Dive into the archives.
The Mount Nelson Hotel in conjunction with the Cape Town Book Fair will play host to three world famous authors as part of the Mount Nelson Hotel Literary Salon Series during the Cape Town Book Fair.
Director of the Cape Town Book Fair Claudia Kaiser said, “We are excited that during this year’s fair, a number of events related to authors at the CTBF will be taking place in the City of Cape Town. This extends the influence of the fair, and we hope to build on it in the future so that Cape Town truly becomes a ‘City of Books’ during the fair.”
Meet three world famous authors for tea and cake at Mount Nelson Hotel’s Literary Salon Series.
Saturday 31 July / 16h30: Wole Soyinka
One of Africa’s greatest contemporary authors.
A Nigerian writer, poet, playwright and political activist, and the first African recipient of a Nobel Prize for Literature.
Sunday 01 August / 10h30: Jodi Picoult
A critically-acclaimed best-selling American author whose novels about family, relationships and love hold pride of place in many book clubs and have been adapted for big screen and television movies.
Sunday 01 August / 16h00: Chris Van Wyk
An award-winning South African author well-known for his novels, short stories and poetry for children and teenagers, including an abridged children’s version of Nelson Mandela’s ‘Long Walk to Freedom’.
Cost: R165 per adult
Signed copies of books will be available for purchase at each event.
For reservations contact +27 (0)21 483 1948 or email restaurantreservations@mountnelson.co.za.
Fiona Gordon: The week-long feast of dance that was the Cape Town International Ballet Competition ended on Saturday with a gala event befitting the occasion.
The fifth and final evening of the competition saw performances by five competitors from each age category, and the six finalists of the contemporary section, interspersed with guest performances by Camille Bracher – the 2008 Junior Contemporary Winner, and a number of local dance companies.
In his pre-announcement-of-the-winners speech, elected head of the judging panel, South African dance expert Dr Eduard Greyling spoke of the ephemeral nature of performance. With competitors pitted this closely against one another, the influence of tiny details can make an enormous difference in the end, and it was clear that the standard of individual’s performances differed from night to night, according to the choice of repertoire, or level of control of their nerves. With the scores discarded after the initial elimination rounds, and the dancers therefore competing from the neutrality of a ‘clean slate’ each succeeding night, each subsequent performance carried increasing importance as the competition progressed.
Some dancers whose performances had been solid, but not necessarily spectacular, suddenly showed their mettle in the finals, where others made their best impression on the first night. It was interesting to note and compare the different national trends- in training, style and costume preference. The finals night saw a reference to the first classical round, with nerves triggering untidiness that would normally not feature, but the heightened sense of occasion of the gala was felt by competitors and spectators alike, and produced an utterly magnificent series of performances – including the unfumbled completion of hitherto-elusive sets of fouetté turns. 16 year old Canadian Alys Shee not only interspersed the traditional 32 with multiple individual turns, but managed flicks of her Kitri-fan in various arm-positions, at the same time!
Judging complete, the contestants returned to the stage in a high-spirited Waka Waka finalé, choreographed by Lindy Raizenberg. A pleasure to see the world’s top young talent enjoying the opportunity to perform, together, without the pressure of having to ‘perform’, in a fitting salute to their talent, and experiences of the week.
The gala was a high profile affair, with Western Cape Premier Helen Zille taking to the stage for the awards ceremony, with the judging panel, consisting of dance luminaries Eduard Greyling (SA), Mario Galizzi (Argentina), Hae Shik Kim (Republic of Korea), Ismael Albelo (Cuba), Septime Webre (USA), Xin Lili (China), Christopher Kindo (SA) and Lisa Pavane (Australia).
Based on their choices, sharing the R375 000 in prize money (donated primarily by the Michel Tesson and Chiappini Trusts) are the following winners:
Senior Classical
Gold: Oscar A. Valdez Carmenates (19 yrs, Cuba)
Silver: Hyo-Seon Park (20 yrs, Republic of Korea)
Bronze: Aaron Smyth (19 yrs, Australia)
Junior Classical:
Gold: Nathan Chaney (18 yrs, USA)
Silver: Alys Shee (16 yrs, Canada)
Bronze: Jeon Yeo Jin (16 yrs, Republic of Korea)
Contemporary:
Senior: Thoriso Magongwa (27 yrs, RSA)
Junior: Nathan Chaney (18yrs, USA)
A Special Jury Award was awarded to South African Andile Ndlovu (22yrs) in recognition of his talent, artistry and versatility.
Fiona Gordon
fiona@artslink.co.za
If you’re out and about in Cape Town CBD on Saturday 26 June between 12 and 3pm, you may just be lucky enough to encounter someone riding a bicyle who hands you a rolled up wad of stunning original artworks and your day will be made!
