FRED PAGE

(The cover of “Ringmaster of the Imagination”)

A new book on Port Elizabeth artist Frederick (Fred) Hutchinson Page (1902–1984) has been published. Titled The Ringmaster of the Imagination, it is an inside view on the life and journey of the artist. Page is considered to be one of South Africa’s foremost surrealist painters.

The book is written by Eastern Cape art biographer Jeanne Wright who was commissioned by Page’s attorney and friend, Cecil Kerbel. It is the first comprehensive compilation of the artist’s work and much of the work portrayed in the book has been drawn from private collections and therefore revealed for the first time. Previously, the only work available to the public is held in some national galleries and the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan Art Museum in Port Elizabeth which holds all his memorabilia as well as a major collection of his work.

Cecil Kerbel, a lifetime friend and the person who funded the project, says: "This biography is the realization of a lifelong ambition for me. I am delighted that at long last, Fred Page is receiving the recognition that he deserves.” Fred met Cecil when he was in his early 20’s. Cecil was fascinated by Fred’s art and they developed a close friendship.

Page lived and worked for most of his life in one of the oldest parts of the Port Elizabeth called Central, situated above Port Elizabeth’s harbour. Using the buildings as a backdrop to a range of characters and narratives, he has documented with considerable accuracy, areas of the city’s architecture that reflect a specific time within the city’s history. Reclusive by nature, Page did not receive much publicity during his lifetime. His subject matter was obscure and unfashionable for many years and did not hold much appeal for the general public. However, his output has subsequently been recognized as an important and unique reflection of not only the South African city he lived in but also of an extraordinarily fertile and idiosyncratic imagination at work.

"Fred Page is an artist who has come in from under the radar to surprise me, as an author, with the range and diversity of his material," says biographer Jeanne Wright. “He was uniquely South African and his passion for the city he chose to live in revealed not only the imaginative world of his creative life as a painter, but also the poetic and fantastical side of life in Port Elizabeth as he perceived it.”

During an interview in 1992, Fred Page had this to say about his work: “art people, especially critics try to read deep meanings into what they see in my work. There are no deep meanings.”

The Ringmaster of the Imagination is produced and printed entirely in Port Elizabeth. It is available in soft cover and has 300 works fully illustrated in colour accompanied by an explanatory text. For more information visit www.fredpage.co.za

FOM RECITAL: BEN SCHOEMAN

(Ben Schoeman)

The young Pretoria pianist Ben Schoeman has built an international reputation in recent years, and deservedly so. He is now a virtuoso of the first rank, and this was amply demonstrated in this recital for the Friends of Music at the Durban Jewish Centre.

He is a poised pianist, with an unostentatious, controlled keyboard manner. He presented a programme of Bach, Grieg and Liszt that went some distance from the beaten track and was all the more enjoyable for that. His opening item, Bach’s Toccata in C minor, BMV 911, displayed clearly his technical expertise and his insight into the music. A toccata is a showpiece – the word means “touch” – but this one, written about 1705 for the clavier, the precursor of the piano, has plenty of introspective passages, plus a big fugue, the parts of which were expertly defined by the pianist.

This was followed by Grieg’s Sonata in E minor, Op. 7, and it was a particular pleasure to hear a work by this exceptionally gifted and maybe rather neglected Norwegian composer. The fast movements of the sonata were delivered with great vigour, and the lovely Andante was played with a really singing tone.

The second half of the programme was devoted to music by Liszt, starting with his lengthy and imposing Variations on Bach’s cantata Weinen, Klagen (Weeping, Lamenting). This was played with great skill and conviction, and the pianist showed his sense of form in holding together the disparate threads of the music, ranging from the solemn to the flamboyant.

Finally we had some entrancing pieces from Liszt’s Annees de Pelerinage, Years of Pilgrimage, written while and after wandering around Italy and Switzerland. Les jeux d’eaux a la Villa d’Este (Fountains of the Villa d’Este) is a masterpiece of early impressionism, depicting vividly the sounds and sights of jets of water in the sunshine. The technical challenges are formidable, and Ben Schoeman met them with total accuracy and aplomb.

The three pieces called Venezia e Napoli, Venice and Naples, were published as a supplement to the Annees de Pelerinage. They are gondoliers’ songs from Venice and a tarantella from Naples, the tarantella being the wild dance supposed to cure the bite of a tarantula spider. Liszt’s tarantella is the ultimate in piano virtuosity, rapid leaps, fast repeated notes, thundering octaves, and Ben Schoeman gave a stunning performance, as exciting to see as it was to hear.

His response to rapturous applause was to wave a weary hand at the audience, shaking his fingers gently. He was feeling too tired to play an encore, and understandably so.

The Prelude Performers of the evening, funded by the National Lottery Distribution Trust Fund, were 20 singers from the Open Air School at Glenwood. These are physically handicapped youngsters, formed into a small choir and coached and conducted by Derek Stafford. Some of them are in wheelchairs, others have crutches, they all have severe disabilities of one kind or another, but instead of complaining they sing, sweetly and expertly, Zulu songs, plus a little popular item, plus a hymn by the English composer John Rutter called “For the beauty of the earth”.I found their performance musically rewarding and spiritually uplifting, and, judging by the prolonged applause, everybody else in the audience felt the same way. - Michael Green

THE HA!MAN

The HA!Man (Francois le Roux) is back in Durban for the first time presenting an "independent HA! Show" on September 4. This is his way of keeping his spontaneity-based art free from too much boxing-in, shaping each event along locally-built networks and collaborative friends developed over almost 20 years of performing.

Successful independent events have sprouted already in Cape Town (Baxter Concert Hall), Johannesburg, Washington DC and New York City. The venue for Durban will be the Howard College Theatre (kindly sponsored by UKZN) and the performance will be preceded by a short optional workshop for all those who want to release themselves in the spur of the moment, through music, movement, speech, writing and drawing.

Durban has seen the HA!Man in tiny bits over the years, doing house concerts, exciting improvisational collaborations with violinist Anton Cawthorn-Blazeby, popular appearances at the ABSA Kolligfees in 2007 and 2008 and a host of school performances and workshops, including the KZN Youth Orchestra. But his scope is really global, circulating annually through four continents, honing an art form that brings much needed originality and on-stage creativity.

The HA!Man will present his virtuoso and passionate cello playing, accompanied by original arrangements by himself, often with a potent story to tell. The idea is to establish an annual presence and build a cluster of activities around a core event. It is not easy to put the HA! Experience into words but the feelings it evokes and the inspiration it breathes is undeniably strong and personal. In the words of a recent audience member in Dallas, Texas: "incredible! unbelievable! an experience like never before.. thank you so very much!"

The workshop and show take place on September 4 with the workshop (optional) at 17h00 followed by the show at 19h00 at Howard College Theatre, UKZN (kindly sponsored by UKZN). Entry to both the workshop and is free and donations can be given afterwards (this is to retain the spirit of spontaneity even when it comes to money). Some guest performer surprises are quite likely, too. No bookings required and CDs, DVDs and spontaneous art on sale. More information on 031 260 3353 or visit www.hamanworld.com

CASUAL SAX

(Barbara-Anne Puren)

Barbara-Anne Puren returns to her home town with a delightfully humorous and engaging show. (Review by Caroline Smart)

I last saw Barbara-Anne Puren perform over 24 years ago when she was a young drama student at Technikon Natal (now Durban University of Technology). Her talent was very noticeable then and she has grown into a successful, focused and professional performer. Her first one-woman show, Casual Sax which opened tonight at Heritage Theatre in Hillcrest for a short run, is delightfully humorous and engaging.

She takes her audiences on a journey through her relationships over the years, calling the process “From day dreaming to divorce to dating”. On a stage that is bare except for a chair and a modesty screen on which is draped a white feather boa, she takes a satirical look at fairytales and so-called happy endings. From growing up on the “wild, wild Bluff” to internet dating, she relates her tale with a sardonic humour, softening the barbs with a cheeky grin.

Her script often becomes sexually explicit which is why the show is not recommended for persons under the age of 16. However, she handles these moments with wit and panache and what could become tacky in less-skilful hands, is presented as sophisticated adult humour to which the audience responds with spontaneous chuckles.

At the age of 32, after her failed marriage, she took up the saxophone and is now a proficient saxophonist. This gleaming instrument provides a perfect visual accompaniment to her quirky yet elegant black dress and white culottes suit. She occasionally puts the sax on its stand so that she can move freely and at one stage, handles a provocative costume change behind the screen, saxophone and all!

Accompanied by lush orchestral backing tracks, she sings a line-up of much loved jazz classics such as Summertime, Cry Me a River, Fever, My Baby Just Cares for Me and Big Spender alongside well-chosen quieter numbers like When I Give my Heart, Cold Cold Heart and Someone to Watch over Me.

She engages with the audience without losing any of the show’s stylish nature. Even the head massage she gives a volunteer has its own appeal and becomes a performance moment. Grant Knottenbelt’s lighting design is excellent and the sound balance is good.

The menu offers Hearty Vegetable Soup, Sweet Chilli Chicken Skewers and Italian Salad for starters with main courses being Homemade Gnocchi, Oven Baked Dorado, Napolitano Chicken (very enjoyable) and Roast Sirloin (to which my husband gave his approval).

