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Monday, July 7, 2025

NEW EDITION TO KZNSA OPERATIONS TEAM

 

The KZNSA Gallery is extremely excited to introduce its new Office Manager as well as Gallery Administrator. 

(Right: Neliswa Ngutshane) 

Neliswa Ngutshane is the KZNSA Gallery Office Manager. She has over six years’ experience in the Non-Profit sector, specialising in project coordination, administration, training, skills development, and stakeholder engagement. 

She holds a Bachelor of Social Work degree from the University of the Witwatersrand. 

(Left: Azola Krweqe)

 

Azola Krweqe is the KZNSA Gallery Administrator. She holds a Bachelor of Social Science with majors in Industrial Sociology and Social as well as a Bachelor of Arts Honours both obtained from the University of Cape Town. 

She comes with experience in artist engagement, community development as well as administration and research.

 

The KZNSA Gallery is situated at 166 Bulwer Road, Glenwood, in Durban. More information on 031 277 1705 or cell 082 220 0368 or visit www.kznsagallery.co.za

 

DEATH OF PROF PIETER SCHOLTZ

 


Durban theatre legend Prof Pieter Scholtz has died at the age of 88.

By BILLY SUTER (sosuterbill on July 5, 2025)

 

TODAY marks a very sad day for the South African theatre community. Emeritus Professor Pieter Scholtz, a celebrated actor, playwright and novelist, who for 22 years headed the Department of Speech and Drama at the University of Natal in Durban (now UKZN), died this afternoon at Durban’s St Augustine’s Hospital after a period of declining health. He was 88.

Jane Ross, a friend of the Pietermaritzburg-born theatre legend, confirmed his death and said she had been holding his hand during what was “a very beautiful and peaceful passing”.

Having taken over the reins from Prof Elizabeth Sneddon as head of drama at the Durban university from 1973 to 1995, Prof Scholtz was widely acclaimed and well-loved.

He is on record as having written 19 plays, 16 of them for young audiences, and these were performed throughout South Africa and also in the UK and Australia. Works in his Plays for Young Africa series were presented in the Durban university’s Open-Air theatre each year for six-monthly seasons. When he retired in 1995, the theatre was officially named the Pieter Scholtz Open-air Theatre.

Prof Scholtz was awarded the Edinburgh Crystal Award for his significant contribution to the creative and artistic life of the Elizabeth Sneddon Theatre in 1995 – and in 1997, he renovated an old Methodist church in Greyville, Durban, and ran it as the KwaSuka Theatre for a number of years.

He had reportedly been writing and publishing plays, novels and poetry collections under his own imprint, Horus Publications, since 2007 – and he received many awards for playwriting and productions. Among his many accolades was twice receiving the Amstel Playwright of the Year award, for two plays in his Tambootie series. Two of his books were published by Struik Publishers (Tales of the Tokoloshe and Demon of the Curry Powders).

Prof Scholtz was particularly noted for his production of the Zulu Macbeth, titled Umabatha. First staged in 1969 at the university’s open-air theatre, it went on to be performed at the World Theatre Season in London in 1972, with Welcome Msomi in the title role. It was also very well received during a season at London’s the Aldwych theatre.

Durban theatre doyenne Caroline Smart, a longtime colleague of Prof Scholz, was saddened by her friend's passing: “He had been in decline for a few years, but ploughed on with his characteristic determination”.

She recalled that “whether by request or not, he was able to quote accurately from any Shakespeare play” and added that their association started in 1975 with productions at Durban's City Centre Theatre Workshop, including Story of an African Farm in 1978. Smart also appeared alongside Prof Scholtz in Suicide, the production that opened the Drama theatre at Durban’s Playhouse, and she fondly remembers playing Golde to his Tevye in Fiddler on the Roof in 1982.

 “My late husband, Peter Gardner, and I – along with Patrick Collyer – were also very much involved in the creation of the Kwasuka Theatre and the naming of the Courtyard theatre space there in memory of poet Douglas Livingstone.”

