COMRADE BABBLE

(Allan Kolski Horwitz)

The Pansa KZN - MUSHO festival of one – two person theatre will run at Catalina Theatre from January 11 to 15 with its usual exciting line-up of new productions.

Comrade Babble on January 12 is written and directed by Allan Kolski Horwitz and is performed by Renos Spanoudes and Lebohang Motaung. This is a political satire inspired by the rise and fall of Brett Kebble, a New South African randlord of mythic proportions, who proved to be one of our most formidable fraudsters, and orchestrated his own murder. The performance sees Kebble/Babble’s return from the dead in order to present the “truth” of his life.

Comrade Babble will be performed on January 12 at 20h00. (Duration 80 minutes) Age 16 and up.

All Musho Festival performances are at the Catalina Theatre. Tickets for all shows R50 (R30 PANSA paid-up members as well as OAPS and children under 12). Special R100/day all-day ticket on Saturday and Sunday. Contact Catalina Theatre on 031 305 6889

For more information, and daily reviews, see the Musho website on www.mushofestival.co.za

THE HORSESHOE

(Bheki Khabela and Bhekani Shablala)

The Pansa KZN - MUSHO festival of one – two person theatre will run at Catalina Theatre from January 11 to 15 with its usual exciting line-up of new productions. Kicking off the festival will be The Horseshoe on January 11.

Performed by Bheki Khabela and Bhekani Shablala, and created with Sduduzo Kawula. The moving story of two young men who make the difficult decision to leave their families and go into exile. After they reach the border, they realise that things are not what they seem and the struggle is almost over. When they return home, their paths diverge and while one man seems to fall into a life of luck, the other is left wondering what passed him by. "Passionate, energetic delivery of a poignant story" Cue. (Duration 55 minutes) Age 14 and up.

The Horseshoe takes place on January 11 at 20h00.

All Musho Festival performances are at the Catalina Theatre. Tickets for all shows R50 (R30 PANSA paid-up members as well as OAPS and children under 12). Special R100/day all-day ticket on Saturday and Sunday. Contact Catalina Theatre on 031 305 6889

For more information, and daily reviews, see the Musho website on www.mushofestival.co.za

TALES FROM THE BROTHERS GRIMM

(Robyn Hailey Wells)

A brand new production of Garth Anderson's very popular children’s play Tales from the Brothers Grimm will be presented at the Durban Botanic Gardens Amphitheatre from January 2 to 13, providing comedy and drama for youngsters from 3 to 12 and their families and friends.

Starring well-known Durban actress Robyn Hailey Wells, Tales from the Brothers Grimm is written and directed by Garth Anderson. It presents Ashputtel (which we now know as Cinderella), Little Red Cap (Little Red Riding Hood) and Rumplestiltskin. Robyn Wells and Garth Anderson have worked well together in a number of children's performances including Aladdin and Just So Stories.

Robyn Wells has won several awards from the Natal Drama Eisteddfods, Art Festivals and London Trinity College exams. Winning London's highest marks in KZN, Robyn passed her Associate and Licentiate Drama-teaching exams with distinctions. Passionate about teaching children the art of speaking beautifully and expressing confidently, she has for many years run Expressions, a speech, confidence and performance training company. She first worked with Garth in Aladdin, playing Dame Washalot and went on to play in his Just So Stories. Later she appeared in Garth's South African Passion on Lighthouse Road, a comedy based on Chekhov's comedies The Bear and The Proposal. She loves performing Children's Theatre more than any other theatrical style.

Garth Anderson has been involved in many types of theatre for more than 30 years. His work has been seen at the Edinburgh Festival and in the United Kingdom, New York, Australia and Taiwan. He especially loves Shakespeare and Children's Theatre, and has been privileged to win a number of Theatre Awards, including the Durban Theatre Judges Award and the Fools Smart Award. For many years, Garth presented children's plays at Durban's Botanic Gardens, including Aladdin, Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty, Puss In Boots and Just So Stories.

His production of Balancing Act, written and performed by Adi Paxton, has just been performed at the Out of the Box Festival in Cape Town. He originally performed Tales from the Brothers Grimm throughout South Africa himself.

Tales from the Brothers Grimm runs in the Amphitheatre at the Durban Botanic Gardens from January 2 to 13 with performances Mondays to Fridays at 11h00. The show is 45 minutes long. Tickets R40 (R30 children under 12). To book tickets, phone The Actors Co-operative on 081 384 5706. Tickets available at the venue half an hour before each performance. Families may bring their own refreshments and are advised to bring cushions or blankets to sit on.

