Edinburgh International - Hosted by Just Festival at Festival Fringe August 2017 - Rainbow ...
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Just Festival at Hosted by Edinburgh International Festival Fringe August 2017
The historic Rainbow Restaurant
is going to Edinburgh’s International Where:
Festival Fringe. Just Festival, Edinburgh, Scotland, UK
Venue: St John’s Church, Princes Street:
a 120 seats theatre in the city center.
It will be hosted by Just Festival. through music, this unique multimedia
Presenting a multi-disciplinary South installation follows the South Africa - UK When:
African cultural installation aiming to Season (2014-2015) and tells a story of August 2017
share the best of their 36 year history memories and hope. 24 DAYS of performance
of struggle for freedom and peace
What:
Installed in a re-designed church with
a special “Rainbow” artistic set-up,
the one month installation, “the
RAINBOW in EDINBURGH” will share
the ongoing story of a unique cultural
institution from KwaZulu-Natal where
music is used as a medium to break
down social barriers”
On stage:
7 bands that have a historic link to the
Rainbow stage will have four days of
performances each.
2 - Rainbow in Edinburgh
The Music The Sounds of KwaZulu-Natal
Madala Kunene
Madala Kunene, the king of Zulu blues guitar is one of a staunch academic who wanted him to be something of a
the oldest and dearest friends of the Rainbow with a bookworm. At the age of eight, in the year 1959, Kunene and
performance history on our stage dating back to the 1980’s. some members of his extended family were trucked off by
As part of a double bill with the high energy maskanda the Apartheid government to go live in the then relatively new
sounds of Shabalala Rhythm for our opening salvo in township of KwaMashu. “People can’t imagine what it’s like
Edinburgh, we cannot think of a better combination to lay when you see bulldozers demolish your home in the middle
down a distinct marker on the region that gave birth to of the night,” recalls Kunene. “The worst thing was that when
the Rainbow Restaurant. With the Rainbow having been they moved us, they came at night and packed my family
established in the dark days of Apartheid, we are inviting into the back of a truck and then went to another area to
Kunene to present his current album, 1959 . pick up another family there and so on. So you were not just
separated from your home, you were stripped of your friends
Kunene was born in 1951 in Mkhumbane (Cato Manor), a and neighbours in the process. It was a very calculated act,”
vibrant mixed community just outside of inner Durban. The Kunene adds.
son of a carpenter, Kunene was raised by his grandmother —
Shabalala Rhythm
World music talent comes no finer than guitarist Maqhinga Radebe was called
that from the Shabalala family of Durban. to join the group. Later that year the first
Sibongiseni Shabalala, who now steps album was released.Since the band formed
into his father’s shoes to lead Ladysmith they have gone from strength to strength
Black Mambaso, is also the core of the hot performing nationally and internationally.
Maskanda act Shabalala Rhythm. Their live shows are high energy, very slick
A hugely talented performer Sibongiseni productions.
drives with a passion any project he is Supporters of the band know to expect
involved with. Shabalala Rhythm began a fantastic event and new followers
in 1998 and after writing tracks “Ubuhle will be swept up by their precision and
Bakho” and “Intombi Ingalile” Durban interpretation of the Maskanda style.
Rainbow in Edinburgh - 3
The Music The Jazz Masters
Louis Mhlanga Quintet
Mhlanga (born 10 November 1956) is such as Shaka, Talking Drum, Ilanga,
a South African based Zimbabwean Mudzimu, and Oliver Mtukudzi. Louis
award-winning guitarist and producer. eventually headed to South Africa to
pursue different musical opportunities,
Mhlanga’s career began in the 1970s. leading to collaborations with renowned
Fronting many bands in Zimbabwe, South African artists such as Miriam
he mixed American and Zimbabwean Makeba, Hugh Masekela, Ray Phiri,
influences into his music. Mhlanga Sipho Mabuse, Mlunhgisi Gegane, and
became renowned for his guitar skills, Busi Mhlongo.
