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Korey Riker, saxophonist, flautist & featured soloist for John Legend's latest tour - to sit in with Monday Big Band

Media Release

Korey Riker, saxophonist, flautist & featured soloist for John Legend's latest tour - to sit in with Monday Big Band

 

Durban jazz musicians are making Mondays fun again. The Monday Big Band led by George Mari is performing at KuDTa (Wilsons Wharf) on Mondays from 5:30 - 7:30pm. 

 

The weekly big band gathering showcases the city's swinging talent and provides an opportunity for a regular big band night – something new for Durban! Featuring a 13-piece line-up of Durban based jazz musicians including Burton Naidoo (piano) Llewellyn Chetty (bass), Sbu Zondi (drums), Debbie Mari (vocals) with Thabo Sikakhane, Phuti Mofokeng and George Mari (trumpets), Mxolisi Mdlalose and Tim Lewis (saxophones), Kgetsi Mokgetsi and Siyalo Khumalo (trombones), and Gerald Sloane (guitar), The Monday Big Band promises to make Monday’s the favourite day of the week with a wide range of repertoire including Little Sunflower, Doxy, Jive Samba, Lullabye of Birdland, South African standards such as Shona, The Mandela Suite and other original compositions by the band members. 

 

With occasional change in personnel, The Monday Big Band features guest musicians every so often and Monday 6 November is bound to get jazz lovers down to the bay. Philadelphia-based Korey Riker (USA),  who is currently touring with John Legend as saxophonist, flautist and featured soloist for his 'Darkness & Light' tour which comes to Durban the same week, will be sitting in with The Monday Big Band. Riker released his second album ‘Recognizance’ in 2015 and was a recipient of the 2016 Kimmel Center Jazz Composer Residency grant where he was afforded the opportunity to further explore his work as a composer, producer and performer. Riker will be releasing his next album soon.

 

Catch him live, one night only, with The Monday Big Band on Monday 6 November where he’ll be sharing the bandstand with some of Durban’s finest jazz musicians. 

 

The Monday Big Band performs every Monday from 5.30pm – 7.30pm at Wilson’s Wharf at KuDTa. Entrance is free.

 

 

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Pic: Korey Riker (saxophone)

 

 

Gecko Culinary Adventures - October 14, 2016

Gecko Culinary Adventures in Musgrave was abuzz last weekend as six young aspirant chefs took to the state-of-the-art cooking stations in this year’s KZN finals of the SPAR Junior Cook competition.

These senior primary school finalists battled it out for the title with twelve year old Ballito resident Ryleigh Rutherford from Maris Stella taking the honours with a delectable and flawless cheese cake. Twelve year old Tiana Gangaram from Pelham Senior Primary School in Pietermaritzburg was runner up with a superb tuna tart, which completely converted one non-fish eating judge.

Runners up were Olivia Elliot (12) also from Maris Stella on the Berea who made a Italian chicken dish, Kuyanda Sibisi (12) from Durban Primary in Umbilo with stuffed potato skins, Kirsten Short (11) from Durban Girls College, also on the Berea, with a chocolate coffee cake, and Callan Canham (11) from Collingwood Senior Primary in Wentworth with a stacked pancake cake.

The annual cook-off involved the youngsters preparing a recipe that they had submitted as their competition entry, as well as a mystery dish – a ginger bread family - that was given to them following the completion of the first dish.

One of the judges, SPAR Advertising and Promotions Manager, Nelene Rampersad who was instrumental in conceptualizing the competition for SPAR in an effort to encourage young chefs, said “I love that this year we had such a range of dishes from the finalists. This made judging difficult, and our taste-buds were put to the test, but after much deliberation, Ryleigh’s Cheese Cake came out tops. It was faultless – a great presentation, and top-class texture and flavour. Her gingerbread man was done to perfection with a crisp texture, with some fun iced decorations. Well done to all for the good food, great spirit and enthusiasm.”

Ryleigh won a R5,000 shopping voucher for her first place position with runner up Tiana Gangaram receiving a R2,000 shopping voucher and all four remaining finalists each received a R500 SPAR shopping voucher. All finalists received a SPAR sweet hamper and a hamper packed with baking utensils to further their culinary aspirations.

“It was really fun,” says Ryleigh, who has always helped her mum in the kitchen ever since she can remember, “I enjoyed making my cheese cake here today. It was so exciting to work in a professional kitchen.”

Participant comments for Regional Papers

Berea: Oliva, who confesses to often making a mess in the kitchen, but does clean up, says “I love to bake and cook a lot and I especially love to make vanilla sponges and decorate them. I sometimes also cook for my family.”

PMB: Tiana started baking about a year ago says “Sometimes I am allowed to be alone in the kitchen and that is great fun. I especially love to make breakfast of pancakes and crumpets for my family.”

Berea / Umbilo: Kuyanda, who started baking two years ago, says she likes to bake, “especially chocolate muffins and vanilla scones,” which she adds “are eaten mostly by my brother!”

Berea: Kirsten who has been interested in cooking for about a year, says “I really enjoyed making my chocolate coffee cake today in this professional kitchen – it was fun.”

Bluff / Wentworth: Callan says “I have always been busy in the kitchen having tea parties since as long as I can remember. I especially love to make pancakes for my family.”

Local female film-maker forges ahead in male-dominated arena

After identifying a gap in local film making production process, the eThekwini Municipality’s film industry development unit, the Durban Film Office introduced SCOUT, a location scouting and management programme as part of its overall mandate to encourage more film making in Durban.  One of the 2014 SCOUT participants, Sindisiwe Mngadi, has really taken the opportunity afforded her and is making waves in the industry, not only locally but on a national level too.

 Toni Monty, Head of the DFO explains: “SCOUT is an intensive programme developed to professionally develop local location scouts and expose young and previously disadvantaged filmmakers to the business of location scouting and with the aim that they will eventually move into full location management. We have had two sessions with local filmmakers one in 2014 and another in 2016. Participants took part in a one week theory class and two weeks of practical knowledge programme which also included a formal and accredited NOSA training in Basic fire Awareness, Introduction to Occupational Safety and Health and Health and Environment Representative Training, with professional Locations Manager Neville Botha from Unit Co-Op.”

