Consummate profession makes welcome return to Rhumbelow. (Review by Maurice Kort)
Godfrey Johnson makes a very welcome return to the Rhumbelow Theatre after his visit last year in October with Flirting with Coward which I unfortunately missed as I was overseas. This time it is with The Shadow of Brel, the timeless and ever-popular songs of Jacques Brel, not in their original French but in the more comprehensible English translations. They however lose none of their appeal and Godfrey Johnson certainly does them proud. Jacque Brel was a legend; a composer and a singer of talent and charisma who took his audiences to a world of pain and joy. Godfrey Johnson won the Fleur du Cap award for Best Performance in a Cabaret for his arrangements and accompaniment of Claire Watling in Kissed by Brel and it is understandable why as he presents this solo production.
It is no mean feat for a performer to sing the songs while accompanying himself on the piano and hold the audience completely spellbound. Other than the singing and the piano, one did not hear a movement, a rustle or a cough in the audience until the most gratifying applause after each number. Godfrey Johnson has a most endearing stage presence as he delivers many of the well-known popular Brel songs such as the opening Amsterdam, Mathilde, Next, Jacky, Brussles, If You Go Away and the show stopping Carousel. There are also the lesser-known, but equally touching The Lockman, See a Friend in Tears and Fanette. In all, 16 songs are covered. Fans of Jacques Brel will most certainly not be disappointed and Godfrey Johnson might win many more from the uninitiated.
The audience is advised that after the first half of the show, which would last about 70 minutes, in fact it was more like a bonus 85 minutes, and an interval, Godfrey Johnson would return with lighter fare. This is indeed the case with a complete reversal of mood. Godfrey then sparkles with the very funny Masculine / Feminine, Shattered Illusions and his own take on He Had it Coming from Chicago while, remaining faithful to the original - one doesn't meddle with perfection. Other delights in the second half are a reprisal of Senorina Nina from Argentina from his previous show Flirting with Coward, Fever and a captivating rendition of Minute Waltz, amongst other offerings, including his own composition The Lady in Blue.
Consummate professional that he is, Godfrey does not milk his audience for applause, a most endearing aspect of the show. He doesn't have to - the applause is given most willingly.
The show is directed by Sanjin Muftic, produced by Yawazzi Theatre Productions and presented by the Rhumbelow Theatre. It can be seen at this intimate venue in Bartle Rd on 4 and 5 at 20h00 and on June 6 at 14h00 and 18h30, the first performances having been on the same days of the previous weekend. The venue opens 90 minutes before the shows for a picnic meal with braai facilities being available. As there is a bar available, no alcohol may be brought onto the premises. Booking (R100 a ticket) is essential at Computicket or phone Roland on 031 205 7602 or 082 499 8636 or email roland@stansell.za.net or visit www.rhumbelow.za.net – Maurice Kort
Monday, May 31, 2010
Sunday, May 30, 2010
DEATH OF SHELAGH HOLLIDAY
(Pic courtesy of the Springbok Radio website at http://springbokradio.com/IMAGESPAGE4.html)Murray McGibbon pays tribute to well-known actress who has died at the age of 79.
The curtain fell in Johannesburg one last time on May 28 for Shelagh Holliday star of stage, screen, radio and television. She was 79.
I knew Shelagh long before I actually met her through the many roles she played for the Arts Councils in South Africa as well as the Pieter Toerien Management. She was a consummate performer, totally professional in every respect. She exuded class, style and sophistication in a disarming manner, yet with none of the often associated show-biz hype. Shelagh Holliday was an utterly sincere, grounded, humble human being who touched the lives of millions of South Africans through her work in virtually every performing arts medium.
South African born, she trained at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA) in London. Returning to South Africa upon the completion of her three years training there, she became one of South Africa’s most versatile actresses working in everything from musicals and revues to comedy, farce and drama.
Her star-studded stage career won her three Best Actress Awards and twenty-two nominations. Among these nominations were performances in Eugene O'Neill's Long Day's Journey Into Night and A Lesson From The Aloes at the National Theatre in London. For the latter performance she was nominated Best Actress by the Society of West End Theatre Awards as well as by The Laurence Olivier Awards for 1980. Later she won the South African REPS Best Actress award for the same part. Further Best Actress awards were won for her work in The Secretary Bird (awarded by the Gallery Club) and Separate Tables (awarded by the Critics' Circle). Other memorable performances were as Madame Arcati with Erica Rogers and Michael McCabe in Noel Coward's Blithe Spirit and as Gertrude in a television production of Hamlet.
Like most truly great performing artists, Shelagh was accessible, humble and inordinately human. If you had met her on a bus or on an airplane, you would never have guessed she was an actress. She was a no-nonsense, down-to-earth individual; compassionate, caring and very loving. Whenever you were with her, she made you feel as if you were the most important person on the planet. For a while the world and its problems dissipated. Shelagh was there. With you.
Essentially a private, family orientated woman, her career could have soared to considerable international heights had she not been so devoted to her late husband Robin and children, Mark, Sean, Kerry and Cassy.
For my own part, I was fortunate to contract Shelagh to play the role of the Mother Superior in my 1996 production of Agnes of God for The Playhouse Company in Durban. As it happened, this turned out to be Shelagh’s last performance on the South African stage. She starred opposite Theresa Iglich and Charmaine Weir Smith in a production hailed by the critics.
She was a director’s dream in that she took what I gave her and brought back to the rehearsal room something beyond anything I was ever capable of inculcating or suggesting. She was hugely inventive and creative - a very “giving” actress. She effortlessly found solutions to complex artistic problems, without ever claiming to have even been part of the solution! She had a penetrating sense of humour, and a style and grace both on and off stage that will never be forgotten. She was in short a “class act”. I doubt that the South African stage will ever be graced by such an intelligent, poised, sophisticated actress in my lifetime. - Murray McGibbon, Professor of Theatre and Drama, Indiana University, USA, formerly Director of Drama for NAPAC and The Playhouse Company, Durban, South Africa
HAIRLIP
80’s revival at the Barnyard.
If you were a child of the 80’s, prepare for a retro-revival at The Barnyard Theatre at Gateway for one night only when Hairlip return to the venue on June, 7, after a sold-out show at the venue last year.
Mind-blowing, mercurial and mesmerising, they are the epitome of pompous cool and grandiose sex appeal, fuelled by an endless barrage of foot-stomping 80’s pop and underground class. Hairlip promises to perform everyone’s favourite 80’s tunes, non-stop, full throttle and slicker than Rick James on an aqua-plain! The Barnyard will not have had this much rug cut since MJ taught JT how to moonwalk!
Expect Starship’s We Built This City, The Bangles’ Walk Like An Egyptian, Sade’s Smooth Operator, The Fine Young Cannibals’ She Drives Me Crazy, Depeche Mode’s Just Can't Get Enough, The Cure’s Friday I'm In Love, Underworld’s Underneath The Radar, Men At Work’s Who Can It Be Now, and who could forget Transvision Vamp’s I Want Your Love?
Rubber-stamping this 80’s tribute band is East Coast Radio’s Jane Linley-Thomas, “I have to be honest, by many a leap and bound, Hairlip was the hottest collection of musical talent at Splashy Fen 2009. They stole the show and the stage, too!“
Hairlip is made up of the following 80’s-cool characters: Toby Needham-Clark (vocals, guitar and just-can’t-get-enough vibes); Bullet Mayfield (guitar, vocals and underneath-the-radar cool); Bopsy Bought-Won (bass and all-I-ever-needed groove), Sheeba Deveraux (keyboards, synthesizers, vocals and pure-and-simple-every-time chic) and Trent Duvall (drums and everything counts-in-large-amounts suave).
Tickets R120 pp. 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.
If you were a child of the 80’s, prepare for a retro-revival at The Barnyard Theatre at Gateway for one night only when Hairlip return to the venue on June, 7, after a sold-out show at the venue last year.
Mind-blowing, mercurial and mesmerising, they are the epitome of pompous cool and grandiose sex appeal, fuelled by an endless barrage of foot-stomping 80’s pop and underground class. Hairlip promises to perform everyone’s favourite 80’s tunes, non-stop, full throttle and slicker than Rick James on an aqua-plain! The Barnyard will not have had this much rug cut since MJ taught JT how to moonwalk!
Expect Starship’s We Built This City, The Bangles’ Walk Like An Egyptian, Sade’s Smooth Operator, The Fine Young Cannibals’ She Drives Me Crazy, Depeche Mode’s Just Can't Get Enough, The Cure’s Friday I'm In Love, Underworld’s Underneath The Radar, Men At Work’s Who Can It Be Now, and who could forget Transvision Vamp’s I Want Your Love?
Rubber-stamping this 80’s tribute band is East Coast Radio’s Jane Linley-Thomas, “I have to be honest, by many a leap and bound, Hairlip was the hottest collection of musical talent at Splashy Fen 2009. They stole the show and the stage, too!“
Hairlip is made up of the following 80’s-cool characters: Toby Needham-Clark (vocals, guitar and just-can’t-get-enough vibes); Bullet Mayfield (guitar, vocals and underneath-the-radar cool); Bopsy Bought-Won (bass and all-I-ever-needed groove), Sheeba Deveraux (keyboards, synthesizers, vocals and pure-and-simple-every-time chic) and Trent Duvall (drums and everything counts-in-large-amounts suave).
Tickets R120 pp. 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.
BORN IN THE RSA
Proudly South African production for uShaka’s Upper Deck.“Pap, wors, braaivleis and biltong! Can you believe that we gloss over the fantastic talent we have in our own country and stick to American or British music! Yet, we have amazing sounds and rhythms right in our own backyard. Eish! Isn’t it time we celebrated our very own “cruel, crazy, beautiful world?”
So say the organisers of the next show at uShaka Marine World’s Upper Deck, Born in the RSA. Described as “a proudly South African production”, it’s about two characters – Rob and Bunz - from different worlds within the same country who find their common ground through music.
Featuring Rob Warren and the ZAFFA band as well as the immensely talented Bandile Hlope, this show celebrates the vibrant and colourful place that is South Africa. It moves from the country’s political woes to its many triumphs - Madiba as the country’s hero, the Rugby World Cup and finally the Soccer World Cup.
The show features songs from South Africa’s big names - Mango Groove, Johnny Clegg, Freshly Ground, The Parlotones and Miriam Makeba as well as those that are sadly seldom featured in supper theatre shows – Just Jinjer, the late great Lucky Dube, Syd Kitchen, the Springbok Nude Girls and more …
Born in the RSA runs from May 27 to July 10 with shows from Thursdays to Saturdays. Show tickets R60 exclude food and beverages and booking is via Computicket. For more information call 031 328 8107.
ARMIDA
Review by Elaine Steabler of Metropolitan Opera’s new production screened at Cinema Nouveau Gateway
The Metropolitan Opera’s new production of Rossini’s Armida currently being screened at Cinema Nouveau Gateway is not to be missed. It is easy to see why this amazing mythical opera is rarely staged – the soprano role is said to be Rossini’s longest and most vocally difficult to perform, added to which it requires six outstanding tenors.
Armida is sung by the incomparable Renée Fleming. She gives a virtuoso performance as the beautiful, seductive sorceress, Armida, who lures Christian soldiers (Crusaders) to her island prison. The role of her latest victim, Rinaldo, is sung by one of the Met’s most gifted young tenors, Lawrence Brownlee. His vocal prowess is shown to full advantage in his Act 3 aria where he scales BottomD to TopD in one easy flourish. The singing in this final act brings the opera to a breathlessly exciting conclusion with Armida’s terrifying mad aria, Brownlee’s tour-de-force, and a beautifully sung tenor trio - one of whom was South African Kobi van Rensburg who, apart from his beautiful voice, has a commanding stage presence.
The Tony Award-winning director, Mary Zimmerman, brought on board by Fleming, said about discovering the opera: “It’s like coming across a buried treasure under the sea, a box of jewels”. Her production, which includes a stunning ballet in Act 2, did full justice to this wonderful mythical tale.
The running time is nearly four hours, including two fifteen-minute intervals.
Armida ends the current series of HD opera screenings from the Met, but we were given a taste of superb productions to come with the accent on Wagner. It is to be hoped that Durban opera lovers will support these remarkable films to ensure that they continue. - Elaine Steabler
Footnote: I don’t know if it’s common knowledge but young South African singer Jacques Imbrailo is currently singing the title role in Britten’s “Billy Budd” at Glyndebourne this season in its first ever staging of the opera. Quite an achievement! He is one of three South. African singers in the Royal Opera House’s Young Singer’s programme. He has obviously had some very good coaching!)
The Metropolitan Opera’s new production of Rossini’s Armida currently being screened at Cinema Nouveau Gateway is not to be missed. It is easy to see why this amazing mythical opera is rarely staged – the soprano role is said to be Rossini’s longest and most vocally difficult to perform, added to which it requires six outstanding tenors.
Armida is sung by the incomparable Renée Fleming. She gives a virtuoso performance as the beautiful, seductive sorceress, Armida, who lures Christian soldiers (Crusaders) to her island prison. The role of her latest victim, Rinaldo, is sung by one of the Met’s most gifted young tenors, Lawrence Brownlee. His vocal prowess is shown to full advantage in his Act 3 aria where he scales BottomD to TopD in one easy flourish. The singing in this final act brings the opera to a breathlessly exciting conclusion with Armida’s terrifying mad aria, Brownlee’s tour-de-force, and a beautifully sung tenor trio - one of whom was South African Kobi van Rensburg who, apart from his beautiful voice, has a commanding stage presence.