NIGHT FEVER

Suncoast Casino & Entertainment World in association with Showtime Entertainment Australia usher in 2012 with a musical bang as three of Down Under’s most talented vocalists join forces to present the spectacular Night Fever - A Tribute to the Bee Gees, one of the most successful and adored acts in musical history.

The exciting musical tribute which will be staged from January 5 to 15 is a grand celebration of four decades of astounding success, popularity and resilience of one of the most celebrated and successful musical stories ever told.
Featuring Aussie musicians Michael Clift, Wayne Hosking and Dave Scott, Night Fever is a 75-minute multimedia feast with state-of-the-art sound, superb hi-tech lighting and giant on-stage screens playing footage of the famous Bee Gees concerts and musical highlights of their career.

“The extraordinary legacy of the Bee Gees and their music has been enduring and incredibly appealing to all generations,” says Louise Howell, Marketing Manager of Suncoast. “Having grown up with the Bee Gees music, I’m thrilled that this amazing show will be staged at Suncoast. The tribute show is set to be a spectacular celebration of great music and lasting memories that everyone can enjoy.”

The Australian Bee Gees tribute has been successfully performed before more than one million people in sold-out shows across the globe since 1996.

Tickets R195 booked through Computicket. Suncoast Platinum Club Festival Members can purchase tickets at only R150 (R165 for Gold and Red Club Festival Members)

JUST JINJER AT BARNYARD

Internationally acclaimed South African band Just Jinjer are preparing to rock The Barnyard Theatre at Gateway again, with one show only on January 27. In the middle of production for their new album, Just Jinjer will deliver old favourite songs that put them on the map both locally and abroad, as well as a showcase of the new songs that they have been preparing for the world.

Just Jinjer is the most successful rock band ever in South Africa, having sold more that a quarter of a million albums. Comprising Durban-based Ard Matthews (vocals and guitar), Brent Harris (drums and vocals) and Denholm Harding (bass and vocals), the band returned to their home country in 2009 after being based in Los Angeles for eight years.

Over the last decade, Just Jinjer has performed and toured with U2, Counting Crows and Def Leppard, and most recently INXS among many others, performing for hundreds of thousands of fans in venues all around the world from the UK to Dubai.

Just Jinjer’s debut album, All Comes Round, became one of the best-selling rock albums in South African history. Their second album, Something for Now, reached gold status in only three weeks from release. Both albums achieved platinum status. Their albums Greatest Hits (2001) and Just Jinjer (2006) reached gold status. Their last album, Milk and Honies, was released in South Africa in December 2009 and also enjoyed much success and acclaim.

Audiences can expect to hear previews of their new material along with a mix of their old favourites such as Shallow Waters, Father and Farther, Like You Madly, their cover version of Sugarman, Paradise In Summertime, Here’s To You, For All We Know, Time Of Your Life and What He Means To Me.

Tickets R160 pp and seating will be as for normal shows, with no standing room. Phone The Barnyard Theatre on 031 566 3045 for bookings or e-mail gateway@barnayrdtheatre.co.za for enquiries and further details.

CRAZY DIAMOND

The Barnyard Theatre at Gateway will start their 11th season off with a tribute to rock legends Pink Floyd, when Crazy Diamond takes to the stage for one show only on January 24.

Crazy Diamond takes the audience on a scintillating two-hour journey following the history of Pink Floyd, as seen through the eyes of Keith Barrett - aka Syd to his friends - and paying tribute to this master musician. Barrett was one of the founding members of Pink Floyd and, even though he only stayed with the band for the first two years, his influence on the band continued long after his departure through their following 40-odd years of existence.

Taking centre stage in this production is Mel Botes, undoubtedly one of South Africa's most talented guitarists and songwriters. His brilliance as a guitar player has no limits and audiences will be mesmerized by the authenticity displayed in the show, as well as the magic of the evergreen music of one of the greatest rock bands in history.

Over 30 songs will be performed, including Jugband Blues, Echoes, Speak to Me, Breathe, Happiest Days Of Our Lives, Another Brick in the Wall (Parts 1,2 and 3), The Dogs of War, Shine On You Crazy Diamond and many more, all ensuring that the audience will be provided with a memorable show.

Tickets R130 pp. For bookings and enquiries, phone The Barnyard Theatre on 031 566 3045, e-mail gateway@barnyardtheatres.co.za or visit www.barnyardtheatres.co.za for more information.

RAINBOW PROPOSALS

Call for proposals for Director and Production for the RAINBOW Young performers project 2012.

