This month the spring will usher in an outburst of colourful and cultural explosion through music, dance, theatre, visual art and cultural expressions of various forms.
Communities around Johannesburg are invited to celebrate the culture through the arts during Heritage Month at the Arts Alive 2019 Johannesburg International Arts Festival.
The Arts Alive Johannesburg International Arts Festival will launch with the Jazz on the Lake Concert which welcomes spring, kicking off a long and stimulating programme for all its people.
The programme is the celebration of Johannesburg’s diversity through music, dance, theatre, community festivals, educational workshops and art exhibitions.
City of Joburg Executive Mayor Herman Mashaba has launched the 27th annual edition of the Arts Alive Festival on Thursday, 29 August at Joburg Theatre in Braamfontein.
The festival underwrites the important role of culture for the critical and active citizenry, solidarity and cultural diversity.
Its flagship event, Jazz on the Lake, is synonymous with this and it welcomes families to enjoy outdoor picnic vibes at Zoo Lake with music that appeals to all.
Jazz on the Lake, which is expected to set the tone for an amazing festival and launch Heritage Month, will be on Spring Day, Sunday, 1 September and the entrance to the venue will be free.
Arts Alive has, over the years, consistently presented brilliant arts and culture events for the people of Joburg and is supported by the City of Joburg.
This year’s vibrant line-up of events reaches across traditional art barriers and out to the young and old, through commercial and avant-garde spaces, ensuring that many art forms of numerous genres and their contributions are recognised while highlighting the significance of keeping the arts alive.
Some of the 2019 Arts Alive Highlights include the following events:
- The 15th Inner-city High Schools Drama Festival: Starts on Friday, 30 August to Saturday, 7 September at Hillbrow Theatre.
The theme for this year is ‘African Futures’, a unique drama festival in Hillbrow, which promises to change lives, inspire creativity and promote positive change. Learners explore ways to imagine themselves, their communities and their environment in the future, using the many languages and materials of theatre-making.
- Jazz on the Lake: Sunday, 1 September at Zoo Lake from 10am until 5pm. Entrance is free.
Michel Herrera and Madre Tierra Band (Cuba), TRC with Africa Mkhize, Tamy Moyo (Zimbabwe), Vusi Nova, Sjava, Bucie and Ami Faku are among the artists to be featured in the 27th annual premier event.
Free Park ‘n Ride from Marks Park (Emmarentia), Killarney Mall, and Metro Centre (Braamfontein).
Free Music workshop with Michel Herrera and TRC (Afrika Mkhize).
- Soweto Art Week: 25–29 September at Soweto Theatre
Soweto Art week will be running for its sixth year and the theme for this year is ‘The Revolution will be Televised’. Taking from cities such as Cape Town Art Week, Paris Art Week and New York Art Week, the Soweto Art Week promotes and celebrates township art. People can look forward to events such as the Soweto Art and Craft Fair, Dinaledi Lifestyle Market, Art Exhibition by Silas Motse, Mofolo Jazz Night, Poetry and Hip-Hop Night, Documentary Night and Seven Colours Sunday.
- FNB Art Joburg: 13–15 September at Sandton Convention Centre
FNB Art Joburg 2019 will be bringing us new content and programming with a strong lifestyle component of the fair, encouraging visitors to further interact with the South African and African creative networks. Joburg Art Gallery will occupy the 50m² of exhibition spaces as the inaugural featured institution.
- SEAfrica Conference: 26–27 September at Soweto Theatre
Showbiz Entertainment Africa (SEAfrica) conference will host exhibitions, workshops and networking sessions propelling it to be the ultimate business meeting place for promoters, managers, entrepreneurs, business and other role players in the entertainment industry to stay ahead of the dynamic and ever-changing industry. A visit to SEAfrica exposes one to business proven approaches, trends, market disruptions, and other strategic challenges. This year’s theme is ‘Up your creative hustle’ featuring Dr John Kani, Slikour, Nomsa Mazwai and many more.
q Global Dance Supreme: 26–29 September at Walter Sisulu Hall, Randburg
The first-ever Africa and inter-continental dance championship with over 15 countries participating.
- Indigenous Gospel Festival: 29 September at Fine Town Multipurpose
Indigenous gospel music is a popular genre of music. Now in its second year, this festival runs auditions to select choirs to participate in the main event.
Details: City of Johannesburg 011 407 6111.
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