2015-05-15Staff Report 2 " WINDHOEK- Literally two days before Namibia's 'rock chic' Savannah Collins turned 21, she pulled off one of her most electrifying performances at the recent Sound for Sight benefit concert held in Windhoek. The young musician also confirmed this week that she will be participating in Windhoek's World Music Day (WMD) on Saturday, June 20, saying ""I want to share my music with my Namibian fans."" The young performer, who is in her third year of music studies in Cape Town, was accompanied by her drummer Eben de Wet, and thrashed out an all original set on a pearl Fender electric guitar, that rocked the open air venue of Vintage Pub where nearly 1 000 people attended the Sound For Sight concert. She flew in to her home country to join 30 of the country's top live musicians, to play at the first ever benefit concert, which raised around N$40 000 towards the school for the visually impaired in Khomasdal. Along with 12 different acts, Savannah helped fill a dream for organiser/ musician, Alfie Visser, and his Sound for Sight team, which turned into one of the biggest music festival's the country has experienced in a long time. A total of eleven artists and groups ranging from solo acts to full blown bands, came together. Music enthusiasts were treated to a wide variety of genres ranging from folk, rock, grunge, ghetto blues, metal and 'boere stomp', catering to everyone young and old. First class sound, lighting and equipment was laid on by Jay Lou Productions with sound engineer Wouter de Bruyn the man behind the crisp sound quality delivered by the musicians, who all gave it their best in providing top live entertainment in a relaxed setting which was enjoyed by the whole family. Not to mention Brown Paper Bag, a four piece band who can make it onto any world stage. Whilst two of the band members are from the coast, the entire band meet up in their band room in Swakop for regular practise sessions, and are currently one of the 'hottest' acts in Namibia. Other bands and acts in the line-up included the polished band Pennilane, the three-piece RAT , metal band Swollen Revolver with father and son input from drummer dad Hartmut and Johnny on lead, the groovy Desdamona sisters who were backed by Alfie on drums , Solitary Man, Windpomp Boereorkes, Tripping on Cables, Safe Nineteen and Rushour. These incredible acts performed free for charity, and entertained the crowd from 13hoo Saturday afternoon till very late Saturday evening. Now hot on its heels, is the Franco-Namibian Cultural Centre (FNCC) World Music Day (WMD) being held in five different towns countrywide, which provides another huge opportunity for all performing Namibian artists to showcase their talents. Savannah fans can catch this shooting star performing live in Windhoek on the Saturday, which due WMD’s growing popularity is being held at two venues, with the first set performing at Palmtree Park from 10am to 18h00, followed by an eight till late session at the Warehouse Theatre. Annually, communities the world over celebrate WMD on the day of summer solstice. The FNCC with the support of Total Namibia will be hosting the 20th Anniversary of WMD in Namibia. This year, the French originating Fête de la Musique will take place in Windhoek, Swakopmund, Rundu, Katima Mulilo and Oshakati. Registration deadline is Friday 22 May for all performing artists who want to participate, but organisers say "" bring your instruments -no back tracks"". ." 2015-05-15Staff Report 2
