People's Post Page 13
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Tuesday 19 July 2011
Big band a big hit GARY VAN DYK
T
he Big Band sound is starting to spread across the Cape Flats with the launch of a group in the Grassy Park area last week, and it’s got the beat to fight off the bad influences affecting the youth. On Thursday last week the hall of Hyde Park Primary in Parkwood came alive when the Grassy Park Youth Development Big Band was launched with some performances that almost got the school calling for repairs to their roof. William Rezant, of the Western Cape Musicians’ Association (WCMA), said that this project was inspired by the success of the achievements of the Delft Big Band, and was a partnership between them, the Department of Education, especially Franklin Lewis, the head curriculum advisor for music, as well as the Lotto, from who they are receiving funding. “In 2009 WCMA applied for funding from the Lotto for youth development in music in the Western Cape pointing out the success of the project in Delft. “Thankfully we received some funding this year and launched Kidz Can in the Retreat, Lavender Hill, Grassy Park and Lotus River areas, and the band is part of this project. “For the band we initially targeted all or most high schools in these areas, but to our surprise some of the primary schools also wanted to be part of this project. “As you can see these youngsters are all excited about being part of it,” he said. Rezant added that the idea behind the project was more than just helping youth develop themselves through music. “We also want to stop our youth from getting involved with drugs, gangsterism and all these negative influences that plague them in their areas. “Over the past few years we have seen the success of the Delft Big Band under Ian Smith, who has grown the talents of those youngsters to a phenomenal level, and we are using his skills to help us with
this new project as well. “During these recent school holidays we got going at the Battswood Arts Centre, where 130 children got into learning to read music and playing instruments ranging from marimbas and steel pan drums, to all the wind instruments featured in a big band.” At the launch last week Smith demonstrated and explained how the teaching in the big band format takes place with the new learners showing off their talents. Then it was the turn of the Delft Band to give the learners a taste of what they will be doing in a few months time, and they were blown away. Tamryn Marcus (17) is a trombonist from Grassdale High, who was very excited about what she heard. “I feel very inspired when I listen to them, and excited to know that we will also be getting to that level if we work hard. While I have been playing at school for some years, the music that they are doing is something else,” she said. Timothy Mathlay (13) from Hyde Park Primary is a saxophonist who was still wide-eyed long after the Delft band performance. “That band gave me goosebumps! It is totally different to what we have been doing at school. “I can’t to get going seriously to get to that level.” Clarinetist Allison Davids (18) is at Grassy Park High and always knew she wanted to do music, but hearing the Delft group has inspired her more. “I have been playing for a number of years, but this is the first time that I have heard band play together like that. Wow!” Lance January (17) is a trombonist who also has playing bass guitar as an option. “Why don’t we hear music like this more often? This is exciting and I love the energy of the music. “I know that with this project we are going to discover lots of new music to inspire us.” Rezant concluded by adding that similar projects are planned for more areas in the Western Cape. “We also like to appeal to anyone who has spare instruments and would like donate or contribute to these projects to contact me on 073 399 0244, (021) 4479936 or via email William@wcma.co.za.”
MIGHTY APHRODITE: Pop singer Kylie Minogue had the audience dancing in the aisles at the Grand Arena, Grand West Casino, on Wednesday 13 July, as she brought her Aphrodite tour to Cape Town fans. Photo: Jaco Marais
Belly dancers to tantalise A BEVY of beautiful dancers will take audiences on a journey to faraway places as they shimmy and undulate to the sensual rhythms of the Middle East. The Feminine Divine Annual Studio Show takes place at Bergvliet High School on Saturday 23 July from 19:00. The Feminine Divine is one of Cape Town’s largest belly dance studios, with three passionate and skilled teachers teaching over 300 students in and around Cape Town. They are led by Tenille Lindeque, one of Cape Town’s most sensual dancers, who is well respected in the belly dance community. Tickets cost R55 per person and bookings are essential. For inquiries call Tenille Lindeque on 083 760 8499 or email femininedevine@neomail.co.za.
THE BAND: Fresh off a series of soldout shows across the Cape Peninsula, Sixgun Gospel will showcase its extensive catalogue in preparation for re cording its EP this month. The EP blends blues, country, rock, bluegrass and funk. The band will play at Muizenberg’s Melting Pot with upandcoming songstress, Natasha Meister, on Friday 22 July. Photo: Supplied
SENSUALITY EPITOMISED: Tenille Lindeque opened the Feminine Divine studio in 2003 and has since been featured on Top Billing and Spirit Sun day. Photo: Supplied
Hobnob with hotshot directors IF YOU want to get up close and personal with directors of the calibre of Malcolm Purkey, James Ncgobo, Janice Honeyman, Geoffrey Hyland and Aubrey Sekhabi, and actors such as Dawid Minnaar, Diane Wilson and Faniswa Yisa, this conference is for you. Directors and Directing is hosted by the Gordon Institute for Performing and Creative Arts (GIPCA) from Friday 29 to Sunday 31 July.
Featuring several performances in addition to panels and talks, this groundbreaking event will take place at Hiddingh Campus, UCT. The conference will explore “thoughts around directing by some of the nation’s leading theatrical and critical minds, in carefully-staged conversations that will be intimate as they promise to be illuminating and insightful”.
Tickets are available through Computicket and cost R120. This includes all talks and performances, the opening function, coffee and tea, a Sunday brunch and closing drinks. Single-day tickets are R60. Student rates are R80 for the full conference. The full programme will be available from www.gipca.uct.ac.za from Wednesday 6 July. Contact (021) 480-7156 or fingipca@uct.ac.za.
ROCKING: The Dirty Skirts will hold their album launch at Zula Bar in Long Street in the city centre on 23 July from 21:00. Entrance is R50.Photo: Supplied