Ismaël Lô sets fire to Cape Town!
Senegalese musician, and South African favourite, Ismaël Lô is returning to South Africa to perform at the Old Mutual Summer Sunset Series Concerts presented by Kaya FM at the Emmarentia Dam, 2 February, and presented by Heart FM at the Kirstenbosch Gardens, 3 February. Ismaël Lô has performed in South Africa a couple of times since his first tour in 1995, growing in popularity with each visit. With his modern mbalax sound, Ismaël Lô has managed to create an identity as a songwriter that uses his vision and experiences to represent and be a voice for a modern Africa. His achievements and talents are multidimensional and he uses his creative energy in other fields as well. He is a painter and an actor and he uses these to also raise awareness on modern day social issues, for instance, playing a role in Afrique mon Afrique, a musical movie about Aids in West Africa. Unrestricted by national boundaries, Ismaël Lô is a multi-instrumentalist with many diverse influences that include Wolof and Mandingo cultures of West Africa, and the R & B, Folk and Soul produced by the West. Ismaël Lô began his musical career as a solo singer, performing with a guitar and harmonica, and went on to take on the role of lead vocalist and guitarist for the group Super Diamano de Dakar in 1979. He spent the next 5 years as a member of Super Diamano de Dakar, until he decided in 1984 to pursue a solo career. He made a move to Spain and France where he studied and recorded three albums as well as the LP Tajabone for French label Barclay. He has achieved overwhelming success over the years since then. Releasing A-class albums and his performances have become irresistible to miss out on for his fans. He released ISO in 1994, with videos of the songs “Dibi dibi Rek” and “Tajabone” which have been playlisted on South African television which gave his career the push that it needed. Ismaël Lô’s performance is not one you want to miss out on so be sure you catch him at the Old Mutual Summer Sunset Series Concerts presented by Kaya FM at the Emmarentia Dam, 2 February, and presented by Heart FM at the Kirstenbosch Gardens, 3 February to see what the hype is about, if you do not know already. Tickets are available before the show and there are limited pre-sale mobile SMS tickets available if you would like to ensure your attendance. The mobile ticket system is easy to use – just follow the below directions: 1) Point your browser to: http://www.oppikoppi.co.za/content/Tickets.aspx 2) Click on the...
One good thing about music…
There’s only one place to be on February 9th and that’s at JHBLive’s “Hit Me With Music” bash at Carfax celebrating the legendary Bob, Reggae and the Irie life in generaal. Bob Marley, like many fabulous talented groovy party people we know, is an Aquarian born in February, the 8th to be exact, make sure you celebrate Bob and all that he taught us in true Ragga style. Represent! Hit Me With Music is back after a hugely successful show in 2007. It’s a tribute to Bob Marley – a man whose music and lyrics have given hope and inspiration to millions of people around the globe. Marley represents an ideology of freedom, his work touching on both personal liberation and liberation of the African mind and spirit. His lyrics have given hope and inspiration to many. In his spirit, JHBLive introduces the Hit Me With Music Party 2008. This year’s event has a 70’s African Revival theme. The main floor will host live acts, which will stage a tribute to the music of Bob Marley. The Carfax outside area will be transformed into a 70’s-style African shebeen, accompanied by a small market, complete with a selection of mouth-watering West African and Ethiopian cuisine. For those with harder tastes, there will be a ragga-style drum ‘n bass floor to keep your feet grooving all night long. Come join us for a night of inspiration, perspiration and jubilation! Tribute Floor: Reggae, ragga, hip-hop and dub-step Obita Tidal Waves 340ml KenZhero Kid Fonque 70’s Afro floor: Afro-beat, Afro-funk, Afro-jazz and Afro-everything-else Toby2shoes (Balkanology) Richard the Third African market African food stands Lots of crates to sit on D & B Floor: Ragga-style drum ‘n bass, jungle, etc Benson (Reflex) Rudeone (Reflex) Syndrome (Way West) Sonar (Reflex) The Blunted Stuntman Tasha Baxter (MC) HIT ME WITH MUSIC 2008 Carfax Saturday 9th of Feb...
