A music soirée with marimba specialist Magdelena de Vries and Ilse Myburgh on piano will take place on Sunday May 1, 2022, at 15h00 at the Church of Ascension in Hilton.
Tickets R120 booked through Ilse Myburgh on imyburgh@epworth.co.za or 0823461482.
Parking is available in Brindy Road, Hilton.
BBC Studios have a selection of great programmes to keep you entertained in the month of May.
BBC Brit viewers can expect the return of Death in Paradise - the eleventh season will be filled with mysteries on the island of Saint Marie, picking up from the series 10 cliff-hanger which saw Neville (Ralf Little, The Royle Family) about to confess his feelings to Florence (Josephine Jobert).
On BBC Earth, Sir David Attenborough joins an archaeological dig uncovering Britain's biggest mammoth discovery in almost 20 years on Attenborough and The Mammoth Graveyard. Stephen Fry in Central America sees Stephen travel through all fifty states of the USA and journey through some of the oldest civilisations on the planet. A team of intrepid presenters travel to the edge of the Arctic - and beyond on Operation Arctic and Historian Bettany Hughes takes viewers on armchair travels around the world to explore ancient artefacts and new finds across the globe on Treasures with Bettany Hughes.
Married at First Sight returns to BBC Lifestyle for a sixth series, with more singletons ready to put their trust in a panel of experts to find them their perfect match. MasterChef is back for another series, and this time, the judges are mixing it up – introducing a whole new set of challenges the passionate amateurs must complete in order to progress in the competition. Inside Beverly Hills gives viewers a peek inside Beverly Hills' opulent homes, hotels and businesses to see how the other half work, rest and play.
Weekly Channel Highlights: May 2022
BBC BRIT
Death in Paradise
From Monday May 9 at 20h00
Series 11 (8 episodes)
Death in Paradise returns for an 11th series of mysteries on the island of Saint
Marie, picking up from the series 10 cliff-hanger which saw Neville (Ralf
Little, The Royle Family) about to confess his feelings to Florence (Josephine
Jobert). Will the course of true love run smooth? And will it distract them
from the cases that lie ahead? With guest stars including Tamzin Outhwaite (EastEnders,
New Tricks) and Jason Done (Waterloo Road), it seems that this
island paradise is as deadly as ever.
Stephen Fry in Central America
From May 6 at 20h00
Series 1 (4 episodes)
Stephen travelled through all 50 states of
the USA in a black cab, he now goes South, exploring pre-Columbian and Latin
America by travelling from the Mexican border through the entire Central
American isthmus to the border with South America. It's a journey through some
of the oldest civilisations on the planet – and some of the most dangerous. To
most of us, these breathtakingly beautiful countries mean little more than a
gap year postcard from a beach or volcano, or hazy ideas of drug cartels,
banana republics and forgotten civil wars.
Attenborough and The Mammoth Graveyard
Sunday May 15 at 16h10
Sir David Attenborough joins an
archaeological dig uncovering Britain's biggest mammoth discovery in almost 20
years. In 2017, in a gravel quarry near Swindon, two amateur fossil hunters
found an extraordinary cache of Ice Age mammoth remains and a stone hand-axe
made by a Neanderthal. Professor Ben Garrod joins the team at DigVentures
during the excavation as they try to discover why the mammoths were here and
how they died. Could the Neanderthals have killed these Ice Age giants?
Martin Clunes: Islands of the Pacific
From Friday May 20 at 19h00
Series 1 (3 episodes)
Martin Clunes embarks on an epic ocean-wide
adventure in search of the real Pacific in this documentary series - his voyage
is inspired by reading a book given to him when he was a child by his father
about the Kon-Tiki expedition across the Pacific, and Martin has always yearned
to follow in those explorers' footsteps. The Pacific Ocean, the largest ocean
on the planet and covering 63 million square miles, is strewn with tens of
thousands of islands with coral atolls, jungle-clad mountains, and lava-spewing
volcanoes. It is rich in animal life and has an astonishing kaleidoscope of
humanity.
BBC LIFESTYLE
Antiques Roadshow
From Sunday May 8 at 20h00
Series 43 (22 episodes)
Dust off your family heirlooms and dig out
those car boot bargains as the ratings-winning series is back on the trail of
the nation's hidden treasures. Antiques Roadshow's experts visit more of
Britain's most sumptuous and unusual locations, inviting the public to bring
their antiques for examination and share stories of how they came to own them.
The specialists in art, furniture and collectables advise on the history of the
pieces and their likely value. This time, the team visit Kenilworth Castle and
Fortney Hall, and explore the aftermath of World War II in a special episode.
The show features the music of Bad Company with Barry Thomson & The Reals and guest guitarist Shaun Dragt.
Barry Thomson and The Reals pay tribute to the classic rock songs of Bad Company, including Bad Company, Can’t Get Enough, Feel Like Making Love, Good Lovin’ Gone Bad, Movin’ On, Shooting Star, Run With The Pack and Young Blood.
Bad Company enjoyed great success throughout the 70s with their first three albums reaching the top five in the album charts in both the UK and US. Bad Company consisted of four seasoned British musicians including two former members of the band Free, singer Paul Rodgers and drummer Simon Kirke, former Mott the Hoople guitarist Mick Ralphs and ex-King Crimson bassist Boz Burrell.
The Reals, with Durban favourites Barry Thomson on guitar and vocals, Dawn Selby as Musical Director on keyboards and vocals, Mali Sewell on drums and vocals and Andy Turrell on bass guitar present an evening of good rocking classics. Included in the line-up for this show is guest guitarist Shaun Dragt.