The Tony Award-winning director, Mary Zimmerman, brought on board by Fleming, said about discovering the opera: “It’s like coming across a buried treasure under the sea, a box of jewels”. Her production, which includes a stunning ballet in Act 2, did full justice to this wonderful mythical tale.
The running time is nearly four hours, including two fifteen-minute intervals.
Armida ends the current series of HD opera screenings from the Met, but we were given a taste of superb productions to come with the accent on Wagner. It is to be hoped that Durban opera lovers will support these remarkable films to ensure that they continue. - Elaine Steabler
Footnote: I don’t know if it’s common knowledge but young South African singer Jacques Imbrailo is currently singing the title role in Britten’s “Billy Budd” at Glyndebourne this season in its first ever staging of the opera. Quite an achievement! He is one of three South. African singers in the Royal Opera House’s Young Singer’s programme. He has obviously had some very good coaching!)
BLK JKS FOR RAINBOW
BLK JKS in concert with support act Fruits and Veggies at the Rainbow.
News from Neil Comfort, co-owner of the Rainbow Restaurant in Pinetown, is that BLK JKS: “the four-piece super group from Gauteng, that emerged on the South African scene a couple of years ago then quietly headed off to North America, will finally perform live in Durban - and they have chosen the Rainbow for this monumental event!”
“Ever since we got confirmation of the gig on May 17,” adds Neil, “it has been a different sort of gig to tell people about. The young and young-at-heart immediately say things like "cool" and "rad" and "awesome". The Rainbow regulars have little knowledge of the band and their phenomenal rise in the global music scene, that saw them being one of the first South African acts to be booked onto the controversy-dogged 2010 FIFA World Cup opening concert to be staged in Soweto on June 10 and so their reaction has been one of wanting more information.
“The line-up of BLK JKS includes Lindani Buthelezi on lead guitar, Mpumi Ncata on second guitar, Molefi Makananise on bass guitar and Tshepang Ramoba on drums. In January 2009, they landed in the US for their second visit and to record their first full-length album. The producer was already-converted fan Brandon Curtis of Secret Machines fame and the recording took place in Bloomington, Indiana. The album that resulted, After Robots, was released in September 2009 on the Secretly Canadian label. By that stage, drummer Ramoba had been tipped as the "best musician" at the prestigious SxSW festival in Texas by no less than Billboard. After Robots went on to garner the band the SAMA award for Best Alternative Album for 2009. Just this month, the group collaborated with Dutch DJ Tiesto at the Smirnoff Experience party staged in an aircraft hanger in Jozi and streamed live around the world. In between all the touring in North America, Europe and South Africa, the group has managed to find time to complete an EP and Zol! is ready to hit the shelves on June 8, just in time for the World Cup.”
On June 3, Fruits and Veggies will open the evening at 21h00 and BLK JKS will hit the stage at around 22h00. Doors open at 20h00. The Rainbow Restaurant is situated at 23 Stanfield Lane, Pinetown. Tickets R60 presale (R70 at the door). Presale tickets can be purchased directly from the Rainbow or pre-paid via EFT or bank deposit. For more information contact 031 702 9161, 083 463 8044, email: bandwagon@artslink.co.za or visit www.therainbow.co.za
(Coming up at The Rainbow is the Thula Afro-Jazz Band on June 16 (Youth Day). Entrance is free.)
News from Neil Comfort, co-owner of the Rainbow Restaurant in Pinetown, is that BLK JKS: “the four-piece super group from Gauteng, that emerged on the South African scene a couple of years ago then quietly headed off to North America, will finally perform live in Durban - and they have chosen the Rainbow for this monumental event!”
“Ever since we got confirmation of the gig on May 17,” adds Neil, “it has been a different sort of gig to tell people about. The young and young-at-heart immediately say things like "cool" and "rad" and "awesome". The Rainbow regulars have little knowledge of the band and their phenomenal rise in the global music scene, that saw them being one of the first South African acts to be booked onto the controversy-dogged 2010 FIFA World Cup opening concert to be staged in Soweto on June 10 and so their reaction has been one of wanting more information.
“The line-up of BLK JKS includes Lindani Buthelezi on lead guitar, Mpumi Ncata on second guitar, Molefi Makananise on bass guitar and Tshepang Ramoba on drums. In January 2009, they landed in the US for their second visit and to record their first full-length album. The producer was already-converted fan Brandon Curtis of Secret Machines fame and the recording took place in Bloomington, Indiana. The album that resulted, After Robots, was released in September 2009 on the Secretly Canadian label. By that stage, drummer Ramoba had been tipped as the "best musician" at the prestigious SxSW festival in Texas by no less than Billboard. After Robots went on to garner the band the SAMA award for Best Alternative Album for 2009. Just this month, the group collaborated with Dutch DJ Tiesto at the Smirnoff Experience party staged in an aircraft hanger in Jozi and streamed live around the world. In between all the touring in North America, Europe and South Africa, the group has managed to find time to complete an EP and Zol! is ready to hit the shelves on June 8, just in time for the World Cup.”
On June 3, Fruits and Veggies will open the evening at 21h00 and BLK JKS will hit the stage at around 22h00. Doors open at 20h00. The Rainbow Restaurant is situated at 23 Stanfield Lane, Pinetown. Tickets R60 presale (R70 at the door). Presale tickets can be purchased directly from the Rainbow or pre-paid via EFT or bank deposit. For more information contact 031 702 9161, 083 463 8044, email: bandwagon@artslink.co.za or visit www.therainbow.co.za
(Coming up at The Rainbow is the Thula Afro-Jazz Band on June 16 (Youth Day). Entrance is free.)
MAHA KAVI SUBRAMANI BHARATHI
International Centre for Performing Arts present special tribute to one of India’s greats.
The International Centre for Performing Arts will host a special tribute to one of India's greats, Maha Kavi Subramani Bharathi, at UKZN’s Howard College Theatre on June 5 in acknowledgement of the 150th anniversary of the arrival of the Indian community’s forefathers in South Africa.
Subramani Bharathi (December 11, 1882 to September 11 1921) was both an independence fighter and a reformer. Known as Maha Kavi Bharathi (Maha Kavi meaning “Great Poet”), he is celebrated as one of India's greatest poets. His compositions helped rally the masses to support the Indian independence movement in South India.
Bharathi was fluent in many languages including Telugu, Bengali, Hindi, Sanskrit, Kutchi, French and English. He is considered a nationalistic poet due to the number of poems through which he extolled the people to join the independence struggle for a free India. He composed Carnatic music kritis on love, devotion, etc. His patriotic songs, inter alia, emphasized nationalism, unity of India and the equality of man and he sang these himself at various political meetings.
With the vast majority of his songs being in Tamil, Bharathi also composed two songs entirely in Sanskrit. Regrettably, not all of his songs have been recovered. Some of them that are very popular in the Carnatic music concert circuit include: Theeratha Vilaiyattu Pillai, Chinnanchiru Kiliye, Suttum Vizhi, Thikku Theriyaatha, Senthamizh Nadenum and Paarukkule Nalla Naadu.
Bharath fought for the emancipation of women and was simultaneously up against society for its mistreatment of its downtrodden. He also fought against the caste system and the British for occupying India. Although born into an orthodox Brahmin family, he gave up his own caste identity as he was of the view that 'there are only two castes in the world: one who is educated and one who is not.' He considered all living beings as equal. His nationalistic poems Vanthe Matharam, Enthayum Thayum and Jaya Bharath are widely known and sung.
The performance will take place at 15h30 on June 5 in Howard College Theatre on the UKZN Durban campus. Entrance is free. For more information contact 083 777 1244 or phone Vasa Morgan on 031 404 9257.
The International Centre for Performing Arts will host a special tribute to one of India's greats, Maha Kavi Subramani Bharathi, at UKZN’s Howard College Theatre on June 5 in acknowledgement of the 150th anniversary of the arrival of the Indian community’s forefathers in South Africa.
Subramani Bharathi (December 11, 1882 to September 11 1921) was both an independence fighter and a reformer. Known as Maha Kavi Bharathi (Maha Kavi meaning “Great Poet”), he is celebrated as one of India's greatest poets. His compositions helped rally the masses to support the Indian independence movement in South India.
Bharathi was fluent in many languages including Telugu, Bengali, Hindi, Sanskrit, Kutchi, French and English. He is considered a nationalistic poet due to the number of poems through which he extolled the people to join the independence struggle for a free India. He composed Carnatic music kritis on love, devotion, etc. His patriotic songs, inter alia, emphasized nationalism, unity of India and the equality of man and he sang these himself at various political meetings.
With the vast majority of his songs being in Tamil, Bharathi also composed two songs entirely in Sanskrit. Regrettably, not all of his songs have been recovered. Some of them that are very popular in the Carnatic music concert circuit include: Theeratha Vilaiyattu Pillai, Chinnanchiru Kiliye, Suttum Vizhi, Thikku Theriyaatha, Senthamizh Nadenum and Paarukkule Nalla Naadu.
Bharath fought for the emancipation of women and was simultaneously up against society for its mistreatment of its downtrodden. He also fought against the caste system and the British for occupying India. Although born into an orthodox Brahmin family, he gave up his own caste identity as he was of the view that 'there are only two castes in the world: one who is educated and one who is not.' He considered all living beings as equal. His nationalistic poems Vanthe Matharam, Enthayum Thayum and Jaya Bharath are widely known and sung.
The performance will take place at 15h30 on June 5 in Howard College Theatre on the UKZN Durban campus. Entrance is free. For more information contact 083 777 1244 or phone Vasa Morgan on 031 404 9257.
CLASSICAL NOTES: MAY, 2010
(Pic: Renee Fleming and Lawrence Brownlee In “Armida”)Column by William Charlton-Perkins presented by kind permission of The Mercury newspaper.
This column is dedicated to my friend, the singer Robert Petersen, whose death in a car crash this month has left our music fraternity bereft and stunned. Last Friday’s (May 21) memorial service in the Durban City Hall, organised by the KZN Philharmonic, was a deeply moving, hugely uplifting occasion. Such was Robert’s enormous standing that a host of musical luminaries, professional choirs and children’s choristers banded together from far and wide to sing and play for him, and pay tribute to his life and the memory of a man who was unfailingly kind, gentle, loving and brave.
For me, listening to music with Robert was always a joyful experience. Pure quality time, filled with moments of glee, exhilaration and mutual delight. A most cherished experience was listening to Rossini’s Armida with him, shortly after its CD release in 1994 on the Sony Classics label. Recorded live at the Rossini Festival in Pesaro in Italy, it launched Renée Fleming’s recording career. Both the work and the singer remained personal favourites of ours. We’d planned to see the Met’s new production together when it hit our local movie circuit this month end. Its long-awaited HD screening opens on May 28 at Cinema Nouveau.
One of many settings of Torquato Tasso’s epic, Gerusalemme liberate, the plot of Rossini’s opera devolves around the beguiling sorceress of its title, who entices a string of lovers onto her enchanted island. Rossini’s splendid take on the classic Armida and Rinaldo legend was first performed at the Teatro di San Carlo in Naples on 11 November 1817. It was the second of eight masterpieces he created for the illustrious Neapolitan house’s virtuosi, headed by the Spanish soprano, Isabella Colbran, who became the composer’s muse and his wife.
Scored for one soprano, six tenors, two basses, chorus and orchestra, the opera makes elaborate demands on its singers and orchestral players. Its title role is one of the longest and most demanding Rossini wrote. Its most famous number is the soprano show-stopper, D'amore al dolce impero, a dazzling set of variations near the start of Act 2. Other musical highpoints are the ravishingly beautiful duets between Armida and Rinaldo, her latest conquest, the gorgeous ballet in Act 2, and the soprano’s cataclysmic Act 3 finale. Not to mention its various tenor solos, duets, quartet and ensembles, each more astonishing the last.
I could only catch the first act and the start of the second act during the press preview last week. But with Fleming in typically sumptuous voice, a glinting, sly seductress, I shall certainly keep faith with my friend, and be back for the rest the Met’s staging. Heading the coterie of tenors who ring out stratospheric high notes and combative roulades, Lawrence Brownlee delivers a dashing Rinaldo, while our own Kobie van Rensburg more than holds his own against his accomplished colleagues. - William Charlton-Perkins
JAZZOLOGY IN CONCERT
St Anne’s to present concert on June 4.
St Anne’s College in Hilton is to present Jazzology in Concert on June 4 featuring a great combo headed by Guest Artist Alec Brits on drums, jazz legend Jeff Judge on keyboard, Jonathan Judge on sax and Logan Byrne on bass.
The programme will be a union of jazz delights including popular jazz songs such as Killer Joe, Song for My Father and Take 5. This promises to be a wonderful evening of musical entertainment.
Jazzology in Concert takes place on June 4 at 18h30 for 19h00 in The Band Room: St Anne’s College in Hilton. Tickets R50 include snacks and there will be a cash bar. Booking is essential as there are limited seats available – contact Toni on 033 343 3300.
St Anne’s College in Hilton is to present Jazzology in Concert on June 4 featuring a great combo headed by Guest Artist Alec Brits on drums, jazz legend Jeff Judge on keyboard, Jonathan Judge on sax and Logan Byrne on bass.
The programme will be a union of jazz delights including popular jazz songs such as Killer Joe, Song for My Father and Take 5. This promises to be a wonderful evening of musical entertainment.
Jazzology in Concert takes place on June 4 at 18h30 for 19h00 in The Band Room: St Anne’s College in Hilton. Tickets R50 include snacks and there will be a cash bar. Booking is essential as there are limited seats available – contact Toni on 033 343 3300.
