Natalie Chapman completed what was considered by many to be an impossible task: 90 performances in 90 consecutive days in 90 different towns from January to April 2014. Covering more than 13 500 km across South Africa, and reaching thousands of individuals with her message of hope, motivation and music, it was no surprise that she was awarded a LEADSA Hero Award for her efforts in May 2014. #90Days is about giving a voice to survivors of violent and sexual crimes.
Chapman will kick off the epic journey on Wednesday, 28th January with “Day 1 of #90Days2015: Natalie Chapman and Friends” at the beautiful Atterbury Theatre in Pretoria. She will be joined on stage by some of SA’s finest acts including Josie Field, Andra, Raoul and Black Friday, Garth Taylor and Shotgun Tori.
The #90Days2015 tour will run from Wednesday, 28th January to Monday, 27th April 2015. She will travel over 15 000 kms across South Africa, visiting 90 different towns and performing 180 gigs in 90 consecutive days. With just a few weeks to go until she embarks on what is thought to be the first mission of its kind, this feisty and extremely passionate musician will endeavour to spread her message of hope and awareness to all corners of South Africa plus visits to Botswana, Namibia and Lesotho.
Music and Mission – united again
The objective of #90Days2015 is simple for Natalie Chapman: to reach one person in each town to encourage survivors to speak out about their experiences in order to find healing, and to also motivate and mobilise everyday South Africans to get involved in helping women, men and children who have suffered an ordeal.
Apart from spreading her message at performances in community halls, live music venues, and theatres, Chapman will also be performing at women’s and children’s shelters, children’s homes and schools during the day to motivate and encourage our youth to protect themselves, speak out when they become victims and change the future of the country by being involved in creating better communities for themselves.
In 2015, Chapman will also be adding prisons to this list as she believes that we should be speaking to the perpetrators as well – people who have so often been victims themselves.
Encouraging change through hope
The stories of inspiration and mobilisation after her visits this year poured in and everyday South Africans have, in their own capacity, begun to make a change in their communities.
#90Days2014 in Natalie’s own words:
“This journey has been life changing for me. I could never have guessed that what many South Africans needed was to simply start a conversation they had never had before; that planting the seed would be enough. I am more determined than ever to tell my stories and inspire individuals to get involved in the solution to this dire situation. The reality is we cannot change our society, government and police overnight but we can make small changes in our own lives and the lives around us that could impact one person at a time and in time have an enormously positive effect. This had been the most challenging, gruelling, emotional and exhilarating months of my life. I am exhausted, inspired, motivated and excited about what I have started. This is only the beginning.” – Natalie Chapman, April 2014
Natalie Chapman is a proud ambassador and Board Member of Epic Foundation, which was founded by Alta McMaster at the beginning of 2013. Having experienced various traumas in her own life, Alta has a deep understanding of how lonely and helpless one can feel if no-one reaches out a helping hand. Through her personal experiences Alta was encouraged to provide that helping hand to others in the form of assisting with the empowerment of survivors of trauma.
Chapman will be raising much-needed funds for this incredible organisation and others around South Africa through her performances and fundraising events.
All bookings and logistical planning for Chapman’s #90Days2015 lie solely on the multi-talented Singer/Songwriter’s shoulders. The mammoth task of securing 180 venues began the moment she completed her first #90Days tour in April 2014 and continues still…
Due to the nature of the tour and the fact that she works on a philosophy of trust for the project there are times when venues and towns pull out at the last minute. Promises are of course broken but as with the last tour, Natalie moves forward on a system of faith in human kindness and she is determined to overcome any hurdles on the way to reaching her incredible goal.
The schedule is therefore always subject to change but Natalie is confident that for her 2nd tour, she has secured an incredibly strong network and commitment in communities in the towns she plans to visit.
