The Festival will begin with a colourful launch hosted by the City of Joburg at Theatre Park on the 1st September. Celebrating a multitude of events supported by The City of Joburg including, Spring Day, Arbour Day, Casual Day and Heritage Month Celebrations. The Events showcased on the day include exhibitions and or performances by Arts Alive events like Jazz on the Lake (also turning 25 years old) the African Crafts Market, Joy of Jazz, Eldos Jazz, Soweto Heritage Festival and so much more. The Festival will run until the last show on the 28th Sept, which is a Tribute to the late Thandi Klaasen by the cast of the hit musical Divas of Kofifi and featuring Dorothy Masuka and Abigail Kubeka.
Arts Alive 2017 programme:
2 – 3 September, Jozi Book Fair, Newtown precinct, Mary Fitzgerald Square, FREE
Activities range from Literature, Roundtable discussions, Seminars, Workshops, Children’s programme, Theatre, Film, Poetry, Live Jazz, Publisher Exhibitions & book sales and art Exhibitions.
For more info: www.jozibookfair.org.za
2 September, Launch: For Future Generations – Hugh Tracy and The International Library of African Music, Museum Africa, Time: 5pm, FREE
The exhibition draws on Hugh Tracy’s vast collection of musical items and work which are housed in the International Library of African Music (ILAM). It showcases a diverse collection of ingenious African music, songs, legends and stories of various African societies.
For more info: Thabo Seshoka 011 833 5624 ThaboSe@joburg.org.za
3 September, Jazz on the Lake, Zoo Lake, Time: 11am – 5.30pm, FREE
Surrounding roads will be closed off. Concert goers are encouraged to use the free Metro Park and Ride buses. No weapons. No braais. No alcohol, no glass bottles and no hard cooler boxes allowed into the concert venue. Only collapsible cooler bags allowed. Food and drinks (alcoholic and non-alcoholic) will be for sale at the beer garden at affordable prices.
Park & Ride: Free Metro Bus rides from Metro Centre, Loveday Street, Braamfontein and Marks Park, Emmarentia from 9.30am onwards to Zoo Lake, returning late afternoon.
Celebrating turning 25 years old of Jazz on the Lake. Featuring Zonke, Queen Cora (Cora C Coleman-Dunham), former drummer for Beyoncé and Prince), Nduduzo Makhathini, Amanda Black, Sibongile Khumalo, Jamaican Dancehall/Reggae singer and actress Alaine and legendary sax player Dean Fraser.
For more info: Facebook Page Arts Alive, Joburg International Arts Festival
4 September, Masterclass Music Workshop, National School of the Arts, 2.30pm- 5.30pm, FREE
Internationally acclaimed drummer Queen Cora, technical director Dave Hampton and the Keyboard player and singer Britany Bloom, will be doing a clinic on music and a talk on musical careers.
Enquiries & bookings: urbanart10@gmail.com
9 September, Ruimsig Youth Event, Ruimsig Stadium, FREE
2 September we will host auditions for this event at the Cosmo Multipurpose Centre from 10am-2pm. And on the 9th the new Joburg Theatre truck will be used to feature a programme using the talented youth from the audition as well as experience party veterans Twins on Deck. Programme will include music, dance and poetry.
For more info: www.arts-alive.co.za
8-10 September, The South African Book Fair 2017, Museum Africa, Newtown
A reflective and representative showcasing of African culture and literature, SABF will be incorporated into the successful and annual National Book Week. The fair will have three key elements for Exhibition, Literary Programmes and a Business to Business Programme.
For more info: www.southafricanbookfair.co.za
13-16 September, The 5th International African Women Writers Symposium, Braamfontein, Joburg Theatre, The Fringe, FREE
This will be the 5th annual year of the symposium with Talks, Performances, Poetry, Workshops and Music. The aim is to celebrate the achievements of women authors and to offer women a tangible platform to a) shape the road ahead not only through their writing but in collective projects that can build intra-Africa relations, b) enhance literary relations with women of African descent residing in diaspora and c) offer their own understanding and analysis of the African condition especially.
Enquiries & bookings: urbanart10@gmail.com
13-15 September, Masterclass Writing Workshops as Part of the African Women International Writers Symposium, Braamfontein, Joburg Theatre, The Fringe, FREE
Internationally and nationally renowned authors, writers and poets give workshops to develop writers of all ages. These workshops are open to the public but bookings are essential as space is limited.
Enquiries & bookings: urbanart10@gmail.com
16 September, Urban Clash Concert, Braamfontein, Joburg Theatre, Sappi Park, Time: 12noon to 9pm, FREE
Featuring Kwesta, Lady Zamar, A Reece, Rouge, Sjava, Stilo Magolide, Miss Pru and many more… The artists then get on stage and do their best to represent their art form, be it street arts, dance music, dj’ing, rapping, singing and results in a mash up of entertainment. The Urban Clash Concert will also utilise the new Metro Piazza with activities for the kids.
For more info: www.joburgtheatre.com
16 September, Voices of Acapella, Braamfontein, Joburg Theatre, The Fringe, Time: 8pm, Entrance Fee: R100
Featuring: In celebration and memory of some of South Africa’s most original acapella voices of imbube and isicathamiya, comes the modern versioning of this vocal harmonious talent, giving rise to hip young bands such as award-winning band The Soil, Complete and Danish collaborators The Baobab Sisters. These three sensational groups will be presenting a night of harmony like never seen before.
Enquiries & bookings: www.joburgtheatre.com
23 September, Alex Cultural Day, The New Alex Mall, Time: 10.30am – 6.30pm, FREE
Featuring: Roots 2000, Urban Village, Afrikan Roots, and features mainly local Alex artists including dancers, musicians and djs. The Theatre Truck will also be used at the event together with a separate stage.
For more info: urbanart10@gmail.com
23 & 24 September, Soweto Heritage Festival, Jabulani Amphitheatre, Soweto Theatre, FREE
Launch of Jabulani Amphitheatre, on the 23 Sept, with a Maskandi Festival. However, both days will only include a Traditional Dance Competition with guest judges. There will be sepata and kgabosereto dancing, singing, drumming, supporting music genres like marabi, mbaqanga, isicathamiya. There will be a craft market as well as the 7 Colours Soweto Food market. For more info: www.sowetotheatre.com
24 September, The Eldos Jazz “Live” Cookout, Time: 12noon to 5pm, Entrance Fee: R50
This concert will be staged by the Eldos Music and Arts organisation in partnership with Arts Alive. Artists from within and outside of Eldos will participate.
For more info: Facebook Page Eldos Arts n Jazz Festival
28 September, Divas of Kofifi: A Tribute to Thandi Klaasen, Braamfontein, Joburg Theatre, The Fringe, Time 8pm, Entrance Fee: R100
This double-bill pays tribute to three of South Africa’s musical icons: The late Thandi Klaasen. Special guests Dorothy Masuka and Abigail Kubeka will be taking this soulful journey down memory lane together with a 12 piece band.
For more info: www.joburgtheatre.com
