Cape minstrels and Malay choirs compete in musical production

YMA Cultural Entertainers are taking part in The Jive Culture Shock.

The second season of The Jive Culture Shock, featuring Cape minstrels and Malay choirs, is being streamed online every Saturday during November, at 8pm.

Performed and filmed at the Artscape theatre under strict Covid-19 protocols, the musical production will see two teams compete against each other in 20-minute showcases each week.

All six teams will perform in the finale, as they compete in the more traditional competition format of English Comic and Nederlandse Lied categories, to determine the overall winner.

The teams taking part are Capetownian Los Amigos, GD Suites Cape Kings, YMA Cultural Entertainers, Fairfield Tjommies, The Aquarians and A and E Star Crooners.

Winners will be chosen by a panel of judges including Rushney Ferguson, Carlo Daniels, Felicia Lesch and Armien Vardien, with an additional guest judge appearing in each episode with commentary from guest audience members.

This year, the producers aim to empower the participants by implementing skills training on and off stage, which includes training for managers in social media and the addition of mentors who will upskill and help teams with their productions.

The mentors helping the teams achieve their full potential on stage are Tashreeq De Villiers facilitating stage performances, Kyle Stuurman helping with choreography and Sam Crouch facilitating vocal coaching. Musical director Tauriq Blignaut and band master Brett Edwards will steer the 10-piece band.

There will also be a charitable donation drive during each episode to raise funds for Fusion Inyameko Foundation as well as the Red Cross War Memorial Children’s Hospital Trust.

Tickets cost from R100. Book through Quicket for each of the episodes for Saturdays November 6, 13, 20 and 27.