iToyiToyi is a brilliant attempt to bring three artforms – Music, Poetry and Dance – into confrontation about their respective roles in the liberation struggle, and a tantalizing invitation to ponder on these and other ‘black expressions of pain and struggle’. It is however done a major disservice by its fetish to ground grand ideas into readily consumable ..read more
Death And Light
For the first time this year, the lights were on at the Performing Arts Centre of the Free State, but – reports ART STATE publisher Mpho Matsitle – that is where the good news end.
A Year of Jazzing on the Lawn
On Human Rights Day, 2018, an ambitious event launched at the Windmill Casino lawns. Clouds heavily pregnant with rain threatened the inaugural event, but organisers were quick to allay any fears of a cancellation. The show would go on, contingencies were in place. Local musicians Levante Music, Naledi & Friends, and The Andile Q Trio, with Motheo FM’s ..read more
Swing; Whatta Ting!
Sheila’s day saw a concert by the Bruckner University Big Band at a packed Odeion theatre in the University of the Free State, ART STATE publisher Mpho Matsitle reports.
Tete A Tete with Death
Tshiamo Malatji’s poetry chapbook, Happi-, is a conceptually competent conversation with death, writes ART STATE publisher Mpho Matsitle.
Matwetwe – Delightful High Art
Matwetwe is an all round sensory pleasure. You just sit there with a stubborn smile on the face the entire time, almost as if you have imbibed in the product at the centre of the film, writes ART STATE publisher Mpho Matsitle.
Bloem Underground: Whither the Hashtag?
After seeing three well marketed shows that were concomitantly well attended, ART STATE publisher Mpho Matsitle looks into the state of marketing the arts in the city.
Of Lectures and Meat
For three nights running, the Performing Arts Centre of the Free State hosted a double bill of productions from North West and Gauteng, and the theatre starved patrons of Bloemfontein came out in their numbers to welcome the visitors. ART STATE publisher Mpho Matsitle was at closing night and made notes.
Highlights: White Star Liner
On 12 July 2018 White Star Liner – a speculative story of land expropriation without compensation told in poetry and limerick – debuted at the Free State Art Festival. ART STATE publisher Mpho Matsitle reminisces on the evening in visuals.
PREVIEW: White Star Liner
News just in Months of pain and grinds Hard dull work Have filled the countries minds To answer one simple question Shall we expropriate the farms and mines The banks, the trains The energy, railway lines?