KZN Artists stay close to artSPACE
KZN Artists make sure you stay close to artSPACE durban – they are well connected and know exactly what’s happening when. They also have fabulous ongoing exhibitions to attend. Check out below for all the call to entries on at the mo as well as their latest exhibition. artSPACE durban is the collection point for KZN again this year for the ABSA L’Atelier Art Award, which is a competition for 18- 35 year olds. The collection dates are: from 3 – 7 March and judging will take place on 14 March. In the run up to the Sasol New Signatures competition, a workshop will be held at artSPACE durban and presented by the competition chairperson, Franci Cronjé. The workshop aims to help artists understand the competition philosophy, the judging process and provide advice on conceptualisation, display and presentation of works. The date and time for the workshop is: Tuesday 29 April, 9:30 for 10:00 to 15:00. As a run up to the 2008 PPC Cement Young Concrete Sculptor Awards to be held later in the 2008, aspiring artists “young in the art of sculpting” will have the opportunity of attending one of a series of workshops to be held at venues around the country. The workshops will be presented by members of PPC Cement’s technical team and will cover some of the technical aspects of working with cement, lightweight concrete, pigments, colourants and extenders. Delegates will gain both theoretical and practical knowledge of working in this medium. PPC workshop held at artSPACE durban is:Tuesday 27 May 2008 from 9:30 for 10:00 to 15:00. Each workshop can accommodate 30 people on a first-come-first-served basis and bookings can be made through Nandi Hilliard at the Association of Arts Pretoria on telephone 012 346 3100 or 083 288 5117. The cost per person attending is R60,00 which is payable to the Association of Arts Pretoria. And again artSPACE durban will be the collection point for KZN for the 2008 Sasol New Signatures competition. Receive works: Wednesday 2 and Thursday 3 July and Selection: Tuesday 8 July, Durban (artists to collect 9 July). call for entries Established South African artists are invited to enter this prestigious art competition. The Sasol Wax Art Award is unique in that it seeks to reward innovation and excellence amongst professional artists. Use wax as the key element in your artwork – either as a process, medium or concept. Prize: R130 000 to the winner Entries close 25 February 2008 (a box has been placed at artSPACE durban for entries to be placed) For more information: 011 726 2502 / 011 726 7570 or e-mail wax@mweb.co.za Current Exhibit:...
Catch Gonçalo Mabunda @ Afronova
Catch one of Mozi’s most talented and respected young artists Gonçalo Mabunda at the Afronova Gallery in Newtown. In this first solo show in Johannesburg, Mozambican artist Gonçalo Mabunda explores the cycles of destruction and regeneration in the process of creation and history, suggesting new symbols of universality and vitality. An internationally acclaimed artist, Mabunda deals with the fierce destruction of civil war in Mozambique by neutralizing its weapons and creating peaceful or cheerful sculptures. Read more about Gonçalo at his Vgallery: Started his studies in 1982 in Maputo City, and now has intermediate level. In 1992, began working in the Art Nucleus Association as gallery assistant, and currently working as Gallery manager. Also in 1992, began to paint. In 1995 participated in the Ujamaa IV Workshop as assistant to the south Africa artist Andries Botha. In 1996 participated in a course of metal and bronze sculpture for 3 months at the Tecknikon of Natal. Since 1997, full time artist. Exhibition runs until Saturday 16 February Gallery Hours Tuesday to Friday : 13 :00 to 19 :00 Saturday 13 :00 to 17 :00 Contacts e: afronova@tiscali.co.za w: www.afronova.com c: +27 (0) 83 726 59 06 The gallery is just across the Market Theatre entrance Safe parking corner Miriam Makeba and Gwigwi Mrwebi St – Newtown Po box 3205 – Parklands 2121 – Johannesburg – South...