Here is the Schedule (Subject to change):
28 January 2015, Wed Day #1 – Pretoria – Atterbury Theatre
EVENT DETAILS:
Artist Line up: Natalie Chapman, Josie Field, Raoul and Black Friday, Garth Taylor, Andra, Shotgun Tori
Date: Wednesday, 28th January 2015
Time: Welcome Drinks from 18h00
Show starts: 19h00
Venue: Atterbury Theatre, Lynwood, Pretoria
Tickets: R150
Bookings: http://online.computicket.com/web/ or 012 471 1700
29 January 2015, Thurs Day #2 – Tzaneen – Dei Gratia Family Restaurant
30 January 2015, Fri Day #3 – Phalaborwa – The Hat and Creek
31 January 2015, Sat Day #4 – Hoedspruit – The Hat and Creek
01 February 2015, Sun Day #5 – Rustenburg – Woodridge Palms
02 February 2015, Mon Day #6 – Potchefstroom
03 February 2015, Tues Day #7: – Botswana
04 February 2015, Wed Day #8 – Mareetsane – Die Ou Winkel Teater
05 February 2015, Thurs Day #9 – Kathu – Katexas
06 February 2015, Fri Day #10 – Groblershoop
07 February 2015, Sat Day #11 – Upington
08 February 2015, Sun Day #12 – Pofadder
09 February 2015, Mon Day #13 – Springbok – Tauren Steak Ranch
10 February 2015, Tues Day #14 – Garies
11 February 2015, Wed Day #15 – Clan William – Die Dam Bistro
12 February 2015, Thurs Day #16 – Calvinia – Calvinia Hotel
13 February 2015, Fri Day #17 – Williston – Williston Mall
14 February 2015, Sat Day #18 – Sutherland – Jupiter Guest House
15 February 2015, Sun Day #19 – Tulbagh – Saronsberg Teater
16 February 2015, Mon Day #20 – Riebeek Kasteel
17 February 2015, Tues Day #21 – Saldanha
18 February 2015, Wed Day #22 – Darling
19 February 2015, Thurs Day #23 – Durbanville – Villa Pascal
20 February 2015, Fri Day #24 – Paarl
21 February 2015, Sat Day #25 – Wellington – Diemersfontein Wines
22 February 2015, Sun Day #26 – Stellenbosch – Café Art
23 February 2015, Mon Day #27 – Franschoek
24 February 2015, Tues Day #28 – Barrydale
25 February 2015, Wed Day #29 – Swellendam – Field and Fork
26 February 2015, Thurs Day #30 – Botrivier/ Windhoek – TBC
27 February 2015, Fri Day #31 – Somerset West – Somerset West Golf Club
28 February 2015, Sat Day #32 – Pringle Bay- Perigators
01 March 2015, Sun Day #33 – Hout Bay – Pakalolo
02 March 2015, Mon Day #34 – Cape Town
03 March 2015, Tues Day #35 – Kalk Bay / St James
04 March 2015, Wed Day #36 – Noordhoek – Red Herring
05 March 2015, Thurs Day #37 – Prince Albert
06 March 2015, Fri Day #38 – Knysna/Wilderness TBC
07 March 2015, Sat Day #39 – Plettenberg Bay
08 March 2015, Sun Day #40 – Willowmore
09 March 2015, Mon Day #41 – Nieu Bethesda- The Lamb
10 March 2015, Tues Day #42 – Cookhouse
11 March 2015, Wed Day #43 – Port Elizabeth
12 March 2015, Thurs Day #44 – Grahamstown or Rhodes
13 March 2015, Fri Day #45 – Cinsta – Buccaneers
14 March 2015, Sat Day#46 – Queenstown
15 March 2015, Sun Day #47 – Maclear
16 March 2015, Mon Day #48 – Mthata
17 March 2015, Tues Day#49 – Hole in The Wall
18 March 2015, Wed Day #50 – Kokstad – Ingeli Forest Lodge
19 March 2015, Thurs Day #51 – Ramsgate
20 March 2015, Fri Day #52- Port Shepstone
21 March 2015, Sat Day #53 – Umkomaas
22 March 2015, Sun Day #54 – Durban – Buds on the Bay
23 March 2015, Mon Day #55 – Umhlali
24 March 2015, Tues Day #56 – Cresthome – African Whispers
25 March 2015, Wed Day #57 – Eston – Beaumont Eston Farmers Club
26 March 2015, Thurs Day #58 – Hilton – The Knoll Barn
27 March 2015, Friday Day #59 – Ballito
28 March 2015, Sat Day #60 – Midlands – Dunning Country House
29 March 2015, Sun Day #61 – Clarens
30 March 2015, Mon Day #62 – Fouriesburg – Wyndford Holiday Farm
31 March 2015, Tues Day#63 – Bethlehem
