Good People of Africa, let us free ourselves
20 May 2008 Every person we have spoken to in the last few days about South Africa, is feeling strong emotions. Emotions that they want to put down and share. Emotions that have been building up for a long time. We would like to use this forum to invite you to have your say on the situation in our country, for many of us have kept quiet for too long. No hate speech will be tolerated – this is a place for people to express themselves freely but ALL comments will be monitored… This is not a space for you to criticise others’ thoughts, language or syntax or to try and be the ‘cleverer one’. This is a space to understand everyone’s point of view. Freedom of speech is of huge importance now, so South Africans and citizens of the world, share your thoughts, intelligently. You can go anonymously, but we invite you to tell us who you are, your age and where you are from. (click here to read full article and comment) Editorista will begin: My name is Sarah, I am 33 years old, I was born and bred in Johannesburg, Swaziland, Mpumalanga and Kwazulu-Natal , but I have been in Europe for 4 months. I have been privileged to live a rich, interesting life in South Africa and Swaziland. I am a young South African, not a politician and these are my thoughts: Good people of Africa, how can we free ourselves from these chains? So many of us are tarred with fear and hatred of each other, fueled by the evil teachings of our past that brainwashed us into categorising each other. How can we rid ourselves of these stains, these superficial concepts that claw so deeply within us? Once, Africa was a borderless place, and now, we withdraw into the labelling and naming that was imposed on us and today divides us. Excited by freedom and driven by a desire for new beginnings, so many citizens in our country have thrown themselves into the ‘growing business economy’ since ’94, striving for a piece of success, hungry for financial gain, often getting ourselves more and more into debt as we aim for bigger, better and more. In this money-hungry process, so many of us have forgotten about the poor (but not all of us, there are many people who do as much good as they can), with the rich getting richer and the middle class booming beyond belief (which has been a blessing for many people for which we are deeply grateful). But in our ambitious desires to achieve our economic, consumerist dreams(or nightmares), we...
Book for a MUMMENSCHANZ treat Now!
Don’t miss this rare opportunity to catch this legendary theatre group for a taste of their magic as they bring their much-loved performances to South Africa in June and July, watch a Youtube clip here, but otherwise, get booking. MUMMENSCHANZ, the Swiss theatre group described by magician David Copperfield as “truly magical” will be touring South Africa with their visual spectacle of illusion and make-believe in June-July with performances scheduled in Pretoria, Cape Town and Johannesburg. At the 2006 Edinburgh Comedy Festival they were branded with “…more imagination and invention in two or three minutes of a single sketch than many artists have in their whole show…” During their Australian tour in the same year, the Sunday Morning Herald praised the show as “…a dazzling and affecting spectacle…” After more than 30 years of performing, they still get glowing reviews and attract packed houses wherever they perform – be it Australia, Europe, India or the USA. By using everyday objects and materials, such as cardboard boxes, rolls of toilet paper, masking tape, refuse bags, etc., they create ingenious costumes and expressive masks that transform into fascinating and funny creatures on stage. The MUMMENSCHANZ characters portray everyday human situations, effortlessly understood by audiences of all ages and across all cultures. MUMMENSCHANZ started out in the seventies with the goal to create a non-verbal theatrical language that would transcend the traditional barriers of language and culture. They have been hailed as revolutionary in their field, combining masks, mime, movement and lighting to create a unique kind of visual theatre that keeps audiences spell-bound. The masks belong to three different groups: versatile face masks, half-body or full body masks and three-dimensional masks. They achieved their first major success at the Avignon Festival, which led to engagements in Europe and North America. Subsequent tours throughout the seventies and eighties in Europe, Middle East, Asia, Africa, South America and Australia including Festivals in Edinburgh, Spoleto, Berlin and Belgrade were met with overwhelming enthusiasm. On Broadway MUMMENSCHANZ defied all expectations. Hailed as “inventive, imaginative and sparkling with wit”, they remained at the Bijou Theatre for a three-year run, becoming a household name, an unprecedented feat for a group whose show does not contain any words or music. Their innovative style of theatrical performance, which inspired many other artists, was now fully recognized by the public and the critics. Film, television and advertisement work followed, bringing the company to an even wider audience. Mummenschanz “3 x 11” will be loved by young and old. See it from 10 -15 June at the SA State Theatre in Pretoria, 17 June – 5 July at the Baxter Theatre...