Tickets R180 (no other discounts). (Venue opens 90 minutes before show for snacks/drinks) Capacity limited to 50%. Booking is essential via roland@stansell.co.za or Computicket.
Bring food picnic baskets or buy Prego Rolls from the MOTHS. Full bar available (no alcohol may be brought on to the premises)
All seating will be at separate tables and the venues will obviously be seating co-habiting couples and/or family members together. Covid protocols will be observed. Limited secure parking available.
For more information contact Roland Stansell on 0824998636 or visit http://events.durbantheatre.com/
The Match turned out to be a sequel to the author’s 2020’s book The Boy from the Woods. As I hadn’t read this novel, I now have extra reading to do, to find out the background to the intrigue of Wilde.
The main character – Wilde – is a 40 odd year-old man who was discovered living on his own in the New Jersey woods some three decades ago, a feral child that had to be re-introduced to civilisation. Will the novel provide us with the story of what happened to him? How he got to be there? And how old he really is?
After many years and quests of his own, Wilde submits a DNA sample to a genealogy website, to which he receives a match from a possible cousin, noted only as PB. Wilde is preoccupied and does not respond, until he gets another match – to his biological father in Nevada. Wilde tracks his father down, but the response he is met with is evasive, and once he meets him, the entire family vanishes, leaving him with more questions. He tries to track down PB and finds himself mixed up in the murky world of reality TV, internet hackers, trolls and vigilantes - and ends up looking like a murder suspect himself.
The novel was fast-paced as expected, but sometimes the plots and twists seemed contrived. The book ended with the usual twist and some unanswered questions. Did he find what happened all those years ago? Did he meet his family? Will he have a relationship with them now? You will need to read the book and see for yourself.
Harlen Coben is an American writer of mystery novels and thrillers. He is married, with four children. He has written multiple books and is the creator and executive producer of several Netflix dramas. His works have also been filmed to acclaim. He has written over 30 books, which have been translated into 45 languages, of which there are 75 million in print. He is a number one best seller in several countries. Some of the other books by the same author: The Woods, The Innocent, Stay Close.
As anticipated, the author delivered a fast paced, intricate book that was hard to put down. Was it his best? Maybe not. Worth reading? Yes. - Christine E Hann
The Match is published by Penguin Random House UK – 2022: ISBN: 978-1-52-913549-7
The show is suitable for the whole family. (Venue opens 60 minutes before show for snacks/drinks)
Produced by MacBob Productions, this hilarious take on the ‘problems’ of ADHD - and other ‘disturbing behavioural patterns’ - is charmingly portrayed, as McIlroy takes you on a wild and whacky journey into the fantastical world of learning disorders!
Facts and theories are turned on their heads, as we get a bird’s eye view into the chaotic and beautiful mind of McIlroy, who has lived with this ‘gift’ for the last half century. “If not exactly autobiographical, I certainly have inside information!” he quips about his show. The veteran comic’s hugely popular brand of humour has spiced up the theatre scene over several decades.
Billed as a comedic steamroller without GPS, ADHD is scripted by Aaron McIlroy and Patrick Kenny, and directed by Kenny.
Tickets minimum R200. (R160 Northlands Bowling Club members) Bring food picnic baskets. A full bar is available (no alcohol may be brought on to the premises).
All seating will be at separate tables and the venue will obviously be seating co-habiting couples and/or family members together.
Limited secure parking available.
With the current Covid levels, the venue will be limiting capacity to 50% capacity per show. Covid-19 protocols will be observed. Patrons need to wear a face and nose covering at all times in the venue except when eating or drinking.
Booking is essential on email: roland@stansell.co.za or through Computicket.
For more information contact Roland Stansell on 082 499 8636 or visit http://events.durbantheatre.com/
Northlands Bowling Club is situated at 50 Margaret Maytom Avenue in Durban North.
The next Music in the Hills (MiTH) programme at the Knoll Historic Guest Farm takes place on May 4, 2022. The programme features Tracing Circles, Rhiannon Reid and Ilan Lax with Brian Bedingfield and Roly Struckmeyer
21h00: Tracing Circles
Tracing Circles is a local trio hailing
from Good ol' Maritzburg. They have been rocking stages like Post Postino, the
Vern, Crusaders, and Robson’s to name a few. They have also played a few festivals
like Seeweed, debuted at Splashy Fen, and tore down the Tanglewood Festival.
They are definitely a band worth listening to. From the back, we have the
thunderous but laidback drummer, Patrick Austin, who will keep those feet
tapping. On bass, we have the beautiful but deadly Dev
Van Rensburg, who will keep the grooves flowing. And on the frontlines, we
have Skippy Kubheka on guitar and vocals, who will
get the good people rocking out and off their seats. Tracing Circles is
definitely looking forward to coming back home to MiTH and sharing the stage
with the other great artists.
20h00: Rhiannon Reid
Well known to MiTH from performing with the
Reid Family Band, Rhiannon Reed is a local musician, and now a published
author. Previously a student of Kech Sanchez, and a singer in the Howick High
School band, she has honed her skills on guitar and vocals over the years. For
this event she will be accompanied by her dad, Vince, who has had an interest
in music from a young age and is mainly self-taught. He plays keyboard, guitar,
and recently, tin whistle.
