In celebration of Youth Day on Saturday 16 June 2012 the Two Oceans Aquarium, in association with I Am Somebody!, will present OPEN: An evening of song, sound and poetry. The event is in support of the non-profit organisation I Am Somebody!
Featuring Jonny and Julie Blundell and Anele Viti from the Rhythm Workshop, poets Diana Ferrus and Sandile Mhi, and renowned jazz/folk singer Tina Schouw, OPEN will take place against the backdrop of shoals of silver fish, graceful rays and sharks in the I&J Predator Exhibit.
Working from Cape Town in South Africa, brother and sister team Jonny and Julie Blundell specialise in facilitating interactive rhythm workshops using various instruments including musical tubes, African djembe drums, panpipes and assorted percussion. Together with Anele Viti, they will facilitate an Interactive Musical Tubes performance with the OPEN audience. Participants will be astonished with their ability to create rhythm, melody and harmony with a bunch of plastic tubes!
Diana Ferrus is renowned for her poem about Sarah Baartman whose remains were on display in Paris until 1986. In 2002 Ferrus read her poem for Sarah Baartman at the handing over of the remains to the South African government. At OPEN, Ferrus will perform poetry in English and Afrikaans and will focus on themes around women, peace, identity and love.
Sandile Mhi is a young poet and a participant in I Am Somebody!’s Rites of Passage programme. During this 18-month programme, a group of young adults between the ages of 18 and 25 meet regularly to go through rites of passage. Together they work with different aspects of themselves, including their strengths and their challenges, and share their story as they take different steps towards their dreams. Mhi will share his experiences of this programme through poetry.
Renowned musician Tina Schouw will perform songs from her most recent album Winds Call as well as some old favourites. Schouw is a heart artist making connections to the heart of healing. She is a singer/songwriter/guitarist/author who continues to perform locally and internationally. She has produced and staged her own shows, as well as collaborated with various artists on different productions in South Africa. Her music draws on an eclectic blend of styles including, folk, jazz, Latin and contemporary.
Proceeds from OPEN will go towards I Am Somebody! Through its programmes, this non-profit organisation provides people with the personal foundation for making better choices, stronger communities internally, integrated solutions between communities and restored relationships with nature that nurture community development. The programmes are based on principles of storytelling, the give and take of listening and the authenticity of real exchange.
Seats are limited so book today!
Tickets to OPEN cost R130 and include entrance to the Two Oceans Aquarium, a glass of wine kindly sponsored by Lourensford Wine Estate on arrival and a light snack. Tickets are available through Webtickets. Doors open at 19h00 and a cash bar will be available.
For more information please contact:
Helen Lockhart
Communications & Sustainability Manager
Two Oceans Aquarium
Tel: + 27 (0)21 418 3823
Email: helen.lockhart@aquarium.co.za
Nicole Le Roux
Director
I Am Somebody!
www.iamsomebody.co.za
www.marioninstitute.org/serendipity/i-am-somebody
Tel: +27 (0)71 568 8970