PANSA (KZN) is calling for proposals for Director and Production of the 2012 RAINBOW Young Performers Project. The project is calling for production ideas and a director. The selection of both production and director will be made based on the following criteria (NB: failure to comply will result in immediate disqualification):

The production should be suitable to be played by a predominantly high school cast. This means that there should be enough good roles for young people to be able to extend themselves both musically and dramatically. The rights for the production should be available and the production should have some commercial potential. The production should have some theatrical value in the context of theatre in South Africa and should be able to be produced to the highest possible standard within a very tight budget.

The Director should have a proven professional track record at the highest level as well as proven experience in working with young people at the highest level. The Director should be fully available for the rehearsal period which will last for at least three months over consecutive weekends, and a few weeks in the holidays. The Director should have a proven track record in Production management, including managing the Set Design, Costume design, Lighting design and Musical Direction. The Director should be cognizant that the fees for directing are in keeping with a charity event, which in the case of this project is approximately a third of the going rate for musical theatre

A one page proposal, motivation and CV should be sent to Kovilen Moodley, PANSA (KZN) co-ordinator by email kovilen@pansa.org.za by close of business on January 31, 2012.

BRUBECK BROTHERS AT CT FESTIVAL

Serious jazz lovers can look forward to international jazz veterans the Brubeck Brothers: Darius (piano), Chris (bass) and Dan (drums) with special guest Mike Rossi (sax) playing as Brubecks play Brubeck (USA/SA) at the 13th Cape Town International Jazz Festival. This will take place from March 30 to 31 at the Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC).

Darius Brubeck made a major contribution to the survival of jazz in KwaZulu-Natal as he was the driving force behind the University of KwaZulu-Natal’s Centre for Jazz and Popular Music Studies, a programme which he ran for several years.

For the first time the festival brings multi Grammy award-winner and back-to-back platinum gold selling vocalist James Ingram (USA) with hits such as Just Once and I Don’t Have The Heart. Returning to the festival is award winning sensational music icon, internationally renowned jazz saxophonist Dave Koz (USA) with special guest Patti Austin (USA), six-time Grammy nominee and premier jazz and jazz-fusion guitarist Mike Stern (USA) performing with accomplished drummer Dave Weckl (USA), as well as South Africa’s own Virtual Jazz Reality (SA).

Jazz master bassist, Ron Carter (USA), saxophonist Donald Harrison (USA), creator of the Nouveau Swing Jazz style, and jazz fusion drummer Lenny White (USA), from Return To Forever fame, will be cooking up a storm on the Rosies Stage. Another artist to look forward to will be the Andre Petersen Quintet (SA).

Attracting the younger audience is indie hip-hop band Atmosphere (USA), as well as South African born female MC Jean Grae (USA). Other artists included in the first artist announcement include Cape Town electronic duo Goodluck (SA), South African songbird Zamajobe (SA) and local rising soul star Zahara (SA), all set to take the Bassline Stage by storm.
The Cape Town International Jazz Festival is managed by leading South African event management company espAfrika. The “sold out” tag on each year’s festival, as well the consistent line-up of world class acts, attest to the world class spirit and ability with which the Cape Town International Jazz Festival is staged and managed.

As part of the Cape Town International Jazz Festival and espAfrika’s commitment to the sustainable development of the Music Arts industry, from musicians to production personnel, the festival provides a significant platform for development. Each year the event hosts a series of workshops aimed at transferring knowledge and skills, as well as making use of a significant contingent of students and aspiring professionals in the management and running of the event.

Another element of the CTIJF is the esteemed Duotone Photographic Exhibition that documents the emergence and growth of jazz globally. The free Community Concert on March 28 in Green Market Square is a showcase of some of the international and local acts scheduled to perform at the Cape Town International Jazz Festival.

Tickets R400 for a single day pass (R550 two-day weekend pass). As in previous years, there will be an extra fee of R30 per act for patrons wishing to attend concerts on the Rosies stage. Tickets are available at Computicket and Shoprite-Checkers stores.

The gold sponsor for the Cape Town International Jazz Festival 2012 is the Department of Arts and Culture. Other sponsors include Provincial Government of the Western Cape, The City of Cape Town, Oude Meerste, Hansa Pilsner, Department of Cultural Affairs and Sport, Cape Town Partnership, and the Western Cape Education Department. The official broadcast sponsor is Mzansi Magic.

For more information and a full programme, visit www.capetownjazzfest.com

M-NET STARS LINE-UP

The first week of 2012 on MNet Stars offers a great line-up of movies on Channel 105 on DStv.

January 3 at 19h30: The River (1994) directed by Mark Rydell, starring Mel Gibson and Sissy Spacek. This is based on the triumph of a young rural couple as they face nature's greatest ravages, the threat of poverty and a wrenching separation.

January 4 at 19h30: The Flintstones (1994) directed by Brian Levant, starring Halle Berry and John Goodman A promotion moves Fred up to the executive suite at the Slate & Co. quarry.

