Hey darlings, tell me you missed me as much as I did you.
In case you thought you were the only one who suffered for your weekly fix, you don’t know how hard it is to keep a whole week of umgosi all to yourself. As much as I would love to update you on the past two weeks, that’s old news so let’s move on to fresher juice.
Last Sunday, Skinners braved the bad weather and headed to the Kasi Social Market at Sheya Kulati Circle in New Brighton.
Food, clothing and craft stalls were the order of the day and Mandlakazi Booi’s printed T-shirts with messages condemning women abuse could not be missed. The likes of Suliwe Sihlwayi on the decks and Mal’Stones designer Asanda Mali were among the many who braved the weather. I hear the designer recently spoilt herself with new wheels. Halala girl!
Your gossip girl went down the Baakens Valley for the pre-opening evening of Joff’s solo exhibition When We Were There at Gallery Ark on Tuesday. Those who aren’t familiar with the name might be familiar with his street art in public spaces like on the wall in the open space on the side of Valley Road and the painting on the wall of Chicky’s Yard. While the art in this specific series is much darker than his street art, it definitely is worth a visit in the two weeks it’s running for. If you’re a fan of aesthetic furniture and decor, you’ll be glad to see how well some of the artworks by various other artists blend in with the furniture inside Ark Furniture Works as you head to the mini gallery where Joff is exhibiting. Because the exhibition would only open to the public the following night (Wednesday), only a few of Joff’s special guests such as friends, family and fellow artists including Roland Gaspar were there.
Wednesday was another art evening at the opening of Thembalethu Manqunyana’s solo exhibition at the GFI Art Gallery, where it was crawling with Bay artists. I can’t remember the last time an exhibition attracted such a crowd. It’s no surprise though seeing the artist himself is always spotted at almost every exhibition opening in town. Well-deserved support, if you ask me. It was however a big surprise for Skinners to learn Manqunyana’s age. I spent all the time I’ve known the 34-year-old thinking he was a 90s-born kid. From playwright Xolisa Ngubelanga, comedian Lonwabo Xatasi, fashion designer Evans Zemba, artist Badabeam Badaboom and, again, DJ Suli ... name a Bay artist and they were there. And what’s an exhibition opening without Basil Brady snapping every smile with his lens?
Meanwhile, little birdies tell me Bay singer Nosisi Mavela held an incredible gospel on jazz show at the Athenaeum last Friday, although I hear she did keep the crowds waiting. If the advertised start time is 6pm then why make people wait until 7.30pm to hear the first note? My source at the concert said the music was fabulous when it did eventually get going, with several tear-jerking moments such as a warm tribute to her mother, MaDlamini, and a poem about child abuse, with the song Senzeni Na? (What Have We Done?) as the musical accompaniment. Truly heartbreaking, I’m told, and having heard that voice myself, I believe every last word!
Ciao darlings!