Directed by Daniel de Lange, Casual Sax has a short run at the Heritage Theatre in Hillcrest until September 4. Tickets R190 include a two-course meal. September 4 offers a lunch-time show (12h30 for lunch, tickets R165). Tickets R100 for show only (evenings at 20h30, Sunday at 14h00). The running time is about 90 minutes with no interval. Bookings 031 765 4197 or online at www.heritagetheatre.co.za

Casual Sax has two performances at the iZulu Theatre, Sibaya, on September 9 and 10 at 20h00. Tickets R120 booked through Computicket. Don’t miss it! – Caroline Smart

14TH BASA AWARDS WINNERS

(Director/writer Welcome Msomi with Lauren Williams of Brandhouse receiving their Award from Minister of Arts and Culture Paul Mashatile and BASA Chairman, Sikkie Kajee)

Brandhouse/Johnnie Walker/Welcome Msomi/Stable Theatre and Cell C/Durban Music School represent KZN winners.

Fifteen innovative business and arts partnerships were honoured at the 14th Annual Business Day BASA Awards, supported by Anglo American, including Benji Liebmann who was named this year’s Art Champion for his vision in creating Nirox in the Cradle of Humankind. Nirox is a private foundation established to cultivate the arts in South Africa. Liebmann’s vision includes a sculpture park laid out across the natural landscape as well as an artist-in-residence programme for locally and internationally renowned artists.

The winners of South Africa’s most prestigious business/arts awards were announced at an event held at Turbine Hall last night (August 29) in Johannesburg and included a special appearance by one of the lifelike puppets in the award-winning international production War Horse, made possible by RMB and Legacy Group.

The key note address was given by Minister of Arts and Culture Paul Mashatile. An independent panel of judges made awards in 12 categories while three special honours – the Art Champion Award to Benji Liebmann, the Chairman’s Premier Award to The Keiskamma Trust and Diplomacy in the Arts to Germany’s Goethe-Institut – were also given out on the night.

The winners show that anyone can make a difference by supporting the arts – from large corporates like Total South Africa who sponsored the Buskaid Ensemble’s trip to Syria and Absa for the prestigious SANAVA Absa L'Atelier art competition to a smaller enterprise such as Le Canard Restaurant who held fund-raising dinners for The South African Ballet Theatre.

KZN was honoured in two awards:

The Innovation Award went to Brandhouse Beverages: Johnnie Walker® for Johnnie Walker® Celebrating Strides 2010 Awards: Welcome Msomi and Stable Theatre. Through its Celebrating Strides Awards, Johnnie Walker® empowered acclaimed actor, writer, producer and entrepreneur, Welcome Msomi, to spark a revival of the Stable Theatre in Durban which saw a tremendous boost in patrons and media exposure. In selecting the theatre as the beneficiary of a R125,000 bursary included in his award, Msomi wished to pay tribute to the theatre venue which played such an important role in his early days as an actor and turn around the flagging fortunes of the venue. It is expected that the partnership will act as a catalyst to inspire a new generation of artists.

The Youth Development Award was presented to Cell C for Durban Music School. Cell C agreed to sponsor the Durban Music School in 2003 and has done so for the past eight years. DMS gives full music bursaries to 350 learners, does outreach programmes in rural communities, has a cultural exchange programme with includes the UK, France and Germany, offers music as a matric subject, employs nine young teachers who trained at the school and achieves consistently high marks in international exams.

The judges for the 2011 BASA Awards are CEO of The Loerie Awards Andrew Human (chairman); media consultant and editor of Destiny Man Kojo Baffoe; Sunday Independent arts critic Mary Corrigall; independent arts consultant Nicky du Plessis; strategist and CEO of Grey Advertising Siza Marutlulle; CEO of the Mastrantonio Group Gianni Mariano; co-founder and co-owner of multi-disciplinary design firm INK Lisebo Mokhesi and Associate Professor at the University of Cape Town and Artistic Director of Siwela Sonke Jay Pather.

The Awards are audited by Grant Thornton. The full list of awards can be found on the BASA website www.basa.co.za

SATURDAY NIGHT AT THE PALACE

Michael Gritten in his best performance to date. (Review by Thomie Holtzhausen)

I had the privilege to see Paul Slabolepszy’s play Saturday Night at the Palace in the early 80’s with Paul Slab and Bill Flynn. When asked to review the current local production, I must admit I was sceptical as, in my mind, nobody can follow in the footsteps of the original cast.

The play tells the story of two whites back in the 80’s breaking down at the isolated Rocco’s All Nite Roadhouse late at night. The two phones available do not work. The black waiter working at the roadhouse is about to close and head for his homeland where his family is living, due to the then apartheid rule.

A typical setting-up of tension in dramas of the time, now somewhat clichéd in 2011. Nonetheless, the play made an impact then as it does now, not only because of the relevance thereof in the years of protest theatre, but because it is extremely well written.

However, it is Gritten that delivers one of his most amazing performances ever. He was simply brilliant, kept the show together and did it justice. He subtly takes the audience into his aggressive circumstances and develops a strong sense of understanding of the violent character he portrays. A tough act to follow.

Small’s role requires him to grow from a somewhat slow character to a strong one and in the last scenes he gave the character the focus it requires.

Bonginkosi Faca Kulu is better known as a musicals performer, having appeared to strong acclaim in overseas productions of the Lion King and, more recently, Stable Theatre’s Nkanyezi – The Star. Good to see him in a very different role.

Presented by Catalina Theatre in association with Catalina unLtd, Saturday Night at the Palace is also a Grade 10 drama setwork in the KZN schools. It is directed by Themi Venturas and runs until September 11. Bookings on 031 305 6889. – Thomie Holtzhausen

LIPS RENDEZVOUS

The next meeting of the Live Poets society (LiPS) takes place on September 7 and the guest poet will be Jean Marie Spitaels.

Dust on the Road is a collection of poems in English and French and art by Jean Cornet. Jean Cornet is the pen name of Dr. J M Spitaels, a medical specialist in Durban. JM states that poets are dreamers - as such, they constitute a threat for the power that be resenting their cult of beauty, deep introspection, tolerance, aloofness and, especially, their fierce independence of spirit.

Now retired, the author hails from Congo (DRC) where he was born in 1939 and worked as a medical practitioner (1964-1969) before conducting some research in Gastroenterology for Durban’s medical school in South Africa (1969-1995) where he settled. His first poem was published when a teenager, in l’Essor du Congo, daily for which his mother (née Cornet) was a chronicler.

The meeting takes place on September 7 at 17h30 for 18h00 at the Point Yacht Club, Victoria Embankment, Durban. Admission is free. More information from Danny Naicker on 083 282 0865 or e-Mail:- dnaicker@metsond.co.za

INTERNATIONAL SONGWRITING COMPETITION (ISC) JUDGES

The prestigious International Songwriting Competition (ISC) has assembled a distinguished panel of judges for its 2011 competition. With the most high-profile judging panel of any music competition in the world, ISC offers songwriters and artists the unprecedented opportunity to have their music heard by iconic recording artists, as well as many major and indie record label Presidents, A&R executives, producers, music supervisors, and more.

Now accepting entries for the 2011 competition, ISC gives away more than $150,000 in cash and prizes (shared among the 68 winners) including an overall Grand Prize consisting of $25,000 (US) cash and $20,000 in prizes. Open to all levels of songwriters, ISC offers 22 categories that include all genres of popular music. Past winners have included artists from Grammy winners to hobbyist songwriters and everyone in between.

For information and enter, go to http://www.songwritingcompetition.com

Winning ISC can be a tremendous career booster. Over the years, many winners have achieved great career success, including getting signed to labels such as Epic, Universal, Motown, and more. Many more winners have secured publishing deals, smaller label deals, licensing deals, and distribution deals in addition to getting more gigs, fans, and recognition.

The complete list of ISC judges includes:

Recording Artists: Tom Waits; Tori Amos; Jeff Beck; Billy Currington; My Morning Jacket; Simon Le Bon & Roger Taylor (Duran Duran); Kelly Clarkson; Keane; McCoy Tyner; Wynonna; Francesca Battistelli; Tegan and Sara; Massive Attack; Michael W. Smith; Alejandro Sanz; Johnny Clegg; Jeremy Camp; Ray Wylie Hubbard; John Mayall; Craig Morgan; Basement Jaxx; James Cotton; Sandra Bernhard; Trombone Shorty; Robert Earl Keen; Black Francis (The Pixies); Mose Allison; Robert Smith (The Cure); Amadou & Mariam; Darryl McDaniels (Run D.M.C.); Toots Hibbert (Toots & The Maytals); Matt Thiessen (Relient K); Chayanne; and more...

Industry Executives: Monte Lipman (President, Universal Republic Records); David Massey (President, Mercury Records); Brian Malouf (VP A&R, Walt Disney Records); Bruce Iglauer (Founder/President, Alligator Records); Angel Carrasco (Sr. VP A&R, Latin America, Sony/BMG); Ric Arboit (President, Nettwerk Music Group); Anastasia Brown (Music Supervisor, FORMAT); Allison Jones (VP of A&R, Big Machine Label Group); Steve Lillywhite (Producer); Dan Storper (President, Putamayo World Music Records and Putumayo Kids); Kim Buie (VP A&R, Lost Highway); Douglas C. Cohn (Sr. VP, Music Marketing & Talent, Nickelodeon); Trevor Jerideau (VP of A&R, J Records); Antony Bland (A&R, American Recordings); Steve Smith (VP of A&R, Aware Records); Cory Robbins (Founder/President, Robbins Entertainment); Dr. Demento (Radio Host, The Dr. Demento Show); and more...

