ARTSCAPE Theatre launches a jam-packed Youth Month programme with the first of their new Artscape Lunch Hour Concerts today. Starting at 1pm, the first free concert is in association with the Cape Town Philharmonic Ochestra and kicks off in the Chandelier Foyer where young musicians from the Masidlale strings and woodwinds projects will perform.
These young musicians, from Langa, Mamre and Nyanga, form part of the Cape Town Philharmonic Orchestra’s youth development and training projects.
Children aged six to 17 receive string and woodwind training from members of the Cape Philharmonic Youth Orchestra both in their communities and at Artscape on a weekly basis and many students have gone on to graduate to the CPO Music Academy.
This first concert also marks the 40th anniversary of June 16, starting with the Sekunjalo Edujazz Concert with guest artist Jimmy Nevis on Saturday.
ALLBasters, a hip hop production, brings SA and Dutch artists together on stage on June 15 at 7.30pm and June 16 at 3pm. Stories will be shared in music and song with HemelBesem in collaboration with Dutch hip hop artists Skaffalau aka Helberg, Dutch female hip hop artist Marikit, Gian Groen, James Bhemgee, MC Yoma, Herman Kleynhans, Linkris, Francis Brown and Boland godfather of hip hop Die Hooflig.
Benjamin Jephta, Kyle Shepherd, Marcus Wyatt, Sisonke Xonti and Jonno Sweetman will be on stage from June 9 to 11, with the quintet joined by other artists in the Artscape Arena. That same weekend will see an explosion of hip-hop culture when Cape Town’s Most Wanted returns for three performances on June 10 and 11.
The Artscape Youth Jazz Festival presents a line up of 100% local music on June 18. Young jazz musicians will complete a 10-week mentorship programme.
Other productions include Oratorio of a Forgotten Youth: Musical Reflections on the Youth of ’76 on June 16 at 5pm, and a dance tribute to Christopher Kindo on June 14 to 16 at 7pm, and June 16 and 18 at 3pm and 7pm in the Arena.
The Shakespeare School Festival SA will run until Saturday, and the African International Theatre and Dance Festival from June 20 to 24.
August’s programme will feature The School Arts Festival and the 45th annual Western Cape Youth Classical Festival.
l www.artscape.co.za or www.cpo.org.za/outreach