It’s back to Level 4 Lockdown for South Africans, and if you’re still looking to get your dose of the arts, we’ve rounded up a few of the virtual exhibitions, online concerts, documentaries, sketch shows and more to help the days roll by a little less slowly. Be sure to keep an eye on our Virtual Events page for all the latest online events and happenings across the country: visit our Virtual Events page.
MUSIC
Bassline’s Live at The Lyric virtual concert series
Earlier this year, the Bassline team hosted a series of concerts at Gold Reef City’s Lyric Theatre to limited audiences. Now, the concerts are being made available for streaming, bringing the music straight to you. The Virtual concert series takes the shape of weekend broadcasts on the www.skyroomlive.com platform and the Basslinelive Facebook page, broadcast weekly on Saturday nights at 20:00.
The lineup is:
Ami Faku & Urban Village – Saturday 3 July
Msaki & Moonga K. – Saturday 10 July
Zoe Modiga & ZU. – Saturday 17 July
The JPO online
If you’re in need of some outstanding orchestral music, pay a visit to the Johannesburg Philharmonic Orchestra’s YouTube channel and browse their wide range of pre-recorded concerts, interviews, and other musical offerings. Most recently, they’ve released Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No. 3 in c minor. The performance, under the baton of Lykele Temmingh, featuring soloist François du Toit, was recorded at the Linder Auditorium as part of the Virtual Spring Symphony Season 2020.
THEATRE
National Arts Festival 2021
Through its Standard Bank Presents, VFringe, and wide array of online exhibitions, concerts, and theatre, the National Arts Festival is a rich repository of virtual art and performance. Watch recorded performances such as Van Wyk, Storyteller of Riverlea, Commission Continua, and Peeling Shadows, or indulge in some dance or live music with The Ecstatic or Afro Jazz Giants Hip Hop Tribute. Browse the full programme on the NAF website.
POPArt Online
Indie performing arts centre POPArt might no longer be taking up residence in Johannesburg’s Maboneng, but they’ve been keeping busy with a number of projects, one of them being SASS – a South African Sketch Show – which they host on their YouTube channel. If you’re in the mood for some laughs and some live performing arts, be sure to check it out.
Also read: Art-binge: The art-related documentaries, talks, and performances to watch online.
VISUAL ART
View The Louvre’s entire collection
Earlier this year, The Musée du Louvre launched an online collection database and new website, allowing art-lovers and researchers across the globe to access the museum’s entire collection of artworks from the comfort of their homes. Focusing on works in the collections and the sumptuous settings they are displayed in, the site invites visitors to appreciate the former palace as they move from room to room. Available in French, English, Spanish and Chinese, images and video are given pride of place. Start browsing by heading over to their website.
Go gallery-hopping across the country
If you’re looking to catch up with the exceptional South African art currently on exhibition, we’ve collated some of the best virtual gallery and exhibition tours on our Virtual Events page. From the Goodman and Standard Bank Gallery, to Berman Contemporary and BKhz gallery, start your tour here.
Learn some South African art history
South African auction house Strauss & Co have an active YouTube channel that’s filled with virtual walkabouts, lecture, museum spotlights, and more, all showcasing some of the country’s most significant artists, artworks, and art institutions. Click through to their YouTube channel to start your journey through the history of SA art.
DOCUMENTARIES
Binge-watch documentaries on the South African arts
The award-winning Art in the 21st Century has a great selection of short documentary films on its website which allow ‘viewers to observe the artists at work, watch as they transform inspiration into art, and hear how they struggle with both the physical and visual challenges of achieving their visions.’ A few of the South African artists featured include Robin Rhode, David Goldblatt, Zanele Muholi, and Nicholas Hlobo. View all of their short-films here.
Encounters South African Documentary Film Festival
The 2021 iteration of the Encounters documentary film festival may be over, but they’ve still got all of their documentaries up online for everyone to watch and enjoy. You can get a single feature ticket per documentary, a full festival pass to watch as much as you like, or choose to watch their selection of documentary shorts for free. Head over to Encounters to browse through the full programme.
MY ART RADAR
If you’re looking for short, sharp, and engaging reviews, essays, and short films on South African art and performance by emerging artists and writers, be sure to head over to Creative Feel’s My Art Radar page for a host of reflections and insights on theatre, visual art, music, and more.
