The bronze bust was made by the distinguished Durban sculptor Hannah Lurie and it was commissioned by the Friends of Music organisation, represented at the presentation by its founder and chairman, Dr Vera Dubin. A full house audience in the Durban City Hall, boosted by a generous sprinkling of free tickets, contributed to the generally festive atmosphere.

Bongani Tembe is a worthy recipient of the honour conferred on him. In a social milieu not always conducive to cultural activity, he has sustained public interest in the orchestra and, most important, has been successful in persuading public and private bodies – the government, the city council, the provincial legislature, private companies --- to support the orchestra financially.

He has been able to maintain a consistently high standard of programmes and performers (as witness this very concert), and he has helped spread the word about music to underprivileged communities and especially to young people. He has earned the prolonged applause he was given at this concert.

The proceedings began with a 35-voice Zulu choir singing (presumably Bongani Tembe’s praises) and with speeches paying tribute to Bongani and his wife Linda Bukhosini, who is in charge of the Playhouse. The tributes were carried further in a sumptuous programme printed for this occasion. Bongani himself thanked many people, including his mother and his two brothers, mentioning that the younger of them was attending a symphony concert for the first time.

The concert itself consisted of two lengthy masterpieces by Beethoven: the Violin Concerto in D major and the Symphony No. 7 in A major. Under the baton of the visiting Russian conductor Thomas Sanderling the orchestra rose splendidly to the occasion in these two great works.

The star of the evening was, however, the soloist in the concerto, Benjamin Schmid, who comes from Austria. He had shown earlier in the week, at a Friends of Music recital, that he is a violinist of the first rank. Now he performed the greatest of all violin concertos, and he brought a new dimension to this familiar and well-loved composition. He did not produce any daring or outlandish interpretative tricks. He simply played the music with an eloquence and skill that Beethoven himself would probably have admired.

This was true virtuoso playing, the violinist producing an exquisitely pure tone in the upper register, notably in the first movement, and displaying a wonderful dexterity in the quite robust final movement. The beautiful extended meditations of the violin in the slow movement held the audience spellbound. You could have heard a pin drop, so intense was the attention to the music. At the end Benjamin Schmid was given a tremendous ovation, the reward for a memorable performance.

Will those who received free tickets come again to the orchestra’s concerts? I hope so. They could hardly have had a better introduction to symphonic music. - Michael Green

CARMEN

(Pic: The set model for Act III of “Carmen”)

New York Met passionate production is set to knock the socks off everyone who sees it (Review by Lynne Goodman)

With its heady blend of sexuality and skill, this highly passionate production of Carmen from the New York Met is set to knock the socks off everyone who sees it.

Bizet’s Carmen is one of the world’s most popular operas with its riot of familiar melodies and recognisable story of love, infidelity and violence. Although it dates back to 1875, it is very much a drama for our time. This is in spite of its exotic Spanish setting and characters (gipsy girl tempts a soldier to abandon his sweetheart and follow her, then dumps him for a matador) and the fact that it is hardly politically correct with its celebration of cigarette smoking, bull fighting and sexual promiscuity!

It has a built-in appeal as a crowd pleaser with a plethora of rousing numbers like the Toreador song that have been plagiarised as pop tunes over the years. But this production by Richard Eyre (who won an Olivier award for his Guys and Dolls at the National) adds an artistically brilliant dimension to elevate the cliches. The lovely Latvian mezzo soprano Elina Garanca dons black curls and a sultry sizzle to be completely convincing as the brazen seductress in the name role. She even manages to hit her high notes to perfection while being bounced on her back by the chorus. This is a very physical production and you can almost see the sparks fly in the electricity generated by Carmen and the seasoned tenor Roberto Alagna as Don Jose.

The sets, which range from a town square and a tavern to a smugglers den, are endlessly imposing and the action includes two sensational ballet pas de deux to the entr’acte music - starting with an erotic almost nude love duet.

Like the rest of the filmed series from the famed American opera house, Carmen features enlightening interval interviews - this time charmingly conducted by the celebrated soprano Renee Fleming. And, though sung in French, it offers subtitles to clarify the action even further. The screening time is just over three hours with a 20 minute interval. The run probably won’t even last for three weeks, so catch it as soon as you can. – Lynne Goodman

CARMEN

The ultimate bad girl of opera comes to Durban courtesy of Ster-Kinekor’s Cinema Nouveau.

