Cabaret artist Helena to perform in the Bay

SHE has a voice that ranges from crushed silk to wet gravel, it has been said, and she uses it with sensitivity and skill.

Award-winning cabaret artist Helena Hettema (recipient of the Geraas SABC 2 – Best Female Artist Award, two SAMA nominations and a University of

Pretoria’s Laureate Award and singer/songwriter/ actress, will tread the boards at Richard Bay’s Imvubu Lodge on 13 June.

She entertains with songs from her latest and 11th CD, the popular ‘Rooiwynliefde’, which has received standing ovations since its release.

Helena is known in particular for her French interpretations of Piaf and Brel. She has performed this music with, among others, the Cape Town Symphony Orchestra under the baton of Gerard Korsten.

She will also entertain the audience in Richards Bay with excerpts from her double French album, ‘Spirit of Piaf and other great French Legends’ that has several of

the much loved favourites of the ‘Little Sparrow’ (as Piaf was dubbed in her time), as well as some of Jacques Brel, Charles Aznavour, the legendary singer and Gilbert Becaud.

The performance is also interwoven with the songs of international greats such as Katie Melua, Leonard Cohen , Janice Ian, Nina Simone as well as renowned locals such as Koos du Plessis and Anton Goosen.

Her performance includes songs in French, Flemish and Italian. Helena has been on stage in England, the Netherlands, Italy, Belgium, Turkey and New Zealand.

A photographic exhibition in the foyer by local photographers Thys van der Merwe, Dudley Kelbe and Jane Ferraris, will be a visual aperitif .

To book contact Simoné or Jill on 035 7534122. Tickets are R130 each. Visit www.helenahettema.com.

Win tickets

One lucky Zululand Observer reader can win two tickets to see the show and a copy of her double French album, ‘Spirit of Piaf and other great French Legends’. Email your name and contact number to sub2@zululandobserver.co.za.

The closing date is at midnight on Thursday, 29 May.