 Twenty-eight year old, Sindisiwe, who is based on the Berea, worked at local production company Durban Motion Pictures after leaving school, where she gained invaluable experience working on the job and training at the same time.

 The young go-getter started her company, Lopper Media in 2010, with a focus on video production for events and editing. In the last few years she has ventured into film and commercial production services, and is fast developing a name for herself as a reputable service provider with a range of services that include location scouting, location and unit management, as well as security services .

 “The scouting programme was very informative and it opened my eyes to the many opportunities that we have in Durban from a locations point of view and also within the industry as a whole,” she says.

 “The knowledge that I gained from the training helped me so much and made me take my business more seriously,” she enthuses. “After doing the SCOUT programme my business has definitely improved and grown very fast. We have even ventured into location and unit management, and we recently were able to work with major production companies such as Born Free Media, Natives at Large and Mobile Media, and I was also a location and unit manager for a recent Red Bull Commercial that was managed by Mobile Media, here in Durban - the best two days ever,” she says.

Determined to make a real go of this industry, Sindisiwe is currently in Johannesburg where she is hoping to finalise the details for three new short films being shot in Durban. 

 “I am really excited about the opportunities that have come up and I am hoping to grow my business into a major unit management one.”

 

The 2017 JOMBA! Eric Shabalala Dance Champion Award

Well-known KwaZulu-Natal choreographer and dancer Sifiso ‘Magesh’ Ngcobo received the 2017 JOMBA! Eric Shabalala Dance Champion Award at the JOMBA! Contemporary Dance Experience at the Elizabeth Sneddon Theatre in Durban last night (Thursday, August 31).

Now in its 7th year, JOMBA! Eric Shabalala Dance Champion Award, honours of the memory of Eric Mshengu Shabalala who tragically passed away in 2011; he was a local dancer, choreographer, teacher and one of the founding dancers of the Siwela Sonke Dance Theatre in Durban. In a fitting tribute, the Centre for Creative Arts and the Jomba! Contemporary Dance Experience Dance Festival has set up this annual award to honour some of KwaZulu-Natal’s stalwart dancers and dance teachers.

“The award is given not only in recognition of performance or choreographic excellence, but also more profoundly and more importantly it is given in recognition of dance practitioners who have worked tirelessly to help grow a culture of dance and dance training in Durban – who have supported the growth of dance as an art form at both community and regional level,” said Lliane Loots, Artistic Director of JOMBA! at the award ceremony.

“In selecting recipients, the committee look for those gifted individuals who have gone above and beyond – often without funding – to dedicate themselves to the cultural industry and to put KZN dancers and dance on the national and international map,” she said. “So we honour Sifiso because of his bold initiative, for not sitting back waiting for funding and for hand-outs but for getting up and making a difference by using his skill as a dancer and as an educator.”

Ngcobo, who currently teaches dance and isiZulu at St Nicholas Diocesan School in the Pietermaritzburg, also runs a scholar dance company within the school called “St Nics Dance Company. He was born in Umthwalume, and has a degree in Drama and Performance Studies and an Honours degree in Community Development, from the University of KwaZulu-Natal. Before joining the Flatfoot Dance Company in 2003 he performed and toured the world in the celebrated dance show African Footprint.  As one of Flatfoot’s founding members he was instrumental in setting up their now 15 year history of dance education and community engagement.

“This award is given primarily for the work he is doing his own education and community project in Imbali Township at Sukuma Comprehensive School,” explained Lliane Loots. “He works with young school going learners and in dance programme called the Umsunduzi Youth Development Project and uses both drama and dance to address social, economic issues, life orientation as well as community child and gender abuse.”

Past recipients of this prestigious award include Jarryd Watson (2011), Sifiso Khumalo (2012), Byron ‘Bizzo’ Tifflin and Preston ‘Kayzo’ Kyd (2013), Jabu Siphika, Julia Wilson (2014) and Zinhle Nzama, Ntombi Gasa  (2015) and Musa Hlatshwayo (2016)

"I am so excited about this award,” enthused Ngcobo accepting the award. “Credit must go to Jomba, the Centre for Creative Arts, the St Nicholas Dance Company, Umsunduzi Youth Development Project, and of course the Flatfoot Dance Company, for grooming me to be what I am today. I have been doing this kind of work for a very long time and it is good to be finally recognized. We work without funding and support from the government but the passion and fire within us keeps us going because our goal is to make an impact in different communities and give hope to the hopeless through dance. The projects I run in Pietermaritzburg have made a significant impact in the learners' lives and that makes me happy. We are not yet done!" 

For more information about JOMBA! go to www.cca.ukzn.ac.za

DGLFF postpones festival to 28 September 2017 whilst 'INXEBA' ('THE WOUND') to screen as planned

Due to last minute technical issues raised by the Film & Publications Board (FPB) about the broader programme, only the South African feature film 'INXEBA' ('THE WOUND') went ahead  as scheduled. As the film has already received a 16 SL classification, it has been allowed exhibition. However the rest of the programme will be postponed to start 28 September 2017, in order to bring films in compliance with FPB regulations.

 "It is with great regret that I have to announce the postponement of the DGLFF programme for a month so as to comply with technical issues raised only this week by the FPB. Previously we had sincerely not been made aware of certain technical requirements, and on learning what was needed, I ensured very quickly that the FPB was provided with what they needed. Unfortunately timing is an issue with the process and this led to a mutual decision that in order for the Festival to be fully in alignment with FPB requirements, we should postpone to achieve this".

 'INXEBA' was screened  on Friday 25 August at the Waterfront Hotel, Point, with an additional screening on Saturday 26 August, and then Thursday 31 August 2017 at 8pm at Tina's Hotel in Kloof. The community screening of the film on Saturday 2 September at 12pm will be in a venue as yet to be confirmed.

 The critically acclaimed and award winning 'INXEBA' stars musician and novelist Nakhane Touré as Xolani, a lonely factory worker who joins the men of his community in the mountains of the Eastern Cape to initiate a group of teenage boys into manhood. Amidst sporadic calls for boycott, and some reports of threats to cast members, Fiddler is pragmatic: "The country is still very naive when it comes to our rights to freedom of expression, of protection against discrimination. The Constitution is there for a very good reason: to work against hegemony, hatred and homophobia. Whilst I'm deeply concerned that the intolerance and aggression displayed by some is very real, I also expect that many detractors haven't actually seen this powerful piece of cinema. We must have the space to express our creativity, artistry and views frankly and without intimidation."

