Muizenberg bared its bohemian soul as artists showed off their work in the inaugural Village Vibes – an art exploration evening.
The event, which was held on Friday and Saturday last week, is the brain-child of June Homan, who organises it with Melany Bendix. June says the idea is based on the dinners in Darling with Pieter-Dirk Uys.
The Village Vibes started on Friday night April 12 at Joon on Palmer Road with dinner and a glass of wine, and music from Lindsay Homan and Daniel Zachariah Franks, followed by a set from the enigmatic singer/songwriter Marcia Moon.
Inside Joon was an exhibition by local artists Wonder Meyer, Thomas Cartwright and Natasha Johnson.
Ticket holders were divided into three groups of roughly 25 people.
Each group was given a guide to walk them through the streets of Muizenberg, to an open home where an artist was given the stage for a 25-minute performance.
The first was Communion with Sound and Words, a spoken-word performance by Kolaude Gbolahan with backing sound by jazz musicians. The second performance, in the second home, had funny-man Dugald Pieterse lift the mood and send gales of laughter into night. It was also a chance for people to sample craft beer and gin and tonic, from a Capricorn-based brewery. The third home was the set for Hezron Chetty who is renowned for experimental ways of making music with his violin.
This set included an electronic music taste offset to a drum.
When everybody had gathered once again at Joon, there was a surprise fire dance act by Conrad Chicane.
Next up were jazz musicians Bonolo and Co, followed by the final act, more local musicians Boyes Drive (on Saturday night, this slot was filled by the artist Nhoza) and then the party moved to The Striped Horse for an official after-party.
“The whole aim is to showcase the incredible range of talent we have in Muizenberg,” says June.
“This is our way of showing our gratitude to these artists for calling Muizenberg home, and I am so grateful to everyone for the parts they played.”
