Singing for 67 Blankets, Wednesday 10th October 2018, Centre for Jazz and Popular Music

Singing for 67 Blankets, Wednesday 10th October 2018, Centre for Jazz and Popular Music

The UKZN School of Arts presents 'Singing for 67 Blankets' a Vocal Showcase featuring singers from the UKZN Music Discipline at the Centre for Jazz and Popular Music on Wednesday 10th October at 6.00pm. 

 The evening of Song includes a varied programme of Opera, Classical Voice, Popular Music, Jazz, Isicathamiya, solo and ensemble singing. This concert not only provides a platform to showcase talented, diverse musicians in the School of Arts, it also provides an opportunity to make a contribution to the national charity '67Blankets'. Singers in the Music Discipline have contributed in various ways including knitting squares or whole blankets and of course their performances, for the '67 Blankets' campaign. The blankets will be presented to the charity representatives at the concert before being distributed to people and communities in need across the city. 

The concert will include the close-harmony Jazz Vocal group UKZN Voices under the direction of Debbie Mari; the Pop Voice Ensemble led by Durban Theatre personality Anthony Stonier, Opera soloists Wayne Mkhize, Khulekani Miya, Margaret Mfayela and Bulelwa Msane;  Jazz vocalists Menzi Cele, Lwazi Khuzwayo, Nolwazi Dlamini, Nomfundo Cele and Josie Matabola; Pop singers Nobuhle Khuzwayo, Tony Hlangu, Nhlanhla Mthethwa, Nomcebo Luthuli and Minenhle Skhosana; the UKZN Opera Ensemble directed by Lionel Mkhwanazi and the UKZN AMD Isicathamiya Ensemble directed by Nu Luthuli. You can expect to hear Jazz standards such as I Could Write A Book, In a Mellow Tone and Doxy; Pop favourites I’ll Rise Up and Have You Ever; Opera classics including Habanera and Giuseppe Verdi’s Bella Figlia Dell ’Amore alongside South African compositions Mme le ntate and eThekwini by the late Andile Mseleku.

There’ll be CD giveaways, Popup  Society vouchers up for grabs and music for everyone! Please note this concert will run longer than the usual weekly Wednesday CJPM concerts so why not bring your picnic basket along – cash bar available – it is after all an extended mid-week singing celebration!

Join us at The Centre for Jazz and Popular music (CJPM) , Level 2, Shepstone Building at UKZN Howard College Campus on Wednesday 10th  October 2018 at 18:00. Doors open at 5.30pm show starts at 6:00pm. R80 for general admission // R50 pensioners // R25 for students. Reminder: a longer concert than usual. Please contact Thuli on 031 2603385 or email Zamat1@ukzn.ac.za for more details

8th annual Durban Gay & Lesbian Film Festival

MEDIA RELEASE

8th annual Durban Gay & Lesbian Film Festival 

The 8th annual Durban Gay & Lesbian Film Festival will be taking place from Friday 21 to Sunday 30 September 2018 at select pop-up venues around the city. Now in it’s eight year since opening in October 2011, the festival will screen 57 titles over a 10-day programme.

“Earlier this year our team decided on taking advantage of the Heritage Day long weekend in boosting the number of days patrons who work full time can enjoy our programme. So the decision was taken to position the Festival around this important holiday on 24 September.” says festival director Jason Fiddler.

“2018 is proving to be a financially challenging year for many South Africans, and we found it particularly hard as a cultural event to secure sponsorship. Fortunately, thanks to the invaluable ongoing support of Alliance Française of Durban and venue help from commercial property urban regeneration specialists Urban Lime, the DGLFF can confidently screen films this year. This is the first year we won’t be able to screen at our beloved KZNSA gallery, owing to a full exhibition calendar, but we certainly look forward to bringing some films back there next year.”

The format of the festival continues its eclectic tradition of including a tremendous diversity of subjects and film formats. The Opening Night film on Friday 21 September is a truly remarkable feature-length documentary, ‘GEORGE MICHAEL: FREEDOM – The Director’s Cut’. Directed by George Michael himself, and co-directed by David Austin, audiences can look forward to nearly two hours of celebrity interviews including sir Elton John, Mary J Blige and Liam Gallagher, whilst the man himself tells his story, his way. 

With frank revelations interspersed with the songs and music that made him a global pop and soul phenomenon, George shares an enthralling autobiographical journey that doesn’t shy away from unpleasant truths, nor does it sensationalise seminal experiences in his life and career. He simply and effectively shows how a gay boy found fame, excess, love, painful loss, contractual battles alongside his career defining music.

The DGLFF is proud to have secured the rights to show this incredible film, and audiences should note that there is only one screening of the film at a cost of R80 per ticket. Our pop-up main venue is at the top of vibrant Florida Road, at 344 Florida Rd, Durban. Ticket enquiries can be made via our website.

There are 7 feature films this year including ‘BREATHE’, a French coming-of-age drama about two young women and their relationship twists and ‘TIME IS UP’, a gay drama from Greek filmmaker Nicolas Pourliaros that poignantly looks a through monochromatic palette at the contemplation of life’s value. 

Johannesburg-based South African filmmaker Sean Steinberg will celebrate the world premiere of his 55-minute ‘(S)HE’ at DGLFF this year on Saturday 22 September. Breaking important ground for an under-considered community, ‘(S)HE’ tells the story of Penny Kemp, an intersex teenager who, after qualifying to compete in the 2016 Olympic trials, is forced to undergo gender treatment in order to keep her high levels of testosterone at bay. Only, she doesn’t want to. Made with a micro-budget the films explores a very difficult subject with delicacy.

‘STILL WAITING IN THE WINGS’ follows on two years later from their last visit to the DGLFF with a familiar cast of characters breaking out into original song as they busk their way ‘off-Broadway’ and battle their way through backstabbing musical theatre. Durban audiences will recall Canadian filmmaker and gay film star Charlie David and he continues his support of DGLFF with ‘SHADOWLANDS’, a darker and occasionally disturbing, if not exquisitely shot, homage to the bygone queer eras of the 30s, 50s and 60s that explores love in three separate stories – a couple renegotiating a relationship, a narcissist grasping to comprehend it, and star-crossed lovers mourning its loss.

Joseph Adesunloye, a British-Nigerian award-winning filmmaker premiered his ‘FACES’ at DIFF this past July to much acclaim. “Joseph and I felt that the film needed to be seen by more LGBTIQ people in Durbs and the producers kindly agreed to allow us to make it our Closing Night film on Saturday 29 September with an encore screening the following afternoon” says Fiddler. “Weaving such a powerful storyline with a pre-dominantly black UK cast, Joseph is able to tell Durban audiences of all persuasions and backgrounds utterly human and relatable stories, some that will shock, others that will make one cry, but ultimately that reinforce the beauty of love and friendship, especially between women who have endured great pain and suffering.”

There are a dozen other fascinating documentaries that explore transgender stories from Tonga to Chile to Pakistan, a gay Israeli man’s struggle for familial acceptance whilst HIV-positive and the acceptance he finds in a gay men’s choir in ‘WHO’S GONNA LOVE ME NOW?’, haunting stories from Zimbabwean gay men in ‘GIVE A MAN A MASK…’ and drag queen, and king, cultures from China to the United States.

The Festival programme continues to embrace and celebrate short film as powerful means of telling a diversity of stories, with high production values. 34 short films from 18 different countries across 5 continents have been packaged into seven feature slots that include lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer comedies, dramas and even stop-animation films. Audiences can again look forward to an entertaining, thought-provoking, disturbing and ultimately fun film selection in 2018.