Ballet & more in G-town this year
Ah, we just got all misty-eyed and nostalgic for the spirit of the Grahamstown festival when Editorista was a student and made the pilgrimage every year with her chomees to top up her creative side… Not so long ago! We encourage everyone that loves art, music, theatre, dance, markets, walking around, great food, partying, a vibrant community spirit and meeting people from all over the world to get to this year’s Grahamstown National Arts festival. First up on the announcements is the phenomenal SA Ballet Theatre company with their performance of Don Quixote taking place in the first week of July. The country’s foremost ballet company visits The National Arts Festival in Grahamstown with an extended version of Don Quixote produced by SA Ballet Theatre Principal dancer and Coach Christian Tátchev. The feisty, funny story ballet Don Quixote is set in sunny Spain and features stars of The SA Ballet Theatre including Principals Angela Malan, Burnise Silvius, Andries Weidemann and Michael Revie. This production of Don Quixote premiered in July 2007 at The South African State Theatre to critical review. All the performances will be accompanied by The Cape Philharmonic Orchestra under the baton of Maestro Michael Hankinson. There will be three performances between 2 to 5 July at the 1820 Settler’s Monument. SABT has been invited to perform on the festival’s Main programme. Performances: 2 July 19h00 3 July 19h00 5 July 10h30 Bookings may be made at Computicket from May 5th on 083 915 8000 or visit www.computicket.com. For further information, please contact the Festival office on 046 603 1103 or email...
VASBYT with Gonzo Republic et al
You do the sums, R30 for three bands means 10 ronde each – what a bargain ek se! Rockers unite at the ever-grungy Bohemian in Melville 7th June for Gonzo Republic, The Hellphones and The Uncut… Everyone hold up, Jo’burg is about to get a dose of South Africa’s three exceptionally talented bands; Gonzo Republic, The Hellphones and The Uncut will be teaming together to bring you a smashing show on the 7th June at The Bohemian. Gonzo Republic is a four piece alternate rock band from Durban. “Alternate’ because the guitaring and vocals swing the groove deep and dirty. The musicians bringing you Gonzo Republic are Clay (vocals), Josh (guitars), Steve (drums) and Noj (bass). Gonzo Republic is a hybrid version of all the dirty rocking groove bands you can think of, culminating into new grooves of rock. Check them out on www.myspace.com/gonzorepublicband The Hellphones hail from Johannesburg’s East Rand. A five piece band consisting of vocalist Ten-Elliot, lead guitarist Fredriguez, rhythm guitarist Joe Flow, bassist Jonzila and drummer Eddie Rastelli; The Hellphones play a startling mix of old school rock ‘n roll infused with modern guitar pop and good old fashioned attitude. Following an assortment of live and demo successes; their debut album, “This Is How” was released in July 2006 & received hoards of remarkable reviews. “…a great band with even greater possibility and potential. Watch, listen and don’t be left behind” Jason Curtis, Musica Pulse Magazine. Get in touch with The Hellphones on www.hellphones.co.za The Uncut is essentially two groups of friends that joined forces to become one of the top bands this country has ever seen. All of the members were studying jazz before the group was formed and considered to be some of the top musicians in their community. With influences from genres ranging from Blues to jazz to indie rock; The Uncut has developed an original and truly unique style that continues to turn heads at an alarming rate. Get in touch with The Uncut on www.theuncut.co.za The show starts at 8pm, R30 gets you in so be sure to be there on time and not miss out on this once off event. The Bohemian is on No. 5 Park Road, Richmond. Tel: 011 482...
Kospotong Open Mic Every Wednesday
Poets and lyrical wordsmiths take note, The Kospotong Open Mic shows are growing each week both in attendance and performances…. The following happenings are a couple of things to look out for in the coming months. The Likwid Tongue mixtape Long overdue, this disk will feature some of your favourite poems from Likwid Tongue, coupled with new tracks and new poems the Likwid Tongue mixtape will be on sale at the shows. (dates to be confirmed). Comrades on the mic (show) Following the June 16 theme, the Comrades on the Mic show will showcase up and coming performers who have graced our stage and received positive feedback from the audience. SO if you still want to be on the line up, come through on any Wednesday to KOSPOTONG and show us what you got. ( please dont hastle the management of Sophiatown to put you on the list, cause they wont!) (oh and dont hastle us either, the audience decides wether you make it or not)………(in June, specifics to be confirmed) The Official Likwid Tongue Website (coming soon) get a chance to post your poems, raps, beats etc on the site. meet the collective, view the gallery, listen to Likwid Tongue tracks, comment on em, shewwwww, watch this...
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