A TRIBUTE TO STING, ADAMS AND U2
Sheer brilliance! (Review by Mandlakayise Mlotshwa)
Vintage Productions SA is new production company created by husband and wife Aaron and Andrea Nel. Their first show, A Tribute to Sting, Adams and U2 was staged at Sibaya Casino & Entertainment Kingdom’s iZulu Theatre from May 11 to 16.
“Sheer brilliance”. This would be the fairest way to describe the show and its music. Aaron Nel displays unquestioned maturity in his arrangements, guitar and vocals works. From the start, one sensed that this is a show staged by highly professional musicians who have passion for the subject.
The show kicks off with three U2 numbers, Vertigo, Even Better than the Real Thing and Discotheque, well-interpreted by Scott McConnell. In the three excellent Sting hits, Desert Rose, Englishman in New York and Fields of Gold, Zach Hill virtually sounded like Sting himself. By this stage, the atmosphere was almost electric and the scanty audience was already captivated and singing along with the performers.
Aaron Nel then commanded the stage with his mellow voice, performing a superlative acoustic guitar rendition of Bryan Adams’ Summer of '69 to an ecstatic audience who danced to the raunchy chord sequences. U2’s Ever really loved a woman and Where the Streets Have No Name were instant hits and this was followed by the beautiful Roxanne originally sung by Sting & The Police. The band did justice to the song and brought back memories of clubbing and open dance floors.
Another Bryan Adams classic, Run to You and his Kids wanna Rock! as well as U2’s One Love (which featured Mary J Blige in the original recording) brought the well-structured first set successfully to a close.
The second set started with a classic U2 & Green Day tune, The saints are coming followed by Sting’s famous trio - Fragile, If I ever lose my faith in you and All this time. By now, the audience had become part of the show and virtually owned the atmosphere in the auditorium as they danced to U2’s New Year's Day and Sunday Bloody Sunday as well as Bryan Adams’ All for Love (which featured Sting & Rod Stewart in the original recording).
The energy continued with Bryan Adams’ Baby when you're gone (Mel C in the original recording) and his It's only Love, with Kieran O'Brien doing a sterling job as Tina Turner (in the original recording). Next was Bryan Adams’ classic, Everything I do (I do it for you), U2’s Desire and When Love Comes To Town (BB King in the original recording).
It was a sad moment when U2’s With or without you marked the end of a beautiful musical journey of three great bands, U2, Sting and Bryan Adams, presented by a great group of musicians. With Aaron Nel as musical director, the group included Durban-based musicians and singers: Bryan (Scott) McConnell, Zach Hill and Aaron Nel on lead vocals with backing and female vocals by Kieran O’Brien. There’s also Grant Halliday on drums, Steve Murray on bass, Aaron Nel on guitar and Melissa Chaplin on keyboards. Andrea Nel provided the dance sequences and directed the show.
The lighting was splendid, the choreography pleasant and the whole ambience quietly nostalgic. The technical team performed greatly to manage both sound and lighting in instances where technical hitches threatened to disturb the flow of the show.
Congratulations again to Vintage Productions SA and their sponsors for staging such a splendid “Irish” journey. Their hard work managed to pitch the show at an international level. - Mandlakayise Mlotshwa
Vintage Productions SA is new production company created by husband and wife Aaron and Andrea Nel. Their first show, A Tribute to Sting, Adams and U2 was staged at Sibaya Casino & Entertainment Kingdom’s iZulu Theatre from May 11 to 16.
“Sheer brilliance”. This would be the fairest way to describe the show and its music. Aaron Nel displays unquestioned maturity in his arrangements, guitar and vocals works. From the start, one sensed that this is a show staged by highly professional musicians who have passion for the subject.
The show kicks off with three U2 numbers, Vertigo, Even Better than the Real Thing and Discotheque, well-interpreted by Scott McConnell. In the three excellent Sting hits, Desert Rose, Englishman in New York and Fields of Gold, Zach Hill virtually sounded like Sting himself. By this stage, the atmosphere was almost electric and the scanty audience was already captivated and singing along with the performers.
Aaron Nel then commanded the stage with his mellow voice, performing a superlative acoustic guitar rendition of Bryan Adams’ Summer of '69 to an ecstatic audience who danced to the raunchy chord sequences. U2’s Ever really loved a woman and Where the Streets Have No Name were instant hits and this was followed by the beautiful Roxanne originally sung by Sting & The Police. The band did justice to the song and brought back memories of clubbing and open dance floors.
Another Bryan Adams classic, Run to You and his Kids wanna Rock! as well as U2’s One Love (which featured Mary J Blige in the original recording) brought the well-structured first set successfully to a close.
The second set started with a classic U2 & Green Day tune, The saints are coming followed by Sting’s famous trio - Fragile, If I ever lose my faith in you and All this time. By now, the audience had become part of the show and virtually owned the atmosphere in the auditorium as they danced to U2’s New Year's Day and Sunday Bloody Sunday as well as Bryan Adams’ All for Love (which featured Sting & Rod Stewart in the original recording).
The energy continued with Bryan Adams’ Baby when you're gone (Mel C in the original recording) and his It's only Love, with Kieran O'Brien doing a sterling job as Tina Turner (in the original recording). Next was Bryan Adams’ classic, Everything I do (I do it for you), U2’s Desire and When Love Comes To Town (BB King in the original recording).
It was a sad moment when U2’s With or without you marked the end of a beautiful musical journey of three great bands, U2, Sting and Bryan Adams, presented by a great group of musicians. With Aaron Nel as musical director, the group included Durban-based musicians and singers: Bryan (Scott) McConnell, Zach Hill and Aaron Nel on lead vocals with backing and female vocals by Kieran O’Brien. There’s also Grant Halliday on drums, Steve Murray on bass, Aaron Nel on guitar and Melissa Chaplin on keyboards. Andrea Nel provided the dance sequences and directed the show.
The lighting was splendid, the choreography pleasant and the whole ambience quietly nostalgic. The technical team performed greatly to manage both sound and lighting in instances where technical hitches threatened to disturb the flow of the show.
Congratulations again to Vintage Productions SA and their sponsors for staging such a splendid “Irish” journey. Their hard work managed to pitch the show at an international level. - Mandlakayise Mlotshwa
SAWC SHORT STORY COMPETITION
South African Writers' Circle to launch annual Short Story Competition.
The South African Writers' Circle will launch their annual Short Story Competition at Exclusive Books Westville on June 2. This competition is open to one and all and Brigitta Simpson will provide the details.
It is also the SAWC's 50th anniversary, marking a half century of great South African writing. Founded in Durban by Fay Goldie in 1960, the Durban Writers' Circle (as it was originally named) has produced some distinguished writers and award winners.
Also present at the launch will be Wendy Greeff (a past winner), Dr Deena Padayachee (winner of the Olive Schreiner Prize for prose) and Patrick Coyne (Chairman and past judge).
This is a unique opportunity to mingle with South Africans who are passionate about writing and have had the heady experience of holding their hot off the presses book in their hands.
The launch takes place at 17h30 for 18h00 on June 2 at Exclusive Books Westville at The Pavilion (cinema level). RSVP by May 31 to 031 265 0454 or email: westville@exclusivebooks.co.za
The South African Writers' Circle will launch their annual Short Story Competition at Exclusive Books Westville on June 2. This competition is open to one and all and Brigitta Simpson will provide the details.
It is also the SAWC's 50th anniversary, marking a half century of great South African writing. Founded in Durban by Fay Goldie in 1960, the Durban Writers' Circle (as it was originally named) has produced some distinguished writers and award winners.
Also present at the launch will be Wendy Greeff (a past winner), Dr Deena Padayachee (winner of the Olive Schreiner Prize for prose) and Patrick Coyne (Chairman and past judge).
This is a unique opportunity to mingle with South Africans who are passionate about writing and have had the heady experience of holding their hot off the presses book in their hands.
The launch takes place at 17h30 for 18h00 on June 2 at Exclusive Books Westville at The Pavilion (cinema level). RSVP by May 31 to 031 265 0454 or email: westville@exclusivebooks.co.za
HOUSE ON FIRE BLAZING AHEAD!
(Pic: Jiggs Thorne, House on Fire director and Bushfire founder)Art is alive and kicking in Swaziland!
A new wave of talent is emerging from one of the smallest countries in Africa – the tiny Kingdom of Swaziland. Bholoja, a major new player on the African soul scene (and currently on an epic 16-country tour) started his career singing at House on Fire, a wonderfully unique arts venue in the Ezulwini Valley. At this fantastical Afro-Shakespearean castle, one of Africa’s top entertainment venues, the country has witnessed the rise of a new arts scene.
Through major House on Fire concerts, including the highly-acclaimed Bushfire Festival, local artists such as Bholoja and new all-female diva group Temaswati, are being provided a platform to develop and showcase their talent, as well as exposing a nation to world-class artists such as Hugh Masekela, Ladysmith Black Mambazo and Freshly Ground.
“Talent is everywhere, and, given the space, you can start to create your own language,” says House on Fire director and Bushfire founder Jiggs Thorne, an experienced artist with a passion and vision for the development of the Swazi arts.
Swaziland’s annual Bushfire International Festival of the Arts (May 28 to 30 this year), hosted by House on Fire, aims to create a forum of cultural expression for artists from Swaziland and abroad. The festival, which was started in 2007, has steadily built up a programme which attracts a global audience and has created a breathing space for the community to express themselves and experience a world-class event on their doorsteps. The festival also makes a critical contribution towards economic and social development in the country, generating over €6 million in Swaziland over the course of the 2009 Bushfire alone.
Swaziland, historically a culturally rich country, continues to keep alive its traditional dance, singing and ritualistic practices, but has had trouble keeping up in creative industries and loses much of its talent to neighbouring South Africa. Speaking on the subject of his Swazi cultural heritage, Bholoja says: “I like to sing about my culture, to sing about Swaziland and what people are experiencing here. I must put my country first, my culture first, and I can keep my signature as a Swazi musician while playing for an audience locally and internationally.”
In the past, artists like Bholoja have tended to move to Johannesburg or Cape Town to explore the arts scene, but it looks like this might change through support from organisations such as House on Fire and the Alliance Française du Swaziland, who has supported Bholoja’s tour and debut album.
Using this year’s Bushfire Festival as a hub, not only for performers and their fans, but also for industry professionals, the organizers are hoping to foster the growth of a pan-African arts network with Swaziland becoming a major development link in the region.
An “Arts Round Table” in the week proceeding Bushfire, House on Fire, in partnership with major arts development group Arterial Network, offered the opportunity for arts associations and government to discuss the development of the arts in a facilitated environment. The organisers of this year’s Bushfire included a dedicated “Schools Festival Day” into the programme to nurture a new generation of artists. Through these initiatives, House on Fire hopes to join hands with government, augmenting an existing structure, while fuelling a demand for professionalising the arts industry through advocacy, lobbying and training.
“Bushfire has become an inestimable resource for economic generation in the Swazi creative sector,” says Marimba journalist Mutimbanyoka. “The eyes of the world are on Swaziland as a result of the reputation Bushfire has built in three years. Swaziland proves that small countries have big hearts.”
TWIST NEWS – MAY 2010
TWIST to launch two new projects to coincide with NAF.
TWIST is about to launch into its next two exciting projects that coincide with the National Arts Festival in Grahamstown.
The Novel-Script Project is a writers’ workshop that runs from June 15 to 25. This exciting writer’s development project incorporates nine writers (six from South Africa and three from Holland) who will be creating scenes based on or inspired by Zakes Mda’s novel Black Diamond. These scenes will be directed by selected theatre directors (from Holland and South Africa) and enacted by ten South African actors who will be doing staged readings of the work.
Throughout the process of the workshop, the writers will be mentored by acclaimed playwright and poet, Kobus Moolman, who will help them shift and shape their work and see new possibilities for their own writing. This workshop will host an open-day on June 25, where the writers’ scenes will be presented at the Recreation Centre in Albany Road in Grahamstown from 10h00 until 15h00. All are welcome and entrance is free!
This project is run in partnership with Siberia, PANSA and the NAF.
The other Grahamstown project is an NAF initiative, known as the Remix-Lab, which brings together young theatre groups from around the county in an intensive 10-day workshop of skills building. From June 24 to July 4, these groups will be part of workshops in performance skills, marketing, arts-management and a range of other areas that allow them to enhance and develop their skills and to find ways to make their work, and their organisations, better and more successful.
This is a great opportunity for the six KZN groups to meet others working in similar circumstances, to learn more about professionalising themselves, and to show off their own work. The groups will be performing daily at 10h00 at the Recreation Centre, and all are welcome.
Denise Lukkenaer, a third year student in Theatre & Education at the School of the Arts in Utrecht, Holland, has joined the Twist project as an intern for three months. She has been working with the six community theatre groups, working on the website and communication systems, and generally exploring Durban! Denise will be working on both projects in Grahamstown as well as setting TWIST up with Facebook.
In other news, both Umsindo and Just Don’t – two of the community theatre groups that TWIST has been working with – recently featured in the Playhouse Theatre Community Theatre Festival in Durban. Both groups played to sold-out houses and great applause.
TWIST is about to launch into its next two exciting projects that coincide with the National Arts Festival in Grahamstown.
The Novel-Script Project is a writers’ workshop that runs from June 15 to 25. This exciting writer’s development project incorporates nine writers (six from South Africa and three from Holland) who will be creating scenes based on or inspired by Zakes Mda’s novel Black Diamond. These scenes will be directed by selected theatre directors (from Holland and South Africa) and enacted by ten South African actors who will be doing staged readings of the work.
