We’re still in lockdown but there’s plenty of fun to be had online! Here’s a fabulous selection of local and international events and activities to dip into as we continue to adapt to the new normal.
ART
Tones by Eclectica Contemporary
Eclectica Contemporary is currently showing Tones, an online group exhibition by Anico Mostert, Benjamin Coutouvidis, Khalid Abdel Rahman, Nina Holmes, Kyu Sang Lee,
Kino Hogan and Ibrahim Khatab. “As we shift in tone to new possibilities, acknowledging the tensions and sounds of strain, and as the seasons are changing colours to different shades, this exhibition presents a play of form, shape, colour and tone,” says Eclectica Contemporary. Also showing online are exhibitions by Asanda Kupa (Relearn, my soul) and Hussein Salim (Elsewhere).
From the Archive by SMITH
SMITH has put together a catalogue of its artists’ finest works from its archives. Says SMITH: “It is important to support our artists and the creative community during these times. Artists help us imagine new worlds and solutions.”
An Ode to The Cape
When life gives you lemons, make lemonade, as the saying goes. And that is exactly what Alexandra Karamallis, a Brooklyn-based designer and artist has done. When she found herself stuck in Cape Town due to Covid-19 travel restrictions, she decided to use her time to make art. Her exhibition at Chandler House is called An Ode to the Cape, and pays tribute to her second home which “has been a source of solace and creative rejuvenation throughout her years of travelling here”.
Iziko Museums of South Africa
Iziko is inviting art lovers to explore all its museums online. To interact with patrons, the museum has a #MaterialsMatterChallenge inspired by one of their current exhibitions, Matereality. The challenge encourages people to create their artworks using recyclable materials from home and post the artwork using the hashtag #MaterialsMatterChallenge.
Virtual tours from around the world
Virtual tours from 2 500 museums around the world are offering virtual tours and online collections. This article rounds up a selection of some of them.
Centre for the Less Good Idea
New work curated by William Kentridge and Phala Ookeditse Phala has been made available online by The Centre for the Less Good Idea. The centre, founded by Kentridge, “aims to find the less good idea by creating and supporting experimental, collaborative and cross-disciplinary arts projects”.
AEROSOL by Worldart
If you’d like something to inspire you, check out AEROSOL by Worldart. It’s a group online exhibition by artists who use spray paint in their paintings. Featured artists include Kilmany-Jo Liversage, Robyn Pretorius, iL Caso, Al Luke, George Mars aka MARS, One. and Fadiel Hermans.
MUSIC
The Luck Down
To uplift people’s spirits during Lockdown, local band GoodLuck hosts The Luck Down, an inspiring morning show every mid-week from 09h30 to 10h30 on its Facebook page. The band says they “want to connect with fans and friends around the world to share the good news, the awesome creativity out there and the uplifting stories coming out of this global crisis”. The show features music, cooking lessons, health and wellness segments, live interviews, comedy and much more. GoodLuck is also raising funds for the Solidarity Fund and is asking for donations here.
Covid-Zero
Check out Covid-Zero, a platform that allows artists to take to a virtual concert stage to keep you entertained. It’s a great way to support your favourite entertainers. Some of the funds will also be donated to towards the distribution of masks, hand sanitisers and food vouchers to communities across South Africa.
#FreestyleFridays
South African hip-hop artist Tumi Molekane aka Stogie T, has created #FreestyleFridays where he drops a freestyle verse over a popular beat every Friday. He then selects other hip-hop artists from all over the world to rap over the beat and post their videos on his social media pages. He told okayafrica that he was inspired to do the series because he “wanted to do his part to keep the art of lyricism alive”. Check out #FreestyleFridays here.
The Paris Opera
The Paris Opera is offering the public interesting interviews with its stars on its Facebook page as well as live dance classes and performances.
The Metropolitan Opera
If opera is your thing, check out The Metropolitan Opera from New York to view their free “Nightly Met Opera Streams” and relive some of their performances from past seasons. The Metropolitan Opera has also added curated supplementary content on its website to enhance your experience. This includes playbills, podcasts and articles.
The Royal Ballet and The Royal Opera House
The Royal Ballet is but one of the world’s ballet companies offering amazing performances online. The Royal Ballet's Facebook page is a cultural treasure trove. Also check out what New York City Ballet and Birmingham Royal Ballet is up to.
