Dorothy Masuku and friends

When: 3 September
Where: Mary Fitzgerald Square, Newtown

The Joburg Arts Alive International Festival kicks off with a gala event. Join South African icon and Joburger Dorothy Masuku as she celebrates her birthday with friends Sibongile Khumalo, Gloria Bosman and Abigail Kubheka. A highlight of the opening night is bound to be the massed children's choir from from Craighall Primary (Craighall), Ebuhleni Primary (Soweto), Cyrildene Primary (Cyrildene) and Minerva High (Alexandra). They will be singing an up-beat repertoire which includes "The Arts Alive" anthem which has been especially composed for the opening by Dennis East and Nik Sakellarides and features Sibongile Khumalo as soloist.

Artist profile: Dorothy Masuku

Freedom to Dance

When: 4 September
Where: Carfax, Newtown, partnered by YFm

Freedom to dance is the foremost youth quality dance production, celebrating South African talent. This brilliant event allows audiences to be exposed to the best of the best – all under one roof.

Artists profiles:
Rocco Rodamaal
DJ MaG
DJ Mo Flava
DJ Monde
DJ Oskido
Tholi B
Glitz Gang
Admiral + Jah
C-Live
Dimplez

Moshito World Music Concert

When: 5 September
Where: Bassline, Newtown
Workshops: Hands on! Masks Off!!

World music fans now have the rare chance to see a line-up of heavyweight talents at the upcoming Moshito 09 World Music Concert. Presented as part of the 2009 Joburg Arts Alive International Festival and supported by the National Arts Council and French Institute of South Africa, the concert showcases the musical gifts of Etran Finatawa (Niger), Thandiswa Mazwai (SA), Menwar (Mauritius) and 340ml (Mozambique).

Jazz on the Lake

When: 6 September
Where: Zoo Lake, Parkview

For many, the highlight of the music programme is Jazz on the Lake. The exciting line-up includes Senegal’s legendary Omar Pene as the international headliner. Pene came to fame as the lead singer of Super Diamono, one of the longest running Senegalese popular bands. Now a solo artist renowned for his sensitive and moving socially conscious lyrics atop of Mbalax rhythms, Pene still uses the iconic Super Diamono as his backing band. Of course, Jazz on the Lake is renowned for the platform it gives to South African artists and in 2009 the spotlight shines on Selaelo Selota, currently making waves in the US. Other top drawcards are conscious hip-hop flagbearer Zulu Boy and the Standard Bank Young Artists jazz trio of Concord Nkabinde, Kesivan Naidoo and Mark Fransman.

Artists’ profiles:
Omar Pene
Susheela Raman & Sam Mills
Tebogo Moloto

Monday Blues

When: 7, 14, 21, 28 September
Where: Ko’spotong, Melville

Music, jam sessions, poetry and open mics.

Carlo Mombelli and Christian Radovan

The Prisoners of Strange
When: 10 September
Where: Wits Great Hall

The Prisoners of Strange is a collective ‘spontaneous freestyle chamber jazz’ ensemble, their music based on African and Brazilian rhythms with distinct melodies and beats that make you want to dance.

Artists’ profiles:
Siya Makuzeni – voice, trombone and gutterpipe
Marcus Wyatt – trumpet,
Justin Badenhorst - drums
Carlo Mombelli – bass, manipulated springs and soundscapes
Christian Radovan - trombone
Read more: Carlo Mombelli’s once-off concert

Joburg Percussive Ensembles Battle – Womba Womba

When: 12 – 19 September
Where: Region D and G, central community halls.

Womba Womba is a series of free drumming workshops.

Mmino Bukamuso Jazz

When: 13 September
Where: Sophiatown Lounge, Newtown
This concert will be bringing the beat back with Peggy and Morake.

Mmino Bukamuso

When: 20 September
Where: Niki’s Oasis, Newtown

With Morake and Hannah Wildflower Foster.

The South African Messiah

When: 23 and 24 September
Where: The Mandela at the Joburg Theatre.

Music maestro Michael Masote conducts Handel’s Messiah.

