Finding art and soul in Hoedspruit’s Imbizo Gallery
By Ludwig Spies The Limpopo Lowveld may not immediately come to mind as a centre of culture creation, but those familiar with the region will tell you that exciting things are happening. Geoffrey Craig-Cooper, art consultant at Imbizo Gallery in the Lowveld town of Hoedspruit, says things have certainly changed. No longer a one-horse town, Hoedspruit is now a fashionable destination featuring wildlife estates, small winter festivals and pleasant local eateries. Guests enjoyed a diverse selection of abstract, contemporary, and wildlife pieces. “You know the day I thought ‘things are really starting to look up’? It was when they got rid of the golfball glasses. Do you know what I’m talking about? “Those short small wine glasses that you see at weddings and corporate functions? “Well, the day I sat down in a restaurant in Hoedspruit, and they gave me a beautiful long-stemmed glass with a large open rim, from which I could actually drink the wine, I knew things had changed.” Smalltown Art Lovers “Into Thin Air” – exuberant Art Nouveau bronze by Marke Meyer. The gallery in Hoedspruit is the second of its kind. The first Imbizo was established in Ballito in 2008 by Isabel Roos, a former plant pathologist and university lecturer. The new gallery is a partnership between her, Cooper-Craig, and resident artist Vanessa Lomas. Opening an art gallery in a small Limpopo town may seem risky but Geoffrey explains that there has always been a strong need in Hoedspruit for artistic and cultural supply. He cautions that small towns should not be underestimated. Roos echoes this. Miriam the Sheep, the official mascot of Hermanuspietersfontein Wine Estate. “Sometimes these older Afrikaans ooms walk into the gallery with their families and you sort of brace yourself for the reaction you’re going to receive after he sees one of Marke Meyer’s nude bronzes. And you know what? The exact opposite happens. They love the work.” But is this hamlet’s love of art matched by its buying power? The answer is a very definite yes. Thanks to a clever business model that targets the local, tourist and expatriate markets, Imbizo is doing well despite the current economy. Roos’s dream is to create something of an art distribution network that sees work flowing from and to different places in Africa. With this vision in mind, the name Imbizo (Zulu for “gathering” or “coming together”) is more than apt. To this end, the Imbizo Hoedspruit Arts Fusion Weekend ran from 1 to 4 October this year, with exhibitors at the event showcasing a wide range of genres. Sculpture, Painting & Photography Elegantly macabre, “Sangoma” by Tony Riley. Marke Meyer’s...
AFRIPOP! is now on Apple Music!
Listeners in Africa can now hear music curated by Afripop’s team of music experts on Apple Music. How rad? Global African pop culture site AFRIPOP! joins a group of select curators on Apple Music, and members in Africa can now access regularly updated playlists of music carefully chosen by a team of music tastemakers, led by editor Phiona Okumu. A long-standing champion for urban African music on the continent, as well as in the UK and the US, AfriPOP! will continue in its music-forward tradition, making sure that the best, most relevant and deserving sounds from Africa and the Diaspora get heard worldwide. “When you look back on what happened when Drake jumped on and played Wizkid’s song Ojuelegba on his Beats 1 show, you realize the potential for impact when the right songs get into the right hands. Literally, anyone has a chance at the big time because of the levelling effect of digital. I can’t think of a more exciting time to be involved in pushing music than right now!” says Phiona Okumu, AfriPOP! Editor. Read all about it here ...
Are The Jakes Missing?
Janice and Donald Jakes have fallen out of love and into Witness Protection. Being at the wrong place at the wrong time sends a teenage boy and his parents to a journey where they will rediscover what it means to love each other. Simon Jakes is teenage boy obsessed with music. His parents now living in modern day society of riches and wealth are also strict about the life their son leads and do not approve of his musical interest, unless classical. Janice and Donald Jakes (Simon’s parents) are at a crossroads, Janice wants to leave this relationship and Donald has been so busy at work he hasn’t noticed his wife hates him and wants to leave. One night, while supposedly being grounded, Simon sneaks out to a music event that could possible change his career forever. However it changes his life forever as he becomes the witness to a murder and escapes the crime scene with the one thing the criminals are willing to kill for. This movie promises to be another great South African film telling authentic local stories. The movie will be released on Friday 23 October 2015, be sure not to miss it at your local...