and worked with Zimbabwean acts
Darius Brubeck Quartet
The Darius Brubeck Quartet has acquired an Lion”, “Two And Four/To And Fro” and the 2015
enthusiastic following for its strong programs of release “Cathy’s Summer”. ‘More than half a
South African jazz, Dave Brubeck hits and Darius’ century after [Dave Brubeck] invited listeners to
original compositions. Playing to consistently start counting in odd numbers, the music has
sold-out houses at regional festivals and clubs, lost none of its poise… Darius is as cultured
including London’s Ronnie Scott’s, Pizza Express a pianist as his father.’ Clive Davis, The Times
and 606 Jazz Clubs, the London-based Quartet’s ‘Darius, the eldest [of Dave Brubeck’s sons] and
acoustic sound is melodic, spontaneous and most visually like his father, plays stylish piano
rhythmically exciting. Audiences also appreciate and knows the score.’ Jack Massarik, Evening
the talk between songs. The London-based Standard
Quartet has toured Europe and the Middle East
and recorded three CDs, “For Lydia and the
4 - Rainbow in Edinburgh
The Music The Jazz Masters
Melvin Peters & Arne Hiorth
Melvin Peters started classical Kwazulu-Natal). He taught here
piano lessons at the age of six for ten years and during this
and continued through high time was awarded a scholarship
school. Whilst studying towards to study at Harvard University in
a Bachelor of Music degree 1998/9. In 2010, Peters joined
at the University of Natal, he Norwegian trumpeter Arne
began jazz piano lessons under Hiorth in a performance with the
the tutelage of Darius Brubeck North Sea Big Band at National
in 1983. After completing a Arts Festival in Grahamstown,
Master of Music degree in South Africa. When Hiorth
Jazz Performance in 1989, he visited South Africa in late 2015,
was appointed lecturer in Jazz he joined Peters in a quartet for
Studies at the University of a performance at the Rainbow
Durban-Westville in 1990. (UN on 8 November.
and UDW are now combined
Pops Mohammed & Dave Reynolds under the name University of
Pops Mohamed: South Africa’s He also co-created the TV show
beloved “minister” of music, multi- Southern Rhythms. The show explores
instrumentalist, jazz composer, the relationship between music and
traditional music preservationist and spirituality in SA.
global “Fucha-Rist” was featured Dave Reynolds is SA’s leading
in the TV series 21 Icons. He’s steelpan player! He’s a SAMRO Award
synonymous with the term South winning composer and also performs
African Jazz legend. He’s a multi- with acoustic guitar. He’s toured
award winning performer who’s toured and recorded all over the world with
with artists like world music legends legends like Steve Newman, Hugh
Andreas Vollenweider and Baaba Maal Masekela, the late Gito Baloi, Tony
and recorded music with SA’s tribal Cox, the late Sipho Gumede, Paul
people - the San, more commonly Hanmer and McCoy Mrubata.
known as the Bushmen.
Rainbow in Edinburgh - 5
The Music The International Guest
Akale Wube
In their 6 years of existence, Akalé into Ethiopian music, all the while
Wubé has never stopped widening multiplying their collaborations
the canvas onto which they lay with musicians and dancers from
their music, which keeps becoming Ethiopia, Africa and Europe. Slowly
richer and deeper just like the but surely, clocking in at around
their primary source of inspiration: 200 concerts in Europe, Asia and
the popular Ethiopian repertoire Africa, the band has become one
of the 60s and 70s. The band of the world’s leading ambassadors
started off covering music from the of Ethiopian groove.
“Ethiopiques” series, after which
they immersed themselves deeper
6 - Rainbow in Edinburgh
Pop-up
The
Shebeen
with Zulu Flavours
Tastes of the Rainbow:
The flame grilled spicy A-Flat Chicken, the Durban bunny-chow;
uJeqe (traditional steamed bread); isibindi (fried ox-liver), usu
(tripe); the multi-colored Rainbow salad and more, all served
on Lezi’thebe, traditional hand carved wooden platters in true
African tradition of communal eating, also known as ubuntu.
Wherever possible, all products offered for sale will
be sourced from Fair Trade suppliers or suppliers
that work within the ethics of Fair Trade.
A pop up art and gifts shop will offer community development as a project
Spaza Shop
CD’s and mementos from the artists, of the Hillcrest Aids Centre Trust -
The Rainbow t-shirts and calendars www.hillaids.org.za - incorporating
incorporating the images of Mayet as crafters drawn from the catchment
well as prints of Makhanya’s paintings. area of the Rainbow’s regular clientele
Also, traditional craft and design as well as other successful job creating
from Kwazulu-Natal in partnership companies like Congo Rose -
with organisations such as the Woza www.congorose.com.
