Artscape presents the Women’s Arts Week Festival

Celebrate Women’s Day and explore some humanity

The Artscape Theatre Centre is celebrating Women’s Day with a little culture, education, debate and entertainment; in short, it’s hosting its sixth Women’s Arts Week (from Wednesday, 8 August until Saturday, 11 August).

While the four-day mini-festival is created to honour the ladies of our nation, the theme for the festival is ‘Humanity’; and thus, the majority of material focuses on the many issues which affect South Africa as a society - not only those that apply to the female population. The Women’s Arts Week will include stage productions, workshops and exhibitions, as well as a report back of the 2011 Gender Equality Discussion Panel, with further discussion scheduled.  This discussion will attract prominent speakers and experts. This year’s topic is ‘Masculinity and Sexual Diversity in our Society’ and the debate will unfold at Artscape Theatre on August 9 from 10am. Participating voices will be gender advocacy groups including the Triangle Project, SWEAT, Free Gender and Gender Dynamix.

During the festival, various gender-related stakeholders and NGO’s are to host stalls in the Theatre and Chandelier Foyers.

Highlights of the Women’s Day Arts Week Festival

• Dance for a Cure (9-10 August for R120p/p)

This spectacular concert looks to raise funds to vaccinate children against cervical cancer. The participating dancers, singers and musicians hail from far and wide - from the UK, France, Australia and South Africa - andfeatured within the show are various companies: Jazzart, La Rosa, Cape Town City Ballet and the Cape Youth Dance Company. Audiences will also be treated to performances by impressive vocal artists: Sibongile Mngoma from South Africa, Fem Belling from Australia, Dominique Paccout from France and Charlie Dee from the UK. The musical director behind the performance is Richard Cock.

•  I Stand Corrected (10 – 11 August for R70p/p)

This piece of physical theatre was commissioned by Artscape, and is the first collaboration between international artists Mojisola Adebayo and Mamela Nyamza. It is a physical performance in response to homophobia, transphobia, and violence as a result of prejudice within South Africa

• Die Vagina Monoloë (9-10 August for R90p/p)

Everyone has seen or at least heard of the Vagina Monologues – a production that aims to empower women (and even men) and to encourage them to question the secret, hidden fears that stem from their own sexuality. This performance has been translated into many different languages, but here for the first time, it is going to be performed in Afrikaans. Look out for Antoinette Louw, Lulu Botha, Simone Alexa Biscombe and Nanine Wessels in the lead role.

• ‘The Nevergiveups’ – an Eric Miller Photographic Exhibition (1-31 August No additional charge)

Showcasing  a group of Khayelitsha grandmothers the artist has dubbed, The Nevergiveups,  the concept behind this exhibition is of community and family unity and the role these fascinating women play in holding these forgotten ideals together. Truly a celebration of these women, the exhibition is an apt addition to the Women’s Day week.  

• The Eve ‘A celebration of the curve of humanity’ (11 August at R80p/p)

This jazz concert looks through female eyes to celebrate the essence of being human.  To pay homage to the human spirit, this production has combined original music and unique arrangements of jazz standards and poetry. Amanda Tiffin, Mtika and Bulelwa Basse feature in this piece with Melanie Scholtz as artistic director and Lee Gelderbloem as musical director.

• Pink Drive – ‘Early Detection Saves Lives’ (8-11 August No charge)

Centred on educational talks, on-site mammography tests as well as clinical exams, this drive looks to create a mobile mammography educational unit in South Africa.

• WHEAT Trust Awards Ceremony (11 August No charge)

While the WHEAT Awards Ceremony acknowledges work done by women and is by invitation only, the WHEAT Trust Girl Talk workshop explores the questions about sex, drugs, peer pressure and socio-economic challenges harboured by the young women of our society. The workshop looks to provide responsible, honest answers.

Tickets can be booked for each event separately through Computicket or Dial-A-Seat.

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By Aisling Holmes