South Africa’s Rob Murray to lead Amsterdam Fringe

Director Rob Murray waits outside the NG Kerk Hall before the dress rehearsal of his new mask work Waterline, in Grahamstown on 1 July 2015, at the National Arts Festival. Rob Murray - known for Crazy in Love, Benchmarks and Pictures of You – presents a satirical look at Grahamstown’s water crisis. (Photo: CuePix/Mia van der Merwe)

Director Rob Murray waits outside the NG Kerk Hall before the dress rehearsal of his new mask work Waterline, in Grahamstown on 1 July 2015, at the National Arts Festival. Photo: CuePix/Mia van der Merwe

THE National Arts Festival Grahamstown joins fellow members of the World Fringe Alliance (WFA) in congratulating South African director, writer, educator, producer and arts leader Rob Murray on his appointment as Artistic Director of the Amsterdam Fringe. Murray will be replacing Anneke Jansen, who has held the position since the launch of the Amsterdam Fringe ten years ago, and was until recently Chairperson of the Alliance. Continue reading

Applications for National Arts Festival Fringe 2016 are open

NAF_colour_horizonal_logo_1_large_1255678446

Are you a frustrated thespian with a play burning a hole in your pocket? Perhaps a seasoned professional drowning in corporate gigs and yearning for the magic of the stage? A wannabe, gottabe music sensation in the making… a community group looking to take the world by storm?

Then the National Arts Festival Fringe is where you could find fame and glory in 2016. Registration is now open for Africa’s largest open-access Festival, which will take place in Grahamstown from June 30 to July 10. Continue reading

Josie Field and Laurie Levine in concert across KZN

Josie Field and Laurie Levine

Josie Field and Laurie Levine

The blues infused vocal-rock of Josie Field connects with the intimate folk, country styles of Laurie Levine to create a unique and intimate musical experience.

Dubbed the ‘Collaboration of the Year’, and winners of the Standard Bank Ovation award in Grahamstown in 2014, these two Joburg-based singer songwriters have created a show that has gone from strength to strength over the last three years.

Following a string of successful national tours and the development of their well loved unique musical partnership, the singer songwriters have decided to take their collaboration to the next level by releasing their first co written album consisting of a collection of brand new original material.

The first of its kind for two female South African singer songwriters, Tigerlily is a rich blend of Josie’s deep, soulful blues tones with Laurie’s velvet honey country inflections, with a strong focus on their elegant harmonies.

Fans can catch them here:

  • Tuesday, November 3 at 7 pm at La Casa, 5 Quarry Road, Pietermaritzburg (Old Red Door). Tickets R50 at the door.
  • Thursday, November 5 at 7 pm at The George Hotel, 36 Main Street, Eshowe. Bookings: The George Hotel at 035 474 4919/2298.
  • Friday, November 6 at 6.30 pm at Music in the Meadow, Meadows Tea Garden, Inanda Road, Hillcrest. Tickets R100. Bookings: Cheryl at 083 381 9080.
  • Sunday, November 8 at 12.20 pm at The Rock Bottom Music Bistro, 59 Station Road, Umzumbe. Bookings: 072 141 5621.

National Arts Festival announces 2016 Standard Bank Young Artist Award winners

From left: Themba Mbuli, Siya Makuzeni, Mohau Modisakeng, Jade Bowers, and Avigail Bushakevitz_

From left: Themba Mbuli, Siya Makuzeni, Mohau Modisakeng, Jade Bowers, and Avigail Bushakevitz_

Five of South Africa’s brightest creative stars were named as recipients of the Standard Bank Young Artist Awards on Wednesday, October 28, recognising and honouring their dynamic and outstanding contribution to the vitality of the arts in the country. Continue reading

Tim Plewman’s Defending the Caveman heads to the Hexagon

Tim Plewman stars in Defending the Caveman at the Hexagon Theatre in Pietermaritzburg. Photo: Suzy Bernstein

Tim Plewman stars in Defending the Caveman at the Hexagon Theatre in Pietermaritzburg. Photo: Suzy Bernstein

ROB Becker’s hilarious play, Defending the Caveman, is finally coming to Pietermaritzburg! Tim Plewman will be bringing the award-winning show to the Hexagon Theatre at the University of KwaZulu-Natal from Wednesday, October 7 to Saturday, October 10. Continue reading