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Awesome Africa International Arts Festival

Media Release

Awesome Africa International Arts Festival – April 26 and 27, 2015

As a fitting finale to the Celebration of 20 years of Freedom and Democracy in South Africa, the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Arts and Culture, in partnership with Awesome Africa Festival Productions, is set to host the Awesome Africa International Arts Festival featuring a host of world-renowned performers across a number of genres. The festival will take place over two days in different venues, kicking off with a Gala Concert at The Playhouse on Sunday, April 26 and followed by a full day at the Sibusisiwe Community Hall and Lovelife Centre in Mandeni, iLembe District on the North Coast on Monday, April 27.

For the Playhouse concert, doors open at 5pm and the concert begins at 6pm. Headlining the festival is the legendary Salif Keita from Mali, the “Golden Voice of Africa”  whose place in the pantheon of African music has been well documented and revered. He performs with his dynamic 13 piece band from Dakar.

The award winning South African hip hop artist Khuli Chana in collaboration with MuzArt will also perform at both venues.  Khuli is a multitalented musician well known for his ‘Motswako’ rap style which includes street-talk and highly influential messages in Setswana, English and other South African languages. MuzArt is a five piece musical collective that has collaborated with noteworthy musician. The group was nominated for South African Music Awards, Metro FM Music Awards and UK’s Soul Survivor Awards

Awesome Africa has become known for its unique collaborations in the past, and this year’s festival is no exception. The “Freedom Suite” collaboration, which will perform at both venues, brings together the extraordinary talents of South African living legend Ray Phiri together with the “Jimi Hendrix of the kora” N’Faly Kouyate from Guinea in West Africa, who besides fusing storytelling, jazz, dance and traditional griot music is also known for his collaborations with the Afro-Celt Sound System which blend Irish Celtic music with that of West African countries. The powerful and trance-like Drummers of Burundi from Central Africa will also form part of this unique collaboration.

Other featured artists are Christine Salem, the maloya superstar from Reunion Island, award-winning guitar maestros Nibs van der Spuy and Guy Buttery, the alluring maskandi duo Qadasi and Maqhinga Radebe, and a 72nd birthday homage to Steve Fataar who will perform with master Cape Town guitarist Errol Dyers. Pride of the Zulu will also serenade the audience with their accapella styled traditional melodies.

The Mandeni festival kicks off at 11am on Monday April 27 with a free Business Management Workshop for up and coming artists as well as relevant arts practitioners. Topics that will come under the spotlight include; performing platforms and funding, contracts and copyright, studio etiquette and the value of quality sound, the digital freeway and international marketing and identity.

A broad spectrum of genres will be represented and the illustrious visitors to Mandeni will include Ray Phiri, N’Faly Kouyate, The Drummers of Burundi, the ground breaking DJ Websta, Holly - known for her “Kasi” vibes, house music and crowd rocking stage performances, Christine Salem, Existing Consciousness and the sizzling Afro-Latino sounds from Napalma (Brazil / Mozambique),

In keeping with the theme of showcasing talent from the Mandeni, KwaDukuza, Ndwedwe and Maphumulo regions of iLembe, artists include traditional Indian sounds from Kalakara featuring Keeran Eshwarlall, traditional Zulu dancing with Amasokemvelo, popular gospel band Mandeni Soul Healers, choral accapella from Central Voices, maskanda star Sgora, kwaito sensations GS, Ndwandwe Sister and Ukujabula Kuyashiyana the winners of Ndwedwe’s Isigekle Competition. Comedian Siyanda Maphumulo, DJ Dope and Groutville’s Uhuru Poets Society will keep the audience entertained between sets. Festivities close at 9pm.    

“Besides many pro-active socio-economic elements, the Festival commemorates Freedom Day by linking a concert in Durban with a project to take the music and the arts back to the people - in essence straight into the communities who have supported our fight for freedom and democracy.” says MEC for Arts & Culture Mrs Ntombikayise Sibhidla-Sapetha.  “This important synergy also addresses the vital aspects of social cohesion and nation building in our country. No longer will iconic events and artists be the domain only of the big cities.  Whilst offering our local artists a platform to showcase their talents on an international stage, this event also serves to bring a signature event to Durban as well as helping to boost tourism levels and create jobs in the Mandeni area.”

Tickets for both the Playhouse and Mandeni events are R150 per person available via Computicket and Shoprite Checkers. Tickets will be available at the door but it is preferable to book early.

For more information go to www.awesomeafrica.co.za, or call Gabi on 081 419 4509.

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Sharlene Versfeld/Ayanda Mabanga

Versfeld & Associates

sharlene@versfeld.co.za/ mabanga.ayanda@gmail.com

031-8115628 / 083 326 3235

Talents Durban

TALENTS DURBAN – START MOTION

In cooperation with Berlinale Talents at the 36th Durban International Film Festival

17 – 21 July 2015

The industry development programme for young film-makers, Talents Durban, in cooperation with Berlinale Talents, will take place from 17 to 21 July as part of the 36th Durban International Film Festival (DIFF) which runs from 16 to 26 July. The DIFF reminds participants to apply for the programme before April 13, 2015.

Forty selected participants from all over Africa will be given a chance to forge relationships with their global counterparts in an intensive programme of seminars, hands-on training, workshops and industry networking activities, as well as having access to hundreds of film screenings at the festival..

“The theme of the programme this year is Start-Motion,” says Tiny Mungwe, Project Manager at the DIFF. “At the turn of the 20th century, early filmmakers used stop-motion techniques to bring a sequence of still images to life on screen, astonishing audiences with the fantastical new medium. Throughout the history of film, new technologies have continued to revolutionize the way we make and watch films.”

“The 8th edition of Talents Durban aims to identify the compelling new voices of emerging African filmmakers and invites them to re-invent the approach to making films on the continent.” explains Mungwe. “With this, the idea of Start-Motion is born. It is how we bring together the knowledge of traditional practices, combined with the latest techniques, to create momentum for emerging African filmmakers to harness and use to fuel progress in our global society. Furthermore, the approach highlights changes in the current mode of storytelling in Africa, encouraging filmmakers on the continent to share their stories through their own cultural, economic and political lenses.”

With access to screenings throughout the festival and through participating in conversations with experts from around the world, Talents Durban seeks to boost the already rising flow of current filmmaking in Africa.  The 8th Talents Durban programme will consist of master classes lead by leading experts in filmmaking, panel discussions by the key industry players, networking opportunities with fellow Talents Durban participants and over 600 delegates of the Durban International Film Festival and Durban FilmMart as well numerous project orientated skills development programmes. Combined these elements will set off a chain reaction of perpetual motion in the contemporary African film industry that will continue to expand and thrive.