On Heritage Day afternoon, and throughout the week of 24-28 September at 2pm and 4pm, the Festival offers patrons free screenings of a number of short films and documentaries, including acclaimed South African short films in the ‘MZANSI MIX’. Also continuing with is the effective Festival Ticket Pool that includes donated tickets for underprivileged, senior citizen and student patrons. Requests for tickets can be made direct with the organisers.

Those interested in supporting the Festival and the Ticket Pool, can use the Zapper code on display on the DGLFF website or Facebook page to facilitate card payments via the phone app, and even make donations to the Festival.

Normal screenings are R40 each with 50% concession to students and senior citizens with card – these are however not applicable to the Opening and Closing Nights that cost R80 per ticket. Patrons can also buy Silver Festival Passes for R250 that include 10 screenings and are transferrable. Gold Festival Passes this year are reduced at R500 that includes all screenings.

The main Festival Hub venue will be at POP, 344 Florida Road, Berea, a former art gallery space ideal as a pop-up screening venue, where most screenings will take place in 2018. Alliance Française will host two weeknights in Morningside. On Friday 28 September there will be a pop-up ‘T-DANCE’ social fundraiser at the German Club in Westville – details will be on our website and Facebook page. 

Details of events, and downloadable programme are available at www.dglff.org.za – also Instagram/Twitter @dbngayfilmfest and Facebook @DGLFF

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JOMBA! @DAG – September 7 at 6pm

Media Release

JOMBA! @DAG – September 7 at 6pm

20th JOMBA! Contemporary Dance Experience

Dance that moves away from traditional performance spaces to challenge its audience has always been of interest to contemporary dance-makers. In the spirit of adventure and creating new ways in which to interact and engage with audiences, this year the JOMBA! Contemporary Dance Experience joins forces with the Durban Art Gallery to present a JOMBA! @ DAG a free public event on Friday, September 7 at 6pm at the Gallery in Anton Lembede Road.

This event brings together dance-makers and fine artists in the unique site-responsive space of DAG. In keeping with the Women’s Month DAG exhibition theme of “SHE” which has been curated by Jenny Stretton, JOMBA! @DAG features work by Durban women dance-makers Lorin Sookool, and Jabu Siphika and Zinhle Nzama, Swiss choreographer and dancer Ioannis Mandafounis, Malagasy Gaby Saranouffi who partners with  South Africa’s Moeketsi Koena and films by Spain’s Aïda Colmenero Dïaz

Lorin Sookool, fast developing a reputation for her iconic pop art, street funk and contemporary dance confluence, presents “The Moon and Her Bloom” that looks at the relationship between the sexual and the sacred. Jabu Siphika and Zinhle Nzama collaborate on a dance performance installation called “Locked” that looks at contemporary black (African) women’s lives that transect township, rural and urban living. The work will feature 3 generations of women (mothers, children and gogos). It is a very personal encounter with black women’s private and public selves and the questions around identity that link into the ‘#metoo’ phenomenon.

Ioannis Mandafounis, once again shares his unique vision of challenging audience/dancer relationships. His latest duet “ONE-ONE-ONE” offers the simple staging of two parallel lines on the floor and two chairs, one on each line. The dancers invade the public space and invite the audience into an unexpected experience providing a witty and challenging dance work

Malagasy Gaby Saranouffi partners with  South Africa’s Moeketsi Koena in a riveting duet “CORPS/BODY” a collaboration between four artists from France, South Africa, Madagascar and Mozambique that explores embodied links between the real and unreal through photography, music and dance.  

Dance films created by Spain’s Aïda Colmenero Dïaz called “SHE-POEMS” are short solo pieces of contemporary dance performed by creative African women that Dïaz has encountered in her travels on the continent and are inspired by poems written by women.

JOMBA! @DAG is free and there is a cash bar.

Like on Facebook (JOMBA! Contemporary Dance Experience) and follow on Twitter (Twitter@Jomba_dance).-

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2nd International Bow Music Conference & Concert (29 Aug - 1 Sept) - Durban

MEDIA RELEASE

2nd INTERNATIONAL BOW MUSIC CONFERENCE AT UKZN & BAT CENTRE

The 2nd International Bow Music Conference,  is being held in conjunction with the 12th South African Society for Research in Music (SASRIM) Conference at the University of KwaZulu-Natal from 29 August to 1 September.

Hosted by the School of Arts Performing Arts Cluster and curated by an international team led by Dr Sazi Dlamini, UKZN’s renowned music scholar and well-known township jazz exponent, the 2018 event has partnered with SASRIM in a diverse programme of paper presentations, workshops, select musical performances and documentary film screenings.

As with the inaugural conference of February 2016 the present gathering has attracted a wide-ranging interest of local and international music researchers, bow music enthusiasts and players alike. Of special interest is that a keynote address will be given by Gerhard Kubik, Austrian cultural anthropologist and music ethnologist, titled “Musical Bows and the Spirit of Human Discovery” which will be read by Prof Andrew Tracey, celebrated South African, ethnomusicologist, Emeritus Professor of African Music and composer.

One of the conference highlights is a day-long programme, on Saturday 1 September at Durban’s BAT Centre, which includes free bow music workshops and hands-on demonstrations, a musical bow instrument mini-market, an Afro-Brazilian Percussion Workshop and a demo/talk performance by Colin Offord, the Australian mouthbow inventor and performer.  The workshops begin at 10am and run until 3pm. No booking is needed.

The afternoon will culminate in Conference Closing Concert from 3pm featuring an array of top local and international musical bow performers, among them Madosini (Cape) - umrhubhe, uhadi, sitolotolo; Bavikile Ngema (KwaZulu-Natal) - makhweyana, mbheleza/mqangala;  Prof Greg Beyer and Arcomusical Brazil (USA and Brazil) - berimbau chamber ensemble; Rafael Mathusi & Maneto Tefula (Moçambique) - xizambi, xipendani, xitende, kankubwe; Cathrina Make Magagula (Swaziland) – makhweyane; Mpho Molikeng (Lesotho) – lesiba, sekhankule; Cara Stacey & Jason Finkelman (SA and USA) – umakhweyana, umrhubhe, berimbau and electronics; Mtumbateka Mamatsharanga (Northern Province) – dende.

Tickets for the closing concert are R60 and R30 for students and available at the door.

Registration for the conference takes place via the SASRIM portal online: http://www.sasrim.ac.za/registration/

For the full programme and other information check out www.bowconference.com

Email: info@bowconference.com

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Step to it Maritzburg - The Maritzburg SPAR Women’s 10/5km Challenge

Step to it Maritzburg

The Maritzburg SPAR Women’s 10/5km Challenge

Dubbed, South Africa’s most beautiful race, the next leg of the national series of the SPAR Women’s 10/5km Challenge comes to the Capital on Sunday, August 19 and participants have until Monday, August 13 to enter online, otherwise they will have to manually enter at race registration on August 17 and 18.

This past weekend, over 25,000 women came out in full force for the Pretoria race that saw Glenrose Xaba, take the honours in a time of 33.56 minutes, and the excitement has started to build as all eyes focus on Maritzburg.

Once again, the Challenge starts outside Maritzburg College in Princess Margaret Drive, taking a route through the picturesque Alexandra Park, and through the outer parts of the CBD on Sunday 19August. Both the 10km and 5km races start at 8am and end at The Oval Cricket Stadium in Alexandra Park. 