Opening at all Ster-Kinekor Cinema Nouveau on February 19 is the Met Opera’s production of George Bizet’s Carmen. The most acclaimed, and one of the most popular works in all operatic literature, it will set the screens ablaze in a gripping new production directed by Olivier Award-winning director Richard Eyre.

“Carmen is about sex, violence, and racism and its corollary: freedom,” says Eyre. “It is one of the inalienably great works of art. It’s sexy, in every sense. And I think it should be shocking.”

This production is one of the nine operas that form part of Cinema Nouveau’s screening of live operas from the Metropolitan Opera (New York) HD screenings that are beamed in select counties around the world. Maestro Yannick Nézet-Séguin makes his company debut at the Met, leading a sound cast of seasoned singers such as Elina Garanca as Carmen, Roberto Alagna as Don Jose, Barbara Frittoli as Micaela and Mariusz Kwiecien as Escamillo.

The sensational Latvian mezzo-soprano, Garanca will take on this giant title role for the first time at the Met, following her recently praised portrayal of the role at the Royal Opera House, in which she starred opposite famed tenor Roberto Alagna.

“I am so excited to be doing a new production of Carmen at the Met.,” she says. “You don’t get to develop productions of Carmen from scratch very often so I’m really looking forward to exploring the character further.”

Eyre asserts that it is often challenging to produce a well-known production like Carmen, a title which everyone knows and whose expectations precede the work itself. “And even if they don’t, they think they do. It’s like a fable,” he adds.

Be that as it may, Carmen is the kind of character whose strength and depth is unparalleled. One can never fully claim to understand her psychology.

“Carmen is defined by her unwillingness to settle,” says Garanca. “She is constantly searching for something and never satisfied. It may be sex, or more broadly, approval by men. It could also just be zest for life. And in that she is uncompromising.”

With tuneful melodies and a captivating plot, combined with a dream cast, it is without doubt that this HD presentation of Bizet’s “Carmen will delight audiences all over South Africa. The opera forms part of a series of operas that make up Ster-Kinekor Cinema Nouveau’s third season of operas in HD.

Approximate running for Carmen is just over three hours. Book at the self-service terminals or box-office; alternatively, call 082 16789 or book online at www.sterkinekor.com

NB: Coming up at Cinema Nouveau are some of the nine operas that form part of Cinema Nouveau’s screening of live productions from the Metropolitan Opera: Simon Boccanegra on March 12; Ambroise Thomas’s Hamlet on April 16 and Gioachino Rossini’s Armida on May 28.

Watch this space for a review by Lynne Goodman

TIME OF THE WRITER SHORT STORY COMPETITION

13th festival offers valuable opportunity to gain insight into the creative processes and perspectives of writing.

The Centre for Creative Arts (University of KwaZulu-Natal) will host the 13th Time of the Writer, international writers’ festival from March 9 to 13. The festival will bring a host of local and African authors, offering a valuable opportunity for the public to gain insight into the creative processes and perspectives which inform their writing.

Evening readings, book launches and discussions will take place at the Elizabeth Sneddon Theatre, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban. Wide-reaching day activities, including school visits, are spread across Durban and surrounding areas as part of the festival’s ongoing effort to promote and nurture a culture of reading, writing and creative expression, particularly among the youth.

Time of the Writer invited learners to submit material for the short story writing competition to be held in conjunction with the festival, thus offering them a valuable opportunity to gain insight into the creative processes and perspectives of their writing.

For more information on the festival or the competition, contact the Centre for Creative Arts on 031 260 2506/1704 or email cca@ukzn.ac.za or visit www.cca.ukzn.ac.za

Time of the Writer 2010 is supported by the Department of Arts and Culture, the French Institute of South Africa, Humanist Institute for Development Cooperation (HIVOS), City of Durban, Adams Campus Books, Elizabeth Sneddon Theatre and the University of KwaZulu-Natal.

TRIBUTE TO MANDLA THABETHE

DUT Drama Department HOD Debbie Lutge pays tribute to former Technikon Natal student.

Durban University of Technology Drama Department HOD Debbie Lutge pays tribute to former Technikon Natal student, Mandla Thabethe, who died in Gauteng at the end of January.

I met Mandla Thabethe at the end of 1989 when he successfully auditioned for the then Drama and Theatre Crafts Department at Technikon Natal (currently the Durban University of Technology). Mandla’s impish grin and twinkling eyes were a constant reminder that here was someone mischievous and full of surprise. His face was a combination of disarming charm, quizzical curiosity, and unabashed comic warmth with just a touch of sass thrown in for good measure. A lethal combination which later made him a favourite with his many female viewers!

