Hey Hillbrow! Let’s Dlala!

Hey Hillbrow! Let’s Dlala! is a procession of fabulous public performances bringing joy, play and wonder to the streets of Hillbrow on 21 March 2022. This collaboration between multiple Hillbrow organisations is curated by KwaSha Theatre Company, a company of young theatre-makers resident to the Windybrow Arts Centre. The event will start at 10:00 at the Windybrow, and dance, sing, and parade its way to Constitution Hill, in honour of Human Rights Day and the World Day of Theatre for Children and Young People.

Hey Hillbrow! Let’s Dlala! took place in 2017 and 2018, and this special play-date returns this year in celebration of the possibilities that public performance brings to public space; to spread energy, laughter, surprise and provocation and to make visible the wonderful work that several organisations and individuals have continued to do in this complex area regardless of the challenges. These organisations include Dlala Nje, MES, Fight with Insight, Lefika La Phodiso, Twilight football and netball teams, Hillbrow Radio, George’s Boxing Club with Anthea Moys, The Happy Hour, B Best Entertainment, Johannesburg Awakening Minds, Market Theatre Laboratory and Skotisfontain.

In bringing these groups together, the Windybrow Arts Centre expresses its commitment to developing genuine and reciprocal relationships with its neighbours, and to offering a space for young people to explore the arts. It also introduces KwaSha Theatre Company to the neighbourhood in which it will work, play, teach and perform this year. Not only are they organising and curating the procession, they are also contributing a performance devised with Dutch theatre-maker, Christiaan Bloem.

This day was inspired by the life of Joburg public art super-heroine Lesley Perkes who died in 2015 and who had dreams for this place that others have continued to manifest. This event wouldn’t be possible without support from UNDRGRND CREATIVE, Ekhaya CID, Badboys Security, Hillbrow Police, Assitej South Africa, Constitution Hill and Joburg Photowalkers.

Hey Hillbrow! Let’s Dlala is a day making somethings from nothings, a game that will be played, a dream, a spark, a playground. It’s the beginning of something bigger than its individual parts. What will Hey Hillbrow! be for you?