Throughout the process of the workshop, the writers will be mentored by acclaimed playwright and poet, Kobus Moolman, who will help them shift and shape their work and see new possibilities for their own writing. This workshop will host an open-day on June 25, where the writers’ scenes will be presented at the Recreation Centre in Albany Road in Grahamstown from 10h00 until 15h00. All are welcome and entrance is free!
This project is run in partnership with Siberia, PANSA and the NAF.
The other Grahamstown project is an NAF initiative, known as the Remix-Lab, which brings together young theatre groups from around the county in an intensive 10-day workshop of skills building. From June 24 to July 4, these groups will be part of workshops in performance skills, marketing, arts-management and a range of other areas that allow them to enhance and develop their skills and to find ways to make their work, and their organisations, better and more successful.
This is a great opportunity for the six KZN groups to meet others working in similar circumstances, to learn more about professionalising themselves, and to show off their own work. The groups will be performing daily at 10h00 at the Recreation Centre, and all are welcome.
Denise Lukkenaer, a third year student in Theatre & Education at the School of the Arts in Utrecht, Holland, has joined the Twist project as an intern for three months. She has been working with the six community theatre groups, working on the website and communication systems, and generally exploring Durban! Denise will be working on both projects in Grahamstown as well as setting TWIST up with Facebook.
In other news, both Umsindo and Just Don’t – two of the community theatre groups that TWIST has been working with – recently featured in the Playhouse Theatre Community Theatre Festival in Durban. Both groups played to sold-out houses and great applause.
Saturday, May 29, 2010
BUSINESS DAY/BASA AWARDS
New-look Business Day BASA Awards, supported by Anglo American.
Supported by Anglo American, the 13th Annual Business Day BASA Awards sees several exciting new categories this year. substantially broadening the reach of South Africa’s most prestigious business and arts award event.
The 12 categories open for entry now cover an increased range of creative mediums with architecture joining the likes of design, visual arts, dance, theatre, physical performance, fashion and music in being eligible for recognition.
Among the new categories is the Art Champion Award, designed to pay tribute to an individual whose personal passion has significantly propelled the involvement of business in the arts over the past year.
“What we are seeing with the refined categories is a recognition of the power of individuals to drive the relationship between the business they work for and arts projects that they wholeheartedly believe in,” comments Business Day editor, Peter Bruce.
This is echoed by Premilla Hamid, Head of Public Affairs, Anglo American SA, “Whilst the past year has been challenging for a number of businesses, it’s encouraging to still see the commitment of business to the arts projects they support. Being a long standing supporter of arts and culture, we are indeed proud of our partnership with the Business Day BASA Awards, as it is, a project that is aligned to our commitment to create growth and development in South Africa; and what better way to do this than by recognising and celebrating the great strides achieved in this sector.”
The all-important two-way relationship between businesses (or individuals) and arts projects underpins all 12 categories in the 13th Annual Business Day BASA Awards, supported by Anglo American. It’s also the defining feature of the highly-coveted Chairman’s Award which is nominated and decided by the judging panel and last year was won by the Field Band Foundation and its raft of business partners including De Beers, PG Group, PG Bison, Anglo American, Remgro/Venfin, Stefanutti Stocks, Investec, KPMG and Ogilvy in Durban.
“We have also redefined the categories to pay closer attention to the creativity that is required on both sides to ensure the success, sustainability, and development of business and arts partnerships,” comments Michelle Constant, CEO of Business and Arts South Africa.
A fine example of this is the Innovation Award, which recognises the most innovative and progressive partnership in all mediums of creativity. It must also be a partnership that served all partners’ purposes effectively over the past 12 months, and highlighted creativity and originality in the process.
The Sustainable Partnership Award builds on the previous category of Long-Term Development, giving recognition to a company which has significantly developed and expanded its commitment to an arts project over three years or longer and can demonstrate the value and sustainability to both the business and arts project.
With regard to the sustainability of projects Business and Arts South Africa has decided that projects may be nominated on a year on year basis as part of its sustainability strategy regardless of previous wins.
More information on www.basa.co.za
Supported by Anglo American, the 13th Annual Business Day BASA Awards sees several exciting new categories this year. substantially broadening the reach of South Africa’s most prestigious business and arts award event.
The 12 categories open for entry now cover an increased range of creative mediums with architecture joining the likes of design, visual arts, dance, theatre, physical performance, fashion and music in being eligible for recognition.
Among the new categories is the Art Champion Award, designed to pay tribute to an individual whose personal passion has significantly propelled the involvement of business in the arts over the past year.
“What we are seeing with the refined categories is a recognition of the power of individuals to drive the relationship between the business they work for and arts projects that they wholeheartedly believe in,” comments Business Day editor, Peter Bruce.
This is echoed by Premilla Hamid, Head of Public Affairs, Anglo American SA, “Whilst the past year has been challenging for a number of businesses, it’s encouraging to still see the commitment of business to the arts projects they support. Being a long standing supporter of arts and culture, we are indeed proud of our partnership with the Business Day BASA Awards, as it is, a project that is aligned to our commitment to create growth and development in South Africa; and what better way to do this than by recognising and celebrating the great strides achieved in this sector.”
The all-important two-way relationship between businesses (or individuals) and arts projects underpins all 12 categories in the 13th Annual Business Day BASA Awards, supported by Anglo American. It’s also the defining feature of the highly-coveted Chairman’s Award which is nominated and decided by the judging panel and last year was won by the Field Band Foundation and its raft of business partners including De Beers, PG Group, PG Bison, Anglo American, Remgro/Venfin, Stefanutti Stocks, Investec, KPMG and Ogilvy in Durban.
“We have also redefined the categories to pay closer attention to the creativity that is required on both sides to ensure the success, sustainability, and development of business and arts partnerships,” comments Michelle Constant, CEO of Business and Arts South Africa.
A fine example of this is the Innovation Award, which recognises the most innovative and progressive partnership in all mediums of creativity. It must also be a partnership that served all partners’ purposes effectively over the past 12 months, and highlighted creativity and originality in the process.
The Sustainable Partnership Award builds on the previous category of Long-Term Development, giving recognition to a company which has significantly developed and expanded its commitment to an arts project over three years or longer and can demonstrate the value and sustainability to both the business and arts project.
With regard to the sustainability of projects Business and Arts South Africa has decided that projects may be nominated on a year on year basis as part of its sustainability strategy regardless of previous wins.
More information on www.basa.co.za
LAST WINTER SEASON CONCERT
KZN Philharmonic’s final concert of the winter season on June 3.
The KZN Philharmonic Orchestra will give the last concert of its winter season (a short season because of the World Cup) on June 3at 19h30, when the main items on the programme will be Brahms’s fine Symphony No. 1 and Max Bruch’s Scottish Fantasy, a melodious and attractive work based on Scottish folk music.
As usual, the pre-concert lecture hosted by Friends of Music will be given in the Royal Hotel at 18h15. These entertaining and informative lectures have become increasingly popular and those who attend have recognised that their enjoyment of the evening’s music has been greatly enhanced. The lecturer on June 3 will be artSMart’s classical music critic, Michael Green.
The lectures finish in good time to walk across to the concert in the Durban City Hall. The charge is R30, which includes tea, coffee and sandwiches.
The KZN Philharmonic Orchestra will give the last concert of its winter season (a short season because of the World Cup) on June 3at 19h30, when the main items on the programme will be Brahms’s fine Symphony No. 1 and Max Bruch’s Scottish Fantasy, a melodious and attractive work based on Scottish folk music.
As usual, the pre-concert lecture hosted by Friends of Music will be given in the Royal Hotel at 18h15. These entertaining and informative lectures have become increasingly popular and those who attend have recognised that their enjoyment of the evening’s music has been greatly enhanced. The lecturer on June 3 will be artSMart’s classical music critic, Michael Green.
The lectures finish in good time to walk across to the concert in the Durban City Hall. The charge is R30, which includes tea, coffee and sandwiches.
COZA TV
Coza TV is a brand new online entertainment channel run as a skills development project out of the Durban-based professional media studio, Siyabonga Media (see www.siyabongamedia.co.za). Its small but enthusiastic and creative young team is passionate about the local entertainment scene, and has been overwhelmed by the positive response it's received from the industry so far. Only within the past month the team has interviewed and featured the live concerts of South African superstars such as Goldfish, Prime Circle and Mango Groove!
The ultimate aim of Coza TV is to produce quality video features on the many going-ons in South Africa that often have little or no decent internet video coverage. Whatever content is produced, it builds up the reputation of both the subject covered and South Africa.
Coza TV content is currently broadcast over the internet from its website at www.cozatv.co.za With the 2010 World Cup looming nearer, international attention will turn to South Africa, particularly on the internet, and the Coza TV website is the ideal platform for the international community to find out about local artists, events and venues. The website makes use of the latest social networking technologies to integrate Facebook comments and the familiar “Like” feature. Coza TV can also be followed on Twitter or subscribed to via RSS. The team is planning live internet broadcasts in the near future.
Host presenter is Ted Cipolla who reports on site with interviews with key personalities on the stories in question. Sithembile Xaba, Pasgenik Makhathini and Dikeledi Maponya also appear on the show occasionally as co-hosts. On the production side, 3D graphics animation is handled by Hayley Campbell, assistant editor and camera operator is Theo Dlikilili, whilst the production team is lead by Stephen Horn (19), who founded the channel in January 2010.
“I just wanted to try something new,” Stephen explains. “I felt there was a niche in the local entertainment scene to offer a new outlet for publicity. The audiovisual world as well as the arts world fascinate me and by using online facilities, this is a way to bring them together. Our unique selling point is that we are young in our ideas but supported by a respected and professional studio which makes high quality production possible.”
Current features on Coza TV include the Barnyard Theatre at Gateway, a series on the 21st Splashy Fen music festival and a feature on the KZNSA art gallery, amongst others, so be sure to check out what Coza TV has to offer now!
For more information contact coz@cozatv.co.za or Stephen Horn on 072 621 0457
The ultimate aim of Coza TV is to produce quality video features on the many going-ons in South Africa that often have little or no decent internet video coverage. Whatever content is produced, it builds up the reputation of both the subject covered and South Africa.
Coza TV content is currently broadcast over the internet from its website at www.cozatv.co.za With the 2010 World Cup looming nearer, international attention will turn to South Africa, particularly on the internet, and the Coza TV website is the ideal platform for the international community to find out about local artists, events and venues. The website makes use of the latest social networking technologies to integrate Facebook comments and the familiar “Like” feature. Coza TV can also be followed on Twitter or subscribed to via RSS. The team is planning live internet broadcasts in the near future.
Host presenter is Ted Cipolla who reports on site with interviews with key personalities on the stories in question. Sithembile Xaba, Pasgenik Makhathini and Dikeledi Maponya also appear on the show occasionally as co-hosts. On the production side, 3D graphics animation is handled by Hayley Campbell, assistant editor and camera operator is Theo Dlikilili, whilst the production team is lead by Stephen Horn (19), who founded the channel in January 2010.
“I just wanted to try something new,” Stephen explains. “I felt there was a niche in the local entertainment scene to offer a new outlet for publicity. The audiovisual world as well as the arts world fascinate me and by using online facilities, this is a way to bring them together. Our unique selling point is that we are young in our ideas but supported by a respected and professional studio which makes high quality production possible.”
Current features on Coza TV include the Barnyard Theatre at Gateway, a series on the 21st Splashy Fen music festival and a feature on the KZNSA art gallery, amongst others, so be sure to check out what Coza TV has to offer now!
For more information contact coz@cozatv.co.za or Stephen Horn on 072 621 0457
LETTERS TO JULIET FUNDRAISER
Support the KZNSA Gallery by purchasing a ticket to the preview screening of Letters to Juliet on June 3 at 19h30 at Nu-Metro-Cinecentre at Suncoast Casino. R60 entrance includes free popcorn and coke. On the night of the screening, the KZNSA will auction two beautiful paintings by Andrew Verster and Bronwen Findlay.
More information on this fundraising preview from Emme on 031 277 1705 or email: gallery@kznsagallery.co.za or Gloria on 031 277 1700 or email: shop@kznsagallery.co.za
More information on this fundraising preview from Emme on 031 277 1705 or email: gallery@kznsagallery.co.za or Gloria on 031 277 1700 or email: shop@kznsagallery.co.za
SHOOTING
(Pic: Dhaveshan Govender)Consistently focused and highly versatile performance from Dhaveshan Govender in Ashwin Singh’s new one-hander. (Review by Caroline Smart)
Just opened at the Catalina Theatre is Ashwin Singh’s new one-hander, Shooting, a two-act play featuring one of Durban’s most versatile and accomplished actors.
Dhaveshan Govender appeared to critical acclaim as the police sidekick in the successful Catalina whodunnit Shear Madness. I’ve watched his progress as an actor for a long time and we’ve worked more closely together over the past four years in the LotusFM drama programmes. He is one of the few local radio actors who are able to alter their voice convincingly and this play is a perfect vehicle for him, showcasing as it does his dramatic and comedy skills as well as the fact that he’s no slouch with movement!
As with his To House and Spice and Stuff, Ashwin Singh tackles his subjects head-on, using his considerable writing skills to blend important historical and contemporary issues with entertainment. Now moving into a directorial capacity, he has pulled a kaleidoscope of moods and energies from his actor.
Well-placed for the World Cup Soccer focus, Shooting is the story of two cousins – Jehan and Ishaan – and their growing up in Reoca. The boys are both soccer mad but it is Ishaan who shows the capacity to shine. The story is told from Jehan’s point of view as he goes about the forlorn task of tidying up Ishaan’s belongings after his murder - a killing which has yet to be fully explained.