Moya Craft Store, a success story for
Rainbow in Edinburgh - 7
A Visual Journey
Exhibition: Reminiscing In Tempo
Photographs by Rafs Mayet: Paintings by artist Zamani Makhanya
images of Rainbow Restaurant since 1985
Rafique ‘Rafs’ Mayet born in Durban in 1955, was the first Zamani Makhanya , born in Durban in 1959, was first
photographer to exhibit at the Cape Town International Jazz Festival in 1999. introduced to art at Amanzimtoti College, and after completing a Fine Art
Learning the basics in 1983 by working in the darkroom of documentary degree at Fort Hare in the Eastern Cape, went on to form a collective of
photographer Omar Badsha, he later became a member of ‘Afrapix’, a artists from the Durban area who called themselves “Third Eye Vision”.
photographic collective that extensively covered the resistance to Apartheid This group rejected old artistic traditions and focused on the importance of
during the dark days of the Eighties and early Nineties in South Africa. being African by exploring African symbolism, and were heavily influenced by
From 2004 until 2015, he was the curator for the photographic exhibitions at abstracts and the silent dialogue that existed between artists.
the “Duotone Gallery”, an integral part of the Cape Town International Jazz Zamani prefers to work in pastels, slowly building up the surface area using
Festival experience. He has also participated in solo and group exhibitions, a ‘Sgrafitto’ technique to etch into the surface, bringing out color variations
both in South Africa and abroad. Rafs Mayet has been capturing images of and thus, showing different textures. He held his first solo exhibition in
the Rainbow Restaurant Pinetown since 1985. 2003 at the African Art Centre and has also contributed to several group
exhibitions, both here in South Africa and abroad.
8 - Rainbow in Edinburgh
Side Events
Literature & Heritage
Documentaries
Launch and workshops on the book in our program as his time as Professor
Reminiscing in Tempo: The Rainbow of Jazz Studies at the then University of UNDER THE RAINBOW, a biographical documentary on the Rainbow
and Resistance in 1980’s South Africa Natal was inextricably tied in with the produced by Durban based Production Company, Scholars and Gentlemen. It
by Professor Marc Duby, research development of the Rainbow. Brubeck will tell the story of the Rainbow’s establishment and survival under the stern
professor in Musicology at the University started what is today the oldest school eye of the Security Branch, with a strong focus on the enigmatic character that
of South Africa. On the invitation of of Jazz Studies in Africa during this is Ben Pretorius, right through to present day as a functioning, living institution
Darius Brubeck, Duby a bassist by trade time and together with Pretorius and that continues to host world class music events in a very “other where” location
initially relocated to Durban in 1984 the Rainbow established the Ronnie deeply embedded in the chaotic commuter hub that is the Pinetown bus and
and proceeded to perform regularly at Madonsela Scholarship Fund at the taxi rank.
the Rainbow through to 1992, at a time University, which has supported the
when the laws of the land said he was development of some of the brightest THE RAINBOW: THE STRUGGLE FOR JAZZ AND JAZZ FOR THE
not allowed to do so. lights to come out of South Africa in the STRUGGLE, by award winning journalist, Niren Tolsi. The four key chapters of
world of jazz. this documentary are: “The Rainbow’s founding; The Truth and Reconciliation
Darius Brubeck’s biography, Jazz Commission headed by Archbishop Tutu; The Marikana massacre; and The
Life will also feature apparent suicide death of jazz musician Zim Ngqawana”.
Rainbow in Edinburgh - 9The Rainbow to Edingurgh in Numbers
40 artists
28 musical performances
2 exhibitions It is said that Edinburgh’s year round population of
2 documentaries 500 000 more than doubles during the month of
August when the world’s biggest arts festival takes
1 book
place, the Edinburgh International Festival and Fringe
1 Bar Restaurant Festival. In 2015, audited ticket sales for the 3800+
1 stage productions staged exceeded 2.5 million, making
1 Art Shop it the third largest multi-day ticketed event
24 days of Festival in the world after the Soccer World Cup and the
Olympic Games.
Visibility Target in SA
2000 ticket buyers for fundraising concerts in KZN
100,000 exposed audience through medias
Visibility Target in UK
2,400 ticket buyers
+10,000 visitors
+250,000 exposed audience
The
ainbow
Durban
10 - Rainbow in EdinburghFundraising - Join The Train
The Rainbow in Edinburgh will be ambassador
of KwaZulu Natal, South Africa by:
Sharing a live example of powerful values and history of the South African fight for
equality and social inclusion
Promoting African, South African and specifically KwaZulu-Natal culture to an
international audience
Providing training, work and international exposure to South African artists, crafters
and restaurant workers.
Promoting a key cultural attraction from KwaZulu-Natal for tourism and special
events such as the Commonwealth Games in Durban in 2022.
Rainbow in Edinburgh - 11Fundraising - Join The Train
Become a Rainbow arch! and enjoy a full Rainbow experience
Full Main Sponsor Great Sponsor Heart Sponsor
- R5.5m - £250 000 - R2m - £90 000 - R750 000 - £35 000
Exclusivity of the sponsorship and branding
• Your logo as sponsor on all communication tools: • Your logo on all communication tools: brochures,
• Naming rights of the event e.g. “My Company - the brochures, flyers, websites, goodies, T-shirts, social flyers, websites, goodies, T-shirts, social medias, press
media, press releas-es. releases.
