Inspiring Spaces: Art in the Forest
Cape Town Creatives recently visited Art in the Forest; an inspiring art gallery and ceramic boutique, situated in Cecelia Forest. Not just a gallery, this space is home to the Light From Africa Foundation; whose mandate it to unearth creativity to support vulnerable children. The Foundation was founded 8 years ago by Anthony and Carole Record and originally consisted of a team of artists who were employed and trained to work in the ceramic medium. Through the creation and sale of their beautiful handmade candle holders, the Foundation began to raise funds for Fikelela Children Centre in Khayelitsha, Cape Town.
Now LFAF has expanded to include other fund-raising ventures. Artists and designers are invited to exhibit their work at Art in the Forest gallery, with a percentage of the sale profits going to support the foundation. The ‘Bright Ideas’ campaign provides a platform through which local, established artists and designers can work with the LFAF ceramics team to create beautiful functional art products which are then be sold to raise funds.
The gallery will show a new group exhibition every 6 weeks and aims to reveal fresh new talent in a variety of media. The inaugural exhibition entitled ‘Small Spaces’ is on until 7 September. This group show is curated by Jennifer Fair Cohen with support from What if the World Gallery.
Small Spaces brings together a cross section of South African fine artists and photographers, featuring etchings by Jane Eppel, Tracy Payne, Sarah Pratt and Judy Woodborne; paintings by Gabby Raaf, Daniel Levi, pencil and ink drawings by Michael Taylor, paper cut-outs by Lyndi Sales, digital prints by Julia Rosa Clark and Cameron Platter and lino prints by Jan-Henri Booyens.
The upstairs Boutique showcases a ‘must see’ collection of ceramic works by top artists and designers. A shopping haven for lovers of the medium; guests of the Boutique are encouraged to relax on an Ardmore bench whilst enjoying a free cup of coffee and overlooking the activity below.
ART IN THE FOREST is open to the public and welcomes visitors from Monday to Saturday between 09:00 to 16:00.
www.lightfromafrica.com
The Best of September 2011
Fiddler on the Roof 10 September until 1 October
Rich in historical detail, Fiddler on the Roof has touched audiences around the world with its humour, warmth and honesty. Its universal theme of tradition cuts across barriers of race, class, nationality and religion, leaving audiences crying tears of laughter, joy and sadness.
Learn Africa, Love Africa Festival Until December 2011
The African Arts Institute will present a unique series of events featuring an all-Africa line-up at a number of popular Cape Town venues from 29 July 2011 through December 2011. The programme consists of monthly music parties, film nights, art talks and book chats, hosted at the Kimberley Hotel on Roeland Street, the Labia on Orange Street, 6 Spin Street and the Book Lounge, also on Roeland Street.
Tretchikoff Exhibition Until 25 September 2011
A retrospective exhibition of the artist, Vladimir Tretchikoff, will be open to the public at the Iziko South African National Gallery until 25 September. While Tretchikoff is undoubtedly one of South Africa’s most controversial artists, there can be no doubt that he has become a cultural icon and remains a favourite artist to many South Africans.
Out the Box Festival 2011 3 – 11 September 2011
UNIMA South Africa’s annual Out the Box Festival of Puppetry and Visual Performance is a 9-day multidisciplinary event celebrating innovation, diversity and sustainability.
Jiving with Madiba by Zapiro Until 27 September 2011
Jiving with Madiba celebrates the life and contributions of South Africa’s greatest citizen, his struggle, successes and shortcomings, as portrayed by our country’s leading political cartoonist Jonathan Shapiro, better known as Zapiro.
Stop-Frame Animation Workshops 2 – 9 September 2011
As part of this year’s Out The Box Festival, UNIMA South Africa will be hosting five workshops exploring the art of stop-motion animation and puppetry in film.
Open Book 21 – 25 September 2011
Open Book is a five day long literary festival, featuring talks by top international and local writers, taking place in various venues across Cape Town from the 21st to the 25th of September.
Defending the Caveman Until 10 September 2011
Alan Committie is back in the record-breaking “date show” that explores the differences – and similarities – between the sexes.
Creative Week Cape Town 9 – 18 September 2011
This 10 day event was created as a forerunner to the Loeries with the aim to showcase local creativity in design, music, film, theatre, business, innovation, digital media, fine arts and crafts in Cape Town.
Win Double Movie Tickets with Spl!ng and The Labia
One lucky reader will win double tickets to a movie at the Labia Cinema complex in Cape Town.
To enter, all you have to do is answer this simple question: Which two films does Spling compare Bad Teacher to?