19h00: Ilan Lax
with Brian Bedingfield & Roly Struckmeyer
Ilan Lax has graced the Maritzburg and KZN
music scene since the 80’s with his soulful and poetic songs that reflect the
many facets and interests of his life – love and family, law and nature, and
the world in general. Lax is joined for this set of his original songs and a
few favourite covers by Pietermaritzburg legends: multi-instrumentalist Brian
Bedingfield on guitar, banjo and mandolin, and Roly Struckmeyer on bass. These
guys are having fun working together and will be a pleasure to listen to.
MiTH takes place every second Wednesday at The Knoll Historic Guest Farm, Knoll Drive in Hilton. Doors open at 18h00 and the music starts at 19h00. Entrance is R50, payable at the door with cash or Zapper. Bring your own booze. Food and soft drinks are available for sale.
All Covid-19 Protocols Observed. For more information contact 082 331 7271.
Arguably the KZN Midlands’ best-loved music venue, Music in The Hills (MiTH) is an opportunity for beginners, professionals, and passionate music fans to share the joy of music at The Knoll Historic Guest Farm. Visit www.mith.co.za for more details and directions. Musicians can contact mithbookings@gmail.com for slots.
DIRECTIONS TO MiTH: Take the N3 to Hilton, take
the Hilton turnoff and go South into the Village (away from Hilton College).
Travel 5,2km along Hilton Avenue (past two sets of traffic lights and Crossways
Pub) and keep going straight as Hilton Avenue turns into Dennis Shepstone
Drive. At the 5,2km mark, Knoll Drive will be on your right – the entrance to
MiTH is the second entrance on your left into The Knoll Historic Guest Farm.
It could have been a ornithologists’ conference as much as a baroque music concert at the Mariannhill Monastery Church last Sunday, with everything from cuckoos to turtledoves and goldfinches, and believe it or not, a chicken popping in the music.
Just goes to show, nearly anything can inspire great music, with birds being an obvious example.
And great music it was with the excellent Baroque 2000 ensemble brining to life some fine compositions from Vivaldi, Daquin, and Rameau.
The highlight of the programme was Antonio Vivaldi’s Summer, from arguably his most popular work, The Four Seasons in G minor.
Vivaldi was an extremely prolific writer with 500 works for all instruments. But mention his name and Four Seasons is most likely to be the first to come to mind.
The depiction of the storm from Summer is a dramatic and exciting section in this work and was played with vigour and verve by the ensemble.
The vivacious Ralitza Macheva was the soloist for this work. She was indeed the summer sunshine in this work. It is always a pleasure to see and hear her play with her animated and ebullient style.
The other soloist on the day was flautist Evelien Ballantine. She performed this role for Vivaldi’s Il Gardelino (the goldfinch) Concerto for Flute Op. 10in D major.
This is a delightful work in three shortish movements. The goldfinch (flute) chirps pretty much flat-out throughout the entire work. The second movement where the flute plays alone with the harpsichord, cello, and bass, is a rather beautiful, tranquil piece of music, and was much enjoyed.
Ballantine is a stalwart of the classic music scene in Durban and proved herself more than equal to the complexities, and the virtuoso sections of this work.
Ballantine and her flute also played a leading role in Louis Claude Daquin’s La Coucou (the cuckoo) – Rondeau. This is a brief work but very enjoyable.
The other items on the programme were Vivaldi’s Alla Rustica Sinfonia Op5 No.4 and Vlème Concert by Jean Philippe Rameau.
It is the later work that provides the sounds of La Poule – the chicken mentioned before. It is also a work that I found a little ponderous for my tastes.
Baroque 2000 never fails to provide quality entertainment and a visit to the Church of the Monastery at Mariannhill on a Sunday morning to hear them perform is a special treat.
Baroque 2000’s plans to present an outdoor concert on April 23 were thwarted by red tape. However, they still hope to do this sometime in the future so keep a look out for the event.
Their next concert at Mariannhill will take place on 22nd May at 11-30am. For further information contact Michel at 0823035241 – sursouth@iafrica.com.
Baroque 2000 is sponsored by Die Rupert
Musiekstigting
Call for submissions closes: May 17, 2022.
Realness Institute launches AuthenticA Series Lab in partnership with The StoryBoard Collective. Call for submissions closes on May 17, 2022.
The Realness Institute, in partnership with The StoryBoard Collective, launches yet another exciting and empowering programme for African episodic screenwriters, AuthenticA Series Lab.
Realness Institute, a non-profit organisation, which aims to empower Africans to tell their stories from an unapologetically African point of view, is pleased to announce the open call for submissions for the first edition of AuthenticA. The programme is presented in partnership with The StoryBoard Collective, a Geneva-based philanthropic organisation that supports the development and impact outreach of transformative stories.
“We are thrilled that our new partnership with The StoryBoard Collective allows us to accept episodic submissions from all 54 African countries. Episodic storytelling across Africa affords an important opportunity for local screenwriters to strengthen their craft and showcase authentic, contemporary perspectives about a continent that is too often misrepresented in the public sphere,” says Mehret Mandefro, Director of Development and Partnerships at Realness Institute.
AuthenticA is open to all African nationals. The six-month programme, which will consist of a combination of online and in-person sessions, is set to take place from September 28, 2022, to April 7, 2023.
David Rimer, Founder of The StoryBoard Collective, adds: “We are looking for African stories that boldly portray cultural perspectives and are deeply rooted in the environment of the story. It is also important for us that the people and cultures portrayed are involved in the development, research and production phases. Finally, we would like the stories to address political and cultural issues unapologetically.”
