Upcoming Theatre Events
FNB Dance Umbrella
27 February – 14 March
The FNB Dance Umbrella will be held at various venues across Johannesburg, including the University of Johannesburg Arts Centre. Book at Computicket. Read more...
Raqs Al Kimiya (Dancing Chemistry)
14 March
In South Africa in March to facilitate a bellydance certification course, Ansuya will be performing in a once-off spectacular (Raqs Al Kimiya) on 14 March, in collaboration with some of South Africa’s top bellydance and tribal fusion stars. Tickets R100, available through Computicket. Read more...
Dil se
17 – 21 March
A proudly South African Dance-Drama conceptualised and produced by Versha Magan of Jazzy Masala Creative. To purchase tickets, go to Computicket. Read more…
Sundowner Concerts
Concerts are held on Mondays at 17:30 and are free.
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8 March |
Waldo Alexander (violin) and Jill Richards (piano) |
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15 March |
Isabel Bradley (flute) and Michael Watt (piano) |
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22 March |
Public holiday: No Concert. |
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29 March |
Gustavo Romero (piano) |
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5 April |
Public holiday: No Concert. |
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12 April |
Carel Henn (cello) and Elize Kruger (piano) |
Read more…
Upcoming Art Gallery Events
White City - Samson Mnisi
10 – 31 March
Following successful exhibitions at The Museum of Contemporary African Diasporan Arts (MoCADA) and The Scene Gallery in New York during 2009, White City will include new abstract work inspired during a fresh sojourn at the house in White City, Soweto, where Samson Mnisi spent his youth. As the grandson of two sangomas Mnisi’s art is infused with a tradition of ritual and tribal marking and his work captures the artistry derived from such distinctive marks. These scribe-like marks reflect the remnant visuals of a post-colonial existence in his homeland. His complex and unique abstract paintings offer a very pleasing visual experience projecting a much deeper meaning. Read more…
News:
6000 Learners lap up Othello at UJ Arts Centre
"When Shakespeare wrote his plays about 400 years ago, I believe he had in mind that people would watch it performed rather than read the script.", says Rita van den Heever, Senior Manager of the University of Johannesburg Arts. Six years ago, Margie Coppen, the Director of Think Theatre Productions, had a similar thought. She saw a desperate need for Grade 12 English learners who study the text of Shakespeare, to view a production and gave some learners in KwaZulu-Natal the opportunity to do just that - seeing Shakespeare's Othello performed live by a professional cast.
KZN teachers conducted research and learners who view the production fare substantially better in their exams. This is particularly true of students who study Eng first language but don't speak it as their mother tongue. In 2008 (when Shakespeare was still compulsory for all English first language learners) more than 22000 learners viewed the play. Think Theatre planned to expand to other provinces and chose Gauteng as a new market. In 2009, the University of Johannesburg welcomed the opportunity to lease the UJ Arts Centre to them due to overlapping objectives as well as the marketing opportunity that future cooperation could offer the institution.
The relationship grew and in 2010 the University of Johannesburg became one of the four sponsors of the production, joining PC Training College, Business and Arts South Africa and the National Arts Council. This made it possible to keep the ticket costs per scholar minimal. At the UJ Arts Centre, 222 teachers accompanied 6179 learners between 2 and 12 February 2010; 42% growth on 2009.
"The UJ Arts Centre's theatre is a fantastic venue and perfectly suited to our needs. It has ideal audience capacity, good infrastructure & stage and backstage facilities. The fact that UJ welcomes young audiences is also a huge plus for us!", Coppen said. "Our experience was great! We really appreciated UJ's assistance, both financially and the moral support we always enjoy. It was also wonderful to have such super sponsors - UJ and PC Training who were so respectful of each other's space."
Othello will be staged at the Playhouse in Durban in April 2010 and at various other venues around KwaZulu-Natal in March 2010. Think Theatre Productions are hoping to expand the Johannesburg performances to three weeks in 2011.
For the theatre industry the benefit of this project is the opportunity for audience development, a key focus area of most theatres. "Most of our students have never been in a theatre before, so we have a wonderful chance to expose over 20, 000 new young people to a theatre experience! How amazing is that?" said Coppen.