REVIEW OF MARCH PERFORMANCES: INFECTING THE CITY, CAPE TOWN CARNIVAL AND UBUNTU FESTIVAL

March was a fun-filled month of intense work and rehearsals with our students involved in professional performances for Infecting The City (9th Of March), The Cape Town Carnival (14th of March) and Ubuntu Festival (Human Rights Day, the 21st of March). Students had the opportunity to learn diverse performance routines and technical skills; to work with several directors and professional performers and to gain first-hand experience in the many hours of hard work and preparation required as a performers and crew members both on and off the stage.
“Infecting The City” is a vibrant and innovative annual public arts festival that transformed the City of Cape Town into a free outdoor venue from the 9th-11th of March. It showcased exceptional and socially-engaging performances that were free and accessible to everyone. Our students formed part of the #100Africanreads installation, performing excerpts from well-known African writers, books and extracts in amazing costumes and interpretations.
The theme for this year’s Cape Town Street Carnival was “ELEMENTAL”, a celebration of the natural forces of Fire, Water, Air, Earth and Space. Rainbow Academy students formed part of the Earth element in an energetic African dance and djembe drumming routine that laced the streets of Green Point from 19.00-23.00. It was a truly inspiring performance of sheer energy and passion!
We were also privileged to be a part of the star studded line-up celebrating Human Rights Day at this year’s Ubuntu Festival in Maynardville. The festival featured brilliant performances by students from Russia, India and America and also local groups The Ubuntu Boys; Amy Biehl Ensemble; Mi Casa, Chad Saaiman and Jimmy Nevis. Our students not only had the opportunity to perform alongside and meet these amazing performers, but were also inspired by cultural performances from around the world.