TEO was born out of my direct involvement with TISC - Theatre Cafes in the Southern Cape.
When I moved to the beautiful Reebok near Mossel Bay in 2004, I fell in love with Vaaljapie in Kleinbrakriver. Vaaljapie and beautiful Armand and Frikkie - the owners - and our Theatre Cafe culture was born.
We started with a type of safari theatre where artists played small venues for a few nights at a time through our region. Small, interesting spaces and amazing experiences!
As venues came and went, the culture stayed and developed into new ventures like "Oer Moer/Primal Culture" where we play for the hat.
It was with my involvement with Mocca - Mossel bay Creative Cultures Association - that I really got involved with community development locally.
At this point I serve as a director for the Garden Route Fim Office and work closely with role players from the area. I would love to expand on that (and on them) more in the time to follow! I also serve on the Western Cape Cultural Commission, all part of getting and supporting the bigger picture for arts in our world. And beyond.
I kind of "do what my hand sees fit to do". There is no time to waste and through the arts and especially with the power of cabaret, at least try to make the world a better place. Lastingly so.
TEO has become the umbrella of my work as I go forward.
I hope we can inspire better connection between the artists and venues. Help make and maintain lasting plans for artists' future and in that secure a safer, happier and more tolerant world around us.
Images by UnSplash.com