EVENTS
This year, close on 90 different schools and institutions will be descending for the eighth Education Africa International Marimba and Steelpan Festival and will see over 2000 participants with kids travelling from as far as Zimbabwe, Botswana and Nigeria,” says Joan Lithgow, Marimba Specialist and Director of the International Marimba and Steelpan.
Education Africa launched its International Marimba and Steelpan Festival (The Festival) in 2012 to create an awareness worldwide of the educational value that marimba playing has while also creating an international platform for our marimba and steelpan players in South Africa to perform on.”
The Festival has become one of the largest of its kind in the world and takes place annually in Boksburg over a period of two days. It is fully inclusive and caters for people from all walks of life including deaf and special needs bands. Over the weekend, marimba and steelpan bands take part in various competitions divided into age sections and various categories. A prominent feature at The Festival includes fringe events which feature guest performances and approximately 90 workshops.
“500 disadvantaged children are also being looked after over the weekend, with The Festival sponsoring meals, some accommodation and transport,” says Lithgow.
In order to facilitate the tightly timed competitions, two sets of adjudicators have been selected with each including international and extensive local experience. Adjudicators include five-time Grammy ballot-nominee, Jason “Malletman” Taylor, Sasha Sonnbichler, Nobathembu Yvonne Raedane, Naledi award winning Musical Director, conductor, arranger, composer and educator, Eddie Clayton, Mokale Koapeng and SAMRO award winning composer, Dave Reynolds.
The Festival comprises six sections for Primary Schools, High Schools and Open Bands split between small and large ensembles and within each, a number of categories include Battle of the Bands, In the Mix, Strictly Classical and Proudly South African/African Prestige Bands.
“We would like to take the opportunity to thank our sponsors, especially Business Arts SA (BASA) and the SAMRO FOUNDATION for their continued support. We’d also like to thank the educators and we applaud the considerable effort and hours of learning and practice that each musician has put into their instrument of choice,” concludes Lithgow. “We look forward to another spectacular weekend of incredible music, learning, friendship and camaraderie.”
The King of Calypso is coming home for Emacipation Day! The Carib’s next big fundraiser features David Rudder LIVE, plus star panist Johann Chuckaree and his dynamic sister, Johanna Chuckaree bringing her own energy to the evening on the keys.
Percussion and steelpan presented by Toronto Caribbean Carnival and the Ontario Steelband Association.
Join us for a 3-day hands-on workshop at Exodus’ Panyard. Learn how to practically apply music theory to improvication, composition and music-making. Guide your students toward a lifetime of making, composing and playing music of their choice. Featuring: Dr. Kim Johnson, Vanessa Headley M. M., Malika Green M. M., Atiba Williams M. M.
A day long music festival celebrating the pioneers of the Notting Hill Carnival.
Das Renegades Steel Orchestra unter der Leitung von Desmond Waithe spielt Bach-Hits mit Calypso-Zauber.
Bach ist universal und hat Künstler durch alle Jahrhunderte dazu angeregt, sich schöpferisch mit ihm auseinanderzusetzen. Das SHMF begibt sich auf eine spannende Erkundungsreise durch das Laboratorium der kreativen Prozesse.
»Nicht Bach, sondern Meer sollte er heißen«, soll Beethoven gesagt haben, und Robert Schumann konstatierte: »Bach’en ist meiner Ueberzeugung überhaupt nicht beizukommen; er ist incommensurabel«. Der »alte« Bach« war spätestens seit Beginn des 19. Jahrhunderts immer auch der große Bach. Heute wird er so viel gespielt, dass es schwer ist, ihn noch mal neu zu entdecken. Genau das versucht das SHMF mit seiner Konzertreihe »The Big Bach«. Hauptdarsteller sind dabei nicht die Stars der Alte-Musik-Szene, sondern eine Steel Band aus Trinidad und Tobago, die einige der beliebtesten Bach-Stücke auf ungewöhnlichem Instrumentarium präsentiert, ein Saxophonquartett, das unter anderem das »Italienische Konzert« aufpoliert, und ein großes Orchester, das die sinfonischen Dimensionen des Thomaskantors erfahrbar macht. Eine besondere Rolle spielt zudem der ungewöhnliche Ort, das Kunstwerk Carlshütte, eine stillgelegte Eisengießerei mit ihrer monumentalen Fabrikarchitektur. Diese Fabrikhalle bildet den architektonischen Rahmen für eine Neubegegnung mit der Musik Bachs in einem nicht durch »Hörtraditionen« vordefinierten Raum. Der Zuhörer wird durch die Präsentationsform wieder für die Kunst Bachs sensibilisiert, indem er im vermeintlich Altbekannten neue Hörerlebnisse geboten bekommt.
Das Projekt »The Big Bach« wird gefördert durch die ZEIT-Stiftung Ebelin und Gerd Bucerius, Hamburg.
Konzert der Steelband Rafzerfeld, ab 18:00 Uhr gibt es Thai-Curry im Reisring. Findet nur bei trockener Witterung statt.
Extempo Steelband auf der Terrasse des Restaurants Goldenberg. Nur bei trockener Witterung. Auskunft über Durchführung gibt das Restaurant ab 14.30 Uhr. Reservation empfohlen.
Extempo Steelband auf der Terrasse des Restaurants Goldenberg. Nur bei trockener Witterung. Auskunft über Durchführung gibt das Restaurant ab 14.30 Uhr. Reservation empfohlen.
Caribbean Steelpan Connextion Ensemble is pleased to inform all steelpan lovers and music aficionados of its participation at the Carifesta Grand Market. The 10-piece ensemble will perform live at the Queen’s Park Savannah.
In keeping with the project theme of the Grand Market, The Streets of the Caribbean, Caribbean Steelpan Connextion promises visitors and patrons, a highly eclectic medley that is reminiscent of the various moods and sounds of the participating countries. This includes calypso, reggae, zouk, soca and latin-infused pop. Mr. Andre Robley, the group’s assistant manager, further explained that each song has been carefully selected to demonstrate the versatility of the national instrument.
To date, Caribbean Steelpan Connextion has built a stellar portfolio inclusive of its representation of the CARICOM Region in Kazakhstan in 2017, performances before the Attorney General of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Fiesta Plaza and the Miss Trinidad and Tobago World Pageant. They are also the first runner-up of the annual We Beat 5-a-side competition, which was held in St. James, earlier in June.
Caribbean Steelpan Connextion can be found on all popular social media sites and will soon commission their website.