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21 Apr 2009

ARTSCAPE ANNOUNCES DETAILS OF 2009 NATIONAL CLASSICAL MUSIC COMPETITION

ARTSCAPE, the Western Cape’s performing arts company, has launched the 2009 edition of its National Youth Music Competition, which will be held from 5 to 10 October 2009 in Cape Town.

Aimed at talented young classical musicians, the competition offers prizes totalling R65,000. The final six contenders will perform with the Cape Philharmonic Orchestra (CPO).

The competition is open to all classical pianists and orchestral instrumentalists between the ages of 14 and 19 years. The closing date for entries is 24 April 2009.

A total of 30 participants will be selected from qualifying auditions in Pretoria, Johannesburg, Bloemfontein, Durban, Port Elizabeth and Cape Town. Qualifying musicians will be announced shortly after the auditions in June this year.

The competition consists of four rounds and will take place at the Artscape Theatre Centre in Cape Town. All selected participants will play in the first two rounds after which the first elimination of the participants takes place.

During the first two rounds, each competitor will play four works from at least three different style periods. One of the works must be a movement from Classical or Romantic sonata. A later style period is allowed for brass instruments, saxophone and percussion.

In the third round, each participant will play a 15-minute recital of two or more contrasting works. In addition, a movement from a concerto; or a single work for the chosen instrument; or two movements from a concerto; or a complete concerto with piano accompaniment must be performed.

A maximum of 12 competitors will go through to the third round and six (6) finalists will compete in performance with the Cape Philharmonic Orchestra in the final round. All the rounds will be open to the public.

"As demonstrated by the exceptional performances of the past two years, this competition provides a platform for exceptional young classical musicians to develop their musical and technical skills in competitive circumstances. Artscape started this initiative in collaboration with the Cape Philharmonic Orchestra, Fine Music Radio and the City of Cape Town to ensure the sustainability of the performing arts and creating a platform for young, classical musicians," says Michael Maas, CEO.

A competition brochure and entry forms can be downloaded from the Artscape website at www.artscape.co.za. Interested musicians can also write to the Secretariat, Artscape Youth Music Competition, PO Box 4107, Cape Town, 8000, or e-mail youthmusic@artscape.co.za, or fax: (021) 419-8756.

A non-refundable fee of R150 per entry is payable and candidates are only allowed to enter for one instrument category. Previous overall winners may not enter this competition.

15 Apr 2009

Big Brother Watching - Lions Head



One of the security cameras on one of the hiking routes on Lions Head. It does give you a sense of security. Enjoy the outdoors! Don't be put off by the would-be criminals.

Concert with Mikanic

Mikanic, featuring Mike Rennie and Nick Turner, are back in their home country of South Africa for a two-week tour in and around Cape Town in April 2009 as part of an exclusive country-wide tour plus Live album launch.


Mikanic was formed in 2003, with Mike Rennie on violin & vocals and Nick Turner on acoustic guitar & vocals. Both musicians were already very well known in South Africa, having founded Sons of Trout, one of the country's top-selling acts. With Trout they headlined every major music festival in the country and toured extensively, releasing four albums and opening for a number of international artists.
Now based in New York, Mikanic's line-up often features renowned musicians from South Africa, including Tony Cedras, who performs in Paul Simon’s band, and Nathi Gcabashe, who sings with Hugh Masekela. Having recently completed a run of concerts with the incredible Zolani Mahola in New York, Mikanic looks forward to future collaborations of this nature.
Mikanic's music effortlessly spans genres with influences ranging from rock, reggae and African to hip-hop and jazz. Lyrically powerful, relevant, humorous and energetic, the music has a wide appeal. With shows that feature virtuoso musicianship, funky grooves and catchy tunes, Mikanic has quickly become one of New York's hottest live acts.
In 2004 Mikanic released their first album, Swimming with the Women, to great critical acclaim and popular success. The album crossed musical boundaries, establishing the band’s characteristic sound and providing the springboard for their departure to the USA. In 2005, Mikanic released their powerful second album, The Subway Tracks, showcasing the diversity and instant appeal of their sound.

This year they have released their third full album, titled Africa My Love, which was recorded live in the USA, and showcases their maturing music, reflecting on the roots of their South African sound and influences. On their 2009 South African tour, Mikanic will be launching this album. It will be available for sale at the 16 April performance at Alliance Française in Cape Town.

Alliance Française, 155 loop Street,Cape Town 20h00.

The Café de l’Alliance will be open for the occasion (food and drinks)

155, Loop Street - Cape Town
T-(021) 423 56 99
F-(021) 423 57 04
E- info.cpt@alliance.org.za

R40.

04 Apr 2009

Jazz Rendezvous rises from the ashes

In a previous post, I mentioned how support and sponsorship for jazz is being cut back. Here is some good news from Eric Alan:

Jazz Rendezvous rises from the ashes and returns to the airwaves of Radio 2000 whilst the Very Early Saturday Retro Radio show moves to an earlier slot.

