EL CANTANTE - Cito sings Spanish favourites at Le Canard

A first of its kind for SA audiences: renowned singer Cito presents a programme of his Spanish favourites, proudly hosted by Le Canard's Supper Club on Friday 16th November at 7pm.

Back by popular demand, now with his brand new show; “Cito – El Cantante” (the singer), Cito heads back to his Puerto Rican roots, performing his unique acoustic versions of the Spanish classics that he grew up listening to.

Cito was born in Los Angeles, California and most of his childhood was spent in an Hispanic community in Queens, New York City. Both parents influenced Cito with their musical abilities - especially his Puerto Rican mother who sang and played Spanish guitar.

Now living in South Africa since his teens, Cito is best known as the frontman of the legendary award-winning rock band, WONDERboom; currently celebrating their 16th year on the local music scene. Showcasing his diversity in recent years, Cito has had media and audiences alike raving at his heart-stopping portrayal of Jesus in the hit musical Jesus Christ Superstar; Frederick Trumper in Chess - The Musical and more recently singing Queen's music in Queen at the Ballet.

Performing alongside Cito in Cito – El Cantante will be guitarist extraordinaire; 12-time SAMA nominee MARTIN SCHOFIELD - founding member, alongside Cito, of WONDERboom, and has notched up many other accolades including most recently being the MD of the 2012 SAMA Awards as well as Idols SA Season 8. One of Martin's favourite sayings is "You make music with people, the notes come later" and its on this basis that he's thrilled to be partnering with long-time friend and fellow musician to explore an ongoing desire of his to go out of his comfort zone to perform music hispanically.

And with Cito also on guitar, audiences will be provided an evening of pure delight, seeing these two seasoned performers, in this intimate setting as never before.

The rhythms and styles of tango, mambo, tejano, mariachi and traditional folklorica are included in the musical line-up. Pop favourites presented in Cito’s unique arrangements include Cielito Lindo, La Bamba, Besame Mucho, Cancion del Mariachi, En Mi Viejo San Juan, El Cuarto de Tula, Mi Tierra (Gloria Estefan) and Sobrevivire (I Will Survive)

Says Cito, "These classics are part of my best childhood memories, singing them around our home constantly but have never performed them on stage before."

He continues; "I'm thrilled to be back at one of my favourite venues, Le Canard, ready to head outside my comfort zone and perform these songs to an audience for the very first time. I think that my mother would be proud. I'm nervous and excited at the same time; I can't wait!"

Chet Diepraam of Le Canard adds to the air of excitement, “We have had quite a few “firsts” this year, and this Supper Club event in particular is going to be quite special. Nervous energy and professionalism of these entertainers and the sexy Latin French cuisine will present an exceptional and avant-garde evening. Olé!”

A specially prepared 4-course menu of Spanish Latin influence, with choices, will be enjoyed by diners. Expect a few passionate red chilli notes mixed with cool salsa surprises, but still keeping the French influence of Le Canards award-winning kitchen, with guidance from Chef Patron Freda Appelbaum.

The exclusive wine partner for the event is award-heavy Graham Beck Estate, beginning with the luscious Brut Rose, then a selection of the Game Reserve range in proud support of Cito’s rhino-awareness and Peace Starts "Pledge for Peace" campaign.

Friday 16 November 2012, 7pm

Tickets for the soiree are at R390, and are all inclusive of dinner, wines and show.

Bookings are on 011 884 4597 or lecanard@icon.co.za

The Pirates of Penzance - Back by popular demand for the festive season!

Gilbert and Sullivan’s most loved light comic opera, THE PIRATES OF PENZANCE, gets a serious overhaul in this hilarious bonsai production.

It will be back by popular demand at the Old Mutual Theatre on the Square with a stellar cast from the 20th November for the festive season. The production will star
David Dennis, Michael Richard, Jonathan Taylor, Keaton Ditchfield and Kevin Kraak (musical director). With just five men, one pianist and a whole lot of dresses, eye patches and swashbuckling, director Greg Homann brings this witty theatrical masterpiece to life.

Originally written for a full orchestra and a cast of thirty plus, now, this never before seen, reduced version, takes the satire and the comedy to its extreme. This is entertainment for young and old.

Don’t miss “Poor Wondering One”, “I am the very model of a modern Major-General", "Hail, Poetry", “When the foeman bares his steel (Tarantara! Tarantara!)” and the other favorites, sung with all the gusto (and falsetto) that an all-star cast of men can muster.

Bring your friends, school, family, colleagues or clients. There are special group bookings discounts and on Tuesdays nights tickets are two for the price of one!

End of Year parties, fundraisers and dinner show packages and can also be arranged. Performances are at 8.15 for Tues – Fri and 2 shows on Saturdays at 6pm and 8.30.

Bookings can be made by calling the theatre on tel. 011-883-8606 or Strictly Tickets on 082 553 5901 or book on-line – www.strictlytickets.com or www.theatreonthesquare.co.za

Olivier Latry, ‘rock star’ of the organ world, coming to Joburg

Frenchman Olivier Latry, considered one of the most remarkable organists of his generation, will be casting his musical spell during the next installment of the St George’s Anglican Church organ concert series.

On Thursday, 15 November 2012 and Friday, 16 November 2012, Latry will perform identical concerts at St George’s in Parktown at 7.30pm. He will give another concert, featuring different repertoire, at St Mary’s Anglican Cathedral in central Johannesburg on Saturday, 17 November 2012, also at 7.30pm.

St George’s has scored a major coup in securing the services of the in-demand Latry (50), who has been hailed as the “rock star” of the pipe organ world. As the “titulaire” or chief organist of Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris, he is held in high esteem as a superb player, particularly of French music, and is renowned for his extraordinary ability to improvise in a wide variety of styles.

This knack for creating aural fireworks on the spot will be put to the test during his performance on the grand organ at St Mary’s, which will include an improvisation in symphonic style on a theme that will be handed to him at the end of the concert. Also on the programme is the entire Fifth Symphony by Widor, from which the popular Toccata comes.

At St George’s, apart from Bach’s achingly beautiful chorale prelude for Lent, O Mensch, bewein’ dein’ Sünde groß, and his Fantasia and Fugue in G minor, the programme will feature music by French composers including two of Latry’s predecessors at Notre Dame, Louis Vierne (died 1937) and Pierre Cochereau (died in 1984 and succeeded by Latry).

There will also be a movement from Marcel Dupré’s Symphonie-Passion, which was conceived as an improvisation in a most unlikely location: on the largest organ in the world at the Wanamaker Store in Philadelphia, USA. As with his St Mary’s performance, Latry will end his concerts at St George’s by improvising, in exhilarating style, on a popular theme that will be handed to him there and then.

These concerts are the third in a series of four by world-renowned concert organists that St George’s Church is presenting to celebrate the installation of its impressive new Rieger organ. Incidentally, the change in the style of organs being built by Rieger is, to a large extent, due to Latry’s influence: he persuaded the firm to introduce a warmer sound to its instruments alongside the more classical voicing that most music aficionados are familiar with.

It was through Latry that Frenchman Michel Garnier, who voiced the organ for St George’s, joined Rieger. It is therefore apt that Latry has been invited to perform on the new organ, in addition to playing at St Mary’s Cathedral.

Endowed with a natural gift for music, Latry was only 19 when he was appointed organist at Meaux Cathedral. At age 23 he won a competition to become one of the three titular organists at Notre Dame, and in 1990 he succeeded his teacher, the renowned blind French organist Gaston Litaize, as an organ professor at the Academy of Music at St Maur-des-Fossés. In 1995 he became organ professor at the Paris Conservatory, a position he still holds.

Having performed in more than 50 countries on five continents, Latry considers himself an ambassador of 17th- to 20th-century French organ music, and also has a particular interest in contemporary music.

In addition to his concerts and teaching, Latry has made his mark through recordings and has several CDs to his credit. Among his many accolades is being named “International Performer of the year” by the American Guild of Organists in 2009. He was also awarded a Fellowship “Honoris Causa” from the North and Midlands School of Music in 2006, from the Royal College of Organists in 2007 and from the McGill University in Montreal in 2010.