Papergirl SA #1 culminates this Saturday with Ride Day. The past few months have seen the organisers rally support for this wonderful initiative and gather artworks from both South Africa and abroad.
Papergirl is an art project which, in the style of American paperboys, distributes rolled art pieces by bicycle to random passers-by in the streets.
The project was founded in Berlin by Aisha Ronniger and has been carried out once a year in summer since 2006. Now Papergirl has spread and will also take place in Cape Town.
The basic idea with the project is to bring art to the public in a different way than normal; to surprise people and bring them into contact with art in their everyday life. The idea of distributing art by bike came from the search for new ways to bring art straight to society, and have fun doing so! Papergirl is, in short: participatory, analogue, non-commercial and impulsive.
An exhibition of all works will be held the evening before Ride Day (Friday 25 June) at Word of Art Studios (66 Albert Road, Woodstock Industrial Centre, Woodstock) from 6 – 9:30pm
The curators of the National Museum of Ethnology in The Netherlands attended Design Indaba in 2008 and saw Monkeybiz’s work on display there. They contacted Monkeybiz in 2009, returned to Cape Town at the end of last year and purchased all the artworks for the exhibition. The exhibition runs in Leidon from May 27th until 22nd August 2010.
World Cup fever is sweeping the country and Cape Town is coming alive with colour, people and interesting exhibits. The city is displaying it’s unique creativity by decorating the streets with soccer-themed displays. Here’s a glimpse of the wonderful World Cup atmosphere.
For its second season at the Masque Theatre, the Cape Dance Company (CDC), proudly celebrating its 15th year, will present a programme of new works by acclaimed South African & International choreographers, namely Gregory Maqoma, Mamela Nyamza and Carlos dos Santos, to name a few. The eclectic style of the choreographies showcases the technical excellence and artistry of this athletic and cutting edge dance company.
Allesverloren…Alles Niet Verloren, (All Is Lost, All Is Not Lost) is a new work created by Carlos dos Santos, a world renowned Brazilian/American choreographer and master teacher. For this piece, dos Santos was inspired by current world events – disasters, tremors, volcanoes and wars. He says, “people think they are alone, and people think alone. We live in an individualistic, materialistic, insanely competitive world, one that prays at the altar of celebrity, perfection, possession & financial reward”. Dos Santos is an artist who conveys his ideas through dance as his chosen form of expression and it is one of the ways to express his attitudes to the world and how we can save it. “If we remove ourselves from our comfort zone and concern ourselves with the continued life of our planet, all will then not be lost.” Like Water…. , also by dos Santos, is a contemporary classical quartet that suggests the ebb and flow of constantly moving water as a metaphor for the constantly changing and evolving life of an artist. This engaging work showcases the technical virtuosity and strength of the ladies of the CDC.
In addition, the performance includes Kitty Phetla’s quirky Soukora (At Night!), which has a light and playful, flirtatious quality suggesting a dance of fire-flies in the African night. Gregory Maqoma’s pulsing, organic work, Molo Wethu, has an earthy Euro-African style with undulating torso movements and a distinctive energetic quality of dance, a trademark of this well-loved dance company. Gladius (Sword), originally created as a solo, has been extended into a full work by Debbie Turner, the Artistic Director of the CDC and the Cape Academy of Performing Arts (CAPA), one of the City’s top training institutions established by Turner 25 years ago. Gladius explores the life of the gladiator who ultimately has to look death in the eye and it incorporates edgy, staccato movement coupled with a powerful electronic score keeps the audience riveted with subliminal feelings of anxiety, fear and ultimately, resignation.
The Cape Dance Company performances run at the Masque Theatre on 15,16,17 June at 7:30pm, 18 June at 6pm and 19 June at 3pm. Tickets cost from R45 to R80 with special offers for Masque Theatre members and all bookings via the Masque on 021 788 1898.
We’re thrilled to showcase the work of talented, Cape Town artist: Nerina de Villiers on Cape Town Creatives. Two years ago Nerina had the opportunity to work in Antarctica as a member of the S.A. National Antarctic Expedition as Artist- in Residence. Much of her work depicts her experiences there; her response to the oceans, icebergs, marine life and the polar plateau. One of her aims is to communicate the uniqueness and fragility of the natural environment through her work.
Nerina de Villiers has exhibited her work in numerous group shows, galleries and has had 3 solo exhibitions. She also has artwork in 4 overseas countries.
To view Nerina de Villiers’ complete portfolio on Cape Town Creatives, click here.