AuthenticA will afford four African screenwriters the unique opportunity to develop their original stories of all genres in episodic form. Accompanying them on their journey is Story Expert, Selina Ukwuoma, and Creative Producer, Mehret Mandefro. The programme seeks to use the power of story to challenge dominant narratives and give authentic expression to African stories that will travel the globe and reach new audiences.
As part of the programme, the participants will get the golden opportunity to attend in-person residencies in South Africa for eight days, in Switzerland for two months and finally to pitch their projects at Series Mania Forum, one of the leading Series Coproduction Markets and Industry Programs at Series Mania in 2023. The writers will attend the International TV Series Festival in France, for four days. For the time in between, the cohort will be working online under the guidance of the mentors.
“Thanks to this new partnership with AuthenticA, Series Mania Forum will increase the slate of projects from Africa, once again confirming its position as the event where international industry professionals can find the best stories from all over the world," commented Laurence Herszberg, General Director of Series Mania. “Additionally, this partnership will help us to discover new talent within Africa where we will serve as the launchpad for many of the burgeoning creative screenwriters and producers in the region”.
Each of the four participating writers will receive a monthly stipend of 1,000 EUR for the duration of the programme. This is to help cover living expenses as they focus on developing their concept while being mentored. All travel and accommodation for the South African, Swiss and Series Mania legs of the programme are covered by the programme partners. “This is not an acquisition of rights, which rests with the talent and we would like nothing more than seeing them sold during the market,’’ comments Elias Ribeiro, who is the Programme Director.
Each participant will be required to deliver a Pitch Deck and Bible of international standards, including a pilot episode script. The rights of the material developed, through the programme, will remain with each writer.
For information on eligibility and the application process visit https://www.realness.institute/authentica-series-lab
Further enquiries about the programme and application process can be directed to email submissions@realness.institute
Follow Realness on Twitter @rlnsinstitute, Instagram realnessinstitute or Realness Institute on Facebook for up-to-date information.
Follow StoryBoard on Instagram storyboard.collective and Linkedin The StoryBoard Collective for up-to-date information.
Last month, iSupport Creative Business launched its first exhibition of new work that aimed to commemorate, showcase and bring the story of some of the unique musical heritage of KwaZulu-Natal to life.
As part of this exhibition, supported by Concerts SA, Umongo Msindo will host uDloko player Zulu and uMakhweyane player and vocalist Zawadi Yamungu in concert on April 29 at 18h00 at the Luthuli Museum in Groutville.
Ahead of the concert, the curators, Marlyn Ntsele and Mzwandile Ntsele, will host a walk-about of the exhibition.
Zawadi Yamungu is a South African indigenous musician born in Mandeni, north of KwaZulu-Natal.
This international artist started singing in church and then later studied Acting, Dancing & Music, which has contributed to enhancing her career as an artist. Umakhweyane, Ugubhu string bow, and Penny Whistle are musical instruments she passionately plays, complimented by her strong vocal.
Having been mentored by the renowned Mbuso Khoza, Yamungu has also worked with Dr Gcina Mhlophe, Madala Kunene, Themba Mkhize, Nduduzo Makhathini and other legends.
Zulu, who resides in Ficksburg, has played uDloko for most of his life, having spent most of his young life cow-herding instead of schooling. Zulu not only plays uDloko, but he also makes the instrument from scratch. He is passionate about his music and enjoys that uDloko is an instrument that, in his words, doesn’t discriminate against or is not limiting to anyone.
uMongo Msindo is a multi-fold undertaking that is in equal parts archival and exhibitionary. It works against a globally flattened culture where speed is currency and context amiss.
Working within the boundary of KwaZulu-Natal, it considers ‘hyper locality’ as a tool to disrupt the conditions of ‘internationalism’. It invites audiences and custodians of age-old music traditions on a sojourn of music-making and consumption, with a particular focus on the relationship between player and instrument. Both entities conjoin to form a vessel that transmits sound, heritage and frequencies.
The five protagonists of this undertaking are amongst some of the oldest instrument players in the region. They liberate overlooked narratives through six instruments from the comfort of their homes through their personal histories. This installation brings musicians into conversations with their instruments through videos, textiles that function as interactive wall pieces and a QR portal that expands on their work - all presented via a mobile museum structure.
Concerts SA is a joint South African/Norwegian project working with musicians, promoters, venues and institutions. The project aims to grow a viable live music circuit and develop audiences in South Africa and the region. It is supported by the Norwegian Embassy Pretoria and SAMRO, and administered by IKS Cultural Consulting (formerly by SAMRO Foundation).
The concert takes place on April 29 at the Luthuli Museum in Groutville, Durban. Doors open at 18h00 with a walkabout at 18h30 and the concert itself at 19h30. Tickets: R50 on Webtickets and at the door:
Bookings: https://www.webtickets.co.za/v2/Event.aspx?itemid=1514377521
The Hilton Arts Festival, KZN’s defining voice in art and theatre culture announces 2022 dates.
The message from The Hilton Arts Festival Team states with pride: “We are pleased to announce that the 30th annual HILTON ARTS FESTIVAL will take place from September 23 to 25, 2022. After two years of being unable to host you, our loyal fans, to say we are delighted is the understatement of the decade.
“The team are currently hard at work putting together a festival that we know you will love and enjoy. Details about the programme and other activities will be announced later, so in the meantime, pencil in the dates, book your accommodation and do whatever you must to ensure you make it to the 30th annual HILTON ARTS FESTIVAL.”
If you are a Visual Art or Craft exhibitor and would like to find out more, or apply to exhibit, visit https://hiltonfestival.co.za/
For more information visit the website www.hiltonfestival.co.za or click on the advert to the right of this article.
