A desire to get the community talking about violence and sexual crimes has inspired blues singer Natalie Chapman to host 180 concerts in 90 days.
This week she brings her musical campaign to the Eastern Cape.
The Johannesburg-based singer kicked off the tour early this year in Pretoria, through which she brings the issue of violence and sexual crimes into the spotlight.
Chapman launched the 90 days concept last year, and already she has reached hundreds of people from all walks of life.
Last year Chapman was awarded a Lead SA Hero Award. She was nominated by fans for her involvement in issues of sexual violence in communities.
At every town she hosts two shows, a free one during the day and a charity one in the evening.
Chapman said during her free shows she gets to connect with different women who share their life stories with her.
Much still needs to be done to change the way people respond to crime, she says.
“I always give honest performances and pour out my heart when I do a show. It is easy for people to talk to a stranger about their ordeal but the community also needs to get involved. They need to support those who come forward,” she said.
The singer-songwriter will be playing in Addo today and will be in East London on Friday.
Other towns on her agenda in the province include Port Elizabeth, Grahamstown, Queenstown, Maclear and Mthatha.
She will then move on to KwaZulu-Natal before her last show on April 27 in Johannesburg.
Currently on day 42, Chapman said she had so far travelled close to 10000km across the country and done more than 80 shows.
“The objective of this 90 days is to reach one person in each town to encourage survivors to speak out about their experiences in order to find healing.
“I also want to get the whole community involved in helping women, men and children who have suffered an ordeal,” Chapman said.
Apart from performing in community halls, live music venues and theatres, Chapman will also perform at women and children’s shelters, children’s homes, prisons and schools during the day to motivate and encourage the youth to protect themselves.
“I want the youth to also speak out if they are victims and change the future of the country by being involved in creating better communities for themselves.”
Chapman said her shows aimed at every race and gender.
“I am not trying to sell a philosophy or religion – I just want people to speak out to change their circumstances. We need to have this conversation more often.”
Chapman said the “180 shows in 90 days in 90 towns” tour has been intense so far.
“By the time I get to the next town I am exhausted and have only a few hours to myself but it’s all worth it in the end.”
lTo get a full list of all shows, go to www.nataliechapman.com
Catch Chapman at Tea in the Trees in Chintsa this Friday at 6pm. Tickets cost R30. For bookings, contact 072-611-2367. — poliswap@dispatch.co.za
VIDEO: Striking a chord against violence
This week she brings her musical campaign to the Eastern Cape.
The Johannesburg-based singer kicked off the tour early this year in Pretoria, through which she brings the issue of violence and sexual crimes into the spotlight.
Chapman launched the 90 days concept last year, and already she has reached hundreds of people from all walks of life.
Last year Chapman was awarded a Lead SA Hero Award. She was nominated by fans for her involvement in issues of sexual violence in communities.
At every town she hosts two shows, a free one during the day and a charity one in the evening.
Chapman said during her free shows she gets to connect with different women who share their life stories with her.
Much still needs to be done to change the way people respond to crime, she says.
“I always give honest performances and pour out my heart when I do a show. It is easy for people to talk to a stranger about their ordeal but the community also needs to get involved. They need to support those who come forward,” she said.
The singer-songwriter will be playing in Addo today and will be in East London on Friday.
Other towns on her agenda in the province include Port Elizabeth, Grahamstown, Queenstown, Maclear and Mthatha.
She will then move on to KwaZulu-Natal before her last show on April 27 in Johannesburg.
Currently on day 42, Chapman said she had so far travelled close to 10000km across the country and done more than 80 shows.
“The objective of this 90 days is to reach one person in each town to encourage survivors to speak out about their experiences in order to find healing.
“I also want to get the whole community involved in helping women, men and children who have suffered an ordeal,” Chapman said.
Apart from performing in community halls, live music venues and theatres, Chapman will also perform at women and children’s shelters, children’s homes, prisons and schools during the day to motivate and encourage the youth to protect themselves.
“I want the youth to also speak out if they are victims and change the future of the country by being involved in creating better communities for themselves.”
Chapman said her shows aimed at every race and gender.
“I am not trying to sell a philosophy or religion – I just want people to speak out to change their circumstances. We need to have this conversation more often.”
Chapman said the “180 shows in 90 days in 90 towns” tour has been intense so far.
“By the time I get to the next town I am exhausted and have only a few hours to myself but it’s all worth it in the end.”
lTo get a full list of all shows, go to www.nataliechapman.com
Catch Chapman at Tea in the Trees in Chintsa this Friday at 6pm. Tickets cost R30. For bookings, contact 072-611-2367. — poliswap@dispatch.co.za
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