Applications are now open and deadline for completed application will be 13 April 2015.

To apply online go to: http://www.berlinale-talents.de/bt/ap/select/event/50 or visitwww.durbanfilmfest.co.za

 

Talents Durban is presented in co-operation with Berlinale Talents and is made possible by the KZN Department of Economic Development and Tourism, the German Embassy, the KwaZulu-Natal Film Commission, the Goethe-Institut and the Gauteng Film Commission.

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For more information contact:

Centre for Creative Arts, University of KwaZulu-Natal

Tel: +27 31 260 2506/1816

Fax: +27 31 260 3074

Email: talentsdurban@gmail.com

 

For media enquiries please contact:

Sharlene Versfeld

Mobile: +27 (0) 83 326 3235

Tel: +27 (0) 31 811 5628

Email: sharlene@versfeld.co.za

Twitter: sharlvers

Website: www.versfeld.co.za

Time of the Writer - Day Programme

Time of the Writer - Day Programme

A select group of writers from South Africa and Africa will gather together for a week of thought provoking literary dialogue and exchange of ideas at the Time of the Writer Festival. Presented by the Centre for Creative Arts (University of KwaZulu-Natal) and made possible by the National Department of Arts and Culture, the City of Durban, the French Institute (IFAS) and the Goethe-Institut, this 18th edition takes place in Durban between 16 and 21 March. The festival features a host of free events as part of the day programme that are spread across Durban and the surrounding areas as part of the festival’s ongoing efforts to promote and creative expression through reading and writing. This includes school visits, a publishing forum and a range of seminars and workshops.

Writers in Media

Hosted by the School of Journalism at the Durban University of Technology, this seminar explores the role played by writers in shaping popular media. To lead discussions will be Mzilikazi wa Afrika, Margaret Von Kempler and Futhi Ntshingila at the Durban University of Technology, City Campus, Room 149, on Tuesday 17 March between 11:00 and 12:30. 

Schools Writing Forum

The Schools Writing Forum connects teachers of literature with festival writers to discuss the teaching of literature in the classroom, and in particular, creative and engaging teaching approaches. This important interface will see writers ZP Dala, Dilman Dila and Charlotte Otter present their views and engage with teachers at the Chatsworth Education Centre, 219 Florence Nightingale Drive, Westcliff, Chatsworth, on Tuesday 17 March between 12:30 and 14:30.

 Writers visit Luthuli Museum

The Luthuli Museum is responsible for managing the safeguarding of Nobel Peace Prize-winner Chief Albert Luthuli’s life, history and philosophy. Festival writers Sue Nyathi and Nthikeng Mohlele will visit this national monument and share their experiences as writers with learners and community members at the Luthuli Museum, 3233 Nokukhanya Luthuli Street, Groutville, on Wednesday 18 March between 10:00 and 12:00.

Writers visit Workers College

The Workers College provides the opportunity for adult learners to engage festival participants Jacob Dlamini and Mzilikazi wa Afrika, who will share their insights and perspectives on the intellectual processes that direct their writing. This invaluable discussion will take place at the Workers College, 127 Magwaza Maphalala Street, on Wednesday 18 March between 12:00 and 13:30.

Coffee Conversations

A discussion with MJ Mngadi and Ousmane Diarra will take place at Alliance Française- 22 Sutton Crescent, Berea Wednesday 18 March between 15:30 and 16:30

 Writers Speak Out

Festival writers will speak out to University students and offer insight into their philosophies, writing processes and literary works. Writers will be visiting the following tertiary institution campuses:

  • English Studies (UKZN Howard College)
  • isiZulu Studies (UKZN Howard College)
  • Mangosuthu University of Technology
  • Gcina Mhlophe Studio (UKZN Edgewood Campus)

Book Day

Time of the Writer will host Time of the Writer “Book Day” at the Open Plan Studio on Saturday 21 March. This day-long event will be featuring a whole range of publishing forums, book launches, a creative writing workshop and a storytelling programme for the young readers, presented by the Gcinamasiko Arts and Heritage Trust.

                                          

See programme or website for details: www.cca.ukzn.ac.za.

Organised by the Centre for Creative Arts (University of KwaZulu-Natal) the 18th Time of the Writer, festival is made possible by support from our funders; the National Department of arts and Culture, eThekwini Municipality's Parks, Recreation and Culture Unit, the Goethe-Institut, the French Institute of South Africa (IFAS) and Adams Booksellers as well as support from our partners; Pan Macmillan, Daily News, Computicket and the Elizabeth Sneddon Theatre. The Centre for Creative Arts is housed in the College of Humanities at the University of KwaZulu-Natal and is a special project of the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Professor Cheryl Potgieter.

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Book Day @Time of the Writer

Book Day @Time of the Writer

The Centre for Creative Arts (UKZN) presents the 18th Time of the Writer from 16-21 March. This festival will be hosting a day-long programme with a focus on both aspiring writers and bibliophiles, aptly named, the Time of the Writer “Book Day” at the Open Plan Studio on Saturday, March 21 from 10:00- 14:30. The programme will feature a creative writing workshop, a range of publishing workshops, book launches and a storytelling programme for the kids by the Gcinamasiko Arts and Heritage Trust.

Open Plan Studio is a combined office, art, photo studio and event space situated on the 4th floor of a newly renovated light industrial building now known as The Design Factory that overlooks some of Durban’s most iconic features such as; the Lion Match Factory, both Kings Park and Moses Mabhida stadium, the Stables, Durban Club and the ocean beyond that. Through this conversion into studio space, Open Plan aims to become a new creative hub and precinct in the city of Durban.

Book Launches: There will be a number of book launches featuring a rich and varying lineup of books from local authors including: A Piece of Cake by Cecil Levin, Everyday Matters by Margaret Daymond, How to Teach Your Baby in the Womb by Hamza Moleleki, Letters to My Native Soil- Lewis Nkosi Writes Home by Lindy Stiebel, Poetry Potion Dear SA – Vol. 3, No. 8 by Poetry Potion, Rusty Bell by Nthikeng Mohlele, The Dream House by Craig Higginson and What About Meera by ZP Dala.

Publishing Forum: With publishing as one of the fundamental elements in the growth of a local literary culture, a rich line-up of speakers will participate in the Publishing Forum at this years’ Time of the Writer festival. The programme comprises various topics, including publishers discussing the publishing landscape, contemporary South African publishing, the process of compiling an editorial from contributors, and the process of self-publishing.

