Arts Alive brings on Spring
Spring is definitely on it’s way as more and more events fill the September calender. Arts Alive announces a hot line-up for this years festival including the electro maestro Frederik Galliano, world music heavyweights Mory Kante and Hermeto Pascoal and a dance and film segment for some flavour on the side. Here’s more: Newtown, Johannesburg is set to come alive with the sounds and sights of the annual Arts Alive September Festival, which boasts an array of compelling artistic offerings for Joburg residents to indulge in! Kicking off on August 31st, the festivities will continue throughout the month of September, and include artistic programmes from a diverse set of disciplines – theatre, dance, film, comedy, music and the visual arts will all be part of the Arts Alive programme this year. The annual festival, hosted by the City of Joburg, has become synonymous with an exceptional, accessible and engaging artistic programme that harnesses artistic talent from various parts of the world to create an incredible smorgasbord of cultural events. Arts Alive is housed in the Community Development Department of the Joburg City. The Member of the Mayoral Committee (MMC) responsible for Community Development Nandi Mayathula-Khoza said: “Arts Alive is making a meaningful contribution towards the City’s vision where community development, personal growth and social mobility are enhanced so that challenges of poverty, vulnerability, inequality and social exclusion can be fundamentally addressed”. True to tradition, this years Arts Alive September Festival 2007 has secured the services of musical giants such as Cuba’s Omar Sosa, Frederic Galliano, from France, the world-renowned balafon playing genius Mory Kante, Vieux Farka Toure, son of the late, great Ali Farka Toure and Brazilian, Hermeto Pascaol amongst others. “Once again, the City of Johannesburg will be home to the crème of the world’s cultural and artistic talent over an entire month period, comments Steven Sack Director for Arts and Culture. “ From Newtown right through to Soweto, Arts Alive will be providing Joburg residents an incredible array of arts and culture offerings. We’re bringing Brazil, Mali, France, Guinea, Cuba, India, the United Kingdom and Zimbabwe right to Joburg’s doorstep in the form of an incredible artistic line-up, and really encourage Joburger’s to shake off the winter blues and enjoy the festivities brought to you courtesy of Arts Alive. The programme includes a must-see visual arts tribute to Sipho Hotstix Mabuse, which will be hosted at the Hector Pieterson Museum throughout the month of September. Also on the visual arts programme is the highly acclaimed Africa Remix exhibition and the Sasol Wax Art Award held at Johannesburg Art Gallery. Arts 02 The dance element of Arts is an exemplar...
Represent Recommends: Afronova Gallery
Have you been to one of the opening nights of an art exhibition at Afronova in Newtown? Picture it, the city in the evening, night market with colourful vendors selling beads, earrings, clothing and arts and crafts outside the Market theatre, patrons at Moyo’s cuddling under blankets in candlelight and a whole bunch of arty folk gathered in the quaint Afronova gallery and on the cobbled boardwalk sipping on vino. Sounds tempting? What we like about it is you can either just pop in, have a look and mingle for a few moments or you can make a meal of it and join the artist for dinner at Gramadoelas. Go and check it out. If you miss opening night, the exhibit continues for a few weeks normally – just check the opening times out below. Enjoy! Gathered Spirits a solo exhibition by PETROS GHEBREHIWOT Friday 3 August from 18:00 to 20:00 Followed by the artists dinner at Gramadoelas Restaurant In this solo exhibition, Eritrean artist Petros Ghebrehiwot reflects on the collective behavior of people. He explores the reasons that bring small or large number of individuals together as well as the capabilities, experiences, characteristics and power they hold. Every individual has a shelter where he/she practices a private life with family members or alone. Individuals also form crowds who get together for common social, cultural, religious or political reasons. The works deal with the aggregated human spirits and their deeds, through architecture, drawing, painting and assemblage. Exhibition runs until Wednesday 22 August IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWED BY THE ARTIST DINNER @ GRAMADOELAS R100 at the door This is a convivial and adventurous platform for gastronomy and networking. The legendary Gramadoelas Restaurant is famous for its Cape Malay and African delights as well as its generous wine sharing. RSVP: afronova@tiscali.co.za Gallery Hours Tuesday to Friday: 13:00 to 19:00 Saturday: 13:00 to 17:00 Contacts e: afronova@tiscali.co.za w: http://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...
