Port Elizabeth: first field visit

Last weekend, four of us went to visit the Field bands in Port Elizabeth (PE), 4h driving away. It felt nice to finally be doing something int his project other than meetings and discussions. And it is also nice to get away for a weekend from Pretty Petit Plett. So we left on Friday morning, Kristien, Etienne, Shaun and me, in a rental, and met up for lunch with Marcellus (Regional Coordinator, stepping down) and Heidery (Band coordinator, stepping up to fill Marcellus' shoes) from the PE Field Band. So nice to hear from an existing and working field band how they go about it. I was surprised though how little of the budget they run themselves, only like 10% of it, the rest is run by the national field band foundation. But Marcellus is more like a passionate music man than a manager, so that might have explained it. He gave us a lot of tips and straightforward answers to our questions. They have two field bands, one in Zwide, a coloured township, and the other one in Bethelsdorp, where it is mostly blacks living. For the national competition in Jo'burg next week though, they mix both boands though and use the best members.

Next, we went to Zwide where we could assist the rehearsal of that band, which was simply wonderful. It seems to be so much fun for the kids, who are enjoying themselves immensely, and though it was far from being perfect, there sas such an energy and joy radiating that it was amazing. I mean, we are talking about kids from townships here, who have difficulty sitting still in schools and remaining discplined, while here they would be performing figures and such which requiered just that, a team spirit and working together, while smiling and making music at the same time. Heartwarming! We did a couple of interviews (well, I did, cause the others didn't want to interrupt the rehearsal), and then we left to get ready for the gala dinner.

Cause yes, Marcellus had invited us to partake in the launching dinner for the Northern Arts & Culture festival which was going to take place that weekend and in which the Field Band was active as well. So, very fancy, with famous artists and politicians, loads of speeches and food slow to arrive.
It always strikes me as funny funny how my work in developping countries allows me to move in such different circles, going in one afternoon from a township rehearsal, where poor kids are sewing their own uniforms with handouts, to the fanciest dinner in town that day, where everybody who was somebody was there.

Next day, Saturday, we went to the morning workshops that the field band was conducting during this festival, and tried ourselves to play on the steel drums, dance a little hip hop and misbehaved ourselves on the theme park that was meant for the kids ;-)

After that, back to Plett, where our own local jazz festival was awaiting for us...