Weekend Argus (Saturday Edition)
Experience a divalicious time
SOME of the best local and international artists will be in action tonight at the GrandWest Arena’s Divas’ concert.
The acts are international dance diva Sybil, South Africa’s popular song-trio Jamali, Salome, Vuvu Kumalo, G&T, Fancy Galada and Nuraan Boltman.
Salome, from the Cape flats is excited to be performing with stars of this quality.
Her full name is Salome Damon Johansen and she’s known as the “face of the coloured community”.
Her popular hit What I do best has earned her diva status.
Salome admitted she always had butterflies before performing: “I’ve done so many shows, I get excited every time.”
Salome recorded her first single, I don’t want to know, in 2007 with DJ Keith. The single received huge airplay on radio stations,
In 2009 she recorded another hit with DJ Keith, What I do best. The song took Cape Town by storm and rose to No 1 hit on the charts.
“Looking back on those songs, I went for the excitement. There was a time when I had to borrow money to get to the studio,” she said.
Salome grew up in Mitchells Plain and “I’m extremely proud of it. My family still lives there and it’s just a fantastic place”.
On May 7 last year Salome performed at the GrandWest Arena alongside African Dream hit-maker Vicky Sampson and 2007 Idols winner Jody Williams.
This year is a significant one for Salome as she is planning to release a new album.
She is currently busy recording the tracks and “we are working on more modern music”.
Headlining tonight’s event is US R&B singer Sybil Lynch, who is known as Sybil.
The singer achieved worldwide success for her cover versions of Dionne Warwick’s hits Don’t make me over and Walk on by.
Sybil loves South Africa, and she performed at the same venue last year.
“It feels great to be coming back to South Africa, it feels like home. I would gladly take up residence in this country if my parents were willing to move with me,” she said .
Looking back at the songs which she’s famous for, she says that this gives her an indicator of what people still want to hear.
“These songs provided a different platform for me musically.
“Prior to these records, although I had some success on the R&B charts, most of my earlier offerings to music came out of the house and dance communities.
“Once I did these two songs it catapulted me into a whole new arena. Basically, I am grateful to have been trusted with such amazing Burt Bacharach and Hal David songs, sung by the incomparable Dionne Warwick,” she said.
About her performance tonight, she said: “I am coming to do what I love doing and that is share my songs, my music, my heart with those who have been touched by it.
“Every time I come over there I have a new and even more profound experience.”
Tickets are available through Computicket, Shoprite Checkers and all House & Home stores. Tickets range from R195 – R450 and the show opens at 8pm.
marvin.charles@inl.co.za