January 5 at 19h30: The Perfect Score (2004) directed by Brian Robbins, starring Scarlett Johansson and Erika Christensen. A group of six high school students band together and develop a plan to heist the SAT exam in order to prevent the test from unfairly defining who they'll become. Each group member has their own set of circumstances that leads them to one conclusion: the only way to truly decide their fate is to cheat the system.

January 7 at 19h30: Housesitter (1992) directed by Frank Oz, starring Steve Martin and Goldie Hawn. A woman moves into an architect's house and tells his neighbours that she is his wife. When the man returns, the two continue acting as a couple and fall in love.

January 8 at 19h30: Death Becomes Her (1992) directed by Robert Zemeckis, starring Meryl Streep and Bruce Willis. This is a story about a vain actress, married to a plastic surgeon, and an author of beauty books, who both attempt to gain eternal youth, only to discover some unpleasant side effects.

SPLASHY FEN 2012

For more than two decades, the annual Splashy Fen Music Festival has seen thousands of people heading off to the mountains every Easter to enjoy a long weekend of live music against a backdrop of the scenic southern Drakensberg. Next year, this annual tradition will continue with the staging of the 23rd Splashy Fen on a farm by the same name near Underberg in KwaZulu-Natal.

According to organiser Pedro Carlo of C-Weed Entertainment Promotions, festival-goers can once again look forward to a four-day line-up of some of the country’s hottest live music acts, backed by top-class sound and lighting. “We also have a number of exciting new developments planned for next year’s festival, including a broader mix of music and even more to see and do – all of which is geared towards offering a total entertainment package and further enhancing the Splashy experience.”

Tickets are available at R500 pp at physical Computicket outlets only.

Stall bookings for next year’s festival are still open! Splashy Fen is known for its great selection of food and craft stalls, and is continually on the lookout for new traders and fresh ideas, with the emphasis on quality and originality. For more information and to submit an application online, visit http://www.splashyfen.co.za/craft.html

CAPE TOWN DIAMOND MUSEUM

The Cape Town Diamond Museum has opened its doors to the public in the newly upgraded Clock Tower precinct at the Waterfront. It is the only museum of its kind in Cape Town and the first to pay homage to the extraordinary story of the South African diamond industry. It is the latest in Cape Town’s list of must-see attractions and is conveniently located at the gateway to the world-famous Robben Island.

Mariette Du Toit-Helmbold, CEO of Cape Town Tourism commented. “The Diamond Museum is an exciting addition to Cape Town’s diversity of attractions – telling the stories of our city and country and the journeys that shaped our history. The Diamond Museum will give visitors and citizens a first-hand experience of South Africa’s significant contribution to the international diamond industry.”

The museum features a number of authentic artefacts that tell the amazing story of diamonds - in particular the story of South Africa’s diamond trade. The entire experience was designed to ensure that visitors feel the excitement and mystery surrounding these beautiful gems and learn more about one of South Africa’s greatest exports.

The museum tracks the entire journey of diamonds – from mine to finger, how they were shaped deep beneath the earth billions of years ago to how they are cut and polished – making it a one-stop resource for anyone with an interest in the glittering stones. Great care has been taken to show how South Africa’s own diamond industry was instrumental in shaping the global industry. During the 19th century, South Africa produced most of the world’s diamonds.

Since diamonds were first discovered in South Africa in 1867, the country has produced some of the world’s largest, most valuable and most memorable stones, including the Cullinan, the Hope and the Taylor Burton. Visitors can see exact replicas of the world’s most famous diamonds and delve deeper into the amazing story of the South African diamond rush. Visitors will explore the romance of this fascinating era through the museum’s displays and knowledgeable guides, leaving them enriched with knowledge and insight about diamonds.

The Cape Town Diamond Museum is open seven days a week, from 09h00 to 21h00. For more information, visit www.capetowndiamondmuseum.org or call 021 421 2488 for bookings.

WELCOME TO 2012!

Here’s wishing artSMart readers a fantastic 2012!

Thank you to readers and arts practitioners alike for supporting artSMart.

My special thanks to artSMart reviewers for undertaking dance and theatre productions, books and movies that I am not able to cover – and all without payment! Also to Michael Green for his informative Wine Notes and reviews of the KZNPO and Friends of Music concerts.

May this year see those in the arts prosper. May your creative dreams come to fruition and may they find support from funding bodies, sponsors or a buying public.

May irresponsible drivers be removed from the roads and may criminals receive swift and appropriate justice!

Keep safe and keep healthy! – Caroline Smart (Editor: www.artSMart.co.za)