01 April 2015, Wed Day #64 – Ficksburg
02 April 2015, Thurs Day #65 – Lesotho
03 April 2015, Fri Day #66 – Bloemfontein
04 April 2015, Sat Day #67 – Welkom
05 April 2015, Sun Day #68 – Kroonstad
06 April 2015, Mon Day #69 – Parys
07 April 2015, Tues Day #70 – Vereeniging
08 April 2015, Wed Day #71 – Bethal
09 April 2015, Thurs Day #72 – Ermelo
10 April 2015, Fri Day #73 – Middelburg
11 April 2015, Sat Day #74 – Nelspruit
12 April 2015, Sun Day #75 – Dullstroom – The Coachman
13 April 2015, Mon Day #76 – Graskop – Canimambo Restaurant
14 April 2015, Tues Day #77 – Pilgrem’s Rest or Surrounds
15 April 2015, Wed Day #78 – Marble Hall – Max Mar Lodge
16 April 2015, Thurs Day #79 – Bronkhorstspruit – Sinkshack
17 April 2015, Fri Day #80 – Cullinan – Cockpit Brewhouse
18 April 2015, Sat Day #81 – Centurion
19 April 2015, Sun Day #82 – Kameelfontein
20 April 2015, Mon Day #83 – Kempton Park
21 April 2015, Tues Day #84 – Benoni
22 April 2015, Wed Day #85 – Alberton and Edenvale
23 April 2015, Thurs Day #86 – Soweto
24 April 2015, Fri Day #87 – Windhoek – TBC
25 April 2015, Sat Day #88 – Cradle of Humankind
26 April 2015, Sun Day #89 – Hartbeespoort – Upper Deck
27 April 2015, Mon Day #90 – Freedom Day – Johannesburg
For more details on each event go to www.nataliechapman.com
A call to action
Chapman’s #90Days project would not have been possible or successful without the support of many individuals, businesses and organisations in each of the towns on the tour schedule. From sponsorships of accommodation, venues, food, organising and involvement, the various towns that made up the #90Days2014 tour contributed significantly and made an invaluable contribution to the impact of the tour.
Natalie Chapman is now calling on all communities, venues, companies and musicians in South Africa to get involved in order to help her make #90Days2015 even more impactful and far reaching than the last! As preparations continue, Natalie is in need of help setting up the community based performances in each of the towns listed in the schedule. Anyone wishing to get involved can contact her on thelocalelementsa@gmail.com.
As with #90Days2014, KIA Motors South Africa will again support Natalie Chapman as vehicle sponsor and by covering all road travel expenses. “As staunch supporters of numerous social upliftment projects in South Africa, KIA Motors South Africa is passionate about making our country a better and a safer place for all,” comments David Sieff, Marketing Director of KIA Motors South Africa. “Initiatives like #90Days2015 are crucial for raising awareness about important social issues, and we wish Natalie much success with her ambitious new target for 2015.”
All other tour costs are self-funded and through the money raised at #90Days2015 events.
About Natalie Chapman
Natalie Chapman is a successful and well-known singer/songwriter, actress, radio DJ, lecturer, music promoter, activist, LEADSA ambassador, booking agent, PR person and staunch supporter of South African talent, which she pursues through her company, The Local Element. Her blend of Country/Blues/Americana original music and dynamic performances are well sought after by a wide and diverse fan base.
Follow Natalie Chapman on Twitter (@chapmannatalie) or on Facebook (www.facebook.com/nataliechapmanfanpage) or visit www.nataliechapman.com. For more information on the charity Natalie supports, visit www.epicfoundation.org.za.
SPONSORS
KIA MOTORS SA
MARSHALL MUSIC
LINE 6
THE BEST OF KZN AND BEYOND
MS PUBLICITY
GRAFFITI SA
Released on behalf of Natalie Chapman by:
MS Publicity