The Artscape Theatre Centre’s 2017 Heritage Festival is airing indigenous contemporary works, featuring dance, music and jazz in celebration of South African’s diverse identities.
The venture kick-started with the Artscape Indigenous Ensemble and Afrovibes from the Netherlands, and moves to Zolani Centre Theatre in Nyanga on the 17 September at 2pm. The final showcase culminates in “Road Trip with Dizu Plaatjies” on 24 September at 3pm at Artscape Theatre Centre.
Sikwantu Cultural Group
Dizu Plaatjies will journey with Pops Mohamed and Dave Reynolds, with choreography by Elvis Sibeko. They’ll be joined by poet Siphokazi Jonas, dancers Thabisa Dinga and Thembekile Komani, Manyano Mzi on drums, Peter Ndlala on bass, The Artscape Indigenous Ensemble, Ibuyambo Musical Group and Sikwantu Cultural Group (Oomama bomngqungqo wakwaXhosa).
Thursday, 21 September celebrates local heritage when the Cape Cultural Collective celebrates its 10th anniversary showcasing Big Bash, a kaleidoscope of the Mother City’s cultural collective. The line-up includes top comedian Riaad Moosa, the magical Rosa Choir and the Cape Flats Tenors among others.
New work ‘In your Hands’
The 22 – 23 September will witness South African and Dutch dancers share the stage with an international collaboration JONGA, and new work, In your Hands, by artists-in-residence Kirvan Fortuin. This encounter, made possible by Artscape Theatre Centre in collaboration with Afrovibes Incubator Programme, Jazzart and DOX, is a mixture of African, contemporary and urban dance forms creating a connection between dance and video. JONGA is created by Sibeko together with the Dutch brothers Thomas and Erik Bos from Urban Collective 155, in co-operation with other dancers Aviwe November and Rein Luuring. Choreographer Kirvan Fortuin will celebrate his identity and the lives lost during gang related violence, hate crimes and human trafficking.
Jazz Masters Tribute
The Heritage Fest wraps with a Jazz Masters Tribute from 28 – 30 September. Nomfundo Xaluva, Zoe Modiga, Monique Hellenberg, Sylvester Mazinyane, Buddy Wells, and McCoy Mrubata, Alvin Dyers, Hilton Schilder and Sylvia Mdunyelwa nod to jazz legends like Errol Dyers, the Schilder family, Miriam Makeba and more.
What: Artscape Theatre Centre, 2017 Heritage Festival
Tickets for all productions: R100 – R150
Book: Computicket, or Artscape-Dial-a-Seat 021 421 7695
Cover Pic: Alvin Dyers. Picture Jeffrey Abrahams
WS
