July 31, 2007
By Tabisa Mntengwana
WOMEN will be the focus of celebrations in Newtown, where Women's Day will be marked by exhibitions and performances from some of the country's leading artists, comedians and DJs.
National Women's Day is on 9 August, although the whole month has been set aside as Women's Month. And the Women in Arts Festival runs from 8 to 11 August in Newtown. The hub of the festival will be at The Courtyard, at 1 Central Place, while a number of other venues will take part, such as Shivava Café, Dance Factory, Horror Café and Bassline.
Share in the experiences of spoken word artist Napo Masheane
Events include music, poetry, art, crafts, dance, theatre and comedy.
Carmel Nair, the cultural programme manager for the Newtown Management District and the festival manager, says the programme is a full one.
"Renowned songstresses, talented dancers, creative photographers, DJs, distinguished poets, hilarious comedians and explosive music all form part of a line-up that will showcase women in the arts to the audience expected to descend upon Newtown during the four days of festivities.
"As in previous years, this year's edition will display cutting-edge creativity put together by some of the best women talents in the country," she adds.
The Women in Arts Festival is sponsored by Transnet Foundation and supported by the City of Johannesburg, Johannesburg Development Agency, Business and Arts South Africa, Newtown Improvement District, Swiss Arts Council Prohelvetia and British Council.
Women's Day, a public holiday, honours the 20 000 women who, in 1956, marched to the Union Buildings in Pretoria to protest against one of the cornerstones of apartheid – the pass laws.
Dance Factory
The World, My Butt and Other Big, Round Things runs from 8 to 11 August. The dance, created by Dada Masilo, takes a journey through feminism. It is an extension of her 2005 group and 2007 solo works bearing the same title, with music by Meredith Monk and Arvo Part.
The show features five dancers and choreographers Nicola Haskins, Lulu Mlangeni, Zoey Lapinsky, Thoko Senganye and Mbali Nkosi. Tickets are available at Computicket, costing between R15 and R40.
Also on the cards at Dance Factory is a concert, Milestones, by Zamajobe and Wendy Oldfield, who will perform music by prominent South Africa singers, including Miriam Makeba, Brenda Fassie, Margaret Mcingana, Busi Mhlongo, Letta Mbulu and Dolly Rathebe. Tickets are R60 each and are available at Computicket.
Market Photo Workshop
Face Her, a photographic exhibition, runs from 8 August to 6 September. The works, by female and male photographers, capture women's experiences.
The images not only give a glimpse into the world of the young and the free today, they also reflect on the photographers. Photographers include Jennifer Bruce, Tracy Edser, Robin Fortune, Kgaugelo Hlaka, Sabelo Mlangeni, Simangele Kalisa, Babalwa Mtanga, Sechaba Nhlapo and Musa Nxumalo.
The Market Photo Workshop is open from 9am to 5pm, Monday to Saturday.
Bassline
Afro-pop musicians set the stage alight at Bassline on 10 and 11 August.
Afro-jazz singer Simphiwe Dana is on the bill
The line-up includes Simphiwe Dana, Thembisile, Camagwini, Ayanda Nhlangoti, Thandiswa Mazwai, Mingas from Mozambique and Lira. Both shows start at 10pm and tickets are R60 at Computicket.
The Courtyard
The Courtyard, at 1 Central Place, is the hub of the festival. Activities here start at 5pm and go on until 10pm daily.
"We are proud to announce an innovation for this year's celebrations," Nair explains. "We have established a festival hub in The Courtyard, where festival-goers can meet, relax and exchange ideas."
Starting at 5pm, visitors can sip cocktails while popular DJs play soothing sounds of deep house, Afro-jazz and Afro-pop. The DJs include Nonn Botha, Nicky Blumenfeld from Kaya FM and their young, up-and-coming colleagues.
Then, from 7.30pm, spoken word artists and poets share their original stories and experiences. The line-up features Nomsa Mdlalose, Nonhlanhla Hadebe, Nthabi, Napo Masheane and Cindi Sampson. Comedy with Judy Jake, Tumi Morake and Stella Steenkamp follows from 8.30pm.
At 10pm there is a concert with Ammara, Bulelwa and Phyllis, alongside Mingas from Mozambique. The festival wraps up with SHE, an all-female band. All performances at The Courtyard are free of charge.
Horror Café, Shivava Café, Kippies Jazz Club, Fuel Café and Loaded also have activities lined up for the festival, including music by Aya, Khululiwe, Dolly Sitloane, Judith Sephuma and DJs Miss Red, Amanda, Wild Angel and others.
The Women in Arts Festival takes place at various venues in Newtown from 8 to 11 August. For more information, a detailed programme and ticket prices, visit the Newtown website.
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