Sibikwa Arts Centre has been in the business of fostering change in local communities through theatre and performance for over 30 years. Pioneered by theatre veterans Phyllis Klots and Smal Ndaba in 1988, the centre is located to the
east of Joburg in Benoni. Sibikwa is foremost a visionary arts centre that promotes quality arts education, performance, vocational training and job creation in South Africa. However, they also provide a platform for emerging artists to showcase their work within a safe and constrictive space.
Sibikwa Arts Centre - The Home of Ekurhuleni Jazz
Sibikwa hosts a number of events throughout the year, most notably their Heritage Day Celebrations, School Showcase and the Dance Xplosion festival. In March 2019, they introduced Phola Jazz Sessions - a one-day festival dedicated to celebrating jazz and the people who make it sound so good.
Phola Jazz Sessions events are open to the public, as well as burgeoning artists, musicians and theatre makers. This November, the centre presents their final
Phola Jazz Session for the year. Showcasing Gugulethu-born saxophonist, Sisonke Xonti, this is a must-attend for all jazz enthusiasts!
Sisone Xonti is one of the most promising young jazzists to ever grace the Sibikwa stage. Previously, the centre has hosted artists such as
Khaya Mahlangu, Banda Banda, Mongezi Conjwa and Sizwe Matshinini, to name a few. Creating a community of jazz artists and audiences, Sibikwa effectively keeps jazz alive. After the success of the first Phola Jazz Sessions event in March, the centre is proud to present Xonti as their headliner for this highly anticipated second edition.
If you are a newbie to the local jazz scene, here's a little more about Sisonke Xonti and his band:
Xonti began his career as a
jazz saxophonist in 2004. The 30-year-old lawyer turned musician has steadily been recognised as one of South Africa's most prolific young talents of the 21st-Century. Renowned for his skill and talent, Xonti plays the saxophone, composes music, directs and records! He debuted his first feature album,
Iyonde in 2017, to much acclaim. Having performed with the likes of Jimmy Dludlu, Hugh Masekela, Abdullah Ibrahim and Marcus Wyatt, Xonti is steadily rising as the country’s most sought-after tenor saxophonist.
Xonti often performs with his band, bassist Shane Cooper, drummer Sphelelo ‘Lelo’ Mazibuko and guitarist Keenan Ahrends. This electrifying ensemble have performed at some of the country’s most prestigious music events, including the
Cape Town International Jazz Festival and The Standard Bank Joy of Jazz. They have also toured at international Jazz festivals in China, Mozambique, Angola, Reunion Island, Switzerland and Dubai.
The upcoming Phola Jazz Sessions event is not to be missed, so book your tickets as soon as possible. Light snacks and refreshments will be on sale to keep you jamming along all afternoon. We'll catch you there!
When Is It?
Sunday, 24 November 2019 at 15:00.
Where Is It?
Sibikwa Arts Centre, CNR Bolton and Liverpool Streets, Benoni, Johannesburg.
How Much Is It?
Tickets cost
R80 per person pre-booked, or R100 at the door. Contact Vumile Qupe on
011 422 4359 / 079 706 2394 or at
[email protected] to book your tickets.
For More Information
For more information, visit their
website or follow them on social media:
Facebook -
facebook.com/SibikwaArts
Twitter -
twitter.com/SibikwaArts
Instagram -
instagram.com/sibikwaarts
Details: 011 422 4359 |
[email protected]
