A single beam of light illuminates a lonely chair and mic. There's a hum of anticipation around the tables at La Trattoria, as the audience awaits the night’s line-up that includes singer-guitarists Larry Strelitz and Liz Gaisford and African music specialist Andrew Tracey.
A single beam of light illuminates a lonely chair and mic. There's a hum of anticipation around the tables at La Trattoria, as the audience awaits the night’s line-up that includes singer-guitarists Larry Strelitz and Liz Gaisford and African music specialist Andrew Tracey.
It was the High Street's restaurant's first Acoustic Café session – as the name suggests, a platform for acoustic performances, as well as an opportunity for local musicians to collaborate – and a chance for the chef to experiment with special menus.
The debut boded well for the initiative's future – the assortment of guitars, saxophones, violins and traditional folk instruments had the audience swaying, laughing with and applauding the musicians.
The mastermind behind the idea is Grahamstown resident James Fourie, who aims to offer a platform without any distractions.
“My intention is to offer an incentive for musicians to polish pieces they’ve been working on to a level that it can be performed,” explained Fourie.
“It also gives anyone the opportunity to collaborate with other musicians.”
The stage is offered to musicians of all levels and abilities, with the only requirement that it’s all acoustic.
The mixture of folk, jazz, classical and ethnic music, Fourie says, offers a new kind of genre for amateurs and professionals alike to perform to an adoring audience.
The performers are not paid, he says, because he believes this would undermine the motive of playing for the simple love of playing.
Amy Menegaldo, a young Grahamstown resident, sat with her friends on a “girls' night out”, to be serenaded while they ate their pasta.
“There was a need for this kind of thing,” she said. "It’s nice to rediscover music you’ve once forgotten.”
“It’s so nice to play to an appreciative audience,” enthused Gaisford after her performance.
The student describes her music as "folk finger-picking gone bundu-bashing".
“Grahamstown needed a place like this where musicians can showcase their music to an audience that actually wants to come and listen to you.”
Fourie is optimistic about the initiative. “We hope it gains momentum and is sustainable. We need a strong committee and for people start to come out of the woodwork who are keen to play.”
Tickets cost R20 and R15 for students, scholars and seniors. Acoustic Café is every second Thursday night from 6:30pm to 9pm. The next show is scheduled for Thursday 14 March.