ISC Sponsors: Presonus, Lowden Guitars, Sennhaiser, ASCAP, Berklee College of Music, Posse, D'Addario, Thayers, SongU.com, Online Gigs, The Music Business Registry, Independent Mastering, Indie Venue Bible, George Stein, Esq. Sonicbids, Taxi, and music Submit

VUMILE MNGOMA GROUP

Vumile Mngoma’s popular maskandi group star in The Playhouse Company’s Sundowners on September 2.

Vumile Mngoma and her acclaimed maskandi group are the featured artists in the upcoming Sundowners event at the ninth edition in this courtesy entertainment series presented by The Playhouse Company in celebration of Heritage month.

Vumile and her group are noted for their commitment to delivering high energy performances, laced with an infectious sense of fun, so come and chill out after work, and be part of the vibe as you end your week in company with these likeable artists.

The performance takes place at The Playhouse in Durban on September 2 between 17h30 and 18h30. Admission is free, and a cash bar will be open, along with the Playhouse Coffee shop.

UNLOCKEDKEYS

The Centre for Jazz & Popular Music (UKZN) presents Unlockedkeys on August 31. The band recently gave a sparkling performance at the Howard College Theatre lunch-hour concert on August 1 with their exceptional original compositions and excellent arrangements.

The name of the band reflects a desire to transcend the boundaries of genre and style and create music without limits. Sibusiso Mashiloane introduced some of his compositions and arrangements of jazz standards in 2007 in his Honours year at the University of KwaZulu-Natal. He not only received a distinction for his recital, but his band attracted more work for jazz festivals, competitions and other music opportunities.

Sibusiso’s music is inspired by the work of South African musicians, Andile Yenana, the late Bheki Mseleku, and the late Zim Ngqawana. Sibusiso is currently studying for his Masters’ degree in jazz performance, and is a part-time lecturer in the School of Music at UKZN.

The band members are all noted for their sensitivity to music, originality, creativity and passion and, as well as Sibu Mashiloane (piano), include Bernard Mndaweni (bass), Paki Peloeole (drums), Linda Sikhakhane (tenor saxophone), Thabani Gapara (alto saxophone) and Sakhile Simane (trumpet).

Unlockedkeys will perform on August 31 at 17h30 at the Centre for Jazz and Popular Music (CJPM), Level 2, Shepstone Building. Doors opens at 17h00. Tickets R30 (R20 pensioners, R10 students). More information on 031 260 3385 or email Zamat1@ukzn.ac.za

JOMBA! 2011

(Pic by Sepper Ruberti: Thobeka TeeKay Quvane)

Exciting dance programme at JOMBA! 2011

The University of KwaZulu-Natal’s Centre for Creative Arts and its celebrated annual contemporary dance platform, JOMBA! Contemporary Dance Experience, invites dance-lovers to explore this year’s 11 day festival which opens on August 31. JOMBA! now in its 13th year and supported by the National Lottery Distribution Fund, has dance offerings which encompass the very best of local and international dancers and dance companies.

Specifically aimed at nurturing local dance, the JOMBA! New Works programme this year features two innovative artists, Mlu Zondi and S’fiso Magesh Ngcobo, whose growing body of dance theatre work has critics and audiences sitting up and taking notice. New Works grants are offered as a way of encouraging choreographers to continue to develop and find their unique dance and choreographic voices. Ngcobo’s Similar Pathways explores the real meaning of ubuntu on life’s journey, while Zondi’s incorporates video artwork into a reflection of a dancer’s psyche and memory in Devolva.

From Johannesburg, Gregory Maqoma brings his deeply celebrated Beautiful Me; a dance work originally commissioned by the Dance Umbrella, that has travelled the globe to critical acclaim. Maqoma, one of South Africa’s most internationally recognised choreographers, has worked with creative in-put from Akram Khan, Faustin Linyekula and Vincent Mantsoe in a dance and choreographic dialogue that has resulted in this fiercely beautiful solo work.

A first for JOMBA! this year, is the adventurous Women’s Solo Project which has gathered together solo works by four prominent local and international women choreographers. From France, Hélène Cathala joins JOMBA! with a work that celebrates the search for new dance languages; Durban’s Desiré Davids has made a short dance film which is the second part of the work she premiered at JOMBA! in 2010; Lliane Loots has created a politically charged work on Flatfoot dancer TeeKay Quvane; and Gauteng-based Dada Masilo makes her JOMBA! debut with her controversial and celebrated solo, The Bitter End of Rosemary. Masilo, a virtuoso dancer known for the risk she takes, sets herself up with this work as one of South Africa’s most innovative young choreographers.

The facilitation of dance collaborations within Africa is a key JOMBA! objective, and this year sees Durban’s much-loved Flatfoot Dance Company collaborating with Nigeria’s Ijodee Dance Company. Lagos-based choreographer Adedayo Liadi will feature Ijodee’s Frank Konwea alongside the five resident dancers of Flatfoot in a new work with the Yoruba title, Aye Asan, meaning ‘vanity’.

African dance maker Faustin Linyekula, from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, presents his work more … more … more … future, which takes a critical look at post-independence in Africa and embraces the anarchy and chaos of making art in a time of struggle and trauma. Working with a live band on stage Faustin’s work looks to the nightclubs of Kinshasa as a way of making meaning in a society of greed and corruption.

JOMBA! is delighted to host two of the world most prestigious BBoyz – Junior and Stylistik, from France. These two world champion break-dancers have turned the contemporary dance world on its head by shifting what is often seen as an improvisation and ‘battle’ dance form, to the theatre stage. Carefully constructed solo works by these cutting-edge dancers whose bodies ooze strength, power and control, break new ground in the interface between theatre and streetdance.

JOMBA! takes place at the Elizabeth Sneddon Theatre (University of KwaZulu-Natal) except for one of the major highlights of this year’s festival, JOMBA! City – a site-specific dance and art-making encounter with the inner city of Durban. Curated by David Gouldie this is sure to be the street party event of the year. The event features over 100 artists, including Doung Anwar-Jahangeer, Ewok, Sifiso Khumalo and Vusi Makanya, amongst others, as well as leading DJ’s and bands – the statues of Queen Victoria will never be the same!

Another highlight is the popular Fringe night which provides open platforms for new dance-makers. In addition, the Youth Fringe, which takes place at the Dorothy Nyembe Hall, in Cato Crest, is a valuable platform for young dancers and the identification of new emerging talent.

JOMBA! runs until September 11. Full programme details at www.cca.ukzn.ac.za

Look out for a series of free dance workshops with dancers and choreographers participating in the festival. Advance booking is essential. To book contact 031 260 2506.

Keep an eye also for two special editions of the JOMBA! Khuluma mini-newspaper - this is a residency project in which veteran journalist Adrienne Sichel will mentor talented young writers in the intricacies of interpreting and writing about performance. Follow the JOMBA! Khuluma blog on http://jombakhuluma.blogspot.com Sichel will also facilitate the JOMBA! Talks Dance sessions, where dancers and choreographers speak about their work, and debate is raised around dance in South Africa.

The closing night of JOMBA! on September 11 will include the Eric Shabalala Dance Champion Award for selfless service, social upliftment and innovative practice in the field of dance. Eric, who passed away recently, was a founder member of Siwela Sonke and director of Shiwebeka Dance.

The 13th JOMBA! Contemporary Dance Experience is organized by the Centre for Creative Arts (University of KwaZulu-Natal) and supported by National Distribution Trust Fund (principal funder), HIVOS, City of Durban, French Institute of South Africa, Goethe Institut of South Africa.

KIMONOS UNLIMITED

Elaine Barnard’s “Kimono for an African Geisha”

Kimonos Unlimited is a dramatically colourful and exquisitely-executed interpretive exhibition of the traditional Japanese garment running at Artisan Contemporary Gallery.

Featuring selected works by the 50-member Fibreworks art group – including that of several of its internationally-renowned artists – the exhibition challenges the definition of the centuries-old Kimono.

“Fibreworks encourages its members to investigate both the technical and conceptual aspects of any subject matter by inviting its artists to explore and expand art forms in almost unlimited ways”, said Artisan curator, Sue Greenberg. “Their re-definition of the subject matter challenges one’s idea of the Kimono in ways that are quite remarkable - and inspirational”, she added.

Kimonos Unlimited runs through to the end of September. Artisan Contemporary Gallery is situated at 344 Florida Road. More information on 031 312 4364 or 083 301 5747, email: info@artisan.co.za or visit www.artisan.co.za

CARICATURA EXHIBITION

Gustav (Jack) Kaltenbrun will host the first exhibition of art at the new exhibition hall at Msasa Books in Hillcrest. He is also the curator of this small exclusive exhibition hall that aims to present work that…”wound with a touch that’s scarcely felt or seen” - sketches that, like the work of Hogarth and others, are social comments.

Jack Kaltenbrun is a retired art lecturer and has exhibited widely. His recent exhibition at the Grahamstown Art Festival created much interest and critical praise.