Booking for Olivier Latry’s concerts on 15, 16 and 17 November 2012 is open at Computicket.



For enquiries about the concerts at St George’s only, please phone (011) 482-1606, or email music@stgeorges.co.za. 


For enquiries about the concert at St Mary’s Cathedral, please email Sidney.Place@worldonline.co.za. For the performance at St Mary’s Cathedral on 17 November 2012, free ‘park-and-ride’ buses will run between the Wits Education Campus (the Linder Auditorium) in St Andrew’s Road from 6.30 p.m.

French Connections exhibition a tour de force

If it is a collection of art par excellence that you are after, look no further than French Connections, an exhibition from the collection of the Johannesburg Art Gallery (JAG).

This exhibition of works from JAG’s French collection, is the result of negotiations between JAG and l’Institut Français d’Afrique du Sud as part of the France-South Africa Seasons 2012 and 2013.

The exhibition is a pièce de résistance. It consists of historically significant work from the crème de la crème of French artists, from Claude Monet to Paul Cézanne and Henri Matisse. It aims to investigate a very specific time and place in a developmental era in European history, and looks at the precursors of Impressionism, Impressionism, Post-Impressionism and other alternate methods of visual expression from 1830 to the 20th century.

Included are 19th Century French painter Claude Monet and Alfred Sisley as well as Auguste Rodin; Romantics, such as Eugene Delacroix, Eugène Boudin and the Barbizon School (Charles-Francois Daubigny, Narcisse Virgilio Diaz de la Pena, Camille Corot, Henri-Joseph Harpignies, Jean-Francois Millet); Realism artists such as Edouard Manet, Gustave Courbet and Honoré Daumier; and Impressionists included in this exhibition include Edgar Hilaire Degas, Jean-Baptiste Armand Guillaumin, Berthe Morisot, Camille Pissaro and Pierre-Auguste Renoir. The list of Post-Impressionists contained in the collection include Paul Gauguin, Paul Cézanne, Henri Matisse and Andre Derain.

Also included are several very important artists with French connections: Francis Bacon for example, is an Irish-born British figurative painter who spent time in Paris and was deeply influenced by French artist Nicolas Poussin and Picasso’s 1927 exhibition at the Galerie Paul Rosenberg (Paris). JAG owns an exquisite collection of artworks by the Post–Impressionist artist Toulouse-Lautrec and these will be displayed in one of the smaller separate galleries. Picasso was Spanish-born but his career also unfolded in Paris. The controversial Harlequin will be on display alongside 13 other pieces by the artist.

Gerard Sekoto, who left South Africa to live in Paris under self-imposed exile, worked in France from 1947. He is recognised as the pioneer of urban black art and social realism. An area of the exhibition space is dedicated to this influential South African Modernist.

The exhibition opens on 28 October 2012 and will run until 10 March 2013. Entrance is free.

The gallery is located on King George Street, between Wolmarans and Noord street in the Joubert Park, Johannesburg.

For more information and updates, follow the Johannesburg Art Gallery on Facebook (JAG) and twitter @artthisway.

JPO in financial distress, starts business rescue proceedings

The board of the Johannesburg Philharmonic Orchestra has declared the JPO to be in financial distress and has voluntarily started business rescue proceedings.

The board took the resolution on October 19 on the grounds that it appears to be unlikely that the orchestra will be able to pay its debts for the next six months. However, the board described the prospect that the company will be rescued as “reasonable”. This resolution was filed with the CIPC on 23 October 2012.

In terms of Section 129 of the Companies Act 71 of 2008, the JPO will be placed under supervision of a business rescue practitioner. The Board has nominated, Sikkie Kajee, as the business rescue practitioner in terms of Section 129 (3) of the act, and we await the approval of his appointment by the CIPC.

“The board of the JPO took a formal resolution to start business rescue proceedings,” said managing director, Shadrack Bokaba. “The board and I are confident that this financial situation will turn around within the next three to six months”.