Rainbow in Edinburgh “ • Marketing table for your company in the venue during • Marketing table for your company in the venue
• Your logo as ONLY sponsor in full on all communication the 24 day installation and speech presentation on the throughout the installation and speech presentation on
tools: brochures, flyers, websites, goodies, T-shirts , opening night. the opening night
social me-dias, press releases • INVITATION to Edinburgh for 2 PEOPLE with the • 2 complimentary tickets for every show of the Rainbow in
• Marketing table of your company in the venue during Rainbow including flights, 3 nights exclusive visit to the Edinburgh.
city, VIP ticket to the Main festival, whisky tasting, access • Free entrance to Rainbow Restaurant, Pinetown for 2
24 days & speech presentation at the opening night to backstage. people, valid lifetime.
• Screening of promotional movie of your company • 2 VIP tickets for every show of the Rainbow in
before every dinner - show of Rainbow in Edinburgh Ediunburgh
• FULL EXPERIENCE to Edinburgh Festival for 4 • Free entrance to Rainbow Restaurant, Pinetown for 2
PEOPLE with Rainbow including: flights, 3 nights, people, valid lifetime.
• One exclusive music concert of one of the Rainbow
exclusive visit of the city, VIP ticket to the Main festival, in Edinburgh artists for your company at the Rainbow,
whisky tasting, access to backstage Pinetown.
• 5 VIP tickets for every dinner - show of Rainbow in
Edinburgh during 24 days
• Free entrance to Rainbow Restaurant Pinetown for Great Sponsor
•
4 people, valid lifetime
Exclusive concert from one of the Rainbow in
R2 000 000
Edinburgh artists for your company at your premises in £90 000
South Africa. Full Main Sponsor
• SPECIAL GIFT of a photograph from Rafs Mayet and
the corresponding painting by Zamani Makhanya R5 500 000
£250 000
Heart Sponsor
R750 000
£35 000
12 - Rainbow in EdinburghAbout The Rainbow Restaurant
The Rainbow Restaurant occupies role in the struggle against the On the September
a unique space in South Africa’s government of the day. Whilst 2, 2001 legendary
political and musical history. It being under constant surveillance Durban singer Busi
opened its doors for trade on it was an important meeting place Mhlongo performed
Thursday 17 December 1981. It was for activists fighting against the at the handover
the first such establishment of its status quo. In 1983 the first concert concert and so
kind in KwaZulu-Natal, located in was staged featuring Philip Tabane the Rainbow story
a so called “white” area under the and Malombo, thus starting a continued.
Group Areas Act, to be granted a key element of what is today the
license to sell food and sorghum Rainbow legend. Over the years Now in 2016, after
beer to Africans, run by Ben most of South Africa’s greatest 15 years of keeping
Pretorius and Billy Mthembu. musicians, who remained in South the Rainbow vibe for
Africa during the Apartheid years, opened their regular customers
who used their music as a form BAT Centre, up and whilst maintaining
of protest, have performed on the running. They also started a new the egalitarian space created
Rainbow stage and it has played a venture in the form of an eco-tourism by Pretorius and Mthembu, the
key role in the development of their business called Ufudu Flyfishing Comfort’s and the extensive network
careers. Whilst the music performed Experience. of friends of the Rainbow feel it is
and the concerts that were staged time to take this unique story to the
are a celebration of our culture, As Ufudu grew, the music program world. For Neil and Nicola this is also
the concerts also proved to be an at the Rainbow staggered on under part and parcel of their succession
ideal medium to protest against the different managers. In June 2001, plans for the Rainbow, where their
Apartheid system. at Pretorius’ surprise 50th birthday vision is that the team that runs
celebrations at the Rainbow, It the Rainbow on a day to day basis
By 1994, Mthembu had sold his was suggested to Neil and Nicola end up in an ownership position by
shares in the business to Pretorius Comfort - Neil having assisted Pam 2021, when, like Pretorius, their 20
who, after a yearlong safari through in securing such stalwart Rainbow years at the Rainbow are up. A true
Africa with his wife Pam, returned performers as Winston “Mankunku” empowerment story centred on the
to Durban with renewed energy, Ngozi, Darius Brubeck and Sandile workers.
In those dark days of Apartheid, getting partnerships such as the Shange for the event - that they
the Rainbow played an important Rainbat project with the newly consider taking up the reins.