Email your name, contact details and answer to info@capetowncreatives.co.za:
Competition closes on 9 September , 10h00.
Terms and Conditions:
You (and partner) must be available to attend a film at the Labia in Cape Town between the 9 and 16 September 2011.
Tickets are not transferrable and cannot be redeemed for cash.
Valid for Labia Screenings only. Terms and Conditions apply.
Prizes courtesy of the Labia Theatre. See what’s showing: http://www.labia.co.za
Bad Teacher Movie Review: The Thin Line Between Good and Bad
Cameron Diaz moved from modeling to acting, starring opposite Jim Carrey in The Mask, followed by her role in the Farrelly brothers jaw-dropping There’s Something About Mary, flickering between comedy and romance in the 2000s – ever the sweet and fun-loving angel. Now she’s decided to flirt with danger, doing a complete 180 degree turn on her Hollywood persona to deliver something edgier, nastier and unexpected.
Just like Jennifer Aniston’s role as a dentist, sexual deviant and evil temptress in Horrible Bosses, Cameron Diaz has transformed herself into a cold gold digger and trophy wife wannabe in the title role of Bad Teacher, a film by Jake Kasdan, director Orange County and Walk Hard. Take the fun substitute teacher story of School of Rock and throw in some dark school politics from World’s Greatest Dad and you’ve got a match… just not as good.
After a nasty break up with her fiance or in this case, financier, Elizabeth Halsey (Diaz) is forced to return to her ordinary day job as a teacher at a local school, while she licks her wounds and begins the prowl for a new sugar daddy. Her apathetic outlook and hedonistic ways soon catch up with her and it’s not long before she’s pitted against a “good” teacher.
This is an uncharacteristic role for Cameron Diaz, who usually goes for sillier, sweeter co-lead or supporting characters. She’s supported by Lucy Punch, her goodie-two-shoes and nemesis with Jason Segel (Forgetting Sarah Marshall) and Justin Timberlake (Friends with Benefits), two prospective victims for the man-eater, with chewier character actor comics, John Michael Higgins and Thomas Lennon on the side.
Just like Role Models, it’s one of those coarse, difficult-to-place niche comedies that is too offensive for general audiences, yet not prickly or deep enough for art house. Bad Teacher holds a good comedy cast with decent comic performances, but the overall tone is a little nasty and the script relies on the main character’s clash of personality and ill will for laughs.
These nasty smirks begin to fade with the character’s transition, something that was inevitable and necessary for the drama to sustain its credibility. Cameron Diaz is naturally charming and manages to coax us into believing in her character, yet there’s no sliver of likability or depth of character – making it difficult to truly engage from the get-go.
The second half of the film commits to the cat-and-mouse game between Halsey (Diaz) and Ms. Squirrel (Punch), the would-be challenger in a fight for popularity with the spoils being the nerdy and eligible young bachelor, Scott Delacorte (Timberlake). It’s a Roadrunner type battle of “one-up-man-ship” as each teacher stoops lower to outdo the other.
The old school soundtrack gives the film spunk. The first-rate cast ratchet up the ensemble’s collective comedy weight and the premise is fun with a sexually-charged air of danger and expectancy. The movie is entertaining enough as it stands, but it’s missing an extra level… that little something that simultaneously distinguishes it, adds depth and a sparkle in the eye.
There’s something missing in Bad Teacher. It’s as if the actors haven’t fully committed to the idea or the production. Bad Teacher wants to be bad, sweet and funny all at the same time and this dilutes the overall effect. Cedar Rapids set the right sort of tone for this style of comedy and Bad Teacher just lacks a bit of chemistry – the sort of good vibes you just can’t fake. Unfortunately, it’s one of those hit-and-miss movies that has a few laughs and great ingredients, but just doesn’t quite add up.
The bottom line: Shallow.
Stephen ‘Spling’ Aspeling
www.spling.co.za
www.spling.mobi
Fiddler on the Roof Competition
Rich in historical detail, Fiddler on the Roof has touched audiences around the world with its humour, warmth and honesty. Its universal theme of tradition cuts across barriers of race, class, nationality and religion, leaving audiences crying tears of laughter, joy and sadness. Based on stories by Sholem Aleichem, its celebrated score features the much loved songs: Sunrise, Sunset, If I Were a Rich Man, Matchmaker and many others.
5 lucky readers will win double tickets to see Fiddler on the Roof, performed by Gilbert and Sullivan Cape Town Society at Artscape!