Creative Writing Workshop: An open workshop and discussion focusing on creative writing by three festival participants - Imraan Coovadia, Thando Mgqolozana and Craig Higginson

Storytelling with the Gcinamasiko Arts and Heritage Trust: The GAHT is founded on the success of its founding member, internationally renowned playwright, actress and storyteller, Gcina Mhlophe. The purpose of the GAHT edutainment is to promote a culture of reading and writing through skills-transfer workshops and performances at schools, the approach of the organization is to expose young emerging writers and performers at schools and communities to established writers and storytellers, so that they can learn skills from these well-known artists.

For more information contact the Centre for Creative Arts, University of KwaZulu-Natal (031) 260 2506/1816 or  info@cca-ukzn.co.za. For the full programme go to www.cca.ukzn.ac.za or like the Facebook page: 18th Time of the Writer.

Organised by the Centre for Creative Arts (University of KwaZulu-Natal) the 18th Time of the Writer, festival is made possible by support from our funders; the National Department of arts and Culture, eThekwini Municipality's Parks, Recreation and Culture Unit, the Goethe-Institut, the French Institute of South Africa (IFAS) and Adams Booksellers as well as support from our partners; Pan Macmillan, Daily News, Computicket and the Elizabeth Sneddon Theatre. The Centre for Creative Arts is housed in the College of Humanities at the University of KwaZulu-Natal and is a special project of the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Professor Cheryl Potgieter.

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Flatfoot Dance presents "days like these"

Media Release

Flatfoot Dance Company presents “days like these”

Durban’s inimitable Flatfoot Dance Company begins its 12th year in 2015 with a full blown performance season of innovative dance to lure, cajole, amuse, provoke and sheer-out entertain audiences. “Days like these” has a one week run at the Elizabeth Sneddon Theatre from the 25 to 29 March 2015.

Always looking for new challenges, award-winning Durban based choreographer, Lliane Loots has delved into the theatre making methodologies of Verbatim Theatre to create “days like these”. Verbatim theatre, sometimes referred to as Documentary Theatre, asks the playwright to gather live testimony and the spoken word of real people to construct the dialogue of a drama. In this way the resultant theatre work achieves a degree of authenticity and truthfulness that allows real people a voice. With a history going back to the 60s, Verbatim Theatre has a long trajectory in creating edgy political theatre where these methodologies help create social dialogue.

Loots’s fascinating with Verbatim Theatre sparked and interest to see if there could be cross-over into contemporary dance. As Loots says; “the way that I work is essentially verbatim in that I am constantly asking the dancers to bring their own life experience – through their bodies – into the work we make. As a choreographer I have always thought of myself as a type of ‘collector of stories’; some of them are my own but others come from the dancers who I am working with”.

In “days like these”, Loots has asked the six resident FLATFOOT dancer and co-collaborators on this dance work (Sifiso Majola, Tshediso Kabulu, Sifiso Khumalo, Jabu Siphika, Julia Wilson and Zinhle Nzama) to go even deeper into this physical and spoken word storytelling and after a two week intensive and deeply personal workshop process around memory gathering, Loots then only set out to create the choreography around what she calls “a dance theatre work that takes everyday memories and begins to celebrate the sacred of what we all might feel is the commonplace of our lives”. She goes on to say, “what has resulted is an incredibly tender and beautiful interior dancescape that – for me anyway – will poignantly remind an audience of what it means to be human; and to be an African”.

Loots asked the dancers to dig for memories around three specific topics; food, politics and love/loss. As the process of re-membering went, Loots explains, “we sat with each other sometimes laughing till we cried and sometimes growing silent in a shared space of pain and solidarity. I am reminded again that the deeper we dig into the personal as artists, the more profoundly political our voices become”.

“days like these”, sees Loots return to a long time artistic partnership with award winning Durban theatre and filmmaker, Karen Logan. Logan’s videoscape for “days like these, sits at the heart of the work as it was her task to capture, verbatim, the final memories and stories collected.

Logan says, “working on “days like these” has me seriously excited. It’s always inspiring to work with Lliane Loots and the Flatfooters - this work in particular is meaty and uncompromising and is taking new leaps with the integration of the AV on multiple levels and surfaces and the melting of boundaries between documentary and dance. I think the results will be mesmerising, befitting the very personal layers of narrative that each dancer has woven into the work”.

“days like these” also features the subtle and imaginative lighting design of Wesley Maherry whose challenge was not only to help support the manifold projections, but to also find a way to light the dance that helped the stories unfold.

“days like these”, works with multiple projections and light, and as the images, the voices and the dancing bodies begin – in truth and vulnerability - to layer the stage space, so the remarkable magic of dance theatre starts to happen. We are reminded, in “days like these”, of the need for art and dance, to urge us, as audience, to unbury our own stories. Loots began this work in a response to Nigerian writer, Ben Okri’s comment;

"There is not a single person who is not touched by the silent presence of stories. A nation is as healthy and confident as the stories they tell themselves. Without fighting, stories have won over more people than all the great wars put together. The universe began as a story. Only those who have lived, suffered, thought deeply, loved profoundly, know joy and the pain of life, tell truly wonderful stories. Africa breathes stories."

Thursday’s performance (26 March @ 7.30pm) features a special after show “DANCE TALKS BACK” hosted by awarding winning arts journalist Adrienne Sichel in conversations with Loots and the dancers. This is a unique opportunity to listen to the dancers and choreographers unpack and answer questions about their work. Sichel comes to Durban as a guest from The Ar(t)chive at the Wits School of Arts.

Bookings are now open via Computicket. Ticket prices are R85 for adults, R50 for students/learners and pensioners. Block bookings of 10 or more people is also at R50 per ticket. 

 

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For more Information, interviews and pictures please contact:

Sharlene Versfeld
Mobile: +27 (0) 83 326 3235
Tel: +27 (0) 31 811 5628
Email: sharlene@versfeld.co.za
Website: www.versfeld.co.za

 

Time of the Writer Festival Evening Panels and Programme

Media Release

Time of the Writer - Evening Panels - Programme

A select group of 20 writers from South Africa and Africa will gather together for a week of thought provoking literary dialogue and exchange of ideas at the Time of the Writer Festival from Monday (March 16)the opening night  untilSaturday (March 21) next week.

Audiences can expect to hear the opinions of multiple award winning writers, from a wide variety of political and social contexts, on the creative and technical processes and perspectives which shape their writing. Evening readings and discussions will take place at the Elizabeth Sneddon Theatre (Howard College Campus) beginning at 7pm each evening.