All participants will receive a race T-Shirt and goodie bag when collecting their race numbers, which must be done at Race Registration, and after completing the race participants will receive a breakfast pack. There is a Kids Zone for children to have some fun at the finish, however this is not a child care facility and adults still need to look after their children.

Entries can still be done online at www.sparwomensrace.co.za/maritzburg using a credit card by 13 August. Manual Entry at Race Registration takes place on Friday 17 August (10am to 5pm) and Saturday 18 August (10am to 3pm) at The Oval Cricket Stadium in Alexandra Park.

Entries to the 10km distance are open from age 14 and to the 5km from age 9, the age restrictions being applicable on the day of the competition. Entry fees are R110 for the 10km licensed athletes and for all the 5km runners, and R125 for 10km unlicensed athletes. The field is capped at 4,500 entries. This year, R2 from each entry goes to the official race charity - CHOC (Childhood Cancer Foundation) Pietermaritzburg.

For more information contact the race organisers on maritzburg@sparwomensrace.co.za or visit the official race on www.sparwomensrace.co.za or like the Facebook page, Twitter and Instagram.

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Online and Bulk entries open for SPAR Women's 10/ 5km in PMB.

Maritzburg SPAR Women’s 10 / 5km 

Pietermaritzburg: Sunday 19 August

Online and bulk entries are now open for the Maritzburg SPAR Women’s 10/5km Challenge taking place in the KZN Capital on Sunday 19 August.

The Challenge starts at 8am for both the 10km and 5km in Princess Margaret Drive outside Maritzburg College and ends at The Oval Cricket Stadium in Alexandra Park. The course described as a ‘out-and-back’ race is expecting a field of 4,500 participants and will include some of the country’s top athletes, who will be vying to score points for their standings in the SPAR Grand Prix Series – part of the national competition within the SPAR Challenge for elite runners.

There are two options to enter: online at www.sparwomensrace.co.za/maritzburg where one can either pay by EFT by 6 August or by credit card by 13 August. The second option is a Manual Entry at Race Registration on Friday 17 August and Saturday 18 August at The Oval cricket stadium in Alexandra Park subject to the limit of 4,500. 

If you are entering 10 or more people, you can email bulk@sparwomensrace.co.za. You will be sent information on how to manage your group entry. Time Freight will deliver your race packs and goodie bags directly to you team co-ordinator. All entries will only be processed once payment has been reflected and this form of entry can only be submitted electronically and closes on Monday 30 July.

Entries to the 10km distance are open from age 14 and to the 5km from age 9, the age restrictions being applicable on the day of the competition. Entry fees are R110 for the 10km licensed athletes and for the 5km runners. The entry fee for the non-licensed athletes in the 10km is R125. R2 from each entry will be presented to CHOC Pietermaritzburg (Childhood Cancer Foundation).

The time limits for the 10km is 2 hours and 30 minutes, while the cut off time for the 5km race is 1 hour and 30 minutes. There will be a 55 minute cut off at the 4.5km mark on the 10km route, participants who are lagging will be redirected onto the 5km route.

Race Registration will take place two days prior to the race. This is where competitors can register manually and collect their race numbers, t-shirts and goodie bags. The times are Friday 17 August from 10.00am to 05.00pm and on Saturday 18 August from 10.00am and 03.00pm.

All finishers will receive a breakfast pack on completion of their race. All female finishers of both distances who are present at the prize giving, stand a chance to win fabulous lucky draw prizes. All lucky draw prizes are due to be drawn after the final prize giving on race day.

For more information contact the race organisers on maritzburg@sparwomensrace.co.za or visit the official race on www.sparwomensrace.co.za or like the Facebook page.

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Durban FilmMart Awards 2018

Media Release

Durban FilmMart Awards 2018

It’s been a bumper year for this year’s Durban FilmMart (DFM), the industry development programme of the eThekwini Municipality’s Durban Film Office and Durban International Film Festival (Centre for Creative Arts, UKZN), which ended with an awards ceremony at the Southern Sun Maharani Hotel in Durban, South Africa on Monday, July 23.

Speaking at the DFM’s awards ceremony, Toni Monty, Head of the Durban Film Office and the Durban FilmMart, said, “As one of the most important, film industry events and film finance platforms on the continent, we are really pleased that we have grown the DFM substantially this year with 877 delegates attending. We had over 40 countries participating this year, of which 19 were from Africa.  A total number of 52 projects were pitched to potential partners, financiers, filmmakers, producers, distributors and agents during countless meetings.”

Key to the value that the Durban FilmMart provides filmmakers are the many meetings and networking sessions that are held between delegates over the four days.

“The important work we do to enable the film-makers, would not be possible without our partners and sponsors,” said Monty, “And we would like to thank our partner markets, development organisations and funding bodies with deep gratitude.”

“The work we do at this Mart supports the DIFF and DFO’s vision to dynamically grow the industry and bring African cinema to its own people and to global platforms.”

Eighteen official DFM film projects in development were presented at the Finance Forum through the sponsorship of the Industrial Development Corporation and the National Film and Video Foundation.

Supported by Berlinale Talents, the Goethe-Institut and the German Embassy and in cooperation with Fipresci, Durban Talents was able to host 16 young filmmakers, and 3 Talents Press.

“We hosted a number of scriptwriters’ labs including Jumpstart which is supported by Produire au Sud, France and the Realness Script Writing Residency. Hot Docs Canada, mentored 11 documentary projects in development and six CineFam Africa television series projects were mentored by Caribbean Tales, Canada.”

“We recognize the important role that the eThekwini Municipality, the principal funder of the DFM plays in its success,” continued Monty. “The City’s involvement actively enables the economic growth of the industry, and we thank them for this.”

The DFM hosted a number of delegations this year including the in bound delegation through the Department of Trade and Industry, the BRICS Film Festival delegation through the Department of Arts and Culture. Special thanks must go to the Canadian High Commission and US Embassy and the French Institute (IFAS), NFVF and KZN Film Commission for their support in bringing in delegates.

The Awards/Grants:

·      The International Documentary Film Festival of Amsterdam (IDFA) awarded the most promising documentary project at the DFM,  Cheese Girl, (South Africa) -  Producer: Batana Vundla, Marion Isaacs, Director: Milisuthando Bongela with an opportunity to attend the  IDFA Forum, one of the top gatherings for documentary filmmakers, producers, commissioning editors, funds, private financiers and other documentary filmmakers in Europe, in November.

·      The broadcast stream, Afridocs, that flights African and other international documentaries across 49 countries of sub-Saharan Africa on a weekly basis, gave a €2500 award, funded by the Bertha Foundation, to Zinder, The Seeds of Violence, (Niger) - Producer: Clara Vuillermoz, Ousmane Samassekou, Director: Aicha Macky.

·      The CineMart Award, sponsored by the co-production market of the International Film Festival Rotterdam, went to the fiction project, Nyanga / The Horn, (Zimbabwe) - Producer: Sue-Ellen Chitunya, Brett Michael Innes, Director: Brett Michael Innes. The project is given an opportunity to attend the Rotterdam Lab, is a five-day training and networking event for producers from all over the world.

·      Produire au Sud of Festival des 3 Continents (Nantes), awarded the fiction film Porta-Retrato, (Mozambique) -Producer: Aldino Languana, Osvaldo Lupini Bambamba, Director: Orlando Mabasso Jr. an opportunity to attend its developmental workshop programme, PAS, where they will be given tools, expertise, and opportunities to develop European networks.