The current exhibition consists of his portrait- charge, satirical, sketches of “Important People” including Alan Paton, the Nun (mother Teresa), The ‘stars’ of the Heritage Market Theatre, ‘The Trolley Pushers’ of Kloof and a collection of famous South African jockeys.

Caricatura opens on September 1 at the Msasa Exhibition Hall and Jack Kaltenbrun can be contacted at 031 765 3815 or e mail jakal@telkomsa.net Gallery hours are weekdays 08h00 to 17h00 (Saturdays 08h00 to 14h00). More information from Msasa Books on 031 765 4945 (Adrian) or e mail: andsh@icon.co.za

ONE HEART FESTIVAL

The One Heart Durban Theatre festival is an exciting new arts festival that will take place from October 28 to 30, 2011, in the Drama Department at the University of KwaZulu-Natal.

Festival organizers Janna Ramos-Violante and Lauren Wallet are extremely excited about putting together an exciting weekend of cultural festivities, encouraging Durban artists to create new, original plays. The festival aims to bring new theatre works onto Durban stages and offer an experience that Durbanites are sure to enjoy!

The Malva Market will be at the festival with stalls of beautiful pieces on sale for shoppers delight including delicious eats and live music.

The festival is calling for new scripts to be put forward to a panel, eight of which will be chosen to showcase at the festival. The piece must be an original work and scripts must be sent to durbantheatrefest@yahoo.com

The cut-off date for script submission is September 3, 2011.

CASUAL DAY

Casual Day is a fundraising project where people are encouraged to go to work dressed differently for a day. To earn this right, they make a donation of R10 for the official Casual Day sticker. Proceeds benefit persons with disabilities.

Each year Casual Day chooses a wild and wacky theme – and 2011 is no exception. Participants are encouraged to unleash their inner rock star and dress up as musicians, rockstars or music groupies.

Casual Day is a project of the National Council for Persons with Physical Disabilities in SA (NCPPDSA) with Absa as primary sponsorship partner. They further provide an infrastructure for sticker distribution.

Casual Day 2011 will take place on September 2, 2011. Through the 2010 campaign, Casual Day raised a record amount of R18,026,000 which represents a respectable increase on the 2009 tally.

Says Mrs Annelise De Jager, Casual Day co-ordinator, “Despite the fact that 2010 was an extremely difficult year for the project due to the industrial action in the education sector and the distraction of the Soccer World Cup, we managed to improve on the 2009 income. It is gratifying to see the enthusiasm and passion displayed by the South Africa public and the hundreds of participating NGOs and companies. We are satisfied that with each passing year, the project gains greater acceptance with the public. We believe the public appreciates the opportunity to support a project where they know that their contribution really reaches the people it is intended to assist.”

The funds are raised as a result of each R10 donation for a Casual Day sticker made by South Africans on September 3 last year. Stickers are distributed via the infrastructure of the project’s financial partner – Absa, Game and Edcon stores countrywide, and a wide network of participating organisations rendering services in the field of disability.

The funds are distributed to the following six national beneficiaries: The National Council for Persons with Physical Disabilities in SA (NCPPDSA); Disabled People South Africa (DPSA); SA National Council for the Blind (SANCB); SA Federation for Mental Health (SAFMH); Deaf Federation of SA (Deafsa) and Epilepsy SA (ESA).

The Casual Day team has revealed the amount raised by the 2010 project at a series of roadshows across the country. The Casual Day Show & Tell functions serve to celebrate the outstanding achievers of the campaign.

More information from 012 663 8181, Fax 012 663 8188, e-mail: casualday@mweb.co.za or visit www.casualday.co.za

OPEN MIC AT MUSKETEERS

Peter Misselbrook is now hosting Open Mic sessions on Tuesdays at Musketeers Malvern. All musos are welcome to come and do their thing and bring along their fan club. Starting time is 19h30 and the music continues until late.

Musketeers is situated at 19 Conabor Road, Malvern. Entrance is free.

EGG NEWS

(“Beach KZN Coast 2010” by Robert Domijan)

Elizabeth Gordon Gallery has a new selection of small landscapes painted by Johannesburg artist, Wim Rautenbach. They are framed in our exclusive hand gilded frames.

Also on offer is a selection of new paintings, oils on canvas, by artist Robert Domijan.

The Elizabeth Gordon Gallery is situated at 120 Florida Road. For further information phone 031 303 8133, fax 031 303 8136 or email: joy@elizabethgordon.co.za

VIEW

Running at the KZNSA is an exhibition titled View, a group exhibition curated by KZNSA Gallery Curator Bren Brophy that probes and interrogates the landscape.

View features the work of Andrew Nair, Mduduzi Xakaza, Deanne Donaldson, Doung Jahangeer, Gordon Froud, Nicole Pletts, Peter McKenzie, Robert Domijan, Grace Kotze, Harry Lock, Themba Shibase, Bronwen Vaughan-Evans and Ntobephi Ntobela, Zandile Ntobela, Zondile Zondo, Nonhlakanipho Mndiyatha and Nontanga Mangutshana of Ubuhle.

The history and representation of the landscape reflects our relationship to the land together with the historical, ideological and political undercurrents that have dominated our “view”. Perhaps it is not so much what we are viewing, but why are we looking. As the viewer our position is not neutral.

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

DINA CORMICK SOLO EXHIBITION

(Moments of Awakening by Dina Cormick)

In celebration of Women’s Month and National Women’s Day, the African Art Centre offers a solo exhibition of recent icon triptychs by celebrated artist from KwaZulu Natal, Dina Cormick. The exhibition is titled Honouring the Stories within Every Woman – Images for the Journey.

Dina Cormick says that her main focus has always been to honour the stories within every woman and that the images she creates are always celebration of the journey. In the artist’s own words: “Someone once said to me “we create our own journeys with every step” And I have come to realize - it is not the journey’s end that matters, it is the process... how and why we continue. It is not about what we leave behind; it is rather what we are doing right now – that popular phrase “living in the now”, the present. This is what inspires and agitates my image-making”.

In her current works, she says that she aims to create images that capture those moments of intense awareness; deeply personal and intimate awakenings to the magic of the moment, those almost indescribable moments of overwhelming consciousness of a sacred encounter.

The images on exhibition are presented in an ancient women’s art-format, the portable altar shrine. These are miniature triptychs were created by women for women, for private use in their homes, and notably, women could use their triptychs without interference or control by the patriarchal authorities. It is this element of unsanctioned feminist spiritual practice, that Dina expands into yet further dimensions, extending, broadening our understanding of where one finds the sacred.

“I have moved my Ikon imagery (iconography) into a dimension of essence where everything has the potential to be divine”, she explains. “Miniature artworks engage one’s attention in a very personal, intimate interaction. The viewer must come close to examine the detail, to connect visually and emotionally to the imagery. My triptych ikons are unashamedly didactic; the viewer is invited to open the doors and to interact personally with each story depicted. The triptychs are private altars to accompany you on your journeying and are sacred shrines to place in your home.”

Dina states that the uses the concept of ikon deliberately to evoke a spiritual dimension to the visual encounter. Essentially this is a re-birthing of the Ikon. She calls her images the Wise Women Ikons, explorations of re-envisioning and finding the sacred in every woman and most importantly, images that remind us how refreshingly joyous our life already is!

Traditionally the Byzantine Ikon depicts a sacred image in a formalized style that is used ceremoniously and venerated. Since Ikons have always played an essential part in public and private worship, it is often believed that they act as conduit of blessings to the one worshiper. The triptych is a set of three thematically connected images hinged vertically so as to allow the side panels to fold over the central panel.

Born in Nkana, Zambia, and schooled in Harare, Zimbabwe, she studied art at Rhodes University, Grahamstown and at what is now the Durban University of Technology. Since 1978 she has worked as freelance artist from her studio in Durban. Her commissioned artworks include wood sculptures, mosaic and ceramic panels, book illustrations and posters, and can be found widely distributed through Southern Africa in ecumenical church institutions, as well as in numerous grassroots and socio-political organisations. Her particular concern and interest lies in the didactic importance of art. In 1992 she graduated cum laude as a "Mistress" of Feminist Theological Ethics, after critically discussing the manner in which women have been imaged by the Christian Church.

Honouring the Stories within Every Woman is supplemented by Ilala Palm baskets by the Masuku Sisters from Hlabisa and runs until September 3 at the African Art Centre at 94 Florida Road, Morningside. More information from the Director, Sharon Crampton, on 031 312 3805 or the Development Officer, Nozipho Zulu, on 031 312 3804 or email africanartcentre@afri-art.co.za or visit www.afriart.co.za

DBG ARTWORKS 2011

The Durban Botanic Gardens have announced that it will once again host an outdoor art exhibition in the Gardens. Traditionally, this exhibition has taken place over the same weekend as the Botanical Society Plant Fair in September but unfortunately this date has had to be changed as a large function will take place at the lake over this period.

“We have chosen November 27 because it falls at the same time as the international Climate Change Conference COP17,” explains Colleen Dewar of the Friends of the Durban Botanic Gardens. “We are hoping to have international visitors to the Gardens and it is just before Christmas when art works will make wonderful gifts.