NB: No telephonic queries will be
entertained, please contact duncan@hiltonfestival.co.za
Don’t miss the last opportunity to see two extraordinary exhibitions currently on display at the Tatham Art Gallery in Pietermaritzburg.
The Gerard Bhengu: tradition and modernity exhibition, curated by Juliette Leeb du Toit, is a comprehensive display of work by the artist, spanning his artistic career from his early work (1925) to the portraits that he created toward the end of his life (1985). The work on this exhibition remains relevant today as an emerging modernity amongst a more politicised black South African populace who renew their embrace of culture and tradition, give Bhengu prominence as a man of his era and a painter of modern life. The exhibition closes on April 30, 2022, at 17h00.
Tsholofelo Moche’s exhibition Home Truths is on display until May
8, 2022, at 17h00.
Through a varied presentation of ceramics, beads, photographs, video and installation, Moche explores how his past informs his present.
The purpose of the exhibition is to invite audiences to reflect on their personal lives and consider the question: upon which history should we cast our identity?
N.B The artist Tsholofelo Moche will be conducting a walkabout for his exhibition (Home Truths) on Friday May 6, 2022, at 13h30, parking is available.
The
The next Mondays at Six programme at St Clements takes place on Monday May 9, 2022, (not the usual first Monday of the month as this is a public holiday).
Pieter Scholtz and friends invite patrons to a thought-provoking and visually inspiring evening where the focus will be on the ideology and art of award-winning artist, Rick Andrew, whose work graces the homes of many prominent people in KwaZulu-Natal as well as others “in practically every major city in the world”.
Born in 1947, Andrew says he has found sanctuary in the arts since childhood. During the course of the evening, he will refer to images which influenced and triggered his interest in the visual arts. Thereafter, through a PowerPoint display, he will share images from his own body of work and discuss some of the motives which brought them into being: broadly, the need to communicate with a diverse racial audience, and his desire to connect.
Andrew is known for his semi-realistic interpretations of human existence on the borderline between the first and third worlds. Born in Johannesburg, with its powerful earthy textures and psychic diversity, through his career he has struggled to deliver an interpretive and compelling visual text.
Essentially a colonial apologist, he says his life has been haunted by the dualistic impositions of a tyrannical political regime on his own personal ambitions. Due to the guilt-inducing paranoia of being considered privileged and an oppressor, he has taken it upon himself - almost as a sacred mission - to identify with the “victim”, the “oppressed” and to reveal in acrylic paint, "some of the post-colonial and post-modern dialectics that beset a minority class stratum in a world of media arrogance, confusion and tyranny".
Andrew practices as a visual artist, writer, teacher and musician. Rick Andrew with Alan Judd on guitars and Gill Andrew (vocals) did the well-received Mondays at Six, November 2021 tribute to Bob Dylan. He has paintings in six public collections and in private collections in South Africa, England, America, Switzerland and New Zealand. He is also the author of three books: Buried in the Sky; Throwing Fire and Guitar Road.
An evening not to be missed.
When the donations box is passed around, a minimum of R50 per person is suggested.
Wear a mask. Covid protocols observed. Outdoors (dress accordingly) and spaced seating. (if the weather is inclement, the show moves indoors).
Table Bookings essential: RSVP ST Clements 031 202 2511. Bookings limited to diners in support of St Clements restaurant and staff. (They stay open specially for the show.) Patrons need to be there in time to order before the performance.
St Clements is situated at 191 Musgrave Road. Mondays @ Six run between 18h00 and 19h00.
“The Cleansing” reminds us that our roots go deeper than we know. We are so busy standing in lines and following our monotonous routines that we sometimes forget to breathe and allow our inner dance to surface. (Review by Verne Rowin Munsamy)
THIS IS NOW...
Flatfoot Dance Company have edged a name for themselves both locally and internationally. They have conceived acclaimed dance pieces that have won them merit and local audiences have been spoiled this year with works performed at the Durban Botanic Gardens. The open-air venue allows for dance pieces to be enjoyed within the Covid parameters of making theatre and dance.
Their latest offering, The Cleansing, choreographed by the full company is a journey to discover the nexus between human beings and nature, thus making the Botanic Gardens an ideal venue for this dance work. The sun setting, birds settling in their nest, frogs croaking and a crickets chirping are the sounds and sights as you are invited into this dance work.
The space is demarcated as a theatre in the round and is lit with basic but effective lighting with the adage of an evocative colour palette up-lighting a tree that had costumes hung from it like fruit. The African Contemporary Dance technique is beautifully crafted within this round space.
The group synchronisation was mesmerising as the dancers invoked rituals to find movement. The show features the slamming rhymes of EWOK Robinson, who opens the show with free, live rhymes, while the dancers include Sifiso Khumalo, January Siphika, Zinhle Nzama, Mthoko Mkhwanazi, Sbonga Ndlovu, Siseko Duba and Ndumiso Dube.
I marvelled most in the ritual aspect of the show, which offered the audience a cleaning at the end. We often get bogged down in our work and lives that we forget our connection to the Earth.
The Cleansing reminds us that our roots go deeper than we know. We are so busy standing in lines and following our monotonous routines that we sometimes forget to breathe and allow our inner dance to surface. The blindfolded sequence reminds us to let go of our fears and trust our roots to hold us firm. I thrilled in the message to shut out the world and keep moving metaphorically and literally. - Verne Rowin Munsamy
For more information, visit https://flatfootdancecompany.webs.com/
The Arts & Culture Trust announces an open call for the Nyoloha Scholarship Programme, proudly supported by Nedbank, Sun City and Sun International.