To enter, all you have to do is answer this question: The same man who played the leading role in the 2000 production of Fiddler on the Roof is again repeating the role in the forthcoming current production. Please give his name and the name of the character he plays.
Email your name, contact details and answer to info@capetowncreatives.co.za
Competition closes on 9 September 2011, 10h00.
Terms and Conditions:
You (and partner) must be available to attend the show in Cape Town between 10 and 17 September.
This competition is not open to members of Gilbert and Sullivan Cape Town.
Tickets are not transferrable and cannot be redeemed for cash.
Prizes courtesy of Gilbert & Sullivan, Cape Town.
Toffie Food Festival: 3 & 4 September
A first for Cape Town, the Toffie Food Festival and Conference plays host to specialist foodie speakers from around the world and invites Capetonians to sample, smell, taste and be inspired!
This two day long event (3 & 4 September) will be held at the Cape Town City Hall and includes tastings, workshops, food exhibitions, a food market, cookbook shop and quite unusually…a pinata exhibition!
As part of the conference, there will be talks by both local and international food celebrities and specialists including Julie Powell; whose book and blog inspired the movie ‘Julie and Julia’.
You can find out more and book your tickets here:
Dance International
The Cape Town City Ballet will present a triple bill, ‘Dance International’‘ at the Artscape Theatre, Cape Town from 22 — 30 October, 2011.
This triple bill features two international works and a piece by acclaimed South African choreographer, Adele Bank.
Patsy Toh Piano Recital: Wednesday 31 August
Chinese born Patsy Toh will be performing on Wednesday 31 August at 20:00 in Hiddingh Hall as part of the Gordon Institute for Performing and Creative Arts (GIPCA) Music in the City concert series.
Toh was born in China, but lived in England from an early age. She was educated at Westonbirt School for girls in Gloucestershire where she won an Associated Board Scholarship to the Royal Academy of Music.
After graduation, she entered the class of Yvonne Lefebure at the Paris Conservatoire and was awarded her premier Prix in 1961. She participated in Alfred Cortot’s master class and gave performances for Jeunesse Musicale. Under Ibbs and Tillett management, she performed in many music clubs in England and also in France, Denmark and the Far East.
In 1967 she formed a trio which won a prize in the BBC chamber music competition. In 1970 she went to the United States for two years. During this period, she worked with Aube Tzerko and was class pianist for Dorothy Delay, Cleveland Quartet and Sydney Harth at Aspen Summer school for several years.
After returning to London in 1973, she participated in the classes of Bruno Guirana and Pierre Fournier at Prussia Cove and Aldeburgh. In 1975 Iris Dyer a piano professor at Junior RAM passed away and the vacant post was offered to Toh. In 1989, she also took a post at Purcell School, a specialised music school for talented children and in 1994 she became part of the keyboard staff at senior RAM and was awarded an ARAM and subsequently a FRAM for her services to music.
She retired from Senior RAM in the summer of 2009 but continues to develop young talent at Junior RAM and Purcell school. Her students have won scholarships, competitions in the UK and overseas. Toh has also given master classes at Yehudi Menuhin School, Chetham’s summer school, Trinity Laban Conservatoire (Trinity College of Music) and music colleges and universities in Taiwan, Singapore, HongKong, Beijing and Shanghai. She currently lives in London and is married to the pianist Fou Ts’ong.
Toh will be performing Haydn’s Sonate in A flat major Hob XV1:46 and Variations in F minor, as well as Chopin’s Prelude in C sharp minor op.45 and 24 Preludes op.28. The event is free and no booking is necessary.
For more information on any of the events, phone the GIPCA office on 021 480 7156 or email fin-gipca@uct.ac.za.
Crazy, Stupid, Love. Movie Review: The Kids Are All Right in Real Life, Actually
Love is a complicated emotion. Something that humans seem to grapple with most of their lives. We’re born with a yearning for something that transcends this earthly experience. For most people it’s that elusive soul mate, a higher power or worse… money. It’s why human nature is so fascinating and compels film-makers to continue making films about this human condition.
Look at just about any movie and at some level, superficial or soulful… you’ll find the theme of love. No wonder Richard Curtis is infatuated with romance… Four Weddings & a Funeral, Notting Hill and Love, Actually all deliver the universal emotion in spades, or in this case hearts.
So it was only a matter of time before Hollywood tried to emulate the heartwarming emotion of a Richard Curtis film. They tried in Valentine’s Day, unsuccessfully… unintentionally representing the day for what it really is, complete with heart-shaped chocolate box and a dozen red roses.
