|
July 2008
On 1 June the Artscape theatre was transformed into a
haven of hope when 2008’s first Artists for AIDS Awareness
concert showed that the battle against HIV and AIDS is far
from having been lost. On 31 August, the message is continued,
with a line-up of talented artists who are raising their
voices for a worthy cause.
The concert will feature personal statements from individuals
whose lives are touched by HIV and AIDS, such as Roxy, inspirational
speaker and coach from Marosa Talk Show, a live show kicking
off in August. “As a person living with the virus,
I want people to get that they can choose what they want
their lives to look like. The current stereotypes are just
that: stereotypes, not a reality.”
Corporate trainer and speaker Toni Zimmerman, who also
lives with the virus, hopes that the concert will empower
people by changing their perspective. “I want people
to realise that life is a wonderfully, blessed experience
and that this is a ‘little’ virus that claims
a small part of you. It does not have the ability to claim
your dreams, your personality or your soul.”
At the helm of the upcoming concert is the multi-skilled
Jimmie Earl Perry, Director of Educational Theatre and Creative
Arts at the centre’s community mobilisation arm, the
Africa Institute for HIV/AIDS Management. Perry is a Gallo
recording artist and has performed in various world-renowned
productions, including Jesus Christ Superstar and Cats.
He is responsible for ensuring that everything is in place
on and off the stage.
Perry will be joined on stage by cabaret artist and singer
Godfrey Johnson, and the talented vocalists Rosebud Mgada,
Wendy Alexander, Lana Rumble, Lanaine Abrahams, Jamie Marais
and Rouchelle Liedemann, who will be releasing her fourth
CD later this year. The Speak Life Choir and the Mike Campbell
Orchestra will add their vocal and instrumental skills to
the production for a world-class musical experience.
Apart from their musical talent, it is these artists’
mindsets that make them exceptional individuals. Their belief
in the value of their performance is what makes concerts
like these so powerful. “When one person is touched
by something you say or sing, they share it with others
and in this way the message spreads,” says Mgada.
To Liedemann, the element of awareness is also a central
theme, in relation to the human element of HIV and AIDS.
“Society must be made aware of what HIV and AIDS are
really about: The disease itself may be threatening, but
people living with the virus can still have a future and
live a fulfilled life.”
Lanaine Abrahams agrees with Liedemann. She believes that
one can overcome all hopelessness by focusing on what has
already been done and what is currently being done. “As
long as there are people and organisations willing to give
their time and effort and who persevere in combating the
disease, there's a lot of hope. When I'm faced with cynics
who see no hope, my question is what they are doing about
it,” she says.
The Artists for AIDS Awareness concerts are made possible
by the Africa Centre for HIV/AIDS Management at Stellenbosch
University and Artscape’s audience development programme.
The concerts lead up to the Africa Centre’s annual
World AIDS Day gala concert on 1 December, a prestigious
event that brings together people from different sectors
to celebrate the successes achieved internationally with
regards to HIV and AIDS.
The concerts aim to inform people about HIV and AIDS and
give them a better understanding of the virus and its impact.
According to Perry, music has over time proved to be an
effective means of mobilising people. “Every human
being that has ever been exposed to music, theatre and other
art forms has experienced the impact it has had on their
lives,” he says. “This belief is a crucial part
of the Africa Centre’s philosophy on the value of
entertainment in educating people.”
“While marvellous music, talented artists and exceptional
entertainment are guaranteed at the Artists for AIDS Awareness
concert, it is most importantly an evening of hope, courage
and of people who believe that HIV and AIDS will never bring
down the human spirit,” Perry added.
Notes to the editor
• About the Africa Centre for HIV/AIDS Management
The Africa Centre believes academic institutions must play
a creative and active role in social, political and economic
transformation. They structure this role on three pillars:
academic programmes, research and community mobilisation.
They are a UNAIDS collaborating centre on capacity building,
community mobilisation and research dissemination.
• About UNAIDS
UNAIDS is globally the main advocate for coordinated action
on HIV and AIDS. Their mission is to lead, strengthen and
support an expanded response to the pandemic. This includes
preventing transmission of HIV, providing care and support
to people living with the virus, reducing the vulnerability
of people to HIV, and alleviating the impact of the pandemic.
On behalf of: Africa Centre for HIV/AIDS
Management at Stellenbosch University
Contacts:
• Prof Jan du Toit, Director of the Africa Centre
for HIV/AIDS Management: 021 808 3004,
083 626 3082, jbdt@sun.ac.za
• Prof Jimmie Earl Perry, Director of Educational
Theatre and Creative Arts of the Africa Institute for HIV/AIDS
Management: 021 808 3707,
082 493 6052, jep@sun.ac.za
.
|
