Spotlight on art, live music, dance at city restaurant this month
ARTISTS in Khayelitsha have transformed a local restaurant into an art hub for the whole month to unleash unearthed potential, while also teaching people about the importance of art.
Until November 30, Moholo LiveHouse Restaurant, in Harare, will host the Harare Academy of Inspiration (HAI) where various art forms, workshops, exhibitions, live music, dance performances, history lectures and sex education will be showcased.
The academy is the brainchild of Brenda Skelenge, Naaz Saldulker and Valeria Geselev who aim to bring art to the people. “Art loving people always go to the Waterfront, Baxter Theatre, Artscape or the jazz festivals where they pay for art,” said HAI co-curator and owner of Moholo LiveHouse restaurant Skelenge.
“Amazingly, they don’t know that what they are paying for is a local production from the back of their streets. We want to change that and get them involved by supporting art.”
Geselev said the name of the academy referenced a suggestion for looking at art as a channel for an alternative edu- cation system.
“The teachers are creatives who share their experiences and skills, the classes are structured in interactive and participation-based workshops and students of all ages and backgrounds are welcome to attend for free.”
The list of facilitators, or inspiration officers as they are called in the project, include “the all-stars” of local upcom- ing artists. Curator Khanyisile Mbongwa will host a two-day workshop in critical photography with cellphone cameras; activist Siddiq Khan will screen a film about the Mexican revolution to spark a discussion about South African politics; trumpeter Mandla Mlangeni will arrive from Johannesburg to launch his album with a live jazz concert; artist Janet Ranson will create portraits as collective collages; theatremakers Zimasa May, Themba Baleni and Richard September will workshop popup plays; and choreographer Jackie Manyaapelo will come straight from her shows in Artscape to perform her new dance piece, and workshop movement.
Cultural activist Sabelo “Indigenous” Nciyo said the workshop would give them a chance to challenge life through art.
“This will be our space for the whole month where we will express ourselves,” Nciyo said.
“On the 12th I will be explaining what hip hop music is and what it entails in line with the global culture celebration day.
“I will be demonstrating that it is a living culture.”
@siyaks
Geselev said the name of the academy referenced a suggestion for looking at art as a channel for an alternative education system