imaginemag - arts & culture emagazine

ImagineMag! has been created and is run by people with a passion for arts and our culture in all forms. Passion on its own however is never enough to sustain any project. What one needs are knowledgeable, hardworking and imaginative people to further develop this wonderful concept. We have the start of that in the shape of Amy Gould, Director of Dance Crew, Principal of the AGBS and owner of the Theatre On-Main, Dr Dawn Gould, owner of FACTS FOUND, a historical research bureau and… all of you who will contribute in many interesting ways. Get talking people, and let us hear from you.

“Our intention is to give the art
and cultural fraternity a voice”.

june / july 2011 : edition 10

Well it is all stages go for a theatrical extravaganza and not only at the Grahamstown National Arts Festival in the Eastern Cape. We have an article by our resident historian Dr Gould on a selection of a few of the smaller Theatres around the country and how they came into being. Another article also relating to theatre is, Let there be Light on early electricity supplies and its effect on theatrical productions.

‘Africa Clockwise’ is the name of Mark Sampson’s 3rd solo show about to debut in Grahamstown at the National Arts Festival in July, as well as the name of the epic journey he and his family are set to undertake around the circumference of our continent, up the west coast and down the east. Read all about his planned travels that sound absolutely fascinating. Make sure you do not miss his production and some of the others at On the Fringe at the Grahamstown Arts Festival.

At the Masque theatre in Muizenberg in the Western Cape you are in for a treat with the Jungle Theatre and their production of The River of Life which is suitable for both young and old. And in Cape Town, at Artscape, you will be able to enjoy dance in many forms in Danscape. Stay at Artscape especially if you have children and enjoy Noddy and his toyland friends.

At the Baxter Main Theatre in Rondebosch Masibambisane Youth Educational Drama Organisation
presents a selection of plays from 8 schools and 10 drama groups across the peninsula. It is only for the one day so don’t miss out, make a note and spot the future talent – Friday 24 June.

LEAP (Liberal Education for Arts Professionals) is an internationally recognized Bachelor of Arts degree programme that is specifically designed for current and former professional dancers. Dance For All invites Dance Teachers to register to come and watch these classes, which will run from 25 to 17 July.

Arterial Network is a continental network of artists, cultural activists, arts NGOs, cultural enterprises and others committed to developing African music, dance, theatre, literature, craft, design, visual art and film in their own right, and as means to contribute to democracy, human rights and development in Africa. Read how to join and become a (free) member of this useful and forward thinking organisation.

The Limpopo Arts and Culture Association (LACA) – an independently-funded non-profit non-governmental organisation has launched an online petition in a bid to draw attention to their ongoing plight which they are laying at the door of the Limpopo Dept Sports, Arts & Culture (DSAC)

But all is not doom and gloom as shortly after the article relating to Jazzart’s woes with Lotto appeared in ImagineMag! their marketing person reported that their problems with Lotto had been resolved. No, I am not taking credit for that as it takes a lot of nails to build a house but one missing nail can cause a lot of damage if a heavy wind blows. So let us all blow hard at service delivery that is not supplied where it should be.

Jungle Theatre Company - River of Life

Email us and let us know what you think, what you would like to read about, tell us your creative news and what is happening in your part of the world. Promote and advertise with us – it’s the way of the future.

Amy Gould

Amy Gould is a Fellow of the Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing. She is the principal and owner of her full time ballet school, director and choreographer of her dance company Dance Crew, owner/manager of Tokai On-Main a 100-seater intimate theatre and editor in chief of ImagineMag!

For more information on how you can contribute articles or advertise, please contact us.

contents | june / july 2011 : edition 10

00 / i SAY...

All the world’s a stage and every politician a performer. Elections have come and gone and all the drama that goes with it. I love the hypocrisy that each party brings into play... Read the full story...

01 / national arts festival:

The National Arts Festival, now in its 37th year, has proved its sustainability and has grown to be one of the leading arts festivals in southern Africa.
Read the full story...