Represent Review: Omar Pene
How we wish we could have been there to get down with The Matrix as he swung his hips to Senegalese rhythms transfixed by the backing singers agility. Despite his opening sentence, we’re sure he had no problem doing the kwasa-kwasa at Kippies: Change is good they say, but I have to admit, I’m a bit nervous when it comes to dealing with cultural adjustments and their resulting (pre-requisite) behaviour. Well, to sift through the chuff – I plunged head first into unbeknown territory when I marched into Newtown’s legendary Jazz club – Kippies International – to attend the live music show from Senegal’s jazz star: Omar Pene. The atmosphere on 66 Quinn Str (Cnr Carr) was made lively by the opening act: Nathi and the Band performing a remix of the famous “Mangwane Mpulele” with all of us automatically joining in! The mood became emotional as we all listened as one to the poignant title track: Soze- a dedication to his late sister who passed away from an AIDS related illness. Nathi has dedicated the track to all live with HIV/AIDS. (Nathi/Soze, the album is out on sale now!) Apart from the annoying bankcard machines being offline, the ambience was groovy, welcoming and conducive to a good night in Jozi`s cultural heartland – Newtown. Then came the cultural twist as Omar Pene took us on a hip-swinging journey of authentic Senegalese dance floor tunes, even the Matrix lost all control and hit the dance floor Big Time. Kippies had a true multicultural audience on Friday; all paying homage to the singing sensation that is Omar Pene; there were us Darkies (dressed to shame the devil as usual), Whities in their droves (well prinked up too admittedly!) and enthusiasts of all sorts! Omar had us eating out his hands as we got down to the elaborate “Kwasa-Kwasa” dance of North West African origins, shaking it till the end. At one point I found myself multitasking as I gasped, stared and pondered on how horrified the Teasers girls would be if they could witness the things which Mr. Pene`s lead backup singer and beloved daughter could do with (just) her hips (Ka Mmago!!!). Omar Pene came to South Africa to perform at the Durban Film Festival, but owing to the dedication of Africa Synergy and the support of Kaya FM to the continuous development of a cultured Jozi inner City, Kippies international became the proud host of this ingenious and indigenous Senegalese artist. Nothing could have been more befitting and so rewarding! How grateful we are to have such culturally inclined international music supporters such as Africa Synergy, Kippies International and Kaya FM. For loads...
Catch “The Winter Show” at Afronova
We know we’re on an arty tip but we’re loving all the galleries and exhibits about at the moment. We hope our enthusiasm is infectious and that you’re making a plan to catch some art soon! Get on down to Newtown to one of our favourite downtown galleries, Afronova, for their next installation aptly titled “The Winter Show” (from 22 June). Diarise! The Winter Show features a rare selection of works by some of the finest artists from South Africa and the continent. Artists showcased include Chéri Samba, Chicken Man, Esther Mahlangu, Solly Cissé, Durant Sihlalhi and Willem Boshoff to name a few. Exhibition runs until Friday 13 July Gallery Hours Tuesday to Friday : 13 :00 to 19 :00 Saturday 13 :00 to 17 :00 Contacts e: afronova@tiscali.co.za w: http://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 Africa...
Call for interest – Newtown Diwali Festival
After a triumphant event last year, organisers of the Newtown Diwali Festival are proud to announce that preparations are underway for the Newtown Diwali Festival 2007 which will take place on the 27th of October 2007, in the Newtown Cultural Precinct. After logging a record attendance of over 40 000 festival-goers last year, coordinators of the Newtown Diwali Festival 2007 are now calling on all cultural and community organisations to submit expressions of interest to participate in their cultural programme which will take centre stage at the festival. Last year’s cultural programme showcased a high caliber of local talent, resulting in a dazzling programme of music, song and dance. Interested organisations should contact Festival Programme Coordinator, Ravi Naidoo on ravi@newtowndiwalifestival.co.za . Please cc all mail to r.naidoo@telkomsa.net. Submissions must include: the name of the organisation, contact person, all contact details, the category of participation (ie. music, song or dance), genre of item (ie. classical, semi-classical, fusion, modern), a brief description of the item and the approximate duration. The closing date for all submissions is Friday, 28 July 2007. For additional information, Ravi Naidoo may be contacted on 082 923 5622. The Newtown Diwali Festival 2007 takes place in the Newtown Cultural Precinct on Saturday, the 27th of October from 10am to late. Entrance is...
Proudly brought to you by:
