Goethe-Institut Namibia to open Night Under the Stars on 5 March

24 Feb 2021 - 13:18

Published under the Creative Commons Licence

Goethe-Institut (GI) Namibia has announced that it will kick-start this year’s Night Under the Stars (NUTS) concert series with a performance by local Afro-jazz singer Bonganisoul in Windhoek on 5 March.

Bonganisoul.

This year's series follows the 2020 edition, which ended with an event featuring local acts Taylor Jaye World and DJ Castro in November.

NUTS was established in 2014 to create a platform for musicians to showcase their talents. The project is targeted at emerging artists and musicians who have been on the scene for some time.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, only 40 guests will be permitted at the venue. Fans can livestream the concert via the institute’s official Facebook page.

“I am inspired by the experiences in life and how developing an understanding of your surroundings is how you learn and develop,” Bonganisoul said. “I sing about many things, from your relationship with God and self-love to abuse and corruption. Namibia currently faces many aspects of social issues, from gender-based violence and corruption to COVID-19 challenges and youth struggles.

“My music speaks to the people of Namibia and many more. My music is a message of hope and inspiration that I achieve through the combination of tribal, ethnic and ritualistic styles communicated by myself and the supporting crew.”

Commenting on the state of the local music scene, he said: “Artists and musicians alike are also caught up in promoting themselves, which is important for personal development, but I think that without a forum to unite us and individuals that do not support each other, the music industry becomes fragmented and weak.”

Besides local acts, NUTS has previously hosted musicians from Zimbabwe, Ghana, Angola, Germany and Canada to promote cooperation and cultural exchange with local artists.

Goethe-Institut said: “We are looking for diversity in terms of genre and setups. Goethe-Institut has never cancelled a show and is proud to have been part of the development of musicians from amateurs to professionals. Some artists who have performed at NUTS as newbies in 2014 and 2015 have propelled into the industry and returned to the NUTS stage as professionals.”

The Entry fee to the event is N$20 ($1.30).