A series of productions at the Artscape theatre will celebrate the talents of South African youth during Youth Month.

The repertoire includes genres from jazz to hip hop and drama.

The 21st rendition of the Youth Jazz Series, formerly known as the Youth Jazz Festival, sees young musicians, including those acquiring jazz skills by ear, who were auditioned to be part of the programme for the 2024 edition, trumpet their skills. The project, directed by Head of Jazz Studies, University of Cape Town’s (UCT) Associate Professor, vocalist and pianist Amanda Tiffin, encompassed master-class programmes where the young musicians learnt from those experienced in the industry.

A two-day showcase, it features the Youth Jazz Alumni on Friday June 21 and the School Jazz Bands on Saturday June 22. The latter were selected by Keith Tabisher of the Western Cape Education Department.

The Little Giants band are celebrating 25 years of jazz as they feature both past and present members on Friday June 14 and Saturday June 15. Formed in 1999 by Ezra Ngcukana and George Werner, the project has provided over 300 young people in Cape Town from diverse backgrounds with opportunities.

Cape Town’s Most Wanted, from Thursday June 27 to Saturday June 29, showcases the best of Cape Town’s hip hop dancers, choreographers and dance crews.

The Whimsical Beanstalk, from Thursday June 20 to Saturday June 29, re-imagines the tale of Jack and the Beanstalk.

Khayelitsha Fashion Week returns on Saturday June 29, strutting the designer skills of talented youth.

The Youth Month Art Exhibition, from Tuesday June 11 to Friday July 5, showcases young talent from across the Western Cape in a range of mediums from photography, to textile art, performance art and paintings, with themes of resilience, identity, climate action and community connection.

For more information, including about access for people with disabilities, call Artscape Dial-a-seat 021 421 7695 or visit www.artscape.co.za