Get to Concerts for a Cause in CT
Spend a lazy Saturday Arvie in Cape Town in February supporting a good cause and enjoying local sounds. CONCERTS FOR A CAUSE kicks off with the first in their series of concerts at The Range in Tokai, on Sunday the 3rd of February 2008, with top SA acts Freshlyground, the Rudimentals, and Bed on Bricks. The concert series is aimed at raising funds for The Heart of Healing, an NGO committed to creating sustainable business solutions to social and environmental issues problems in South Africa. With a large portfolio, and diverse range of already developed solutions, the team of venture philanthropists now intend using a portion of the proceeds from each event towards the ongoing musical training and mentorship of disadvantaged, young artists, who will then be given the opportunity to showcase their talents alongside the bands headlining the events, providing visible feedback on how funds are channelled. Headlining next month’s laid back Sunday afternoon concert is MTV Award-winning Freshlyground, with their vivacious, catchy melodies and deeply introspective ballads. Their perfectly ultra catchy hit ‘Doo Be Doo’! is a favourite amongst a diverse spread of radio stations and their listeners, and the single, “I’d like”, also from their second album, the platinum-selling ‘Nomvula’, held the No.1 position on the 5fm charts for 3 consecutive weeks, and saw them playlisted on every station in the country. Freshlyground, made up of seven talented and diverse musicians from South Africa, Mozambique and Zimbabwe, is one of South Africa’s most successful young acts. They exude a live performance energy that has been the bedrock of their success, and seen them playing numerous music festivals including the Harare International Festival of the Arts, the North Sea Jazz Festival, the Villa Celimontana Festival in Rome, the 2005 Expo in Japan, the Robben Island African Festival, and the big Oppikoppi ‘Wired’ festival. The band, who bridge historical divides and defy musical stereotypes, were also asked to play before President Thabo Mbeki at the opening of Parliament on the eve of celebrating 10 years of democracy in South Africa! Next up, The Rudimentals bring you their blend of Pan African Ska, dance-hall rap, dope Reggae Rhythm and vintage Ska – with a dash of Jazz and the Blues. Their live shows have captured the imagination of everyone who has seen them, blurring age, taste and social group boundaries – from the Cape Town International Jazz Festival, to UB40, Vortex trance parties, and everywhere in between! They thrive on the fact that they defy musical genre categorization and are proud to carry the “unique” label. Having spent a considerable amount of time at the top of the SA...
Alison Kearney and Emily Stainer @ Goodman
We forgot to let you know about this bewitching expo earlier this month – it’s running for another two weeks so get there! The Goodman Gallery is pleased to host a new body of work by two young South African artists from the 19th January to 9th of February 2008. This exhibition comprising new works in various media by Alison Kearney and Emily Stainer opens at noon on Saturday 19th January, on this day the gallery will have extended hours from 09h30 to 17h00. Alison Kearney is a South African artist interested in issues to do with the contexts of art production and display, as well as issues to do with how value is determined in culture. Within Kearney’s current art production, she explores the role of the audience in making meaning and contributing to the creative process when engaging with conceptual artworks, using a combination of mixed media, installation, and photography. In her most recent exhibition titled About Context, An exploration of Value in Four Parts [November 2006], Kearney asked audience members to participate in a performance work by bringing objects to exchange with her ad other participating audience members. The purpose of this public exchange was so that she would ultimately have a collection of objects to work with that she did not choose. The starting point for this exhibition is an engagement with, and documentation of the objects Kearney received. Kearney’s current interest is informed by her early works, which interrogate the institutions of art as institutions that to a large extent determine cultural value and influence cultural production, through parody of some museum practices. Included in this interrogation is an engagement with theories around public art through the construction of monuments which challenge the conventions around monuments through their subject matter, and also through the scale and the materials used. Emily Stainer is a South African artist and art historian, working in watercolour, mixed media and installation. Stainer was educated at the University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg and the Courtauld Institute of Art, London. The body of work that Stainer has created for this exhibition entitled Cautionary Tales, alludes to those popular nineteenth century children’s tales that sought to warn children about the perils inherent in life. In ‘Struwwelpeter’ (1845) by H. Hoffman there is a contradiction between the comic verses and the abhorrent punishments meted out to the characters. There is something paradoxical about the rhymes’ delight in cruelty and in their concern for the welfare of the child. The fairy tales by the Brothers Grimm include many stories of young people abandoned, kidnapped and sometimes even murdered. The perpetuation of this abuse is...
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