DURBAN ARTS

BALLROOM BOOST

For the last 18 months Durban Arts has been actively trying to implement Metro Council's urgings to raise more money for itself on an increasing scale.

The association, with its fund-raiser Lindi Gross, has been approaching the private sector, inviting companies to adopt one or other of its 71 affiliates.

A project which has attracted interest is the Durban Arts street ballroom concert.

SOCIAL

Through their corporate social involve-ment section, the Durban-based head office of McCarthy Retail Limited has decided to vary the organisation's usual strategy of sponsoring educational com-munity activities. This year, Savell's Furnishers through McCarthy Retail have chosen Durban Arts as a project and have "adopted" the street ballroom concert which is to be held on May 9.

McCarthy was one of the few companies who made an initial donation to Durban Arts in 1995. This year they have increased their donation and the street ballroom concert will be a pilot to what may hopefully be an ongoing project, leading the way for more companies to follow their example.

BALLROOM

The Durban Arts street ballroom concerts are highly popular and take place below the City Hall steps in Church Walk. Before each concert the wide paving is thoroughly swept and covered with rubberised plastic sheets. Dancing begins at 18h30 and continues until about 23h00.

There are demonstrations by professional and amateur ballroom dancers. Dance workshops are led by comedian/dancer Rob Manicom. The evening setting provides a social atmosphere and the audience is requested to bring picnic boxes and chairs.

For details, contact Durban Arts director Noel Fairhurst on 23-1236.

FLAME LILY APPEAL

"What in life is more rewarding than to bring people pleasure?" asks Penny Wilson of Flame Lily Park in Malvern, adding that "when entertainment is brought to us, it eases the stress and strains of the passing years and washes our cares away." So if performers are looking for a receptive and appreciative audience to `try out' productions before they finally hit the general public, why not use Flame Lily Park as a venue?

Indeed anyone willing to offer any form of entertainment would be most welcome. Ring Penny on 463-1595

VIDEO WORKSHOPS

Last month, Durban Arts sponsored a series of video workshops which were held in the centre of Durban under the guidance of facilitators Oziel Mdletshe, Lungi Mbongwe and Sicelo Morgan.

Among the 12 members attending the course were (as per pic):

Back row: Charles Dlamini, Musa Mvundla, Nkosinathi Mathaba, Thomas Dlamini and Nyameko Kenqu.

Front: Sphelele Myeza, Paulos Nkoma, Delani Ninela and Sibongile Dlamini.

As well as coming from the surrounding townships, members travelled from as far as Eshowe, Greytown and Umkomaas - some of whom had never worked with a camera of any kind.

COMPANY

"The idea of the workshop is to allow the people to open their own company so that they can serve the community by filming weddings, funerals or important functions," says Alson Gcwabaza, Durban Arts board member and initiator of the community video project.

"We are also hoping that they will do documentaries such as environment awareness and news to feed to the SABC as freelance cameramen."

Alson has spent much time talking to Zith Maheye, a Durban business consul-tant, who would welcome the inclusion of people with video training.

"It's a long term plan," says Alson, "but it has great potential."

BOTANIC ART

The National Botanical Institute presents an Art Festival in Botanical Gardens, Mayor's Walk, Pieteramritzburg, from April 25 to 28.

For more details, contact (0331) 44-3585 or fax (0331) 44-1284.



N.B. INFORMATION ON DURBAN ARTS LUNCH-HOUR CONCERTS ON PAGE 5.

ARTISTS IN BUSINESS

The Bazaar shopping complex, Gillespie Street opposite the Wheel, offers reaso-nably low rentals that would make it possible for artists to start small businesses of their own.

More information is available from Luvershree Reddy on 368-4361.