At Artjamming, you simply walk in and let your imagination take hold of the paint brushes. No drawing or painting skills are needed. Artjammers at the studio are provided with canvases, acrylic paints on tap, and tools to freely express themselves. Let your mind loose and fill the canvas with colours and inspiration. Artjamming will be running a special holiday programme for the June/ July School Holidays. Kids will be given a canvas; snack pack; arts and crafts tools etc. Contact Artjamming branches for more details.
Date: Any day of the week
Time: 10h00 – 12h00
Venue: Shop 10, Wembley Square, Solan Rd, Gardens or Shop 014, Cape Quarter, Somerset Rd, Green Point
Price: minimum R95
This magical fairy tale is based on the original Carlo Collodi classic of the little wooden puppet who has to prove himself to be honest and trustworthy before he can become a real live boy, with help and guidance from Jiminy Cricket and the Blue Fairy. Follow Pinocchio and Gepetto on their adventures to Pleasure Land, Stromboli’s Puppet Theatre and inside a whale. Watch Pinocchio’s nose grow as he lies to Gepetto and see Jiminy Cricket magically turn into a life-size cricket.
The duration of the show is 45 minutes and it is ideal fairy-tale fun for the whole family.
Date: 18 May – 26 June 2010
Times: 10h30 and 12h00
Venue: Baxter Concert Hall
Price: R35
After a completely SOLD OUT run in 2009, The Three Little Pigs is back by popular demand at the Baxter for two weeks only. This delightful children’s classic takes place in Mudwop Valley, where the three little pigs leave the farm to live on their own. One wants to be a dancer, another a pop singer and the third a successful businessman. The big bad wolf pretends to be a travelling salesman in order to get into their homes, but has to resort to blowing the houses down. When none of his disguises work, he tries to blow the houses up and ends up blowing himself up.
The duration of the show is 45 minutes and it is ideal fairy-tale fun for the whole family.
Date: 28 June – 10 July 2010
Times: 10h30
Venue: Baxter Concert Hall
Price: R35
Laduuuuuuuuuuuma! World Cup time has finally arrived and we will be getting all excited while reading soccer stories and practicing our goalkeeping skills!
Date: 5 June 2010
Times: 11am
Venue: The Book Lounge, 71 Roeland Street, Cape Town
Price: Free (RSVP )
Noddy has settled into Toyland in his house for one, but he still has a lot to learn. He gets involved in Mr Marvel Monkey’s underhand moneymaking scheme. He doesn’t know his robot colours. He’s never been to a sports day! Oh dear, Noddy!
Join Noddy and his friends Big Ears, Mr Plod, Tessie Bear and you might be invited to Toyland’s Sport Day.
Date: 10 – 26 June 2010
Times: 10h30
Venue: Artscape Theatre Foyer
Price: R40
Nestled against the mountain in a serene farm-like setting, the Clay Cafe makes for a memorable day of creativity and recreation for children and parents alike. Choose from a vast array of unfired bisque and a wide selection of colourful paints to create crockery that is personal and completely unique. Spend a leisurely day painting in a relaxed environment with our friendly staff at hand to assist you with painting techniques that you may wish to make use of.
Dates: Open 7 days a week
Venue: Old Dairy, Oakhurst Farm, Main Road, Hout Bay
Price: varying
Holiday workshops at Gold of Africa Museum
Children discover the music, stories, games and art of West Africa. You may sign up for one day or all four days. Suitable for children 7 -12 years. For more information: 021 405 1540 or museum@goldofafrica.com
Dates: 22 – 25 June and 5 – 8 July 2010
Times: 9h00 – 12h00
Venue: Gold of Africa Museum
Price: R50 per day (all materials included)
Big-hearted South African musicians are donating their time and talent to help Haitians in need, by taking part in the Making A Difference 4 Haiti Benefit Concert at the Baxter Theatre on 12 May 2010.
Spearheaded by radio presenter Doug Anderson, musician Lionel Bastos, and Madelaine Steyn, the M.A.D. 4 Haiti concert will feature a selection of the country’s premier artists in a bid to raise funds for the devastated Caribbean nation, which is still reeling from the 12 January earthquake that killed an estimated 230,000 people. Explains Anderson: “It started off as a Facebook status update: ‘I want to put on a benefit concert for the Haiti victims – anyone interested in helping out?’ This was as a result of seeing the visuals coming out of Haiti, shortly after the earthquake.”
