The Space Between

In that space between 

love and hate we find ourselves 

designing our art

- Refilwe Nkomo

Rough Musick

Multiple award winning artist and fellow Joule City resident, Gavin Krastin will be presenting Rough Musick  at the Theatre Arts Admin Collective in Observatory from 30 July to 3 August 2013. Rough Musick is a thought provoking piece which interrogates issues of whiteness and shame. Read more here

Bedazzled Boolz

Boolz
Photographs by Roger Young
Art Direction and Styling by Chloe Hugo-Hamman

Sixty Seven Minuts

While others where doing their 67 minuts in different ways by doing community service, goingto parties and.....and.....and.....UCT did it in a ''Bang'' artistic way by offering a series of a dance workshops over a week and to add on to it they have invited intellectuals from around the world the likes of Mr Vincent Mantsoe who presented his thoughts on religion and spirituality in dance excellent. His passion, energy and unapologetic approach is profound and important to our dance fraternity

 Mantsoe's work draws on traditional African dance forms with a contemporary approach from modern, ballet and Asian forms such as Tai Chi, Martial Art and other traditional dances he learned during his travels. In 2005 Mantsoe created his first company (Association Noa Cie-Vincent Mantsoe) based in France, and works with dancers from different cultural background.

This to me was a very fruitful initiative as I always worry and complian about the level of development of the arts in South Africa I wish that programs like this should take place every day and everywhere around the country.

In my view I think South Africa is heading to the right/great direction when it comes to African Contemporary Dance works. What we witnessed today starting from works of Chantal Cherry and her dancer (Lorin Sookool), Lisa Wilson (Thandile Mbatsha, Ellie Jacobs) and none other than Vincent Mantsoe. It was the greatest week ever where by you can witness the fact that it is worth becoming a Dance scholar and be read about etc....said Maxwell just before prsenting his paper is titled Beyond the "Museum" approach to the teaching of African Dance.

The UCT Confluence 7 Practical Workshops conducted by Mr. Maxwell Xolani Rani, Mr Vincent Mantsoe and Millicent Jonnie.

Censored

Last night at the opening of the Durban International Film Festival, Kahlil XT Qubeka's film Of Good Report was due to open the festival but didn't due to the Film and Publication Board's decision (under the Film and Publication Act of 1996) to not legalise it based on its content, which they deemed to have or portray child pornography. The act prohibits any representations of child pornography including simulations of child pornography even if the actors are over 18 years of age. The character of the 16 year old female learner is played by 23 year old Petronella Tshuma  and the film also stars Mothusi Magona as the obsessed and troubled teacher. DIFF subsequently took the decision to not screen another film in its place on the night out of respect for all the participants involved in the making of the film.

Of Good Report filmmakers on stage at DIFF: image courtesy of IndieWire

Of Good Report, which is the Eastern Cape born director's third full length feature film tells the story of a teacher's fatally obsessive affair with one of his pupils. He describes it as a story of "Little Red Riding Hood told from the wolf's perspective".  DIFF explains the story of the film:

A hypnotically engaging journey into the soul of a mentally troubled man. The trouble for Parker Sithole begins when he meets the undeniably gorgeous Nolitha Ngubane at a local tavern. Captivated by her beauty, an illicit affair ensues. However, there’s just one problem: Nolitha is one of Parker’s pupils and is just sixteen years old. Parker quickly spirals into a deep obsession that ultimately becomes violent and unquenchable

Of Good Report image courtesy of DIFF

In an interview with Variety magazine, Qubeka says:

"I intend to bring anarchy, mayhem and dissent to an industry I feel is a sleeping giant. I want to tear the whole rule book to shreds and say to younger filmmakers, “Let your soul pilot your endeavors. It’s okay to fail if you gave it your best shot.” I am an eternal optimist with a strong streak of narcissism."

Jahmil XT Qubeka image by Madelene Cronje courtesy of mg.co.za

In a dramatic evening, the filmmakers took to the stage with Qubeka himself having tape over his mouth shredded his ID in an act of defiance in front of the audience. His wife, Dr. Lwazi Manzi spoke to the crowd saying the following:

“Just because they (the FPB) don’t want to see it, does not mean it does not happen,” she said. “We shall not not talk about it. I am very proud of my husband, and the cast and crew. This is a pivotal day in the history of film in our country, one which will resonate in history.”

