Artscape has become synonymous with words like ‘development’, ‘education’, ‘training’ and undeniable investment in the youth of this country. This year’s youth month – June – will yet again bear testimony as it boasts some of the biggest names in drama, jazz, poetry and dance, working alongside the youth to help them blossom into the new, up-and-coming, future talents in the city and the country.
Says Marlene Le Roux, CEO of Artscape: “Artscape’s ongoing dedication to the development and mentoring of the youth comes in many different forms as can be seen in the various training and education programmes run by Artscape throughout the year. However, June is particularly important as the world has its eyes fixed on South Africa during this month due to its political significance for the youth in a time when they were the pioneers of their own struggles. And, through their perseverance and hard work, much progress has been made since 1976. But, since the challenges in the Arts are still plentiful, Artscape will not stop its relentless commitment to youth development in this country.”
Names like Amanda Tiffin, Mandla Mbongwe, Frank Paco, Afrika Mkhize, Lesego Rampolokeng, Mark Fransman and Camillo Lombard are a few of those involved in the mentoring of, and some even performing alongside, fresh young talents. These June entertainment (and education) events are attended by diverse audiences, eager to experience Artscape’s ever-engaging, inspiring youth month programme below.
PRODUCTION TITLE: Youth Jazz Festival
DIRECTOR: Amanda Tiffin
DATE: Friday, 8 June 2019
VENUE: Theatre
TIME: 20h00
TICKET PRICE: R80
CONCESSIONS: 10% (Block bookings)
FEATURING: Amanda Tiffin, Frank Paco, Mandisi Dyantyis, Mark Fransman, Wesley Rustin.
SYNOPSIS: In 2003 Artscape launched the Youth Jazz Festival. This project has grown extensively to accommodate the enormous interest and exceptional talent of young jazz musicians. The project spans over ten weeks and includes a mentorship programme with the aim to perform at the Youth Jazz Festival in June 2019. This festival’s focus remains the continuous skills development within the genre of jazz, to foster the investment of cultural democratization of our country. Musical Director, Amanda Tiffin will be leading a group of jazz musicians to act as mentors for these youths. The evening’s programme will consist of 100% South African Jazz.
PRODUCTION TITLE: International Albinism Awareness Day Concert
DIRECTOR: Lucie Kolbee
DATE: Thursday, 13 June 2019
VENUE: Theatre
TIME: 17h00
TICKET PRICE: R50
FEATURING: Philippi Music Band, Athlone School For The Blind Marimba Band and Dancers, RNB and Hip Hop artists: Aphiwe Sikobi, RozaR and D_LunatiQ.
SYNOPSIS: An exciting variety concert to conclude the International Albinism Awareness Day activities at Artscape, conducted by persons with albinism to promote self confidence and self advocacy. The International Albinism Awareness Day activities will be held at Artscape as an awareness campaign to promote the proper information and demystify myths around Albinism. The success of the campaign will assist in identifying opportunities for service improvement, implementing change strategies and advocating evidence-based services to address the challenges faced by people with Albinism.
PRODUCTION TITLE: The Little Giants Concert
DATE: Saturday, 15 June 2019
VENUE: Theatre
TIME: 20h00
TICKET PRICE: R120
CONCESSIONS: 15% (Block Bookings), 40% (Scholars), 50% (Pensioners & students)
SYNOPSIS: The Little Giants is a community based youth music project which was founded in 1999, by two local jazz musicians, Ezra Ngcukana and George Werner. Since inception, it has assisted in the development of more than 200 youth, many who have graduated into successful performers, in their own rights. Sisonke Xonti, Lwanda Gogwana, Shaun Johannes, Darren English and Chris Engel to name a few.
On the 15th June at the Artscape Theatre, The Little Giants will be joined on stage by alumni and guests, to celebrate their 20th anniversary. Through song they will be performing original material and will be paying homage to many of their South African elders including Hugh Masekela, Chris McGregor, Johnny Dyani, Winston Mankunku, Robbie Jansen and co-founder Ezra Ngcukana.
