Thursday 3 June 2004

This site will be updated on 10 June  2004 at 17:30

Arts - Kunste

• Art upstairs
• Memoirs of Struggle launched
• Libertas koor in Paarl
• Platform vir talent
• Gospelsanger in Strooidakkerk

Art upstairs

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FIVE Paarlites have taken their hobby upstairs, and transformed a restaurant attic into a gallery for their art.

Winnie Eaton, Ronél Romanis, Elsa Valentine, Tilly van Huyssteen and Michelle Sequeira were part-time art students at Boland College.

Under the expert eye of faculty head Hannes van Zyl they were taught the secrets of drawing and painting by their lecturer, artist Cornelia Smook. Then they decided their work needed to be exhibited, and the idea of the Galery Upstairs was born. It is a showcase for their work in the attic of De Kostinrichting in Pastorie Avenue.

DOWN TO EARTH. Budding Paarl artists (from left) Tilly van Huyssteen, Winnie Eaton, Ronél Romanis, Elsa Valentine and Michelle Sequeira in their Gallery Upstairs.                          

The paintings have a warm, earthy feel. Some are framed, others not. Some are on wood, others on canvas. Woven between the paintings is Ronél's salt dough art and textiles.

The artworks are titled and all items are priced for sale through the restaurant.

Whether you want to browse or buy, at the top of the stairs you will have a wonderful experience

A LEADER by right. A very unassuming, modest man. That is how former comrades describe Jama Matakata, who launched his autobiography, "Hills op Hope", last Thursday in the Paarl Town Hall.

Several hundred people attended the launch, among them dignitaries of state and political parties.

Matakata, who grew up in Paarl, is an ex-combatant and ex-political prisoner.

He left South Africa to join uMkhonto weSizwe in December 1982. He received his military training in Angola.

He was arrested in December 1984 and sentenced to serve in Robben Island maximum security prison until his release in September 1990.

In his book he reflects on his introduction to politics and his military training outside South Africa to his imprisonment on Robben Island and subsequent freedom.

'Hills of Hope' tells the story of a group of young anti-Apartheid activists who played a part in creating the new social order that now benefits all who live in South Africa, says Colonel Patrick Ricketts in the preface.

"Though many died in their quest for a better future, the shared experiences of those who survived cemented them into one big family, committed to the ongoing defence and development of their motherland.

"The recording of our past is of great necessity in ensuring that our history is neither lost nor distorted, allowing future generations to reflect on past foundations."

Jama says of the book: "It is also my humble contribution to those who have always supported, protected and prayed for me during the years of struggle.

"It seeks to bestow honour, integrity and respect on the men and women who selflessly contributed their lives to make me - a proud product of the people's struggle in South Africa.

"Our older generation told the story from their perspective, but little has been recorded by the youth of our country.

"I hope to inspire comrades of my own generation - those who were activists, went into exile, or were sent to prison for their political beliefs - to do the same."

The book is available from Paper Weight in Lady Grey Street, Paarl, or at the Clocktower shopping centre at the Water Front at R100.

DIE bekende Stellenbosch Libertas-koor tree Saterdagaand  die eerste keer by 'n publieke konsert in die Paarl.

Dié uitvoering in die Toringkerk  om 20:00 beloof om iets besonders te wees, weens die kerk se uitstekende akoestiek.

Die veelrassige koor vir volwassenes is in 1989 deur Johan de Villiers (koorleier) gestig.

Die konsert word deur die Afrikaanse Christelike Vrouevereniging (ACVV) aangebied as fondsinsamelingsprojek en ter viering van hul 100ste verjaarsdag.

Dié organisasie en sy maatskaplikewerkers staan in beheer van verskeie plaaslike welsynsprojekte, waaronder die ouetehuise Rusoord en Vergenoeg, die Oase-dienssentrum en Sonskyn-deurgangshuis vir bejaardes, bewaarskole en nasorgklasse.

Kaartjies kos R50 by mev Herrmann, tel 872-2738.

HIER is soveel talent in die Paarl, maar baie daarvan gaan verlore omdat niemand aandag gee nie. Só voel twee ondernemende jong manne, Basil Jacobs en Lionel August.

Hulle het nou 'n organisasie, 'Sky's the limit', begin om aandag te gee hieraan.

"Ons wil veral die jeug 'n kans gee op ontwikkeling en hulle sommer ook van die strate en uit die kwaad hou," vertel hulle.

Ná 'n lang soektog het hulle 'n voet in die deur gekry by Sinatra's in die Paarl en gisteraand het hulle begin om hul droom te bewaarheid.

"Elke Woensdagaand van 21:00 gaan nuwe kunstenaars kans kry om op te tree. Hulle kan sing, dans of 'n instrument speel.

"Dit kos hulle niks en ons sal mense kry om te help met afronding.

"Daar sal ook talentjagters genooi word om te kom kyk, en wie weet - the sky is the limit!" raak hulle entoesiasties.

Die twee beplan om al die nuwe talent in 'n musiekfees te gebruik later vanjaar. Intussen beplan hulle ook 'n paar gospel-aande.

Navrae kan gerig word aan Basil by 082-214-3207 of Lionel by 082-747-0133.

'n OPKOMENDE nuwe ster op die gospelmusiektoneel, Anne-Marie van Eeden, kan op Woensdag 23 Junie  om 18:00 in die Strooidakkerk, Paarl, gehoor word.

'n Tragiese voorval in Januarie 2000 het Anne-Marie se lewe en musiekloopbaan op 'n nuwe koers geplaas toe haar jongste seuntjie, Frederick (3), in die gesin se swembad verdrink het.

Al die liedjies wat Anne-Marie sing, is in die drie jaar na die tragedie geskryf, en sy vertolk dit as 'n kragtige getuienis van die genade en geborgenheid wat sy in dié moeilike tyd van God ontvang het.

Elke liedjie dra 'n boodskap van hoop en bemoediging. Die musiekstyle wissel van Latyns-Amerikaans tot jazz en Afrika-ritmies. Dit word beskryf as "gospel met 'n verskil".

Anne-Marie sing en speel self klavier, en word bygestaan deur Schalk Joubert op baskitaar en kontrabas, Tim Rankin op tromme en Anjulie de Vos op tjello en harmonieë.

Toegang is R30 (kinders R20).

 Kaartjies is te koop by die kerkkantoor, Louw-Deysel Prokureurs (Eerste Vloer, JC Cuff-gebou, Hoofstraat, Paarl), Die Gieter (Hoofstraat) en Lux Verbi (Pick 'n Pay sentrum), of kontak Fanie Botha by 072-386-8849.

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