Marimba

Hi Everyone,

As of 1 January 2011, in addition to being the managing director of amaAmbush Productions, I am now the Head of music at St Cyprians School.

It’s going to be a busy year!

Hi everyone,

Axess TV have put the entire video of the ceremony online. You can view it by clicking here.

We have received great feedback from the organizers of the event.

Thanks so much to all the parents and amaAmbush students that took part in the tour.

Peace

Hey everyone,

Just a quick post…

I am in Zambia and am having the time of my life! I went on a microlight over the falls and had the most amazing view.

I have kayaked and rafted on the Zambezi and can now return home completely happy.

Peace

Hi everyone,

The World Childrens Prize for the Rights of the Child 10 year anniversary ceremony was a resounding success.

We arrived at the incredible Stockholm City Hall at around 12h00 and everyone got into their costumes.

amaAmbush Abantwana

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We did a final run through, and went to wait backstage. The energy was incredible.

The ceremony went very well. It was too dark for me to take any pictures or videos, but it was filmed professionally. I was also occupied with following the event and helping to cue the band when to play. I will upload some footage as soon as get it.

The queen walked past the band an gave us all a nod at the end of the ceremony. The South African group played flawlessly, and were well received.

After the ceremony, we had some photo opportunities with Graça Machel.

Ross Johnson and Graça Machel

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amaAmbush Abantwana and Graça Machel

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It was then time to have dinner with the Queen.

The hall was lit up beautifully and filled with VIP’s from around the world.

amaAmbush Abantwana with the South African Swedish Ambassador

We were then served by the royal waiters

The food was quite different from anything the group had tasted before!

Cream cheese and caviar starter.

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The group did a great performance to announce the serving of the main course.

We had a good time, sitting at a table with the musicians from Brazil.

We got back to our rooms at around 00h00 and got some well deserved rest.

Well done to amaAmbush Abantwana!

Hey everyone,

The pace is picking up as we prepare for the main event of the tour – The World’s Children’s Prize for the Rights of the Child Award Ceremony. We had an incredible rehearsal last night, from 12h30 till 00h00! The group held together well, and went home tired and excited.

Siya gave us a scare when he said he had lost his performing costume! Luckly one of the staff members had found his bag and returned it to us.

The group had the pleasure of meeting Graça Machel in Stockholm at the rehearsal. She had a conversation with the band, and seemed to really enjoy their music.

Graça Machel in Stockholm

Tonight the group will be meeting and performing for Queen Silvia of Sweden.

Here is an introduction to the members of this years tour:

Dudu ‘Duduzela’ Ndlovu age 16 – Herschel Girls High School

This has been an amazing experience, nothing like I have ever done before. The group has become really close, and I have really enjoyed meeting new people. I have learnt so many skills over the past year in preparation for the tour. Thanks for the opportunity.

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Tebogo ‘Tebza’ Marokane age 15 – Bishops

I have been enjoying the trip very much. I have enjoyed being with other cultures and people from other countries. A highlight for me was going to Stockholm. It was great to see how people live here.

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Siya ‘Blade’ Mapolisa age 15 – St. Josephs

I am enjoying experiencing new cultures. A highlight for me was the tour to Stockholm and the welcoming dinner where we met all the people.

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Carryn ‘chords, 2, 3, 4’ James age 16

It’s really been fun, and I have met a lot of interesting people and I am really enjoying it. The highlight of my trip so far has been dancing with the Brazilian musicians. I would like to say high to mom, dad and Brad. I miss you all and will see you soon.

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amaAmbush Abantwana 2010

Peace

Hey everyone,

Thanks for all the comments, we all appreciate hearing from you back home.

Everything is starting to build up to the performance on Wednesday night. The ceremony will be broadcast live on AXESS (a Swedish channel) at 18h00. Here is their online TV guide:

It's official - Live national coverage

Footage of the performance will also be shown on an upcoming Top Billing episode. I will keep you posted on when it will air.

Today was spent rehearsing and going through the running order of the ceremony. They have worked out every last detail, and it took most of the day to got through all the logistics.

In the evening, we had the official welcome dinner where each group performed one song.

Rehearsing for the concert that evening

amaAmbush Abantwana were on form, delivering a flawless performance. We watched some Indian dance, a Vietnam piece and some great Samba music from Brazil. At the end of the evening, everyone jumped onto the marimbas and the group taught them how to play ‘In The Jungle’. After a few minutes, the whole room was singing, dancing, drumming and playing marimbas. The groups from the other countries joined in with their instruments.