PRODUCTION TITLE: CMI – Strictly Original 2019
CONTACT PERSON & DETAILS:
DIRECTOR: Camillo Lombard
DATES: Thursday, 13 to Saturday, 15 June 2019
VENUE: Arena
TIME: 20h00
TICKET PRICE: R100
SYNOPSIS: The Cape Music Institute (CMI) was established in 2006 and is currently in its 11th year in the arts industry where it actively develops and cultivates local young talent in our rich creative industry. CMI is committed to a multi-disciplinary approach to music education and the practical upskilling of talented musicians and to grow the economy and invest in the human capital development of our country. Strictly Original is an opportunity for CMI to expose the students as a practical process to produce, direct and participate in a two-hour spectacular production.
PRODUCTION TITLE: Oratorio Of A Forgotten Youth Of ‘76
DIRECTOR: Mandla Mbothwe
DATE: Saturday, 15 June 2019
VENUE: Opera House
TIME: 18h00
TICKET PRICE: R200
CONCESSIONS: R150 Early birds tickets from 1 – 15 May or block bookings, R80 (Scholars), R130 (Pensioners & students)
FEATURING: Amandla Freedom Ensemble with Cape Town Philharmonic Orchestra.
SYNOPSIS: Oratorio Of A Forgotten Youth Of ‘76 is a reflection of the South Africa as it was in 1976, marking the 43rd anniversary of the historic June 16 uprisings that set out to change the course South African history. This production features the Standard Bank Young Artist for Jazz 2019, Mandla Mlangeni who also composed the music performed by the Cape Town Philharmonic together with the Amandla Freedom Ensemble audacious pairings, providing a musical narrative journey of the reflection. The band includes the legendary Afrika Mkhize, Lesego Rampolokeng, Ariel Zamonsky, Mark Fransman and many more. The show is directed by the multi-Award winning Mandla Mbothwe. The production also reflects domestic current affairs through the juxtapositioning of monologues by some of South Africa’s legendary performers and poetic reflections post-1994, accompanied by a multimedia component under the skilful eye of Sanjin Muftic.
PRODUCTION TITLE: Mzansi… Many Roots One Tree
DIRECTOR: Mzansi One Tree Development
DATE: Friday, 21 June 2019
VENUE: Theatre
TIME: 19h30
TICKET PRICE: R150
BILLING: Mzansi Cast
SYNOPSIS: This showcase of young up-and-coming talent is created by Mzansi One Tree Development, comprising of music veterans Vicky Sampson, Gabi Le Roux and Nini Schlechter, celebrating and showcasing the undiscovered, world-class talents of various singers and dancers from within our local communities. Mzansi – Many Roots, One Tree is a true celebration of our collective culture, portraying and integrating different genres and styles, which is so unique and inherent to our rainbow nation. With a 100% local content repertoire, this showcase is bound to thrill and move the audience as they are treated to the skills and talents that our local stars present.
PRODUCTION TITLE: Memories We’ve Found
DIRECTORS: Mzo Daba, Siphosighle Dundu, Asamkela Ketelo, Zizo Magwaca
Sivenathi Ntshwanti, Melisa Peter, Mpumelelo Phanginziwa, Enkosi Simelane
DATES: Saturday, 22 June 2019
VENUE: Theatre
TIMES: 20h00
TICKET PRICE: R50
CONCESSIONS: 10% (Block bookings)
SYNOPSIS: Memories We’ve Found is an original ensemble play written and performed by a group of 45 young actors ages 14-20 from Philippi Township. It explores the profound effects of memories and loss through stories, poetry, song and dance. Through monologues, scenes, spoken word poetry as well as physical theatre, the cast of energetic young people share their dreams, hopes, memories and vision for the future of their community and South Africa.
PRODUCTION TITLE: Cape Town’s Most Wanted
DIRECTOR: Brian Notcutt
DATES: Thursday, 27 to Saturday, 29 June 2019
VENUE: Theatre
TIMES: Thursday to Saturday @ 20h00 & Saturday @ 14h00
CONCESSIONS: 10% (Block bookings), 10% (Scholars), 10% (Pensioners & students)
SYNOPSIS: Produced by The Dance Project and Triple C and growing in popularity with each performance, this is the eighth production of Cape Town’s Most Wanted. It is a stunning platform for the best of Cape Town’s Hip Hop dance crews, dancers and choreographers as they bring their skills, diversity, creativity and dynamic swagger-bility to the stage in ONE show so that Cape Town can experience the cutting edge of Hip Hop at its best. Come and see the crews and performers that win acclaim and represent South Africa across America and Europe as they share their passion, joy and excitement for Hip Hop.