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!

The Soul of Africa ... Karin Hougaard

A wonderful moment took place this week! Sustainability-through-Art once again became a reality. 

iStart2 Ambassadors, Karin Hougaard and Pops Mohamed handed over WakaWaka Solar lights to the NCPPDSA (National Council for Persons With Physical Disabilities South Africa). The lights worth R100k will be distributed amongst disadvantaged children with disabilities in schools as part of the wider Share the Sun initiative. "It is awesome to be part of bringing light to people. It warms my heart," says Karin.

Karin Hougaard also joined us in studio on the iStart2 Show this week. We chatted about her songs on the Soul of Africa CD compilation. They include 'A New Song', 'Quiet Love', her beautiful rendition with Philippe Elan and her wonderful collaboration on the signature song 'iStart2Sing'. Karin also expresses her views on the Share the Sun initiative and sustainability issues close to her heart

She also tells us about the exciting upcoming Afrikaans Festival, Harlekijn en de Zuid-Afrikaanse dagen, from 28 - 30 Augustus 2015, in the Netherlands. Artists who will be performing in Soestduinen include,  amongst others, Pops Mohamed, Joshua na die Reen,  Jannie du Toit, Die Heuwels Fantasties and Anna Davel. South Africans in the Netherlands have a feast of musical talent to look forward to!

Take half an hour and spend some time with this amazing and passionate woman.





Thought of the Day:

Have you ordered or downloaded the iStart2Sing - The Soul of Africa CD yet?

"The iStart2Sing cd is a wonderful rainbow of diverse artists performing on one cd" 
- Karin Hougaard

Get it from iTunes here or on Amazon here.

Newsflash: iStart2Sing (Official Music Video) Magic! :-)

Magic! ‪#‎iStart2Sing‬ Official video now on Youtube! Thank you Yvonne Chaka Chaka, Karin, Icon Pops, Dudu, Herman, Ziyon, Zubz The Last Letta, Bianca, Dudu, JB Arthur, Mo'mint Studios, Roland Erasmus, Christopher Keys, Eric Stoch, Cavall Burgess, James Kinloch, Cian Mclelland, JP Du Toit, Keitu Gwangwa, Simon Manda, Vanda Joubert, Minimax Performing Arts, The Hit Parade Foundation and everybody who worked so hard to make this a success



Start2Sing : Lyrics

 
I am because you are, Children of the earth
A planet crying out to those who hear
And when we join our hands together as the brotherhood of man
We start to see a new tomorrow drawing near…

I start to sing a song of joy
I start to dance a dance so free
I start to shout a shout of hope for the world to hear
Now let us sing from the mountain side
Every voice joined in deepest pride
For we sing the soul and cry of Africa

I START TO SING A SONG OF JOY
I START TO DANCE A DANCE SO FREE
I START TO SHOUT A SHOUT OF HOPE FOR THE WORLD TO HEAR
NOW LET US SING FROM THE MOUNTAIN SIDE
EVERY VOICE JOINED IN DEEPEST PRIDE
FOR WE SING THE SOUL AND CRY OF AFRICA

We’ll take care of the weak, the endangered and the old
We’ll lead the way across the nation
We want to leave behind a legacy for generations to enjoy
For what we save today is tomorrow’s provision

ISTART2 SING A SONG OF JOY
ISTART TO DANCE A DANCE SO FREE
ISTART TO SHOUT A SHOUT OF HOPE FOR THE WORLD TO HEAR
NOW LET US SING FROM THE MOUNTAIN SIDE
EVERY VOICE JOINED IN DEEPEST PRIDE
FOR WE SING THE SOUL AND CRY OF AFRICA

I plant the thought right now
A seed in your mind and your heart right now
The future for all right now
Depends on what we start right now
The path that we walk right now
Leads to the light or the dark right now
The journey we embark on now
Decides victory or loss right now
I start to get up and know my place
My place in the big picture
I start to get up and own my space

My space in a world which is
Full of untold wonders, riches
Handed down by our predecessors
As a steward for generations
In the future
Here's to the future!

I start to sing a song of joy
I start to dance a dance so free
I start to shout a shout of hope for the world to hear
Now let us sing from the mountain side
Every voice joined in deepest pride
For we sing the soul and cry of Africa

ISTART2 SING A SONG OF JOY
ISTART TO DANCE A DANCE OF FREE
ISTART TO SHOUT A SHOUT OF HOPE FOR THE WORLD TO HEAR
NOW LET US SING FROM THE MOUNTAIN SIDE
EVERY VOICE JOINED IN DEEPEST PRIDE
FOR WE SING THE SOUL AND CRY OF AFRICA

I start to forgive, and when I start to forgive…
I start to live again, and when I start to live again…
I start to receive..

Composed: JB Arthur
Lyrics: JB Arthur & Zubz

iStart2 Sing a song of joy ... Pierre du Toit & Keitu Gwangwa

Catch some behind the scenes experiences in the making of the iStart2 Sing cd.

Pops Mohamed & Keitu Gwangwa on Morning Live on SABC Saturday 20 September 2014.

The iStart2Sing (The Soul Of Africa) CD compilation combines in a wonderful and enlightening journey through a diverse South African musical landscape. The compilation combines subtely stated wisdoms and insights with dynamic and entertaining songs. ‘iStart2Sing’ gathers together 16 multifarious tracks from a wide range of South African voices, it features contributions from Yvonne Chaka Chaka, Jonas Gwangwa, Pops Mohamed, Jennifer Ferguson, Sheraaz, Cindy Alter, Ntsiki Mazwai, and Daniel Eeuwrick amongst others.

Sitting at pole position on the cd is iStart2’s vibrant anthem and theme song ‘iStart2 Sing’, an unswerving, energetic and celebratory call to action. Written and produced by Emmy award winner JB Arthur, ‘iStart2 Sing’ combines the talents of African queen Yvonne Chaka Chaka, Afrikaans chanteuse Karin Hougaard, the multi-talented Bianca Le Grange, SA’s top indigenous music legend and recent 21Icon recipient Pops Mohamed, House music superstar Jonathan ‘Ziyon’ Hamilton from Liquideep, Rapper on the rise Zubz and the spirited performing artist Dudu Majola.

Designed to capture South Africans imagination, the song embodies the iStart2 vision and urges us to ‘start too’ on a journey of self discovery and sustainability. iStart2 have taken their unending love of the power of art and with it compiled this amazing journey that not only celebrates home grown talent, but also dives deep into the hearts and souls of our people.

To listen to some of the tracks played on the iStart2 Show ... click play:


Thought of the Day - Catch Pops Mohamed on Saturday SABC Morning live for some behind the scenes footage of the iStart2 initiative.

The iStart2 Show on Radio Today 1485 AM in Jozi, Nationally on DSTV Audio Channel 869 or worldwide on www.1485.org.za. Show hosted by Pierre du Toit and the beautiful Keitu Gwangwa. The show is broadcast every Monday at 17h30 and repeated on Thursdays at 17h30 (SA Time)