Smart said it was about 16 years ago that Prof Scholtz and friends started what would become a monthly gathering, Mondays @ 6, at Musgrave’s St Clements restaurant. It is still a regular event.

Smart added: “You had an extraordinary life, Pieter. You made a huge contribution to theatre in Durban and to the lives of those students who worked with you. May you now rest in well-deserved peace.”

Tim Wells, a former student of Prof Scholtz, wrote on Facebook: "R.I.P. Prof. Love to all family and friends. I have great memories and certainly learned a lot."

Other former students, Philippa Savage and Caroline Palmer, also expressed great sadness, Palmer further commenting: "Ah, my heart. This man believed in me and gave me some of the best plays of my life. My heart just sank. Rest in peace dear Prof! Durban has lost a legend. My deepest condolences to family and friends".

Ingride Lewis wrote on social media: "Fly in the arms of the angels. May their wings protect you and guide you as you journey to your new Heavenly theatre, where many loved ones from the past are waiting to join you. Bravo for all your success - and bravo for giving so many of us the chance to tread the boards, meet challenges."

Funeral arrangements have yet to be announced. – Billy Suter

 

https://sosuterbill.com/2025/07/05/death-of-prof-pieter-scholtz/

 

Sunday, July 6, 2025

KZNSA ANNUAL MEMBERS’ AWARD 2025

Exhibition Opening: KZNSA Annual Members’ Award 2025

The KZNSA gallery is pleased to invite you to the opening of its Annual Members’ Award Show. The theme of the exhibition is Imisinga (Currents). Members were invited to submit submissions under this theme thinking about how water holds memory, movement, and meaning. It is a source of life, ritual, conflict, and celebration. In Durban, water surrounds and sustains us culturally, historically, environmentally but it also reminds us of our vulnerabilities.

Imisinga, meaning currents, speaks to both the visible and invisible forces that shape our lives. It reflects the pull of history, the surge of change, and the fluidity of identity.

The theme invites artists to engage with water in its many forms and contradictions. As we navigate rising seas, floods, pollution, and strained infrastructure, we also witness water’s resilience - its power to renew, connect, and transform.

Prize money and the Joan Emanuel floating trophy are generously sponsored by the Key Foundation and the Joan Emanuel Trust.

First place receives the Joan Emanuel floating trophy, R20,000 and a solo exhibition at the KZNSA in the following year, second place is awarded R10,000 and third place, R5,000. A Merit Award, selected by the KZNSA Exhibition Sub-committee is given to a fourth work.

JANE DIGBY RECENT PAINTINGS

 

Jane Digby’s most recent paintings are currently on exhibition at The Gallery, Lifestyle Centre, Ballito, in the current exhibition titled "Biophilia",

But for those who cannot get to these galleries, view Jane’s work on www.jjdigby.com
and Instagram/Facebook @digbyfineart

Friday, July 4, 2025

LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS: REVIEW

 


Macabre, delightful! (Review by Shannon Kenny)

Little Shop of Horrors opened at the Playhouse Drama Theatre to an audience of theatre-goers, young and old, brimming with excitement for a fun night out at the theatre. From the chatter I overheard, there were as many who seemed familiar with the story as those who were not.

This is the twenty-fifth time that director and producer, Nick Jourdan, has toured a Northcliff High production of a musical to The Playhouse, with performers from Grade 8 to Grade 12, and technical crew made up of staff and pupils. In addition, the cast was accompanied by an ensemble of accomplished, live musicians (what a treat) under the baton of conductor, Matthew Vlok.

The story is set in mean Mrs Mushnik’s florist shop in a gritty urban Skid Row, replete with street urchins, drunks and hustlers. Seymour Krelborn, Mushnik’s hapless assistant, acquires a mysterious Venus Flytrap-like plant after a solar eclipse. Seymour names the plant Audrey II (two), after his co-worker, Audrey with whom he is secretly in love. Not only does Audrey II talk, it has an insatiable bloodlust - which Seymour is compelled to satisfy - and is ultimately on a quest for world domination!