“We are not making it a stipulation, but we are suggesting that if artists have any artwork which can in some way relate to Climate Change, then that would make a statement,” she continues. “We may look at adding some musicians playing under the palm trees, we may create a kids creative zone to paint and draw, maybe a floral display/exhibit which tells the story of climate change and the disastrous consequences – drought, extinction, severe weather patterns etc.”

Apart from the new ideas and date change, the exhibition will run as in the past. New artists are invited to participate and any musicians willing to pay for no fee should contact the organisers.

Site space will be limited so artists wishing to participate should also contact the organisers as soon as possible to book their space. The cost will be R50 per site (measuring approx. 5m X 5m) and allocation will be on a first-come-first-served basis, depending on how many participants are involved.

An application form will be sent to all those interested in taking part. This will indicate banking details which will enable participants to lodge their fee direct into the Durban Botanic Gardens Trust bank account. This information will be relayed at a later date.

DBG Artworks 2011 will take place on November 27 from 09h00 to 16h00 near the Lake in the Durban Botanic Gardens. Please contact Coleen Dewar on 031 202 5819 or preferably email: friends@durban.gov.za

NICOLE PLETTS IN MUIZENBERG

KZN artist Nicole Pletts is showing her work alongside that of Makiwa Mutomba and various other artists at the beautiful Casa Labia Centre in Muizenberg which was built in 1929 to reflect the spirit of 18th century Venice.

Titled Intimate Surfaces - An Artsidein Exhibition shows Nicole Pletts’s male figure studies in the form of swimming pool divers depicted balancing on diving boards and flying high in aerial gymnastics. Makiwa shows a lively, colourful series of "happy babies" portraits, all done in his signature, palette-knife, fractured technique.

Nicole Pletts started painting in 1997 and has been involved in many art groups: Arts Interactive Committee for five years, KWAZUNVA Executive Committee for two years and the KZNSA Council since 2006. She has participated in various group shows and was a finalist in Jabulisa 2006 and in SASOL New Signatures 2009.

“Whilst I am deliberate in constantly being aware of my surroundings, I don't intentionally choose to paint a specific subject,” Pletts explains. “The subject matter chooses me. It sort of lingers and ignites - and a series is born. With the Diving Series, it was the movement, the "floating" in space and obviously the figures (which are my favourite subject matter) which caught my attention. I painted them in a bold, strong way which lends itself to the fearless and daring way they jump from such heights – and then they float, move, twist and gracefully fall in a vacuum of space.""


The exhibition runs on the upper floor of the Muizenberg gallery until October 11.

The Casa Labia Cultural Centre is situated at 192 Main Road, Muizenberg, Cape Town. More information on 021 788 6068.

THE BEST OF 10 YEARS

The Family Players who started Rhumbelow Theatre and have presented many a comic Drag evening will present the Very Best of Drag over the last ten years in a show titled The Best of 10 Years.

“An evening of total fun as you enjoy outrageous costumes, huge eye lashes, large and over the top wigs and make-up to die for "doll",” say the organisers. The Drag show during the 10 Year 10 Show Celebration was so busy that we decided to bring it back for one weekend only.”

Now into its second decade of entertaining, The Family Players continue their tradition of presenting a great evening out promising that audiences will go home “feeling lekker from all the laughter”. The show stars Roland Stansell, Greg Baptie, Allan Quihampton and Derek Pearce.

Shows take place on September 2 and 3 at 20h00 and on September 4 at 14h00. The venue opens 90 minutes before show for picnic dinner.

Tickets R100. Take along food picnic baskets and braais will be available. There is limited secure parking and booking is essential. A cash bar is available (no alcohol may be brought on to the premises). Rhumbelow Theatre is situated in Cunningham Avenue off Bartle Road.

Booking is through Computicket or contact Roland on 031 205 7602 (h) or 082 499 8636, email roland@stansell.za.net or visit www.rhumbelow.za.net Tickets R100 (block booking discount of less 25% for eight or more patrons).

MY YEAR OF BEDS

Book will appeal to anyone with a sense of adventure. (Review by Janet Whelan)

Annette Jahnel has self-published My Year of Beds.

After the tragic death of her best friend in a fatal river rafting accident, Annette Jahnel realized that life is only ‘now’- there is no tomorrow - and she needed to look at things from a different perspective. Indecision being the silent death of dreams, she started making arrangements to embark on an ambitious road trip. My Year of Beds describes her travels from Germany to China in a glorified delivery van she calls “The Wish Mobile”.

In the first book of a two-book series she travels through Europe, travels on a yellow tunnel train to explore the longest cave in the world in Slovenia, swims the crystal water of Croatia and nearly drives off the top of Mount Olympus in Greece. She then drives through Turkey, Romania. Moldova, the Ukraine, across the vast steppes of southern Russia and into Kazakhstan and, finally, China.

The book is an interesting account of one woman’s year-long solo journey into the unknown. To travel alone is not just to learn to know the world, but to learn to know one’s self. The book is written in the narrative form and is somewhat stilted rather than a free-flowing story, giving far too much attention to unnecessary detail. A map would have helped the reader follow the author’s progress and some serious editing would have made the reading experience more enjoyable.

However, the book will appeal to anyone with a sense of adventure.

My Year of Beds is published by AJ Publishers ISBN 978-1-4466-8920-2 More information at www.ajahnel.com - Janet Whelan

METRO FM COMEDY EXPERIENCE

The Metro FM Comedy Experience will have a performance at Suncoast Casino & Entertainment World on September 2, presented by Metro FM and Savanna in association with Suncoast, Dream Team SA and Podium - The Comedy Merchants.

Dubbed as the hottest night out, this show is more than just comedy; it’s a total entertainment experience featuring hot comedy and music.

Comedy fans will be happy to know that the Metro FM Lifestyle Experience will be extended into the comedy space with this premium packaged show. The line-up of comedians is a collective of some of the country’s finest comedians who will be armed with hilarious anecdotes that will keep the audience rolling with laughter.

On the bill for this multimedia extravaganza are Loyiso Gola, Ntosh Madlingozi and Sifiso Nene, while the show will be hosted by Metro FM’s Mr T.

The Metro FM Comedy Experience will take place on September 2 at 20h00 at Suncoast Sunzone. Tickets from R150 pp booked through Computicket on www.computicket.com or 083 915 8000 or at the door. Club Festival members receive a 20% discount limited to two tickets per cardholder.

DEATH OF PETER WRIGHT

Well-known as a dependable and cheerful stage manager and production manager, Peter Wright died unexpectedly last night after suffering a major heart attack.

He joined the Cape Performing Arts Board (CAPAB) as Ballet Stage Manager in 1975 and always said that this formed the happiest and most fulfilling part of his career.

He then moved to Durban and joined the Natal Performing Arts Council (NAPAC, now The Playhouse Company) as Musical Production Manager before being appointed as production manager at the ICC where he worked up until his retirement some years back.

Formerly married to dancer Ann Layfield, with whom he had a daughter, Natalie, he later married Retha Cilliers, director of the Field Band Foundation and former bassoonist in the KZN Philharmonic Orchestra.

Fellow former KZNPO bassoonist, Derek Vaughan-Heapy is very close to the family and godfather to Natalie, who now lives in Australia: “Peter was the best friend I ever had,” he says, sadly. “When I return from the UK, I will help Retha in whatever way I can with the forthcoming Field Band Foundation Championships.”

BOLLYWOOD DOLL

(Pic by Val Adamson: Yarisha Rajcomar)

In her first theatre script, Yarisha Rajcomar plays Bollywood Doll with a spunky energy. (Review by Janet Whelan)

Bollywood Doll is the first full local theatrical show produced by Imagination Unlimited and is ably directed by Caroline Smart.

In her first theatre script, Yarisha Rajcomar – who also plays Dolly, the Bollywood Doll – has created a vibrant and entertaining storyline, with script assistance by Clinton Marius who writes Lotus FM’s popular Lollipop Lane, in which she plays the character of Carmen.

The dance sequences are created by award-winning choreographer Nitin Dass who has been imported from Mumbai for the show. In their first production, Imagination Unlimited has relied heavily on Nitin's expertise.

This is the first time that Yarisha Rajcomar has appeared as an actress in a major stage show, although she is no stranger to the Bollywood style: “I have had the opportunity of learning and working with Bollywood choreographers before but this is the first time that I have had the chance to host a choreographer in Durban for a theatre show so the experience has been truly enjoyable,” she says in an artSMart interview. “Nitin knew about my experience and ability before he arrived in Durban so it was really easy for us to work together. I learn something from every choreographer I work with which improves me as a dancer. Nitin has given me a lot of freedom to perform my dance pieces according to my feeling for the song and this has allowed me to bring my character to life.”

The setting for Bollywood Doll is a rundown and neglected toyshop with a charming backdrop created by multi-award-winning designer Greg King and many of the hired props are those he designed for other productions.

Giving a spunky energy to the role, Yarisha plays the central character of Dolly, a little rag doll who is worried that she will be withdrawn from her shelf and replaced by the digital toys favoured by so many young children today. Dolly shares her shelf with her long-term friends.

Fairy is played with charm by Adi Paxton (better known as Cherry the Clown) with a wealth of performing experience behind her. Endearing in the role of Teddy is Farai Gwaze who will be remembered for his role in Think Theatre's Othello in which he impressed audiences both young and old with his dramatic ability.

