#iStart2SingCenturion - The Experience

Multicultural Magic at its best! A night to remember. A night that left one with renewed feelings of hope for a better world. It will stay with you for a long time to come ...

"What an experience to share the stage with Pops Mohamed, Poorvi Bhana, Ashish Joshi, Herman Steyn and Dehan von Solms last night. Liela Groenewald also made a stunning guest appearance and Kabous Meiring was her wonderful self as MC. Thanks Pierre du Toit for putting the show together. Personal highlight: To do the Brixton Moord & Roof Orkes song "Spoed" with Ashish Joshi on percussion. Lekker!" - Andries Roof Bezuidenhout

"Musiek het die vermoë om jou menswees te verander. As jy altyd na dieselfde soort musiek luister, verander min - of niks. Dit is waar die krag van iStart2 se "fusion" inkom. Ek stap nooit daar weg dieselfde mens nie. Dankie" 

- Francois Laubscher 

"iStart2Sing was heerlik! Vanaand het ek huis toe gery met hoop deur musiek vir Suid-Afrika" - Cindy Matthee

Upcoming iStart2 Radio Show

On Thursday at 17h30 we will be chatting to Renee Scheltema about the Official Worldwide Launch Date of the Film on November 23, 2015, one week before The UN Climate Talks in Paris. Tune in to the iStart2 Show on Radio Today.

She tackles the big picture of what’s happening to the planet through an environmental lens. Looking at the cause, the symptoms, and finding solutions where you would least expect them.

Watch the trailer here

The Last Sentinel ... Andries Roof Bezuidenhout

"There is no one Afrikaans identity. I really detest the idea of one category of Afrikaans people. We must start using Afrikaans as a way to include people," says Andries Bezuidenhout. "We are tired of the discourse of reconciliation. I think people now  are much more honest. We can actually get somewhere."  
 

"Interesting things happen in music when you crossover and 
not keep it pure" - Andries Bezuidenhout

We hosted one of South Africa's most versatile artists - singer, songwriter, poet and painter - Andries "Roof" Bezuidenhout on the iStart2 Show this week. "We need to break down the idea that environmental issues are white middle class issues and raise them with politicians." He feels strongly that we need to take a much longer term perspective on our country's future. 

We chatted about the identity of Afrikaans, "skarrelaars", recycling and sustainability challenges that we face as people in South Africa. Andries actively engages with his students on sustainability topics as a Professor of Industrial Sociology at the University of Pretoria.

As a visual artist, Andries mostly produces oil paintings of South African and other African landscapes, as an Afrikaans speaking poet and musician, Andries explores matters of identity and belonging against the backdrop of a changing South Africa. To connect to Andries on his website, visit here.

Listen to the podcast of the show and music by the Brixton Moord en Roof Orkes below:

Thought of the Day:

Look out for exciting collaborations in the months to come - Pops Mohamed, Andries Bezuidenhout and Coenie de Villiers and more ...

Pops Mohamed and Andries "Roof" Bezuidenhout in the Netherlands.

 Interesting collaborations sometimes start in other countries ...

Book your ticket at www.iStart2.com

See you there!

Free Falling ... Michele Nigrini

We chatted to well known and much loved South African artist, Michele Nigrini about her recent exhibition, her life as a painter and what it's like to live as an artist in South Africa today. "In Art you learn about life," says Michele.

"iStart2 make my own dried tomatoes"

- Michele Nigrini

Michèle believes that art is a medium for the elevation of the spirit, yet her work remains rooted in the experience of everyday life. She presents images of her own surroundings, symbolizing the sustenance she draws from the environment in which she lives: household objects, landscapes and the varied structures within it, plants, trees, stones, hedges, grass, the odd image of a fish or a cow, wind mill or a bird. View her work at here or www.michelenigrini.com
 
A visit to the moodswing exhibition at the Tina Skukan Gallery before 17 September is a must! 

To listen to the interview and some of Michele's favourite music by Karin Hougaard and Karen Zoid, just click play:



Thought of the Day:

iStart2 Ambassadors in the Netherlands

Spreading the message of the Kalahari San and our indigenous people of Africa, iStart2 Ambassadors, Pops Mohamed and Karin Hougaard performed in the Netherlands this week at Herman van Veen's Art Centre near Soest. (Pictures by Elize Zorgman and Jannes Fourie)

Pops Mohamed with Coenie de Villiers at De Paltz in the Netherlands.

Have a wonderful week!