Through his direction, Jourdan has ensured all the humour and all the pathos in Little Shop of Horrors are in all the right places. The opening night audience lapped up every pun, double entendre, hard luck story and grim reference - in both script and lyrics - with relish, responding with gasps and guffaws.

Joshua Wareham is aptly cast and delivers a convincing performance as the awkward, naive and ever well-meaning Seymour: keeper and feeder of The Plant, secret admirer of Audrey and exploited assistant to Mrs Mushnik.

Emily Blake takes on the role of shop owner, Mrs Mushnik and delivers a refreshing take on a traditionally male role - curmudgeonly, by turns maternal, always mercenary and ever so casually exploitative.

Adriana Sevell’s Audrey - truly sweet, self-deprecating, kind and dreamy - had the audience immediately on-side, eliciting ooh’s and ah’s for her rendition of the hope-filled Somewhere that’s Green in Act 1 and especially in the poignant reprise in Act 2.

Kieran Lalloo’s Orin Scrivello - Audrey’s abusive boyfriend and sadistic dentist - was appropriately over-the-top, as palatable as an egotistical misogynist can be and brutal enough for the audience to revel in schadenfreude at his deliciously gruesome fate.

Omolemo Ramagoffu, Jamie Lamont, Leticia Nleya and Sarah Brickhill along with the rest of the chorus ensemble provide solid support throughout. Their transformations from street kids, to customers to moguls were well-executed. Omolemo’s vocals in Skid Row-Downtown and Jamiee Lamont’s turn as Mrs Luce drew especially appreciative cheers from the audience.

For The Plant/Audrey II, Nick Jourdan called on the skills of two former pupils, Garrin Solomons (the voice) and Garrick Brickhill (puppeteer). The audience chortled their way through the bloodthirsty Feed Me - Git It and Suppertime.

In the zany tango Mushnik & Son Mrs Mushnik hatches a plan to maintain the success to which she has become accustomed. Emily Blake and Joshua Wareham’s comic timing rendered this particular number fabulously funny.

Audrey and Seymour’s duet, Suddenly Seymour in which they confess their love for one another, had all of the hope, affirmation and poignance of young love, beautifully and convincingly delivered by Adriana and Joshua.

A rousing company number, The Meek Shall Inherit was delivered with aplomb.

While a spoof on B-Grade Horror movies, the questions about ‘worthiness,’ self-worth and exploitation; what we would do for love or money; Faustian dilemmas and the making and enabling of monsters, abound. These were certainly not lost on the audience. Credit to the engaging performers who kept the audience “in the story” throughout.

Howard Ashman and Alan Menken’s musical was, by Jourdan’s admission, quite a challenge - from tutoring the cast “to find the funny” in a style of comedy unfamiliar to them; to the construction AND finding a suitable puppeteer and voice for The Plant.

From the opening number with the Skid Row Kids to curtain call with the full company, these young performers (and their accompanists) delivered captivating performances, with main cast as well as chorus members receiving well-deserved applause from a thoroughly delighted audience.

To quote just one very thrilled audience member I overheard in the loo: “I’m so glad she persisted and convinced me to come. The show is really good. It could have been a dismal night alone on the couch. Instead, I’ve had such fun and got to share it with my friends.”

Well done to all involved - on stage and backstage - for mounting an exuberant, joyful, sensitive and very darkly funny production. – Shannon Kenny

Little Shop of Horrors runs at the Playhouse Drama Theatre till Sunday, July 6. Performances are from July 2 to 6 with evening performances at 19h30 and matinees on the Saturday at 14h00 and Sunday at 15h00. Tickets throughout R100 (R80 for seniors).

Booking for all shows is through Webtickets

 

Tuesday, July 1, 2025

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY, PAULINE!

 


(Pauline and Caroline celebrate a valued relationship)

artSMart editor/owner Caroline Smart, says: “Today marks the 20th anniversary of the date that Pauline Dalais joined artSMart and eventually became my hugely-valued PA.

