Jonathan Khambula is dynamite in his one-man show Cockroach at the upcoming Suidoosterfees.
THIS year, the CEO of Die Burger’s Suidoosterfees, Niel Le Roux, says it will be a festival of love, not only because it starts on Valentine’s Day with a romantic dance in the chandelier foyer of Artscape, but because the theme of love permeates this annual arts festival.
“There’s the love of a mother and daughter in Viva la Mamma, the love between mother and son in My Name is Ellen Pakkies and Bye Ma Jaypee, and the love/hate for Metrorail in Train Smash,” explains Le Roux.
“The opera Viva la Mamma is an outstanding opera production with the Wagner Society and Lara Bye as the innovative director. And there’s comedian Casper de Vries – who rarely does festivals – who has compiled a special show for us. I also highly recommend Jonas. It is sad, relevant and spiritual.”
Auriol Hays, the husky-voiced jazz sensation performs together with a host of choir singers from Bonteheuwel with the Church of Resurrection Anglican Choir to the Koue Bokkeveld with Kromun Koor. Walter Battiss, who died 30 years ago, is celebrated and commemorated in an art exhibition.
A highlight is a concert in association with kykNET to mark opera legend Mimi Coertse’s 80th birthday this year. Other performers include Rocco de Villiers, Bobby van Jaarsveld, Juanita du Plessis and Shimmy Isaacs.
There are plays that tackle sex trafficking and tell stories about our West Coast fishermen.
Celeste Slabber-Loriston in Gif on February 17 and 18 at 1pm and 6pm
There’s a musical production set in the central Karoo, there’s cabaret, comedy and children’s entertainment.
Die Burger/RSG Tent will provide free entertainment by up-and-coming local singers. The festival features a wonderful line-up of entertainment including jazz, classical music, gospel music, theatre, comedy and visual arts.
The festival, now in its ninth year, celebrates and creatively develops Western Cape Afrikaans culture and heritage, as well as encouraging social diversity and national unity through Afrikaans.
“Our festival philosophy is to create an arts festival that reflects the diverse Cape cultures for all to enjoy seamlessly,” said Le Roux.
With the inclusion of new theatrical productions like the first African performance of Viva la Mamma, an isiXhosa drama and Jonathan Khambula’s riveting piece Cockroach, Suidoosterfees is stretching cultural diversity further and this should be encouraged in the future for healthy cross-pollination of our cultures and breaking down cultural barriers.
“We want this festival to be affordable, accessible, and include all races, class, language, religious and age groups,” added Le Roux.
Ringo Star sings on February 18 at 8.30pm
INLSA
Part of the festival’s innovative outreach includes bringing in farm workers and local gospel and choir groups from across the province.
It also seeks to offer opportunities to develop and nurture young and up-coming artists, and enables them to premiere new works.
The festival has grown considerably since its inception, with an annual attendance of over 20 000.
The festival does not have a creative director, but a programme committee who compile a programme that reflects their mission and attempts to present all art genres of music theatre visual arts film and dance.
“It’s a fantastic challenge to present new works on stage and exhibitions of a world class standard, that we have to gauge what everyone will want to see!” said Le Roux.
l The Suidoosterfees will run from Tuesday to February 19. For the full programme, see www.suidoosterfees.co.za Call 021 446 1558. Book at Computicket at 0861 915 8000.
Odidiva, vamps it up on February 17 and 18 at 9.30pm and 9pm.
Click here to Book Accommodation in Cradock, Graaf Reinett, Hofmeyer or surrounds.
Article source: http://www.iol.co.za/capetimes/love-permeates-arts-fest-1.1231399