The decision by the FPB is troubling in its inability to recognsie the importance of telling stories that have social relevance and are imperative to the discourse around this very topical issue. It brings into question, the role of the artist and how we deal with very real societal problems.

The festival continues until 28 July 2013. 

After a while

One of my many loves... poetry. This is a simple one after a long week, reminding us always to plant our own gardens, can't wait for someone else to do what you need to do for yourself  #HAPPYFRIDAY

After a while – Veronica A. Shoffstall

After a while you learn

the subtle difference between

holding a hand and chaining a soul

and you learn

that love doesn’t mean leaning

and company doesn’t always mean security.

And you begin to learn

that kisses aren’t contracts

and presents aren’t promises

and you begin to accept your defeats

with your head up and your eyes ahead

with the grace of woman, not the grief of a child

and you learn

to build all your roads on today

because tomorrow’s ground is

too uncertain for plans

and futures have a way of falling down

in mid-flight.

After a while you learn

that even sunshine burns

if you get too much

so you plant your own garden

and decorate your own soul

instead of waiting for someone

to bring you flowers.

And you learn that you really can endure

you really are strong

you really do have worth

and you learn

and you learn

with every goodbye, you learn…

Spot the difference

 Take a look at this pictures and spot the difference 

The difference is that I I'm not in this picture........ LoL

It was real fun on choma s birth day wishing her all the best for her future and she may see many more to come hip hip hura hura boooooom

#pinkbath

Man on Ground

On Tuesday, 2 July 2013, Joule City held a screening of Akin Omotoso's latest film Man on Ground. Released by TOM Pictures in 2012 to critical and commercial acclaim, the film follows London based, Nigerian banker Ade (Hakeem Kae-Kazim) through Johannesburg as he searches for the truth about his missing brother Femi (Fabian Adeoye Lojebe). Inspired by the xenophobic attacks that shook South Africa and the world in 2008, and particularly the image of Ernesto Nhamuave, who's burning body came to symbolise the horror of the events, the story takes place over the course of one day and night as an intricate tale of deceit, betrayal and love is told.

Man on Ground Poster via NVFF

A midst the plethora of art and dialogue that has been documented as a response to the attacks, the film emerges in its own realm, instead of bombarding us with images of brutality and pain that have been depicted before in many different ways, the film appeals to our humanity through the love story between Femi and Zodwa, and the brotherly conflict that exists between Ade and Femi. Using the motifs of fire and shadows, we are constantly aware of the pain, the suffering, the violence and flames of fury that form the backdrop of the story, we don't need to see it, we feel it, which is difficult but Omotoso achieved managed to achieve this superbly.

The use of montage in the film proved disadvantageous, it gives a static feel to the film and disengages at times but overall, the film was beautifully made, the story incredibly told and more than anything, it's wonderful to see Africans telling their own stories in their own way.

In addition to Kae-Kazim and Adeoye Lejebe, Fana Mokoena, Bubu Mazibuko and Makhoala Ndebele all give stellar performances as well as new comer Thishiwe Ziqubu who plays Zodwa, Femi's love interest.

The making of the film is interesting within itself. A project that was four years in the making, from concept and research phase to final production, it almost didn't get made due to budgetary constraints. A conscious choice was made to go with crowd funding, to reflect the ethos of collaborative work but when a major funder dropped out when the film was already in production, Chris Don Productions came on board and the film was completed.

The film has received numerous awards and has shown at a number of prestigious festivals including the Toronto Film Festival. However, given the content of the film, it would be interesting to see how it is received by the communities that were most affected by the xenophobic attacks and how this film can contribute towards a dialogue that to this day, needs to take place.

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I've got it all

Tracey Emin- I've got it all
2000
Ink-jet print
124 x 109 cm

G-Fest

The 39th annual National Arts Festival is currently taking place in the small academic town of Grahamstown in  the Eastern Cape. Whilst we're incredibly sad that we're missing all the amazing productions and art show pieces taking place there, we're humbled and comforted by the fact that we are represented in a small way by the presence of our resident artist Gavin Krastin who is showcasing his work there as well as Mazwi Mahlase who is covering the festival for Joule City.

The festival takes place from 27 June to 7 July 2013 and showcases some of the best in South African theatre, film, art, comedy, performance and music. 

Gavin Krastin's work, Rough Musick, interrogates hierarchical social dynamics and explores the emotional effects of shame in a half performance/half social experiment piece.