 

Tuesday, 17 March

Female Narratives

The first panel of the festival pairs two South African authors as they discuss with the challenges and opportunities faced by female authors in the modern landscape and unpack the female narratives in their writing.

Z.P Dala (South Africa) is a therapist and full-time writer. Dala has been included on the 2015 Goodreads Sunday Times list of Top Novelists to look out for in 2015.

Kirsten Miller (South Africa) has published short stories in six collections, a short play, a children’s book, and was a finalist in the SA PEN literary award three times. She held a dual career as a freelance writer and in early intervention for Autism for many years. She also worked as a Drama lecturer, a Creativity lecturer and a dolphin trainer early in her career.

The panel will be facilitated by UKZN research and PhD student Alan Muller.

 

Writing Without Permission

In the face of growing censorship across the world, Time of the Writer brings together two fearless authors with reputations for tapping into hard truths no matter the consequences.

Jacob Dlamini (South Africa) holds a PhD from Yale University. Having previously worked as a journalist and was the political editor of Business Day newspaper. He is the winner of the University of Johannesburg’s Creative Writing Debut Prize for his book Native Nostalgia.

Mzilikazi wa Afrika (South Africa) is a multi-award winning journalist working for the SundayTimes investigations unit in Johannesburg, South Africa. The Bushbuckridge born scribe was awarded two international scholarships to study in the UK and USA for the recognition of his outstanding achievements in the field of journalism.

Scholar and activist Jackie Shandu will facilitate the panel.

 

Wednesday, 18 March

Telling Stories, Bridging Divides

This panel highlights the power of literature to transcend borders and cultures, Telling Stories, Bridging Divides highlights two authors who have reached audiences beyond their regions through their stories being translated as well as the telling of stories that transcend borders.

Born in Bassala, Ousmane Diarra (Mali) is a storyteller, poet, novelist and author of many children’s books.

M.J Mngadi (South Africa) was the recipient of the SALA (S.A.) Lifetime Achievement Award in 2009 for lifelong dedication to African and World literary excellence. Whilst employed at the Commissioner’s office as an Interpreter/Clerk Mngadi spent his spare time reading books and learning Authorship and Freelance Journalism.

Head of the French Department of University of KwaZulu-Natal Bernard De Meyer will facilitate the discussion.

 

Murder, She Wrote

With the rise in popularity of crime novels coming out of South Africa, this panel brings together two established female authors with the focus on this burgeoning genre.

Charlotte Otter (South Africa) is a writer living in Germany, where she works as a corporate communicator in the IT industry. Otter’s first novel, Balthasar’s Gift, which is crime fiction set in her home town of Pietermaritzburg, was published to critical acclaim.

Books editor for the Witness Margaret von Klemperer (South Africa) was arts editor of the newspaper for 16 years until she decided to give up full time work and see whether she could write a publishable book. She was born in Britain but has lived in Pietermaritzburg for more than 40 years.

This panel will be facilitated by PhD student Olivier Moreillon.

 

 Thursday, 19 March

Letters From Zimbabwe

The festival shifts its gaze north bringing together two of Zimbabwe’s new generation of authors to provide insight and perspective on the stories of Zimbabwe, often told from the diaspora.

Multiple award winner, NoViolet Bulawayo (Zimbabwe) shortlisted for the Man Booker prize for her novel entitled We Need New Names.

Sue Nyathi (Zimbabwe) began writing at the tender age of 10 and nurtured this passion through her teenage years.  Holder of a Master’s Degree in finance, Nyathi is a freelance writer, scriptwriter and a novelist.

Poet, author and activist Menzi Maseko will facilitate the panel.

 

Blurring the Lines- Memoir and Fiction

This panel brings together two prolific authors who sometimes channel real life experiences, to create honest pieces of work that tread the fine line between reality and fiction.

Nthikeng Mohlele (South Africa) was listed by Bloomsbury Publishing, Hay Festival and Rainbow Book Club among the 39 most promising authors under the age of 40 from sub-Saharan Africa and the diaspora.

Growing up in the streets of Makhado town, reformatory school and maximum security prisons,Tshifhiwa Given Mukwevho (South Africa)was released from prison on 11 November 2010, He went on to become  a writer, poet, freelance journalist and has also authored a novel, The Violent Gestures of Life.

This panel will be facilitated by Sunday Tribune senior journalist Nathi Olifant.

 

Friday, 20 March

Written in the Margin

Written in the Margin; highlights the untold stories of marginalised South Africans often forgotten in classic and popular literature, taking an audience into worlds overlooked.

Author and journalist Carol Campbell (South Africa) has worked in print media for 24 years and during that time covered South Africa’s transition to democracy in 1994 going on to win a British Council award for education reporting the following year.

Futhi Ntshingila (South Africa) is a former Sunday Times journalist and recipient of the 2004 Vodacom Journalist of the Year Editor’s Choice Award, with a Postgraduate Diploma in Journalism at Rhodes University and Master’s Degree in Conflict Resolution at the University of KwaZulu-Natal. Her work deals with women who are in the peripheries of society whose stories have been historically ignored.

Senior Sunday Times journalist Matthew Savides will facilitate the panel discussion. 

 

Words Weaving Worlds

This panel focuses on the power of words to create in-depth pieces of fiction that mirror the complexities of real life experiences.

Ekow Duker (South Africa) is an oil field engineer turned banker turned author with a heartfelt passion for writing. He is the author of two novels White Wahala and Dying in New York whichwere published simultaneously in July 2014.

Thando Mgqolozana (South Africa) is a novelist and screenwriter. His novel A Man Who Is Not a Man was long-listed for the International IMPAC Dublin Literary Award, and was adapted for screen into Ibhokhwe (The Goat), which won the Best Short Film and Best Director of a Short Film awards at the Independent Mzansi Short Film Festival in 2014.

Publisher and photographer Russell Grant will facilitate the panel.

 

Saturday, 21 March

Shapeshifting- Form and the Modern Writer

The festival brings two chameleon-like authors who aren’t hampered by the boundaries of traditional mediums. Both panelists are known for their ability to produce work across platforms and genres – theatre, screen and novel - to bring their stories to the world.

Author and filmmaker Dilman Dila (Uganda) has been shortlisted for the prestigious Commonwealth Short Story Prize (2013), twice long listed for the Short Story Day Africa prize, and nominated for the 2008 Million Writers Awards.