·      Videovision Entertainment awarded the “Best South African Film Project” to Snake, (South Africa) - Producer: Paul Egan, Stanford Gibson and Mustapha Hendricks, Director: Meg Rickards. They receive a prize valued at R75 000, which guarantees its release once it is completed. The prize also includes marketing and distribution support from Videovision Entertainment.

·      Versfeld & Associates, publicity consultants awarded Nyanga / The Horn, (Zimbabwe) - Producer: Sue-Ellen Chitunya, Brett Michael Innes, Director: Brett Michael Innes the development of a press kit.

·      Sørfond awarded the project How to Steal a Country – Producers: Rehad Desai and Zivia Desai, Director: Mark Kaplan with an opportunity to pitch at the Sørfond Pitching Forum in Oslo later this year.

·      CineFAM-Africa Incubator Accelerator Programme award to pitch at the Caribbean Tales Film Festival in Toronto, went to The Summit Club by Layla Swart

New awards this year include:

·      Hot Docs Blue Ice Award, a cash prize of 2000 Candian Dollars went to the documentary project The Master’s Plan – Producer: Hanne Phlypo and Director Yuri Ceuninck.

·      11th Talents Durban “Talents Press” Recognition Award went to Cornelia Glele.

·      Durban FilmMart Award for the Durban Talents Project Selected as a project for DFM 2019 went to When Shadows Move -  by Aliki Saragas.

The DFM ended last night, but the Durban International Film Festival continues until July 29. There is a free industry - Isiphethu opposite the Southern Sun Garden Court Marine Parade for seminars and workshops for the public and emerging filmmakers, as well as the free screenings at various venues, including the Wavescapes Surf Film festival at Ushaka until Friday, JuLY 27. Also until Friday is the BRICS Film Festival at the Playhouse.

For more information about the DFM go to www.durbanfilmmart.com. 

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Caption to photo supplied:

Award winners at this year’s Durban FilmMart.

Mandela Capture site 67 Blankets for Nelson Mandela Day set their sights on breaking a new world record – a 27km Scarf

67 Blankets for Nelson Mandela Day set their sights on breaking a new world record – a 27km Scarf

There is nothing like a warm scarf to keep away the winter chill and this year 67 Blankets for Nelson Mandela Day are ready to tackle the icy weather while breaking yet another world record by crocheting a 27km scarf.

27KmScarf will take place on 29 July at the Nelson Mandela Capture Site in Howick, KwaZulu Natal.  It will be a day filled with live entertainment and a brightly coloured supernaturally long scarf. Anyone is welcome to come through on the 28th July from 10:00am to help sew scarves together and on the 29th July the site will be open the whole day with entertainment kicking off at 10:00am.

Over the last couple of months KnitWits around the country have been feverishly crocheting scarves to the exacting standards of the Guinness World Book criteria. Each 20cm x 200cm scarf has been crocheted using a hook size no bigger than 6.5mm. Massive rolls of scarves have been bundled up and ready to be transported to the Nelson Mandela Capture Site where on-site volunteers will loosely stitch the rolls of scarves together to form the one long scarf.

Since the earliest days of 67 Blankets for Nelson Mandela Day Stuttaford Van Lines have supported the initiative. Once again they have their engines revving in anticipation of the enormous pile of scarves that not only have to be delivered to Kwazulu Natal, but also collected and returned to all the provinces to be distributed.

“In the year that the Nelson Mandela Foundation celebrates a great milestone in history, 67 Blankets for Mandela Day has brought the understanding of making history with work that will benefit those in need. The many people who have been involved in this project will bring much needed smiles and warmth to so many in these very cold winter days” says Yase Godlo, manager of Mandela Day at the Nelson Mandela Foundation.

Singing sensation Timothy Moloi will be lending his voice to the event, joined by local musicians including singer-songwriter, author and playwright Audrey Mbuyazi, Flautist Kaolin Thomson Woods leading the Khazimula Orphanage marimba band, the St Johns D.S.G School orchestra and reggae band Undivided Roots.  Once again MCC have generously offered their services and will capture this incredible event from the skies using drones and a helicopter.

Without the numerous volunteers and support from companies like Ballid Security Howick, Prosound and KZN Weddings and Functions this event would not be possible.

“We will show the  world what we are doing, stitch by stitch, to keep the legacy of our beloved Nelson Mandela alive, by creating blankets and scarves for our fellow brothers, sisters, moms, dads and children who need extra warmth during our cold winter months, ”  says Carolyn Steyn, founder of 67 Blankets for Nelson Mandela Day.

“This is going to be a celebration of note. We have achieved Guinness World Records in Pretoria, Cape Town, Johannesburg and now it is time for KZN to feel and experience the excitement and be part of our history as we mark and pay tribute to Madiba in his centenary year,” she adds.

Following the 27KmScarf event the scarves will be transported to all corners of South Africa and distributed to those in need. Although 67 Blankets for Nelson Mandela Day can not guarantee the original scarves will be sent back to the provinces they came from, they do ensure that the same amount of scarves are sent back to be distributed.

Mandela Capture site on the R103 ( Howick / Tweedie off-ramp off the N3). Entrance is free and please bring your own picnic, chairs and picnic blankets. There will be food at the Truth Café.

Visit the 67 Blankets for Nelson Mandela Day website http://www.67blankets.co.za and Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/67blankets to follow the build up to this momentous event.

NPO number:

http://www.67blankets.co.za

https://www.facebook.com/67blankets

https://twitter.com/67blankets

MEDIA QUERIES:

BUZ PUBLICITY

BRIDGET VAN OERLE AND SNEZIWE DUBE

011 673 0264 /011 477 0923

info@buz.co.za / buz@buz.co.za

Five Fingers for Marseilles (BRICS Film Fest) and The Story of '72 for DIFF

BE PHAT MOTEL RAISES FIVE FINGERS AND TELLS THE STORY OF ’72 IN DURBAN

After rave reviews and over two months in cinemas, Durban FilmMart’s ‘Best South African Project in Development 2013’ winner, Five Fingers for Marseilles, returns to Durban.  The film, starring Vuyo Dabula and an acclaimed ensemble cast, will represent South Africa in-competition in the BRICS Film Festival line up.

Five Fingers premiered at Toronto International Film Festival 2017 and has remained on the festival circuit since, screening at BFI London, Busan, Fantastic Fest, Palm Springs, Fantasia, Munich, New York African Film Festival and others. “The response to the film both in South Africa and abroad has been amazing and we’re excited to bring it back to Durban, where it first caught attention,” say writer and director respectively, Sean Drummond and Michael Matthews, who also produced through their own Be Phat Motel Film Company, in co-production with Game 7 Films, in association with Above the Clouds and Stage 5 Films, supported by the NFVF, the DTI and Dupa Films.

Drummond and Matthews, with South African producer Stevan Buxt, are also co-producers of Nepali feature Kathaa '72 (The Story of '72). A visually stunning, lyrical family drama set in the peaks surrounding Kathmandu, the film tells the story of a mother and son as they reconnect on a pilgrimage to a remote mountaintop lake, in the aftermath of the cataclysmic earthquake that shook the country in 2015. The film world premiered at the Seattle International Film Festival and continues to Durban for its African premiere. 

“Shot on real locations through a series of ruined villages and jaw-dropping vistas, the film is a meditation on life, family, love and regret,” says the team. “It’s written and directed by an exciting new voice in Prabin Syangbo. We hope this opens doors for future coproduction between Africa and Asia.”