As a student, Mandla quickly perfected Scarpin type characters. His quick-witted commentary and intuitive sense of comedic timing on stage cast a lasting spell allowing him to initiate a small following in Durban. This was to grow with each new endeavour. Additionally, Mandla used his strong stage presence to excel in mime adding depth to his original physical choices and quick smile. This is evident in the sign language used in later work on the learning channel on TV. In his third year of study Mandla directed his own play, a one-act comedy entitled The Bosses. This two-hander ran for a week to full houses.

Mandla had a knack of communicating with his audiences because he understood what was sought and because he knew he needed to surprise. This sense of honesty and humanity or ‘ubuntu’ characterise his later work as Bongo on the SABC 1 Family Bonds (Ezomdeni in isiZulu). This deep comprehension of identity was always treated with a sense of cultural irony by Mandla who continued to uncover the shifts in social veneer that he discovered throughout his life. It was as if each new artistic revelation conjured more flabbergasting elements Mandla needed to share.

For me as a teacher, Mandla was always a frontiers man: interesting and unexpected. On my way from the US, imagine my astonishment at switching on the BBC channel in Britain to see Mandla in a small part on the TV series Cecil John Rhodes. Mandla would take the wind out of your sails by popping in impromptu-style to see a show at the Courtyard Theatre or rock up at a rehearsal and chat about the industry to students. This is, in fact, how Xolile Zondi was mentored by Mandla. Mandla continued to surprise by noting the lack of opportunities around him in Durban. Mandla’s response was to initiate a TV Sitcom (Family Bonds) with Durban talent by a company on a Durban location. A feat few have managed to achieve.

Not only did 39 year-old graduate Mandla Thabethe engage the industry wearing many caps, producing, writing and acting in Family Bonds, a show garnering five SAFTA 2010 nominations including a nomination for Bongo for Best Comedy Actor, his boundless energy extended to other fields and hobbies.

True to the form of an excellent performer, Mandla Thabethe left us unexpectedly awaiting more. On one hand it was the rush and exhilaration of a new Harley Davidson adventure that led to his tragic accident in the early hours of Sunday morning January 31, 2010 - on the other, it was this impulsiveness, this sudden exuberance that was also the driver of his artistic charisma.

Mandla was a frontrunner because he took the bull by the horns and twisted in a new direction. He will be remembered as a pioneer in his industry, as producer of the first essentially Durban based Sitcom, as mentor to young Durban television ‘wannabees’, as writer/creator of a popular sitcom in isiZulu, as an artist whose heart belonged to the green hills of KwaZulu-Natal. Mandla Thabethe was finally laid to rest in the Pinetown cemetery. He will be sorely missed by his remaining Lecturer, his alma mater and his Technikon Natal class of ‘92. - Debbie Lutge.

DEATH OF MANDLA THABETHE

Well-known television actor and DUT graduate dies in Gauteng.

Mandla (“Bongo””) Thabethe, well-known for his appearances in the SABC1 sitcom Family Bonds, died near the Emerald Casino, south of Johannesburg, on January 31.

The proud owner of a Harley Davidson motorbike which he bought in 2007 and a member of the Midrand-based Sopranos Biker’s Club, he was riding his bike when it apparently collided with a friend's motorcycle. It appeared that he had gone to the Emerald Casino to attend a biker's conference.

Thabethe’s class in his first year of study at Technikon Natal (now the Durban University of Technology) included Ndumiso Dlamini (Family Bonds), Simo Magwaza, the late Sifiso Msimang, the late Dom Dimba, Christa Biyela, Belinda Henwood, Patrick Kenny, Andrew Youd, Darren Webster and Verity Bowdon.

Tribute to follow from Debbie Lutge, Mandla Thabethe’s lecturer and DUT Drama Department HOD)

HOT POTS AND HOT CROSS BUNS!

Zen Lights by Andrew Walford

Once again, internationally-acclaimed Zulu Zen potter Andrew Walford will hold his Easter Exhibition titled Hot Pots and Hot Cross Buns!

Relax in this charming informal setting, admiring the world-class Japanese style ceramics in his unusual studio and home with its scenic views over the Shongweni Dam and Nature Reserve. Tea, coffee, homemade lemonade, hot cross buns and quiche and salads are available.

Hot Pots and Hot Cross Buns! runs from April 2 to 5. Unwind in the delightful country setting in the Shongweni valley. Phone 031 7691363 for details or go to www.andrewwalford.co.za

Neil Wright has just released a beautifully-presented book on Andrew Walford – watch this space for the review.

MACS COURSES

Midlands Arts Society in Pietermaritzburg offers several new art courses.

MACS (Midlands Arts Society) in Pietermaritzburg is offering several new art courses to start in the near future, saying: “If you have always wanted to but never had the opportunity", here is your chance...

A new Oil Painting class with Peter Rippon is starting on Saturday afternoons aimed at beginners, and teaching basic techniques.

Enjoy and tap into your own creative energy with Sue Physick with the Creative Drawing classes covering traditional ways of drawing as well as some more creative approaches using the right as well as the left side of the brain. Gain more insight into how other people work, some famous, some maybe not.

Lino cutting/printing with Wesley Flanagan offers tuition in an ancient skill that can stand on its own or be used as an extension of other drawing and printing skills. It can also be used in many ways to decorate cards, decorative papers, even fabric and linens. This will be taught from the group up so to speak, designing blocks etc.

Booking and enquiries at MACS on 033 386 6500 plus a list of student requirements will be available at booking time.

GUY BUTTERY AT ALLIANCE FRANÇAISE

Concert at the Alliance Française forms part of 10-day tour of KZN.

It’s not often that a young musician has to squeeze in tours of his home town amongst a bustling schedule of international events. Fortunately for Guy Buttery, but unfortunately for Durbanites, we seem to touch base with him less and less due to an ever-expanding repertoire post the release of his third and latest album Fox Hill Lane. The response Guy has received for what he believes to be his most mature album to date, has been phenomenal. Local and international press reviews have offered nothing but glowing reports on both the musicality and production of all 14 tracks. Each of these reflects a very intimate portrayal of Guy’s personal and musical journey since his previous album Songs from the Cane Fields.

Media hype aside, the proof here is in the pudding. One seldom finds Guy playing to anything but a full house and album sales are flying faster than his record label can keep up with. Since the release of Fox Hill Lane, Guy has been invited to collaborate on a world music project in Mauritius with acclaimed artists Eric Triton and Alhousseini (from Niger’s Etran Finatawa) and will be representing South Africa at Toulouse’s Rio Loco festival in France in a few months time.

However, loyal fans fear not for, despite the buzz of global adventures, the allure of KwaZulu-Natal still resonates strongly for Guy as he plans his year and schedules his tours. “The landscape of KwaZulu-Natal has consistently played a big role in inspiring many of my compositions and will always be considered home to me” says Guy. Upon his return from performing at yet another private party for the Prince of Bahrain in the Seychelles, he will spend 10 days playing a number of shows right across the province. CD’s Fox Hill Lane and Guy’s sophomore release Songs from the Cane Fields will be on sale at all the shows.

Guy Butter will perform at the Alliance Française, 22 Sutton Crescent (corner Windermere Road) in Morningside on February 19 at 19h30. Tickets R50 at the door.

For up to date tour schedules, videos, music, pictures, a full biography and more info on Guy Buttery, visit www.guybuttery.co.za

KZNPO CONCERT: FEBRUARY 18, 2010

KZNPO rose splendidly to the occasion in gala concert. (Review by Michael Green)

This was a gala occasion: an all-Beethoven programme featuring a brilliant violin soloist, plus the presentation of a bust of himself to Bongani Tembe, the KZN Philharmonic Orchestra’s long-serving chief executive.

The bronze bust was made by the distinguished Durban sculptor Hannah Lurie and it was commissioned by the Friends of Music organisation, represented at the presentation by its founder and chairman, Dr Vera Dubin. A full house audience in the Durban City Hall, boosted by a generous sprinkling of free tickets, contributed to the generally festive atmosphere.

Bongani Tembe is a worthy recipient of the honour conferred on him. In a social milieu not always conducive to cultural activity, he has sustained public interest in the orchestra and, most important, has been successful in persuading public and private bodies – the government, the city council, the provincial legislature, private companies --- to support the orchestra financially.

He has been able to maintain a consistently high standard of programmes and performers (as witness this very concert), and he has helped spread the word about music to underprivileged communities and especially to young people. He has earned the prolonged applause he was given at this concert.

The proceedings began with a 35-voice Zulu choir singing (presumably Bongani Tembe’s praises) and with speeches paying tribute to Bongani and his wife Linda Bukhosini, who is in charge of the Playhouse. The tributes were carried further in a sumptuous programme printed for this occasion. Bongani himself thanked many people, including his mother and his two brothers, mentioning that the younger of them was attending a symphony concert for the first time.

The concert itself consisted of two lengthy masterpieces by Beethoven: the Violin Concerto in D major and the Symphony No. 7 in A major. Under the baton of the visiting Russian conductor Thomas Sanderling the orchestra rose splendidly to the occasion in these two great works.

The star of the evening was, however, the soloist in the concerto, Benjamin Schmid, who comes from Austria. He had shown earlier in the week, at a Friends of Music recital, that he is a violinist of the first rank. Now he performed the greatest of all violin concertos, and he brought a new dimension to this familiar and well-loved composition. He did not produce any daring or outlandish interpretative tricks. He simply played the music with an eloquence and skill that Beethoven himself would probably have admired.

This was true virtuoso playing, the violinist producing an exquisitely pure tone in the upper register, notably in the first movement, and displaying a wonderful dexterity in the quite robust final movement. The beautiful extended meditations of the violin in the slow movement held the audience spellbound. You could have heard a pin drop, so intense was the attention to the music. At the end Benjamin Schmid was given a tremendous ovation, the reward for a memorable performance.

Will those who received free tickets come again to the orchestra’s concerts? I hope so. They could hardly have had a better introduction to symphonic music. - Michael Green

SA ART INFORMATION DIRECTORY 2010

Colourful and comprehensive directory now available online.

The SA Art Information Directory 2010 is now available and includes an all-new and fascinating who’s who of the South African art world. It can be obtained directly from the publishers at R189 that includes postage and packaging.

The colourful and comprehensive directory, now in its 7th edition, contains a comprehensive easy-to -use who’s who of the SA art world that adds to the flair and insight of the movers and shakers of the industry.

The directory is the most comprehensive and up-to-date source of both the infrastructure of the dynamic and exciting visual arts community, and art events for 2010. Much trusted and well used by South African art administrators, artists and art PR companies, the SA Art Information Directory is South Africa’s “white and yellow pages of the visual arts world”.

To find out more and to purchase a copy please go to: www.saaid.co.za or call Bastienne at 021 424 7733. E-mail info@saaid.co.za

MICHAEL GREEN’S WINE NOTES #237

Classical music piped through the vineyards of the De Morgenzon farm at Stellenbosch.

The wine community is far-flung, and it is a letter from England that has drawn my attention to a musical estate in the Western Cape.

My brother-in-law John Hermsen, a retired London architect and a wine enthusiast, has sent me a cutting from the Observer newspaper about the classical music which is piped through the vineyards of the De Morgenzon farm at Stellenbosch, as an encouragement for the grapes (I suppose the farm workers might also derive some benefit).

I had not heard before of this interesting initiative at De Morgenzon, which is an old farm (vines were first planted there 300 years ago) with relatively new owners, Hylton and Wendy Appelbaum, who bought it in 2003. Wendy Appelbaum is the daughter of Donald Gordon, the business magnate who founded the Liberty Life insurance company in South Africa and after that the Liberty International property company in England. He has lived in England for many years, has been a generous supporter of the arts, and is now Sir Donald.

Wendy Appelbaum herself has been a prominent business woman and is still involved in many business and philanthropic activities, and she breeds racehorses.

I have now learned locally that she and her husband Hylton play recorded eighteenth-century baroque music to the vines 24 hours a day, relayed through outdoor loudspeakers. They say the sound and vibrations help the ripening process. The composers performed include Johann Sebastian Bach, Handel, Carl Philipp Emanuel Bach, Corelli, Mozart, Couperin, Boccherini, Albinoni and William Byrd.

This is not an entirely new idea. Some Chilean winemakers play music to their vines and say that their customers can detect the improvement in the wines. And apparently the biggest stereo system is at Cloudy Bay in New Zealand, where the winemaker believes that music by the Andrews Sisters is good for his grapes. Experiments in Turkey have indicated that music helps promote root and leaf growth of the vines. Here the composers used were Wagner, Mozart, Chopin, Tchaikovsky and Schubert.

As one who writes about music and wine, I find the whole idea delightful.

De Morgenzon (“the morning sun”, so named because it catches the dawn’s first rays in the Stellenbosch Kloof) produces about 20,000 cases of wine a year. There are five different wines, all of them well regarded, including an outstanding chenin blanc and a red blend called Concerto. The estate covers 91 hectares, is between 200 and 400 metres above sea level, and it has beautiful gardens and views of Cape Town, Table Mountain, Cape Point and Cape Hangklip.

It is open for tasting and sales, and if you like music you can pick up some of that too, from the loudspeakers in the vineyards. De Morgenzon phone number is 021 881 3030. – Michael Green