Heels over Head raises funds for North Coast Courier Orphan Fund as part of 10 year anniversary tour
iSupport Music Business presents Heels over Head in Ballito. The all-female jazz band will visit Sound Café on Sunday 17 June at 12pm for a special Father’s Day Lunch and to raise funds for the North Coast Courier Orphan Fund.
The North Coast Courier Orphan Fund was set up with the purpose of channelling money raised to non-governmental organisations that specialise in caring for orphans and vulnerable children within the newspaper’s circulation area- a cause close to band member Thulile Zama’s heart. “We frequently organise performances in orphanges and at schools, but we decided it would be good to use our music to also make a financial contribution. I went to school on the KwaZulu-Natal North Coast and it is important for me to give back to the community that raised me.” 40% of the ticket sales will be donated to the Orphan Fund.
This concert is part of a special Cape Town- Durban collaboration tour that Heels over Head will present, part of the band’s 10-year anniversary celebration. From winning the Yamaha Young Talent Award in 2010 to independently releasing two music projects and being nominated for the SAMA Awards (2011) Best Contemporary Jazz Album early on in their career as a band, Heels Over Head has kept their footing firmly on the ground with new compositions, touring within the S.A borders and the SADC region, connecting and building a fan base. The hard work sometimes can go unnoticed, but opportunities present themselves through the band’s perseverance- such as going to New Orleans in the USA for the 2017 Essence Music Festival. This only added to the enthusiasm that fuels their passion for music.
The band aims to empower women in this industry and has a history of effectively doing this. Many members that played in Heels over Head in the past now have successful solo careers. The members individually are also all involved in motivation of young female musicians through teaching and mentorships. “The girls”, as they are affectionately known, were booked for their first performance in August 2008 when they entered the music industry as young upcoming jazz band consisting of music students from the University of KwaZulu-Natal. Today, as the girls aim celebrate their 10 year anniversary, they continue offering stages for young talents in jazz. This is why this tour is an exchange between female musicians from Cape Town and Durban. Vocalist Zama and drummer Rebekah Doty from Durban will be joined by Cape Town based Nobuhle Ashanti on keys, Tracey Johannes on bass guitar and Ariana Carini on guitar.
For vocalist and founder Thulile Zama, one of the highlights of their career is the fact they managed to stay together for 10 years, “there are not so many bands that have survived over the years,” she says. “We have worked for many years to create opportunities for ourselves. It has been a great experience, at times enriching and at times humbling and we plan to continue working on offering platforms for female musicians.” Drummer Rebekah Doty adds: “We want to be an example to other female musicians and show them that everything is possible. We have performed for so many different audiences throughout the years. Still being together after 10 years is a great motivation to keep the band going.”
Heels Over Head precedes the fundraising event with a roof raising performance at The Chairman in Durban on Friday 15 June.
The performances by Heels over Head are supported by the Concerts SA Mobility Fund, a funding mechanism which offers opportunities for South African musicians to undertake live music tours. Concerts SA is a joint South African/Norwegian live music development project housed within the SAMRO Foundation. Concerts SA receives financial, administrative and technical support from the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, SAMRO, the SAMRO Foundation and Concerts Norway. Working with musicians, promoters, venue owners and audiences, and providing support to the sector through research and skills development for music professionals, the project aims to build a vibrant and viable live music circuit in southern Africa. It also aims to develop an interest in and appreciation of live music by showcasing music performances and conducting workshops at schools. Follow @ConcertsSA on Twitter at twitter.com/ConcertsSA or like us on Facebook at facebook.com/ConcertsSA
Events Listing
Friday 15 June- 11pm- R150 entrance fee
Address: 146 Mahatma Gandhi Rd, Point, Durban
Bookings: 079 753 6313 / info@thechairmanlive.com
Sunday 17 June,-12pm- Tickets: R70
Sound Café, Warne House, 5 Garlicke Drive, Ballitoville
Bookings: 032 – 4920088 or info@soundcafe.co.za.