Kaya FM presents: Zonke – Live @ The Bassline
Afro-Soul Superstar ZONKE is making a welcome return to the South African music scene, and also to The Bassline stage. Saturday 10th October will be the third show for the Kaya FM Presents Live@The Bassline series with Zonke Dikana headlining, music fans are in for a rare treat. The graceful songbird is currently riding high with the recent release of her brand new album Work Of Heart. This superb album is already topping the charts and drawing rave reviews across the board as well as holding a place at #1 on the iTunes R&B chart. The multiple award-winning, platinum-selling Zonke is known for her sublime and powerful live performances. She is also a sought-after songwriter and producer, and she produced Work Of Heart. Hailing originally from Port Elizabeth, she now calls Johannesburg home. It took Zonke some time to find her voice and to crack through the tough Jo’burg music scene, and her breakthrough 2011 album Ina Ethe saw her reach the pinnacle after a decade of struggles. She followed that up with a successful live album entitled Give and Take – Live, which went Platinum. Then, just as Zonke was finally ready to start work on another album, her sister and fellow artist Lulu Dikana was struck down with a respiratory ailment and passed away in December 2014. For Zonke, rediscovering her inspiration after such a blow took months, but early in 2015, her muse started to return. “Changes make you stronger,” Zonke says. “No matter what happens, I don’t have it in me to lie down and give up. There is always a way. For me, music is that way. Music is goodness.” The track Meet Me In My Dreams is the centre-piece of the new album, and a fitting musical tribute to Lulu. What is not in dispute is the strength and resilience of this African music superstar, she has risen above pain and hardship more times than she cares to remember, always emerging better, stronger, a more talented, more spectacular version of herself. Support for Zonke will be provided by the multi award winning BERITA. This talented young singer/songwriter/guitarist hails originally from Zimbabwe, but has been making a name for herself locally over the past few years, especially after taking home the Best African Album at the 12th Metro Awards and SAMRO Songwriter of the Year Award in 2015. Saturday 10th October 2015 Doors open 8pm Tickets are R200 available via Webtickets Tickets are R230 at the door....
Owami Woman and Brand SA Present: ‘Play Your Part’ Heritage Day Celebration
As the nation prepares to celebrate its colourful diversities this coming heritage day, it is with great excitement that Owami Woman and Brand SA present to you a one of a kind woman tailored heritage day celebration. Every day in all corners of this beautiful country there are people that positively impact our country through various acts of kindness and for-good initiatives. It is for this reason that Owami Women and Brand South Africa particularly ‘Play your Part’, an active citizenship campaign, have joined forces in a collaboration that will see some of the people that continuously “Play Their Part” being acknowledged and thanked on Heritage Day. The Owami Women and Brand South Africa event will amongst many things seek to highlight various Women in different fields who have through their leadership and contribution positively affected their communities and environment for the greater good of South Africa. The program at this event will aim to highlight a number of pillars where Women of Owami play significant roles nationally in addressing basic needs of people as a way to bridge inequities within their immediate societies and thereby enriching those lives in a positive way. Owami Women since its inception has provided various platforms on issues affecting Women, their views, and has enabled their voices on all major social and economic issues. We have deployed various members’ experiences and expertise across all types of industries to assist and help those less fortunate or are trying to climb up the ranks or perhaps to offer practical solutions to overcome barriers and create new horizons and opportunities for themselves. We also provide networking and empowerment opportunities, as well as mentorship amongst our target audience. The event therefore will highlight Owami Women’s collaboration with Brand South Africa on the Play you Part Campaign. Owami Women’s members will get to share how they each play their part in making South Africa a country we can all be proud of. A great line-up of inspirational women has been planned and there are six women who will be receiving special recognition awards on the day. Entertainment will be provided by live performance of the famed duo Roots 2000 MXO AND Sliq Angel who will be singing their fusion of great musical sounds in IsiXhosa and English, a befitting tribute to our South African Heritage. Event Details: 24th September, Venue: The Fabz Garden & Conferencing Hotel, Lonehill, Time: 11h00 – 15h30, Dress code: Proudly South African...
Lianne La Havas- Blood Review
Artist: Lianne La Havas Album: Blood Lianne La Havas first grabbed our attention in 2012 with her breakthrough album, “Is Your Love Big Enough?” At that time, the 22 year old’s sound was influenced by the likes of Jill Scott, Mary J. Blige and Erykah Badu. While some artists go all out with their debuts and disappoint with follow-ups, this narrative follows a different course. After three years, La Havas is back with Blood, a new album that’s recorded true to her style and inspired by her travels to Jamaica. La Havas’ lyrical content has always been personal, and the tracks on Blood remain true to form. “Green and Gold” speaks to a childhood identity crisis and the attempt to make sense of the physical, while “Tokyo” is based on the feeling of loneliness that comes with moving from one place to another. On a lighter note, “What You Don’t Do”, is a track that just makes you want to get down and shake it out! Since the release of her debut album, La Havas’ voice and range have matured, and the listener is encouraged to disregard all attempts to box her distinct sound. The marriage of pop, soul, jazz and heavy electronic rock work well in creating a beautiful story in just ten songs. In a recent interview with The Guardian, La Havas was quoted as saying that she eventually wants to do away with genre. Our response? This album is a great way of achieving exactly that. Stand-out songs: What You Don’t Do Tokyo Wonderful Good Goodbye ...
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