Playing Tin-Tin, and drawing many laughs as the toy soldier, is Sudhir Kuldip in his first major acting role. He also plays Pieter de Bruin, the investigative reporter from the Toy Times. As the forthright and ditsy Malibu Barbie, there’s Rikki Hastings who is well-known for her roles in Sue Clarence Productions' annual adult pantomimes. Despite being involved in a serious car accident two days before opening night, she gave no sign of a lack of focus.

The toys discover that Dolly carries a tag that states “Made in Bollywood” and they come to learn what the term means as sayings and customs are interpreted by a group of dancers.

While not familiar enough with the genre to criticise the Bollywood dancing, I have seen enough dance productions to say that I found the moves thoroughly fascinating and entertaining. The dancers are young and from a dance school, so they could perhaps be excused for missed steps and not being quite in sync with their fellow performers at times. The colourful costume changes, flowing skirts, flags and scarves make this production highly visual.

Unlike in so many local musical productions, the sound was bearable and good, although if the music had been faded into the dialogue that followed, the flow of the sequences would not have appeared so disjointed.

Bollywood Doll is a delightfully humorous and vibrant show which focuses on a sense of belonging. It is suitable for the whole family and offers a tale of friendship, support and belief in life.

Bollywood Doll runs at the iZulu Theatre at Sibaya Casino and Entertainment Kingdom until September 1. Tickets R120 pp available from Computicket. - Janet Whelan

BBC PROMS 2011

Lovers of classical music and those who enjoy the likes of Brahms, Liszt, Emmanuel Ax and Edward Gardner should head for Cinema Nouveau and select Ster-Kinekor theatres for the exclusive screening of the BBC Proms.

The world’s greatest classical music festival is being presented in the comfort of local Ster-Kinekor and Cinema Nouveau theatres as a three part event - First Night of the Proms, Brahms Proms and Last Night of the Proms.

First Night of the Proms, premiering on August 26 offers the music of Brahms, Liszt and a lavish choral work blaze which is a trail for some of 2011’s Proms musical strands. It is here that Benjamin Grosvenor makes his Proms debut and viewers will be fortunate enough to witness Janáček's extraordinary celebration of Slavic culture with the Glagolitic Mass. First Night of the Proms is approximately 1 hour and 40 minutes long.

From September 16, fans can enjoy the Brahms Proms, the chamber orchestra of Europe’s second pairing of Brahms masterworks. This second instalment in The Proms trilogy opens with a work that is central to Emmanuel Ax’s repertoire and is recorded with Bernard Haitink. One can also expect an extraordinary final symphony after the interval, where the balance between expression and iron structural control is perfectly maintained. To put a great end to an already astonished performance, fans will be spoilt with the sounds of Brahms’ late-Romantic take on the Baroque-style passacaglia, which utilises material from J.S. Bach.

Last Night of the Proms will hit local Ster-Kinekor theatres and Cinema Nouveau’s from October 21. In this moving conclusion, there’s a great blend of tradition and high jinks as Gardner conducts his first Last Night of the Proms. Two special guests have been incorporated to produce the grandest of grand finales.

In KZN, BBC Proms 2011 will be seen at Ster-Kinekor Cinema Nouveau at Gateway.

More information on BBC Proms 2011 at www.sterkinekor.com or call the Ster-Kinekor Ticketline at 082 16789 (VAS rates apply). Alternatively book in cinema at the self-service terminals

IS’CATHAMIYA BALLOTING

Balloting is to take place this Saturday for the National Is’cathamiya Competition at The Playhouse.

The Playhouse Company has announced that balloting for its upcoming National Isicathamiya Competition will take place on August 27, from 11h00 in Rehearsal Room A1 of the Playhouse Company’s head office at 29 Acutt Street, Durban.

All groups from last year’s competition who have registered to take part in this year’s Isicathamiya event must cast their ballots this Saturday in order to participate in the various sections of the competition, namely Top 20, Section 1, Open Section, Oswenka and Onobuhle sections.

Always a red-letter event which attracts participants from all over KwaZulu-Natal, as well as groups from Gauteng and the Eastern Cape, this year’s all-night National Isicathamiya Competition will be held in The Playhouse Opera Theatre on September 24, running through to Sunday morning as usual for the prize-giving ceremony.

YOUNG PIANISTS

The University of KwaZulu-Natal’s Music School presents Young Pianists at Howard College Theatre on August 29 from 12h15 to 13h00. Highly talented young pianists Ewan Slabber, Rashalia Pather, Kathryn Stanex and Romy Allen will perform solo piano pieces.

Entrance is free. Contact Babalwa Mentjies on 031 260 3353 or email: mentjies@ukzn.ac.za

TRIBUTE TO SHAUN GRAY

Tribute from Dave Magner, Head Master Durban High School

The DHS Community was shocked and saddened by the tragic death of Shaun Gray on 21 August. Although Shaun had been in hospital for some time, we had seen improvements after the initial stroke, and we were all shocked when he returned to ICU a few weeks ago.

Shaun had been on the staff for almost ten years, and had definitely become one of the characters. Blessed with an excellent sense of humour, Shaun could see the funny side of pretty much anything. I know he used to entertain the boys enormously in his Drama and English classes, and he was a source of great mirth in the staffroom. Underneath the happy go lucky exterior, however, lay a bright and empathetic individual. He loved a good argument, and displayed a sharp intellect when he wanted to. He was in charge of the prefects for some years, and approached this task with great responsibility and commitment.

His wife Menoli Gounden has been on the staff for over ten years, and is a much loved and respected educator. Our hearts go out to her in this tragic time. I hope that the warmth and comfort you receive will go some way to alleviate the enormous pain you must be feeling right now.

The school has lost a fine man, a vibrant educator and a great friend. Go well my friend. - Dave Magner

Later notice: The Memorial Service will take place on Thursday, August 25 at 10h30 at Penzance Primary Conference Centre.

ATTENDANCE UP AT DIFF 2011

The Durban International Film Festival has announced a significant increase in attendance for its 32ndedition which concluded on July 31. Supported by the National Lottery Distribution Trust Fund (principal funder), National Film and Video Foundation, the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Economic Development and Tourism and other valued funders and partners, the festival recorded total attendance of 29,792 including attendance of 2,452 at the festival’s workshop and seminar programme. This reflects a 19% increase on 2010 attendance figures. The success of the 2nd Durban FilmMart and 4th Talent Campus Durban programmes and the strong international linkages all bode well for industry development locally and across the continent.

Says DIFF Director, Peter Rorvik: “We are extremely pleased with the increase in attendance and this clearly shows that there is an eager audience in South Africa for cinema from around the world. It was also great to see so many sold-out screenings and that the South African films did particularly well at the festival. We congratulate the many award-winners, and thank the juries and also the audience for voting in the audience awards. Apart from the aforementioned funders, the Centre for Creative Arts (University of KwaZulu-Natal) and DIFF would like to acknowledge HIVOS, City of Durban, German Embassy of South Africa, Goethe Institut of South Africa, Industrial Development Corporation, KZN Department of Arts and Culture and other valued partners who support our efforts. We look forward to the 33rd edition of the Durban International Film Festival, which takes place from July 19 to 29 and have already begun planning a range of exciting enhancements.”

Durban International Film Festival Award Winners

Best Film: Nader and Simin, A Separation (Iran), directed by Asghar Farhadi. “…a masterpiece! We are awarding Best Film for the simplicity and precision of Asghar Farhadi’s craft and his portrayal of the complexities of this family and society in a way that is subtle and universally understood.” The film is noted for “astonishing performances by the ensemble cast.”

Best South African Feature Film: Skoonheid (South Africa), directed by Oliver Hermanus “The film is meticulously made, and tells a complex South African story with universal appeal. The film's subtlety, control and knowledge of film history reveal a director on a remarkable trajectory.”

Best First Feature Film: The Dynamiter (USA), directed by Matthew Gordon. In presenting this award, the jury “applauds an exciting new talent. Matthew Gordon shows remarkable maturity and restraint whilst delivering a powerful and emotional film.”

Best Director: Andrey Zvyagintsev for Elena (Russia). “...we see a master filmmaker at work. Through this seamlessly constructed film, Andrey Zvyagintsev invests this seemingly simple story with immense emotional impact, while treading a line of ambiguity that challenges his audience.”

Best Actress: Nadezhda Markina in Elena (Russia). “In a performance that is both subtle and profound, Nadezhda Markina in the title role of Elena, creates a character whose quiet composure and desperation to protect her family, leads us down a complex path that ultimately keeps us sympathetic even as she commits a heinous crime.”

Best Actor: William Patrick Ruffin in The Dynamiter (USA). “At just 14 years of age and acting for the very first time, William Patrick Ruffin delivers an effortless central performance that is deeply engaging and deeply moving, providing an anchor for the film as a whole. We see a very bright future.”

Best Cinematography: Mikhail Krichman for Elena (Russia). “With a cool eye, from the first shot to the last shot, the cinematography of Mikhail Krichman is precise and crisp. Krichman employs dazzling technique that morphs with each scene, creating a beauty that starkly contrasts the chilling narrative.”