Yo-Yo Ma
One of the world’s preeminent cellists (who can forget his visit to Kirstenbosch!), Yo-Yo Ma hosts #songsofcomfort on his Facebook page. Some of his moving performances have been dedicated to healthcare workers on the frontline, as well as both children and adults as they spend more time together.
The Kiffness
Local band The Kiffness is keeping audiences entertained with coronavirus songs. The group’s David Scott uses humour to reflect on issues around Covid-19 such as Lockdown, panic buying and the important messages around giving back and staying at home. Check out their Facebook page or YouTube channel to see their version of Dancing Queen (Quaranqueen), Sweet Caroline (Sweet Corona), Hey There Delilah (Hey There Corona), I’m Blue and I’m In Need of a Gwaai and much more.
Itzhak Perlman
American-Israeli superstar violinist Itzhak Perlman, known as the reigning virtuoso on the violin and also for his warmth, charm and humanity, is brightening up people’s days with short uplifting stories on his Facebook page and ending them off with small, moving performances.
Cape Town Philharmonic Orchestra
The Cape Town Philharmonic Orchestra is also providing relief through music. Videos with various performers at home are regularly posted on their Facebook page — also giving members of the public an introduction to the performers, their favourite instruments and works. One of their poignant videos is of the orchestra performing the national anthem with each member in Lockdown at home.
COMEDY
Beerhouse Virtual Comedy Club
Since we’re on Lockdown, Beerhouse has decided to take its popular Wednesday Comedy Club online. For great laughs, join in on the fun from 18h00 on Instagram every Wednesday.
Savanna Virtual Comedy Bar
Savanna believes laughter is the best medicine in these trying times and has created a Virtual Comedy Bar to unleash “quarantined comedic talent waiting to break out”. Join the Savanna Virtual Comedy Bar for free every Thursday from 20h00 until 25 June. Check out the next event here.
Schalk Bezuidenhout
If you haven't been getting South African comedian Schalk Bezuidenhout’s hilarious Lockdown daily chats, mense, you’ve been missing out! Uplifting, amusing and on point, check out his Facebook page and his virtual live shows for your daily dose of local humour. Schalk’s next live online show called “Lockdown Laughs” will be on 22 May on 20h15. Don’t miss it.
Nik Rabinowitz: The toilet diaries
South African comedian Nik Rabinowitz is also a father of three small children and has been humorously chronicling his Lockdown experience in his bathroom with episodes called “The Toilet Diaries”. Check out his Facebook page and also look out for his live shows.
Donovan Goliath
Comedian Donovan Goliath and his partner Davina Gordon seem to be having the most fun with Lockdown and have been using it to create great content including reimagining iconic brands such as Yves Saint Laurent, Chanel and Dolce & Gabbana. Following the positive response to their content, Donovan remarked: “We’re so overwhelmed at the response to these. What started as one simple post ended up becoming a really fun campaign that I’d love to enter into some awards.” Check out Donovan’s Twitter account and Instagram page to see their content.
The Daily (Social Distancing) Show
If you’re a fan of Trevor Noah’s The Daily Show (and who isn't? We love our Trevor!), watch his coronavirus adaption called The Daily Social Distancing Show online on Facebook as Trevor hosts it from his home. His interview with Bill Gates is fascinating.
Chester Missing: Zoom with a view
South Africa’s most famous puppet, Chester Missing says he has “realised that everyone is done with boring uninspired Zoom meetings” and has created a show to make everyone laugh. The show called “Zoom with a View” is aimed at companies and bookings can be made on www.conradkoch.co.za. For more information, check out Chester’s Facebook page.
MOVIES and THEATRE
We Are One: A Global Film Festival
A new virtual film festival co-curated by over 20 film festivals across the world has been created to delight film lovers while also raising money for the World Health Organization’s Covid-19 solidarity response fund. The 10-day free global event takes place on YouTube and will be held from 29 May till 7 June. It’ll feature films, documentaries, music, comedy and talks. To view the festival, subscribe on the We Are One YouTube channel.
Moffie
The highly anticipated film was meant to be screened in March. And now The Fugard Theatre has made it available for streaming for only R150. Based on the memoir, Moffie by Andre-Carl van der Merwe, the film is set in 1981 and tells the story of a recruit who embarks on his military service in South Africa. He must not only navigate the brutality of the army but the connection between him and a fellow recruit. Visit moffiefilm.com to stream.
