Friday, 15 November 2013

Neil's BEAT Column in The Mercury 15 Nov 2013



Being currently involved in a music development program, I am only too aware of how desperate our musicians are for viable platforms to perform on. Without much marketing effort the Concerts SA program at the Rainbow Restaurant in Pinetown was oversubscribed within no time.
            The Playhouse Company will be holding auditions for next years’ Test Drive program on 12 and 13 December. Applications for audition slots open on Monday and will close on 6 December. Contact Khulekani Kunene on 031 369 9440 during business hours to apply.
            Talking development, coming up on Tuesday 3 December at the BAT Centre, is a workshop entitled Introduction to Marketing, targeted at musicians, managers of music venues or groups and music promoters across all mediums and genres at any level of experience. It is presented by Concerts SA and the Arts and Culture Trust under the auspices of the SAMRO Foundation.
            The workshops will be facilitated by cultural practitioner, music researcher and academic, Brett Pyper. Pyper’s broad-based marketing and entrepreneurial knowledge, coupled with his specialised research and experience in the discipline of music, will ensure that participants gain an understanding of the importance of innovative marketing endeavors for the arts.
            With limited space, you have until 21 November to apply via http://tinyurl.com/pfn4kdx or by contacting Karabo Legoabe on 011 712 8410 or karabo@act.org.za
            Today:
Yum Yum presents Local Motion at Uber Zulu, 295 Florida Road. The key element to this event is surfboard art created by eight of Durban’s top artists, which goes on display from 6pm at an invite only exhibition opening. This is followed by the Local Motion party from 8pm, which is open to all at a ticket price of R50. Proceeds from the sale of the jazzed up surfboards goes to the Umthombo Street Children charity, which uses surfing as a means to reintegrate abandoned and homeless children into healthy social activities.
            Summer Blues Friday at Live – The Venue, Matthews Meyiwa (Stamford Hill) Road features Bobby and the Dynamites, Gloucester Blues Project and East Coast Basement Blues Band. Music from 7:30pm and entrance is R50. Info on 084 510 3107.
            Carita Mottian Band at Jazzy Rainbow, Smiso Nkwanyana (Goble) Road, Morningside. Doors open 7pm and entrance is R60.
            The Incidentals at Amsterdam Bar, Helen Joseph (Davenport) Road, Glenwood from 8pm, free entrance.
            Charismatic, award-winning chanteuse Danièle Pascal hits the East Coast over the next two weeks with a jam-packed program. The Songs of Edith Piaf is the show at the Rhumbelow Theatre, Cunningham Avenue off Bartle Road, Umbilo from 8pm tonight. Tickets for all Rhumbelow shows (Durban and Pietermaritzberg) listed are R100 and can be booked via Computicket or 082 499 8636 or roland@stansell.za.net
            Tomorrow:
The Kickstands at Wahooz on the promenade in front of uShaka Marine World from 12pm, free entrance and dependent on weather conditions.
            Salty Dog at Beach Bums, Casuarina Beach, Westbrook from 1pm. Table bookings on 032 943 1132.
            Sheila Mkhize and her eight-piece band project Sheila Da Blue Note at Rainbow Restaurant, Stanfield Lane, Pinetown on the Concerts SA development program. Free entrance, info on 083 463 8044.
            There is a Roller Derby happening at Hillcrest Primary from around 6pm with the after party heading down to the Winston Pub, Clark Road, Glenwood and kicking off at 9pm. Free entrance if you were at the derby, otherwise R20. Performing are Dirty Royal and Load Shedders.
            Danièle Pascal with The French Affair from 8pm at Rhumbelow Theatre, Umbilo.
            Sunday:
The World Day of Remembrance is held on the third Sunday of November to remember those killed in road accidents. Kicking off from 10am on the Imbizo Lawns of Moses Mabhida Stadium you will find the regular I Heart Durban market plus a Bos Ice Tea acoustic music stage hosting John Ellis, Veranda Panda, The Incidentals, Badyn and Iris and the Tokoloshe. Lots of other activities that sound like they will make a good day out for the family, whilst at the same ramming home an anti-drunk driving message.
            Talking of new music platforms, it has taken me a while but I have managed to unravel what Music in the Meadow is all about. Might I give the people behind it a small nudge to consider the marketing workshop coming up? Anyway, Music in the Meadow takes place at Fig Tree Farm, Inanda Road from 3pm. The first ninety minutes is dedicated to the open mic format for aspiring musicians, who have pre-applied, to showcase themselves. This is then followed by a performance from an established artist. The established artist this week is Amy White, co-founder of RBT Music Group and one of the driving forces behind this new stage. There is a nominal fee at the gate to assist with costs. In the event of rain, the event will be postponed to next Sunday.
            Danièle Pascal with the Songs of Edith Piaf from 2pm at the Rhumbelow Theatre, Allan Wilson Shellhole, Allan Paton (Durban) Road, Pietermaritzberg. From 6:30pm she presents The French Affair. Two separate shows.
            Rowan Stuart at Seabrookes Theatre, Durban High School. St. Thomas Road from 6pm. Tickets R50 and bookings on kingrowan@rowanstuart.com
            Wednesday:
Danièle Pascal in the French Affair at Alliance Francais de Durban, Sutton Crescent, Morningside. Doors open 6:30pm and tickets R100, with concessions for Alliance members and students. Booking essential on 031 312 9582 or afdbn@global.co.za
            `Thursday:
To celebrate this years’ release of Beaujolais Nouveau there is a special dinner followed by a performance from Danièle Pascal at Alliance Francais. Beaujolais Nouveau is a red wine and the most popular “vin de primeur”, fermented for just a few weeks before being released on the third Thursday in November. Thanks to Alliance Francais de Durban we get to participate in this global event. Tickets are R250 and booked on 031 312 9582 or afdbn@global.co.za

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