Flying High on talent

‘Imagine a world where the environment does not need any saving.’
This slogan from the Lotus High Environment Group inspired the play that was performed at the Flight of Dreams concert and parade at Princess Vlei on the 23rd of September 2017.
It was not hard to imagine this world when looking at the enthusiasm and talent of the young participants in this event.
This project, run jointly by the Princess Vlei Forum, Peter Clarke Art Centre, Jungle Theatre and eMzantsi Carnival, has now been running for five years. It offers a great opportunity for children to explore their creativity and develop their appreciation of local birds and other wildlife, while providing entertainment for the whole family. This year, the event was made possible through funding from the National Lotteries Commission.
As one of the participating teachers remarked, ‘Our kids come from an area which is like a war zone, with gunshots all the time.  I'm so glad that some kids can be exposed to the beautiful world that Mother Earth is.'
Below is a photo essay to document this magical day.

In the weeks before the event, learners at schools were hard at work preparing puppets and headdresses. On the morning of the parade, Lotus High learners gathered to create magnificent bird inspired crowns, led by a team from the Peter Clark Art Centre.

 Soon it was time to line up for the parade, as the excited learners gathered from Lotus High, John Graham Primary, Harmony Primary, Levana Primary, Floreat Primary, Primrose Park Primary and Zwaanswyk Academy.

 The parade set off, led by the Fairmount High Cadets. It made a colourful sight, as it wound down Third Avenue,Victoria Avenue, and then to Princess Vlei via First Avenue. The giant bird puppets, featuring frequent avian visitors to Princess VLei and created by learners over the past five years, flew proudly above the group. A lion on stilts and a dancing frog and vulture joined us from Jungle Theatre, and eMzantsi Carnival was there with their lively Blokka Band and chameleon headdresses. Spectators lined the streets to watch this amazing spectacle.

Soon after the Parade arrived at Princess Vlei, the concert began. The magical Jitsvinger,  kept the crowd entertained between acts with his vivacious and unique style.

Philip Bam welcomed everyone, and praised the learners for their hard work and creativity. The new Princess Vlei Manager, Denisha Anand, was there to to talk about how she would help the community vision for a living breathing vlei come to life.

An enthusiastic crowd gathered to celebrate the talent of the performers, while enjoying the sunshine and the beautiful view.

First up was the Alpha Youth Ensemble.  Based at Hyde Park Primary, this is the Senior Performing Group of the Genesis Community Arts Project, which was established for the children and youth of the Parkwood Community. The group  ranges between the ages of 11yrs and 19yrs old.  Their conductor is Mr Christopher Siljeur

ingNext were the The Four Tunes Seth Zayd Mayman, Luke Yazeed Mayman , Dylan Tauriq Mayman and Tristan Hartman from St. George’s Grammar School, and vary in age between Grade 5 and Grade 9. Strongly influenced by Spanish flamenco music,  the band  also plays rock and pop. .

Lotus High has an active environment club lead by their teacher Shafiek Isaacs. Members of the club worked with Vincent Meyburgh from Jungle Theatre to write and a perform a play at the concert.  The play, “Imagine a Life”, was inspired by a vision of a world where the environment doesn't need saving - a vision that is alive at Lotus High with its flourishing permaculture and indigenous gardens. The play looks at two neighbours, the wasteful Worsie (Abdud Daiyaan) and the eco-friendly Mr Green (Nicole Anthony), with an hilarious narrative of how Worsie learns to see the error of his ways after his beloved dog (operated by Damian Hendricks) falls ill from eating poison.

The Cape Town Environmental Education Trust (CTEET) enacted the dramatic life of ‘Drippy’, a little water drop who goes on a journey to find out why there is no water anymore and what is causing the problem.

The inspiring Rosa Juinor Choir was next. This choir, of  24 Boys and girls aged between 10 and 14, come from Langa, Manenberg.  Ravensmead and Kalksteenfontein. They sang songs in all  three Cape languages, a beautiful tribute to our cultural heritage and vibrant young talent.

The Ned Doman Marimba band sent their powerful African rhythms rippling across the Vlei. All in Grade Eight, except for the one senior member, the band has been playing together for a year and  participated in the annual Marimba Band Festival.

Mixed Mense is an Emile YX? initiative. It is a Heal the Hood Hip Hop School that aims to teach performance & life skills to youth. The duo infuse traditional dance styles and melodies into Hip Hop, and spread a message of positivity.

The Forum would like to see Princess Vlei growing as a site of and inspiration for local talent and creativity. On a beautiful day, it is hard to find a more exquisite setting. Thanks to the National Lotteries Commission for enabling the event, to the neighbourhood watch for their assistance, to the teachers who brought the kids, and all our wonderful volunteers.