Cinema Night
Since you can’t go out to watch movies, Central City retailer, The Electric is bringing the cinema to your home. They’re bringing a bit of magic by projecting a film onto the wall of the Just Like Papa building on 73 Harrington Street every second Tuesday from 18h00 sharp. According to The Electric, viewers that aren’t in the East City can tune in to the live stream via the Groundglass Facebook page. Look out for the next movie to be screened here.
Material
One of South Africa’s iconic movies, Material is now showing on Netflix. The feel good movie starring comedian, Riaad Moosa and set in Forsdburg, Johannesburg, looks at “the struggles of a Muslim family facing the modern world, exploring, destiny, responsibility and what family really means”. Check out the trailer here and watch it before the release of Material 2 is later this year.
Jerusalema
The highly acclaimed South African film, “Gangster’s Paradise: Jerusalema by Ralph Ziman has also been made available worldwide for streaming on Netflix. Mike Hale writes on the New York Times that with Jerusalema, “the writer and director, Ralph Ziman, chose to tell the story of post-apartheid South Africa as a gangster tale, loosely based on actual events.” View the movie trailer here.
Andrew Lloyd Webber
You can now enjoy iconic shows by Andrew Lloyd Webber for free from the comfort of your home. Called the “The Shows Must Go On”, the new YouTube Channel is streaming a full-length musical every Friday. The shows are made available for 48 hours to allow musical theatre lovers to tune in over the weekend.
Zip Zap Circus
The Zip Zap Circus, whose mandate is “to inspire young people and help build a new culture of peaceful coexistence”, has launched a Zip Zap Virtual Traveling Circus. The circus features exercise classes on WhatsApp, boredom busters and body-stretching challenges for the whole family. The NPO is also pleading for donations to keep its doors open and keep inspiring kids.
OTHER
Business Stream with Nic Haralambous
Every Friday at 14h00, entrepreneur and author, Nic Haralambous talks with other entrepreneurs and business owners to discuss a range of issues including mental health, staff concerns, cash flow, rent, business models and much more. He says the Business Stream is for entrepreneurs, startup founders, business owners or those thinking of starting a side-hustle. Register for the free Business Stream with Nic Haralambous on Fridays here.
TOPS at SPAR Wine Show
If you love all things to do with wine, join the TOPS at SPAR Online Wine Show presented by Cathy Marston. She’ll take you through “the tools to unlock the exciting but sometimes confusing world of wine, all from the comfort of your own home”. The next show is on 21 May and kicks off at 18h45. Tickets cost R R295, book yours here.
Online Pub Quiz
If your general knowledge is good, join Beerhouse for its Online Pub Quiz every Tuesday on Zoom from 19h00. The next event is on 26 May and you can play as an individual or as a team in your household. Secure your free spot here. Once you’ve booked, you’ll receive Zoom details.
Virtual Meet: The Brewers
Beerhouse invites you to join its founder, Randolf Jorberg, every Thursday on Facebook Live as he chats all things beer with various brewers. The virtual meet starts at 20h00. Check the Beerhouse Facebook page for more details.
Online Beer Yoga
If you still have any beer left at home, why not take part in beer yoga hosted by Beerhouse every Friday from 17h30. During the 1-hour long session, their yoga instructor will take you through a beginner’s class of “beer-centric yoga”. Beerhouse says all you need is a Wi-Fi connection and a beer or two or any drink of your choice. To participate use this Zoom link (https://zoom.us/j/677411747) and meeting ID (677 411 747). To get an idea of what beer yoga is, watch here.
Cape Town’s First Future Energy Festival
The City of Cape Town is encouraging residents to take part in its First Future Energy Festival which includes family-friendly virtual experiences that promote sustainable lifestyles. The Festival is currently running and will end on 20 July. It features events such as “Green Maker Mania” which encourages people to share their interactive and innovative exhibitions related to sustainability and green technology and “Watt’s in the Pot” which allows people to share energy efficient recipes and stand to win prizes. Other events include the “I Live Smart” puppet show on YouTube for toddlers and young learners. Visit www.capetownfutureenergyfestival.co.za for more information or email energy@zafanzone.co.za.
IMAGES: Beerhouse, Schalk Bezuidenhout, Goodluck, Conrad Koch, Zip Zap Circus