Citylife Business

BY CITYLIFE BUSINESS WRITER

On the 7th of May at The Women’s Jail at Constitution Hill, Among The Lilies presents Ode To The Woman; a market, art exhibition and soiree event that creates a woman run economy to celebrate innovative and creative women who create their own products, make art, provide services, DJ, perform poetry and music.

This event creates a miniature economy that will be run by women, attendees will have the opportunity to collect their art, buy their products, learn about their services, and enjoy performances by Koeksista and DJ sets by Mamthug, Congo Muffin, DORMANTYOUTH amongst others. Tickets for the event that starts at noon and ends at 22:00 are R150 at Quicket.co.za

Among The Lilies is a cultural platform that initiates social impact, by curating events that create space for rising creatives to cultivate community and share their gifts. Their events are centered around amplifying the human ability to create. ” We curate experiences that provide a

platform for rising creatives and entrepreneurs to express their natural talents/ gifts, sell their

products and share their art with the audience.” Says Mpumi Mayisa the founder and Creative Director of Among The Lilies.

Among The Lilies was founded in 2017  by Mayisa, a former events photographer who attended events for work and identified a gap in events spaces that center their audience. “Our intention is to create a world where people will step in and enjoy a woman wonderland of sorts, where everything they consume will be from women, we also want the women to make alot of money that day – all the money our patrons spend will be going into their pockets, it’s exciting!” Says Mayisa.

The purpose of Ode To The Woman is to spotlight women entrepreneurs and assist them with widening their customer base and to create a space for artistic expression for the participating

artists. ‘’We are looking to empower women in all aspects of business, including contracting female event support; professional services such as Event Safety Officers, Stage Managers to

name a few’’ says Tshidi Mongalo, co-owner and Operations Manager for Among The Lilies. “We aim to provide a quality experience for the audience.”

The Market 

The market seeks to showcase distinctive, original products designed to inspire the community and women entrepreneurs alike.

At the market “Expect an afternoon of Proudly South African products; from colourful edible treats, original arts & crafts – all from women run small businesses. I honestly cannot wait to see what’s in store for us and I’m excited for the women who will have the chance to go home with their pockets & hearts full from the experience! ” Mongalo says.

The Art Exhibition

Ode to The Woman will have a pop up exhibition titled ‘‘Rites of Passage’’ curated by Penina Chalumbira. The exhibition “Rites of Passage” grapples with the idea of being in a liminal space and its three stages: separation, transition, and return. Each of these phases speaks to

movement, not only through one’s journey, but also in the broader context of community.

Through the voices of seven women, archival references and contemporary depictions, the exhibition examines the textures of identity and how this plays a role in one’s rite of passage in

their own life, specifically the spiritual, psychological and physical experience of transition.

The artists in the exhibition are combined according to themes of legacy, identity, intimacy, spirituality, and place. In this exhibition, the curator explores how these themes materialize, communicate and find balance in a space.

The pop-up art exhibition will only be available for viewing on the day of the event.

“We encourage art buyers to support the young emerging women artists who will be exhibiting.” Says Mayisa.

The Soiree

The main stage promises an exceptional line up of Women DJ’s who explore genres and sounds that are vehicles to both the future and the past.

On the lineup “Expect to be taken on a journey with DJ’s that have a beautiful relationship with sound such MamThug, Maria McCloy, Congo Muffin, Womlambo, MaKhumalo and DORMANTYOUTH, as well as poetry from published poet, Philile Nkabinde.

Mayisa is thrilled that “The main act will be an electric performance from Koeksista, the vocalist of the London based sound experimental duo “The Ascension’’ who use live music experiments to explore the breadth of South African electronic music alongside other genres.” 

Event Information:

Date: 7 May 2023

Time: 12pm – 10pm

Venue: Constitution Hill, Womens Jail