Best Screenplay: Asghar Farhadi for Nader and Simin, A Separation (Iran). “This screenplay is simultaneously a complex multi-layered narrative, while at the same time addresses simple and basic interactions. This magnificently written film forces us to confront the human foibles inherent in all of us, and in microcosm powerfully examines broader society.”

Special Mention Feature Film: Skoonheid (South Africa), directed by Oliver Hermanus “…for the courage to explore this taboo subject matter in Africa today through this powerful film.”

Special Mention South African Feature Film: Eldorado (South Africa), directed by Shaldon Ferris and Lorreal Ferris. “This year there was a remarkable selection of South African films which represented a great diversity of content and genre. Among these great films we'd like to give a special mention to Eldorado, from first-time filmmakers Shaldon Ferris and Lorreal Ferris.”

Best Documentary: Position Among the Stars (Stand van de Sterren) (The Netherlands), directed by Leonard Retel Helmrich. “With its incredibly intimate portrayal of life in Indonesia’s slums, this daring documentary illuminates family relations while treating its subjects with dignity.”

Best South African Documentary: Dear Mandela (South Africa/USA), directed by Dara Kell and Chrisopher Nizza. “A movie about courage, this documentary is beautifully shot, socially relevant and still manages to offer humour as it reveals a growing grassroots political literacy in South Africa’s informal settlements.”

Best Short Film and Best South African Short Film: Dirty Laundry (South Africa), directed by Stephen Abbott. “With a fresh storyline and strong acting, this is a colourful and humorous mini-snapshot of the "dirty laundry" of ordinary South Africans.”

Amnesty International Durban Human Rights Award: Sobukwe, A Great Soul (South Africa), directed by Mickey Madoda Dube. “... Robert Mangaliso Sobukwe’s dream that the people of Africa be treated with dignity, and enjoy equal opportunities to land and housing, became the foundation and struggle of every freedom-fighting organisation. An important film about a compassionate leader and historic fighter for justice and equality.”

DIFF Wavescape Surf Film Festival Audience Award went to A Deeper Shade of Blue (Australia), directed by Jack McCoy. The DIFF Documentary Audience Award was won by Fire in Babylon (United Kingdom), directed by Stevan Riley while the DIFF Feature Film Audience Award went to The First Grader (Kenya, United Kingdom, South Africa), directed by Justin Chadwick.

The Durban FilmMart saw an increased number of project entries (126 in total) from which ten feature films and ten documentaries were selected for pitching meetings during the Finance Forum, alongside a programme of industry seminars and masterclasses. DFM, a partnership project between DIFF and the Durban Film Office, and supported principally by the City of Durban, culminated with the presentation of a number of awards.

The Hubert Bals Fund Award of 5000 €uros towards script and project development, for ‘The Most Promising African Project’ went to69 Messaha Square / Director Ayten Amin and Producer Wael Omar.

Three projects chosen to attend the CineMart Rotterdam Lab are: James Taylor and Donald Mugisha’s Boda Boda Thieves, David Max-Brown and Lyle Lewis’ This Boy and Joel Karekezi’s Imbabazi/ The Pardon.

Two ‘Most Promising Documentary Projects’ chosen by International Documentary Festival of Amsterdam (IDFA) and Jan Vrijman Fund to attend IDFA were Homage to the Buddha and Ndiyindoda/I am Man.

The Videovision Entertainment award for local distribution and a cash commitment towards Publicity and Advertising (valued at R75,000) for the ‘Best South African Film Project’, went to Kyle Lewis (director) and David Max Brown (producer) for This Boy.

PUMA.Creative presented two R50,000 PUMA.Creative Catalyst Awards (seed grants for ambitious and creative documentary ideas) to Femme a la Camera from Karima Zoubir and Hicham Brini; and Eddie Edwards and Steven Markovitz’s ,em>Rollaball. Previous Creative Catalyst awardee, Nonhlanhla Dlamini was given an additional contribution of R50,000, towards the development of the next part of her story, Shattered Pieces of Peace.

Two R15,000 PUMA.Creative Mobility Awards (for travel support) went to The Flight Pilot, from director Peggy Mbiyu and I, Afrikaner from director Annalet Steenkamp and producer, Lauren Groenewald.

DIFF and DFM callouts for 2012 will be issued later this year.

WASTED ON THE YOUNG

Coming up at Cinema Nouveau at Gateway is Wasted on the Young.

Xandrie finds her reputation is at stake when she refuses to date a charming bully (Zack) but he decides to exact his revenge for the slight and throws a party in his family‘s mansion during which Xandrie is drugged and locked in the basement with Zack and his boys, only to wake up the next day bloody and abandoned on a beach.

Wasted on the Young will be screened on August 25 at 14h30 at Cinema Nouveau, Gateway.

SONGCATCHER

“Bioscope” time again at Bluestockings. This time with a fictitious drama by film-maker Maggie Greenwald set in the 1910s and loosely based on real events where a musicologist discovers ancient Celtic songs being sung by tribes in the secluded mountains of Appalachia, near where settlers had first arrived in the Americas.

After being denied a promotion at the university where she teaches, Doctor Lily Penleric, a brilliant musicologist, impulsively visits her sister, who runs a struggling rural school in Appalachia. There she stumbles upon the discovery of her life - a treasure trove of ancient Scots-Irish ballads, songs that have been handed down from generation to generation, preserved intact by the seclusion of the mountains. With the goal of securing her promotion, Lily ventures into the most isolated areas of the mountains to collect the songs and finds herself increasingly enchanted - not only by the rugged purity of the music, but also by the raw courage and endurance of the local people as they carve out meaningful lives against the harshest conditions.

It is not, however, until she meets Tom - a handsome, hardened war veteran and talented musician - that she's forced to examine her motivations. Is the "Songcatcher," as Tom insists, no better than the men who exploit the people and extort their land? Written by Sujit R. Varma

Songcatcher will be screened on August 26 at 19h30 for 20h00. Entry R20 (Dinner R50 by pre-order only). Bluestockings is situated at Dan Pienaar Road, Kloof. Bookings with Narene on 083 659 3628.

ZANZIBAR JACK AUDITION

(Greg King's design of the charming pirate)

KickstArt, Durban’s top theatre company, are looking for new talent to be showcased in the lavish Festive Season pantomime, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs taking place at the Elizabeth Sneddon Theatre from December 6 to January 9.

The company is looking for a multi-talented black male actor to play the role of Zanzibar Jack, a charming reformed pirate, and the handsome Prince Valiant’s comic sidekick.

Actors should be aged between 20 and 35 years, be able to sing, dance and act, speak excellent English, and handle a Jamaican accent. Previous professional stage experience is an added advantage.

Actors should prepare a short, light hearted piece of prose or monologue (NOT improvised, and not longer than one minute!) with a Jamaican accent, and bring an up- tempo song to sing that demonstrates range and skill, with backing track (preferable) or sheet music.

Wear comfortable clothes with trainers/takkies, and be prepared to dance. No slops or bare feet.

Rehearsals will take place from November 7, afternoons and evenings, and applicants should be wholly available during this period.

The pantomime will be directed by Steven Stead, designed by Greg King, and stars Peter Court, Bryan Hiles, Lyle Buxton, Georgina Mabbett and Belinda Henwood.

The auditions will be held at the Playhouse Company’s Mayville studios in Ramsay Avenue at 10h30 on September 1. Applicants should arrive from 10h00 to register. No application will be accepted after 10h30.

DINGS FLINGS AND OTHER THINGS

Following a sold out run at Suncoast last month, The Dingalings bring their brand new comedy, Dings, Flings and Other Things to the Golden Horse Casino for one show only on August 26 to be followed by three performances at Suncoast Cine Centre from September 2 to 3.

The play is a much-awaited sequel to their hit comedy Chops, Choons and Spano Dops.

Directed by comedy heavy-weight Yugan Naidoo, the show features Henry Ramkissoon, Senzo Mthethwa, husband and wife comedy stalwarts Koobeshen and Kumseela Naidoo; Verushka Odayen and newcomer Sharika China as well as Ravi Subramoney who has composed the score.

Back at their matric reunion, a bunch of guys take audiences down a nostalgic trip back to the good old days of the 80's complete with all the favourite 80's hit music. What they plan to be a guys’ weekend away doesn't quite pan out as intended, when wives, girl friends and old flames all show up.

Dings, Flings and Other Things (subtitled Class of 85) has one performance at the Golden Horse Casino in Pietermaritzburg on August 26 at 20h00. Tickets R100 purchased from the box office.

The run at Suncoast Cine Centre sees a performance on September 2 at 20h30 and two more on September 3 at 17h30 and 21h00. Tickets R100 booked at Suncoast Cine centre box office or on 031 328 3349. For fundraising enquiries call Shabeer on 082 892 2249.

The Dingalings have opened bookings for their year-end Christmas parties. Email them on dingalingsproductions@gmail.com

USHAKA’S SEARCH FOR THE STARS

Dancers, singers, bands, comedians, mime artists, jugglers, magicians ... it’s “uShaka’s Got Talent” time again!

With the fun and colourful summer holiday season just months away, uShaka is again auditioning the province’s hot talents so that they can show visitors and locals alike just what the Zulu Kingdom has to offer. As the venue aims to make a splash at Africa’s only marine theme park every year and believe in supporting KZN emerging artists, it hooked up with the Department of Arts and Culture in December 2007 to provide a platform for artists to perform during the peak holiday season.