 "The programme will remain largely intact and we simply commence from the end of September" assures Fiddler. The revised DGLFF programme will be available online within the coming week and all screening information relating to 'INXEBA' can found at the Festival website www.dglff.org.za

7th annual Durban Gay & Lesbian Film Festival

Now in its 7th year, this annual cinematic celebration of independent queer cinema, the Durban Gay & Lesbian Film Festival (DGLFF), is expanding its reach within the Ethekwini region with screening venues that will include Durban's Outer West LGBTIQ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender & intersex) communities. From both a practical and demand-driven perspective, #DGLFF2017 has recognised that for many, the journey to "town" is both expensive and often far. Therefore festival director Jason Fiddler has successfully negotiated with Tina's Hotel in Kloof, home to Roland Stansell's branch of Rhumbelow Theatre, to host two evening screenings of films on Thursday 31 August and Friday 1 September.

The Festival runs from 25 August to 3 September 2017 and includes the aha Waterfront Hotel & Spa in Point, Alliance Francaise and the Durban Lesbian & Gay Centre in Morningside, and the KZNSA Gallery in Glenwood as screening venues over its 10 day run.

Securing 'INXEBA' as the Opening Night Film for Friday 25 August at The Waterfront Hotel & Spa in Point, for the city's LGBTIQ community audience, festival director Fiddler couldn't be prouder or happier: "I've known about 'THE WOUND' ('INXEBA') as a project since the 2014 Durban FilmMart, when producer Elias Ribeiro was pitching it as a project for financing. I told him there and then I wanted it for DGLFF one day. Our audiences deserved to see a great locally made film that spoke to their own experiences, that shared their own stories. Elias' earlier gay short films had been included in our previous festivals, so I knew that he would be keen to maintain that relationship. I just never anticipated what an insanely huge deal this would be!" Growing social media attention of the film has led to some very strong calls for protest, as some in the Xhosa community and elsewhere have deemed the film a serious issue for them, bordering on cultural exploitation.

Described by Variety magazine as “a milestone in South African cinema”, 'INXEBA' stars musician and novelist Nakhane Touré as Xolani, a lonely factory worker who joins the men of his community in the mountains of the Eastern Cape to initiate a group of teenage boys into manhood. Amidst sporadic calls for boycott, and some reports of threats to cast members, Fiddler is pragmatic: "The country is still very naive when it comes to our rights to freedom of expression, of protection against discrimination. The Constitution is there for a very good reason: to work against hegemony, hatred and homophobia. Whilst I'm deeply concerned that the intolerance and aggression displayed by some is very real, I also expect that many detractors haven't actually seen this powerful piece of cinema. We must have the space to express our creativity, artistry and views frankly and without intimidation."

The DGLFF line up this year also includes as Closing Night Film young filmmaker Thishiwe Ziqubu's ' SINA NOMAKOTSHANA' ('Dance with the Maiden'), a 24 minute short film about a girl falling in love with her contemporary dance partner and coming out of the closet during her traditional Zulu initiation. Other South African content includes Allan McDonald's moving documentary 'LOCKED IN'  about transgender people within the Xhosa and Muslim communities, including their very real struggles for acceptance. DGLFF will also host the world premiere of Durban filmmaker Dayakar Padayachee's 40 minute gay short 'SHADOW', a psychological horror following a gay Indian teen's decent into darkness during his parent's growingly ugly divorce, as a malevolent force takes hold.

Included in the two-night Tina's Hotel line up on Thursday 31 August and Friday 1 September are the Argentinean drama 'BROMANCE' (a feature film about three friends who realise they've grown as young men and their relationship is devolving on a weekend getaway at the beach), 'INXEBA', 'BOYS FOR SALE' (an adults-only feature documentary that takes a candid journey with Urisen, mainly straight gay-for-pay escorts, in Japan's oldest red light district) and 'SOMETHING LIKE SUMMER' (a surprisingly complex comedy-musical-romance that follows two high school guys who's whirlwind romance goes awry, and who find one another very different people years later; expect some really original vocal performances by some known TV talent).

Further, Fiddler has curated two sets of short films for outer west audiences. Running at 67 minutes, Lesbian Shorts includes three beautiful short films ('LILY' from Ireland; 'THE MASTERFUL HERMIT' from Wales; and 'THE PRETTY THINGS ARE GOING TO HELL' from Denmark) that explore tender relationships, old flames that turn up unexpectedly and the pain of parting. Spanish Gay Shorts (running 54 minutes) includes a trio of Spanish-language short films that explore the bisexual feelings of a man between his girlfriend and his best friend ('GOLDFISH' from Mexico), the very real matter of a couple who need to frankly discuss their sex life having been involved for some time ('VERSATILE' from Spain) and how little white lies can make for hilarious complications with grandma on your wedding day ('THE MARRIAGE' from Spain)!

With 7 feature films, 11 documentaries and almost 30 short films from 14 countries globally, including South Africa, the DGLFF expects to speak to the interests of many different audiences. Fiddler encourages mainstream audiences who love good cinema to participate: "Ours is an inclusive Festival. You don't have to be gay, or lesbian, or otherwise to appreciate these well made films. You just need to be open minded, and make the effort to discover new stories."

Further information is available on the Festival Website: www.dglff.org.za

 

JOMBA! announces International Guests for this year's fest: 23 Aug - 3 Sept

JOMBA! announces International Guests for this year’s fest: 23 Aug-3 Sept

The annual JOMBA! Contemporary Dance Experience presented by the University of KwaZulu-Natal’s Centre for Creative Arts (within the College of Humanities) has announced its international guests for this year’s 19th edition which takes place in various venues around Durban from 23 August to 3 September.