Be Phat Motel have an exciting slate of projects in development, maintaining a global outlook while focussing on South African stories. They, in collaboration with Stage 5 Films in South Africa, Canadian production houses Redlab Digital, The Magical Illusion Factory and First Generation Films and LA-based XYZ Films, produced the SAFTA-winning short film ‘Apocalypse Now Now’, written by Drummond and directed by Matthews. Based on author Charlie Human’s novel of the same name, the feature length version is currently scripting. “It’s a twisted urban fantasy that centres around a porn-peddling high school kid who's in search of his kidnapped girlfriend,” says Matthews. “He partners up with a supernatural bounty hunter as they get pulled deeper into an increasingly bizarre Cape Town underworld of creatures and lost mythology."

Drummond and writer-director Sheetal Magan are currently developing TV drama series, Acts of Man, a psychological thriller with supernatural elements. Set in a small former missionary town, the series examines mass hysteria and the legacy of religious colonisation, in the aftermath of a murder. A coproduction between Be Phat Motel and Atman Media Lab in South Africa, Cave Painting Pictures in Canada and Blazing Griffin in the UK, with XYZ Films repping the project, it aims for production in late 2019.

Five Fingers for Marseilles screens Monday 23 July in the BRICS South African section. Kathaa ’72 African premieres Sunday 22 July. Filmmakers in attendance for both.

For full DIFF Programme go to https://durbanfilmfest.co.za/images/DIFF2018/diff-2018-programme.pdf and for BRICS go to www.durbanfilmmart.com

-ends

All Filmic Roads lead to Durban

In the MERCURY

All filmic roads lead to Durban this week with five major international film events taking place over the next fortnight. Over 500 film-lovers and film-makers descend on Surf City for the Durban FilmMart (DFM), Africa’s premier  industry event that begins on Friday (July 20) until Monday (July 23) at the Tsogo Sun Elangeni Hotel. The DFM, now in its ninth year, takes place during the Durban International Film Festival  (19 - 29 July) and is a joint programme with eThekwini’s Municipality’s Durban Film Office. Over the next two weeks, other film-related events are also taking place including the Nature, Environment & Wildlife Filmmakers Congress (NEWF) from today (Monday 16 July) to Wednesday (July 18) which aims to create a path to conservation through film. Then from 22 to 27 July, the 2018 BRICS Film Festival showcases five films from each of the member countries - Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa at The Playhouse. 

Pictured is Russel Hlongwane curator of both the Durban FilmMart and Durban International Film Festival’s industry programme, getting ready to welcome film-folk to Durban photographed at Durban beachfront’s iconic attraction, Mini Town.

More info go to www.durbanfilmfest.co.za or www.durbanfilmmart.com

Results Durban SPAR Women’s 10/5km Challenge Sunday June 24 2018

Durban SPAR Women’s 10/5km Challenge 

Sunday June 24 2018

ZIMBABWEAN runner Betha Chikanda threw down the gauntlet from the moment the starter’s gun went off to lead from start to finish in yesterday’s 29th anniversary running of the Durban SPAR Women’s 10/5km Challenge.

Finishing in 33:07, the diminutive 21 year old from Harare went out so fast from the start outside the King’s Park Athletics Stadium in Masabalala Yengwa Avenue that she left the rest of the 15-strong pack of elite runners gasping for air as Chikanda increased her lead to over 100 metres at the 2km mark which she went through in 6min 18sec.

There was to be no letting up by the Maxed runner as the scenic beachfront route took the field of 13 853 entrants in the country’s “Most Beautiful Road Race” southwards and into a slight headwind as the sun rose in the east and burnt off the patches of cloud.

The chasing pack appeared to be losing more ground as Chikanda slipped into overdrive at the 4km flag and was still forging ahead as she passed the iconic Moses Mabhida Stadium with the chasing pack dwindling in number with 3km of the race remaining which saw Glenrose Xaba, Nolene Conrad and Kesa Molotsane peeling off to mount a last gasp attack but already realising they had left themselves with too much to do and too little time left to catch the resilient Chikanda.

The Zimbabwean capped an excellent performance in her first appearance this year in the SPAR Women’s Challenge Series of six races, her winning time of 33 minutes 07 seconds averaging 3:18 for every kilometre, 20 seconds ahead of 26-year-old Glenrose Xaba of Boxer AC in Pretoria who finished in 33:27 with Western Cape runner Nolene Conrad (22, KPMG) third in 33:43 and two more Zimbabweans, Rudo Mhonderwa who was fourth in 33:53 and Rutendo Nyahora who was fifth in 34:07 making up the first five finishers.

Next came the SPAR Grand Prix leader and winner of the Cape Town and Port Elizabeth races this year, Kesa Molotsane, who surrenders her place at the top of the SPAR GP log to Xaba.

Chikanga, who came ninth in this race last year, said her coach, Martin Ngwenya, had told her to “go out strong and to go for gold”. We figured most of the elite runners would be focusing their attention on Kesa so we believed this tactic would confuse them.”

Xaba showed yet again that she has tremendous potential and is earning more and more respect from her fellow runners with each race outing coming second to Molotsane in both the Cape Town and Port Elizabeth races earlier this year.

Third-placed Conrad said, “We never expected Betha to go out so strongly but by the time we settled into the race the pack just stuck together and we let her go thinking we would catch up with her later.”

“I stuck to my own plan and tried to feed off the energy of the group and was pleased with my result.”

“By the time we passed the 7km flag I think we realised we would not catch up with her and so two or three of us broke away from the pack and fought out the finish.”

All results are on www.sparwomensrace.co.za.

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Next SPAR Women’s 10/5km Challenge race for KZN is 19 August in Pietermaritzburg.

EndFragment

Results:

Female Senior

1 Betha Chikanga (Maxed) 33:07, 2 Glenrose Xaba (Boxer)  33:27, 3 Nolene Conrad (KPMG)  33:43, 4 Rudo Mhonderwa  (Nedbank) 33:53, 5 Rutendo Nyahora (Nedbank)  34:07, 6 Kesa Molotsane  (KPMG) 34:15, 7 Lebo Phalula  (Boxer) 34:37, 8 Zintle Xiniwe (KPMG) 34:56, 9 Lebogang Phalula (Boxer) 34:59, 10 Cherise Sims (Boxer) 35:09

35 – 39

1 Ntombesintu Mfunzi  (Nedbank) 35:47, 2 Makhosi Mhlongo 35:56, 3 Fikile Mbuthuma  (Nedbank) 37:58

40-49

1 Bulelwa Simae (Nedbank) 38:16, 2 Ulrica Stander (KPMG) 38:33, 3 Ronel Thomas (Boxer) 39:38

50-59

1 Judy Bird  (KPMG) 40:03, 2 Grace de Oliveira (KPMG) 42:51, 3  Kim Meyer (Rand Athletics) 43:09

60-69

1 Blanche Moila (Savages) 47:52, 2 Jenny Scott (Dolphin Coast Striders) 51:15,

3 Teresa Scott  (Pinetown & Districts) 54:16

70+

1 Gill Tregenna (Westville) 57:55, 2 Ingrid Bolt  (Riverside Harriers) 1:14:05,

3 Ivy Lottering (Wings Athletics) 1:17:14

Female Junior

1 Thobile Vilakazi (KPMG) 37:33, 2 Casey Bosman (KPMG) 38:31, 3 Lyndi Roelofse (Boxer) 38:58

EndFragment

Call out for Dancers for 21 Portraits with 21 Durban Dancers A collaboration project with JOMBA!, DUT & DAG

Media Release

Call out for Dancers for

21 Portraits with 21 Durban Dancers

A collaboration project with JOMBA!, DUT and DAG

Durban Art Gallery  (in collaboration with UKZN’s Centre for Creative Arts, the JOMBA! Contemporary Dance Experience, and the DUT Photography Department) is running an exciting collaborative project that will culminate at JOMBA! 2018, and an exhibition at DAG for Women’s Month in August.

