Rock fans pay attention: two of South Africa’s most popular acts are heading to a venue near you.
The tour, billed as the Haal Asem Kwagga tour, features Bellville rockers Van Coke Kartel and Johannesburg’s South African Music Award-winning pop-rockers Zebra & Giraffe. Both fresh from wowing audiences at Oppikoppi, the show promises to be an extravaganza for fans. Van Coke Kartel started this year on a high note by supporting international acts Alkaline Trio and Funeral for a Friend as part of the Cape Ramfest Festival. Last year Zebra & Giraffe were invited to perform at the exclusive Musexpo showcase in Hollywood, Los Angeles, alongside bands from across Europe, the United Kingdom and the United States.
Cool Runnings, Riverbend Junction, 1 Riverbend Road, Bloubosrand, Fourways, on August 19. Doors open at 7pm and the cover charge is R50. Tel: 011 704 0987. Ridgeback, Jean Avenue, Centurion, on August 20. Doors open at 6pm and there is a cover ranging from R20 to R50. Tel: 076 722 1115. Town Hall, Carr Street, Newtown, on August 26, and Arcade Empire, Hans Strydom, Pretoria, on August 27.
Summing up this year’s programme for the Standard Bank Joy of Jazz Festival, Mail & Guardian critic Gwen Ansell wrote: ‘The bill is strong on jazz with integrity, with international guests headlined by trumpeter Wynton Marsalis and also including pianist McCoy Tyner and vocalists DeeDee Bridgewater and Tania Maria. They’re all commercially safe choices.” The Joy of Jazz road show kicks off this week with a round-table conversation with Grammy award-winner Marsalis, host singer and activist Sibongile Khumalo and veteran actor John Kani.
The Market Theatre, Newtown, on August 23 at 9.30am for 10am, until 12pm. To book your seat, log on to www.markettheatre.co.za/6-12 or email: [email protected].