That was until Crazy, Stupid, Love. – an American film directed by I Love You Phillip Morris writer-director duo, Glen Ficarra and John Requa, written by Disney regular Dan Fogelman. Smart writing, convincing performances, backed by a genre and character metamorphosis is what sells Crazy, Stupid, Love. to the audience. While a little slow-to-start, this crowd-pleaser grows on you as the characters develop and life’s unpredictable rhythm catches us off guard with some hilarious and tender moments.
Steve Carell is a real find, debuting as an unofficial “understudy” to Jim Carey. Now known for his role in the U.S. version of The Office, the actor has proved himself worthy time and time again. Dinner for Schmucks and Evan Almighty aside, Carell has shown he can do romance drama well in Dan in Real Life and once again in Crazy, Stupid, Love. as Cal, a divorcee trying to reassemble his relationships and rearrange his priorities. He’s supported by a blistering ensemble including: Ryan Gosling, Julianne Moore and Emma Stone.
Ryan Gosling dives headfirst into every performance, inhabiting Jacob a schmaltzy playboy and role model in this film. Carell and Gosling share an unusual chemistry as the would-be apprentice educates the disappointed high school sweetheart in the ways of the wild, mentoring him on the art of seducing women at a local bar… don’t worry it gets better.
Julianne Moore plays his wayward ex-wife, Emily, whose opinion of the man has gradually deteriorated over the years. The two seem like a genuine relationship on the rocks and there are several touching and funny moments shared between Carell and his leading lady.
Emma Stone is the free agent also known as Hannah, who intermittently weaves her way into the story as a young girl in search of the missing puzzle piece. A superficial encounter with Jacob leaves her character in limbo when it comes to love. After a reality check she begins to open her heart to finding love where she least expects it.
Carell is the glue that holds Crazy, Stupid, Love. together. It’s a funny, unpredictable, sometimes touching, character-driven comedy romance. The performances hold strong, portraying believable characters caught in their own love fix. What starts as a rather sad Night at the Roxbury comedy transforms into another Dan in Real Life or straight The Kids Are All Right as if the leads are channeling their roles from these movies. Entertaining, despite a two hour run time, Crazy, Stupid, Love. will hit you in that order.
The bottom line: Surprising
Stephen ‘Spling’ Aspeling
www.spling.co.za
www.spling.mobi
Stop-Frame Animation Workshops: 2 – 9 September
As part of this year’s Out The Box Festival, UNIMA South Africa will be hosting five workshops exploring the art of stop-motion animation and puppetry in film.
More detailed information on each workshop can be found at www.outtheboxfestival.com
To apply contact admin@unimasouthafrica.org
Stop-Frame Animation Workshop (Moving Hands)
In this workshop, you will make a short film using a combination of techniques, such as claymation (plasticine), pixilation or puppetry.
Ages: 14-18
Friday 2 September: 14h30 – 17h30; Saturday 3 September: 09h30 – 13h30; Sunday 4 September: 09h30 – 13h30; Monday 5 September: 14h30 – 17h30
Cost: R350 for the full course
The ABC’s of animation and storytelling (Jeremy Puren)
This is a physical and engaging workshop where you will capture your movements and moving objects to create a short film.
Ages: 7 – 13
Friday 2 September: 14h00 – 17h30; Saturday 3 September: 09h30 – 13h00; Sunday 4 September: 09h30 – 13h00; Monday 5 September: 14h00 – 17h30
Cost: R200 per day
Hand-drawn animation Workshop (Nina Torr)
This workshop will cover the basics and materials needed to create a simple hand-drawn animation on paper following the techniques pioneered in traditional cel animation.
Ages: 16+
Duration: 2 hrs
When: Tuesday 6 September 14h00-16h00 or Friday 9 September 10h00-12h00
Cost: R200
Problem-solving in stop-motion animation (Nina Torr)
This course will explore devices and techniques that make the animation process simpler and more functional – includes optimizing your puppets and creating DIY camera equipment.
Ages: 16+
Duration: 2 hrs
When: Wednesday 7 September 10h00-12h00; Thursday 8 September 14h00-16h00
Cost: R200
Basic Armature Construction on a budget! (Marinda Botha)
This workshop gives an introduction to general armature construction and provides an example of one method of construction, keeping your budget in mind.
Ages: 16+
Duration: 1 hr 30 minutes
When: Tuesday 6 September 10h00-11h30; Wednesday 7 September: 14h00-15h30; Thursday 8 September 10h00-11h30; Friday 9 September 14h00-15h30
Cost: R200
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