The show must go on, even in a pandemic. Amid global cancellations of performances, the world's performing artists have risen to the challenge and even in isolation have used social media to inspire the world, from opera to ballet to "social-distancing" music to comedy. To them we say, "Thank you".
Sir John Lubbock, author of The Pleasures of Life once said: “Art is unquestionably one of the purest and highest elements in human happiness. It trains the mind through the eye and the eye through the mind. As the sun colours flowers, so does art colour life.” We are fortunate that in this time of doom and gloom, artists, who themselves are heavily impacted by Covid-19, are using their artistry not only to add much-needed colour to the lives of many but more importantly, to inspire hope.
Recent weeks have seen some artists using social media to host live concerts at home accompanied by encouraging words, virtual house parties and comedy shows. Some have even composed fun songs to promote educational messages about Covid-19, such as staying home and washing hands regularly. There have also been live book readings as well as free virtual tours of art galleries and museums. Below is a selection of some of the things to enjoy online:
1. The Stormers
First things first. This rendition of the late Johnny Clegg's The Crossing sung by the DHL Stormers and other artists brings together our home team and one of our most beloved music-makers. It's got such a feel-good vibe, you'll want to put it on redial.
2. The Rolling Stones
Mick and the gang supported the “One World: Together At Home” concert by the World Health Organisation (WHO) and Global Citizen on 18 April. Watch their performance here.
3. The Royal Ballet and The Royal Opera House
From wonderful "social-distancing music" to a 90-minute performance of The Metamorphosis, the adaptation of Franz Kafka's play for The Royal Ballet as part of the #OurHouseToYourHouse series, The Royal Ballet's Facebook page is a cultural treasure trove.
4. Schalk Bezuidenhout
If you haven't been getting South African comedian Schalk Bezuidenhout's hilarious Lockdown daily chats, mense, you've been missing out! Uplifting, amusing and on point, check out his Facebook page and his virtual live shows for your daily dose of local humour.
5. Yo-Yo Ma
One of the world's preeminent cellists (who can forget his visit to Kirstenbosch!), Yo-Yo Ma hosts #songsofcomfort on his Facebook page. Some of his moving performances have been dedicated to healthcare workers on the frontline, as well as both children and adults as they spend more time together.
6. The Kiffness
Local band The Kiffness is keeping audiences entertained with coronavirus songs. The group’s David Scott uses humour to reflect on issues around Covid-19 such as Lockdown, panic buying and the important messages around giving back and staying at home. Check out their Facebook page or YouTube channel to see their version of Dancing Queen (Quaranqueen), Sweet Caroline (Sweet Corona), Hey There Delilah (Hey There Corona) and much more.
7. Eclectica Contemporary
Eclectica Contemporary in the CBD has created a virtual gallery to allow art lovers to wander through the rooms of the gallery from home. The gallery also hosts #ETCsharing on Instagram which encourages people to share their artworks. The gallery says through its virtual gallery, it’s inviting people to “think of new ways to engage with the arts, galleries and their artists”.
8. The Paris Opera
The Paris Opera is offering the public its most beautiful ballets and operas to stream from its website for free. Performances to look forward to include The Tales of Hoffmann and Carmen. Visit www.operadeparis.fr/ to view the performances. The Paris Opera also regularly posts messages and performances on its Facebook page in support of frontline workers.
9. The Ndlovu Youth Choir
The Ndlovu Youth Choir has also landed its voice with a song and video encouraging people to wash their hands. The group explains: “We come from a community with limited access to running water. As washing hands is our first line of defence against coronavirus, we have made a video on how to safely wash your hands using a bucket.”
10. The Metropolitan Opera
If opera is your thing, check out The Metropolitan Opera from New York to view their free concerts.
11. Moffie
The highly anticipated film was meant to be screened in March. And now The Fugard Theatre has made it available for streaming for only R150. Based on the memoir, Moffie by Andre-Carl van der Merwe, the film is set in 1981 and tells the story of a recruit who embarks on his military service in South Africa. He must not only navigate the brutality of the army but the connection between him and a fellow recruit. Visit moffiefilm.com to stream.
12. Itzhak Perlman
American-Israeli superstar violinist Itzhak Perlman, known as the reigning virtuoso on the violin and also for his warmth, charm and humanity, is brightening up people’s days with short uplifting stories on his Facebook page and ending them off with small, moving performances.
13. Cape Town Philharmonic Orchestra
The Cape Town Philharmonic Orchestra is also providing relief through music. Videos with various performers at home are regularly posted on their Facebook page – also giving members of the public an introduction to the performers, their favourite instruments and works. One of their poignant videos is of the orchestra performing the national anthem with each member in Lockdown at home.
14. Iziko Museums of South Africa
Iziko is inviting patrons to explore all its museums online. To interact with patrons, the museum has a #MaterialsMatterChallenge inspired by one of their current exhibitions, Matereality. The challenge encourages people to create their artworks using recyclable materials from home and post the artwork using #MaterialsMatterChallenge.
15. Virtual tours from around the world
It has been widely reported that about 2 500 museums from all over the world are offering virtual tours and online collections. This article rounds up a selection of some of these museums.
16. Zip Zap Circus
The Zip Zap Circus, whose mandate is “to inspire young people and help build a new culture of peaceful coexistence”, has launched a Zip Zap Virtual Traveling Circus. The circus features exercise classes on WhatsApp, boredom busters and body-stretching challenges for the whole family. The NPO is also pleading for donations to keep its doors open and keep inspiring kids.
17. The Daily (Social Distancing) Show
If you’re a fan of Trevor Noah’s The Daily Show (and who isn't? We love our Trevor!), watch his coronavirus adaption called The Daily Social Distancing Show online on Facebook as Trevor hosts it from his home. His interview with Bill Gates is fascinating.
18. Centre for the Less Good Idea
New work curated by William Kentridge and Phala Ookeditse Phala has been made available online by The Centre for the Less Good Idea. The centre, founded by Kentridge, “aims to find the less good idea by creating and supporting experimental, collaborative and cross-disciplinary arts projects”.
19. Andrew Lloyd Webber
You can now enjoy iconic shows by Andrew Lloyd Webber for free from the comfort of your home. Called the “The Shows Must Go On”, the new YouTube Channel is streaming a full-length musical every Friday. The shows are made available for 48 hours to allow musical theatre lovers to tune in over the weekend.
20. “Master Harold … and the Boys”
The Fugard Theatre has extended the free streaming of its production of Athol Fugard’s masterpiece Master Harold … and the Boys to 20 May 2020. To access it, you need to be a member of Friends of the Fugard (simply sign-up on the website). The recording of this 10th anniversary production is not to be missed.
IMAGES: The Fugard Theatre, Yo-Yo Ma, Ndlovu Youth Choir, Cape Town Philharmonic Orchestra, The Daily Show, Stormers