"We’ve been through many experiences - apart from keeping artSMart going: travelling with shows to Johannesburg and the National Arts Festival in Grahamstown (Makhanda).

"I’m also happy to load onto her all the accounting-type issues and call on her incredible memory when I can’t remember something myself!!”

'You are highly valued, Pauline, and I pray our association will long continue."

Monday, June 30, 2025

ROCK ACROSS AMERICA

 

Rhumbelow Theatre will present Rock Across America on July 5 at 19h30 and July 6 at 14h00. The venue opens 90 minutes before the show.

Rock Across America is performed by Barry Thomson & The Reals: Dawn Selby, Robz Millar, Mali Sewell, Shaun Dragt and Barry Thomson.

Rhumbelow management says: “We’re celebrating America’s top rock hits, including the artistes who developed the style of Heartland Rock in the 1970s.

This is a genre of rock music characterized by a straightforward, often roots musical style, often with a focus on blue-collar workers, and a conviction that rock music has a social or communal purpose beyond just entertainment.


“Verses in heartland rock songs often tell stories about people undergoing hard times and the choruses are often anthemic. The genre is exemplified by singer-songwriters Tom Petty, Bob Seger, Bruce Springsteen, John Mellencamp and Little Feat. This genre reached its commercial peak in the 1980s when it became one of the best-selling genres in the United States. In the 1990s, the major figures have continued to record with commercial success.

Paying tribute to this music is Barry Thomson and The Reals, comprising front man and guitar maestro Barry Thomson (lead guitar and vocals), Dawn Selby (keyboards and vocals), Mali Sewell (drums), Robz Millar (bass guitar and vocals) and Shaun Dragt (guitar and vocals).

Tickets R200. Booking is essential – on email please: roland@stansell.co.za or Webtickets.

Bring food picnic baskets or buy at the venue. Bar available (no alcohol may be brought on to the premises)

Limited secure parking available    

For more information contact 0824998636 or visit http://events.durbantheatre.com/

Rhumbelow Theatre is located at 42 Cunningham Road off Bartle Road, Durban

 

BEAT-ROUTE FOR ST CLEMENTS

Mondays at 6 – St Clements. Monday July 7, 2025 – 18h00

Friends of Pieter Scholtz invite patrons to come relish a mellow evening featuring the light and infectious acoustic sounds of four brilliant musos playing some seriously good music. Join Beat-Route, one of Durban’s longest running, professional jazz bands for an evening of traditional and contemporary swing.

Beat-Route was formed in 2004 by front man Daniel Sheldon (trumpet and flugle horn). With him at St Clements will be the inimitable Gerald Sloan on guitar, Logan Byrne on double bass and Bucco Xaba on drums.

“A long-standing band is one thing, a long-standing jazz band is a real feat that flies in the face of convention,” says Sheldon, who is also a music teacher and an artist (and who will talk about the band and the music and take questions). “We look forward to entertaining you with some of our favourite repertoire including an original tune or two.”

Having been around for over two decades Beat-Route has become a firm favourite on the music scene in KZN and further afield. “Our musical choices focus on the traditional swing jazz-era sound of the smaller acoustic combos and our vast repertoire reflects that. We play the evergreen classics of both the American and South African Jazz song books. But also stretch out into some more contemporary recognisable songs (Amy Winehouse, John Meyer, Stevie Wonder) — all done in our signature jazz style.”

When the donation box is passed around, the organisers suggest generosity and a minimum of R50 per person. Weather permitting, the show will take place outdoors.

Bookings limited to diners in support of St Clements restaurant and staff.

Be there in time to open your tab, order at the counter and settle in before the scheduled 18h00 start. If you wish to dine after the presentation, place your order before 18h00.

Please cancel if you book then can’t make it. (They are often at capacity.)