While Jehan sifts through childhood toys, papers, insurance policies and an old photograph, the memories come flooding back. He lets his mind wander down memory lane where we meet the characters of his and Ishaan’s youth. Dhaveshan seamlessly moves from one character to the next with changes in body movement and speech - and very little help from props or costumes, other than a flag or a hat.
Jehan and his mother, the softly-spoken but feisty Mira, live in the outbuilding on the property of Ishaan’s parents: Mira’s sister, the long-suffering Shanti, and her abusive husband (Uncle Tony). As neighbours: there’s the garrulous Auntie Angie on the one side with the volatile Slasher Sewlal on the other. The other characters are too numerous to mention but Dhaveshan gives each one a clear framework, such as old man Deolal, drunken Gonasalan, the flirtatious Chazelle and gangster/drug dealer Michael Maharaj with his camp sidekick. Adding to the list is the upright Sifiso and the energetic condi his aunt ran off with, as well as the shop boys who never talked in full sentences!
Themi Venturas’s expressionist stage and atmospheric lighting design add to the quality of the production.
Produced by Catalina Unlimited*, Shooting has low-price previews on May 29 and 30 at the Catalina Theatre. Thereafter, the play runs until June 13 with performances Thursdays to Saturdays at 20h00 (Sunday at 18h00) with matinees on Saturdays at 17h00 (Sundays at 14h00). There is an under-12 age restriction.
Bookings online at Strictlytickets.com or theatre box office on 031 305 6889. Pensioner and student discounts apply. For more information visit www.catalinatheatre.co.za or call the Box office on 031 305 6889. – Caroline Smart
*Morphing out of Theatrebiz through Rainbow Chicken’s forward business plan for Catalina, Catalina Unlimited is run by a board of directors. While the board runs the theatre venue, it also operates as a production company which identifies potential Catalina productions which can be taken further afield. The Catalina’s “Man of La Mancha”, soon to be seen in Grahamstown on the National Arts Festival’s main programme, is just such an example.
Friday, May 28, 2010
WORLD SHOWCASE OF DANCE
The South African Society for the Advancement of Dancing (SASAD) will present World Showcase of Dance on June 5 at 14h00 and 18h00 at the Elizabeth Sneddon Theatre.
Tickets R60 booked through Computicket.
Tickets R60 booked through Computicket.
KZNPO CONCERT: MAY 27, 2010
(Pic: Manon Strauss Evrard)Outstanding soprano for KZN Philharmonic’s programme of opera music. (Review by Michael Green)
It was not a symphony concert, but the programme of operatic music drew a good-sized audience to the Durban City Hall to hear the KZN Philharmonic Orchestra and an outstanding soprano.
The orchestra was conducted by Giorgio Croci, a visitor from Italy who has wide experience of opera, and the singer was the young and rising French star, Manon Strauss Evrard (she was prophetically named; Manon is the heroine of two famous operas, by Massenet and Puccini, and Strauss is the name of two composers of opera, Johann and Richard).
She undertook a programme that was, to put it mildly, taxing: six celebrated, extended arias that make great demands on the singer’s technical and interpretative abilities. Manon Strauss Evrard emerged triumphant from it all. She is a young person, very good–looking, tall, black hair, and she came on to the stage dressed in a silver, tiered, backless creation, creating a minor sensation before she had sung a note. It was not all show. Her qualities as a singer were immediately apparent as she began with an aria from Vicenzo Bellini’s I Puritani. She has a lovely, full-bodied voice and an excellent technique, a wide range of dynamics, from pianissimo to fortissimo, and powerful and accurate top notes.
Manon has an uninhibited, almost flamboyant, stage manner, with many hand gestures, body movements, smiles and (figurative) tears. This actually contributed to her performance; we almost had the illusion that we were watching opera. With a style and quality like this it is easy to understand why she is making rapid progress in the wider world, such as the Met in New York.
The Bellini was a delight, as indeed all his music is. Bellini - Italian of course - died in 1835 aged only 34. Then came an aria by Donizetti, one of the most gifted of all opera composers. This was an aria from Lucia di Lammermoor and it calls for a varied emotional range from the singer. Here again she handled the problems with great success. Manon’s accomplished, confident and versatile singing was amply displayed in arias by Verdi, Massenet and Gounod, and she was rewarded with prolonged applause from an enthusiastic audience.
On the conductor’s podium Giorgo Croci was a dignified and sympathetic partner, and he induced excellent playing in several orchestral items. Particularly impressive was the opening number, Rossini’s Thieving Magpie overture, containing three examples of the famous Rossini crescendo. A sparkling presentation of a sparkling work, with some very good playing from the woodwind and the big brass, the trombones and the tuba. And the famous prelude to Act 1 of Verdi’s La Traviata produced some beautifully opulent string tone.
A most enjoyable concert, and it was pleasing to see some new faces in the audience. - Michael Green
Robert Petersen, the KZN Philharmonic's education and development officer, died tragically in a car accident on May 15. This concert was dedicated to him in memory of his invaluable contribution to the KZNPO over the past five years.
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
KEARSNEY SUPPER THEATRE
The Kearsney College Choir is currently ranked No 1 in the world for Folklore music. Together with 500 other choirs from around the world, they will be travelling to Shaoxing in China during July to defend their prestigious title at the World Choir Games.
Their tour has been organised by the Friendship Ambassadors’ Foundation, a wing of UNESCO, who have invited the Choir to perform at the UN Headquarters in New York. The Choir has also been invited to perform at the Gala Performance of the World Choir Games – considered to be a great honour, as only a handful of distinguished choirs are selected and approved by the Artistic Director of the Games.
There will be a fund-raising finger supper theatre presentation on May 26 at 18h30 for 19h00 in the Henderson Hall, Kearsney College, Botha’s Hill.
Their tour has been organised by the Friendship Ambassadors’ Foundation, a wing of UNESCO, who have invited the Choir to perform at the UN Headquarters in New York. The Choir has also been invited to perform at the Gala Performance of the World Choir Games – considered to be a great honour, as only a handful of distinguished choirs are selected and approved by the Artistic Director of the Games.
There will be a fund-raising finger supper theatre presentation on May 26 at 18h30 for 19h00 in the Henderson Hall, Kearsney College, Botha’s Hill.
UNCOVERED
(Pic: Aaron Nel and Rowan Stuart)Aaron Nel and Rowan Stuart perform Uncovered at the Westville Theatre Club from May 27 to 29. As the title suggests this will be an evening of original music in a supper theatre format by two of Durban's finest singer/songwriters and guitarists.
Take along a picnic basket and your own drinks and glasses. CD's will be on sale at a cost of between R 80 to 100 each.
Shows take place from May 27 to 29, with the doors opening at 19h00 for the show at 19h30. There is an earlier show on May 30 when doors open at 18h00 for the show at 18h30. Tickets R50 pp. To book contact Andrea Nel on 082 994 0984 or email andrea@risingstaracademy.co.za or aaron@aaronnel.co.za The Westville Theatre Club is situated in Attercliffe Road, Westville.
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
ART CLASSES FOR ALL
Fransie Pretorius offers drawing and painting classes.
Beginners as well as experienced artists are invited to attend Drawing and Painting Classes offered by Fransie Pretorius in Westville.
The course is based on a holistic approach to the development of the creative potential and awareness of each student. Perceptual skills are developed through interaction of the student with objects and first hand experience with the environment. Authenticity and personal interpretation of subject matter is encouraged and stimulated at all times.
Students will explore a variety of approaches to drawing and become familiar with the use of line, form, texture and composition. Technical skills will be developed through the use of various media, including pencil; charcoal; chalk pastels as well as oil pastels, water-colours, acrylic and oil paints. Collage and mixed media may also be pursued. Students attending the course will be able to see a difference in their ability to draw after the first lesson.
In general the classes will focus on outcomes that are directed towards developing perceptual and technical skills that will lead to a greater awareness of the world around us. More experienced artists will have opportunities to develop and explore concepts and ideas for new works of art. Students will be introduced to a variety of subjects and traditional as well as modern themes used by well-known artists. Different styles and compositions will be explored to add meaning to the work done ion class. Students will be encouraged to choose themes and content which appeal to their own sensibilities.
Fransie Pretorius is a well known artist and academic who lectured in the Fine Art Department at DUT until her recent retirement. She is represented by her artworks in most of the art galleries in KwaZulu-Natal and beyond and in various private collections. She is known for her large scale drawings and paintings and has recently accepted the challenge to produce botanical illustrations done in water-colours and pastels. She is an accomplished photographer and ceramicist who is passionate about plants, nature and life in general.
The classes are held at 22 Portman Road, Dawncliffe, Westville on Saturday afternoons from 14h00 to 17h00 and Wednesdays from 09h00 to 12h00. More information from Fransie Pretorius on 031 266 6422 or e-mail: fransiep@telkomsa.net
Beginners as well as experienced artists are invited to attend Drawing and Painting Classes offered by Fransie Pretorius in Westville.
The course is based on a holistic approach to the development of the creative potential and awareness of each student. Perceptual skills are developed through interaction of the student with objects and first hand experience with the environment. Authenticity and personal interpretation of subject matter is encouraged and stimulated at all times.
Students will explore a variety of approaches to drawing and become familiar with the use of line, form, texture and composition. Technical skills will be developed through the use of various media, including pencil; charcoal; chalk pastels as well as oil pastels, water-colours, acrylic and oil paints. Collage and mixed media may also be pursued. Students attending the course will be able to see a difference in their ability to draw after the first lesson.
In general the classes will focus on outcomes that are directed towards developing perceptual and technical skills that will lead to a greater awareness of the world around us. More experienced artists will have opportunities to develop and explore concepts and ideas for new works of art. Students will be introduced to a variety of subjects and traditional as well as modern themes used by well-known artists. Different styles and compositions will be explored to add meaning to the work done ion class. Students will be encouraged to choose themes and content which appeal to their own sensibilities.
Fransie Pretorius is a well known artist and academic who lectured in the Fine Art Department at DUT until her recent retirement. She is represented by her artworks in most of the art galleries in KwaZulu-Natal and beyond and in various private collections. She is known for her large scale drawings and paintings and has recently accepted the challenge to produce botanical illustrations done in water-colours and pastels. She is an accomplished photographer and ceramicist who is passionate about plants, nature and life in general.
The classes are held at 22 Portman Road, Dawncliffe, Westville on Saturday afternoons from 14h00 to 17h00 and Wednesdays from 09h00 to 12h00. More information from Fransie Pretorius on 031 266 6422 or e-mail: fransiep@telkomsa.net
THE BATS ARE BACK!
(Pic: Eddie Ekstein, Paul Ditchfield, Pete Clifford and Derek Gordon)The Heritage Theatre hosts South Africa’s “golden oldies”, The Bats, for one week only at the beginning of June. Loudly South African, featuring Eddie Ekstein, Paul Ditchfield, Pete Clifford and Derek Gordon, is packed with fun, frivolity, song and mirth. Expect to hear favourite songs like Shabby Little Hut, Vat hom Dawie and Mighty Quin.
The Bats will perform from June 1 to 6. Tickets, which include a delicious two-course meal, are R190 Wednesday to Saturday at 19h00 (R165 Tuesday at 19h00 and Sunday at 12h30). Booking essential on 031 765 4197 or www.heritagetheatre.co.za
JACKIE HORNER EVENTS
On May 26, the Jackie Horner Pub and Grill will host an Open Mic Night featuring Shannon Connolly, The Kickstands and The Otherwise. In the period between the performers’ 45-minute sets, anyone and everyone is invited on stage to show off their musical prowess. Entrance fee is R10.
Collin Rule will perform on May 28 from 21h00 to midnight and on May 30, Rowan Stuart takes the stage from 13h00 to 15h00. Entrance is free but those who wish to dine can enjoy a Sunday roast special for only R49 per person.
Bookings on 031 202 9192. The Jackie Horner Pub and Grill is situated in Helen Joseph (Davenport) Road, Glenwood.
Collin Rule will perform on May 28 from 21h00 to midnight and on May 30, Rowan Stuart takes the stage from 13h00 to 15h00. Entrance is free but those who wish to dine can enjoy a Sunday roast special for only R49 per person.
Bookings on 031 202 9192. The Jackie Horner Pub and Grill is situated in Helen Joseph (Davenport) Road, Glenwood.
TIM WELLS BLUES BAND
(Pic: Peter Enslin, Steve Du Plessis, Tim Wells, Jason Andrew Van de Merwe & Nux SchwartzAppearing at the Durban Botanic Gardens Amphitheatre on May 28 will be te Tim Wells Blues Band.
The popular group presents a range of Blues and Blues-oriented material ranging from Muddy Waters, Cream to the Beatles, Billy Joel, Fleetwood Mac and Van Morrison, including some original Blues material by Tim Wells. The band comprises Tim Wells on vocals, Nux Schwartz on guitar, Peter Enslin on keyboards, Jason Andrew on Bass and Steve du Plessis on drums. All five musicians bring their vast range of musical experience to the mix with some awe-inspiring solos and a special chemistry that brings the music to life in the truest sense of the word. The Blues is a Universal genre and it tells the stories of real people. The Tim Wells Blues Band tells it as it should be told.
The band recently performed to acclaim at the Rhumbelow Theatre in a show titled Big Blue and at St Clements restaurant as well as the Durban Blues Train Club at Wilson's Wharf.
The performance takes place in the Amphitheatre at the Durban Botanic Gardens (the Sydenham Road is the most accessible) at 19h00 on May 28. Tickets: R70 on sale from 17h30 before the show.
AFRICAN RENAISSANCE AFRICA DAY FESTIVAL
(Pic: Lira)Lira to appear at Africa Day Concert at the ICC on May 25.
