Arts writer
THANKS to the growing popularity of the Jazz in the Native Yards concert series, NY Arts has now added Sunday afternoons to its calendar for jazz lovers.
At 3pm this Sunday, the young trumpeter Mandla Mlangeni with his TRC (Tune Recreation Committee) – Keenan Ahrends on guitar, Nicholas Williams on bass guitar, Clement Benny on drums and guest artist Bokani Dyer on piano – will kick off the first Sunday jazz chill at the SKY Lounge 6, Ny 6 Gugulethu (behind the Gugulethu Mall). In keeping with the spirit of the month, the gig will pay tribute to women.
Formed last year, Jazz in the Native Yards is an initiative of Native Yard Arts (NY Arts), a township-based arts organisation that offers an underground scene for live music in the welcoming ambience of township bars, taverns, restaurants and even backyards.
“The Native Yards is a situation that South African communities find themselves in after almost 70 years of separate development. In 20 years of democracy, many who have been brought up and schooled in the townships haven’t been able to get out, mainly because of the economic reasons.
“The prospects for many people are bleak, hence the NY Arts performances encourage confidence, focus and purposefulness through art,” says Koko “Cokes” Kalashe, one of the co-founders.
While live music is the initial platform, says co-founder Luvuyo Phillip Kakaza, NY Arts also incorporates other artistic genres such as visual arts, theatre and dance, with mini-festivals planned for later in the year that will showcase all artistic expressions.
Apart from performance and exhibitions, workshops in stage craft, sound engineering and lighting are planned. NY Arts believes that the arts offer a leverage for economic growth in disadvantaged communities.
l Tickets for Sunday’s gig are R50. There is a return park-and-ride service from Observatory. To book a ride, SMS 078 986 7344. For more information, follow Jazz in the Native Yards on Facebook.