Crazy for Jazz …

Our journey through music
When: 23 – 26 September
Where: Market Lab, Newtown

Jazz for Juniors, through the stage production of CRAZY FOR JAZZ … our journey through music, aims to educate our youth about this fascinating story. This programmed has been developed by a top-level creative team including Themba Mkhize, James Ngcobo, Concord Nkabinde, Gregory Maqoma, Gwen Ansell, Hotep Galeta and Mesh Mapelta. It has been created for a youth of 12 years and upwards but appeals to all ages.

Jazz for Juniors is a dynamic 60 minute musical that introduces a basic understanding and appreciation of jazz – its origins and the subsequent development of a uniquely South African style. This event consists of three actors, who tell the story of the origins of jazz through acting, singing and dancing. The live jazz band performs renditions of jazz classics with the aid of an audiovisual showing archival footage. It is also an entertaining and informative story that follows a chronological historical thread, which includes facts and events of South African history. This project is designed for portability through the simple sets and limited cast strengthening opportunities to reach a wider audience

Papoose Hip Hop

Battle of the DJs
When: 25 September, 8pm
Where: Carfax, Newtown

American rapper Papoose’s five-day visit to South Africa is more than a series of performances, but a cultural exchange with local artists performing alongside. Catch the vibe and join in the final performance in Newtown.

Artist profile: Papoose
Local Hip Hop artists

Shared History

Indian Flautist Pt. Hari Prashad Chauasia in concert
When: 25 – 26 September
Where: Linder Auditorium at Wits Education Campus, Parktown

Internationally acclaimed Indian flautist and master of the North Indian bamboo flute performs.

African Connections

African Ladies of Music
When: 25 September
Where: Bassline, Newtown
This event sees South African and international jazz and soul heavyweights delight music lovers. On the bill are: Tarika Be from Madagascar, Mingas and Dudu Manhenga from Mozambique and Zimbabwe, and the local Ladies in Jazz from Tshwane.


Artists' profiles:
Tarika Be
Mingas
Dudu Manhenga
Ladies in Jazz

African Connections

Afrique East, West, South
When: 26 September, 7pm
Where: Bassline, Newtown

Showcasing the talent of African artists. Senegal’s legendary supergroup Xalam are back, as Xalam 2, performing their South African debut at this year’s Arts Alive festival. Also on the bill are Thuba Letu – the Three African Tenors – as well as Niger’s Etran Finatawa, Elemotho from Namibia and Victor Kunonga from Zimbabwe.
Artists’ profiles:
Xalam 2
Thuba Letu – 3 African Tenors (Uganda, Zimbabwe, South Africa)
Etran Finatawa (Niger)
Elemotho (Namibia)
Victor Kunonga

The Music Revolution

When: 27 September
Where: Bassline, Newtown

Up-coming artists perform along established artists, getting a chance to showcase just what they have to offer. This year sees South African heavyweights Gang of Instrumentals perform, along with Baponga from Gabon; a collaboration between Sioen, from Belgium, and local musicians Pops Mohamed and Kaya Mahlangu; and Zimbabwe’s rising star Fatso.
Artists’ profiles:
Gang of Instrumentals
Baponga
Sioen, Pops Mohamed, Khaya Mahlangu
Comrade Fatso

Dorothy Masuku and friends

When: 27 September
Where: Mandela Theatre, Joburg Theatre complex, Braamfontein

International icon, role model, artist, mother, grandmother, composer, singer, musician, entertainer – she is Dorothy Masuku.
In the line-up: Hugh Masekela, Sibongile Khumalo, Thandiswa Mazwai, Busi Mhlongo, Sipho Kazi and Abigail Kubeka.

Artist profiles:
Dorothy Masuku

Eldo’s Jazz Festival

When: 27 September, 11am - 7pm
Where: Eldorado Park extension 3

Fun-filled day of music and family entertainment.

• Etana [PDF]

Arts Alive tickets can be bought from Computicket or call 083 915 8000.
TICKETS FOR THE 969 FESTIVAL EVENTS CAN BE BOUGHT FROM STRICTLYTICKETS OR CALL 073 725 7381.
For information or media-related queries contact Rami Nhlapo 011 886 0502 or email rami@zanusi.co.za.
Programme is subject to change.