 

This year’s festival promises a feast for dance and theatre lovers over 12 days with a programme featuring some of the world’s most innovative dance theatre work from South Africa, Africa and abroad, that promises to provoke, entertain, delight and challenge audiences. International companies featured include Germany’s steptext dance projects, Benin dancer and choreographer Marcel Gbeffa and INTRODANS from the Netherlands, who will also perform at the Baxter Theatre in Cape Town in September following their JOMBA! season.

 

The Festival opens with a stellar international partnership with the Johannesburg-based Vuyani Dance Theatre and Germany’s steptext dance projects. In a profound meeting of Europe and Africa, choreographers Gregory Maqoma and Helge Letonja (Bremen, Germany) join forces to create “Out of Joint”. Six dancers meet in a furious game of difference where the dance is a Babylon of physical co-existence with dancers exploding into centrifugal power, paralysis, fear and the rebellion of both the individual and the social body.

 

JOMBA!’s long term vision to honour the African continent and to continue to make artistic connection with the rest of Africa, manifests in this year’s hosting of Benin dancer and choreographer Marcel Gbeffa.  With support from the Alliance Française (Durban), the Institut Français d’Afrique du Sud, Gbeffa makes his first trip to South Africa and will perform his acclaimed solo work “Et Si ...”.

 

Gbeffa uses a repetition of animal movements, which he then adapts to his human dancing body before transforming the dance into involuntary and spontaneous animalistic reflexes. It is a bold and masculine work whose origins lie in the zeitgeist of West Africa. Gbeffa will also be conducting the annual festival residency with five KZN dancers: Bonwa Mbontsi, Tegan Peacock, Steven Banzoulu, Sibonelo “China” Mchunu, and Kim McCusker-Bartlett. The culmination of the residency will be given a showing at the KZNSA Gallery in Glenwood.

 

Dutch favourites, INTRODANS, join JOMBA! on a third festival visit to offer a programme (3 performances) of dance works from their award-winning repertoire. Considered one of Europe’s leading touring companies, INTRODANS works in a neo-classical ballet idiom that will delight both ballet and contemporary dance-lovers alike. They have titled their JOMBA! 2017 programme “WONDERLAND” which features a ‘wonderland’ of works by choreographers Hans van Manen, Ton Wiggers, Cayetano Soto and Alvin Ailey’s new artistic director, Robert Battle. Their work is always witty, technically supreme and full of beauty.

 

INTRODANS collaborates with Durban’s FLATFOOT DANCE COMPANY in a special work that premiers at the festival. JOMBA! has taken on the mandate to support disability dance practices in KZN and has done so in a bid toward inclusivity around dance. INTRODANS’s artistic manager, and celebrated choreographer, Adriaan Luteijn will be spending 3 weeks in Durban working with FLATFOOT and four specially auditioned dancers with Down Syndrome to create the Durban version of “Cardiac Output”.

 

The medical term “cardiac output” is used for the amount of blood pumped through the heart per minute. This choreography is about matters of the human heart which can influence the cardiac output. The first version of “Cardiac Output” premiered in March 2016 in Amsterdam. Lutejin has become world famous for his choreographic works that team up professional dancers with dancers who are often denied access to dance due tointellectual or physical disability.

 

Once again the KZNSA Gallery features in the programme, offering an alternate challenge to dance makers and for those intrepid artists who work outside of the traditions of the proscenium arch. Not only will this event see the outcome of Benin’s Marcel Gbeffa’s JOMBA! residency, but the evening will host 3 new works by some of Durban’s most cutting edge voices to be announced at a later stage.

 

JOMBA! hosts its usual platforms of the Fringe (August 29) with 10 new works of about 15 minute each, and the Youth Fringe (August 27), and a full programme of workshops and master classes by all of the participating dancers and choreographers.

 

The festival will take place at different venues around Durban: Pieter Scholtz Open Air Theatre on August 27 at 2:30pm (free entry), KZNSA Gallery on August 28 from 6pm (R50) and the Elizabeth Sneddon Theatre on all other days with tickets on sale at Computicket or one hour before the performance (R60 or R45 forscholars/students/pensioners).

 

For a full listing of the programme and workshops go to www.cca.ukzn.ac.za and go to the JOMBA! page.  Workshops and classes are offered free of charge (dancer over 16yrs only), booking is essential viajombafestival@gmail.com. Facebook (JOMBA! Contemporary Dance Experience) and Twitter (Twitter@Jomba_dance).

 The 19th JOMBA! Contemporary Dance Experience is under the artistic direction and curatorship of Lliane Loots and is organised and hosted and run by the Centre for Creative Arts (University of KwaZulu-Natal), and is supported primarily by the eThekwini Municipality.

 

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CAPTIONS TO PHOTOS

Et Si - photo credit Andreia Salame:

Benin dancer and choreographer Marcel Gbeffa, with support from the Alliance Française (Durban), the Institut Français d’Afrique du Sud, Gbeffa makes his first trip to South Africa and will perform his acclaimed solo work “Et Si ...” at this year’s JOMBA! festival in Durban.

 

Out of Joint - photo credit M. Menke:  In a profound meeting of Europe and Africa, choreographers Gregory Maqoma and Helge Letonja (Bremen, Germany) join forces to create “Out of Joint” - to be performed at this year’s JOMBA! 

festival in Durban.

 

Malasangre - photo credit Hans Gerritsen: INTRODANS from the Netherlands will feature a ‘wonderland’ of works by choreographers Hans van Manen, Ton Wiggers, Cayetano Soto and Alvin Ailey’s new artistic director, Robert Battle at this year’s JOMBA!  festival in Durban.

 

Black Cake - photo credit Hans Gerritsen: INTRODANS from the Netherlands will feature a ‘wonderland’ of works by choreographers Hans van Manen, Ton Wiggers, Cayetano Soto and Alvin Ailey’s new artistic director, Robert Battle at this year’s JOMBA!  festival in Durban.

Virtual Reality Showcase at DFM 2017

Virtual Reality Showcase at DFM 2017

An exploration of the possibilities of Virtual Reality (VR) will be one of the highlights of the 8th Durban FilmMart (DFM), Africa’s premier film finance and co-production forum, which takes place at the Tsogo Sun Elangeni Hotel from July 14 to 17 during the Durban International Film Festival.

