Category: MAIN

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Coco Zhao & Huang Juanji and Asanda Mqiki

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Once a student of western classical piano and composition at the Shanghai Conservatory of Music, Coco Zhao discovered a new world in jazz vocals and has since been immersed in finding the unique cross-sections between Chinese traditional music, western classical music and jazz.

His unique voice, imagination and expressive singing style have made him one of China’s most creative artists and, dubbed “China’s most promising young Jazz musician”, by Youth Daily, his fast rise to international recognition has seen him receive invitations to music festivals worldwide.

Here he presents his “[Dream Situation]” album: a project of rearranged 1920 – 1930’s traditional Shanghai songs brilliantly reworked into a contemporary jazz framework and with the addition of a South African angle.

Touring with him is pianist Huang Juanji – the first Master’s graduate in Jazz from the Shanghai Conservatory and one of the most cosmopolitan jazz musicians presently based in Shanghai.

Company: Standard Bank Jazz Festival

Voice: Coco Zhou (CN)
Voice: Asanda Mqiki
Sax: Mthunzi Mvubu
Piano: Huang Juanji (CN)
Bass: Romy Brauteseth
Drums: Bruce Baker

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Bombshelter Beast

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Bombshelter Beast is one of Marcus Wyatt’s latest projects – unconventional, skillful and wonderfully entertaining. This star-studded ensemble combines old-school Kwaito with House, Drum n’ Bass, Dancehall, Dub, Ska, Balkan, Boeremusiek, Hip Hop, Ghoema, Rock, and sneaky bits of Jazz – all laced together with singing, rapping and live improvisations.

Company: Standard Bank Jazz Festival

Trumpet: Marcus Wyatt
MC: Pule
Voice: Deone Song, Mihi Matshingana
Sax: Sisonke Xonti, Janus van der Merwe
Trombone, accordion: Justin Sasman
Trombone: Murray Buitendag
Sousaphone: Alex Hitzeroth
Guitar: Michael Bester
Bass: Romy Brauteseth
Drums: Riaan van Rensburg

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KZN Youth Orchestra

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The KwaZulu-Natal Youth Orchestra conducted by Lykele Temmingh will present this year’s Children’s Concert. The KZN Youth Orchestra comprising talented young musicians from around KwaZulu-Natal will showcase their different instruments in a fun and interactive way in the Monument’s Fountain Foyer.

The KwaZulu-Natal Youth Orchestra comprises the best of young musical talent in the province, and is open to all KZN youth between the ages of 12 and 22. Membership of the youth orchestra is a prestigious accomplishment.

They perform under the baton of maestro Lykele Temmingh, who is the resident conductor with the KZN Philharmonic Orchestra, with which the youth orchestra is affiliated, and Cathy Peacock, the sub principal trumpet player with the KZN Philharmonic since 1990.

Director:  Lykele Temmingh and Cathy Peacock
Featured Artists: Members of the KZN Youth Orchestra
Company: KwaZulu-Natal Youth Orchestra

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DEURnis / Uzwelo

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DEURnis / Uzwelo comprises of several plays specifically written for a space. Each play lasts about 20 minutes, and the audience member moves from one room to the next to experience the different performances. Plays are grouped, and a ticket gives an audience member access to three plays. The whole experience, including short breaks in between performances, lasts for around 90 to 100 minutes. 

DEURnis / Uzwelo is presented by Theatrerocket in partnership with the National Arts Festival, KWASHA! Theatre Company, the Windybrow Arts Centre and the Market Theatre Laboratory.

Supported by AK21 and NATi (Nasionale Afrikaanse Teaterinitiatief)

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Gabrielle Goliath – Art Exhibitions Opening

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Going Back to the Truth of Space – SBYA Kitty Phetla

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Choreographer: Kitty Phetla
Music composed and performed by: Nduduzo Makhathini
Producer: Lindsay McDonald

In a first in the history of the Standard Bank Young Artist Awards, the Young Artist for Dance, Kitty Phetla, joins forces with a previous winner for Jazz – Nduduzo Makhathini (2015) – in a brand-new production. Together, they offer a tribute to ‘the divine lineage of souls’ who occupy, inform and influence their spaces and their work. Going Back to the Truth of Space reveals a journal of religion, a practice of ritual, and a struggle for restoration between Phetla, a dancer, and Makhathini, as both artist and healer.

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Cellist with Rabies

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A virologist, on the precipice of making the first major breakthrough in rabies research since Louis Pasteur, is caught off guard when the rabies virus in her petri dish begins talking to her. Cellist with Rabies, a new South African play from a multi-award-winning team, pushes the boundaries of kamishibai to tell a story of disease, failure and breakfast.

Director: Jaco Bouwer
Company: Jemma Kahn

Writer: Jemma Kahn
Performers: Jemma Kahn & David Viviers
Set Design: Rocco Pool

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SYLPHIDES-humans-fishes-birds

 

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SYLPHIDES- humans-fishes-birds is a dance creation by Hannah Ma in collaboration with her company “The People United”. SYLPHIDES- humans-fishes-birds is inspired by the romantic ballet “Sylphides” and swarm movements of fishes and birds.

“Sylphides” was the first non- narrative ballet that featured “dance” only without a storyline and was based on the romantic idea of weightlessness, immortality and an eternal existence. SYLPHIDES- humans-fishes-birds takes these ideas further and is part of Hannah Ma’s ongoing long term research on group movements, archaic rituals, intercultural communication and holistic approaches to connect to a higher self.

Production: hannahmadance ( Tufa Tanz/ GER, Han SúN Gathering/LU)
Coproduction: National Arts Festival Grahamstown (ZA),  Ministry of Culture Rhineland- Phalatinate (GER), Fondation Marienburg (LU)

With the support of: Tufa Trier (GER), Trois C-L Centre Choreographique Luxemburgeois (LU)

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All Who Pass – Amy Jephta

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Written By: Amy Jephta
Music Composed By: Benjamin Jephta
Company: PaperJet
Directed by: Quanita Adams
Lighting Design: Jon Keevy
Costumes realised by: Leigh Bishop
With: Elton Landrew, Carmen Maarman, Jawaahier Petersen, Roberto Meyer and others

Amy Jeptha, this year’s Standard Bank Young Artist for Theatre, explores displacement in her new play, All Who Pass. The work time-travels between a 1974 eviction and a 2019 restitution. This play was first developed during the Royal Court Theatre International Playwriting Residency with support from the British Council.

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G7: Okwe Bokhwe

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Magnet Theatre’s G7: Okwe-Bokhwe (like/of a goat) is set in the emotional and tension-filled environment of a Truth and Reconciliation Commission hearing. Artistic Director Mandla Mbothwe has created a powerful mourning play, an attempt to honour, commemorate and remember the ultimate sacrifice made by the Gugulethu Seven.

Director: Mandla Mbothwe
Choreographer: Mzo Gasa
Music Composed By: Babalwa Makwetu
Featured Artists: Abigail Mei, Luxolo Mboso, Siyavuya Gqumehlo, Sivenathi Macibela, Sizwe Lubengu, Sityhilelo Makupula, Carlo Daniels and Yvonne Msebenzi
Company: Magnet Theatre