Imagining Windhoek without the Warehouse Theatre is a thing of dystopian nightmare.
Local musicians roam the streets without a place to call home. Platforms like Song Night, Free Your Mind and The Gathering hustle for a suitable stage each month and the weekly rotation of karaoke, open mic nights, live performances, dance classes, kizomba socials and sun deck performances in the Boiler Room or overlooking the city at The Loft become a thing of legend.
Stages where once the likes of Joss Stone, Lira, Johnny Clegg, Big Ben, Elemotho, Myrna Clayton and just about any local musician, spoken wordsmith or comedian you can think of once grew wings, performed, built fanbases and blew up are relegated to hazy heyday and Windhoek’s arts scene is never the same.
While it sounds like a bad dream, the beloved 30-year-old Warehouse Theatre is on the brink of closure.
So this weekend – in a mammoth effort to preserve the establishment – there will be a crowdfunding festival to save what many don’t know is an independent entity with no external financial support, struggling through a lethal combination of a harsh economic climate and dwindling sponsorship.
“After months of attempting different methods to remedy this situation, Warehouse Theatre has decided to put faith in the same public that made the theatre the lovable space it is by starting a crowdfunding campaign,” says The Gathering host and Warehouse Theatre Crowdfunding Festival marketer Ashwyn Mberi.
“The campaign is a call for all Namibians and our international friends to help #KeepWarehouseTheatreWhkOpen. Funds raised will go towards repaying bank overdrafts and supplier debt, renovations, lighting equipment, working capital and, of course, the hosting of shows and continual support of local arts and culture.”
To raise the goal of 300 000 euros (about N$4,8 million), an enthusing number of Namibia’s most talented artists have pledged their support and will join this weekend’s two days of life, colour and art that is the Warehouse Theatre Crowdfunding Festival.
Starting today with live painting by Nambowa Malua as Black Vulcanite, Elemotho, Sean K, Nasim Tekie, Mel Mwevi and Ashwyn Mberi take the stage, this evening’s event will be hosted by Chazz before Loudima.Dreamer spins beats late into the night.
As for tomorrow, expect a 10h00 meditation, yoga and dance class.
Later the public is invited to enjoy a Red Bull sunset silent disco at The Loft, intermittent karaoke and open mic slots and a ‘Waka Waka Moo’ children’s corner supporting families throughout the day.
Occurring alongside the #KeepTheWarehouseTheatreWhk-Open GoFundMe campaign, the festival also calls all hip-hop heads to make a beeline for The Bassment where Lioness, KP Illest, Kunundrum, Skrypt and Nga-I, hosted by Anne Hambuda, will take the stage as Big Ben, Penilane, Lize Ehlers, Ras Sheehama and Priscilla the Dessert Queen fire up Saturday night’s fundraising concert in the main theatre hosted by Mr Slick.
Sets by The Ells, Micheal Pulse, Vaughn Ahrens, Bradley Anthony, Clair Delacour, Jacob & Taylor, Enchante, Believe and the DJ Dungeon’s NSK and DJ Smooth, Khadijah, Just Martin, Crucial Selekta, SMI and many more are also not to be missed.
A jam-packed event featuring a full day of workshops including Danc’n Heels with Nikhita Winkler, meditation with Iani, a Power Pad Girls quiz, a screening of ‘Katutura’ (2015), Free Your Mind comedy, theatre sports, Forever Dance Academy samba and kizomba as well as a variety of food and creative stalls such as Afroprint Line, Hermit Creations and Forward Slash, the festival is perhaps the largest showcase of Namibian talent the city has ever seen.
“The reality is that should the crowdfunding efforts fail, we will have no choice but to close down the Warehouse Theatre,” says manager Mike Ott.
“We would lose an establishment that has been dedicated and central to the development and exposure of the Namibian arts scene over the last three decades.
“A well-equipped venue that goes beyond holding quality local and international performance art shows by also providing platforms for wellness activities such as meditation and yoga due to its attachment to the Namibian community as a whole.”
Inviting all donors to send a passport size photo/headshot to crowdfunding@warehousetheatre.com.na to be added to a mosaic photo wall of fame being created by the Warehouse Theatre as token of appreciation, and offering donors of 500 euros (almost N$8 000) or more their name additionally engraved on a Namibian marble plaque, Ott is inclusive in who he would like to show up this weekend.
“Any and all locals and visitors to Windhoek should come over,” he says.
“The people who have loved, supported and engaged with Warehouse Theatre over the years and anyone interested in getting to know why this establishment has been at the heart of Windhoek’s art community for 30 years.”
Tickets are available via Webtickets or at the door. Follow the Warehouse Theatre on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook for more information or email info@warehousetheatre.com.na. Donations can be made on GoFundMe, PayToday or at Airtime City kiosks. Supporters and attendees are encouraged to use the hashtag #KeepWarehouseTheatreWhkOpen.
– martha@namibian.com.na; Martha Mukaiwa on Facebook and Instagram; marthamukaiwa.com
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