Sunday, August 17, 2008
THEN IT GOES ON...
Although I have reached the end of the World of Work Training and Internship program, I am not too sad- nor amused by this. The feeling is that of uncertainty-DETACHED ATTACHMENT. It certainly means that I will be spending less time worrying about going to Wits University to get adequate access to the internet. It also means that my posts will no longer be limited to my work experience. I'm glad for this kind of platform though, because it makes you feel like you have a worthy voice in the world. BIG UPS TO THOSE THAT CREATED THE IDEA OF BLOGGING:-)I think the world would certainly be a better place if people shared in proportion to what they receive.
Monday, August 11, 2008
:-)yyyyyyeeeepppeeee!!!!!
I feel so lucky!!! The whole world needs to know that THE SAMRO ENDOWMENT FOR THE NATIONAL ARTS TEAM ROCKS and such a privilege to be part of!!! From the day we arrived at SENA, we were welcomed with open arms. Since then, the department is still filled with a lot of sense of humor coupled with a great sense of work ethic. Last Wednesday, we officially signed our contracts of employment. Vorster (Rams) and I are finally legal employees of SAMRO!!!! I want to thank everybody at SENA for giving us a chance being patient with us more especially. YOU HAVE NO IDEA WHAT THAT MEANS TO ME! Adding to that excitement, the SAMRO Endowment’s Overseas Scholarship awards/GALA evening is just two weeks ahead! The office is quite busy with all the logistical issues involved in organizing the event. I am really looking forward to the performances and the experience of being surrounded by and hosting VIPs!! Ooohhhhh!!! Some of the attendees are the Head Of the Department of the Nelson Mandela M University, David Alexander of Moshito, Constant Michelle who is the CEO of Business Arts of South Africa or BASA, and Lefoka Dan of ATKV!! AAAAHHHH!!! I feel like such a groupie right now:-)
Sunday, August 3, 2008
SAMRO LIVE MUSIC PROJECT
SAMRO/SENA is looking at initiatives that are aimed at promoting live music in South Africa. This is good because it is in line with SENA’s objectives. A clear strategy will be needed in doing this. In order for that strategy to happen, research has to be done regarding the status quo in live music venues. I felt like a journalist this weekend because I went to a club and a live performance venue with a pen and note-pad.
On Friday, my cousin was celebrating her 18th birthday at a secluded club in Woodmead that she booked out for the evening. It was a perfect opportunity to test all that we discussed at work. It turned out that the club is strictly designed for a dj set up and there is no visible accommodation for live music performance. The music that was played was ragga, hip-hop and pop. There was literally only one South African song that was played. The rest of the evening was dedicated to American music. The crowd really appreciated the American songs and that one South African song that sounded pretty much like the other American songs. I felt like I was in Hollywood-especially because the dress code was “DSTV fashion t.v style”.
On Saturday, a friend of mine who is a promoter invited me to the commemoration of Fela Kuti’s death. The evening started with American, Cuban and European jazz. There was a Nigerian ragga music performer and then a local jazz band that really got the crowd even more excited. People were singing along and encouraging the jazz band’s performance as it was further enriched by a saxophonist and trumpeter who just joined in and started displaying their musical skill. The rest of the evening was dedicated to African music. I felt at home.
These events I attended got me thinking about the need for SAMRO to support live music in Johannesburg from a marketing and PR point of view. At the House of Nsako, I met a music journalist and managed to schedule a meeting with him tomorrow. That will be an interesting meeting. I also e-mailed Sifiso Ntuli, the manager of the House of Nsako, a questionnaire about this subject. I will have to slightly compromise my ethnomusicological endeavours this week though, because I have to submit a draft report for Mr le Roux this Thursday (the 7th).
On Friday, my cousin was celebrating her 18th birthday at a secluded club in Woodmead that she booked out for the evening. It was a perfect opportunity to test all that we discussed at work. It turned out that the club is strictly designed for a dj set up and there is no visible accommodation for live music performance. The music that was played was ragga, hip-hop and pop. There was literally only one South African song that was played. The rest of the evening was dedicated to American music. The crowd really appreciated the American songs and that one South African song that sounded pretty much like the other American songs. I felt like I was in Hollywood-especially because the dress code was “DSTV fashion t.v style”.
On Saturday, a friend of mine who is a promoter invited me to the commemoration of Fela Kuti’s death. The evening started with American, Cuban and European jazz. There was a Nigerian ragga music performer and then a local jazz band that really got the crowd even more excited. People were singing along and encouraging the jazz band’s performance as it was further enriched by a saxophonist and trumpeter who just joined in and started displaying their musical skill. The rest of the evening was dedicated to African music. I felt at home.
These events I attended got me thinking about the need for SAMRO to support live music in Johannesburg from a marketing and PR point of view. At the House of Nsako, I met a music journalist and managed to schedule a meeting with him tomorrow. That will be an interesting meeting. I also e-mailed Sifiso Ntuli, the manager of the House of Nsako, a questionnaire about this subject. I will have to slightly compromise my ethnomusicological endeavours this week though, because I have to submit a draft report for Mr le Roux this Thursday (the 7th).
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