Angels on Horseback
South Africa

Angels on Horseback
Starring: Fiona du Plooy, Candice D’Arcy, Jamie Jupiter and Gene Kiermane

Picture the small frontier town of Darling, the whisper of tumbleweed blowing down the dusty streets.The setting sun has left a trail of bloody red in the sky. Now listen carefully for the ominous thud of cowboy boots walking on wooden boards, the creaky complaint of saloon doors being thrown open as four silhouettes outline the doorway of a seemingly ordinary home . Could it be ??

Here to make us line dance in our seats! Here to make us beg for them to do that song that sounds like Dolly Parton making out with John Denver on a warm summers eve in Savannah Georgia. Here to make us laugh till we cry beer tears and remember that one that got away.

Dust off your Stetson and get ready to ride into the sunset with ANGELS ON HORSEBACK.

“An awesome show featuring country music, but with a uniquely South African spin in the lyrics. The cast make the show a pleasure to both watch and participate in. And yes girls, I would take Ryk Neethling on or off a silver tray too!” Cue review 2008 NATIONAL ARTS FESTIVAL GRAHAMSTOWN.

Web: www.angelsonhorseback.co.za

Bernard Loonen
The Netherlands

Songs of Travel

Bernard Loonen, a tenor from the Netherlands. For this special VKF-production he will be accompanied by (someone special) on piano.

From the pen of author and traveller Robert Louis Stevenson come the words for Songs of Travel by folksong collector and composer Ralph Vaughan Williams. Poems from the latter days of a century and a literary career (1896), to music from the beginning of the next century and the start of a musical career. RLS (1850-1894) knew about travel and how to tell the story (as readers of Treasure Island know), and RVW (1872-1958) was a master of his art, which can be heard in these wonderful tunes.

The first three songs of the cycle set the pace for a musical journey. Where the road will subsequently lead is for the audience to decide ...

Gaëtan Schmid
South Africa

Rumpsteak’s Teazer

Rumpsteak’s Teazer is a 25min tasty little appetiser to Rumpsteak, the show.

Rumpsteak, the show is an exhilarating “behind-the-scenes” look at the rush hour in a kitchen of a French restaurant. Gaëtan Schmid (writer / actor) doesn’t move from his one square meter mini stage while performing 13 characters over a soundscape of more than 800 sound effects.

Gaëtan will tantalise your taste buds with an introductory life lexicon to whisk in all these unpronounceable French words like “Cuisses de grenouille” and “Huitres à la ciboulette”.

Bon appétit!

Guy Buttery
South Africa

Guy Buttery

Since the phenomenal success of his latest album, winning him 3 National Awards [including a South African Music Award for "Best Instrumental Album of 2010" and the Standard Bank Gold Ovation Award] Guy Buttery has been kept busy with a packed schedule of both national and international dates. Described as a “one-man-guitar-army”, Guy is a National treasure and the top ambassador of the acoustic guitar in South Africa today.

Web: www.guybuttery.co.za

Jungle Theatre Company
South Africa

Indlovu People

Indlovu People is a family show about elephants. Three children go on an adventure in the jungle. They meet !Kama Indlovu a mystical old man who holds the key to the elephant world. !Kama takes them on a journey into the mysterious origins of Indlovu People.

The audience get involved in magical puppetry, catchy music and comedy and their relationship with these majestic creatures is changed forever.

Created by Jungle Theatre Company, directed by Heather Mac and performed by Nimray Kruger, Ntombi Mkhasibe, Mfundo Hashe and Vincent Meyburgh.

Web: www.jungletheatre.co.za

Mamela Nyamza
South Africa

(More info will be added soon.)

Matzer Theaterproducties
The Netherlands

111

Two brothers. One father.
A trial, a challenge, a chance.
111 is a sparkling parable about honour and humility, faith and fate.

With respect for all fairytales, bible stories and myths the actors/musicians Jasper Boeke and Helge Slikker offer us a modern narrative about two men on a quest.

111 is a sensitive story with music and magic, language and laughter, culminating in one hundred and eleven days as the ultimate dedication.

111 is a festival-production by MATZER Theaterproducties.The English première is in September 2010 during the Voorkamerfest in Darling, South-Africa.

Web: www.matzer.org

Nomfusi
South Africa

Meadlowlands to Motown

Put the spirit of Miriam Makeba and the wildness of Tina Turner in a pint sized package, and what do you get? Nomfusi! The petit Afro-soul singer from Khayelithsa joins forces with guitar wunderkind Mark Williams to bring you a powerhouse performance of Sophiatown classics, with a Motown twist.

Web: www.nomfusi.com

Not the Midnight Mass
South Africa

Not the Midnight Mass

South Africa’s award winning a Capella group Not the Midnight Mass are back again.The group has a new and exciting line up; stalwarts Graham and Christine Weir are once again joined by Cape Town’s most popular jazz diva, Amanda Tiffin, as well as award winning actress Anthea Thompson and funny-man Donal Slemon. The show is choreographed and staged by Fiona du Plooy.