Gavin Krastin's Rough Musick Photo by Cat Pennels

Some highlights of this year's festival include works produced within the Market Theatre such as Woza Albert, directed by Standard Bank Young Artist 2013 (Theatre) Prince Lamla, a graduate of the Market Theatre Laboratory; The Island, directed by the legendary John Kani; The Line, directed by Gina Shmuckler and Cadre, starring Omphilo Molusi.

University of Johannesburg Theatre, which is quickly becoming a leader in new and groundbreaking work makes its first appearance at the festival with "Cry Havoc" by Tim Coash which challenges notion of religion and patriotism. Another politically infused play is the Palestine/Israeli inspired piece titled "My name is Rachel Corrie". 

CEO Tom Lankester said that "Thematically there is a real sense of South Africanness - 

looking back where we came from forward to the kind of society that will emerge"

South African theatre is strongly present with Mbongeni Ngema's premier of The Zulu, a dramatisation of the Anglo-Zulu War of 1879, marking Ngemas return to stage as an actor. Soweto Theatre also features for the first time on the festival's main stage with the production of Asinamali - We have no money in Zulu, written by Ngema, depicting the 1983 rent strike in Lamontville, KwaZulu Natal. 

Mbongeni Ngema's The Zulu: www.nationalartsfestival.co.za

Seminal playwright, Mike van Graan brings four productions to the festival, in association with the Artscape Centre; a world premiere of Writer's Block, as well as Brothers in Blood, Rainbow Scars and Panic

In the realm of dance, Indumba, a piece about cleansing rituals by Standard Bank Young Artist 2013 (Dance) Fana Tshabalala is a must-see. Biko's Quest, a collaboration of Jazzart Dance Theatre and the Steve Biko Foundation is another dance highlight.

Biko's Quest: www.portelizabethbuzz.com

Music features heavily on the program from musical theatre to jazz, classical, opera and commercial music. Some heavy weight jazz artists such as Jonas Gwangwa make appearances as well as emerging talents such as bassist Shane Cooper winner of the Standard Bank Young Artist Winner 2013 (jazz) brings together a quintet comprising of two past winners of the prestigious award, namely pianist Bokani Dyer, drummer Kesivan Naidoo and Justin Bellairs on sax accompanied by Reza Khota on guitar. Other notable musical inclusions are Mike Rossi Project, Rus Nerwich and the Wondering Who, and Mark Fransman, appearing at the festival as Makeson Browne. This year, a special feature includes the establishment of the Standard Bank Jazz and Blues Cafe at the Lowander at St. Andrew's College, showing the growing prominence of jazz in the country. 

Shane Cooper: www.standardbankarts.com

Standard Bank, The National Lottery Distribution Trust Fund, Eastern Cape Government, Department of Arts and Culture, National Arts Council, City Press and M-Net sponsor the National Arts Festival. 

For a full programme: http://www.nationalartsfestival.co.za/

Shh...., Samuel Beckett is whispering in my ear.

Shh...., Samuel Beckett is whispering in my ear.

"Ever tried. Ever failed. No matter. Try Again. Fail again. Fail better."

Oh, now I can hear his utterance, but I am full of nonsense. 

The professional space that I currently find myself in, that of being an artist, constantly reminds me of the fact that I am indeed a human being. Overall, my thoughts and doings thus far, forcefully sharpen my perception to the fact that being human does not refer to a state of completeness. Rather, it refers to a fluid, ongoing and not necessarily harmonious process of becoming. Such a process is characterised by chaos. Normally, chaos has negative connotations within the context of society. It is likened to notions such as violence, tragedy, disaster etc. all which disrupt the familiar and mundane flows of manifestation. However, society tends to neglect the reality that most phenomena, be they political, economical, natural or otherwise are a form and/or result of chaos. Hence the need to understand and perceive chaos as the existence of countless possibilities that can or will shape and constitute a reality or outcome within time and space. In most cases, I would argue, such possibilities are hardly ever homogeneous or simple due to their unique qualities and nuances. Thus, chaos, which is the essential character of matter, disrupts and disqualifies the romantics attached to the notion of the singular and complete.

