BUSY WEEKEND AT RAINBOW

It’s going to be a busy weekend at the Rainbow Restaurant on Saturday and Saturday.

Saturday (September 17) marks the first annual Playing for Change Day, a global day of action where musicians of all varieties perform on stages, cafes, city squares, and street corners worldwide and raise money to bring music into the lives of young people. The Foundation is a non-profit organization dedicated to creating positive social change through music education. They are driven by the belief that peace and change are possible through the universal language of music (see www.playingforchangeday.org).

Locally based group Sinamuva under the leadership of Bhekani Memela has been involved for a number of years in the work of the Playing for Change Foundation. This includes contributing to the global recording of John Lennon's Stand By Me, the video for which has had over 35 million views on YouTube.

“When Memela first approached us about hosting an event at the Rainbow, we agreed, on the proviso that room be made in the programme for the screening of the Kaizer Chiefs versus Orlando Pirates derby match,” explains co-owner of the Rainbow, Neil Comfort. “Thus, there will be three groups performing from 13h00, we will then break for the soccer at 15h00 and close off with three groups after the soccer.”

Groups performing are Young Mambazo, Sinamuva, Phakam' Afrika, Messengers of God, Intombi Yotalagu and Ubuhle Bezintandane. R5 of the entrance fee will go to the fundraising efforts of the Foundation and R5 will go into a pool for a predict-the-score competition. There will also be a raffle or two for prizes. Tickets R10 at the door from 12 noon (doors open at 11h00).

Sunday (September 19) sees the Andile Yenana Quartet plus Unlocked Keys in concert. Opening up the afternoon will be upcoming local pianist S'bu Mashiloane and his Unlocked Keys outfit, which features Linda Sikhakhane on tenor sax, Sakhile Simani on trumpet, S'bu Zondi on drums and Bernard Mndaweni on bass guitar.

Their appearance is made possible through the support of eThekwini Municipality’s Department of Arts and Living Cultures, as it is a policy of the Department to feature emerging acts on the eThekwini Jazz Circuit alongside the stars of today, thereby assisting in the development of the stars of the future.

Then it will be over to the Yenana Quartet to close off the afternoon with two further sets. Yenana was born in 1968 in King Williams Town, Eastern Cape. After qualifying as a teacher at Fort Hare University he enrolled at Darius Brubeck's School of Jazz and Popular Music at the then University of Natal where his contemporaries included the likes of Zim Ngqawana and Feya Faku.

He has collaborated with the likes of Pietermaritzburg-born saxophonist Steve Dyer on the pan-African project Mahube and acted as arranger for vocalists such as Sibongile Khumalo, Gloria Bosman and Suthukazi Arosi. His numerous producer credits include a SAMA award for his work on the late Winston "Mankunku" Ngozi's album Abantwana be Afrika. At the time of going to press the other musicians making up the quartet were not confirmed.

The doors open at 12 noon on September 18 with the first set happening just after 13h00. Tickets R50 presale and R80 at the door – so buy your tickets early!

The Rainbow Restaurant Estd 1981 is situated at 23 Stanfield Lane, Pinetown. More information on 031 702 9161 or 083 463 8044 or email: bandwagon@artslink.co.za or visit www.therainbow.co.za