Internationally acclaimed author and playwright Craig Higginson (South Africa) was born in Zimbabwe and has lived in London, Stratford-upon-Avon, Paris and currently resides in Johannesburg. He is the recipient of the Sony Gold Award for the Best Radio Drama in the UK, the UJ Award for South African Literature in English and the Naledi Award for Best South African play.

The panel discussion will be facilitated by writer and critic Sihle Mthembu.

 

The Writer is the Witness

The final panel of the festival brings together two respected South African writers as they journey through our past, bringing a fresh perspective on well-known realities told through fiction.

Imraan Coovadia (South Africa) is a writer and director of the creative writing programme at the University of Cape Town. His novel The Institute for Taxi Poetry (2012) is the winner of the M-Net Prize.

Growing up in KwaMashu Township, Mandla Langa (South Africa) received his BA at the University of Fort Hare. In 1991, he became the first South African to be awarded an Arts Council of Great Britain Bursary for Creative Writing. His diverse work includes penning an opera, Milestones, with music composed by jazz musician Hugh Masekela.

The Writer is the Witness, will be facilitated by City Press KwaZulu-Natal Bureau Chief and investigative journalist Paddy Harper.

 

Ticket prices are R25 for the evening sessions and R10 for students on presentation of a student card. Workshops, seminars and book launches are free of charge. Book through Computicket Tel: 0861 915 8000 or 011 340 8000 or online at online.computicket.com or at the Elizabeth Sneddon Theatre from 18h00.

Organised by the Centre for Creative Arts (University of KwaZulu-Natal) the 18th Time of the Writer, festival is made possible by support from our funders; the National Department of arts and Culture, eThekwini Municipality's Parks, Recreation and Culture Unit, the Goethe-Institut, the French Institute of South Africa (IFAS) and Adams Booksellers as well as support from our partners; Pan Macmillan, Daily News, Computicket and the Elizabeth Sneddon Theatre. The Centre for Creative Arts is housed in the College of Humanities at the University of KwaZulu-Natal and is a special project of the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Professor Cheryl Potgieter.

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For more information contact:

 Centre for Creative Arts, University of KwaZulu-Natal

 Tel: +27 31 260 2506/1816

Fax: +27 31 260 3074

Email: info@cca-ukzn.co.za

 

 

 

 

18th Time of the Writer - Schools Short Story Competition

18th Time of the Writer - Schools Short Story Competition

The 18th Time of the Writer, International festival of writers, hosted by the Centre for Creative Arts, University of KwaZulu-Natal invites South African high school learners to submit their short stories for the annual Schools Short Story Competition section of the festival, by Friday 27 February.

Held in conjunction with the Time of the Writer festival, the Schools Short Story Competition section is open to all South African high school learners and aims to encourage creative expression in young people while functioning as a springboard for the future writers of South Africa. With the festival's long standing commitment toward nurturing a culture of reading and writing, this competition has received a wide appeal that continues to grow with each edition of the festival.

Winners will be awarded cash prizes, book vouchers and complimentary tickets to the festival.

The Time of the Writer takes place from 16-21 March 2015. As one of the country's longest running literature festivals, Time of the Writer brings together some of the best authors, publishers, and editors from around the world, while focusing on providing a platform to KwaZulu-Natal talent.  In addition to the nightly showcases at the Elizabeth Sneddon Theatre the festival alsoorganisesa broad range of free daily activities including an educational and entertaining programme of workshops, reading sessions and panel discussions. This includes the Educator's Forum with teachers, on the implementation of literature in the classroom; the Community Writing Forum with members of the public interested in literature as well as visits to schools by the festival participants. The 18th Time of the Writer will also include a Storytelling Focus in partnership with Gcinamasiko Arts & Heritage Trust.

For more information on the festival or the competition, contact the Centre for Creative Arts on 031 260 2506/1816 or email:schools@cca-ukzn.co.za

The competition is open to all South African high school students.Terms and Conditions

  • There is no particular topic for the short stories.
  • The short stories can be written in English, Afrikaans or isiZulu.
  • Illegible entries will not be considered (Typed entries preferred).
  • Short stories are to be a maximum of 5 pages in length.
  • Deadline for submissions is 27 February 2015.

How to Enter

Entries can be submitted by one of the following methods:

Email:  schools@cca-ukzn.co.za

Fax: 031 260 3074

Hand Delivery: Centre for Creative Arts, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Howard College Campus, Mazisi Kunene Avenue, Durban, 4041, South Africa

All entries must include:

  1. Name of School (Contact and physical address)
  2. Name of submitter (Grade, age and contact details)

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Reunion with Franco

Reunion with Franco

Franco Human, Dean of the South African School of Motion Picture Medium and Live Performance (AFDA) Durban,  recently returned from the Reunion Islands after attending the annual Festival International du Film d' Afrique et des Iles (FIFAI) in October as a guest of honour representing  AFDA.

The FIFAI began in 2003 with an aim to promote auteur cinema and showcase film makers from the Caribbean, Africa and the Indian Ocean. Other guests included Joel Zito Araujo, a Brazilian filmmaker and David Constantine, a film director from Mauritius. Mohamed Said Ouma, the artistic director of the festival said “Reunion has a special interest in the South African film industry because it appears to be reaching maturity.” South Africa has created a name for itself at the festival. A South African film won in the first FIFAI and this year a film titled Nelson Mandela, the myth and me by Khalo Matabane  which won the Best SA Documentary Film at the Durban International Film Festival, was selected for this year’s festival. Ouma said “it was an honour to have Franco and Vincent Moloi, the South African director and screenwriter for television and film at the festival”.  

Le Port is one of Durban’s thirteen sister cities. These two cities have been linked by active projects since 2005. “My main objective was to establish relations with film and art schools in Reunion to detect possible connections and perhaps work on an exchange and/or reciprocating programme.” said Franco. “This would be a great start to getting co-productions in place between schools and the industry, as they are a part of France and therefore fall under our co-production treaty with them.  Developing students through a reciprocation programme will lay the foundations needed for co-productions in the future. ”

Amongst people Franco met was the mayor of Le Port Jean–Yves Langenier, who is  suppoprtive of developing the creative industries in his city. Additionally, he met with École Supérieure d'Art de la Réunion (ESA) and The Institute of Indian Ocean Image (ILOI). ESA is the only French speaking higher education art institution in the Indian Ocean region, which also provides a platform for meetings, exchanges, exhibitions, conferences and seminars and is aptly described as a “laboratory of cultures for culture”.  ILOI is a vocational training school in Reunion specialized in the fields of image and new media. It has international networks that include reputable animation schools and universities across France, China, Africa and Europe. “ILOI and ESA are two ongoing relationships I hope to build on next year .” said Franco.  The visit and relationships formed, I am sure will add huge  value going forward to our school and the students and naturally by extension, into the future co-productions with Le Reunion.  Reunion is not far away from Durban and we look forward to the potential that could be realised through developing relationships with them.”  

