WALE 2010 kicks off

The Youth Oratorio takes centre stage at WALE 2010, a commission by the University of Johannesburg Arts Academy in 2009. This is a partnership of the Wits Choir, Meadowlands Zone 3 SDA Church Choir and UJ Choirs, composed by Prof. Zaidel-Rudolph, and conducted by Mokale Koapeng.

The musical narrative traces the journey of a young life from the joyous welcoming of a new soul, the dependence of infancy, the beauty and innocence of childhood, the awakening and anguish of the early teen, the rite of passage and passion of youth and the young adult ready to conquer and
embrace the vast treasures of life.

The Meeting of Spirits is another definite highlight, and features a one-off performance by bassist Marc Duby (Head of Music Rhodes University), pianist John Fresk and guitarist Jonathan Crossley (Wits Music School), playing a carefully selected programme of compositions by each of the
performers.

Young, and colourful choir

The Wits Choir Children's Choral Workshop as well as a vibrant performance will be presented by the renowned Wits Choir. This is an exciting, young, and colourful choir drawn from diverse national and international cultures. It has been under the direction of accomplished conductor and trainer, Dalene Hoogenhout.

Sankofa brings an afrocentric-feel to WALE 2010's programme. Emerging in 2005 out of the creative imaginings of students enrolled at the Wits School of Arts, Sankofa now comprises seven professional musicians, and features instruments from all over Africa. Adding a contemporary feel to WALE is Nyiko, with lead singer Iggy, whose musical emphasis is on an Afro Contemporary style, together with her classical training makes this band an eclectic fusion of sound.

Pornographic, immoral and offensive

Photographer Zanele Muholi's work made headlines as a result of negative comments made by the Minister of Arts and Culture Lulu Xingwana. The minister labelled the exhibition, Innovative Women as “pornographic”, “immoral” and “offensive”. It is precisely such attitudes that Muholi aims to counteract with her joint WALE 2010 digital exhibition with Nandipha Mntambo titled Visible Intimacy.

Also providing a visual feast is Véronique Tadjo, head of French Studies in the School of Literature and Language Studies at Wits University, will present Crossing Borders which features paintings addressing the themes of permeability, flexibility and tolerance.

Deborah Glencross' Diversity/divided miracle (being held at the Adler Museum of Medicine), which showcases Glencross' unique creativity that's significantly influenced by her background in human genetics and molecular biology.

Apartheid Archives Exhibition

The Apartheid Archives Exhibition is an installation at WALE, which will include a visual and aural experience of the apartheid archives.

A prominent feature of WALE 2010 are several workshops being run during the festival, amongst which is the Language of Creativity, run by Gao Lemmenyane and Kudakwashe Chitambire, The Helen Sebidi Workshop, and Art for Social Transformation.

Film at WALE 2010 helps the festival deliver on its “arts on the edge” promise, which includes Bhekizizwe Peterson's film Zwelidumile; Iris Parker's documentary Portraits from South Africa; Saartje Baartman Documentary Retrospective; Arts for Transformation: Once Upon a River Screening; and Dark and Lovely, Soft and Free.

The spirit of the 2010 FIFA World Cup can be found in a series of films on Soccer at Arts on Main (245 Main St, Downtown, Joburg).

The majority of the events on the WALE programme are free. Tickets for Staceyann Chin Live, Othello, Songs for a New World, Prejudice and Pride, and the Youth Oratorio can be bought online at strictlytickets.com, or call +27 (0)73 725 7381. For more details on each event go to www.wale.co.za.