It was anticipated that funding would be provided by the Department of Arts and Culture, based on undertakings given by the department. The board has also applied to the National Lottery Distribution Trust Fund for an allocation in 2012. Based on the historical commitment by the fund, it is anticipated that these funds will be approved and allocated during the course of the year. In addition, the orchestra is increasing its fund-raising activities for further funding.

Meanwhile, the JPO is forging ahead with its fourth symphony season of 2012. Programme for this week includes the Holberg Suite by Grieg, the Sibelius violin concerto featuring Svetlin Roussev as soloist and Schumann’s fourth Symphony. Next week will see popular South African pianist, Ben Schoeman performing Rachmaninov’s Rhapsody on a theme of Paganini and ending with Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 6 . These concerts will be conducted by Maestro Robert Maxym. Tickets are available through Computicket.

Peoples Theatre presents Disney’s The Little Mermaid JR

Fishing for something to do this holiday with your kids? Join the Little Mermaid, Ariel, and her fishy friends under the sea for a fintastic adventure at the popular People's Theatre in Joburg. Summer time is the season of sun, sea and sand, and if you can't make it to the beach (even if you can) then let your kids immerse themselves in this enchanting production based on the classic fairy tale by Hans Christian Andersen providing perfect entertainment, as they watch the story of the bubbly little mermaid, Ariel, come to life.

Ariel is played by Alexandra and Isabella Snyman. Alexandra made her People's Theatre debut in the 2011 production of Beauty and the Beast, and played the role of Miss Pepper in the Gingerbread Man 2. Her sister Isabella has appeared in numerous People's Theatre productions including The Jungle Book, Alice in Wonderland and The Gingerbread Man 2. Alexandra and Isabella alternate in the role of Ariel, who dreams of living in the human world, meeting a prince, falling in love, and living happily ever after.

But the “seaweed isn't always greener in somebody else’s lake”, and if she's serious about making her dreams reality, she'll have to defy her father King Triton (Sipho Hlongwane, who hails from the Eastern Cape and has performed extensively locally and internationally), make a deal with the evil sea witch Ursula (Sanelisiwe Jobodwana), and convince Prince Eric (Reynard Slabbert, who recently appeared in Ester the musical, Aladdin, 7de Laan and the movies Wolf Wolf, a 100m Leeloop and Babalaar) that she’s the girl with the enchanting voice that he fell in love with. Prince Eric’s sidekick, Grimsby (Kefilwe Mohlabane, who is a third-year drama student at Tshwane University of Technology) is committed to finding the right girl for Prince Eric.

Audiences will remember Sanelisiwe Jobodwana as Mrs Rabbit, Mrs McGregor and Mrs Tiggywinkle, from the People's production of Peter Rabbit and Other Tales in September and October. The Afda College graduate (Jobodwana studied a BA in live performance) made her stage debut in 21 Poets and a Poem, which played at the Fringe theatre in 2011, and returns to give King Triton grey hair as Ursula.

Emmanuelle Girard joins the cast as loveable crab Sebastian. The popular actress, who holds a master's degree in performing arts from Lumière University Lyon 2 in France, has appeared in 12 People's Theatre productions, and in addition to many cabaret performances around the world, lists The King and I, Janice Honeyman's Snow White (Miss Passionella Porky), and Magenta in the Rocky Horror Picture Show. Sebastian is joined by his quirky friends who try their best to help Ariel make her dreams come true.

The Little Mermaid is directed by People's Theatre Jill Girard and Keith Smith, who have brought all the classics to life, most recently, Peter Rabbit and Other Tales and The Jungle Book. The skilled Marius Boshoff designed the set and the gorgeous costumes are made by Linda Wilson. The cast and crew are delighted to welcome the celebrated Heidi Edeling, master vocal coach for Idols South Africa, to the team. Another newcomer is Ian Mills, choreographer and performance mentor from the United Kingdom. Mills trained with the National Youth Theatre in London and has worked with Arleen Phillips, Trevor Nunn and Lord Andrew Lloyd Webber.

