This year Wits Theatre’s 969 Festival celebrates its 14th birthday with music performances featuring some of South Africa’s greats between 14 – 30 July.
The 969 Festival is not only diverse in performance genres it also offers variety from all sides of the arts & culture spectrum, from theatre and dance to music. For lovers of the latter this is good news because the live music performances promise to warm up audiences from the inside out.
What would any festival be without the likes of world-class musical veterans Steve Newman & Ashish Joshi. This incredible, synergetic two-man outfit is a clear reminder of what great live music is about – meaningful and dynamic. Newman is a master manipulator of the guitar strings, drawing on intricate flamenco melodies with remarkable ease, while Joshi compliments his style beautifully with the rhythmic beats of his table. This acclaimed duo close off the festival with a bang on 30 July at 4pm.
To open the 969 festival, we wanted to offer our audiences some mellow, feel-good music to ease them into a hectic, culture filled 2 weeks. Catch Dikelo & Bongile on the opening night with one performance only on 14 July and allow them to soothe the stressed-out work-week away. Their particular style of music is designed to bring peace to the soul while getting the toes tapping. The duo sing songs from the heart for the heart and provide an entertaining experience, too boot.
Something to get really excited about is Samthing Soweto performing on Thursday 20 July at 8pm in our Main Theatre. . Hot off a record-breaking sell-out performance at The Soweto Theatre and with rave reviews at the Ntaional Arts Festival 2017, this multi-talented singer, writer, composer and producer is ready to rock 969 with his experimental neo-jazz, alternative and acapella sounds in a way that will move audiences and resonate with their souls. A skillful three-piece band accompanies him. As a founding member of the well-known South African acapella group The Soil he penned 8 of the 11 songs on the group’s multi-platinum selling album and finally relaunched his solo career last year. He has rapidly grown popular and his show is a must see.
Audiences will feel truly let down if they don’t submerge themselves in the experience that is Let There Be Music, (25 July )an epic musical celebration which is at once exciting and beautiful. The music in the production is drawn from genres around the world and performed by the award-winning hundred voices of the Hoerskool Randburg Choir with the highly acclaimed Majazi Ensemble. Don’t miss this musical feast for the senses.
Then, for some gripping musical theatre, The Market Theatre Laboratory presents Hani, the story of Chris Hani’s life. This remarkable piece is inspired by the hit American musical, Hamilton. However, Hani is told through the contemporary song forms of hip-hop, rap and ballad by a dynamic and energetic young cast. Through this fresh form, we grapple with the gap Hani left behind while feel inspired by how we can use his legacy to move forward at a time where we face enormous political and social challenges. Leila Henriques directs this lively yet meaningful production which was a 2017 Ovation winner at the National Arts Festival..
There is so much variety at the 969 Festival audiences will easily be entertained for an entire day and night. Whether the choice is music, dance or theatre, or a bit of everything, Wits Theatre is the place to be from mid-July to shake off the winter blues.
Please check the attached schedule for times, dates and venues. Tickets are available at www.webtickets.co.zaor you can book online or through any Pick n Pay store. Even better, you can load your ticket on your Pick n Pay Smart Shopper card.
Tickets can also be purchased at Wits Theatre’s Box Office. Contact Yuhl on yuhl.headman@wits.ac.za / Bridget bridget.vanoerle@wits.ac.za for block bookings.
Wits Theatre Box office:
011 717 1381
Ticket prices are as follows:
Full price online – R75.00
Full price at Box office – R 80.00
Pensioner, Wits Staff and Student Discount online – R 60.00 on presentation of ID document or valid student card
Pensioner, Wits Staff and Student Discount Box office – R 65.00 (on presentation of ID document or valid student card
LUNCHTIME SHOWS
Online staff and public – R 50.00
Box Office staff and public – R 60.00
Online Students – R 40.00
Box Office students and block bookings – R 50.00 on presentation of ID document or valid student card
No WSOA passes accepted
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