Ha!Man – Saturday February 18, 2012
Time:
18:00 for 20:00;
Tickets:
R90 per person;
Ha!man
the HA!Man performance
A HA! performance proceeds from the unknown – no set programme, no presumption as to what the audience will like or not. An open and minimal atmosphere is created at first, proceeding to challenging and fresh experiences, bringing it all to the home and heart in the end. The HA!Man draws from a pool of original electronic recordings to accompany his cello playing, which is always spontaneous. No piece will ever be played in the same way. He draws these as the feeling between him and the audience develops. Apart from the accompaniments, solo improvisations on the cello and keyboard are also included, even some flute playing, dancing and whatever else a specific event may bring forth. He may also be moved at moments to speak his heart, improvise a song, a poem, or be joined by members of the audience – turning raw expression into magic. This typical magic is not possible without the unknown, the unknown that can also frustrate, as many today are used to a certain minimum amount of information on which to decide their attendance. That the HA!Man has the gift and experience to turn this into what can be a deep recognition, an inspiration and an overall entertaining experience, is attested by regular standing ovations and highly appreciative responses. In a rushed world, the HA! calls out for a moment of turning within, of mental and emotional openness, to move the heart and mind in a way not commonly found.
Ha!man
Francois le Roux, a.k.a. the HA!Man enchants and astonish audiences the world over with his cello, original electronic accompaniments, keyboard, voice and dances. His music reflects his Southern African roots and his spontaneous approach challenges conventional ideas in both the serious and commercial music environment. He has created numerous soundtracks for plays, films and poetry performances and his talents brought him distinguished appointments such as music direction for the South African National Woman of the Year Gala (2001, 2002) and the 2004 “Ukkasie” Festival’s Royal Albert Hall event in London. Touted as one of South Africa’s top musical talents and a groundbreaking cellist/music creator, he operates independently, traveling about 80 000 km a year by car. He coined the term HA! to express the spirited way in which he conducts his performances.
A formal background gave way to a career starting with spontaneous cello street performing, followed by an experimental stint of four years, backpacking through South Africa and exploring various other forms of expression. He is currently managing a full schedule of performances, workshops and creative projects, keeping in touch with an extensive database of contacts through his newsletters and web site (www.hamanworld.com). His profile in South Africa has recently been lifted by major articles in both the Rapport and Sunday Times (biggest weekly papers) and a television profile broadcast on Kyknet’s popular arts programme “Kwela.”
Veteran critic Colin Lang summed up the HA!Man experience as such: “Overall, the very fresh sound of original melodic invention and pulsing rhythms is utterly absorbing, as is his attractive and expressive body language and voice. His personality comes across as one that is profoundly thoughtful, musically lucid and thorough and showing sustained love of all creativity.” Visit www.hamanworld.com for more.
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Die HA!Man (Francois le Roux) betower en verras gehore wereldwyd met sy tjello, oorspronklike elektroniese begeleidings, klawerbord, stem en danse. Sy musiek weerspieel sy Suid-Afrikaanse wortels en sy spontane benadering daag konvensionele idees in beide die ernstige en kommersiele musiek markte uit. Hy het al vele klankbane geskep vir toneelstukke, films en poesie-uitvoerings en is aangestel as musiek-direkteur van die Suid-Afrikaanse “Woman of the Year” Gala (2001, 2002) en die “Ukkasie” Fees in die Royal Albert Hall in London, 2004. Bestempel as een van Suid-Afrika se mees bedrewe musikante en ‘n baanbreker tjellis/skepper, opereer hy onafhanklik en reis ongeveer 70 000 km ‘n jaar per motor. Die Ha! in “HA!Man” beeld beide die spontane aard van sy vertonings asook sy geesdriftige en inspirerende musiekstyl uit.
Sy formele musiek opleiding het plek gemaak vir ‘n onkonvensionele loopbaan, beginnenende met spontane straat-vertonings, ‘n eksperimentele fase van 4 jaar lank, ‘n tydperk van ryloop deur S.A. en die eksplorering van ‘n verskeidenheid vorme van kreatiewe uitdrukking. Tans bestuur hy self ‘n vol skedule van vertonings, werkswinkels en kreatiewe projekte terwyl hy in kontak bly met ‘n wereldwye netwerk ondersteuners d.m.v. nuusbriewe en ‘n web-tuiste (www.hamanworld.com). Die wyer publiek in SA begin ook kennis neem, aangehelp deur ‘n voorblad artikel in Rapport Tydskrif en hoofartikel in die Sunday Times (Aug 2009) asook ‘n profiel uitgesaai op Kyknet se Kwela (Jan 2010).
Veteraan kritikus Colin Lang som die Ha!Man-ervaring as volg op: “Algeheel is die vars klank van oorspronklike melodieuse skepping en polsende ritmes is uiters boeiend, so ook (die HA!Man se) aantreklike en ekspressiewe liggaamstaal en stem. Sy persoonlikheid toon iemand wat diep nadenkend, musikaal deursigtig en deeglik is, met ‘n volgehoue liefde vir alle kreatiwiteit.” Besoek www.hamanworld.com vir meer.
