LOCKDOWN RECIPE
BAXTER TO HELP ARTISTS
MORE than 365 days after the Covid-19 pandemic hit South African shores, leading to the national lockdown, the theatre industry continues to feel the pinch.
Many performing artists around the country have been struggling as a result of not being able to work.
A Facebook initiative, The Lockdown Recipe Storytelling Book, curated by a television host, writer and magazines editor Ingrid Jones has joined forces with the Baxter Theatre to help raise funds for the struggling artists.
Elaborating on the project, Jones says: “The group, made up of over 3000 South Africans worldwide, came together online with a single mission. ‘How will we remember this surreal, difficult time that sucked the life out of everything? We lost, and continue to lose, loved ones. We were forced to recalibrate; world hunger was exposed to its highest levels and the thing that binds and connects people and countries – the arts – was taken away.”
She adds, “During the pandemic, this food movement was born on Facebook that had at its core the mission to showcase the diverse komvandaan (where we come from) stories of South Africans – here and abroad. It found a tribe of people so connected to each other that strong and final bonds were forged over continents, culminating in a heritage recipe book as well as a quarterly magazine called koe’sister.”
“We not only want to align ourselves over food, but also along cultural lines. For this reason we partnered with The Baxter to host this exciting event where we converge and support our artists and the arts. Our heartbeat needs to be revived.”
From these contributions, The Lockdown Recipe Storytelling Book was compiled and published by Annake Müller Publishing at the end of 2020. “It’s only by listening to one another’s stories, whilst seated around the same table, that we are able to gain somewhat of an understanding of the food culture shared among ourselves and the ones who came before us. That is the best type of conversation”, says Müller.
As part of the book’s launch, a special event panel discussion will take place at the Baxter Concert Hall on Tuesday, May 4, at 6pm.
The discussion will see members of the Lockdown Recipe Storytelling Book Facebook group share their experiences and heartfelt stories in celebration of this country’s diverse heritage and the unique food culture that united ordinary citizens during the lockdown.
All proceeds from ticket (R180 – includes light snacks and drinks) sales – from Webtickets or at Pick n Pay stores – will go to support artists affected by the pandemic.