Virtual Reality (VR) is one of the most exciting emerging technologies on the digital landscape and there is little doubt that it will ultimately have a massive impact on the ways that we consume media and engage with each other and society. At the same time, VR is still such a wide open frontier that there is little consensus as to what the future of this embryonic technology will be. This year’s DFM programme features a number of events that explore the possibilities of VR, particularly in terms of filmmaking and digital storytelling.

For those unfamiliar with VR – or who may not have experienced it for themselves – a VR demo session will take place on Sunday, July 16, from 10am-12noon, in the form of a Master Class presented by AFDA which will showcase the Pro VR 360 Headset. Then, on Monday, July 17, from 2pm-3pm, there will be a session entitled: ‘VR: What’s Happening in Africa and What Can We Make Happen?’ presented by Electric South and AFDA. Featuring VR experts Ingrid Kopp and Shmerah Passchier, the session will explore the possibilities for VR on the continent as well as present and discuss various projects that are currently underway in Africa. Kopp, who is one of the leading authorities on interactive media and virtual reality in the context of digital narratives, will talk about her experience with African-produced VR and the challenges facing the industry, while Passchier will discuss the notion of the cyborg filmmaker, in which virtual reality and the notion of the digital-human collide.

Passchier, who is at the leading edge of theoretical writing about VR, notes that “the cyborg filmmaker emerges from science fiction, specifically from afrofuturism, from Africa. It is the cinematic voice of the global south. The cyborg disrupts the boundary between human and machine because the tools of VR filmmaking are extensions of the cyborg self. The afrofuturist cyborg inserts itself into the global virtual reality narrative by splicing technology into the story-telling self. The virtual reality camera rig, with its multiple eyes, hybridises and multiplies the possibilities of new ways of seeing.”

She continues: “By harnessing the tools of the digital revolution, we transcend our race, our gender and our species. We splice the self with technology to form new identities, to tell new stories, to create new worlds of immersive story, to disrupt reality, to disrupt the human being, to become cyborg filmmakers.”

Talking about the African VR industry, Kopp is excited by the work that has emerged so far but also recognizes the financial challenges involved and warns that it’s vital that Africa, which has so much to offer the VR industry, does not get left behind because of a lack of funding and resources. “In many ways, the continent’s VR landscape is uncharted territory,” said Kopp. “While hubs of activity have emerged in places like Johannesburg, Cape Town, Nairobi and Accra, even those working in the industry struggle to get a clear sense of what works – and what doesn’t – in different cities and outside the urban hubs”. She points out that everything, from how to get equipment in and out of countries to skill-building to camera setups that are rugged and don’t overheat, is part of a growing conversation about what form the African VR industry will take as it establishes itself.

But even with the availability of accessible gear, other technological and economics constraints will make it difficult for widespread consumer adoption to take off in many African countries. For producers, though, an industry is emerging that might, in time, satisfy global demand for African content. It is vital, says Kopp, that African VR content is made by Africans.

As well as the masterclass demonstration and the VR discussion session, Electric South, together with the Goethe Institut, will also be showing VR films in the industry lounge for the duration of DFM, including The Other Dakar by Selly Raby Kane, Spirit Robot by Jonathan Dotse, Let This Be a Warning by The Nest Collective and Nairobi Berries by Ng’endo Mukii.

So don’t miss this opportunity to explore this cutting-edge technology and the endless possibilities that it presents.

Ingrid Kopp is a co-founder of Electric South, a non-profit initiative that aims to develop virtual reality and mobile storytelling projects across Africa. Kopp is also a senior consultant in the Interactive Department at the Tribeca Film Institute where she works at the intersection of storytelling, technology, design and social change. Along with MIT’s Open DocLab, she leads the Interactive Media Impact Working Group, exploring how emerging media engages audiences, and recently launched Immerse, a new publication for Medium, as an extension of this work. Having spent 10 years in New York, Kopp is currently based in Cape Town.

Shmerah Passchier has worked in the film and television industry as a writer, director and producer. She has travelled extensively around Africa, directing magazine, reality shows and documentaries for the SABC and DSTV. Passchier has a Master’s degree in film from AFDA and a Master’s degree in Anthropology from Wits University. She is currently reading for a PhD in Cyborg Filmmaking and Virtual Reality at Wits University.

The 8th Durban FilmMart takes place in Durban, at the Tsogo Sun Elangeni from 14 to 17 July 2017, during the 38th edition of the Durban International Film Festival (13-23 July 2017).

For more information on the Durban FilmMart and to register as a delegate visit www.durbanfilmmart.com

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Grantleigh claims their third SPAR KZN School Girls' Hockey Tournament Regional Title

A monumental tussle between two rival schools, saw Grantleigh College reclaim their title in the Northern Coastal regional of the SPAR KZN School Girls’ Hockey Challenge which took place at their school on Sunday, May 28. 

Having previously twice won this regional Grantleigh were not going to relinquish their title without a good fight. Faced with a tight-knit outfit representing Felixton, the two teams came head to head in a dramatic, fast-paced and energetic gold/silver finals.

Felixton dominated the majority of the game, powerfully surging forwards countless times but encountered a firm solid defense from Grantleigh’s backline, and were unable to penetrate. In the last three minutes, Grantleigh secured a short corner, and Chene van Wyk managed to convert it into a point to steal the hopes of a win from their opponents.

Both Felixton and Grantleigh won their pool games and met Empangeni High School and Richardsbaai Skool respectively in the semi-final playoffs. The semis ended with both finalists going one-up against their opponents. Then Empangeni met Richardsbaai for third position in the bronze game, with Empangeni winning 1-0.

Danielle van Onselen, Captain of Grantleigh who was ecstatic about the win said, “It was a fast and tense final and there was a lot on the line going up against Felixton. At half time we really decided that we wanted this win very badly, and we went for it.”

Winning the award for the Most Promising Umpire, fourteen-year old Brett Braithwaite from Grantleigh, exhibited fantastic control and knowledge of all the games he officiated and oversaw.

Nine teams participated in this year’s Northern Coastal regionals and the tournament was played in two pools, with games lasting 20 minutes one-way with the final game lasting half an hour going two ways.