The volume of possibilities that constitute chaos maily purports that (human) nature's workings do not unfold through anything other than the activity of trying, which is utterly endless. In my understanding, such a trying means experimentation through movement within material/physical and immaterial/metaphysical time and space. Based on a consideration of the nature of my professional (arts) practice, which I consider to be a prototype of (human) existence and nature due its chaotic character, one can go to the extent of asserting that life is trying. Additionally, trying is failing. Failing, in this sense, is not indicative of incompetency nor does it refer to a lack of mastery in one practice or another. Rather, it refers to the fore-mentioned endless process of becoming in the form of learning and unlearning to move i.e. try within a particular time and space. Nature, which we and the world we inhabit are part of, functions through failing. It produces matter that does not matter to and of itself. Most probably, its capacity to create is not fixated on meaning. Its only function/intention is to relentlessly and continuously expand infinitely as its mode of becoming. I am certainly aware of the grounded scientific laws and philosophical meditations that explicate the 'why's', 'how's' and 'what's' of nature on earth and existence as far as humanity can materially fathom. I have also come across humanly meditations of various forms that clearly offer an explication of chaos as the primary denominator that pivots nature and existence as it has been conjured by our faculty of thought as a species or social memory complex inhabiting one plane within the endlessness of the universe. However, my (humanly) experiences point to the need for one to attempt to contribute to the meditations that seek to reveal the problematics contained the romance of completion, destination and singularity.

I do accept that this excerpt is potentially flooded by oversimplifications. It is, I hope, a complete failure. My hope stems from my need to endlessly try to fail again. Anyway, I am an artist. I fail.       

PALPITATION

The power of the inner being. 

Pumping, 

Pulling, 

Punching and Piercing 

through your heart.

Cracking and changing your mind

Stealing and steaming your senses

Destroying and designing your desires

Dislocating and relocating your bone joints

It is the power 

of your inner being 

Palpitating

Invigorating

Stimulating 

Your inner being 

It has discovered 

that  

It can leave you uncovered 

but 

instead it will choose to cover you

run and stop your blood from flowing 

drain your body 

rivers flow 

rivers left dry

Continuing to count 

to communicate 

to concur 

your consciousness

PALPITATION 

Say it in crystals

Reversing the Legacy

Commemorating 100 years since the prolific Natives Land Act of 1913 which saw 7%  of land to the black majority (later increased to 13% through the 1936 Native Trust and Land Act of South Africa) and the remaining 87% to the white minority, the act also restricted land ownership and can be summed up in Sol Plaatje's quote: 

"Awaking on Friday morning, June 20, 1913, the South African native found himself, not actually a slave, but a pariah in the land of his birth,"

A travelling exhibition organised by the Department of Rural Development and Land Reform is currently being held at the Cape Town International Convention Centre until Sunday 29 June 2013 to mark the act and its subsequent legacy. The exhibition takes visitors through 100 years of depicted through re-enactments through performance, installations, podcasts, visual work and well researched and written text. 

It was interesting to see how families interacted with the space, as elders took their children and grandchildren around the exhibition, interrogating the complex issue of dispossession and displacement. 

Zapiro Cartoon sourced from: www.mg.co.za

Whilst we need to address the reversal of the discriminatory policies and practises that followed the enforcement of the Land Act, the underlying issue remains how we account for and recognise the associated pain of injustice and its legacy on the fabric of our society.

"Land reform is more than giving out hectares of land, it is about rebuilding our nation" - Derek Hanekom

The following form the basis of the land reform measures outlined in the White Paper on South African Land Policy which seeks to redress the legacy of the past:
1. Land Tenure: to bring all people occupying land under a unitary, legally validated system of landholding
2. Land Redistribution: to enable poor or disadvantaged people to buy land with the help of a Settlement/ Land Acquisition Act
3. Land Restitution: to return land to, or compensate victims for land lost since 19 June 1913, as a result of racially discriminatory laws

The pain of displacement and dispossession needs to be acknowledged, we need to acknowledge the past and the legacy on our society today as we navigate ourselves as individuals and the relationship we have to land and our ever changing society.

The free exhibition is a must see for all and continues until 29 June 2013 at the Cape Town International Convention Centre

#STARS

Last night was the  Joule City Opening event.
My #STARS perfomance video was show.

Above are photographs of the live projection.

 
 

Thank God, it's Friday!!!!!!