We then all played Shakira’s Waka Waka (the official 2010 soccer theme song). The room went crazy and everyone had a great time. Well done to the group, they were good ambassadors for our country.

Tomorrow we are going to the town hall to do a run through then a full dress rehearsal. They leave nothing to chance!

I will keep you posted.

Peace

Hi everyone,

Thanks for the comments, I read them out to the group each day.

Today we had the opportunity to be tourists. After a great breakfast, we walked to the bus in the rain.

amaAmbush Abantwana in the rain

We then drove through to visit the beautiful Stockholm City Hall. This is where we will be performing in a few days time.

Stockholm City Hall

We then had a great lunch at a all-you-can-eat Thai restaurant. We could choose from a selection of shushi, soups, noodles, chicken, vegetables and ice-cream.

The bus then drove past the Viking Lines terminal. This was an incredible moment for me, because this was where I had been earlier this year with two amaAmbush groups who spent many days performing aboard these boats. It was unreal to be there again. For more info on that trip, scroll down to view my past blog posts.

My home away from home

The group had some time to breath in the fresh air.

It was then for the girls to do some shopping!

Time to shop!

The girls asked me to upload this as their favorite picture:

During the evening, we were entertained by the groups from different countries. This is a great cultural experience for the group.

Peace

Hey everyone,

Things are continuing to go well here and everyone is in high spirits.

We performed all our pieces to the CEO and founder of the World’s Children’s Prize Foundation, Magnus Bergar. He was very happy with the group and the preparation that we had all done.

amaAmbush Abantwana with Magnus

It was then time for some rest and relaxation.

Whenever the group walks anywhere they are singing and laughing. I think this is a great display of the joy and energy that all South Africans have.

The place we are staying is really beautiful. It is called the Gripsholmviken Conference Centre. It has incredible facilities including free internet, three delicious buffet meals a day at the resturant and hotel-like rooms that are cleaned every day. We are in the town of Mariefred, a small almost medieval town situated next to a large lake.

Here are some images of the grounds:

Right next to our house is a large deer sanctuary where we are allowed to walk amongst the tame deer owned by the King of Sweden.

The group had some free time, and walked into town to do some shopping.

Shopping in Mariefred, Sweden

In the evening there was an event for all the students from around world to get to know each other. I was impressed with the group, they brought their drums and were teaching students from Vietnam and India how to play the Djembe. They taught the whole group some African dancing, and I did a clapping workshop.

There is a large canvas in the games room that everyone can write, draw or paint on. Here is the amaAmbush Abantwana contribution:

The group had a great time getting creative!

Peace

Hi everyone,

Today has been really great. We all woke up at around 07h00 and after getting ready went through to breakfast. The food here is great, we are given a full buffet with both traditional Swedish food (breads and cold meat) as well as food that we are used to (eggs and bacon). After a satisfying breakfast, we went for a walk around the grounds.

amaAmbush Abantwana in Sweden

All together at the lake

It is really beautiful here, with rolling green fields and a large lake. There is a medieval town and castle within walking distance.

The students are sharing rooms with 3 girls in one room, 2 girls in the next, and 3 boys all together. I am in my own room all along the same corridoor.

We went through to the rehearsal room and unpacked the instruments. It is always great to unpack your instruments and play. It gives you a real feeling that you are doing what you came here to do.

Unpacking

It feels great to play again

Peace

Hi everyone,

We have all arrived safely in Sweden. It is great to be back here so soon, and it is starting to feel like a second home.

I have with me the group, amaAmbush Abantwana. They are eight of our students selected from the many schools we teach at in Cape Town. We have pupils from Bishops, Herschel, Wynberg Girls, Camps Bay and Pinelands.

amaAmbush Abantwana

Thanks to our careful planning, we managed to get all the marimbas onto the plane without any trouble. They were hesitant to take our djembes on as hand luggage, but eventually agreed.

After a 12 hour flight, we landed in Amsterdam. We relaxed in the airport for around two hours before taking off for Sweden. After landing in Sweden we were greeted by the representatives of the World Children’s Prize, and driven to where we will be rehearsing and staying.

Supper in Sweden

After a great dinner, we were shown to our rooms.

I will keep you all posted with videos and pictures each day.

Peace