The full list of cast members is Arial: Alexandra and Isabella Snyman; Emmanuelle Girard as Sebastian; Sipho Hlongwane as King Triton and Chef Louis; Sanelisiwe Jobodwana as Ursula; Reynard Slabbert as Prince Eric; Kefilwe Mohlabane as Grimsby and Flotsam; Danira Coleman as Jetsom, Carlotta and Mer Sister; Flounder: Kian DuPreez, Jaydene Marais or Skye Gilmore; Scuttle and Mer Sister: Amy Van der Hooven and Katia Dias. Seahorse: Jude du Preez and Calin Nagoor; Mersister: Raphaela Nicolettis.

The Little Mermaid is showing at the People’s Theatre, Joburg Theatre Complex, 5 November to 23 December 2012.

Performance times are as follows: school terms Monday to Friday 09h00 & 11h00; Saturday, Government School Holidays & certain Sundays 10h30 & 14h30. Tickets cost R99.

To book call Andrew or Lorraine on 011 403 1563/2340 or visit www.joburgtheatre.com. For more information visit www.peoplestheatre.co.za.

FNB Gauteng Diwali Festival: A Festival of Many Activities

If you are a fan of excellent food, vibrant colours, wonderful music and dance, and great entertainment, then, don't miss out on the FNB Diwali Festival on the 3 November 2012.

This is the fourth year that the South African Hindu Maha Sabha (SAHMS) has hosted the FNB Gauteng Diwali Festival in Newtown's Mary Fitzgerald Square and the theme for 2012 is ‘The World is One Family’ which coincides with the SAHMS celebrating its 100th year.

“The celebration of Diwali is one way of promoting awareness of the Indian culture to other communities and integrating Indian cultural activities into the broader South African community,” says Jayespri Moopen, Festival Director.

The festival kicks off at 10am with a Havan ceremony. More than 180 artists will participate in the day’s activities. The morning will be filled with vibrant colour, as children create a giant Rangoli, a decorative floor design and enter a clay lamp painting competition.

“The giant Rangoli, a Sanskrit word that means a creative expression of art through the use of colour, will be done on the square for all who attend to paint in colourful powders and share this feeling of togetherness. Rangoli is also an integral part of Diwali celebrations,” explained Moopen.

Entertainment highlights include the Adivasi Sidi Dhamal Goma Dance group from Gujerat. Dhamal is a unique dance form of the Sidi community. Also featured will be the Soweto henna artists and the Soweto Marimba Youth League, as well as Fire dancers and Drummers.

A fireworks display will complete the day’s extensive line –up. This year the spectacular fireworks display is put together by world champion pyrotechnician Bonnie Pon. Other highlights consist of the various dance groups from across the region showcasing their talents as well as a raffle announcement of the four tickets to Dubai from Serendipity tours and an after party hosted by DJ Zuby.

The festival of lights would not be complete without all the various retail and food stalls. The retail stalls offer everything from DVDs and CDs to Indian attire and religious books at special festival prices.

“The Diwali theme of 'The World is One Family' will resonate in the hearts of all who attend the Diwali celebrations through the exciting active and interactive programme of music, dance and songs,” concludes Sinthal Ramiah, President of the Gauteng Branch of the South African Hindu Maha Sabha.

Entrance to the FNB Gauteng Diwali Festival is free, so be sure to bring the whole family for a delightful day out.

Ample street parking is available in and around Newtown. Free parking is also available at the driving school area across the Nelson Mandela Bridge, and at the Oriental Plaza from 5pm – with a free shuttle service to and from Mary Fitzgerald Square. Visitors can also park for a minimal fee at 1 Central Place, on the corner of Jeppe and Henry Nxumalo streets in Newtown. Visit www.sahms.org.za for more information.

The South African Hindu Maha Sabha would like to thank the following partners for their invaluable support of the FNB Gauteng Diwali Festival: Sutra Magazine

Post, Gauteng Rising Sun, Eastern Mosaic/SABC 2, Serendipity Tours, JYM Sound & Lighting, Thava Indian Restaurant and M TBO, African Mediums Advertising

SUPPORT BANDS FOR “THE DRUMS” GIGS ANNOUNCED

“The Drums”, the Indie Band from Brooklyn that will be hitting our shores this November, for the adidas Orignals Live Performances Series Part Three, are to be joined on stage by the hottest local bands in South Africa, “Black Handed Kites”, “The Future Primitives” and “Desmond & the Tutus”.