From Sunday 5 April 2009 and every Sunday evening there after Jazz Rendezvous will be on air from 18h00 to 22h00. More to follow about the show soon. The Very Early Saturday Retro Radio show moves from the old slot of 3am to Midnight Friday and will be aired until 3am every Saturday morning. I look forward to having you tune in on those days.

Radio 2000 - 97.2 to 100.2fm

Radio 2000 Website:
http://www.radio2000.co.za
Jazz Rendezvous Website:
http://www.jazzrendezvous.co.za

Vote For Table Mountain

Do the logical thing, vote Here for Table Mountain.

I did!



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BEYOND THE MOON

THE NYANGA ARTS DEVELOPMENT CENTRE

in collaboration with

ARTSCAPE

present

BEYOND THE MOON

7th & 8th April 2009 at 19:00
Artscape Theatre

Township life comes alive in the Artscape Theatre on Tuesday 7th and Wednesday 8th April 2009 when the Nyanga Arts Development Centre (NADC) in collaboration with Artscape present Beyond the Moon, a two hour celebration of the evolution of the rich arts and culture traditions from the Nyanga community. Performances are at 19:00.

This production is an initiative of the Creative Street Project and represents both professional and semi-professional artists. Audiences will be taken on a journey through traditional and contemporary music, song and dance with over 30 performers. There will also be an exhibition in the gallery and foyers of Artscape by Crafters, Photographers, Painters, Printers as well as Fashion Designers who feature prominently on local and international stages.

Beyond the Moon is directed by a team of well-known artists from Nyanga and includes Abey Xakwe, Sakhiwo Gxabhela and Thembani Luzipho. Musical directors are Mxolisi Dave Mayekana and Jongi Monatsi. Choreography is by Silumko Koyana. Production Manager is Sizwe Febana who is also stage manager assisting Artscape’s technical teams on sound and lighting. Costume Designer is Nolufefe Siwundla.

Performers are members of bands and dance groups from Afro Vibe (Band), Incredible Brass, Mzantsi Sounds (Marimbas and voice), Ladies Mantombazana Dance Group (Female), Ilitha Dance Group (Male) and Abemveli (Traditional Song and Dance). Abemveli is a noted and respected group of performers whose members are Elders (women) of the Nyanga community. They have for many decades been passing on their knowledge and skills to the younger generations, ensuring these valuable and important traditions are never lost.

Nyanga has been a nest for hundreds of artists in Cape Town from as early as the 50’s. It has been the place where a rich cultural tradition has been maintained and admired and where the sounds of Cape Goema music, street Kwela and brass bands are still heard today.

For many artists this will be their first experience on a professional stage. Artscape continues to provide this platform for indigenous art forms previously excluded from this opportunity and encourages creativity in script writing, musical composition and choreography - showcasing and presenting diverse performing arts programmes.

The Creative Streets project started as a pilot programme to initiate a continuous resourceful business hub in Nyanga and the surrounding areas. It has involved all cultural groups and role players in the area, generating opportunities for arts entrepreneurs to showcase their talent as well as work prospects.

Beyond the Moon is a project of the NADC in collaboration with Artscape Indigenous Arts Department and is entertainment for the entire family.

Tickets cost R40. Pensioners and Students R30, block bookings of 20 or more R30 and R25 per group of 60 learners. Book through Computicket, Artscape Dial-a-Seat 021 421 7695, Shoprite, Checkers outlets and www.computicket.com

02 Apr 2009

Keeping Jazz Alive

In recent times it seems that many things, including the arts is being cut back in terms of financial support and sponsorship. Listening to some of the organisers of the Cape Town International Jazz Festival, it seems very difficult to obtain and retain sponsorship. Many big corporates that use to support some of the arts, are pulling out or reducing their sponsorship.

Sponsorship is not the only area. The media is also cutting back. One national radio station recently reduced their weekly dedicated jazz program from three hours to two hours. Although, some radio stations have all the resources, they steer away from dedicating airtime to jazz.

Listening to one of the so called big Cape Town radio stations, the presenter interviewing the director and conductor of a Cape Town jazz orchestra, made the comment that jazz is not alive in Cape Town. I have to disagree with him. Not attending or supporting many serious jazz events around town, how can he made such a comment. Come on guys, you can do much more to support the music.

In these hard times, where we can, we have to support this art form to keep it alive.


"Jazz and freedom go hand in hand. That explains it. There isn't any more to add to it. If I do add to it, it gets complicated. That's something for you to think about. You think about it and dig it. You dig it..." Thelonious Monk
"Jazz and freedom go hand in hand. That explains it. There isn't any more to add to it. If I do add to it, it gets complicated. That's something for you to think about. You think about it and dig it. You dig it..." Thelonious Monk

Hamba Kahle Winston Mankunku Ngozi - Tributes

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