This year’s Africa Day Concert, one of the highlights of the annual African Renaissance Festival, features a stellar line-up of artists including three 2010 SAMA award winners - solo performer Lira, kwaito stars Big Nuz and Afro-pop sensation Ntando, along with gospel group Avante.
Lira is one of the hottest performing artists in South Africa at the moment having won this year’s SAMA for best female solo artist of the year. Her single Feel Good earned her a 2007 SAMA Award in the category Best Music Video, and her 2008 album Soul In Mind was a gold-selling, multi-award winner. This SONY/BMG -signed artist's popularity stretches beyond the borders of South Africa – a few days before her Africa Day performance Lira will be performing at the Africa Festival in Germany.
SAMA award-winning Durban-based kwaito group Big Nuz features Mandla Maphumulo aka Mampintsha, Mzingisi Mkhwanazi aka Danger and Sibusiso Khomo aka R Mashesha. The group was formed in 2002 when they moved from Durban to Johannesburg to hustle for a record deal. The group had four nominations in the South African Music Awards this year and came home with three awards: Best Kwaito, Best Album & Song of the Year as voted by South Africans.
Another SAMA-award-winning artist Ntando Bangani is an Afro-pop performer whose music is influenced by Afro Jazz, reggae, amongst other South African genres. His debut album Kwantu (Cradle of Humanity) sold more than a million copies and he followed that up with Imvelaphi (Heritage) in 2005 which was a triple-platinum smash and garnered several awards, including Song of the Year at both the SAMA and Metro FM Awards for the track Dali Wam. Additionally, he won Best Newcomer, Best Album and Best Male Artist that year.
Avante, one of most highly respected gospel groups in South Africa, makes a welcome appearance at the Africa Day Concert. Although having been relativity quiet in the music scene since their last album Thumi Mvuselelo (2007) was released, these KwaMashu-born gospel musicians have continued to receive airplay on radio and TV channels. Avante is currently working on recording their eleventh album entitled iMpilo at Ekhaya Multi Arts Centre in kwaMashu which runs the Izwi Music production label which has recorded artists like Skhulu Miya and the Gospel Divas.
The performance takes place on May 25 at 18h00 at the ICC Durban arena. Ticket prices (R60 throughout - no concessions) have been kept low to ensure as many fans as possible can enjoy the feast of music. Booking is through Computicket.
The 12th African Renaissance Festival is co-sponsored by Department of Transport, SABC, eThekwini Municipality, Province of KZN, City of Umhlathuze, Ukhozi-fm and East Coast Radio. For more information, phone 031 266 9792 or email reception@wozani.co.za
CAROL ANN WEAVER
Canadian pianist and composer, Carol Ann Weaver, will perform with Rebecca Campbell (voice) and students from the University of Waterloo, along with other special guests at the UKZN’s Centre for Jazz and Popular Music.
The performance takes place on May 26 from 17h30 to 19h00 (doors open at 17:00). Entrance R25 (R10 students) and a cash bar will be available.
The performance takes place on May 26 from 17h30 to 19h00 (doors open at 17:00). Entrance R25 (R10 students) and a cash bar will be available.
GOSPEL MEETS JAZZ
Increasingly popular concert at iZulu Theatre again features star-studded line-up.
The increasingly popular concert Gospel meets Jazz will once again feature a star-studded line-up drawn from the gospel and jazz scenes. Rap/Kwaito Gospel artist Sir J Afrika and upcoming gospel singer Sifaniso will launch their new albums. Besides the album launches, Tshepo Mngoma will celebrate his 2010 SAMA-award for Best Newcomer with the audience.
Gospel meets Jazz takes place on May 29 at 19h00 at the iZulu Theatre at Sibaya Casino & Entertainment Kingdom. Tickets R100 booked through Computicket 083 915 8000 or www.computicket.com
The increasingly popular concert Gospel meets Jazz will once again feature a star-studded line-up drawn from the gospel and jazz scenes. Rap/Kwaito Gospel artist Sir J Afrika and upcoming gospel singer Sifaniso will launch their new albums. Besides the album launches, Tshepo Mngoma will celebrate his 2010 SAMA-award for Best Newcomer with the audience.
Gospel meets Jazz takes place on May 29 at 19h00 at the iZulu Theatre at Sibaya Casino & Entertainment Kingdom. Tickets R100 booked through Computicket 083 915 8000 or www.computicket.com
ARMIDA
(Pic: Renee Fleming)Renee Fleming and award-winning director Mary Zimmerman team up in Rossini’s Armida.
The nouvelle grande dame of opera, Renee Fleming takes on the wicked, yet enchanting title role in the Metropolitan Opera’s new production of Giaocchino Rossini’s Armida, which opens at all Cinema Nouveau theatres on May 28, 2010.
Singing Armida for the first time on the Metropolitan Opera stage, Fleming says: “One of the greatest joys of performing is inhabiting a character who lies in total opposition to who I am. A man-destroying sorceress has captured the creative imagination of many writers and composers, not to mention interpreters.”
In this new contemporary interpretation of the opera, Fleming takes direction from Tony Award-winning director Mary Zimmerman who had this to say about discovering the opera, “It’s like coming across a buried treasure under the sea, a box of jewels. … We’re trying to use simple methods of old-time theatre in the way the opera instructs you to. All the theatrical enchantment that the libretto and score call for—the power of change and transformation—is a mirror of the sorceress’s power.”
To imagine the sublime realm of Rossini’s mythical tale, Zimmerman teams up with the set and costume designer Richard Hudson, who created the sets for Julie Taymor’s production of The Lion King. Hudson has created a vivid and fantastical world of red poppies, giant spiders, brightly coloured parrots, and other dazzling visual elements. The work of lighting designer Brian MacDevitt and choreographers Graciela Daniele and Daniel Pelzig helps ensure that the magical images let the opera’s dramatic and musical riches take centre stage.
On stage with Fleming is an army of Christian soldiers, which features no fewer than six tenors who fall under her spell. Tenor Lawrence Brownlee sings Rinaldo, Armida’s lover and victim and Riccardo Frizza conducts. Set in the time of the crusades and inspired by the 16th-century epic Gerusalemme Liberata (“Jerusalem Delivered”) by the Italian poet Torquato Tasso, Armida tells the story of a seductive sorceress who lures Christian soldiers to her island prison.
In addition to the screening of this phenomenal mythical opera, Cinema Nouveau will host Opera Nights, a pilot project that is designed to educate cinema audiences about the long-standing tradition of opera. “We’re really just trying to give people an opportunity to learn and appreciate this beautiful art form,” says Raksha Singh, Marketing Manager, Ster-Kinekor Cinema Nouveau. “Often times, people sit through an opera, appreciate its music without necessarily following along the story line. We want people to get a brief background about the opera, take them through the important elements in the music and the historical era during which that opera was performed.”
In KwaZulu-Natal, Armida will be screened at Ster-Kinekor’s Cinema Nouveau at Gateway.
2011 PEN/STUDZINSKI LITERARY AWARDS
Entries invited for short stories in English.
The South African Centre of International PEN (SA PEN) has launched the second in the series of PEN/STUDZINSKI Literary Awards. Entries for the award for original short stories in English are called for and AFRICAN PENS, a compilation of the short-listed stories, will be published in mid-2011.
Prizes totalling £10 000 will once again be donated by American philanthropist and global investment banker, John Studzinski. The first, second and third prizes will be £5 000, £3 000 and £2 000, respectively. Nobel Laureate and SA PEN Honorary Member, J.M. Coetzee, will once again select the winning entries.
The 2011 PEN/STUDZINSKI Literary Award aims to encourage creative writing in southern Africa and will offer talented writers an exciting opportunity to launch or develop a literary career. Twelve contributors to the earlier HSBC/SA PEN series have now published their own books, including Ceridwen Dovey who won the 2008 Sunday Times Fiction Prize. Petina Gappah, an early winner, went on to sign a three-book contract with Faber & Faber in the UK and Farrar Strauss & Giroux in the US.
Three of the five short-listed stories for the Caine prize for African Writing first appeared in AFRICAN PENS 2007 – the model for AFRICAN PENS 2011. The story Poison, set in a threatened Cape Town and written by Henrietta Rose-Innes, was chosen by J.M. Coetzee as the winner of the 2007 HSBC/SA PEN Literary Award and it went on to win the 2008 Caine Prize of £10 000.
Led by author Shaun Johnson, the 2009 project received over 800 entries from writers throughout Africa, but this year the organisers have reverted to appealing only to writers living in the 15 countries of the Southern African Development Community (SADC*). The genre is still the short-story, this time between 3,000 and 5,000 words.
The closing date is June 30. Writers who are citizens of SADC countries are encouraged to prepare short stories for submission. Further information and detailed rules of entry can be found at www.sapen.co.za
The South African Centre of International PEN (SA PEN) has launched the second in the series of PEN/STUDZINSKI Literary Awards. Entries for the award for original short stories in English are called for and AFRICAN PENS, a compilation of the short-listed stories, will be published in mid-2011.
Prizes totalling £10 000 will once again be donated by American philanthropist and global investment banker, John Studzinski. The first, second and third prizes will be £5 000, £3 000 and £2 000, respectively. Nobel Laureate and SA PEN Honorary Member, J.M. Coetzee, will once again select the winning entries.
The 2011 PEN/STUDZINSKI Literary Award aims to encourage creative writing in southern Africa and will offer talented writers an exciting opportunity to launch or develop a literary career. Twelve contributors to the earlier HSBC/SA PEN series have now published their own books, including Ceridwen Dovey who won the 2008 Sunday Times Fiction Prize. Petina Gappah, an early winner, went on to sign a three-book contract with Faber & Faber in the UK and Farrar Strauss & Giroux in the US.
Three of the five short-listed stories for the Caine prize for African Writing first appeared in AFRICAN PENS 2007 – the model for AFRICAN PENS 2011. The story Poison, set in a threatened Cape Town and written by Henrietta Rose-Innes, was chosen by J.M. Coetzee as the winner of the 2007 HSBC/SA PEN Literary Award and it went on to win the 2008 Caine Prize of £10 000.
Led by author Shaun Johnson, the 2009 project received over 800 entries from writers throughout Africa, but this year the organisers have reverted to appealing only to writers living in the 15 countries of the Southern African Development Community (SADC*). The genre is still the short-story, this time between 3,000 and 5,000 words.
The closing date is June 30. Writers who are citizens of SADC countries are encouraged to prepare short stories for submission. Further information and detailed rules of entry can be found at www.sapen.co.za
ONLINE WRITING COURSE
Course designed for people of all ages, backgrounds, educational levels and writing ability.
Osborne Porter Literary Services offer an Online Writing Course which includes a copy of the book and CD Getting Published – Art, Science or Luck? by Helen Osborne and Ginny Porter.
“Our course has been compiled for people of all ages, backgrounds, educational levels and writing ability, to develop and hone their writing expertise,” they explain. “The Online Writing Course was conceived as a form of training for prospective writers who may live too far away from any Workshops and formal Training Facilities.”
Training is divided into eight workshops comprising notes and exercises for each workshop. The first five workshops cover writing fiction short stories for magazines and the exercise for Workshop 5 is to submit a complete short story and send it for assessment using the techniques taught. The final three workshops start the student on a fiction novel.
Getting Published is an interactive guide to writing and getting work published. This book has received excellent reviews and has sold well in South Africa and other parts of the world. It contains a CD full of additional exercises and creativity modules that will complement the course. As writers work their way through the course they will be guided to relevant sections of the book which will enhance the topics being worked on.
Each exercise is assessed by a professional writing tutor, who will return the writer’s work to them with comments and corrections that will assist them in improving their writing and style. Only the exercises prescribed in the Online Workshops 1-8 will be assessed. Exercises undertaken from the book or CD are for writers’ own benefit and will not be assessed.
Cost of the full Online Writing Course, including the book, Getting Published – Art, Science or Luck? is R1,500. More details from Osborne Porter Literary Services. More information on email: info@osborne-porter.com or helenosborne@talktalk.net or visit www.osborne-porter.com
Osborne Porter Literary Services offer an Online Writing Course which includes a copy of the book and CD Getting Published – Art, Science or Luck? by Helen Osborne and Ginny Porter.
“Our course has been compiled for people of all ages, backgrounds, educational levels and writing ability, to develop and hone their writing expertise,” they explain. “The Online Writing Course was conceived as a form of training for prospective writers who may live too far away from any Workshops and formal Training Facilities.”
Training is divided into eight workshops comprising notes and exercises for each workshop. The first five workshops cover writing fiction short stories for magazines and the exercise for Workshop 5 is to submit a complete short story and send it for assessment using the techniques taught. The final three workshops start the student on a fiction novel.
Getting Published is an interactive guide to writing and getting work published. This book has received excellent reviews and has sold well in South Africa and other parts of the world. It contains a CD full of additional exercises and creativity modules that will complement the course. As writers work their way through the course they will be guided to relevant sections of the book which will enhance the topics being worked on.
Each exercise is assessed by a professional writing tutor, who will return the writer’s work to them with comments and corrections that will assist them in improving their writing and style. Only the exercises prescribed in the Online Workshops 1-8 will be assessed. Exercises undertaken from the book or CD are for writers’ own benefit and will not be assessed.
Cost of the full Online Writing Course, including the book, Getting Published – Art, Science or Luck? is R1,500. More details from Osborne Porter Literary Services. More information on email: info@osborne-porter.com or helenosborne@talktalk.net or visit www.osborne-porter.com
SALT WATER RUNS IN MY VEINS
Book by Prithiraj Dullay to be launched this week.
