Joburg came alive with the launch of 27th edition of the International Arts Alive Festival yesterday, 29 August, at the Joburg Theatre.
Arts Alive is a series of activities in parks and theatres, where residents of Joburg go out and enjoy the best cultural and musical experience staged by the City for the past 27 years.
Member of the Mayoral Committee for Community Development Cllr Nonhlanhla Sifumba kick-started the Arts Alive launch with the broader community on eNews sharing the rollout of the 2019 Arts Alive programme for September.
The month-long programme consists of 20 Arts Alive activities. The most popular is the Jazz on the Lake, a signature event that attracts thousands of music loves across music genres accommodating a diverse audiences.
MMC Sifumba pronounced on the readiness of Joburg to welcome spring and she said: “Come September 1, the spring season will be welcomed by a picnic set-up, kicking off with the signature event, the Jazz on the Lake at Zoo Lake in Johannesburg free of cost.”
She invited Joburg residents and visitors to join the colourful celebration and much anticipated family friendly jazz concert from 10am to 5pm and requested all to abide to safety rules.
This year’s Jazz on the Lake line-up includes includes Vusi Nova (SA), TRC featuring Afrika Mkhize (SA), Michel Herrera and the Madre Tierra Band (Cuba), Bucie (SA), Sjava (SA), Tamy Moyo (Zimbabwe), Ami Faku (SA) Billy Manama (SA) and Ark of Arts (SA).
The 2019 Arts Alive programme includes grooming kids, unleashing talent and celebrating the big guns.
The City of Johannesburg’s Director Arts, Culture and Heritage Vuyisile Mshudulu said: “There will be combination of various activities across disciplines of the creative industries. The intention is to inspire, project, promote and show case talent. This in a way, stimulate economic activities and grant economic opportunities to SMMEs in the creative industries.”
The City of Johannesburg is well known as a capital of the creative industry. So, creating a conducive environment will contribute greatly to the value chain, create jobs and benefit other player in the industry.
Mpho Molepo, the director of the Alexandra Arts Academy, said: “On September 20 and 21,, a workshop will be hosted at Alexandra Sankopano. We are grateful that the City of Johannesburg has supported our workshops as part of Arts Alive International Festival by bringing the leading practitioners to our township.
“It is not easy to have these leading practitioners in the same room at the same time as most of them are always travelling and busy performing or facilitating workshops or presenting at seminars all over the world.”
“The Revolution will be televised” is a theme adopted for the art week that starts on the 25-29th at the Soweto Theatre. Activities will include Art Exhibition by Silas Motse, Soweto Art and Craft Fair, Dinaledi Lifestyle Market, Poetry, Jazz Night, Hip-Hop Night, Documentary Night and Seven Colours Sunday.
SEAfrica Conference will also host exhibitions, workshops and networking sessions for role players in the entertainment industry themed” Up your creative hustle” from the 26- 29 of September at the Soweto Theatre.
On September 21, the Beat makers will host a workshop to inspire children using music in Region C. Spikiri, Zwai Bala, Riki Rici. From September 13 to 15, FNB Art Joburg will bring a 50m exhibition with a strong lifestyle component of the fair, encouraging visitors to interact with South African and African creative networks at Sandton Convention Centre.
On September 7, the best production award will be presented to the top high school by the Outreach Foundation at 14th InnerCity High School Drama Festival in Hilbrow Theatre. 40 schools have registered to participate in this film production, which started today, August 30 2019.
On 16 September 2019, the Gauteng Government will host the IP and music rights workshop to assist in avoiding the ills experienced by artists in South Africa at Eyethu Lifestyle Centre in Mofolo, Soweto.
The Dance Supreme will host the inter-continental dance championships to be attended by 15 countries at the Walter Sisulu Hall in Randburg from September 26 to 29 2019.
Indigenous Gospel Festival will be held on September 29 at the Fine Town Multipurpose Centre.
For more information visit www.arts-alive.co.za #ArtsAlive2019 #Jazzonthelake2019