Stand a chance to win a fully-paid scholarship to study at an arts institution of your choice in South Africa!
The Arts & Culture Trust (ACT) Nyoloha Scholarship Programme (NSP) is a partnership between ACT and Nedbank Arts Affinity. Their goal is to create an opportunity to fund higher education for young South African performers and visual artists.
In 2022, ACT welcomed Sun City as a new partner and as the host for the Road to Sun City scholarship journey, as well as returning sponsor and partner Sun International, in supporting the national roll-out of the ACT NSP.
The ACT invites school leavers and young people who want to study towards a performing arts degree and pave their way to a sustainable future. The open call goes live on www.act.org.za on April 26, 2022, and will run for four weeks until May 22, 2022, when applications close.
Online applications are open nationwide to grade 11 and grade 12 learners, as well as young people up to 25 years. To qualify, applicants must have achieved a university exemption. The categories are visual arts, singing, dancing and acting. Parental or guardian consent and a registration fee of R100 is required to register for the national auditions. Auditions will be held via Zoom in June, 2022.
In Sesotho, Nyoloha means 'rise', and the ACT NSP is part of the new ACT strategy to educate, uplift and empower those wishing to make a career in the arts and culture sector. By facilitating knowledge-creation opportunities through tertiary education and work experience within the arts industry, graduates are equipped with life and business skills so that they are career-ready and able to actively contribute to the growth and stimulation of the creative sector.
ACT and Nedbank scholarships have been available since 2009. “Following a two-year hiatus owing to the Covid-19 pandemic, we are delighted to relaunch the undergraduate scholarship programme that brings together talented, ambitious young people from across South Africa, taking them through various training activities for a period of time, then introducing them to the world of professional arts through an intensive week of training, talks and performances, culminating in a showcase and exhibition.
“We are thrilled that Sun City has stepped on board as our partner in shaping the Road to Sun City, where they will host the finals week, and gala finals event. The partnership with Sun City extends beyond the ACT NSP with a roll-out of development workshops and mentorship equipping arts and culture practitioners in the North West Province with business skills and networking opportunities,' says ACT Interim CEO, Jessica Denyschen.
Fortnightly activities for the ACT NSP will run from June to September 2022 and be managed by ACT-appointed mentors who will regularly engage with mentees and provide professional support. In the final week of each month, the work undertaken by the mentees is rated as part of the short-listing exercise. Students who don’t make the ratings will continue with the programme, but they will not be eligible for the finals. However, subject to their body of work being evaluated over the training and mentorship period, the top three 'drop-off' students will be selected to join the 12 finalists as wild cards.
ACT, together with long-term partner Nedbank and returning partner Sun International, strongly believes in helping to build a better, more educated, more sustainable arts industry in South Africa. The ACT NSP rewards commitment, excellence and growth potential. In addition to the scholarships, it also offers research grants and the creation of an alumni network.
“A degree from a respected institution enables people to change their lives and that of their families and communities. It gives people access to the world and the confidence to take the lead in making a positive impact in society. A degree in the performing arts empowers people to help shape the soul of our nation,” says Tobie Badenhorst, Head of Group Sponsorships and Cause Marketing at Nedbank.
Heidi Edson, Group Socioeconomic Development (SED) Specialist at Sun International, adds: “Given Sun International’s long history of supporting the arts and culture in all its forms, we are proud to support the ACT. As a group, we are synonymous with entertainment and our properties around the country regularly offer a platform to talented local artists. We also focus on schools and arts organisations close to each of our properties.”
The final week runs from Monday, October 3 to Friday, October 8 at Sun City. It comprises masterclasses facilitated by industry leaders and will be attended by the 12 finalists and the three wildcards. The culmination visual arts exhibition and showcase will take place on Saturday, October 8, when the winner of the main prize, a fully paid scholarship to study at an arts institution of their choice in South Africa, will be announced.
Khumo Magano, Head of SED, Community and Stakeholder Engagement at Sun International, says: “In 100 years from now, it will not matter the house I lived in, the car I drove and not even the size of my bank account; but what will be of utmost importance will be to have made a positive difference to another person’s life, especially a child. The principle and emphasis is about investing in our youth, or next generation, with the faith that when we do it well, they can also do the same for their next generations. In so doing we ensure sustainable development in a true sense.
“Arts and culture remain an integral part of our society, livelihoods and heritage as a country, or global village. It is also an opportunity to contribute towards the National Development Plan 2030, including the Sustainable Development Goals by virtue of ethos and principles embedded in this broad development agenda. With the economic impact it has especially on the tourism industry, which is our core business, one can only express gratitude for the privilege of playing a part in nurturing talent – not only for today’s generation's pleasure but also for those of the future.”
To link direct to the Arts & Culture Trust’s site, click on the ACT logo to the right of this article or visit http://www.act.org.za
Actors, dancers and singers are invited to audition and are requested to come prepared.
Auditions will take place from 09h00 to 15h00.
For enquiries or to confirm attendance contact Ikabawo on 082 791 1050 (watsapps and calls) – attention Sabelo Ngema.
Participants will learn how to make paper and tinfoil saggars, using natural elements like feathers, horsehair, leaves and flowers to create beautiful smoky surfaces on ceramic vessels.
"Traditionally a saggar is a lidded ceramic container that holds a pot during a firing. Its function can be to protect the pot from flames, smoke, gases & kiln debris, or to create a reduction chamber during the firing, Merle explains.
