THIS year the 49th Fleur du Cap Awards ceremony will be held at the Baxter Theatre on Sunday.
Director Lara Bye says she is using the Baxter’s clean, open theatre space to go for a more fun, local feel, in contrast to last year’s classical elegance.
“A real celebration. So, for example, Jackie Manyaapelo of Jazzart will choreograph Umuhle,” said Bye.
The new dance piece from Jazzart will feature township dancers in tuxedos and the All Stars, “a wonderful mash-up of street culture”, she said.
Singer Dorothy Masuka, one of the originators of the look, feel and sound of 1950s township jive, will perform a selection of songs accompanied by guitarist Bheki Khoza.
The Cape Philharmonic Youth Orchestra will tackle a new arrangement of Winston “Mankuku” Ngozi’s Crossroads, and Bye has been inspired by working with the Ubuntu B-Boys over the past few days for the show.
She says she is going for a Cape Town street party feel with the B- Boys: “Last time they were very theatrical, now it’s a typical b-boy scene.”
The Ubuntu B-Boys last performed at the Fleur du Caps three years ago, and Jed and Duane Lawrence have just returned from Dresden, Germany, where they had a three-month stint with the Sarrasani Circus, a German outfit that has a long history of hosting troupes from distant places.
“The acts were so good we had to make sure every event was a ‘wow’. Our mission was to get ovations every night,” said Duane.
“We need to dance to suit any crowd, whatever their comfort zone,” is a lesson Duane said they learnt in Dresden.
“The idea for the Fleurs is to bring Cape Town to the dance floor, the atmosphere of being in Cape Town. It’s going to be an extreme showcase, tight choreography, bringing across the togetherness and just a positive message,” said Duane.
“This time around they want the real street style,” said Jed, contrasting their next performance at the Fleurs to their last three years ago when they blew everyone away with a highly stylised theatrical approach.
Comedian Alan Committie and talk show host Africa Melane will again keep everyone on their toes as the hosts for the evening.
• Tickets for the 49th Fleur du Cap Theatre Awards, which include canapes and wine, are R150 from Computicket.