Rainbow in Edinburgh - 13The Rainbow Restaurant In Numbers
1981 Opened by Ben Pretorius Since 2001 Today
and Billy Mthembu +/- 375 concerts The Rainbow has 14 full time
1983 First concert staged +/- 75 000 people attending employees with up to 6 contract
featuring Philip Tabane and The concerts workers for concert days
Malombo Men Averaging band size at 6 The Rainbow trades 360 days
1988 Nelson Mandela 70th members per concert, work a year
Birthday concert attended by created for musicians equals Opening time is 10am each day
more than 500 people including approximately 2250 work days with closing between 7 and 8pm
at least 10 state Security Branch each evening
members The Rainbow has consistently
2001 Neil and Nicola Comfort been amongst the top 10 on-
take over ownership consumption outlets by volume
in SABMiller product for the past
15 years
+/- 26 concerts are staged each
year with an average 16 ticketed
concerts and 10 free entrance
events
Between 200 to 250 people
attend each concert with a
diverse demographic ranging
from blue collar workers to high
income individuals
14 - Rainbow in EdinburghAbout Our Hosts - Just Festival
Just Festival events, part of
the Edinburgh International
Festival Fringe, aim to challenge
perceptions, celebrate differences
and promote respectful dialogue.
The conversations, talks, exhibitions and performances which
constitute Just’s annual programme are designed to engage
with topical local, national and international questions of social
justice, equality and identity, including prejudice against race,
ethnicity, class and economic status. Just explores these
issues by creating safe spaces for dialogue and exchange
between affected groups and individuals, invited experts,
practitioners, community based organisations, socially
conscious performing arts groups and the general public.
Rainbow in Edinburgh - 15Neil & Nicola Nicola Comfort, co-owner performance spaces all working to protect and develop this sacred feet in the music scene in South of the Rainbow has been involved together in a space where artists space and renew the Rainbow’s rich Africa in the mid-1990’s, the most in the arts since 1990. Growing up could inspire each other. That was it musical legacy. glaring shortfall was strong artist in West Yorkshire, she began her – life changed! After volunteering for 15 years and 2 children later, Nicola representation - a wealth of talent career as an actress/ASM for a small the year, BAT offered her a position juggles home, kids and business, but a lack of viable performance theatre company in her home town. as project manager, where she she keeps the admin and media for opportunities for that talent. At 19 she landed regular episodes as developed cultural evenings and new the Rainbow in check and is the a character on Yorkshire Television’s business for the centre. This centre sometime gear stick for Neil’s off the Career highlights include securing Emmerdale. was also the place where she wall ideas! Nicola’s joy is in seeing a contract to manage the entire A fantastic a concert come to life music program at the BAT Centre in opportunity to and witnessing 1997, on the back of producing an travel and be that magic when 850 over-capacity concert for the involved in a big audience and band Springbok Nude Girls in the BAT production gave become one. Hall; being appointed office manager her experience for Presentation Services Limited, that many teens Starting in 1994 as technical service providers to the didn’t get. During personal assistant 8th International Aids Conference, this period to Busi Mhlongo, Durban 2000; being invited to take she got the one of the greatest over custodianship of the historic opportunity to and most inspirational Rainbow Restaurant in 2001; visit South Africa singers to come out and curating the emerging artist and a huge shift of South Africa, Neil program for the eThekwini (Durban) began in her Comfort has worked Metropolitan region for the 2010 FIFA passion. in pretty much every World Cup Soccer tournament. In 1996 she single position in the live Having produced in excess of five took a year out music industry barring thousand stage calls for live bands to volunteer in being an entertainment over more than twenty years, South Africa. She offered lawyer or a performer on Neil feels that with the support of her experience and enthusiasm to and Neil met, stage. As far as the former the team behind the Rainbow in the newly developed BAT (Bartel worked and lived together. is concerned, Neil believes that Edinburgh, most importantly his Arts Trust) Centre. A community In 2001 when they were offered moral integrity and keeping to ones partner Nicola and project manager centre for musicians, dancers, the ownership of the Rainbow word trumps anything written into Sarah Doignon, it is time to the take visual artists and actors. A centre Restaurant they jumped at the a contract. As far as the second the unique story of the Rainbow to with rehearsal rooms, galleries, chance. Giving them the opportunity is concerned, when Neil found his the world. 16 - Rainbow in Edinburgh
Contact Artistic Director: NEIL COMFORT bandwagon@artslink.co.za Project Manager: NICOLA COMFORT nicolacomfort34@gmail.com Project And Fundraising Coordinator: SARAH DOIGNON sarah.doignon@gmail.com
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