On 16 June 2012, the Two Oceans Aquarium proudly hosted Open – an evening of song, sound and poetry. Open was in aid of I am Somebody!, an NGO that works towards strengthening communities through exchange. The evening was a great mix of art, music and poetry.
Open kicked off with Johnny and Julie Blundell along with Anele Viti from Rhythm Workshop getting the very enthusiastic audience participating in a group percussion session. Under the direction of Julie, everyone had great fun beating their musical tubes, while Johnny and Anele provided accompaniment on African drums, guitar and the hung drum. Unique musical flavours filled the air and with that, the scene was set for an evening of creativity, participation and enjoyment.
The enthusiastic and vibrant start to the evening was followed by poet and storyteller Diana Ferrus, who performed beautiful and insightful poems in English and Afrikaans. She explored the themes of women, peace, identity and love. She also performed her highly acclaimed poem about Sarah Baartman. This poem was instrumental in having Sarah’s remains returned to South Africa. In 2002 Ferrus read her poem at the handing over of the remains to the South African government.
Sandile Mhi was the third artist for the evening. Sandile is a participant in the I am Somebody! Rights of Passage programme. He performed a poem he had especially written for I am Somebody! His enthusiasm and obvious passion for I am Somebody! was felt throughout his performance.
Open was concluded with a performance by renowned musician Tina Schouw. Tina performed pieces from her latest album Winds Call, old favourites from albums like The Goodnight Songs, and some of her unrecorded works. Through her beautiful lyrics and catchy melodies, intertwined with stories of childhood and discovery – both through child- and adulthood ¬ the audience was taken on a journey into the delightful world that is Tina’s heart and passion.
I am Someboday! Director Nicole le Roux remarked: “We were so moved by the Two Ocean Aquarium’s offer to host an event that would benefit our work. The event enabled us to do the work of bringing people from different classes, cultures and generations together to explore their lives and their visions through the performers. In addition to all of this, the event helped us raise the funds we needed for our first five-day camp with the young adults in our 18-month programme.
“As an organisation, and as a community, we are so grateful to the Two Oceans Aquarium for the gift of this collaboration. The Two Oceans Aquarium operates with integrity and commitment to the community. Thank you for your generosity, time, resources and most of all for so sincerely sharing the magic of your venue.”
To learn more about I am Somebody! please visit their website at www.iamsomebody.co.za.
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