(Mfundo Sandile Sithole from Flowkiller VDB
Hip Hop & Njabulo Nzuza from Existing Consciousness, Drums)
The City Parks,
Recreation & Culture Unit is hosting Durban
Hops - their annual free youth Hip Hop development showcase in Bulwer Park
on December 27.
There will be a
free stage with some of the city’s most promising and accomplished
up-and-coming hip-hop artists and live bands in a day-long programme to
celebrate contemporary, street and hip-hop culture including dance; beat
makers; rappers and graf artists.
The city is running
a proactive youth development programme which is aimed to demystify the stigma
around hip-hop; street art; graffiti; beat-makers and rap, and to provide young
artists involved in these genres with skills and platforms at which to perform.
The City runs
ongoing public auditions in outer lying suburbs and the inner city scouting for
new talent. Acts have been identified from Hammarsdale to the South Coast; from
uMlazi to Clermont.
Once quality acts
are identified, the organisers work closely with Stable Theatre and BAT Centre
in running participative programmes teaching these aspiring artists useful
performance and production skills. They also oversee a rigorous rehearsal
process to make sure that all artists are performance-ready. Another project
partner is KZN Music House which is participating by offering top acts a great
business incentive prize – a free demo tape; photoshoot and marketing support.
The stage and arena
will be snugly situated between the park side of the KZNSA Gallery and the
children’s play area in Bulwer Park, containing the performance space. Local
food vendors have been invited to sell their wares to ensure that
festival-goers don’t go hungry. With its youth focus, it is an alcohol-free
event, so only soft drinks will be available. There will also be a mini open
air market.
The BMX track
alongside the Gallery will also be operational with BMX / cycle / skateboard
enthusiasts doing demos and comps. There will also be graffiti artists and
jugglers at work.
The Durban Hops
series started in 2010 with a Beachfront event, this was repeated in 2011. In
2012 and 13, the annual showcase event took place in Florida Road. This is the
first event of its kind to reach Glenwood.
Durban Hops takes place on December 27 from 11h00 until
23h00. For more information, contact Phumelele Myeza from Parks, Recreation
& Culture Unit on 031 311 2427/8 or email: Phumelele.Myeza@durban.gov.za
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