“Every struggle song is about him; who is this Oliver?” Poet and playwright Sipho Mnyakeni employs the innocent prattle of a young girl to pierce through the façade of celebration, writes Mpho Matsitle
Leading from the Back: inside HARVEST’s choir
HARVEST Live in Concert backing vocalists are a lively family with diverse yet complementary personalities, writes Mpho Matsitle
Mangaung Hearts WON
On 12 August 2017, South Africa’s most loved musicians dazzled thousands of their fans inside the Vista Arena at the South Campus of the University of the Free State, Bloemfontein, narrates Mpho Matsitle.
FS Choirs Set Eyes on NCF Glory
The Free State leg of the National Choir Festival hit Bloemfontein on 05 August 2017 and saw 14 choirs in total battle it out for the honour of representing the Free State in the national competitions.
Ntyilo Ntyilo – A Beckoning To Being
ART STATE publisher Mpho Matsitle searches for being in the music of John Paka, Sahrieda May and Duduetsang Matong.
FSYO a Tower of Hope to the Needy
This past Women’s Day, music lovers were treated to a lunchtime benefit concert hosted by the Free State Youth Orchestra at the historic Tweetoring Dutch Reformed Church, now also the site of the NGO, Towers of Hope.
Spare the Rod, Spoil the Art
The role of art, one among an infinite list, is to unearth our ugliness and impose its weight on ourselves so much so that we can no longer ignore it, thereby leaving us with no option but to accept this ugliness as who we are, and thus choose not to be beautiful – or rid ourselves of it, ..read more
Blend Hosts the KWV Acoustic Battles
The KWV Acoustic Battle is a music competition which sees soloists and bands battle it out for a chance to win great prizes.
More Music, Less Blues
For a third year running, the Andre Huguenet Theatre hosted Nthabiseng JahRose Jafta’s poetry and music cocktail, Poetic Blues.
Slam the Naked Emperor
In the stead of judging poetry, it seems the judges are hell-bent on creating controversy and drama, writes ART STATE publisher Mpho Matsitle.
