The Paris New-York heritage festival – poised to artistically explore humanity’s future post the global Covid-19 pandemic – returns to Joburg’s Constitution Hill on the weekend of Friday, 4 and Saturday, 5 March.
The event, now in its second year in Joburg, promises to offer a journey to the heart of Africa through a celebration of live music, arts, and a craft township market, with a stellar line-up of both local and international acts.
“We seek to put forward values of inclusion and honour the impact of the African diaspora on musical expression around the world,” event publicists enthuse.
Artists on the festival bill include the award-winning Msaki, Gontse Makhene, Malcolm Jiyane, and students from the Morris Isaacson Centre for Music, who will share the stage with Raashan Ahmad, an American artist pencilled to perform for the first time in South Africa.
Ahmad, who has collaborated with international artists like Jurassic 5, The Roots, and Aloe Blacc, will be joined in a live performance by Djeuhdjoah and Lieutenant Nicholson from France, featuring South Africa’s prince of Nu-Jazz and Breakbeats, ‘Cool Affair’.
Event publicists, JT Communication, say festival spectators will be entertained by live collaborative performances that will be curated specifically for the event, making a musical moment in history, and igniting a way forward post Covid-19.
“These unique collaborations between local and international artists will explore past, present, and future freedom songs to encourage hope, resilience, and healing as the world recovers from the Covid-19 pandemic,” explains the event publicists.
Kaya FM producer and presenter NickyB, 2lani the Warrior, and Shamrock Guitor will be scrubbing vinyls on the decks.
The festival, themed “Human(u)nity,” is a cultural expression of Africa and its diasporic communities, aimed at reclaiming the continent’s identity and recognising the role it played in shaping the history of the world.
“After the Covid-19 pandemic hit during the peak of climate discussions all around the globe, humanity must now figure out how to survive as one. We have now, more than ever, the responsibility to build today for a better tomorrow,” reads a press release.
The two-day festival programme will also include a dialogue tailored to encourage discussions about a post-Covid-19 global society. It’ll be facilitated by Kaya FM’s producer and presenter, Nicky Blumenfeld; festival director, promoter, and educator Benjamin Levy; master percussionist and music therapist Azah and a host of other invited speakers.
The well-known creative arts hub LoCrate in Soweto will feature 15 stalls with delicious food and local arts and craft for a day of fun and culture. Attendees will have the opportunity to sample local cuisine and experience the township lifestyle.
The LoCrate market is known for showcasing products by young and aspiring entrepreneurs, creators, and innovators. This market also helps establish local brands and gets people exposed to the arty-farty lifestyle.
Tickets for the festival retail at R150 and are available online through Howler; visit www.pnyhfestival.com for more information.
Written by Dakalo Ramudidibi
9/2/2022