Sounds of Change is the outcome of the Cape Town Festival joining hands with Artscape to assist struggling artists.
Former CT Festival CEO, Yusuf Ganief, has returned as Executive Chairperson, to revive the ailing Cape Town Festival to support struggling artists, battling for survival under the economic pressures caused by the Covid Pandemic. In November he joins hands with former partner, Artscape, and previous CT Fest board member, Marlene le Roux, to host and showcase their first joint venture called Sounds of Change.
“A recent survey conducted in 2020 by IKS and SAMRO revealed the shocking figures that nearly 50% of artists have given up their careers and 40% have sold their musical instruments to survive. Having been a musician myself for 13 years I understand the plight of artists and would like to use my experience as an arts administrator to develop sustainable projects to assist both established and emerging artists “says an enthusiastic Ganief.
After enjoying an international performance career since 2008 and given the plight of artists Ganief feels a sustainable arts project will serve local artists better than a short-lived festival.
Both Ganief and Le Roux see the value of supporting and nurturing emerging artists in a sustainable way. With the impact of Covid and the forced global trend towards online events the Cape Town Festival has developed a unique project aptly titled the “Growing Artists Project”.
Echoes Artscape CEO Marlene le Roux: “When the pandemic and concomitant lockdown regulations hit the arts industry in particular, Artscape put together a team to research the best ways in which to approach the “new normal” with respect to its programmes inclusive of assisting producers and partners. This required a holistic approach as to respond positively and equitably to the needs of producers and theatre makers. More than a year later we remain in challengigh times but we shoulder on. Teaming up with the Cape Town Festival gives our “new normal” vision the added impetus it requires while it remains an absolute pleasure to rekindle an arts flame that once was”.
Sounds of Change concert
The arts is the voice of our collective conscience and the Sounds of Change concert echoes the challenges women face in South Africa. The songs are intentionally centered around these issues with tones of empowerment, call to action and a plea directed towards humanity to end cycles of silence. The event hopes to highlight these issues as urgent and relevant throughout the year, particularly post women’s month, which left most women feeling like they had nothing to celebrate. A reminder for everyone to protect our women and children and speak up against these violent oppressions.
The stage was shared by two lead artists, both exciting performers and ambassadors of peace and nation building. Fancy Galada, well known female soloist, shared the stage with the exciting and rising kids on the block, Mmino. Fancy Galada has travelled the world and performed with Amampondo and African greats such as Angelique Kidjo and Sylvia Mdunyelwa.
Mmino, an exciting duo, are two blood Brothers from Khayelitsha, Mohau and Zabullone. Although they grew up in a musical family and started their music careers early 2000’s they are by no means unknown, having shared the stage with icons such is Mafikizolo, Hot Stix Mabuse and Freshly Ground amongst others.
You are invited to support the first concert of the Growing Arts Project and look forward to seeing you online on 15 November 2021.
WHAT: Sounds of Change
WHERE: Online
WHEN: 15 November @ 1 PM
INFO: Facebook event: https://fb.me/e/1BsLhMbvQ