A considered observation of post-apartheid South Africa leaves me with a feeling of excitement due to what I consider to be the existence of possibilities for one to make something out of one's experience as a spirit that is undergoing an earthly experience. The recent ''major'' events that have occurred within the spheres of arts, politics, economics, education, health, minerals and energy, engineering, science and technology etc. construct a fairly interesting landscape, in the broad sense of the word, of our country. Professionally, I am a theatre maker and I am inevitably challenged to make sense of my country, region, continent and the world at large. I must confess that the speed at which events or various daily socio-economic and/or political situations unfold; the variety and density of words uttered by myself and fellow (South) Africans across the social and political spectra; and the humanly actions that are played-out on the stage that is our country, region, continent and globe tend to overwhelm me. I am not at all complaining about this, nor am I being negative in my perception of how our post-apartheid, post-colonial, post-modern and world(s) of post-posts seems to be taking shape. As an artist, I am compelled to be reflective, inquisitive, alert and open-minded in my navigation of the world(s) that I inhabit. Of course, the  question then becomes: what is my proposal regarding how one should/could be like in engaging with one's world(s) and their post-post character(s). This question must be asked and answered so that one moves away from the self-indulgence resulting from the lazy exercise of merely posing questions and then choosing to leave other parties to answer the question(s).   

In engaging with the above-posed question, I can only speak about my current artistic preoccupations and/or undertakings. Yes indeed, I am one of the incubators participating in the Joule City Arts Incubator Programme, which comprises of Visuals Arts, Performa Arts and African Knowledge Systems Incubators. The participants of each incubator are diverse in the true sense of the word based on their professional practice, background, interest, culture, politics etc. Essentially, Joule City Arts Incubator with reference to an arts practice model and paradigm is somewhat a re-visitation of Incubation, which is quite a classical paradigm and/or practice employed in the territory of scientific, philosophical and artistic enquiry and production. South African performance arts, particularly from 1948-1994 employed the paradigm of Incubation to a minor extent, in the form of Performing Arts Councils. Incubation, as it is realised through the Joule City Arts Incubator Programme literally provides a focused space for its incubators i.e. participating artists; to engage in collaborative processes of art creation. It is by no means a utopia given the inherent challenges and potholes of collaboration. It's interdisciplinary character inspires and forces one to be open-minded, reflective, inquisitive and alert across the board. Given the complexities that underlie the post-post world(s) that I and all of us do inhabit, I do admit that I am in a privileged position to be sharing the thought expressed in this blog post. It is my current experiences at the Joule City Performa Arts Incubator, coupled with my privileged status of being a postgraduate student of the theatre at the University of Cape Town and so many other experiences shaping my informing aspect; that enable me to propose that critical collaboration, fluidity, conscious multiplicity, activism beyond picketing and dialogue other than safe conferencing are necessary characteristics in being a 21st century animal. 

Hopefully, the pragmatics of my proposal are somehow articulated. 

By the way, the 20th of June 2013 marks the official opening of Joule City (1st Floor Spracklen Building 107 Longmarket Street Cape Town). The event is themed as Black Swan and commences at 17h30018h00. 

Too much rhetoric needs to be diluted by good music and wine!!!!!!!!

Salute!             

        

Mies Julle Returns to Baxter Theatre

Skatties.........The Baxter Theatre Centre's smash hit play Mies Julie,written and directed by Yael Farber,comes full circle and is heading home for a limited season in the Golden Arrow Studio from 19 June to 6 July at 18:30,having ammased 30 international and local five-star reviews,seven top theatre awards and a breathless supply of superlatives in under a year.....

Since it's world premiere at the National Arts Festival in Grahamstown last year,the production has played to great acclaim at the Baxter Flipside,Edinburgh Assembly Fringe Festival in Scotland,the State Theatre in Pretoria,St Anns Warehouse in New York and Market Theatre in Johannesburg.

This production has just finished a run at the Riverside Studios in London on the 19 May,where it has received more than 10 five-star reviews,be sure to catch this production  and share what  are your thoughts regarding the production...........see you  at the theatre boSkattie!!!!

.

Rainbow Weather

Joule Boogie

We're so excited about the launch of Joule City happening this coming Thursday. Please join us as we celebrate, collaborate and just enjoy being a part of this incredible organisation.

On the longest night of the year, we invite you to celebrate the processes, partnerships and potential of this collective community and hub for sharing knowledge - a space for stimulating SMME incubation, inter-disciplinary meeting points, emerging enterprise and new modes of cultural and artistic expression.

Featuing the art of Laduma, Ntshuks Bonga, Shabaka Hutchings, Graham Strickland, Shannon Mowday, Dizu Plaatjies. Nduduzo Makhathini, Malcolm Jiyane, Shikisha and many more.