Singing like angels but with a devilish wit, in 2009 the members of Not the Midnight Mass won the Fleur de Cap Award for Best performance in a Cabaret. They have been hailed both nationally and internationally for their unique blend of harmonies, humor and original writing and the show sports some old favorites like Led Zepplins “A whole Lotta Love”, Pachelbel's Canon in D as well as a new and hilarious rendition of My Fair Lady's “On The Street Where you Live”.

Owen Britz & Pieter van Zyl
South Africa

Owen Britz & Pieter van Zyl

Owen Britz started with music lessons at the age of 16. Six years later he obtained his B. Mus from the University of the Free State with piano as major instrument. During his studies he performed as soloist with the Free State Symphonic Wind Orchestra, amongst others, and also as accompanist for soloists. He studied with Nettie Immelman and Albie van Schalkwyk. In 2005 Owen took up flute lessons with Maria Swart in Bloemfontein. Under the tutorship of Marietjie Pauw he obtained his UNISA Performer’s Licentiate for Flute cum laude in 2010. Owen currently resides in Darling.

Pieter van Zyl het n B.MUS-graad aan die Universiteit van Stellenbosch, 'n M.MUS-graad aan die Universiteit van Port Elizabeth en Voordraerslisensiate aan UNISA en Royal Schools behaal. Hy het klavier studeer by Makkie Loubser, Danie Smit, Lamar Crowson, Nancy Hofmeyr, Betsie Cluver en Neil Solomon. Pieter balanseer sy liefde vir musiek met n passie vir drama. Hy is opgelei in die mime corporel-tegniek en filosofie van die Franse teatermeeste Etienne Decroux. Pieter het as musikant en akteur regdeur Suid-Afrika gewerk, sowel as in Zimbabwe, Engeland, Skotland, België, Frankryk, Griekeland en Kalifornië.

Philip de Villiers en Die Blinde Boere Orkes
South Africa

Philip de Villiers en Die Blinde Boere Orkes

Born and raised in the Swartland, singer and songwriter Philip de Villiers collaborates with Die Blinde Boereorkes from Worcester, to bring you songs more than a century old from the Bo-Kaap. Fusing traditional sakkie-sakkie with vibrant ghoema, they give birth to an infectious new style. Brimming with cheerfulness, this group of visually impaired musicians paint a colourful picture of early 20^th century life in the Bo-Kaap. more info ...

Web: www.blindeorkes.co.za

Roelien Grobbelaar
South Africa

Matters of the Harp

Acquainted with the music and entertainment industry for over 18 years, professional harpist Roelien Grobbelaar captivates and charms with an enchanting Lyon & Healy Concert Harp.

As an ad hoc member of various orchestras she has performed under the baton of conductors such as Victor Yampolsky, Gerhard Korsten, Owain Arwell Hughes, Eric Rycroft and Kamal Kahn.

Roelien regularly performs at some of the most prominent occasions in South Africa and has entertained international celebrities such as HRH Prince Edward Earl of Wessex and has performed with multi Grammy award winners George Benson and Kanye West.

This harp performance hosted by the Voorkamerfest will showcase the romantic character of the instrument. Amongst other you can look forward to music from the ballet “The Nutckracker”, Debussy’s “Clair de Lune” and a romantic Tango by Astor Piazzolla.

You will witness the harp’s grand scope of sounds, from virtuosic original harp works to some of the most well known classical pieces you love.

Web: www.harpist.co.za

Soma Fusion Bellydance Company
South Africa

Triboriginals
Dancers: Marissa Cuenoud, Kashiefa Athanatos
Percussionist: James van Minnen

Tribal Fusion Belllydance is the newest member of the exotic family of bellydance. It is a women’s dance… with a twist. Taking old styles, traditional rhythms and costuming and fusing it with contemporary electronic music, modern pops n locks, sinuous muscular movement and a theatrical flair, Soma Fusion Bellydance Company has created a very dynamic and unique style of their own. Along with live percussion mixed into electronic beats, finger symbals and intricate choreography, prepare for a sensual, sensory feast.

Web: www.soma.co.za

Steve Sandomierski
South Africa

Cabaret Comedy Magic

Ever wonder how a card rises, a coin vanishes, or generally how those silly magicians make things seem impossible? Well you won't learn it here, but come and join The College of Magic's Steve Sandomierski for an excursion into the lighter side of magic as he engages you with his brand of Cabaret Comedy Magic.

Steve is currently the reigning South African Magic Grand Prix Winner, so whether it's sleight of hand sorcery or laugh-a-minute mystical miracles, Steve is your man!

Web: www.collegeofmagic.com