Table bookings essential: RSVP ST Clements +27 62 582 0980* (aka 062 582 0980)

*Please note the new St Clem number

St Clements is situated at 191 Musgrave Road in Durban. Mondays @ Six run between 18h00 and 19h00. Table bookings are essential on 062 582 0980. There is no cover charge but there is a donations box to support presenters.

KZNPO WINTER SEASON CONCERT #2: REVIEW

 


KwaZulu-Natal Philharmonic Orchestra

World Symphony Series Winter Season 2025 Concert 2

The Playhouse Opera

Review by David Smith

 

This occasion has not been a straightforward one for me to review.

On the one hand: while the orchestra’s management has made every effort to ease concert access (the well-subscribed bussing scheme; parking discounts; lavish programmes freely distributed), their term ‘season’ has lost its meaning: two concerts a week apart are not a season, and what was the Early Spring Season is now similarly reduced.

Thus, the progressive shrinkage of these premier offerings seems to be an unavoidable fate. Long-time supporters are seen engaged in worried conversations in the foyer, while they remain thankful for what continues.

On the other hand: these two winter concerts have seen healthy attendances marked by a diversity of listeners that is, in my experience, uncommon on the classical orchestral scene here. The ‘new faces’ seem eager for the experience and are generous in their approbation of quality playing. And that has been in good supply. They have also glimpsed, in the KZN Youth Orchestra’s contribution to last Thursday’s performance, a highly active nursery of young players who are some of the seeds of our culture to come. Under Lyk Temmingh’s direction, they delivered resolute accounts of music by Rimsky-Korsakov, Karl Jenkins and Orff. Cathy Peacock must also be commended for her co-leadership in this long-running project.

Social media had already alerted us to the presence in South Africa of the formidable Andrey Baranov, the Russian violinist based in Switzerland. His account of Lalo’s Symphonie espagnole, which is a combination of virtuoso writing and Spanish fantasy, was beautifully assured, its technicalities flying off the instrument, its low-string melodies warm and big-boned. In general, it reminded me of Arthur Grumiaux’s recordings, though Baranov’s lyrical playing had a silky tenderness and pliancy that made me long to hear more of it. Conrad von Alphen conducted the work with similar flair, and created of this unusually structured ‘concerto’ a high point in the evening.

It was his reading of Beethoven’s Pastorale Symphony that occupied the second half of the programme. For people with long acquaintance of the symphony, it is understandable that yet another rendition might threaten to be just that: a ritual reprise of an unmistakably ‘great work’. Von Alphen gave it a fresh presence without straining for romantic effects or indulging in eccentric speeds, allowing its simplicity (one of Beethoven’s hard-won achievements, given his natural bent for dramatic elaboration) to rise to the top, and encouraging its section soloists to play the game of ‘happy feelings’ (heiterer Empfindungen). It was a genuinely heartfelt response to the nobility and attraction of nature as embedded in the music.

By the same token, he unleashed a notably vehement ‘Thunderstorm’ in the fourth movement, so that, when it had past, the shepherd really had something to sing about.

No wonder that the audience could hardly contain its delight at this striking yet reposeful score, and the honest-to-goodness way in which it was executed. - David Smith

 

The Early Spring Season will take place on August 28 and September 4, 2025, in the Playhouse Opera at 19h00. Tickets available from Quicket.

For more information, click on the KZNPO advert at the top right hand of this page. This will take you to the orchestra's website.

 

Sunday, June 29, 2025

8TH EDITION OF SPIER LIGHT ART 2026

 


(LRSpier-light-art-2024-Berco-Wilsenach-Written-in-the-stars-56)

Deadline: Submission entries close July 21, 2025.

 

Call for Artists: Illuminate the night at the 8th edition of Spier Light Art 2026

Artists and designers – professionals, students or collectives – are invited to submit expressions of interest for light-based and video artworks to be considered for the Spier Light Art returning to the Stellenbosch wine farm for the eighth edition in 2026.

Spier Light Art promises to once again transform the landscape with bold, experimental and thought-provoking installations from South African artists.

