Artscape celebrates SA’s diverse cultures, identities
COVID-19 may have caused more harm than good, but at least it enables most people to experience fun events they couldn’t attend when things were still “normal”.
The Artscape’s Heritage Festival, which started yesterday, is a 45-daylong event aimed at celebrating South African diverse cultures and identities through indigenous, contemporary and international artistic works in dance, music and jazz.
“The festival provides residents of Cape Town with a melting pot of divergent cultures. The Western Cape as well as South Africans at large with a platform to encourage dialogue about their values, aspirations and visions as we work together towards a united, inclusive and dignified South Africa,” read an Artscape statement.
The festival started with an online performance of Mantis and The Bee, a humorous exploration of /Xam mythology while the origin of life will showcase too.
Produced by the Jungle Theatre Company, Mantis and the Bee is a children’s show based on the story of the first people. Mantis and the Bee were created by the Rain and the Flame to go on an epic journey in search of life. They get involved in an action-comedy adventure in a world created before earth.
The production will be shown virtually until October 31.
And on Heritage Day until September 30, The Kingdom of Ubuntu, which was first staged at the theatre in 2019, is making a return as a full musical theatre spectacular. The musical concert will be a celebration of poetry, drama, dance, storytelling and African fashion.
“This musical concert will prove that there is power in combining forces to build one beautiful world together. Moreover, it proffers the audience a glimpse into the future of a South Africa that is free from the obstacles and boundaries of the current. It is written by Elvis Sibeko – an internationally acclaimed award-winning dancer and choreographer specialising in what has become known as African contemporary form,” said Artscape.
Both productions are free and can be viewed via the website: www.artscape.co.za