The 21 final third level photography students will each be working with a Durban-based dancer to create a series of dance portraits that image Durban’s dance community and which also focus on the skill of catching a dancer in motion.

Durban dancers are invited to participate in this collaboration. Twenty-one dancers, who must over 18yrs of age, from all styles and genres of dance be they professional or semi-professionals are welcome to apply.

The dancers will need to offer 3 hours of their time between 18 and 27 July 2018 to be photographed. In exchange for their time, a full digital portfolio of all the shots taken of the session will be made available for selection and use in their portfolios and for ongoing use in the media. The images will also be exhibited in August and September at the Durban Art Gallery, to co-incide with the special focus on JOMBA! @ DAG on 7 September 2018. There is no financial payment for participation.

To apply, email jombafestival@gmail.com a one page CV with the following information full name, Durban address, cell number, e-mail address, ID number  and date of birth, style of dance, a small head shot inserted into the application page (please do not send the head shot as a separate attachment), small 150 word motivation of why you should be selected.

Deadline for applications is 29 June 2018 at 4pm.

-ends

Action in Autism Fundraiser with Mfana & Quartet Saturday, May 26

Media Release

Action in Autism Fundraiser with Mfana & Quartet

Action in Autism hosts a fundraising afternoon of smooth jazz, coffee and books with Mfana and Quartet this Saturday (26 May) from 2pm – 5pm at their new premsies at 105 Haig Road, Parkhill, in Durban North.

Action in Autism provides early intervention for 32 children under the age of 6, and also provides a free walk-in resource and support service, a free diagnostic clinic, and regular support group meetings for families of people with autism.

For this afternoon of fundraising and community, legendary saxophonist Mfana Mlambo will be accompanied by Neil Gonsalves on piano, Blessed Twala on bass and Bruce Baker on drums. 

Tickets at R150 are available from the Action in Autism office, or at the door. Refreshments and light snacks are on sale, and guests are welcome to bring their own sundowners. All proceeds go to ensuring the continuation of Action in Autism’s Early Intervention Centre.

Action in Autism does not receive any funding from government, and welcomes support through cash or kind, or through volunteering. For more information about Action in Autism and to secure your tickets, please call 031 563 3039 or email info@actioninautism.org.za.

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Further information:

SPAR KZN School Girls' Hockey Challenge North Coastal Regionals - Grantleigh College: Saturday 19 May

SPAR KZN School Girls' Hockey Challenge

North Coastal Regionals

Grantleigh College: Saturday 19 May

The final regional of the 2018 SPAR KZN School Girls' Hockey Challenge ended in fine style with Felixton College dethroning three times North Coastal Regional winner, Grantleigh College.

The tournament took the format of a round robin, with six schools from the area represented - defending champions Grantleigh College, Felixton College, Empangeni High School, John Ross College, Mandini Academy and St Catherine’s. 

In the finals, Grantleigh took early possession and was abuzz with possibility in the Felixton. Five minutes into the game, Felixton only made their first run at the hosts goals. The remainder of the first half was a fast flowing game with both teams having an unsuccessful go at goals. After the first fifteen minutes the cliff-hanger game was sitting at nil nil.

Felixton had four short corners in the first half, the first quickly resulted in a Grantleigh foot halting play and the corner being retaken and easily cleared. The third and fourth followed in almost identical fashion. The glue for the Felixton team, Kayla Jansen misfired two reverse stick shots that rolled slowly to the keeper. Jansen started the game playing more of a defence role, but for the final 15 minutes, moved to a more attacking spot.

Ninety seconds into the second half, Josie Pilton was standing just off the Grantleigh right hand post and received a pass from the right-hand side of the field. Pilton slotted the ball in low and left and opened the account for Felixton.

Jansen made some breaks down the right of the field, either running out of space, or not finding support but her ignited runs sparked her team as they started to dominate the second half. With seven and a quarter minutes remaining, Pilton was again lurking in a similar spot as the ball came from the right side, a toppling Pilton slapped the ball in securing both her and her team’s second goal.

The defending champs, Grantleigh only managed to get into the Felixton half twice in the last 150 seconds of the game but both of their runs were quickly snubbed out by a confident back line of Felixton.

In the round robin stage, Grantleigh took the win over Felixton, with Grace Ash finding the back of the net mere seconds before the final whistle.

Coach for the winning team Megan Campbell says “The SPAR challenge was, and always is, a well run tournament, where the girls get to have fun as well as compete competitively. This year, going into finals the girls were nervous but calm. They wanted to win and knew they had to work hard in order to achieve their dream. For me as coach, the girls getting the experience of winning this tournament means so much."

Garth Bishop coach for Grantleigh says "It was a tough day today with all the teams vying for the title and the extra pressure that comes with being defending champs. We had a number of tough games in the round robin stages but managed to make it through to the finals unbeaten. Unfortunately, we couldn’t maintain our run in the final and lost a hard fought game to Felixton who ended as worthy winners. As always teams from our area tend to struggle against the bigger schools in KZN but I feel that Felixton have the quality in their side to maybe cause an upset or two in the Grand Finals.”

The other two teams that were both so close to making the final were four times regional winner, Empangeni High School and the team from St Catherine's who have quietly improved each year. Both of these teams ended their day on 11 points with the bronze placing being decided on goal difference. Empangeni ended their round robin games with 11 goals compared to St Catherine’s who notched up 10 goals, meaning the Empangeni claimed the third place.

Six teams met in the picturesque setting of Grantleigh, where round robin games of 23 minutes were played. The teams took to the fields for two 11 minutes halves and had a minute to swop sides. Winning teams earned 4 points, teams that drew with goals earned 2 points and a goalless draw got them 1 point. A loss obviously resulted in no points.

One of the hardest working umpires on the day was no nonsense, Neville van den Berg who officiated all but a handful of games, a former pupil at John Ross College he was there representing St Catherine’s. The Most Promising Umpire award went to young up-and-coming Marnus Engelbrecht who was representing Mandini High School.

The final spot for the Grand Finals has been decided, Felixton College join nine other regional champions at the Grand Finals that will take place at St Mary's DSG in Kloof on 21 and 22 July.

The regional champions that will be playing for the main title at the Grand Finals in the eighth SPAR KZN School Girls' Challenge are Durban Girls' College (8th appearance); St Mary's, St Anne's and Ferrum Hoerskool (7th appearance); King Edward High School and Amanzimtoti High (4th Appearance); Epworth School, Greytown High School and Felixton College (Newcomers).

For more info like the tournament's Facebook page.

Results

1 Felixton College, 2 Grantleigh College, 3 Empangeni High School, 4 St Catherine's, 4 Mandini Academy, 5 John Ross College

ENDS

Realness Screenwriter’s Residency 2018 Participants Announced At Cannes Film Festival

Realness is a pioneering residency initiative conceived by Elias Ribeiro and Cait Pansegrouw of Urucu Media that affords a new generation of filmmakers the opportunity to cultivate their talent as authentic voices in African cinema.

Since its inception, Realness has nurtured 5 African auteurs each year, growing into a prestigious incubator of emerging talent that is recognized throughout the global film community. Now in its third year, the residency has fostered cinematic voices from 12 countries on the continent, including Angola (Fradique Mario Bastos), Senegal (Rama Thiaw) and Kenya (Amirah Tajdin).