“Desmond & the Tutus” play an infectiously awesome blend of Rock 'n Roll and Indie Kwela Pop. Formed in Johannesburg in 2005, the band is made up of Doug Bower on guitar, Nic Dinnie on Bass and brothers Shane and Craig Durrant on vocals and drums respectively. The Tutus strong live show quickly developed a sizeable local following from the start and the band have since played shows all over the globe including Japan, France, Sweden and the UK. Debut album ‘Tuckshop’ was released in 2008, followed by the ‘& The’ EP in 2009. The band recently released their second full-length album - ‘MNUSIC’. The single off MNUSIC, Zim Zala Bim made it to NO.1 of the 5FM top 40.

Teejay Terblanche and Richard Onraet are the passionate musos behind “Black Handed Kites” and describe their music as “no hassle straight forward music to love and listen to”. Their single ‘Up’ resulted in one of the most epic, yet humble, YouTube videos we have seen in a long time.

Cape Town Rock ‘n Roll band “The Future Primitives”, namely Johnny Tex, Heino Retief and Warren Fischer, have released a music video for their track ‘Try On Something That’s Really You’. The Future Primitives play a blend of experimental garage rock, drawing influence from early rock n roll, rockabilly, surf, garage and first era psychedelic groups.

Headline act and Indie Sensation “The Drums” initially caught the ear of the indie world with their Summertime! EP. It was an escapist collection of beach pop fantasies; tracks suffused with a wistful longing nostalgia that never pandered to cheap sentimentality. Their rise, particularly in the UK, was meteoric. Their self-titled debut LP, released in June 2012, was bifurcated into a first half dedicated to more upbeat pop songs, and a second half revealing a darker, more introspective side of the band. A resounding success, the album has sold 200,000 copies globally to date (90,000 in the UK alone) and found the band touring relentlessly, playing triumphant sold out gigs worldwide throughout 2010 and 2011. Their latest album, titled ‘Portamento’, released just 14 months after their debut, reveals a band tugging lightly at the boundaries of their sound while still retaining their recognisable sonic signatures – sweet rushes of melody, winsome lyrics, and brittle synthesiser sheens colliding with wiry Spector-esque guitar and bass lines.



Videos:

The Drums – Money:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=IqYgNiZdfh4

The Drums – Let’s Go Surfing:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8dBv4i0dXUc&feature=relmfu



Tour dates and line-up for South Africa:



Johannesburg:

Date: Friday, 16 November

Line-up: The Drums

Desmond & the Tutus

Black Handed Kites



Cape Town:

Date: Saturday, 17 November

Line-up: The Drums

Desmond & the Tutus

The Future Primitives



Tickets

General Admission – R350

Group Purchase – Five for the Price of Four R1400

Tickets available at Webtickets: http://www.webtickets.co.za/weareawesome/

Johannesburg Philharmonic Orchestra in Financial Distress

Last night, under the baton of maestro Robert Maxym, the Johannesburg Philharmonic Orchestra (JPO) played like any other great orchestra in the world. It thus is a scandal today to learn that JPO is in financial distress and has started business rescue proceedings! Business rescue allows companies in financial distress to be rehabilitated under supervision and subject to a court order. The media ...

statement says, politely, that the Department of Arts and Culture is expected to provide funding, based on its undertakings, which, translated into straightforward non-PR non-bullshit English simply means that the department has not honoured its commitments to the orchestra - it is the same department that had not honoured its commitments to the aborted tour by the Cuban National Ballet this year! Then - now wait for this - the JPO statement goes on to say that it has applied to the National Lottery for a 2012 funding allocation. Am I missing something? If the JPO had applied for its 2012 funding and we are about to wave 2012 goodbye then surely that means the Lotto has not paid out - yet again! South Africans are being defrauded by the employees of the State and those given the task running the national Lotteries. If not the money itself then those employees at the very they are stealing the time they are being paid for to provide a service.