It took only a few seconds for friends to start commenting. The first friend on board was singer/songwriter/producer Lionel Bastos who, in turn, posted the same status update on his Facebook page – and so M.A.D. (Making A Difference) 4 Haiti was born. Madelaine Steyn created the M.A.D 4 Haiti Facebook fan page. Since then, a number of well-known South African musicians have volunteered to perform at the benefit concert at the Baxter, that has generously donated the venue free of charge. They include Ross Learmonth [Prime Circle], Farryl Purkiss, Simon Van Gend,Jack Mantis, Gary Thomas, Tina Schouw, Ian Henderson, Claire Phillips, Gavin Minter, Wendy Oldfield, Mark Fransman, Amanda Tiffin, Lionel Bastos, Merseystate, Flat Stanley and Paul Abro.
The organisers are also making available an album of songs donated by various artists around the country for the M.A.D. 4 Haiti fund, which can be downloaded from www.rhythmmusicstore.com, and a CD may be in the works as well if a label comes on board. Members of the public who would like to contribute to the disaster relief effort in Haiti while experiencing some of SA’s premier music acts performing under one roof, are urged to head along to the Baxter and rock on down for a good cause. Your small act of compassion may make a huge difference in the lives of many Haitian people.
The Cape Town concert takes place at the Baxter on Wednesday 12 May at 7:30pm. Tickets cost R100 to R120 via Computicket and all proceeds from the concert will be paid into a trust administered by the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants SA.
Join the Facebook fan page – M.A.D. 4 Haiti – for updates.
The organisers of the M.A.D. 4 Haiti Benefit Concert would like to thank all sponsors for their generous support that has made this event possible.
With the deadline for entries having lapsed last week, Dirk Badenhorst, the CEO and Founder of the Cape Town International Ballet Competition (CTIBC) and the Director of Mzansi Productions, is delighted to announce the participation of outstanding competitors from South Africa, Singapore, China, Cuba, South Korea and the United Kingdom in the Cape Town International Ballet Competition (CTIBC), taking place at the Artscape Opera House directly after the Soccer World Cup, from 12th to 17th July, 2010.
The Mother City will once again host the CTIBC, now known as the country’s premier ballet competition. The inaugural competition took place in January 2008 and was called the South African International Ballet Competition. It was hailed as one of the most exciting dance events on the South African cultural calendar and its success motivated the City of Cape Town to step forward as the principal sponsor which led to its new name, the Cape Town International Ballet Competition (CTIBC).
High profile dance personalities from all over the world once again make up the panel of judges. Dance critic Eduard Greyling, formerly a principal dancer with CAPAB Ballet and the Het Nationale Ballet in Holland, and Christopher Kindo, also from CAPAB and a well-known choreographer, both hail from South Africa. International judges include Ismael Albelo, a dance critic and lecturer at the National Ballet School of Cuba; the President of the World Dance Alliance, Hae Shik Kim from South Korea; Lisa Pavane, the Head of Student Training at the Australian Ballet School; Mario Galizzi, a ballet teacher at the Higher Institute of Art at the Teatro Colon in Buenos Aires, Argentina; Septime Webre, the Artistic Director of The Washington Ballet, and Xin Lili, the Artistic Director of the Shanghai Ballet in China.
Providing an international showcase opportunity for local and foreign dancers, the CTIBC, like ballet competitions at Varna in Bulgaria and the Prix de Lausanne in Switzerland, enables directors of various dance companies in SA and abroad to seek out new and exciting talent. The event empowers young dancers through competitive engagement and exposure to international dance trends and training techniques. South African teachers and dancers from all communities also have the opportunity to attend master classes and workshops, an interaction that forms part of Mr. Badenhorst’s vision to bring various dance entities together to benefit collectively by having access to certain guests from the international ballet arena. His repeat visits to competitions such as the Youth America Grand Prix, and to ballet companies and dance schools in Europe and the USA has resulted in the formation of a network of invaluable contacts with some of the best organisations and institutions in the world.
The competition categories are divided into a Junior/Amateur Division (15-18 years of age) and a Senior/Professional Division (19- 28 years of age). The judging criteria for the two categories differ and each works on a point system per round. There are cash prizes in all divisions, with the winner in the senior category receiving R100, 000 and the winner in the junior section being awarded R80,000. The Michel Tesson Performing Arts Trust, Guernsey will be donating most of the prize money.
The second Cape Town International Ballet Competition will take place from the 12th to 17th July, 2010 at the Artscape Opera House in Cape Town, South Africa. Tickets are available for the elimination rounds taking place from Tuesday 13th to Thursday 15th July at 2pm at R40 per person. The Finals take place on Friday 16th July at 7:30pm and the grand Gala performance on Saturday 17th July at 7:30pm with tickets for both costing R65 to R350 at Computicket or via www.computicket.com. For more info please visit www.ctibc.com
