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Monday, August 10, 2015

KZN MUSIC IMBIZO: DAY SHOWCASES



40 up and coming artists from all over KwaZulu-Natal, covering diverse genres, are given a chance to showcase their talent during the day showcases of the KZN Imbizo which tkes place from August 27 to 20. These showcases will take place during the day at the Workshop AmphiTheatre and will feature Kwaito, Hiphop, Jazz, Gospel and other genres.

Artists will be competing to make the list of 10 artists that will be showcasing at the South African Indies Music Week 2016 in Johannesburg plus the prize money of R10,000.

This platform is for semi-professional artists that are looking to test their sound and product. They need to have a complete set that is worth showcasing. They are judged by two appointed judges and the results are announced on Saturday.

These artists will also get a chance to have one-on-one meetings with industry experts during the Imbizo sessions. There are five experts that have availed their time to answer questions on publishing, stage performance, contracts and TV programming.

The final list of the 40 artists to be performing at the Imbizo day showcases will be available on the website soon.

EXHIBITION: 20 Small and medium companies from music related sectors will get the opportunity to exhibit their products and services during the KZN Music Imbizo. Companies get a chance to interact with their clients directly and introduce new products to the market. The 20 spaces are for any music related entrepreneurial venture. The cost of the exhibition stand is R900 for the three days of the Imbizo.

The companies are listed on the programme and the website. They get 4 square meter space (2m/2m) with white walling, two chairs, one table, one plug point, name on their stand plus two spotlights. The anticipated foot traffic for this year is 600 people per day. Those interested at getting exhibition space, should contact Denice on 031 301 8739 or e-mail Denice at denice@kzn-musicimbizo.co.za

MUSIC PRODUCER FORUM: The music producer forum is a sanctuary for music producers. Thursday and Friday (August 27 and 28), the forum will be hosted during Imbizo from 12 noon till 16h00. This is where music producers network and share knowledge amongst themselves.

SOUND EQUIPMENT DEMO:  This year, we have an international surprise! The KZN Music Imbizo partners with a sound equipment company to demo top-of-the-range equipment through the equipment demo session. Those interested in setting up their own studio or looking for expert advice on music equipment, an expert will be on hand. The partner company will be announced soon.

FILM SCREENING: Ten music related films from all over Africa will be screened at the KZN Music Imbizo 2015. From Zanzibar, As Old As My Tongue is a film based on Bi Kidude. A legend on her home island of Zanzibar and has beguiled audiences around the world on her wide and varied travels. A favourite of sultans, presidents and sailors, her story is remarkable; challenging our perception of age and of women in a Muslim society. Jupiter’s Dance is a beautiful story shot at the ghettos of Kinshasa — the devastated capital of a country politically and economically adrift — are filled with many gifted, yet impoverished musicians. Their outstanding talent, humour and vital energy are their only means of survival. Amongst them, Jupiter, the charismatic leader of the band “Okwess International”, acts as our narrator and guide. Other films to be screened at the KZN Music Imbizo include Sarabah (Senegal), The Last Song Before The War (Mali), Road To Baleya – Music Has No Borders (Mali), Like An Ambassodor Of His People (Senegal). Visit the website: www.kzn-musicimbizo.co.za for more films and their details.

KZN Music Imbizo is a music business exhibition and conference that started in 2009 and is in its 7th year. The Imbizo was created as a platform for networking and sharing of ideas by local creatives Sphe Mbhele and Sibusiso Tsewu. It has hosted numerous industry bodies, companies and artists over the years including SAMRO, SAMRO Foundation, Spoor & Fisher, Zakes Bantwini, Madala Kunene, Professor Joseph Shabalala, Pro(kid), KUMISA plus government departments like KZN Department of Arts and Culture, Department of Trade & Industry and KZN Economic Development, Tourism & Environmental Affairs.

The KZN Music Imbizo’s vision is simple – contribute to the creation of a highly organized, sustainable and successful music industry within the province, where practitioners are knowledgeable and have a world-view of the ins and outs of the music business. This includes catering to the full value chain of the industry through our programme during the Imbizo – Panel Discussions, Music Film Screening, Exhibition, Music Producers Forum, Music Equipment Demonstration and Music Showcases/Performances.

For more information contact Sphe Mbhele at info@kzn-musicimbizo.co.za or phone 031 301 8739 or visit www.kzn-musicimbizo.co.za