“In the case of alternative firings, the aluminium foil or newspaper saggar is the container that holds firing additives against the ceramic surface & encloses firing fumes."
Jessica Merle is a ceramist based in Hillcrest, KZN. She studied at UKZN’s Centre for Visual Art in Pietermaritzburg, where she learned all about hand-building and alternative firing techniques. The beauty of nature leads the way in Jessica’s creative practice. Her current series of work combines saggar firing with functional ceramics, using organic elements to create unique and smoky pieces with exciting surfaces. These pieces bring joy to our everyday rituals and remind us to slow down and engage with the small things in life.
The Saggar Firing Workshop will take place from 10h00 to 14h00 on April 30, 2022.
Cost: R400 –includes all art supplies, tea/coffee, take home two ceramic vessels.
Bookings through hello@theaesthete.co.za / aestheteexperience@gmail.com
Artfluence Human Rights festival goes live online and at Nelson Mandela Capture Site.
The Centre for Creative Arts at the University of KwaZulu-Natal, in partnership with the uMngeni Municipality and uMngeni Tourism, will present the 2nd annual Artfluence Human Rights Festival from May 3 to 8, 2022.
Under the theme Freed Imagination: Resilience, Action and Change, the festival profiles and spotlights artists whose voices and creativity advance a culture of human rights. The festival marks the 60th year of the capture of Nelson Mandela and will therefore highlight the Capture Site in uMngeni and boost opportunities for cultural tourism in the region.
Additional to the Live in uMngeni event programme at the Capture Site, the festival presents an extensive programme of online events broadcast on YouTube and Facebook, and the audience can join on Zoom.
“We are delighted that with the end of the National lockdowns, we can present a hybrid festival this year with both online and live events; the latter made possible through a partnership with the uMngeni Municipality and uMngeni Tourism”, said Ismail Mahomed, the Director for the Centre for Creative Arts.
The six-day Live in uMngeni programme will feature theatre, dance, music, exhibitions, film and a specially-curated animation series of some of Nelson Mandela’s favourite folktales aimed explicitly at children.
The six-day programme will take place at the Nelson Mandela Capture Site to commemorate the 60th anniversary of when Nelson Mandela was captured on the roadside a short distance from Howick. Following his 27-years of detention and transitioning South Africa into a constitutional democracy, Nelson Mandela was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize by the international community.
“The festival located at the Capture Site intends to draw inspiration from Mandela’s legacy and rekindle tourism to the site after the devastating impact of the national lockdown on the cultural economy. Our partnership with the uMngeni Municipality and uMngeni Tourism aims to strengthen a cultural economy that enables local art organisations to thrive”, said Mahomed.
The festival will open on May 3, 2022, with an online opening at 15h00 filmed from the Capture Site and will feature this year’s keynote speaker Chester Missing who will provide entertaining but biting commentary about South Africa’s democracy.
Live in UMngeni will open with the Umongo Msindo (Sounds in Context) exhibition, an immersive installation that brings musicians into conversations with their traditional African instruments through videos and textiles that function as interactive wall pieces and a QR portal that expands on their work. This installation will exhibit at the Capture Site until May 8, 2022.
South African political cartoonist Nanda Soobben will exhibit 25 of his cartoons that are a powerful commentary on South Africa’s constitutional democracy. Satirist Conrad Koch will also bring his alter-ego Chester Missing to the Capture site.
The Centre for Jazz at the UKZN will present a concert featuring some of its most talented students. The Flatfoot Dance Company will present their latest production, The Cleansing, which journeys into the heartland of Earth issues and negotiates the true meaning of ecology – the connectedness of human existence to all existence.
Believing that environmental justice is social justice, the Flatfoot Dance Company will be joined by their long-time collaborator and wordsmith extraordinaire, poet Iain Ewok Robinson, in a production titled The Cleansing, where his poetic words flow with the dancers in an evocation that shouts out, “surely the Earth can be saved for me”, “surely the Earth can be saved for you”.
Poetry Africa curator Siphindile Hlongwa and University of Johannesburg’s Arts & Culture poetry programmes co-ordinator, Quaz Roodt, have joined forces to curate the specially devised poetry programme, At the Marketplace, with four poets whom they’ve commissioned to venture out into South Africa’s informal trading spaces to find inspiration for their poems.
Hlongwa has curated a unique live programme taking place during Live in UMngeni titled Freed Imagination, which will feature internationally-celebrated poet Lebo Mashile with local poets from KZN. Mashile is a multi-award-winning actress, poet, novelist and social justice activist.
The Centre for Creative Arts will also facilitate skills-based workshops in art practice and administration for uMngeni-based artists during the Live in uMngeni Artfluence Human Rights Festival.
The full programme for both the Live in uMngeni programme and the online programme will be released on the festival website on Wednesday, April 27, 2022. (artfluence.ukzn.ac.za). Seats for each event are restricted in terms of existing Covid-19 protocols. Bookings can be made through Webtickets from April 28.
For enquiries: email cca@ukzn.ac.za or follow on social media: @artfluencefest
IMPOSSIBLE! - Live at the iZulu Theatre at Sibaya Casino on April 29 to May 1, 2022
You have seen him WOW Simon Cowell on Britain's Got Talent, you have seen him get a standing ovation on Romania's Got Talent, you have even seen him perform his unique street magic on the Travel Channel, and now you can witness Brendon Peel's mind-blowing magic LIVE!
