If you are having trouble viewing this email, please follow this link NEWSLETTER 02/2013 The second quarter of this year’s season ushers in a rich and diverse music line-up. Swiss/ Ghanaian eclecticist, OY (aka Joy Frempong), returns to Southern Africa with the release of her latest CD, Kokokyinaka. In Johannesburg, she will possibly collaborate with Swiss duo Chief and Deheb, who will be on a residency in South Africa for the first time. Three music projects; Tanga Pasi, African Synergy and Hip Hop Kaslam; will also travel across national borders under our partnership agreement with the Swiss Agency for Development and Co-operation. The programme will allow professional artists to play at various Southern African platforms including HIFA in Zimbabwe, Bushfire in Swaziland and AZGO in Mozambique. The highlight of our performance programme will be the provocative work of Yann Marussich which will premier at the National Arts Festival in June/July.   Communications Pro Helvetia Johannesburg, the Swiss Arts Council Throwing her toys Kiddy-toy sounds and hip-hop scraps make up Oy’s unique sound which has jazz, electronic and improvisation influences. Blending her voice with the mechanical utterances from samplers and other sound machines, Oy (aka Joy Frempong) is inventing new and original ways of using the vocal chords. She returns to Southern Africa where she will perform in Harare, Johannesburg and Cape Town as part of her regional tour. She will also play at two festivals - AZGO in Maputo and Bushfire in Mbabane. Details of performances are available here.    The body to its limits In Bleu Remix, Yann Marussich lolls motionless inside a heated box; sometimes staring, sometimes with eyes closed; exuding blue. Whether it’s exuding blue from the pores of his skin or sitting naked in a tub filled with sharp bits of glass, Marussich’s work explores the control of stillness while placing the body in direct contact with diverse external factors. This June, he will put his body through its limits at the National Arts Festival, at GIPCA in Cape Town as well as in Johannesburg. www.yannmarussich.ch Beat Generation Two Swiss artists, Chief and Deheb, will be on a residency in South Africa this month. Chief, a dynamic beat maker, describes his music as bridging the gap between classic beat making and forward thinking production. Late last year, he started working and performing with Deheb, a musician and DJ from Lausanne. The residency will include performances in Cape Town and Johannesburg in partnership with WeLoveBeats - a monthly platform which explores the world of electronic hip hop.Details to follow on our website. Fellowship of the Drum Four renowned drummers are brought together in South Africa to form the African-Swiss drum quartet "Beat Bag Bohemia". Together they are on a quest to take drumming in a new direction. On their adventurous trip through Africa and Europe the band grows into a brotherhood of percussion. This journey, captured on film, will be screened at the Encounters Documentary Film Festival in Cape Town and Johannesburg where 3 of the band members will perform live. www.encounters.co.za     Coexistence Robyn Nesbitt has exhibited locally and internationally with Nina Barnett under their collaborative collective Coexistent. The two approach their individual work in distinctive ways, one subjectively and intimately, another rationally and pragmatically. Together, these traits play off each other, forming a new space in which to create. Their collaborative work is consistently a dialogue between these aspects. Coexistent will take up a residency in Berne in July, August and November. www.coexistent.net   African Synergy South Africa's maskandi/jazz musician, Bheki Khoza, takes to the stage with one of Zimbabwe's top mbira-influenced artists, Victor Kunonga. The cross-border collaboration is part of the third phase of a world music festival which began in 2012. The duo; supported in partnership with Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation, Pamberi Trust, the African Synergy Trust; will perform at HIFA and the Book Cafe. Double Billing JazzWerkstatt Quartet featuring Marc Stucki (sax), Andreas Tschopp (trb), Shane Cooper (bs), Kesivan Naidoo (dr) will play at the National Arts Festival. The quartet is a result of the CH/SA collaboration at JazzWerkstatt Berne 2012. Swiss/Brazilian pianist Malcolm Braff, on his second visit to South Africa, where he previously worked with the late master Zim Ngqawana, will be supported by Cooper and Naidoo in a trio formation. Details on concerts at www.nafest.co.za. Hip Hop Kaslam This year Hip Hop Kaslam will embark on its first international through the support of Pro Helvetia and the Swiss Agency for Development and Co-operation. This cultural exchange will bring together three artists from South Africa and Zimbabwe. DAT, Sugah and Buli from South Africa and Bantuman I, 3-Play and CroccoGarwe from Zimbabwe will not only perform together, but the collaboration will culminate in the recording of new music. The exchange forms part of Africa Month celebrations with the main performance taking place on Africa Day, 25 May. Starting from Scratch “Tanga Pasi” is the name of Kangala –speaking Zimbabwean outfit meaning ‘Starting from Scratch’. They have recently completed their debut album, 'Ntolontolo' which has remnants of reggae, afro-jazz, rock, Kalanga rhythms and traditional Ndebele harmonies. The album will be launched at the Africa Day Festival in Johannesburg on 25 May. They will also perform at the Bushfire Festival in Swaziland between 31 May and 2 June. The project is supported through Ant funding. Pro Helvetia Johannesburg Heerengracht Building PO Box 31532 87 De Korte Street Braamfontein 2017 Johannesburg, South Africa Tel. +27 11 403 1880 Fax. +27 11 403 1605 johannesburg@prohelvetia.org.za www.prohelvetia.org.za   Editor: Nomalanga Nkosi Pro Helvetia supports and promotes Swiss culture in Switzerland and throughout the world. Newsletter Archive      to the newsletter