Running from March to April, the event has become a yearly celebration of creativity – playful, provocative, reflective and inclusive. The exhibition offers one of the largest public audiences, attracting more than 13,000 visitors in 2025.

Submission entries close July 21, 2025. The curatorial team, led by Jay Pather and Vaughn Sadie, hosted an online briefing on Tuesday, June 17, 2025, at 16h00. An on-site briefing will be held on Saturday, July 5, at 10h30. Artists interested in attending should RSVP by sending an email to spierlightart@lightplace.org.

The curatorial team invites submissions that place Light at the heart of each artwork. Artists are encouraged to experiment boldly and push creative boundaries, with a strong emphasis on innovation and cross-generational appeal.

While there is no fixed theme, the curators welcome works inspired by the ethereal and whimsical, pieces that explore technology, engage with contemporary issues facing South Africa, and reflect themes of resilience, enchantment, exuberance and the dynamic environment of a working wine farm.

Installations are either completely or partially funded and the categories of work may include the following:

-Site-specific work (designed to be displayed in particular places on Spier Wine Farm)

-Sculptural, object-based work

-Interactive art

-Digital works that foreground technology

-Video art

 

 

SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS AND PROCESS

Expressions of interest must include:

-Artist/collective/studio biographies of all involved (200 words)

-A short overview of the conceptual interests of the work, specifying which category the submission falls under (300 words)

-A concise description of the work, including concept sketches (300 words)

-A description of the use of light in the work (150 words)

-A description of the audience interaction/engagement with the work, but ideally a video (150 words)

-A provisional but realistic and well-considered budget indicating whether it is to be funded entirely or in part by the Spier Arts Trust

-Web links to and/or images of the proposed work or, if not already developed, examples of previous work.

Email your expression of interest to the project manager at spierlightart@lightplace.org  before July 21, 2025. A more thorough proposal may be requested after the shortlist is announced.

 

ABOUT SPIER LIGHT ART 2025

Visitors immersed themselves in a world of light, sound, and video at the seventh edition of Spier Light Art, which took place between March and April 2025. A diverse audience interacted with the light, sound, and video artworks exhibited across the farm. Playful, provocative, reflective, and engaging, the installations transformed the working wine farm into an artistic hub buzzing with electricity.

For ideas on the type of work the Selection Committee is interested in featuring, please refer to last year’s programme.

The Stellenbosch community and national media consistently praise Spier Light Art for creating a safe and beautiful environment where a diverse audience can come together to celebrate contemporary art.

For more information visit www.spierlightart.co.za

 

About Spier and art

Art, like food and wine, is best shared, which is why Spier is such an enthusiastic supporter of African artists and their creations. Housing one of the largest contemporary art collections in the country, Spier believes in the power of the visual arts to teach and inspire, encouraging us all to engage openly with our world and each other. With such a thriving local artistic community and rich cultural heritage, Spier is excited about the future of South African art.

For more information, visit www.spier.co.za

APPLICATIONS OPEN FOR 4TH AUTHENTICA SERIES LAB

 


Deadline: Friday 11 July 2025 

 

A unique opportunity for African screenwriters to take their stories to the global stage

African screenwriters with bold, original series ideas are invited to apply for the 4th edition of the AuthenticA Series Lab, a transformative six-month development programme designed to elevate episodic storytelling from the continent to the global stage.

Presented by Realness Institute in partnership with The StoryBoard Collective, the Geneva-based philanthropic organisation that supports the development and impact outreach of transformative stories, the Lab nurtures authentic African voices, offering one-on-one mentorship and industry access. Additionally, The Canada Media Fund returns as a funder for the second year, supporting the inclusion of one Canadian screenwriter from the African diaspora.

Running from September 3, 2025, to March 27, 2026, the programme offers a hybrid professional development experience for African screenwriters from all genres of scripted episodic storytelling. 