“There is a reason residencies such as the Sundance Labs and the MacDowell Colony are so sought-after. They offer the opportunity to withdraw from the world to create without distractions while exchanging ideas with other exciting artists and receiving expert feedback at carefully considered intervals. Realness brings that opportunity to Africa.” said international script consultant Selina Ukwuoma. “With a pan-African focus, the diversity of Africans is celebrated yet the particular concerns that we have in common come to the fore.” Selina will join Realness for the third consective year, alongside top South African-based consultant Mmabatho Kau who began her relationship with the residency in 2017 and who was recently selected for the esteemed Torino Film Lab’s Story Editing programme. The two will work in tandem, cross-consulting on all 5 of the selected projects for 2018. “Both Selina and I are rooted in the African narrative but have an international outlook on story. Selina's extensive work internationally and my work locally gives the residents a holistic experience towards developing a world-class script.” added Kau.

On Saturday May 12th the 5 selected projects were annouced at the Cannes Film Festival by Realness co-founder Elias Ribeiro. “After an extensive evaluation of more than 130 projects from 24 countries, it is my greatest pleasure to introduce you to the Realness Residents of 2018; Kantarama Gahigiri from Rwanda, Matthys Boshoff from South Africa, Ng’endo Mukii from Kenya and Reem Morsi and Mohammed Siam, both from Egypt.”

The 5 projects were chosen by an international panel of 16 prolific world cinema stakeholders, including sales agents Thembe Bhebhe and Efuru Flowers (Flourishing Films), Todd Brown (head of international acquisitions for XYZ films) and literary agent David Kayser (Casarotto Ramsay & Associates). “These filmmakers herald an important and exciting new wave of African storytelling by Africans for Africans and the world. The strength of the projects and the talent driving them will benefit hugely from the expertise exposure and incubation that Realness offers and I look forward to see how they mature. I’ve been introduced to some truly special emerging talent who have the potential to compete on the international stage and shine.” said Kayser.

The 2018 Realness residents will move into the Nirox Foundation’s beautiful residence and sculpture park in the Cradle of Humankind on June 11th. They will work on their projects over the course of 6 weeks before participating in Africa’s largest co-production market, the Durban FilmMart. The most promising projects to emerge will be invited to participate in Locarno Filmmakers Academy, EAVE Producers Workshop, La Fabrique Cinéma de l’Institut Français, Torino Film Lab Meeting Event and TIFF Talent Lab, allowing them to progress closer to being realised.

“Realness continues to carve important relationships with other labs and partners which allow for its residents’ projects to benefit from further growth and exposure. We would like to thank all of our partners, panelists and volunteers, without whom Realness would not be possible.” said co-founder Cait Pansegrouw. This year the residency welcomes new partnerships with Robert Bosch Stiftung and Organisation internationale de la Francophonie, as funders of the programme and Toronto International Film Festival has come on board offering a scholarship to their TIFF Talent Lab. TIFF Programmer for Continental Africa and the Middle East Kiva Reardon commented on the partnership; “TIFF is very happy to support Realness and its aim of developing and supporting the next generation of screenwriting talent across the continent. We're looking forward to welcoming a Realness resident to take part in TIFF Talent Lab, where they can develop their artistic practice and meet with key industry professionals over the course of the Festival.”

Realness is an initiative by Urucu Media in partnership with Nirox Foundation, Berlinale Talents, Durban FilmMart, The Durban International Film Festival, Durban Talents, The French Institute of South Africa and Institute Français, Torino Film Lab, EAVE Producer’s Workshop, Locarno Filmmaker’s Academy, Produire Au Sud, Fairbridges Wertheim Becker, CNC (Le Centre National du Cinéma et de L’image Animée), Organisation internationale de la Francophonie, Toronto International Film Festival, TIFF Talent Lab, Robert Bosch Stiftung, Cocoon Productions and Deuxieme Ligne Films.

Read more about the 2018 residents and their projects here: www.urucumedia.com/realness

For more information contact realness@urucumedia.com

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20th Annual JOMBA! Contemporary Dance, Anniversary Legacy Festival - Call for applications to participate

29 August – 9 September 2018

The annual JOMBA! Contemporary Dance Experience which takes place at the Elizabeth Sneddon Theatre from 29 August to 9 September invites dancers, dance-makers and theatre lighting practitioners to apply to participate in selected programmes of its 20th edition.

Presented by the University of KwaZulu-Natal’s Centre for Creative Arts, JOMBA! provides a platform for professional, experimental and up-coming choreographers and dance companies within its Main, Fringe and Youth Fringe programmes.

The JOMBA! Fringe is an adult contemporary dance platform where 8 short works of not more than 15 minutes each are selected and technically supported. A JOMBA! committee will select these works and this will depend on meeting the relevant criteria and the level of professionalism. This Fringe event takes place at UKZN’s Elizabeth Sneddon Theatre on Saturday 1 September.

The JOMBA! Youth Fringe is open to dancers under the age of 16 years. It is a supportive initiative for various ‘Dance Development’ projects operating in the province of KZN and provides a space to celebrate our up-and-coming generation of young contemporary dancers and dance practitioners. This event will take place at UKZN’s Open Air Theatre on Sunday 2 September.

Both platforms do not come with financial support but those selected are given professional technical support via the lighting designers, sound technicians and stage managers as well as the JOMBA! team.

2018 sees JOMBA! join forces with the Durban Arts Gallery (DAG) to present a very special site responsive dance event at the festival on Friday 7 September. JOMBA! and DAG are looking to award two Durban-based choreographers with a small grant to create a dance/physical theatre work that will premiere at this event. The work has to be entirely new and selected choreographers will be mentored and giving full technical support. The grant is for a vision of work that engages ‘in situ’ spaces both inside and outside the Gallery.

This year there is a welcome addition of an open lighting for dance workshop on Monday 3 September at the Elizabeth Sneddon Theatre. Julie Ballard, Chicago-based professional theatrical technician affiliated with IATSE Local 2 and Actors’ Equity Association, and the Stage Manager and Properties Master for Hubbard Street Dance Chicago will present this workshop for dance-makers, dancers and technicians. This workshop is free for 20 participants – but prior applications must be made.

Applications for the JOMBA! @DAG closes on June 1, and the Fringe, Youth Fringe and the Lighting Workshop must be in by Monday 4 June 2018 by 4pm and should to be sent to jombafestival@gmail.com

For more information or to get an application via email contact Lliane Loots on lootsl@ukzn.ac.za using the name of the programme/workshop  you are applying for in the subject line.

SPAR KZN School Girls’ Hockey Challenge uMvotii, uThukela and uMzinyathi Regional at Wartburg Kirchdorf

SPAR KZN School Girls’ Hockey Challenge

uMvotii, uThukela and uMzinyathi Regional at Wartburg Kirchdorf

Saturday 12 May

The second last regional of the SPAR KZN School Girls’ Hockey Challenge takes place in Wartburg on Saturday 12 May.

Leading the uMvotii, uThukela and uMzinyathi Regional is host school, Wartburg Kirchdorf School who have claimed victory five times. 

Coach for the defending champs, Lisa Misselhorn stated that her team was hard at work getting their game plan ironed out to their usual German precision. 

Wartburg have dominated the regional with five consecutive wins, since 2013. Previously Wembley College won in 2011 and Ladysmith High won in 2012. Five schools will be participating in this tournament, with the first game of the round robin tipping off at 8am. The games are 28minutes long, with a changeover blown at 14minutes.

