Calling Cape Town Theatre Goers

Right, the time has come for me to put my money where my mouth is. I am going to start putting up the different shows on the blog in the week that they open. I'd like to invite you all to say what you thought about the show. The only "rule" is that the comment is not offensive to anyone.

To be honest, every new thing I try with Encore is terrifying - what happens if it doesn't work? What if no one is interested? Who am I to give a crit on a show? All I know is what I like, I am not a theatre boff (groupie maybe :0 ). What about that poor guy up there, singing his heart out and I don't like it? .....blah blah blah.

And then I thought, "Hey, this is essentially a diary and so what if no one reads it?" "Yes," the voice goes, " but I want it to be a way for people to get to know of shows before they close early, or is all sold out.... After all Cape Town waits to hear what everyone else says about the show before buying tickets." Then reason kicks in, "if people are interested they will find it".
Well if anyone is reading this - hi.. and why don't you add your thoughts about the shows.
Angela

Africa Centre's Book Launch

On Tuesday (11 November), the Africa Centre had a swish launch of "The Artist's Handbook". It is a really good buy if you are trying to get going as a business in the arts, with lots of good advice and contacts. A wonderful evening to network and meet up with people. I was pleased to meet up with a past colleague (from my community development days) and find that she is also now in the arts field - truly a small world.
As always there were guest speakers. Ismail Mahomed , CEO of the National Arts Festival, was controversial hitting out at the lack of leadership in the arts from both the state and artists themselves. He made a call for the energy of the past when new critical works were produced. He also emphasised that the arts is a business and should be approached as such. It gave me encouragement that there is a role for Encore Entertainment Guide to help promote the arts.
Angela

What is Culture?

We are starting to build Encore into a business and are working with a consultant on a marketing plan. When asked about our focus we said the performing arts. What was interesting was the assumption that this was the formal disciplines such as classical music, opera and ballet offered in the formal theatres. We were asked "what about the rich culture in the townships?" In my mind that is included in performing arts. Our challenge is to find the artists and include their events in the diary.

It got me thinking about our perceptions of the performing arts and culture as something separate and something that is "good for you". A bit like having to take horrible tasting medicine because "its good for you". But culture and performances are part of our identity and found in public spaces, community halls and any place where people come together to celebrate. Instead of seeing the performing arts as a luxury, it should be a part of our daily lives, something that is easily accessible. I was reading a document where there was the statement "the pleasure of the arts can not be restricted to a priveleged few". Hear, hear we all need more beauty in our lives.

If anyone knows of artists and events,especially grassroots events, send us an email (paul@encoreonline.co.za) and we will gladly put it in the newsletter and on the web site. The deadline for the newsletter is the first Friday of the previous month but there is also the calendar for events planned well in advance so people can get extra notice of forthcoming events.
See ya at the "theatre"!