The Lab combines online discussions, seminars, and one-on-ones, with in-person residencies at three international locations: a 10-day residency in Cape Town, South Africa, a 2-month residency in Geneva, Switzerland, culminating in a week-long industry immersion at Series Mania in Lille, France, Europe’s largest co-production series market and festival attracting sales agents, talent scouts, distributors, broadcasters and investors.

Mehret Mandefro, Interim Managing Director of Realness Institute, says: “This Lab is more than a script development programme - it’s an opportunity for writers to unearth what they are unable to say in a supported environment and get closer to their voices.”

Director of Writing Programmes at Realness Institute and Lab co-designer Selina Ukwuoma joins Mandefro, who is the producing and showrunning mentor, in guiding the cohort. “We’re looking for storytellers who aren’t afraid to say something urgent and real,” says Ukwuoma. “The Lab provides space, mentorship, and a direct bridge to industry—to support each story to reach its full artistic and marketable potential.”

The 2024 cohort pitched their projects at the Series Mania Forum in France in March this year, drawing an audience of over 100 broadcasters, producers, and decision-makers. Since then, many have advanced into further development—proof of the programme’s impact.

2024/25 alumnus, Tony Koros (Kenya) who presented his project Money Town at Series Mania, which has been selected for further development at The Red Sea Serieslab has this to say about AuthenticA: “It was more than a workshop. It was a creative reawakening. The programme pushed me to write with more honesty and less fear. It challenged me to reconnect with why I write in the first place and gave me good friends and great wine to hold my hand through it. It produced some of my best work.”

David Rimer, Founder: The StoryBoard Collective. Says: "Because we believe in the power of storytelling as a tool for narrative change, we are committed to giving writers the time and resources they need to develop their own authentic projects,” “After three editions, we have seen the AuthenticA programme gain international recognition and make a meaningful impact on the careers of our alumni."

Francesco Capurro - Series Mania Forum Director, says, “We’re proud to continue our collaboration with the Realness Institute and the StoryBoard Collective on the AuthenticA Series Lab, which is now well established. This initiative has proven its worth in supporting emerging talent. Africa is a rich source of unique voices and compelling stories, and Series Mania is committed to showcasing them on the global stage.”

Jessica Lea Fleming, Director of Growth & Inclusion at The Canada Media Fund, says: “Partnering with the Realness Institute over the last three years has been fulfilling and impactful, The AuthenticA Series Lab empowers storytellers, including the Canadian-African participant, by developing skills that boost careers, grow companies, and increase market access. We are proud to support a program that aligns so well with the actions in our 2024-2027 EDIA Strategy."

The Lab is open to African screenwriters working in all genres of scripted episodic or series storytelling, including drama, comedy, thriller, sci-fi, amongst others. Writers retain full rights to their projects. Four participants will be selected from the submissions – three from Africa and one from Canada.

Applications are currently open, closing on Friday July 11, 2025  (16h00 SAST).To apply or learn more: https://www.realness.institute/authentica-series-labOr contact: submissions@realness.institute

Thursday, June 26, 2025

BAROQUE 2000 FEATURES LYNELLE KENNED

 

 

(Lynelle Kenned. Pic supplied)

On Sunday June 29 at 11h30, Baroque 2000 will present its 4th concert of the 2025 Season at St James Church in Venice Road, Durban.

Lynelle Kenned, a brilliant soprano established in Cape Town will join the Ensemble and will sing stirring and dramatic Arias from Antonio Vivaldi Gelido in ogni vena (from his Opera Il Farnace RV711) and from Nicola Porpora Parto, ti lascio, o cara (from his Opera Germanico in Germania), as well as George Frideric Handel’s aria Nel dolce dell'oblio (from Pensieri notturni di Filli HWV134).

Baroque 2000 will complete this beautiful one-hour programme with Nicola Porpora’s Sinfonia No5.

Tickets R180 (cash or card) sold at the door and children enter free. Ample and guarded parking is available in adjacent Venice and Sir Arthur Roads.

 

For more information contact Michel Schneuwly on Cell: +27 (0)82 - 303 5241, email: sursouth@iafrica.com