Natale Labia Museum

SA Studio Ceramics

In the late 1940s and early 1950s, local ceramic studios set up in competition with foreign ceramic producers, particularly the English potteries. Ceramics produced in the Kalahariware studio, Drostdy ware studio and Crescent Potteries will be on show for the very first time.

Items manufactured in these studios included dinner services, ashtrays, jugs, platters, candelabra, egg cups, bowls, sculptures and wall plaques. Some wares, besides being decorative, were even used as substitutes for 'paintings'. In the 1950s flower arranging was still viewed as an important skill for middle- and upper-class women in South Africa. A variety of vases, designed to compliment floral arrangements and found in every modern home, will be on show.

An exhibition catalogue is available.

Lectures

Historical Society of Cape Town

Wednesday 12 May 10:30
Stan Lambrick
General Custer

Wednesday 16 June 10:30
Helen Robinson
A history of Wynberg

Entry R5. Free to members with cards. To book tel: 788 4106. All welcome.

Livable and Lovable Cities

Wednesday 26 May 10:30 - 12:30
F. Wallace van Zyl
Mediterranean Magic 2: The Eastern Shores.
In this lecture we concentrate on cities that have shaped history - Venice, Athens, Istanbul and Haifa.

Wednesday 23 June 10:30 - 12:30
F. Wallace van Zyl
Temples of the East
In search of mystery and mysticism, we visit shrines in Bangkok and Kyoto, and get lost in the jungle ruins of Angor Wat.

All Welcome. To book, tel. 7884106/7

Women Writers of the late 1990s

Anglo-Indian Fiction Saturday 10 April 10:00 The rich tradition of novels set in India and written in English will be the subject of this talk. Included will be works by both Western and Eastern novelists who are concerned with the Indian experience.

Outstanding Biographies of 1997/8 Saturday 8 May 10:00 In this talk special attention will be given to recent biographies and autobiographies of literary women, though various other new works will also be included.

Fiction Update Saturday 12 June 10:00 Several of the most striking novels by American and British writers published in late 1997 and 1998 will be the focus of this talk, including new work by Beryl Bainbridge, Anita Brookner, Helen Dunmore, Alison Lurie and Anne Tyler.

Professor Shirley Kossick (Emeritus Professor of English Literature, UNISA, and book critic for the Mail & Guardian) continues the series of lectures on contemporary women writers.

Excursions into the Anglo-Saxon world

Margaret Donaldson is an Associate Professor Emeritus of Rhodes University, where she taught Church History for many years. Now retired and living in Cape Town, she continues to teach on Celtic Christianity and Spirituality, and is also writing on South African missionary history.

Fee: R25, includes one of Mrs Watkins' special teas.
Bookings, tel: 7884106.

The Poetry Society
Poetry Readings

Saturday 8 May 14:00 Steve Shapiro and Ruth Keech Most recently, Steve Shapiro was awarded the Ingrid Jonker prize for poetry for his volume of Haiku In a Borrowed Tent. Potter and poet, ShapiroÕs light touch, skill and humour make his readings a delight. Ruth KeechÕs first collection, Regarding (1981), established her reputation as a narrative and lyrical poet. Her second collection The Sound of Rain, dealing with the enchantment and danger of Romantic love, was published in 1997.

Saturday 12 June 14:00 Donald Parenzee and Gladys Thomas In his poetry Donald Parenzee fuses lyric Cape Town with the politic of personal philosophy. Although Gladys Thomas now concentrates on short story writing, she is well known for her powerful 'struggle' poetry.

Entry is free, to book telephone: 788 4106. All Welcome.
Please note the new starting time of 14:00

Adult Drawing Classes

Friday 9, 16, 23 April 10:00 - 12:00 or 14:30 - 16:30
Stanley Cohen & Van Zyl la Grange

These classes fill up fast, and only 16 participants are accepted in each class, so book early to avoid disappointment! The fee is still R100 (for 4 classes), excluding materials, but these requirements are simple and a list is provided at the first class. Bookings tel: 788 4106.

Women's Writing Workshops

Dates: Sat 10 & Sun 11 April, and Sat 1 & Sun 2 May 09:30 - 16:30 Narrathon - a week-end narrative marathon Fee: R150 (bursaries available, please apply to Anne Schuster at 788 1766) The narrathon introduces participants to narrative theory and story construction. Participants will then develop the elements of narrative and write a story from these. And in this way they will learn a way of writing stories which can be used outside the workshop. Beginner writers welcome!

One-day workshops (Fee: R50 per workshop)
Short story workshop: 29 May 09:30 - 16:30
Poetry Workshop: 26 June 09:30 - 16:30

The approach: All the workshops use games, drawing, freewriting and other lively techniques to create a non-threatening, spontaneous and productive space for writing. The emphasis is on exploring and practicing writing skills in a supportive environment and finding ways to sustain writing in womenÕs varied and demanding lives. Beginner writers welcome. Bursaries available.

Anne Schuster is a published writer and creative writing facilitator with many years experience in running workshops for individuals and organisations. She has a masters degree in Language and Literature Education.

For further information, please phone Anne at 788 1766.
To book, tel. 788 4106.

Concerts

Sunday 23 May 15:30
Cello and Piano Anmari van der Westhuizen, (cello), accompanied on the piano by Geanne-Minette Cilliers (the accompanist of the studio classes of the world renowned cellist, Janos Starker), will perform a programme of popular pieces in the cello repertoire.

Sunday 27 June 15:30
The Virtuoso Clarinet Matthew Reid (clarinet) accompanied by Charles Daniell (piano) will perform a programme of music by Weber, Arnold, Horowitz and the Cape Town composer, Patrick.

Admission R15. Bookings, tel. 788 4106. All Welcome.