Wrapping up the regionals for this year’s SPAR KZN School Girls’ Hockey Challenge, Grantleigh will meet St Mary’s winners of the Highway Regional, King Edward High School, winners of the Ugu and Sisonke Regional, Ferrum Skool (Newcastle), St Anne’s College (PMB North), St John’s DSG (PMB Central), Amanzimtoti High School (Durban South), Our Lady of Fatima (Durban North) and Durban Girls College (Durban Central) and Wartburg Kirchdorf (Umvoti, uThukela and Umzinyathi) at the Grand Finals at St Mary’s in Durban on July 29 and 30.

 

Jumpstart - Pitching programme for emerging South African filmmakers at Durban FilmMart

Ten South African emerging filmmakers will have an opportunity to hone their pitching skills at this year’s Durban FilmMart (DFM) Jumpstart – a compact programme that essentially provides a springboard for filmmakers new to the industry, which takes place in Durban from July 14 to 17 during the Durban International Film Festival.

Supported by DFM partner, Produire au Sud of Festival des 3 Continents, in Nantes, France, the programme aims to introduce emerging filmmakers to the art of project pitching, and will also provide participants with a guide on how to maximize festivals and markets, and expose them to the workings of local and international industry.  

This is also a way that they are provided with a professional introduction to the international co-production market,” explains Toni Monty, Head of the DFO. “Often for filmmakers, new to the scene, this is a very daunting task, and if they have never been exposed to how pitches are conducted would find it very intimidating doing so for the first time. So this programme provides a safe and engaging introduction for filmmakers to be exposed to the inner workings of the pitch.” 

Jumpstart begins on July 13 with an introduction and overview. The next day, participants will take part in a workshop conducted by Stefano Tealdi, seasoned producer and director who also tutors film development and production at universities and master courses, and film pitching for organisations, such as Biennale Cinema College, Cannes Film Market, Festival des 3 Continents – Produire au Sud, Media Business School, Med Film Factory, Scuola Holden, TFL-Torino Film Lab, ZELIG Film School. 

They will also participate in the edgy Restless Talent Pitch workshop and will be eligible to put their names forward for random selection to pitch their project at the Restless Talent Pitch at DFM. The workshop and pitch are hosted by Restless Talent Management, the first global management company to focus on African talent.

The candidates will have opportunities to discuss their projects with mentors, take part in a Virtual Reality workshop, attend a co-production workshop hosted by the NFVF and observe the Talents Durban Story Junction session – activities all aimed to further develop their pitching skills and confidence.

Interested filmmakers are invited to apply for this programme. Submissions are now open and will close at 5pm on June 16, 2017.

The programme is for emerging South Africa Filmmakers only. Applicants must submit their project synopsis and filmmaker profile.

To apply email info@durbanfilmmart.com and use Jumpstart Application in the subject line.

For further information about the Durban FilmMart or to register go to www.durbanfilmmart.com.

 

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St Mary's Scoops Sixth Victory in Highway Regional of the SPAR KZN School Girls' Hockey Challenge

St Mary’s DSG, scooped their sixth victory in the Highway Regional of the SPAR KZN School Girls’ Hockey Challenge which took place at Curro Hillcrest on Sunday, May 21.

This regional, which has always been a hotly contested one, saw six teams play 30 minute one-way games in round robin format on a perfect autumn day.

St Mary’s claimed their first victory in the first game of the day against Westville Girls High who went full out in an attempt to place themselves in the regional final, but were unable to score against Saints’ 2.

Try as they did but Westville, who battled against St Mary’s for this title in the regional final last year, could not edge out Kloof High either from the runnings for the finals. After losing to St Mary’s they managed to win against Curro Hillcrest and Hillcrest High scoring a bonus point for three or more goals. But it was the second to last game of the round robin against Kloof , which could have been the game changer, where they drew, resulting in Kloof going up against the defending champions. The teams were evenly matched, but in the last 30 seconds Westville Girls High were awarded a penalty for a deliberate foul in the D. A perfect opportunity for them to score from right in front of the goal, but they were unable to convert this into a winning result.

The finals of this regional, was a tough one coming late on a hot, long day, and Kloof tried valiantly to claim the title from St Mary’s.  But Saints were in top form and pushed for goals, and within the first 10 minutes had already scored twice. 

While they dominated much of the game, the Kloof players fought back hard, with the diminutive Dashal Naidoo’s nifty dribbling and Kaelin Hartog’s incredible ability to send the ball flying away from their goal supporting their team.  Their goalie Zama Ngidi, had courage of steel as she fought off shot after shot at the goals with gargantuan determination. 

St Mary’s played a very technical, hard and skillful game, using fancy teamwork to own the day. Leah Piggot, claimed the first and third goals, while Hannah Shirley claimed the second, both taking advantage of the flurry in the D. Piggot hit a hard first shot, and then later after the team had tried twice for goals and had been thwarted by the opponents goalie, she managed an excellent and unexpected reverse stick past the courageous Ngidi. The end result was 3-0.

St Mary’s will join nine regional winners at the Grand Finals at their school in Durban on July 29 and 30. Regional winners include King Edward High School, winners of the Ugu and Sisonke Regional, Ferrum Skool (Newcastle), St Anne’s College (PMB North), St John’s DSG (PMB Central), Amanzimtoti High School (Durban South), Our Lady of Fatima (Durban North) and Durban Girls College (Durban Central) and Wartburg Kirchdorf (Umvoti, uThukela and Umzinyathi) and another from the Northern Coastal regional to be played on May 28 at Grantleigh in Richards Bay. 

For more info like the Facebook page.

Results:

1 St Mary’s DSG, 2 Kloof High School, 3 Westville Girls High School, 4 Thomas More College, 5 Hillcrest High School, 6 Curro Hillcrest Christian Academy

 

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SPAR KZN School Girls' Hockey Challenge - Grantleigh College

The Northern Coastal KZN Regional of the SPAR KZN School Girls’ Hockey Challenge, will take place at Grantleigh College in Richards Bay on Sunday, May 28.

This regional, the last in the series of ten in this year’s Challenge, features eight schools playing pool games with the top scoring teams of each pool facing off in a regional final on Grantleigh’s astroturf. Pool games will be 20 minutes one way, and the finals 30 minutes, with 15 minutes played each way.