The human mind is one of the most fascinating and powerful tools in existence. Yet on occasion we have the ability to trick our own minds and perceptions. Brendon Peel is someone who has dedicated the last 12 years of his life to bending people's perceptions of reality in a humorous and entertaining way.
IMPOSSIBLE is a show filled with delightful deceptions, fantastic illusions, and mind-boggling mentalism that will leave you wondering if the impossible can for a fleeting moment, be possible. On this journey of Impossibility, join the multi-award-winning mentalist, Brendon Peel, as he weaves his magic in an entertaining display of unique psychological experiments, classic magic tricks, as well as feats of true impossibility.
Peel is widely known for his touring live stage shows that have been highlighted by The Sun, as “World Class” as well as “a must see” by The Herald. His shows are always guaranteed to amaze as well as entertain, which is why in 2021, the major media house Briefly, highlighted Brendon Peel as one of the Top 5 magicians to hail from Africa.
IMPOSSIBLE is a show that is interactive and engaging that is unique to anything else you may have witnessed before. It is one that will certainly have your brain whirring for a very long time to come. Join in the fun this so you too can witness what impossible feats can be made possible!
IMPOSSIBLE runs at the iZulu Theatre at Suncoast from April 29 to May1, 2022, with shows on April 29 and 30 at 19h30 and May 1 at 15h00. Tickets R150 and R100 (for under 16) booked through Ticket-Pro.
“Rustic meets Glam - Posh, passionate and playful” is how this show is described. For this elegant evening, Barbie Meyer, teams up with her partner in piano-crime, Jonathan Brauteseth.
Hailing from opposite ends of the coastline, Barbie & Jonathan have become something of an institution in the music and performance industry around the country. They have been performing together for many years in intimate venues countrywide and form a formidable, hilarious and unique pair.
Totally at ease with each other other’s quirks, they pair up to offer both haunting and playful duets. This is interspersed with entertaining bits of information about the ridiculousness of humanity seen through their eyes, each other and the lyrics they perform. Barbie & Jonathan appear to have the perfect recipe for performing heart felt lyrics whilst simultaneously providing improvised stand-up comedy with a dash of poetry between songs. These are two very different personalities with an enchanting connection.
Barbie is an actress yet admits that her first love is singing. This is immediately evident in the power and passion with which she delivers their perfectly chosen songs. Her voice together with Jonathan’s deep, gravelly tones has been described as ‘pouring double thick cream over rather roughly chopped mango’.
So, don a pair of posh heels, slip on a crisp shirt and don’t miss out on an intimate evening of classy musical entertainment. The Spot Bistro will be open before the show if you would like to have a bite to eat. All are welcome to bring your own drinks & glasses - ’preferably crystal’,” Barbie says!
Tickets R140 pp includes show and welcome sherry. Booking essential as space is limited:
To book contact Sandy/ Thabo on info@theoldmushroomfarm.co.za or phone 060 470 1218
Avid Marian Keyes readers will recall meeting the Walsh family many years ago – Rachel, Claire, Maggie, Anna and Helen. Each of the sisters featured in a stand-alone novel and they are reunited in the latest offering from the prolific pen of Keyes in Again, Rachel.
I recall reading all of the books and loving them at the time – I was therefore rather intrigued to find out how I would experience this latest version of Rachel and her siblings.
In the original story, Rachel’s Holiday, the 27-year-old is on the slippery slope to total melt-down: unemployed, battling with addiction and on the verge of messing up her marriage for good. The dreadful tragedy of the death of their unborn baby sent Rachel over the edge and caused her marriage to Luke to split up. Luke is unable to cope with her addiction and lies and, after their divorce, Rachel returns home to Ireland and Luke continues living in America.
Fast-forward 20 or so years later and we meet an entirely new, improved version of Rachel. She has turned her life around and is counselling at the rehabilitation centre where she was once an inhabitant. She is in a steady, loving relationship with Quinn, enjoying her new-found passion of gardening and her biggest temptation is ordering too many pairs of sneakers on line.
An unexpected invitation to attend the funeral of her ex-mother-in-law sets the cat amongst the pigeons and she wrestles with her decision whether to stay or go. She is unsure about the prospect of coming face to face with her ex-husband Luke and his new partner, all the way from America for the funeral.
She, of course, decides to attend and inevitably meets up with Luke – immediately all the dark memories of the worst time of her life comes flooding back and she is plunged back into the past, reliving the pain and heartache of that time. It eventually transpires that Rachel’s version of the break-up and Luke’s version are two entirely different stories and only once they can talk about it are they able to move on with their lives.
As much as there are emotional, sad scenes in this book, in typical Keyes fashion one is treated to laugh-out-loud situations as well. There is a feeling of balance between heartache and joy evident throughout and this probably sums up Rachel’s life at the moment.
As much as I enjoyed this latest offering by Marian Keyes, I personally felt that the inhabitants of the Cloisters Rehabilitation Centre and their back stories were perhaps unnecessary padding. The almost 600 pages could have been substantially whittled down to half that and it would not have detracted from the main story line at all. Yes, by including the patients and their specific addiction battles it added to demonstrate the sterling work that Rachel was doing as a counsellor but much of it was unnecessary to the actual story. But of course, this is just my opinion.
By the end of this book, I felt that I had met up with an acquaintance from long ago, caught up with her life and am now able to wish her all the very best of luck to carry on with her life – she deserves all the happiness in the world. Go well Rachel Walsh, be happy. - Fiona de Goede
Again, Rachel is published by Penguin: ISBN 978-0-241-44113-8
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