With more than 50 years in the music industry for most, the legends of the local music industry still have a lot to offer.
With their mission to give back to their peers, a group of artists have partnered with the Suidoosterfees to bring the Golden Oldies on tour, following two performance show runs at the Baxter and Artscape theatres.
The shows are the brainchild of Terry Fortune who has been in the industry for decades.
“The main aim of this is to give back and spread joy. It was well received and we are now in the give- back phase,” says Fortune.
The show features artists who have been in the industry for decades.
“We want to show that people in this era still have a lot to offer the industry,” says Fortune.
“Over our years in the industry, we have always been asked to perform at venues like this, to give back to senior groups and I thought it would be great to give back.”
Music sets were selected to suit the musical tastes of the residents.
“These are veterans in the game and we did not lecture them on what to perform. They know what music this generation likes,” says Fortune.
“They have lots of experience. We want to show that artistic older persons still have a lot to offer.”
Artists range in age from 60 and are paying tribute to their own careers and contributions of those who paved the way for the industry.
Fortune says the music of decades ago was very influenced by American and British artists, but is encouraged to see that the arts in South Africa have evolved.
“Local artists have seen the value and importance of writing our own music and putting together our own plays,” he says. “Now you will see less influence from foreign music.”
The tour will see groups of artists visit various old-aged and senior citizens groups.
The tour is supported by the Suidoosterfees that does the administrative side of bringing the concert series to life.
The show started on Tuesday 12 July at the Beaconvale Frail care centre in Mitchell’s Plain, followed by Lotus Place in Lotus River on Wednesday 13 July and Avondrust Court in Rondebosch on Thursday 14 July.
The concerts also took place in the Northern Suburbs areas.
Upcoming visits will take place between the end of July and mid August in Athlone, Bergvliet, Meadowridge and Woodstock to entertain the residents of various establishments.
“This initiative is about more than bringing wonderful entertainment to retirement homes; it also provides senior artists with opportunities to perform,” says Jana Hattingh, CEO of Suidoosterfees.
“The project focuses is on community interaction, but also on creating jobs, therefore the participating veterans are remunerated.”
Suidoosterfees emphasises the development of new talent, presenting various annual projects to upskill promising young artists and providing them a professional stage to showcase their talent. “However, there are very few or no opportunities at all for senior artists,” Hattingh says.
“Veterans over the age of sixty are particularly neglected.”
The Golden Oldies show had been presented earlier at Artscape and the Baxter Theatre.
The support of Burger King, TygerBurger and People’s Post expands possibilities and more senior citizens can be reached with the tour.
According to Prof. Brian Figaji, chairman of the festival board, Suidoosterfees puts a high premium on community service. The Golden Oldies project enables the festival to honour its mandate to take the arts to people everywhere.