Joining Wartburg are Deutsche Schule Hermannsburg, Wembley College; Domino Servite and Greytown High School. Four points will be awarded for a win, 2  points for a draw with goals, 1 point for a goalless draw and zero points for a loss.

The winner of this region will be heading to the Grand Finals that will be held at St Mary’s DSG in Kloof on 21 and 22 July. 

Teams that have reserved their spot at the Grand Finals are Ferrum Hoërskool (Northern KZN); newcomers Epworth School (PMB Central Regional); St Anne’s DSG (PMB Northern Regional); Durban Girls’ College (DBN Central Regional); Amanzimtoti High School (DBN South Regional); Our Lady of Fatima (DBN North Regional); King Edward High School (Southern KZN Regional) and St Mary’s DSG (Highway Regional). 

The last regional for 2018 is the North KZN Coastals, which takes place at Grantleigh in Richards Bay on May 19.

For more info visit the tournament’s Facebook page.

SPAR KZN School Girls’ Hockey Challenge Highway Regional

SPAR KZN School Girls’ Hockey Challenge

Highway Regional

Westville Girls’ High School: Sunday 6 May

Maintaining their reign, St Mary’s DSG defended their title in the Highway Regional of the SPAR KZN School Girls’ Hockey Challenge in a hard-fought battle against hosts, Westville Girls High School.

Saints added to their six titles in this regional when they managed to defeat Westville in a riveting final that concluded in a penalty shootout. Saints opened up their account with their first goal smashed in after 66 seconds of play, by a powerful shot by ace striker, Kiana-Che Cormack. The ball was pushed right from the castle to Cormack who controlled the ball and then sent it flying.

Saints camped out around the Westville circle, earning themselves another two short corners that were both defended. They also had three shots at goal that Westville dealt with valiantly. With 95seconds remaining in the first half Tayla Thwaits found herself unmarked in front of the goals, spun around controlling the ball to the left of her, and slipped the ball in with a cheeky shot notching up the second goal for Saints.

Saints continued dominating the final with their fourth short corner that Westville again defended. In a moment of brilliance, Kerryn Swanepoel ignited her Westville team with a solo run down the left, leaving Saints scrambling with only two defenders still at the back. Swanepoel weaved around the first, dodging the second but the first Saints defender chopped Swanepoel’s stick. Standing on the spot, no-nonsense umpire Mike Lees split his arms indicating a penalty flick for Westville. A calm Swanepoel stepped up to the p spot and slotted in her shot into the top left corner.

Four minutes later, the amped Swanepoel charged down the right of the field surging towards the Saints circle. Swanepoel made a dash for the goals but was forced out of play by a harsh shoulder charge from St Marys, resulting in her second penalty flick that she bravely converted, levelling the score at 2 a piece.

The game then progressed to three players from both teams taking an eight second penalty shootout. After three rounds, both teams only managed to slot in one goal each, meaning the score line was still level pegged at 1-1. The finals then went to a sudden death, with the same three players stepping up to the spot for another chance. Two more rounds were played with no winner being revealed, then Leah Piggot managed to slot her shot in, going 1 up for Saints, earning her team the win and the regional title for 2018.

Special mention must go to the Westville keeper, Saiyuri Govender for her fearless display on the line throughout the game, bravely standing tall surge after surge of Saints powerful attacks.

Saints are the eighth team to head to the Grand Finals that they will be hosting on 21 and 22 July. The girls will be making their seventh appearance at the Grand Finals where they are also the overall defending champs from 2017.

Manager for the St Mary’s Malcolm Reeders said “The tournament is always a highlight on the school girl hockey calendar. Winning the finals today was a fantastic end to the day after all the pressure for us to hold on to the title. There was some fantastic hockey played today. But was a case of a tale of two halves, as at half time we were two up and then after half time, Westville managed to equalize. Our penalty takers were brilliantly composed during the shootout."

Ryan Lees, coach for Westville Girls High said, “It was a smoothly run tournament, but it was hard to perform consistently in all the games. Our team did themselves proud by coming back after being 2 down at half time, to equalize and then take it through to sudden death."

They join Ferrum Hoërskool (Northern KZN); newcomers Epworth School (PMB Central Regional); St Anne’s DSG (PMB Northern Regional); Durban Girls’ College (DBN Central Regional); Amanzimtoti High School (DBN South Regional); Our Lady of Fatima (DBN North Regional); and King Edward High School (Southern KZN Regional).

For more info like the tournament’s Facebook page.

Results

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

ENDS

N.E.W Pitch – Callout. Win the chance to produce a wildlife, environmental or conservation documentary short

N.E.W Pitch – Callout.

Win the chance to produce a wildlife, environmental or conservation documentary short

DURBAN: The N.E.W Pitch short documentary pitching competition is aimed at discovering the next generation or nature, environment, wildlife and adventure conservation filmmakers, and is one of the key sessions at the Nature Environment and Wildlife Filmmakers Congress (NEWF) taking place from 16 – 18 July at Durban Botanic Gardens and surrounds.

“Do you have an engaging, innovative or inspirational natural history, environmental, conservation or adventure story?” asks Pragna Parsotam-Kok, Founder and Congress Director of NEWF.  “If you do, we invite you to submit your documentary short concept and you could be one of eight finalists selected to pitch at the N.E.W Pitch competition during NEWF 2018. Submissions are open to all emerging and aspiring filmmakers, scientists and conservationists over the age of 18.”

The N.E.W Pitch is targeted towards emerging and student filmmakers in order to provide them with pitching experience and the opportunity to win a production grant to produce a short documentary film in this genre.  

During the NEWF Congress, the eight finalists will be invited to participate in a pitching session before a live judging panel. Coming out of the pitch session, four winners will be selected to win R50 000 to develop and produce their documentary short.

The four winners will have access to mentorship during the production of their shorts.  The films need to be completed within a year, and the four films will be combined into a once-off 48-minute TV documentary, which will be broadcast on national television.

During the NEWF Congress this year, the winners of last year’s Pitch will screen their film for the first time. The winners of last year’s competition were, Fidel Tshivhasa for his story on the humpback whale migration that takes place in KZN; Shivan Parusnath for an undercover look at the illegal reptile trade, Mikhale Singh whose project is about the endangered Pickersgills’ Reed frog and the Ashdown and Imbali EnviroChamps (Liberty NPO and DUCT) who are a group of individuals working to protect the wetlands and rivers in their area.  These four films will be complete by end of May.

“It is hoped that the Congress will promote outstanding environmental, conservation, wildlife and adventure films from professional, aspiring and student filmmakers and that we will contribute towards transformation through our developmental programmes aimed at enriching the industry with an increased pool of diverse content creators,” she said.

To pitch for your documentary – register on the NEWF online portal – and enter the N.E.W Pitch competition with all the necessary supporting documentation.

Visit www.newf.co.za to enter, for submission requirements, guidelines and more information or visit the NEWF Online Portal to enter now.  Deadline is 31 May.

Registration is now open for this year’s Nature, Environment & Wildlife Filmmakers Congress. Visit www.newf.co.za for more info.  Delegate passes can be booked and paid for later.  

For more info email info@newf.co.za or contact Pragna on 064 294 0669.

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Illa Thompson 

Publicity Matters

illa@pubmat.co.za

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Sharlene Versfeld

Versfeld & Associates

Public Relations and Communications

Email: sharlene@versfeld.co.za