Richardsbaai Hoërskool, Felixton, Richards Bay Christian School, John Ross College and Eshowe High School will play in Pool A, while Grantleigh College, St Catherine’s School, Empangeni High School and Mandini College in Pool B.

Hosts and defending champs, Grantleigh College has twice represented this regional at the Grand Finals, the first in the inaugural tournament in 2011 and then again last year. They snapped the regional title away from four time winners, Empangeni High, who no doubt will be eager to reprise their victory once more. Last year’s regional although ended with a show-down between Richardsbaai Hoërskool and Grantleigh, so it remains to be seen who will dominate this time.

Speaking ahead of the tournament, Grantleigh coach Garth Bishop says “The team is quietly confident however the competition will be tough and it is going to take lots of hard work to try defend the title.”

“Last year was a really tough year, we performed really well against the bigger schools, but unfortunately couldn’t sustain the performances later in the tournament. It has just shown how we need to play at a consistent level if we want to achieve again this year.” 

“We participated at the Nedstar Hockey clinic in Pretoria, and although not all the results went according to plan we managed to take significant strides forward as a team. The Irish Men’s hockey coach, Craig Fulton, also gave the girls some areas to think about while playing if they want to achieve at a higher level.”

“We expect that this will probably be one of the toughest years as there are a number of schools who have really improved over the past few seasons and it is probably the most open competition in the last few years,”  continues Bishop. “It would be great to win the regionals again as the finals in Durban is definitely a highlight of the season for all the players.”

Winners will meet nine other teams from around KZN at the Grand Finals at St Mary’s DSG in Kloof on 29th and 30th July. They will join Wartburg Kirchdorf, winners of the PMB Inland Regional, St Mary’s DSG winner of the Highway Regional, King Edward, winners of the Ugu and Sisonke Regional, Ferrum Skool (Newcastle), St Anne’s College (PMB North), St John’s DSG (PMB Central), Amanzimtoti High School (Durban South), Our Lady of Fatima (Durban North) and Durban Girls College (Durban Central).

For more information like the Facebook page.

 

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SPAR KZN School Girls' Hockey Challenge - Wartburg Kirchdorf claims their victory - May 13

Wartburg Kirchdorf claimed their fifth consecutive victory at the Umvoti, uThukela and Umzinyathi Regional of the SPAR KZN School Girls’ Hockey Challenge at Wembley College in Greytown this Saturday.

The cold, rainy and blustery weather did not dampen the spirits of the five first schoolgirls’ hockey teams, as they took to the astro. But is was the defending champions, Wartburg Kirchdorf who owned the day despite all the teams having had a tough time in the conditions. As the weather was less than ideal, games were shortened to 20 minutes one way instead of 30 minutes as originally planned for this regional. 

In the final game, Wartburg psychologically worked some magic asthey scored the game’s three goals within the first four minutes. Michelle Engelbrecht, managed to score the first and third goals, while her cousin Elona Engelbrecht,  who plays for KZN U19 Inland Kites Team (although she is only U17), the second – with all three goals secured with skillful reverse stick precision. 

Wembley fought back bravely, and managed to keep the decisive opponents out of the goals for the rest of the game, but, this resulted in them having to play a more defensive game. Goalie Ashleigh Mason was not going to allow any more passages into her goal, and valiantly defended it backed up by some rather determined Wembley defence.

An elated Wartburg Kirchdorf coach Lisa Misselhorn said “We are thrilled to have once again taken the honours. This was initially a very tough regional for us, as we were not playing with our heads. I knew all along that the bodies would not give up, they are strong, but we needed to pull together to play a more strategic team game. In the end this all seemed to come together and I think they worked extremely well as a team in the final game against Wembley.”Kevin Engelbrecht, a relative of the Engelbrecht girls, was acknowledged as the most promising umpire for this regional.

Wartburg Kirchdorf join winners from the Ugu and Sisonke Regional, King Edward, Ferrum Skool (Newcastle), St Anne’s College (PMB North), St John’s DSG (PMB Central), Amanzimtoti High School (Durban South), Our Lady of Fatima (Durban North) and Durban Girls College (Durban Central). The remaining two regionals are to be played later this month.

The Grand Finals takes place at St Mary’s DSG on 28 and 29 July.

For more info like the Facebook page.

Results:

1 Wartburg Kirchdorf, 2Wembley College, 3 Greytown High School,  4 Deutsche Schule Hermannsburg, 5 Domino Servite.

 

21st anniversary of The Route of the Prince Impérial, Louis Napoleon, A Franco-Zulu Cultural Celebration and Commemoration

This year marks the 21st Anniversary of the establishment of La Route du Prince Impérial, Louis Napoléon (The Route of the Prince Impérial, Louis Napoleon), a bold tourism initiative that follows the scenic pilgrimage route through KwaZulu-Natal, taken by a mother in mourning as she followed the footsteps of her son to where he was killed during the Anglo-Zulu War in 1879. 

 

The Prince Impérial, Louis Napoléon was killed in an ambush at uQweqwe, near Nqutu, on 1 June 1879. The following year on the anniversary of his death, his mother, the Empress Eugenie, spent the night in vigil at the very spot, which is now marked as a monument to him.

 

Who would have thought that 138 years later, the monument would play an important role driving a small, but vital tourism injection into the community at uQweqwe.

 

This year, the Alliance Francaise, Pietermaritzburg and the French Presence in KwaZulu-Natal cultural tourism research development project, present a programme of engaging activities with a number of partners during the month of May – Africa month. Both associations play a valuable networking function in connecting France, Reunion Island and other Francophone countries with South Africa.

 

Early May sees a call to action for people to support Art in the Park. The Pietermaritzburg Amateur Music Society then sets the tone for French week with its Musique Sacrée concert of French Sacred music at the Lutheran Church, Hayfields at 14H30 Sunday 21 May 2017.

 

A week later, on The Midlands Amble, a Sunday gathering at Albert Falls commemorates the first night’s “camp” of the Empress Eugénie, when she came on her sorrowful pilgrimage.

 

On Monday May 28, a guided visit to the Msunduzi Museum will see a programme of school activities which includes a history presentation on the Anglo-Zulu war as well as readings and worksheets on related topics.

