CCS Webinar:The Hidden Economy of Creative Industries The UKZN Centre for Civil Society is inviting you to a Zoom Session of the CCS Webinar Series. Please note changing times to accommodate speakers from international time zones Webinar: Hidden Economies of The Creative Arts Industry: Music as an Economic Development Tool Speaker:Thandanani Gasa Date: 02 August 2023 Time: 16:00-17:00 (SA Time) Zoom Link: https://ukzn.zoom.us/j/91972448404?pwd=aEN1eG1RbWp2TGxXU2Y5SHYvN0R2dz09 Topic: In this webinar, Thandanani Gasa talks about the inspiration behind the establishment of the Red Lights Choir, its vision and unique history in the music industry. He will give a brief overview of some of the significant initiatives, productions, shows and work that the choir has undertaken since its establishment in 2018. Further, Thandanani will discuss how the choir has used music and other forms of creative arts to preserve history, culture and heritage, whilst simultaneously taking a firm stand against social ills such as crime, unemployment and homophobia. The webinar will also highlight the struggles of commercializing a choral ensemble for profitability and ultimately job creation for music creatives. Focus will also be placed on the importance and legitimacy of the creative arts industry as a viable tool for socio-economic advancement in communities. Speaker Bio : Thandanani Gasa is a 28-year-old choir conductor, vocal coach, singer-song writer, and performer who hails from a small village called Emakhabeleni in KZN. He grew up in Johannesburg and it was during his schooling years that he fell in love with music and creative leadership. In primary school, he founded and led his own group of young talented singers whilst singing lead vocals in the school’s choir. When he moved to Durban to study at the University of KwaZulu Natal, he saw a gap, which led to him starting the Red Lights Choir in 2018, to provide a creative platform for musically gifted students who do not study music. Whilst running the Red Lights Choir, which is still thriving today, he joined the UKZN Choir as a tenor vocalist in 2019, where he was groomed in several musical genres such as Jazz, Choral and Pop. With the Red Lights Choir, he has curated, directed and executive produced more than 10 productions and shows. One of the more recent highlights was meeting and working with his role model Dr. Lindelani Mkhize when he led Red Lights Choir as the opening act of MTN Joyous Celebration at the Durban ICC in 2022.  Back