On Saturday 7 October, the sounds of brass, percussion, marimbas and steel drums, with accompanying flash of flags and colourful costume, will reverberate through Johannesburg’s Alexandra when the Field Band Foundation (FBF) holds its 20th National Field Band Celebration.
South Africa’s 11 top performance Field Bands, each with 120 members, will put on long-rehearsed displays of closely choreographed music, dance and band movement before FBF, and the public. The event opens at 09:30 by Johannesburg’s executive mayor Cllr Herman Mashaba, Department of Arts & Culture’s Deputy Director-General (Institutional Governance) Ms Kelebogile Sethibelo, and FBF CEO Nicky du Plessis. Qualified Bands competing for national honours were judged according to filmed performance entries from Field Bands in 21 townships across seven provinces. Competing on 7 October are the Field Bands of Alexandra, Blouberg, Dordrecht, Kroonstad, Kuruman, Musina, Parys, Philipstown, Setlabotjha, Soweto, and Viljoenskroon. This event at Alexandra Stadium will be complemented by simultaneous community-based Field Band performances held in Daniëlskuil, Hammanskraal, Hanover, Kimberley, Molteno/Sterkstroom, Plettenberg Bay, Springs, Stellenbosch, Thabazimbi, and Witbank. The Field Band Foundation NPC (www.fieldband.org.za), founded in 1997, used the global performance band concept to bring focused life skills training to young people in areas of disadvantage. Since then, more than 50 000 youngsters have gone through the programme. The Foundation currently has 42 bands across SA, and receives significant corporate support. State support comes from the Department of Arts & Culture, and international support primarily through partners in Norway and the US. The 2017 FBF National Field Band Celebration promises a morning of superb family entertainment with live instrumental music that will stir your soul. The event takes place on Saturday 7 October from 09:00 to 14:00, at the Alexandra Stadium, 12th Avenue, Alexandra, Johannesburg.
VENUE: Alexandra Stadium, Johannesburg (Meshack Kunene Stadium) | 68 12th Avenue, Alexandra, Johannesburg.
While we come together in Alexandra on 7 October, 10 other Field Band performances will simultaneously take place. These FBF 20th birthday celebrations involve the Foundation with community stakeholders in Daniëlskuil, Hammanskraal, Hanover, Kimberley, Molteno, Plettenberg Bay, Springs, Stellenbosch, Thabazimbi, and Witbank.
Listen to some of the music produced here.