Franco said that he was pleasantly surprised by the film industry in Reunion. “Of course, it helps that there is one to start with and it seems to be a very expressive industry more than a commercial one.  They create beautiful images judging by the few films I was able to see.”

“Establishing and deepening relationships with other countries may yield beneficial outcomes for Durban, particularly its film industry.” said Franco.

The AFDA Durban Campus, headed by Human, has been open for 2 years and is making a significant mark on the local film industry through developing young film industry entrepeneurs who are now being seconded to work on films during their spare time and vacs.

For more information go to www.afda.co.za.

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Durban International Film Festival calls for entries for 2015

            Durban International Film Festival calls for entries for 2015

Durban, South Africa: The Durban International Film Festival (DIFF) will celebrate its 36th edition from 16 to 26 July 2015. Presenting over 250 screenings of cutting-edge cinema from around the world, with a special focus on films from South Africa and Africa, the festival exhibits films in a diversity of venues around the city. DIFF is the premiere platform for the launch of African films and a key gateway to the African film industry. The festival also includes a local and international awards component.

Only films completed in 2014 and 2015 will be considered, and there is no charge for entry. Submissions will be accepted with either a DVD SCREENER or an ONLINE SCREENER. All submissions must be entered via the DIFF Visitor Page online at vp.eventival.eu/cca. In order to submit a film, an account needs to be created if this has not already been done in previous years. The deadline for all entries (short films, documentaries and feature fiction films), including delivery of screeners, is 20 March 2015.

The extensive seminar and workshop programme featuring local and international filmmakers and industry professionals will include the 8th Talents Durban programme (17 to 21 July), in cooperation with Berlinale Talents, and the 6th Durban FilmMart (17 to 20 July), in partnership with the Durban Film Office, as well as various other streams of programming.

Specific streams of programming for 2015 will include a focus on climate change, as well as films that explore our relationship to the earth’s changing ecology. “We are very excited about receiving a wealth of challenging and high quality films from around the world,” says festival manager Peter Machen. “We also welcome engagement with current and potential partners who support the development of cinema in Africa and beyond. Such collaboration is a major part of the festival and helps to provide filmmakers and the public with a programme of brilliant films and a solid development programme.”

For more information check out the festival Submission FAQs or visit: www.durbanfilmfest.co.za or email diff@ukzn.ac.za. 

Follow the festival on Twitter (@DIFFest) and on Facebook.

The festival is hosted by the Centre for Creative Arts, University of KwaZulu-Natal and is supported by the National Film and Video Foundation, the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Economic Development and Tourism, the KwaZulu-Natal Film Commission, the City of Durban and other valued funders and partners. 

AFDA brings top international technology to Durban

AFDA brings top international technology to Durban 

There’s great excitement brewing in Durban’s film and television industry over new developments at AFDA, the South African School of Motion Picture Medium and Live Performance in Durban. The school continually strives to keep up to date with the local film industry and at the cutting edge of film-making, and their latest advances are a testament to their efforts.

AFDA Cinematography students now have access to the ARRI Alexa Classic, the film industry’s leading name in digital cameras. ARRI film and digital cameras are used by the top directors and producers in the international industry. The films 12 Years a Slave and Gravity, which won three and seven Academy Awards respectively, were both filmed on this state of the art camera. AFDA Durban students will now be fortunate enough to have the opportunity to also work with the cameras used by these Oscar winners. Many top television series have also been shot on the Alexa, such as Downton Abbey, Vampire Diaries, Game of Thrones and more. “Having the ARRI Alexa available in Durban is a huge boost for the local industry,” says Richard Green, Producer and Head of the Film School at AFDA Durban. “Our Directors of Photography will now have the most up to date and professional cameras available to them. Our students at AFDA will be working with state-of-the-art equipment and will be well trained in the use of the ARRI Alexa when setting off on their careers.” In March 2015, AFDA Durban will be receiving a second ARRI Alexa which will then also be available for outside rental to the Durban film industry at large.

Also set to bolster AFDA’s equipment arsenal is an array of top quality, industry standard, lighting gear from Southern Lighting. Southern Lighting has been supplying lighting equipment and expertise to the Film and Television industry for the past 20 years from their branches in Johannesburg, Cape Town and Lagos, Nigeria. In a new arrangement with AFDA they will now have a local base at AFDA Durban, giving AFDA students and the Durban film industry easy access to a vast supply of world class lighting gear and technical expertise. “AFDA Durban is working to grow the industry with the industry, and in doing so boost our overall film scene in KwaZulu Natal. That is why we have invited the Southern Lighting gear rental company to join us in Durban”, says Franco Human, Campus Dean and COO of AFDA Durban.

Contact AFDA Durban on 031 569 2252 or log on to www.afda.co.za for more information. You can also follow AFDA and AFDA Durban on Facebook or Twitter, @AFDADURBAN and @AFDA_FilmSchool.

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Idris Elba Visits AFDA - Durban

Idris Elba Visits AFDA - Durban

With roots in Sierra Leone, it is no surprise that the internationally acclaimed actor, producer and DJ Idris Elba feels right at home when he is on South African soil. The most recently chosen brand ambassador for Oude Meester Brandy is in the country for a few days to attend exclusive events in Cape Town, Durban and Johannesburg. Elba's commitment to his craft and his passion for connecting with others, sees him lead the  ‘Mastery in the Making’’ campaign for the Oude Meester brand along with local actor and stand up comedian Siyabonga Radebe.

Elba and Radebe are on tour to showcase and celebrate the talent, skill and pioneering spirit of South Africa’s aspiring creative entrepreneurs.

The two paid a visit to AFDA (the SA School of Motion Picture Medium and Live Performance) Durban Campus for a short Q & A session with the students last week.

Elba shared his career story and experience with the 100 odd attentive students. He explained that at 19  he joined a community college to study basic Performing Arts for 2 years and with no technical know-how he had to learn to fend for himself in a tough industry. “My friends teased me for doing ballet and wearing tights but I can tell you that those 2 years prepped me for where I am today. (It taught me that) I could fall on my knees, I could fall on my face many times and still get back and try again."

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Janet’s shot at her big time!

 

Janet's shot at her big time!