“Over the past four years, more than 4,000 talented performers have auditioned and we have created jobs for over 800 of them,” says the publicity material. “Our 2011 auditions will see a diverse spread of performers strutting their stuff before a panel of celebrity judges headed by Wayne Scott, the “Simon Cowell” of uShaka.

“This year, this talent search is open to amateurs and professionals as well as individuals and group performers,” the pre-publicity states. “The organisers are on the lookout for both the conventional and unconventional, this competition is not limited to just singers and dancers but to jugglers, mime artists, clowns, acrobats ... you name it! The main requirement, however, is that entrants do have to have special talents – so, no chancers, please!”

Audition days are September 4, 11, 18 and 25 from 10h00 to 12 noon with registration at 09h00 at Arena 1 in Village Walk, uShaka Marine World. Bands can take to the stage every Friday evening between now and the end of September at the Upper Deck from 18h00. The judges will be looking for performers in a host of different categories – from reggae to rock, from pop to alternate rock and even Afro jazz.

Selected performers will be employed during the festive season and will be part of the entertainment team under the directorship of Wayne Scott.

For more information about the auditions, contact Theresa Harker or Nombuso Buthelezi on 031 328 8008/ 8103.

DEATH OF SHAUN GRAY

Former Dramatic Arts and English lecturer at Durban High School (DHS), Shaun Gray, passed away yesterday (August 21). He had suffered a stroke a few months back and was recovering well until he experienced a setback.

Shaun Gray was the manager of DHS’s Seabrooke’s Theatre for the first three years of its existence.

Tributes to follow.

Later notice: The Memorial Service will take place on Thursday, August 25 at 10h30 at Penzance Primary Conference Centre.

CASUAL SAX

(Barbara-Anne Puren)

Former Durban writer-performer Barbara-Anne Puren returns to her home town to share her take on love, relationships and romance… with a little help from her sassy saxophone.

“Tonight you’re going to hear the story of a girl… who eventually becomes a woman, and how at one the most fragile times of her life, this little guy, her “sexy-phone”, saved her…. The names of the people in this story have not been changed to protect the innocent. So come and take a journey through my life, from Divorced to Dating...” she says.

Directed by Daniel de Lange with lighting design by Grant Knottenbelt, Casual Sax is a wickedly entertaining one-woman show which unfolds a woman’s journey from difficult times to new beginnings. Barbara-Anne weaves well-loved jazz and blues standard songs – old and new – into her show, using her saxophone and voice to maximum effect.

This vivacious performer and showbiz entrepreneur is known for her smash-hit stage shows Feelin’ Groovy, Stage Fright, Men Are From Bars, Piano Man and Bad Boys; the latter three being big hits at her own venue, The Stage Door Theatre, in Melville. She’s made numerous cameo appearances in popular TV soaps such as Generations, Scandal and Egoli, and, as a voice-over artist, she has represented various brands, in addition to narrating the beautiful 57-part Earth Touch, for South Africa and Australia.

Barbara-Anne spent the final months of 2010 recording her own original songs, as well as original compositions by talented composer/pianist, Michael Watt; and is looking forward to sharing this work with her audiences in the very near future. Casual Sax is Barbara-Anne’s first one-woman show. She loves performing it, and gets a kick out the great response and audience feedback that it has generated so far! In her own words: “This show is very funny, a little bit sexy, very sassy… oh, and I get to wear wonderful outfits! What more could a girl want?”

Casual Sax has a short run at the Heritage Theatre in Hillcrest from August 31 to September 4. Tickets R190 include a two-course meal (R100 for show only - curtain-up at 20h30). The performance on Sunday, September 4 is a lunch-time show (12h30 for lunch, curtain up at 14h00 – tickets R165 or R100 for show only), The running time is about 90 minutes with no interval and is not recommended for persons under the age of 16. Bookings 031 765 4197 or online at www.heritagetheatre.co.za

Casual Sax has two performances at the iZulu Theatre, Sibaya, on September 9 and 10 at 20h00. Tickets R120 booked through Computicket.

BEN SCHOEMAN FOR FOM

Friends of Music will host a recital by Ben Schoeman, one of South Africa’s foremost pianists, on August 30.

He has won major prizes, including the coveted gold medal and first prize in the Royal Over-Seas League Music Competition in London in 2009 and the Standard Bank Young Artist Award for Music in 2011. In 2008, he became the first South African to win the first grand prize in the 11th Unisa Vodacom International Piano Competition in Pretoria.

His programme will include J Sebastian Bach’s Toccata in C minor-BWV911; Grieg’s Sonata in E minor, Opus 7, Liszt’s Variations on a theme from JS Bach’s Cantata no.12 as well as The Fountains of the Villa d’Este and Venezia e Napoli.

In the Prelude Performer slot will be the Open Air School Choir singing For the beauty of the earth by Rutter arr.D Stafford; Weeping-Heyman arr.D Stafford, three Zulu Items and Shalom Chaverim

The recital takes place on August 30 at 19h45 in the Durban Jewish Centre, 44 Old Fort Road, Durban. There is safe parking. Tickets R70 (R60 FOM Members R60, R20 orchestral/student members) booked at Computicket.

Friends of Music acknowledges the support of the National Lottery Distribution Trust Fund.

THE INDIAN EXPERIENCE IN SA 2011

The High Commission of India in South Africa and Teamwork Productions will present the Shared History, The Indian Experience Festival 2011. This is a celebration of contemporary and classical music, dance, literature, theatre, and food that takes place in Johannesburg, Pretoria, and Durban from September 3 to 24.

Part of the annual international Arts Alive 2011 Festival, the event showcases the finest and most exceptional that the Indian culture has to offer, and provides an avenue for dialogue and collaborative work exchange between India and South Africa. The High Commissioner of India, Virendra Gupta, says, “The Shared History Festival is a unique celebration of plurality and the common heritage of India and South Africa. Over the years it has become a platform to showcase the best music, theatre, dance, and food from India."

There are a number of activities taking place in Durban.

Highlights of the 2011 Shared History Festival include for music-lovers: a mesmerising performance combining the folk traditions of Rajasthan, Rajasthan Josh, opens the festival. Kutla Khan, Nathoo Solanki, Chuggee Khan and the enchanting Patricia, use instruments like the Morchang, Bhapang Khartaal, Double flute, Nagara and Bamboo Flute and incorporate vocal styles ranging from the mystic Sufi traditions, bhajans and popular folk songs of Rajasthan. The performance will be interspersed with captivating dances like the Chari Dance, Kalbelia (Snake charmers’ dance) and Terah Taali. Catch them in Durban at the Blue Lagoon on September 10.

For theatre-lovers, Mahesh Dattani’s Dance like a Man will be presented in Durban at The Playhouse on September 13 and 14. The story of Jairaj and Ratna, two Bharatnatyam dancers past their prime, is contrasted with that of their daughter Lata, who is on the brink of establishing herself as a brilliant dancer. Her imminent success creates tension and jealousy, and the audience is drawn into the dark secrets of family relationships and conflicts between generations. The play probes the surface of the characters to question their deeper motivations, but the mode is comic rather than tragic, even though the concerns are serious, and you are never sure whether to laugh or cry. It is produced and directed by Lillete Dubey. Playwright Dattani is also one of the featured authors of the Words on Water Literature festival.

Dance-lovers can enjoy the world-renowned Astad Deboo’s Rhythm Divine at The Playhouse from September 15 to 17. Rhythm Divine believes dance is a system of ideas and together with music can enrich the moral, the material and the intellectual. Deboo walks the perimeter with eight Manipuri Thang -Ta dancers to create a universe. The result is a work that records the traces and clues of things to come. Thang-Ta, The Art of the Sword and Spear, is an exciting dance form that has been adapted from the ancient martial arts form of Manipur, in North East India. Deboo belongs to the honourable company of Ruth St. Denis, Lester Horton, and Astad Daforan who have combed through world cultures for material they could fruitfully combine with tradition.

The Shared History Festival has become a brand in its own right and is seen as an integral part of the Johannesburg and Arts Alive cultural calendar. Sanjoy Roy of Teamwork Productions, Festival director, says, “Now In its 5th year Shared History will be a unique celebration of ideas and content, presented in a spirit of collaboration between South African companies and those from India. Shared History is a platform for the arts which transcend language, social barriers and art forms.”

Main sponsors are First National Bank (FNB), Jet Airways, City of Johannesburg, and Incredible India. The associate sponsors are Airport Company South Africa (ACSA), Jindal, TaTa Africa, Rosy Blue and Bank of Baroda. Media partners are Zee TV, ETV- Sunrise and Rising Sun. The Festival’s official printer is Shereno Printers cc.

Booking is at Computicket.

MYSTERY GHOST BUS

There is a public tour in Durban of this popular project, which takes place on Hallowe’en (October 31)
Early booking is advised. Groups of 30 or more people on any night for teambuilding, birthdays, socials, clubs, corporate's, bachelor & bachelorette parties etc. The tour offers 'Pub & Grub' stops, ghost stories, poltergeists, graveyards and much more.
The tour runs from 19h00 to midnight. Tickets R295 booked through
www.QUICKET.co.za . More information at www.mysteryghostbus.co.za