 

The Empress Eugénie and The Prince Imperial wines produced by Domaine des Dieux ofthe Hemel-en-Aarde Valley in Hermanus are celebrated during this week, and on Africa Day, Wednesday May 31 at 13H00, the annual Prince Imperial lunchtime concert takes place at The Old Prison / Project Gateway in Pietermaritzburg. The concert features the Sobantu School Choir, the Sobantu acapella group, the dance performers from Chistlehurst Arts & Academics, as well as the Impisi Emnyama Zulu dancers, and Exquiniqué Fashion that will present its own unique brand!

 

That night a Franco-Italian pizza evening at Pizzology further celebrates the historical genealogy of the Bonapartes and the present day entente cordiale that exists in our country.

 

Dr Andrew-John Bethke will be giving a special anniversary organ recital at 19H00 in the Lutheran Church, Hayfields on Thursday evening 1 June - the commemoration day of the Prince’s death and the anniversary day of the Route.

 

On Friday 2 June, The Embassy of France, the French Institute, the Alliance and the Napoleon Foundation, Paris present a concert at the Tatham Art Gallery to celebrate local talent and welcome His Excellency the Ambassador of France, Mr Christophe Farnaud and other international guests.

 

The evening starts with the launch of the publication by Otterley Press of The French Prince: Tragedy to Transformation by Glenn Flanagan followed by the award ceremony of Les Palmes Académiques to Heather Peel, Head of French at Hilton College for her contribution to the teaching of French. A concert follows featuring Sandile Mabaso, a celebrated opera singer from KwaZulu Natal, the Sobantu Secondary School isiscathamiya performers, the Impisi Emnyama Zulu Dancers and the Chistlehurst Academics and Arts Dance group, who promise a finale with great French flair.

 

A memorial mass will be celebrated on June 3 at 09H30 at the Allard House Chapel, KZN’s first Roman Catholic Church (built in 1852) performed in association with the memorial mass in the Imperial Chapel in Biarritz, France. Well known choral leader Michael Lambert, will be directing the Scola Musicae Sanctae choir.

 

Following this mass the dignitaries will depart for Dundee along the Prince Imperial Route pausing for tea with the French Augustinian Sisters in Pomeroy, culminating in a French soirée at Elisabeth Durham’s Chez Nous B ‘n B in Dundee. At the soirée the convener and project leader of La Route du Prince Impérial, Louis Napoléon, Glenn Flanagan will present a visual résumé of highlights of the past 21 years of Route development.

 

The next day the delegation will visit the Jojosini Primary School in the community where the monument is situated, to inspect the sponsorship of rain tanks and library donated by Panteix /Antalis and local donors.

 

The ceremony to commemorate the 138th anniversary of the death of the Prince begins at 10H15.

 

The Ambassador of France will lay a wreath on the Prince Imperial memorial; inkosi Mdlalose and Induna Mbatha will lay wreathes on the tombs of Trooper Abel and Trooper Rogers and Gugu Buthelezi (voluntary site guide) will lay a wreathe for the nameless Zulu guide killed in the same ambush on 1 June 1879.

 

After the ceremonies, sporting events organized by Nathi Sibisi of the uQweqwe community will take place.

 

“We have an exciting line-up of Franco-Zulu related activities in Pietermaritzburg, in Dundee and the uQweqwe community during May and the first weekend in June,’ says Glenn Flanagan. “We welcome Francophiles and everyone who enjoys a slice of history, as well as those who are keen to experience the value of creating and developing fascinating historical and cultural links between different cultures and how this can benefit our communities – both rural and urban.”

 

The 21st Anniversary celebrations of La Route du Prince Impérial, Louis Napoléon is supported by the Embassy of France, the Alliance Française, TKZN, SA TOURISM, local municipalities, local tourism authorities and the Napoleon Foundation, Paris.

 

For the full programme go to the Facebook Page: French Presence in KZN: La Route du Prince Impérial, Louis Napoléon.

Durban dancer, choreographer, and arts activist receives a coveted Ordre des arts et des Lettres from the French Government

In a glamorous event hosted at Durban’s Alliance Française on Tuesday 25 April, Durban’s Lliane Loots was awarded the honour of Ordre des Arts et des Lettres (Order of Arts and Letter  by the Ambassador of France to South Africa, Mr Christophe Farnaud.

 

In a moving acknowledgement and celebration of Loots lifes work in growing, making and supporting dance in South Africa, and in conjunction with the support she has offed to French artists visiting and working in South Africa, this Knighthood was gently and beautifully bestowed by Ambassador Farnaud on his very first visit to Durban.

 

The Ordre des Arts et des Lettres is a medal of honour that is bestowed by the French government in recognition of significant contributions to the arts and the propagation of the arts and in significant connection to also enriching the French cultural inheritance. It is an award that was established in 1957 by the French government and, in 2017 three South African – all in the dance sector - will be receiving it; Lliane Loots, Gregory Maqoma and Georgina Thompson.

 

Loots presently holds the positions of Dance Lecturer in the Drama and Performance Studies Programme at the University of KwaZulu-Natal (Howard College Campus). She has a Master’s degree in Gender Studies and is presently completing her PhD looking at contemporary dance histories on the African continent. She is delighted to hold the founding position of Artistic Director for the Centre for Creative Arts’s annual JOMBA! Contemporary Dance Experience (a festival that will make its historic 20th edition in 2018). She has also recently been invited onto the Grahamstown National Arts Festival’s Artistic Committee (for dance).

 

Loots founded FLATFOOT DANCE COMPANY as a professional dance company in 2003 when it grew out of a dance training programme that originally began in 1995. As the artistic director and resident choreographer for FLATFOOT DANCE COMPANY (now the longest surviving professional dance company in Durban), she has won numerous national choreographic awards and commissions and has travelled quite extensively in Europe, America and the African continent with her dance work. Loots and FLATFOOT are also known for the vast amount of youth dance education and development work done in KZN, and, through JOMBA!, for putting Durban on the global dance map. 

 

This award has honoured all of these divergent parts of Loots’s life as a cultural worker in Durban and her award was accompanied by support from the FLATFOOT company as they stood by her to receive the medal of honour.