In the beginning was the Word. Without it, there is nothing! These are words to live by for the award winning short filmmaker, screenwriter and AFDA Durban scriptwriting lecturer, Janet van Eeden. She recently returned from the UK where she attended and participated at the London Screenwriters Festival (LSF) 2014 that was held October. Last year she was invited to the LSF to the Meet the Experts panel for which she pitched her feature film A Shot at the Big Time. The short promo for the feature secured a number of nominations and won at eThekwini Film Awards 2013 for Best Cinematography. The short film was chosen to be screened at the Cannes Film Festival 2014 which took place in May and support and mentorship was offered to Janet during this process by Anant and Sanjeev Singh.

This year, Janet went to the LSF to represent AFDA along with other international film schools, and to pitch her new feature project The Hyena in Petticoats. “At the London Screenwriters’ Festival, writers have just a few minutes at the Pitch Fest to convince high-ranking producers to take on their project.” explained Janet.  It is no easy task but for the South African writer, it was enough to leave tears trickling down one of the producer’s faces after pitching her new project. “It’s a very topical subject and it has resonance around this world right now more than any other film I’ve pitched before. Within one minute of me pitching to her she was in tears. She couldn’t stop crying. When our five minutes were up she told me to wait after the whole session was over and to talk to her more” Janet explained.

The AFDA Durban lecturer was selected to participate in a number of sessions that included the Legal Clinic at which she had a one-on-one discussion with the Legal Expert, Julian Wilkins, regarding copyright issues which many filmmakers fall victim to. This particular issue involved someone assuming credit for a project which was all Janet’s work.

Regarding the position of writers, “there tends to be a lack of recognition of screenwriters within the film industry”, Janet elaborated. “Directors are given full credit for making a film and the screenwriters are often not even mentioned. I think this is remiss and those directors and producers who give credit to the writers usually have an incredible film as a result”.

The biggest challenge facing South African filmmakers is funding. To produce Shot, Janet opted for crowd - funding which is a relatively new concept in the country. “Making my short film A Shot at the Big Time with crowd-funding finally made people realise that I was serious about becoming a filmmaker. Before then I’d been told by many men who were older than me at the time that “a woman your age” should not be interested in making films” she said.

This goes to show that if one has a vision and is driven by passion, boundaries are limitless. With over 18 years of experience in the industry and still going strong, telling stories on film and changing people’s lives one film at a time is what keeps Van Eeden inspired. South African filmmakers have the expertise to match anything produced internationally in all areas. Janet stresses that our audience needs to be encouraged to value local productions before watching Hollywood’s outpouring. Also there need to be ways to fund filmmakers in a more equitable manner.

There was never a moment to be idle for this talented writer at the LSF. After all she was surrounded by the likes of Ted Tally, the screenwriter of Silence of the Lambs, William Nicholson, the screenwriter of Shadowlands and Gladiator and David Reynolds, one of the writers of Finding Nemo. She recalls her best moment being a full hour spent with Paul Bassett-Davies, who has co-written many British Comedies such as Have I Got News For You, Spitting Images and many more. She described it as both useful and inspirational. “After talking through the concept of my new project, I realised the best way forward to writing the script in the most engaging way possible, thanks to his suggestions”, she said.

Janet shares her experience of working with world class talent with her students at AFDA. As part of their sessions, students have had the opportunity to skype with Lucy Hay, a writer, script editor, blogger and trained teacher who helps writers as well as Chris Jones who is a filmmaker and author of the iconic Guerrilla’s Guide to Filmmaking and the organisers of the London Film Festival. 

International festivals such as the London Screenwriters Festival grant talented people like Janet an opportunity to meet and establish relationships with like-minded individuals from different walks of life. They also present a rich foundation to gain invaluable experience coupled with a pool of networking prospects. It truly is a meeting of true minds.

For more info about the LSF go to www.londonscreenwritersfestival.com and for more info about AFDA go to www.afda.co.za.

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AFDA ANNUAL FILM FESTIVAL

AFDA Annual Film Festival

The newest campus of South Africa’s #1 School of Motion Picture Medium and Live Performance, AFDA Durban, will be presenting its annual film, television and performance festival on Saturday, 22 November at the campus in Glen Anil.

Featuring the best of third year and postgraduate student films from AFDA Johannesburg and Cape Town as well first and second year student productions from AFDA Durban, the festival will highlight the work of SA’s top future film makers and entertainers. AFDA Durban Music and Stage students will also be performing live as well as the Television School’s shows being presented in a relaxed TV lounge set up in the school’s library.

Food and beverages will be on sale to keep festival goers’ stamina up for the movie marathon they’ll be enjoying. There will also be a bar for over-18’s and an outside chill area where film watchers can take time out between screenings, grab a bite and enjoy the open mic stage where Sonic Roisin will perform at 17:00, with AFDA music students also showcasing their talents.

A once-off entry fee of R20 grants you access to the entire festival, including all screenings and live performances. The festival opens at 09:30 with the first screening at 10:00 and the last finishing by 21:00. There will be film screenings throughout the day as well as first and second year stage performances being held in the Actor’s Studio at 18:00 and 20:00 respectively, whilst the live music performances will be outside.

Contact AFDA Durban on 031 569 2252 or log on to www.afda.co.za for more information. You can also follow AFDA or AFDA Durban on Facebook or Twitter @AFDADURBAN and @AFDA_FilmSchool.

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AFDA Open Day

Media Release

AFDA Open Day November 15, 2014

The AFDA (The South African School of Motion Picture Medium and Live Performance) Durban Campus will host a Mini Open Day on 15 November 2014 from 10 to 11am at the Glen Anil Campus. Prospective students and their parents are invited to attend and will have the opportunity to learn more about what courses the campus has to offer in film, television or performance.

Boasting world class facilities and complementary staff, AFDA is listed by the Council on Higher Education as one of the top six private universities in South Africa and is world-renowned. Its history dates back to 1994 in Johannesburg with six students and a rented television set. In 20 years, AFDA has grown to become amongst the finest of its kind with three fully equipped and functioning campuses. The school has a unique learning system that provides students with authentic undergraduate and postgraduate learning environments that are relevant to career opportunities both locally and international.

The Durban Campus opened its doors in 2013 with 63 students enrolled, in 2014 the number has multiplied to 130 students. Courses offered are fully accredited Undergraduate degrees with 22 different specializations across three schools which are Film, Television and Performance.