Please see details for Joule City Opening - A Black Swan Night (outside the realm of regular expectation)

Date: 20 June 2013

Venue: 107 Longmarket Street, Spracklen Building, 1st Floor, 8000, Cape Town

Time: 17h30 for 18h00 till late

For more info and RSVP, contact Resonance Bazar

T: 021 461 2022

E: info@joulecity.co.za

 

New World Dance Theatre's LAst show Tonite.....

Hope the weekend vibes are going well and you are keeping warm boskattie this weekend is a very wet and cold one in the Mother City damn...,but for the love of dance i'm braving the rain to check out NWDT's first production that has been running since the 29th of May @Magnet Theatre in Observatory....Looking foward to be capitivated and taken  into this incredible dancer's world......keep u posted!!!

OY - I am so Happy to be Nappy

"Praise the Lord for my afro 

Praise the Lord for my conrow 

Praise the Lord for my dreadlock 

Praise the Lord"

These are the first few lines from the artist/drummer collaboration of Joy Frempong, a bright young star of Ghanian and Swiss descent and Eric Schaeffer, a German drummer - collectively they are OY, a fusion of experimental jazz, house, hip hop and soul in a conscious reverie of delight.

The music they make has it's foundations in jazz but possesses strong elements of house and afro-beat asking questions like in this song: "When will my cease being political?"

Thanks to the Swiss Cultural development institute, Pro Helvetia, OY is currently on tour across Southern Africa, they will be performing at the following places:

MAPUTO (MOZAMBIQUE)

25 May| 19h00

AZGO Festival

www.azgofestival.com

HARARE (ZIMBABWE)

26 May |19:00

Book Cafe, 139 Samora Machel Avenue cnr 6th Street

www.zimbabwearts.org

CAPE TOWN (SOUTH AFRICA)

28 May | 21h00

Mahogany Room, 79 Buitenkant St, Cape Town

JOHANNESBURG (SOUTH AFRICA)

31 May | 21:00

King Kong, 6 Verwey Street, Troyeville

MBABANE (SWAZILAND)

2 June | 12h00

Bushfire

http://www.bush-fire.com/

WORKSHOPS

27 May - 16h00 | Book Cafe, Harare

29 May - 12h00 | 48 Albert Road, Woodstock, Cape Town

Have you ever?

Have you Ever?

Have you ever bitten the inside of you cheeks?

Yes Every time when I am craving to dance it will just automatically happen.

Have you ever had a toothache ? 

Yes when I dance without emotions.

Have you ever had a headache ?

Only if I don't lose my head when I dance.

Have you ever had your nail pulled off?

Every time I mess up my moves.

Have you ever had a blister?  

Every time after class under my feet.

Have you ever broken a leg?

Yes every performance I do I break a leg.

By Tebogo Munyai

 

The Frown- Harm (Official Music Video)

The Frown released a new music video on May 13, 2013. 

The Frown is Eve Rakow and Klein Baas. 

Click here for a link to their Facebook page.

I am featured in the video. 

Published on 13 May 2013

The Official Music Video for 'Harm' by The Frown
http://www.facebook.com/thefrownband

Produced by: naasFILMS
http://www.naas.co.za

Crew:
Producers - Patrick Visser & Ian McNair
Director - Greg Bakker
Cinematographer - Imraan Christian
Styling & Wardrobe - Talitha Bell (Ankha Clothing:http://www.ankha-clothing.tumblr.com/)
Make-up - Theresa Horn
Art direction - Patrick Visser & Ian McNair
Editing - Greg Bakker

Cast:
Eve Rakow
Klein Baas
Chloe Hugo-Hamman
Clem Jansen
Talitha Bell
Bevis Martin
Manuel Jose
Danielle Hitchcock
Michaela Younge

Special thanks to Lucio Lupacchini, Ra-ees Saiet, Matt Rightford and Caitie Weare

----------------------------------------­--------------
contact naas at info@naas.co.za
Twitter: @naasthings

http://www.facebook.com/naasthings 

Collaboration

We at joul city incubator we believe in new creations this is what we talking about when we speak of collaboration just have a look at this photo then you will have an idea of what is collaboration.
this photo represent our incubator which is performer arts tell us what you think skaties

Freedom Day Concert 27th of April......City Hall Sessions......