A book of short stories. Salt Water Runs in My Veins by Prithiraj Dullay (Pritz), will be launched on the DUT campus on May 27.
“Salt Water Runs in My Veins comprises 21 short stories that cover a period of more than 100 years and tell the fascinating stories of growing up in my Paradise on the South Coast, life-altering experiences of my youth, a growing political consciousness as a student in Durban and later as a teacher activist in Port Shepstone, as well as overt and covert activism,” explains Pritz Dullay. “Some of the stories deal with the exile years (1978-1992), its impact on us, our growing consciousness, the Danish anti-apartheid movement and the various international forces that impacted upon our thinking and our lives.
“It also deals with the complexities of our return, leaving behind a wonderful group of fascinating friends and the trauma of returning to a land that our children were forced to leave (with us) as babies of four and two years. Above all, it is a very human story that tells of our insecurities, our searches, our deep fears, our celebrations and discovering that our truth was not the only truth, that there are more ways of seeing beyond just the limits of our socialization. It is also the celebration of the oneness of all humanity.
“The second half of the book is a collection of the 28 columns written for the print media since 2007 and ending 2010. It comprises a series of controversial articles that critically examine post-1994 developments, the joys, the celebrations and the problems that need the forceful intervention of civil society. My views may not be palatable to everyone (in fact, one was followed by harassment and death threats!) but my concerns are the concerns of millions of our people who are disillusioned and even sense a betrayal.”
Salt Water Runs in My Veins will be launched on May 27 at 17h30 for 18h00 in Mansfield Hall DUT Steve Biko Campus in Mansfield Road, Durban. Finger snacks and drinks will be served. The launch price of the book is R100 (thereafter R150 in bookstores).
A book of short stories. Salt Water Runs in My Veins by Prithiraj Dullay (Pritz), will be launched on the DUT campus on May 27.
“Salt Water Runs in My Veins comprises 21 short stories that cover a period of more than 100 years and tell the fascinating stories of growing up in my Paradise on the South Coast, life-altering experiences of my youth, a growing political consciousness as a student in Durban and later as a teacher activist in Port Shepstone, as well as overt and covert activism,” explains Pritz Dullay. “Some of the stories deal with the exile years (1978-1992), its impact on us, our growing consciousness, the Danish anti-apartheid movement and the various international forces that impacted upon our thinking and our lives.
“It also deals with the complexities of our return, leaving behind a wonderful group of fascinating friends and the trauma of returning to a land that our children were forced to leave (with us) as babies of four and two years. Above all, it is a very human story that tells of our insecurities, our searches, our deep fears, our celebrations and discovering that our truth was not the only truth, that there are more ways of seeing beyond just the limits of our socialization. It is also the celebration of the oneness of all humanity.
“The second half of the book is a collection of the 28 columns written for the print media since 2007 and ending 2010. It comprises a series of controversial articles that critically examine post-1994 developments, the joys, the celebrations and the problems that need the forceful intervention of civil society. My views may not be palatable to everyone (in fact, one was followed by harassment and death threats!) but my concerns are the concerns of millions of our people who are disillusioned and even sense a betrayal.”
Salt Water Runs in My Veins will be launched on May 27 at 17h30 for 18h00 in Mansfield Hall DUT Steve Biko Campus in Mansfield Road, Durban. Finger snacks and drinks will be served. The launch price of the book is R100 (thereafter R150 in bookstores).
FOOD INC.
Oscar nominated documentary highlights the evil of factory farming. (Review by Lynne Goodman)
You are what you eat, the saying goes, and if you accept this, then mass cruelty and poison courses through our veins. This is the contention in the Oscar-nominated documentary, Food Inc, which highlights the evils of factory farming with such impact that it is enough to give the most committed omnivore ethical heartburn.
Though it is basically about America’s corporate ‘eating disorder’, this exposé uncovers the ugly underbelly of the food chain wherever powerful conglomerates take over. It is elevated by input from the eminent food writer Michael Pollan, Professor of Journalism at Berkeley University, who penned The Omnivore’s Dilemma. In this he sums up the gist of the film with his statement: "The industrial animal factory offers a nightmarish glimpse of what capitalism is capable of in the absence of any moral or regulatory constraint."
As the film questions: how else can you explain the total takeover of the soya bean with genetic modification? Or that cattle - natural herbivores - are being forced to eat mass produced corn? Or that chickens are being bred with bigger breasts to satisfy the demand for white meat (never mind that they can hardly bear the weight or stand up in their overcrowded feedlots)?
The aim has become to grow faster, fatter, bigger and cheaper. But the documentary suggests that cheap food is in fact very expensive in terms of the cost to the animals, the environment and our health. It feeds us examples from slaughterhouse cattle to the effects of contaminated food - backed by deceptively calming music and verdant country scenes to emphasis the message that once healthy farming has gone drastically wrong.
It is not easy watching - nor was it easy in the making as all the conglomerates refused to be interviewed about their suggested mafia type tactics and hidden cameras had to be used to back up the accusations of the ecological detectives. US organisations National Beef, Smithfield, Tyson, Perdue, Wal-mart and Monsanto are implicated with the suggestion that the men in corporate boardrooms don’t live with the consequences of their decisions.
The positive conclusion is that while we have allowed ourselves to become disconnected and ignorant about something as basic as what we put in our mouths, we have a right to ask what is in the kitchen - and we can change the world with every bite we eat.
Doubtless this documentary will end up preaching to the convinced as it is not going to top the movie-goers’ popularity poll. But for anybody who takes the trouble to watch, it offers potent food for thought during its 93 minutes. And it is certainly not just relevant to America. In South Africa, Animal Voice editor Louise van der Merwe has been campaigning for 20 years against the abominations involved in our factory farming. She has facilitated the introduction of free range eggs and meat into local supermarkets and offers the plea: "Let us all adapt a mind set that we have a right to assume that the food we eat has been produced with the utmost care and respect." – Lynne Goodman
You are what you eat, the saying goes, and if you accept this, then mass cruelty and poison courses through our veins. This is the contention in the Oscar-nominated documentary, Food Inc, which highlights the evils of factory farming with such impact that it is enough to give the most committed omnivore ethical heartburn.
Though it is basically about America’s corporate ‘eating disorder’, this exposé uncovers the ugly underbelly of the food chain wherever powerful conglomerates take over. It is elevated by input from the eminent food writer Michael Pollan, Professor of Journalism at Berkeley University, who penned The Omnivore’s Dilemma. In this he sums up the gist of the film with his statement: "The industrial animal factory offers a nightmarish glimpse of what capitalism is capable of in the absence of any moral or regulatory constraint."
As the film questions: how else can you explain the total takeover of the soya bean with genetic modification? Or that cattle - natural herbivores - are being forced to eat mass produced corn? Or that chickens are being bred with bigger breasts to satisfy the demand for white meat (never mind that they can hardly bear the weight or stand up in their overcrowded feedlots)?
The aim has become to grow faster, fatter, bigger and cheaper. But the documentary suggests that cheap food is in fact very expensive in terms of the cost to the animals, the environment and our health. It feeds us examples from slaughterhouse cattle to the effects of contaminated food - backed by deceptively calming music and verdant country scenes to emphasis the message that once healthy farming has gone drastically wrong.
It is not easy watching - nor was it easy in the making as all the conglomerates refused to be interviewed about their suggested mafia type tactics and hidden cameras had to be used to back up the accusations of the ecological detectives. US organisations National Beef, Smithfield, Tyson, Perdue, Wal-mart and Monsanto are implicated with the suggestion that the men in corporate boardrooms don’t live with the consequences of their decisions.
The positive conclusion is that while we have allowed ourselves to become disconnected and ignorant about something as basic as what we put in our mouths, we have a right to ask what is in the kitchen - and we can change the world with every bite we eat.
Doubtless this documentary will end up preaching to the convinced as it is not going to top the movie-goers’ popularity poll. But for anybody who takes the trouble to watch, it offers potent food for thought during its 93 minutes. And it is certainly not just relevant to America. In South Africa, Animal Voice editor Louise van der Merwe has been campaigning for 20 years against the abominations involved in our factory farming. She has facilitated the introduction of free range eggs and meat into local supermarkets and offers the plea: "Let us all adapt a mind set that we have a right to assume that the food we eat has been produced with the utmost care and respect." – Lynne Goodman
SHOOTING
(Pic: Dhaveshan Govender)Durban playwright, actor, director Ashwin Singh presents a new one-hander football-themed drama, Shooting, opening on May 27.
The play features many memorable characters with whom audiences, across the cultural spectrum, will instantly recognize and identify. All of these colourful characters will be performed by well-loved comedic actor, Dhaveshan Govender, under the direction of playwright Ashwin Singh. Audiences will remember Govender in the very-funny Kings of Old Trafford and as the cute police sidekick in the popular Catalina whodunnit Shear Madness.
Weddings and funerals have always been a time for bittersweet reflection. While attending the funeral of his cousin Ishaan, Jehan Singh tells the comic and tragic story of his life growing up with his supremely talented football ‘star’ cousin. The story of the two boys is at once hilarious as it regales the interactions with the members of their extended Indian family, and tragic as it relates the unfulfilled dreams and aspirations of the young men.
Receiving its premiere at the Catalina Theatre at Wilson’s Wharf, the new play promises to show valuable insights into the dynamic cultural identity of the people of Durban. This is particularly poignant as the play deals with the untold story of a potential football star from a previously disadvantaged background who battles for recognition even in post-Apartheid South Africa. This is notably relevant in the year that Africa will finally host the FIFA World Cup.
With set and lighting design by Themi Venturas, this work deals with important aspects of South African Indian culture – the challenges, rewards and contradictions of extended families; the community-driven battles against the marginalization of Indians; the crucial role of sport in Indian community life; the strong emotional bond between mothers and sons; and the capacity to overcome socio-political hardships to attain material success and spiritual fulfilment; all of which resonate considerably in 2010 as we celebrate the 150th anniversary of the arrival of the 1860 Indian Settlers.
Shooting is the fourth Singh work to be debuted at the Catalina Theatre following To House, Spice and Stuff and The Loonee Lahnee Show. Low–price previews take place from May 27 to 30 after which the play runs until June 13. Performances Thursdays to Saturdays at 20h00 (Sunday at 18h00) with matinees on Saturdays at 17h00 (Sundays at 14h00). There is an under-12 age restriction.
Bookings online at Strictlytickets.com or theatre box office on 031 305 6889. Pensioner and student discounts apply. For more information visit www.catalinatheatre.co.za or call the Box office on 031 305 6889.
DANCING WITH THE LEGENDS
Show dedicated to the legends of Bollywood for iZulu Theatre.
Eastern Moves Productions brings their latest creation, Dancing with the Legends - a show dedicated to the legends of Bollywood cinema, to the IZulu Theatre at Sibaya at the beginning of June.
This Bollywood dance show will display a cast of over 20 talented dancers and is choreographed and directed by well-known local director Shivani Kara. Boasting an array of musical hits from the 1950’s to the 1980’s, the production will showcase songs by legendary playback singers; Kishore Kumar, Muhammed Rafi, Lata Mangeshkar, Asha Bosle who brought life to stars like Rekha, Helen, Rajesh Khanna, Shammi Kapoor, Amitabh Bachan and Shashi Karoo with songs like Mega Jootha hai Japani, Junglee, Mere Anginas Mein, Range Barase and many more. A live performance by playback singer Zeeshan Shani will also feature in the show.
Dancing with the Legends runs at the iZulu Theatre at Sibaya Casino and Entertainment Kingdom from June 1 to 5 at 20h00 and on June 6 at 15h00. Tickets R100 to R130 booked through
Eastern Moves Productions brings their latest creation, Dancing with the Legends - a show dedicated to the legends of Bollywood cinema, to the IZulu Theatre at Sibaya at the beginning of June.
This Bollywood dance show will display a cast of over 20 talented dancers and is choreographed and directed by well-known local director Shivani Kara. Boasting an array of musical hits from the 1950’s to the 1980’s, the production will showcase songs by legendary playback singers; Kishore Kumar, Muhammed Rafi, Lata Mangeshkar, Asha Bosle who brought life to stars like Rekha, Helen, Rajesh Khanna, Shammi Kapoor, Amitabh Bachan and Shashi Karoo with songs like Mega Jootha hai Japani, Junglee, Mere Anginas Mein, Range Barase and many more. A live performance by playback singer Zeeshan Shani will also feature in the show.
Dancing with the Legends runs at the iZulu Theatre at Sibaya Casino and Entertainment Kingdom from June 1 to 5 at 20h00 and on June 6 at 15h00. Tickets R100 to R130 booked through
Monday, May 24, 2010
HAPPY 11TH BIRTHDAY, ARTSMART!
Today, May 24, 2010, marks the 11th birthday of artSMart and it’s a good time to pause and reflect over the history of the site so far. – Caroline Smart, Editor (pictured)Way back in 1998, when funding for D'ARTS - the print magazine I produced for the Durban Arts Association - looked as if it was coming to an end after 21 years, Colin Muller (friend and D’ARTS webmaster) suggested that the only effective way forward was to create my own online magazine. In this way, I could be in control of the publication’s destiny and ensure that information continued to flow and publicise the work of KZN arts practitioners.
I still remember almost the exact point and time at which this earth-shattering suggestion entered my universe. We were travelling with friends up to St Lucia to review a game lodge and Colin's call to my cellphone with his suggestion changed my life somewhere outside Eshowe!
Being highly challenged in this technology, this was a daunting process and one I was very nervous to approach. However, Colin encouraged, explained, instructed and cajoled with the utmost patience. Without his support, artSMart certainly would never have swung into action the following year.
