The Folklore Festival is all about building community through collaboration, wth this family friendly event. Presenting an inspiring line up focused on sharing and storytelling both on the main stage and the kid’s stage. As part of the festival’s agenda toward inter-generational dialogue, we will see on the main stage, experimental collaborations with the National School of The Arts and Windybrow Theatre Choir., children’s choir. Presenting the Folklore – ‘Dlala PIANO’, a set featuring Abraham Moughrabi (Keys), Bokani Dyer (Keys & Synths), Pilani Bubu (Vocals), Siyabonga Mthembu (Vocals), and Simphiwe Tshabalala (Drums).
What you can expect from the Folklore – ‘Dlala PIANO’ set, is folkloric and nostalgic storytelling fused with modern dance sounds inspired by childhood play songs that resonate with the archetypal inner-child. Paying homage and reference to the dance culture of South Africa in the genres of Afro-pop, Amapiano, Gqom and Kwaito weaved with jazz and children’s voices. Elevating the idea of play as a form of learning and exchange. An inspired teaching moment filled with vocal and playful dance movement.
This explorative project is co-produced by Abraham Moughrabi of Jinn Record and Pilani Bubu, inceptioned from Pilani’s residency at The Rose Hill in Brighton, UK in October of 2022. The band comes together to express how these childhood play songs come to life in the live music space and quite simply, expression a care-free way to come together and play for both old and young. An indulgent set of two pianos from award-winning jazz pianist, composer, producer; Bokani Dyer, , and Abraham Moughrabi composer /producer from the UK. Two vocalists, with Siyabonga Mthembu, a performing artist, curator & jazz vocalist from the Brother Moves On, Shabaka & The Ancestors and Indaba Is and award-winning singer-songwriter and indelible storyteller; Pilani Bubu. On drums is Simphiwe Tshabalala aka ‘Simz Jazz In Motion’, a self-taught and versatile drummer, who straddles the genres of Gospel, Jazz, hip-hop, Gqom, Kwaito and House music.
The National School of The Arts, choir and band, will be performing a repertoire of music reflecting iconic music across North, South, East and West Africa titled African Reflections.
Pilani Bubu, will be collaborating with the school choir and band, again this year, presenting ingles from Pilani Bubu’s fourth-coming album: Folklore Chapter 2: Ekuseni. The set will feature venda folk artist, Muneyi and Lesotho’s contemporary folk singer-songwriter, Leomile.
Other collaborative sets to expect are,
Thandeka Mfinyongo will featuring Ancient Voices as a vocal duo on her set. Makadem and Eddie Grey from Kenya present Nyatitiness, the 8 stringed Lyre paired with jazz guitars, with storytelling in Swahili and Luo. Ancient Voices features, Kim Masala on Mbira and Percussion on their set.
ON THE KIDS STAGE: SHO MADJOZI, NICOLETTE MASHILE, RAINBOW COMICS, LEBOHANG MASANGO, MODISE THE CLOWN, SEWELA LANGENI & MORE
‘Folklore For Kids’ presents an exclusively for kid’s stage, and kids play area,
Our ethos for ‘Folklore for Kids’ is to be a safe environment that cultivates our children’s capacity to express, listen, learn, and discover through playful activities. We aim to be a space that encourages families to spend time outside of the home to expose their kids to that which is meaningful. The festival offers a kids play area and kids stage. Whether you are bringing your bambino who is learning to walk, your kid who enjoys being active and another who thrives best engaged in an interactive activity – our play area with child minders has something for every kid, with soft play, Edu-play and workshops!
The kids book fair is a collaboration with Ethnikids books,
An online bookstore which is dedicated to supporting and publishing children’s books which feature characters that are inclusive and diverse in various South African languages more accessible! This curated book fair features prolific children’s book authors: Lebohang Masango of the ‘Mpumi Series’, Nicolette Mashile of ‘Coco The Money Bunny Series’, Modise, Tshwanelo Serumola of ‘Remarkable Me’, Sewela Langeni of Making Friends with Feelings and Sho Madjozi of by, ‘ShoMa and The Stars’. The kids stage will also feature Rainbow Comics with a Comic Book workshop and as we a magic & tricks by Modise the Clown.
The kids will be safe with at Nickerbocker Doodle-Bag, the festival offers child-minders – where you can sign your kids in and they’ll be looked after all day. Let them enjoy, face painting, crafts, jumping castles, book readings and more.
Our off-stage acts include the NSA Art and Dance departments, showcasing afro fused dance pieces as well as an Arts exhibition. Beyond the kids’ stage, and the main stage, we have the off-stage line up of dancers, drummers, and artful storytellers. Join in one of our drumming circles workshops either in the picnic area, and or the kids play area with your bambinos.
Not forgetting the food and crafts market,
Buy local and eat Local at the food and crafts market, featuring afro-centric jewellery makers, fashion designers, street wear and more. Explore the food market, braai, traditional eats, delicacies, baked goods, local coffee makers and more.
The Folklore Festival 2023 is proudly supported by,
the Department of Sports Arts and Culture and the National Arts Council, and produced by Bupila Publishing (Pty) Ltd with the National School of Arts as our venue partners
For more visit: www.folklore.community | Contact: info@folklore.community
“After years of dreaming and months of curating, it is exciting to showcase the richness of our culture, that has enhanced and shaped my journey in brand, design and music, over the years. The Folklore Festival is a celebration of community and heritage and shines a light on the inheritances and gifts of our generation, through a plethora of arts disciplines. I believe this sharing of our heritage can only be made possible by building community through collaboration.
This festival is that intentional occasion which aims to gently set the tone for intergenerational dialogue. At the heart of it, is storytelling, showcasing and sharing our Indigenous Knowledge Systems through music, poetry, literature, art, and dance! This is more than a music festival! It is a gathering for the whole family which aims to reignite our sense of connectedness and community this heritage month!
We are preparing to bring you a cultural festival like no other. Our final artist and author line-up is here. Read more about all the exciting and experimental collaborations” – said Indelible Storyteller, Pilani Bubu