Celebrate Freedom Day To The Music And Dance Extravaganza KUNSTREFFERS at Artscape

Kunstreffers: Konsert van Hoop is billed as a "never before seen" music and dance extravagance that forms part of the 14th Suidoosterfees to be presented at the Artscape Theatre Centre from the 27 April to 1 May 2017.

It is set to rock Artscape's Opera house stage on the 27 April at 15:00 with a star studded cast.

Headline the bill are SA Idols Winner 2005 Karin Kortje, celebrated Afrikaans artists Coenie de Villiers and Karin Hougaard as well the legendary home-grown Langa artist Fancy Galada and indigenous music maestro Dizu Plaatjies among others. Winners of the Suidoosterfees Talent Search 2016 will share the stage with these stars while musical director maestro Janine Neethling will orchestrate the concert to a fine tune.

The production equally forms part of Artscape's mandate as an agency of the Department of Arts and Culture to celebrate and commemorate national holidays of cultural and political significance in post-democratic South Africa. It forms part of the representation of our diverse cultures and living legends that deserves to be continuously honoured. It ties into the Suidoosterfees 2017 theme, "Legends" that seek to present an opportunity to honour celebrated South African artists from the classic genres through to jazz - celebrating our diverse cultures to proffer a platform of artistic expression for young, established and celebrated artists from diverse cultural backgrounds.

As City of Cape Town Executive Mayor, Patricia de Lille as one of the Suidoosterfees partners, promises in her festival foreword: "The Suidoosterfees never disappoints". Neither will "Kunstreffers: Konsert van Hoop".

Other artists on the bill include the Cape Town Opera Chorus, Cape Town City Ballet, the Hlanganani Marimba Orkes, Thalita Luiters., Unmute Dance Project and Jazzart Dance Company

Book at Computicket or Artscape Dial-a-Seat at 021 421 7695 for as little as R60 to R100.

CONDENSED PRINCIPAL ARTIST BIOGRAPHIES

KARIN KORTJE picked apples in the orchards of Grabouw, near Cape Town earing R358 per month just shy of 12 years ago. She entered South African Idols in 2005 and became the first black performer to win the top prize. Despite traumatic personal events including being embroiled in a murder-saga, she's risen above these challenges to sustain a growing singing career.

Coenie de Villiers has changed the landscape of South African music and in particular Afrikaans music over the past 40 years. A South African Music Awards (SAMA) winner some of his work was once banned by the then Apartheid regime. He has recorded more than 20 albums.

Karin Hougaard is acknowledged as a pioneer of the Afrikaans music scene. With 14 celebrated albums to her name several of her compositions have been translated into various languages. Her poetry was incorporated as prescribed Afrikaans work for Grade 11 learners while her short stories have been published as anthologies. Her skills as a painter and graphic artist are legendary.

Fancy Galada is a product of the Cape Town Township, Langa. She worked and toured with a succession of groups, before establishing her profile as a solo artist. Her career in music started in the school choir. A working mother of two teenage daughters she equally remains a committed activists for women's rights.

Dizu Plaatjies is a traditional music artist and cultural historian. Born in Lusikisiki in Mpondoland as a child he showed an aptitude for depicting traditional ways. Founder of the group Amampondo he has travelled world-wide, sharing his cultural exchange ideas with great success. Since 1997, he lectures African dance and music at UCT. He is currently expanding his traditional music knowledge through a partnership programme with the Artscape Theatre Centre through a ground-breaking first, yearlong series of indigenous music workshops.

Janine Neethling remains one of South Africa's foremost musical directors of theatre and other live events. She can boast as being the only female composer commissioned to write music for the opening of World Summit for Sustainable Development and enthronement of the King of Bafokeng. Other musical director feats include that of HUISGENOOT SKOUSPEL (2002 - 2011) and JACARANDA POP. Main goal remains to to collaborate with other musicians (predominantly South African) and to present big scale concerts. She's won numerous awards including Fleur du Cap and Naledi.

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