The distinctive artSMart logo was Colin Muller’s idea. “I thought that making the "A" out of wire would create a handy reference to a much-loved local art and craft form,” he explained at the time. "People in KZN have been making wire cars, windmills, rolling drummers and such for a long time. The more recent explosion of wire work as a craft industry has built on something that goes much further back. I think I probably still have somewhere the piece of wire I bent into an "A" and then scanned to make the logo.
“It's been a delight and a privilege to be backstage at artSMart from day one, watching Caroline create the festival of news and archives which the site has become,” he continues. “artSMart is a great show - long may it run.”
To upgrade the site, Colin moved artSMart from its original format to the blog it is now, where I have the capacity to edit published articles, which is very useful if I’ve been given incorrect information. The new format also allows this technically-challenged individual the joy of being able to load photographs to accompany the stories.
Now spending a large part of each year in Australia, Colin is moving away from web hosting and it was with great regret that I accepted his decision to request that artSMart find another webmaster.
However, there was the perfect person waiting in the wings and at the beginning of February, 2010, artSMart officially moved into the care of its new webmaster, Les Juby of Webpro in Durban.
“We at Prosoft Webpro are proud to be receiving the baton for artSMart from Colin Muller, who has made a considerable contribution to the promotion of the arts through his website technology over a number of years,” says Les Juby. “At Webpro we have a policy of supporting community undertakings that are well structured and trying to make a difference.
“artSMart certainly makes a difference to the promotion of the arts in KZN. Widely respected for its integrity and credibility, it is the largest multi-disciplinary site in the province. The statistics and wide-ranging international reach of visitors to artSMart show that the site is obviously a valuable form of archival resource around the world. We certainly look forward to this opportunity to help build and expand the influence of this website.”
artSMart is my voluntary contribution to the arts in KZN. I don’t have money for sponsorship or funding but I do have energy and a wonderful network of people who send me information on a regular basis. This article takes the form of saying thank you to anyone who has - or had - anything to do with artSMart, however fleeting or monumental. It’s thanks to the advertisers, reviewers and contributors as well as readers both past, present … and to come! – Caroline Smart
Sunday, May 23, 2010
KZNPO CONCERT: MAY 20, 010
(Pic: Conductor Giorgio Croci)Excellent performance from Suzanne Martens and David Snaith. (Review by Michael Green)
Beethoven, Mozart and Tchaikovsky --- “Just my kind of programme”, a member of the audience said to me --- brought a good-sized crowd into the Durban City Hall for this concert by the KZN Philharmonic Orchestra.
The conductor was a visitor from Italy, Giorgio Croci, and there were two soloists in the Mozart work: Suzanne Martens (violin) and David Snaith (viola). This composition was the Sinfonia Concertante K.364 in E flat major - not very often played, but a masterpiece, written in 1778 when the master was only 22 years old. It is scored for strings, two horns and two oboes, plus the two soloists, and Mozart extracts an extraordinary sonority from this combination. And the three movements are replete with lovely tunes, a melodic feast even by Mozart’s standards.
The performance was excellent. The solo violinist has the dominant role but the viola is obviously also important, and the lengthy dialogues involving the two instruments were a delight to the ear, often presented in an echo or imitation style. Both players are seasoned performers. Suzanne Martens comes from Stellenbosch, where she teaches at the university, and she has appeared with all the major South African orchestras. In this Mozart Sinfonia she demonstrated high skills, an immaculate technique and a sweet, true tone.
David Snaith is originally from England and has played in various orchestras there and in South Africa. He is now principal violist in the KZNPO. He fulfilled his role splendidly in this Mozart work.
Giorgio Croci is a tall elegant figure and he conducts with restrained gestures, rather unexpected from one who has been occupied for much of his career in conducting Italian opera. He drew all the right sounds from the fairly small orchestra Mozart employs in this work (a bigger noise would damage its viability, especially the parts of the soloists).
The concert opened with an accurate and precise performance of Beethoven’s Coriolan overture, a dramatic and vivid piece that captures the admirably the spirit of the story about a banished Roman general who leads his army against Rome. And it ended with a rousing account of Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 4 in F minor, the one with the famous “Fate” motive. - Michael Green
Saturday, May 22, 2010
LINDELANI NGWENYA
Exhibition at Kim Sacks Gallery in Johannesburg by KZN artist.
The Kim Sacks Gallery in Johannesburg is to host an exhibition of copper wire woven and constructed sculptures by KZN artist, Lindelani Ngwenya.
Lindelani Ngwenya started wood carving at the age of eight. Taught by his father who was a sculptor, he developed his weaving technique by studying the traditional grass-weaving techniques employed by women in KwaZulu-Natal.
“Sculpting around an empty space is an attempt to make the invisible visible,” he says. “My concern is to break the boundaries between the mortal and my immortal part, thus reviving Zulu religious systems which expresses oneness between the Living and the Dead.”
Transparent wire form invites the viewer to ‘penetrate’ the artwork – to see the actual artwork inside. The finished product becomes the actual veins of the Artist himself. The process of wire weaving is very similar to certain dance movements and is a very absorbing exercise – similar to playing musical instruments.
The exhibition runs from May 29 until July 30 at Kim Sacks Gallery at 153 Jan Smuts Avenue, Parkwood, Johannesburg, and there is secure parking on the property.
For clients who are not able to visit the gallery in person, the work on exhibition will also be available through e-mail request on 011 447 5804 or 083 377 9076. Kim Sacks also offers a comprehensive shipping alternative to clients who do not reside in Johannesburg.
The Kim Sacks Gallery in Johannesburg is to host an exhibition of copper wire woven and constructed sculptures by KZN artist, Lindelani Ngwenya.
Lindelani Ngwenya started wood carving at the age of eight. Taught by his father who was a sculptor, he developed his weaving technique by studying the traditional grass-weaving techniques employed by women in KwaZulu-Natal.
“Sculpting around an empty space is an attempt to make the invisible visible,” he says. “My concern is to break the boundaries between the mortal and my immortal part, thus reviving Zulu religious systems which expresses oneness between the Living and the Dead.”
Transparent wire form invites the viewer to ‘penetrate’ the artwork – to see the actual artwork inside. The finished product becomes the actual veins of the Artist himself. The process of wire weaving is very similar to certain dance movements and is a very absorbing exercise – similar to playing musical instruments.
The exhibition runs from May 29 until July 30 at Kim Sacks Gallery at 153 Jan Smuts Avenue, Parkwood, Johannesburg, and there is secure parking on the property.
For clients who are not able to visit the gallery in person, the work on exhibition will also be available through e-mail request on 011 447 5804 or 083 377 9076. Kim Sacks also offers a comprehensive shipping alternative to clients who do not reside in Johannesburg.
SOMETHING OLD SOMETHING NEW
Three new bodies of work showing at Morningside venue.
Three new bodies of work are currently showing at Bean Bag Bohemia.
Something Old Something New is made up of works by Louis de Villiers (aka Skull Boy) which include prints, paintings and drawings as well as Nivesh Rawatlal's drawing and prints and Warren Raysdorf’s (the initiator of Sketch Warz) paintings, cartoons and drawings.
All three bodies of work will continually evolve over the next three weeks as the artists add to their content and create visual conversations between the bodies of work. All three artists have also been involved in setting up the Pen to Paper project.
Something Old Something New will be opened on May 21 at 18h00 with an exciting Sketch War. More information from Tamlyn Martin on 031 201 1743.
Three new bodies of work are currently showing at Bean Bag Bohemia.
Something Old Something New is made up of works by Louis de Villiers (aka Skull Boy) which include prints, paintings and drawings as well as Nivesh Rawatlal's drawing and prints and Warren Raysdorf’s (the initiator of Sketch Warz) paintings, cartoons and drawings.
All three bodies of work will continually evolve over the next three weeks as the artists add to their content and create visual conversations between the bodies of work. All three artists have also been involved in setting up the Pen to Paper project.
Something Old Something New will be opened on May 21 at 18h00 with an exciting Sketch War. More information from Tamlyn Martin on 031 201 1743.
PEN TO PAPER DRAWING WORKSHOP
Bean Bag Bohemia to host workshop focusing on comic art and visual narratives.
On May 21 from 13h00, Bean Bag Bohemia will host another of its Pen to Paper drawing workshops focusing on comic art and visual narratives. These popular workshops are part of the VANSA Art Savvy initiative and have been a great success. They will take place every Saturday leading up to the World Cup.
Currently on view at Bean Bag Bohemia is an exhibition of the Art Savvy drawings along with Waving the Flag, a group show of paintings inspired by flags and insignias. More information from Tamlyn Martin on 031 201 1743.
On May 21 from 13h00, Bean Bag Bohemia will host another of its Pen to Paper drawing workshops focusing on comic art and visual narratives. These popular workshops are part of the VANSA Art Savvy initiative and have been a great success. They will take place every Saturday leading up to the World Cup.
Currently on view at Bean Bag Bohemia is an exhibition of the Art Savvy drawings along with Waving the Flag, a group show of paintings inspired by flags and insignias. More information from Tamlyn Martin on 031 201 1743.
JACKIE FREER WALKABOUT
Artist Jackie Freer will give a walkabout of her exhibition Exposed... at artSPACE durban on May 22 at 11h00. The walkabout should last about an hour and there will be car guards on duty. For more information contact the gallery on 031 312 0793.
CHANDELIER
(Pic by John Hogg: Steven Cohen, production still from “Chandelier”, 2002, single channel digital video)Film installation by Steven Cohen at KZNSA Gallery.
Currently running at the KZNSA Gallery is Steven Cohen’s film installation, Chandelier.
Steven Cohen was born in 1962 in South Africa and lives in Lille, France. He is a performance artist who stages interventions in the public realm and in gallery/theatre spaces. He is also an extraordinary crafter of objects, ranging from the sculptural assemblages that form his costumes to the silkscreened canvases and furniture of his early career. His work invariably draws attention to that which is marginalised in society, starting with his own identity as a gay, Jewish man.
One of his best-known performances is Chandelier (2001/2), in which Cohen - dressed in vertiginous heels and an illuminated chandelier tutu - interacted with residents of a squatter camp in Newtown, Johannesburg, as it was in the process of being destroyed. The work exists as both live performance and video documentation of the public intervention. Chandelier was presented alongside Dancing Inside Out and Maid in South Africa at the Centre Pompidou in Paris as part of the Festival d'Automne in November 2008; at Les Antipodes festival in Brest, the Holland Festival in Amsterdam and Queer up North in Manchester in 2009; and the Théâtre d'Orléans and the Centre Chorégraphique National in Montpellier, France, in 2010.
Cohen writes that: “Artists have always painted the social concerns of their time, and by my moving in a chandelier-tutu through a squatter camp being demolished … and filming it … that’s what I’m doing too, a digital painting of a social reality, half beautifully imagined, half horribly real - where Hollywood glamour meets concentration camp horror. I am trying to shed light on what is seldom seen, by creating amid destruction.”
Chandelier runs until May 30. 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
RED ANTS
(Pic: One of the works on show)Exhibition of photographs of an inner city mass eviction, accompanied by poems on housing and homelessness at KZNSA.
The Red Ants exhibition consists of 34 colour photographs by Johannesburg-based photographers Moshe Sekete and Kabelo Mofokeng. The photos depict the eviction in 2007 of hundreds of residents from Monis Mansions, a block of flats in central Johannesburg. They focus on both the plight of the residents and the nature of the Red Ants – the popular name given to the security company employees carrying out the eviction; this name is inspired by their bright red uniforms and riot control gear, accompanied by their unthinking robot-like behaviour. The Red Ants body of work was developed in partnership with the Goethe-Institut South Africa, and first showed at GoetheOnMain project space in Johannesburg.
Allied to the vivid colouration and sharp subject matter of the photos are 14 poems and short prose pieces focusing on homelessness and the inevitable brutality of forced eviction, particularly when the city authorities do not provide alternative accommodation for those being evicted. The poets include Pietermaritzburg-based Ingrid Andersen, two members of the Botsotso Jester poetry collective (Ike Mboneni Muila and Allan Kolski Horwitz), Uhuru wa ga Phalafala, Kai Lossgot, Goodenough Mashego, Elvis Maleka and Onaka Mhlaba.
The exhibition thus highlights a major inner-city problem – how to deal with buildings which have been abandoned by their owners (or whose owners have lost control and are therefore unable to or unwilling to carry out maintenance whilst taking legal steps to restore payment of rent) and then enter a spiral of inadequate maintenance, over-crowding and unsafe and unsanitary conditions, often becoming magnets for criminal activities. This net of conflicting interests continues to dog us: high rentals / poor service levels / rent strikes / overcrowding / landlords abandonment of buildings / opportunists hijacking of buildings and refusal to maintain basic services / local government failure to enforce by-laws so that buildings become unsafe and unsanitary: all these factors contribute to evictions which further compound the problems because no alternative accommodation is provided to the families who find themselves out in the street.
By highlighting the above issues in a non-propagandistic and sensitive manner, the project, hopes to contribute to the debate on finding solutions to homelessness, inner city crowding and the current ineffective government responses. As such, the exhibition will be accompanied by symposia on these topics involving a wide range of stake holders – inner-city residents, government officials and NGO’s involved in housing and landlord associations.
In addition, there will be workshops for photographers interested in exploring the tensions between commercial photo-journalism, socially-committed photo-journalism and photography as an art form. Such workshops will be led by Moshe Sekete and Kabelo Mofokeng but include other local KZN photographers as co-panellists and facilitators.
Red Ants runs until May 30 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
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