02 / and on the fringe:

Africa Clock Wise is a comedy that traces our environmental future from the present day to a predicted end for the human race. Join Mark Sampson and his family in clockwise trip from Cape Town around the coastline of the African continent as he represents the 1 million years we could survive if we wise up in time to avoid climate catastrophe.
We should be able to circumnavigate the entire continent but if we don’t act now we’ll be gone before we get to Namibia………
The set will feature a giant African continent clock that not only maps the journey but also counts down to both the end of the show and the end of our species.
Luckily it’s running in African Time, so Panic Slowly!.

Rose with Fiona York – 30 June to 10 July at Highlander
The story of a remarkable life and an amazing story of survival. From a tiny Russian village to the Warsaw ghettos to the “Exodus”,

London Road – 30 June to 10 July at St Andrew’s Hall
This runaway smash hit won the Standard Bank Golden Ovation Award for Theatre last year as well as three Fleur du Cap awards and was nominated for two Kanna awards.

Cape Town Edge – 30 June – 9 July at Princess Alice Hall
The collective of independent theatre makers from Cape Town presents a line up of award winning theatre with their famous front of house experience including delicious sushi this year

Read the full stories...

03 / sa theatres:

Theatres are not only places for the performance of the different art forms for interested members of the public but are also places reflecting the dreams and hopes of the different artists involved in the theatre world. Dreams and hopes that might be successful but may also be dashed and never fulfilled. Read the full story...

04 / electricity: the energy that helps light the world!

To visit Cape Town and Durban, June 2011. Cape Town and Durban are set to welcome Johannesburg-based dance company Mzansi Productions in June. The Cape Town season marks a return visit for Mzansi Productions to the Mother City while the Durban season will be the company’s first time in KwaZulu Natal. Read the full story...

05 / jungle theatre company:

RIVER OF LIFE is an African fairytale about a rural tribe of villagers and a special princess. They all live by a beautiful river full of magical creatures. A glittering dancing man comes from the city to sell the villagers strange items that cause problems for the river. Read the full story...

06 / danscape at artscape:

Danscape provides an annual platform for up and coming dancers and choreographers to showcase their talent and also serves as a fund-raising initiative to raise awareness and funding for the many community arts projects that Jazzart has running throughout the Western Cape. Read the full story...

07 / make way for noddy:

Artscape Theatre Foyer 25 June – 9 July at 10:30 • Preview 24 June at 14:30
Everybody’s favourite little friend, Noddy, is back! Yes, Noddy and his Toyland friends will be at Artscape during the June/July holidays. Read the full story...

08 / winter dance intensive at dance for all:

LEAP (Liberal Education for Arts Professionals) is an internationally recognized Bachelor of Arts degree programme that is specifically designed for current and former professional dancers. With classes offered in San Francisco, Los Angeles, and New York City.
Read the full story...

09 / arterial network:

10 / masibambisane youth educational drama organisation

Masibambisane Youth Educational Drama Organisation is based in Khayelitsha (Site-B) and uses Theatre Methodology in order to educate and raise awareness on various social issues. In collaboration with the Department of Cultural Affairs and Sport Masibambisane are hosting an event at the Baxter Theatre. Read the full story...

11 / arts in crisis:

Flo and Bloq (Onkabetse Hlabyago and Juda Mokone) are Limpopo musicians and co-founders of Dice Factory.
An arts crisis that has been brewing for 16 years is reaching boiling point in Limpopo. The Limpopo Arts and Culture Association (LACA) – an independently-funded non-profit non-governmental organisation has launched an online petition in a bid to draw attention to their ongoing plight. Read the full story...

edition. 10 contributors

Dawn Gould (D Litt et Phil), owns and runs FACTS FOUND an historical research bureau situated in Cape Town, South Africa.
For further details see factsfound.isat.co.za

Guest contributors are:
Suzy Bell, a writer, poet and columnist runs Red Eye Creative where she and a small team create and curate contemporary cultural projects celebrating Africa in Cape Town.
Contact Suzy on • www.suzybell.co.za