City Hall Sessions is back on Saturday 27th April, with a Freedom Day special, headlined by Paul Hanmer and McCoy Mrubata, plus Moreira Chonguica. All three of these bandleaders have strong links with the mother city: Mrubata was born in Langa, Hanmer in Crawford, and Mozambican saxophonist Moreira Chonguica studied at the University of Cape Town’s College of Music.

Also featured is: Amarayoni, a five piece vocal group who are new to Cape Town audiences. Their style ranges from mbube to isicathamiya, and a repertoire which includes African classics. Members of Amarayoni have honed their skills over many years’ work as part of the bands of icons such as Miriam Makeba, Caiphus Semenya, Angelique Kidjo and Johnny Clegg. 
Mrubata and Hanmer have spent decades burning their mark on the national jazz and African music scene, and also sharing their Cape music inflections internationally. Their sextet will include trumpeter Feya Faku, drummer Ayanda Sikade, bassist Pete Sklair and trombonist Jabu Magubane

Moreira Chonguica, who spends much of his time in his native Maputo, has lived and worked most of his professional life in Cape Town. This duality echoes in his compositions and voicings, and will be reinforced again on Freedom Day, when he takes to the stage with ‘The Moreira Project’, comprising a band drawn from ‘both’ of his hometowns.
This is the seventh concert in the City Hall Sessions series which began in 2011 and has brought a dynamic and diverse range of musical collaborations to Cape Town’s historic City Hall. 

How are you going  to be celebrating your FRE'EDOM this coming weekend?is this celebrations still relevant......just a thought!!!!!

Poetic vibes

Hi there,

I thought I would give you some poetry today.
One of the reasons why I am  giving you this poetic offering  today is that
I am missing Athi  Patra- Ruga our benign facilitator who  went to Berlin
 to do much needed work ( It's such a hard life  being  fabulous)

On my first day at   Joule City Athi asked each one of us  to do a performance as
a way of introducing ourselves: 
I then   performed this poem which I think defines a little bit of what I am about.
It is also a poem that I do to ground myself when I open my poetry shows.
this poem  has travelled inside me and came out in many stages, cafes, libraries and
its last rendition was here at Joule City so enjoy

 

Truth

 

If in this world of haste and half-baked stories

We can tell our truth,

It is therefore a right that I am proclaiming

to draw this conclusion that

We have more integrity than we are credited for

We are not the down trodden victim that is often portrayed

In the images of those who wish to define us,

 

If you choose to look at us with uncontaminated eyes

It is then that you shall remember

That we are of the same earth,

We plant our feet in the same soil

We dance to the same rhythms

A community of different shades and colours,

Yet our beauty is as hypnotising as the shapes of our landscapes.

It is ancient as the ocean yet as new as the sun rises every morning

It is as pure as eyes of children and as genuine as the handshakes of the gods

 

We Africans are not a distorted chapter in the history of mankind

When you open your mind to our intelligence,

It is then you shall realize that we are not only

a place of painters and poets

do not define me only by my dance

Listen to my words; understand the language I speak,

Then maybe you will find more,

 

 

The essence of our people is as infinite as the steps of our ancestry,

We have always been the global citizens

Create a space to re- read our story

We are not misinterpretation of evolution,

 

 

Africa is not just a pitiful victim

Our strength does not only lie in pictures we paint

In the songs we sing but it goes deeper,

Into our minds, our integrity, our magnificence

We are a vast community with different shades and colour

but we are of the same earth, raised in the same land

And only when you give us a chance,

not only to dance,

Not only to paint, not only to speak poetry but to participate in the trading, in the driving, in the planning, in the shaping and mending

 

 

So my truth lies in the essence of my being,

It is as infinite as the steps of my ancestry,

My story did not begin at the arrival of false civilianization

It is as ancient as the oceans yet as new as the sun rises every morning,

It is not the words of those of who wish to define me,

It is often distorted even in the history books

 

I am more than my dancing feet,

I am more that my poetic rhymes

My story is not hidden in the stereotypical definitions,

To understand my truth is to understand what makes me beat

It is understand what make me dance

It is to understand what makes me laugh

It is to allow me to occupy this

Space with you and know that we are

of the same earth, we plant our feet in the

same soil

We breathe the same air,

we quench our thirst with the same water

and my truth is as infinite as the steps

of my ancestry.

 

@Primrose Mrwebi