In the Mini Open Day presentation, prospective students will receive clear details regarding courses on offer and opportunities, they will be able to watch a short film and tour the campus and mingle with students. For those 2015 prospective applicants interested, appointment slots with an AFDA staff to discuss the course futher will take place on the same day however booking in advance is advised. Learners that are currently in matric, have finished school or in grade 11 are welcome to attend with parents.

The campus is located in Glen Anil at 2a Highdale Road. The programme will begin at 10 until 11am with appointment bookings before from 9am and after until 12noon. Interested parties can contact Milena Gevers to confirm their attendance on milenag@afda.co.za or callA

RED EYE RETURNS

RED EYE RETURNS!

Initiator and creative director of Red Eye Durban, Suzy Bell, is bringing Red Eye back to Durban. Red Eye, a legendary arts project born in Durban, originally took place at the Durban Art Gallery back in 1998 and attracted record crowds who flocked to the gallery to celebrate art. It is now returning to Durban as #REDEYEDURBAN every first Friday of the month, kicking off on Friday November 7 at The Bakery in the cultural precinct of Khuzimpi Shezi Road in Umbilo from 6pm to midnight.

“There is a beautiful big fat building on the top floor of a bakery, just across the road from acclaimed artist, Andries Botha’s art studios and opposite the iconic Sugar Terminals on Durban’s harbour in downtown Umbilo. This historic building was home to the Durban Rickshaw Pullers where they originally set-up shop in the early 1900s and the original traditional Zulu Beer Hall is in nearby Dalton Road. It’s a culturally historical and wonderful, culturally-diverse community for Red Eye Durban,” said Suzy Bell, cultural activist and creative director  of this highly successful, multi-media, art-soaked project.

For the upcoming relaunch of Red Eye Durban on November 7, Bell says we can expect a celebration of art and music with Squeaky Takkie Studios doing Red Eye sound for the music line-up which includes “sublimely talented brothers and crunching hip-hop heads,” MINDCOAST ISA from Equatorial New Guinea. Also performing are THE SISTERS [of famed Black Math] with their “messy Garage-Stoner” grooves,the “super-sonic all-girl band,” THE VOLSUNGA SAGA and SATMA isicathamiya nominees, THE KHOLWA BROTHERS.”

Bell says it will get further: “flicked up” with the talented LOUD LUNGS , DJ RAWS and MVSTVBV as well as the dance crews  Amaguyz, The Goodfellas and Zoey Dudumashe.”

For Red Eye Performance Art, there’s a dark and funny performance in Mr Skaireeeee (Sibo Masondo), devised by Durban theatre legend Gisele Turner. There’s fresh comic art with Red Eye Youth from the up-and-coming talents of: Findlay ‘Rapscallion’ Atkinson,  and the well-known Deon Lange.

“There will be live graff-bombing,  light painting, and  photography and graphic art for sale. There’s kick-ass poetry and arty T-shirts and jewellery on sale as well as  fashion photography , digital films and video installations,” –enthuses Bell.

Bell’s grand idea back in 1998 was for a monthly, full-on, multi-media, culturally-diverse arts experience taking place in one space, on one night only.. Red Eye  has since travelled as a creative concept around the country and has attracted international attention as well as emulation as far afield as Chicago and Fort Lauderdale. 

“The aim now is to further stimulate Durban’s creative community into a creative economy,” said Bell. “In 2015 we want to run creative and arts marketing workshops under Red Eye mentors and then create a Red Eye App as a tool to market ourselves professionally.. The idea is to empower young emerging artists to create their own creative projects, brand more professionally and generally offer a higher standard of art as merchandise to the buying public,” she added. 

“Red Eye , together with numerous arts activations happenings in the city, will actively work towards Durban becoming one of the most creative and liveable cities in the world,” concludes Bell. 

RedEyeDurban takes place on Friday 7 November 2014 from 6pm to midnight at The Bakery, 106 Khuzimpi Shezi, formerly Williams Road. Tickets: R100  Webtickets.co.za  or R100 at the door / students with card: R80.Children 12 and under enjoy free entrance. Family-friendly time: 6 - 8pm. Early bird parking for 80 vehicles inside. Security provided. Food on sale and The Winston run a cash bar. HOW TO GET THERE: Taxi: The Workshop catch Umbilo 7 taxi. Hop off on Blake Road, walk down towards the Harbour, turn right into Khuzimpi Shezi, formerly Williams Road and The Bakery is 20 metres down on the RHS.

 For more info online: Facebook: RedEyeDurban Twitter: @RedEyeDurban   Google Plus: RedEyeDurban Instagram: RedEyeDurban  Artists may send their artist bios for future Red Eye Durban participation or to become a member to: suzybell@redeyedurban.com. 

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Flatfoot Dance Company Summer School

Flatfoot Dance Company Summer School

The award winning Flatfoot Dance Company will host its second annual four day dance Summer School from 16-19 December 2014. This intensive Summer School is aimed at pushing the technical skills of dancers in the contemporary idiom and will allow dancers (still training or already professional) to work in an environment with skilled choreographers, teachers and workshop facilitators.

“This is an opporutnity for dancers to have great fun, get themselevs into shape and open up to a life changing dance experience.” says  Lliane Loots, Artistic Director of the company. Dancers will be nurtured and supported as they take on the challenge of dancing for four full days with Flatfoot Dance Company. The Summer School is designed for dancers from the age of twelve and upwards, and “all levels of ability are welcome”, assures Loots. All dancers will receive a certificate of attendance and participation on completion of the 2014 Summer School.

The technical dance training will work in Flatfoot’s own ‘African Release Technique’, which is “a confluence of Graham, Hawkins, Horton and the American Skinner Release Technique”, explains Loots. Dancers who participate in the full programme will also work on choreography towards a performance at the end of the four days. The Summer Intensive Teaching Team from the Flatfoot Dance Company includes Lliane Loots, Clare Craighead, Sifiso Khumalo, Sifiso Majola, Julia Wilson, Jabu Siphika and Zinhle Nzama.

There are two levels at which dancers can participate in the programme. The first option is the full four day Summer School Programme which will run from 9:30am to 3pm across the four days. There is also a second option to partake only in the four morning technique classes which will run each day from 9:30am – 11:15am.

The Summer School will take place at the Flatfoot Dance Studio and Square Space Theatre, both of which are on UKZN’s Howard College Campus, Durban. The cost of the full programme is R520 and the option of only the four technique classes is R320. Applicants must contact Clare Craighead on 082 875 6065 or craighead@ukzn.ac.za (in the subject line type “summer school”) to secure their place for either Option 1 or 2 in Flatfoot’s Intensive Summer School.

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