The Pan African Space Station (PASS) is a music platform on the internet and in venues across the African world.
PASS is an initiative of Chimurenga and is curated by Ntone Edjabe and Neo Muyanga. In its first 3 years, PASS took the form of a music intervention in venues across Cape Town. Now in its 5th year, PASS continues its cross-cultural and cyber-spatial exploration, bringing together diverse pan-African sounds from ancient techno to future roots.
SPACE I
PASS radio, a unique freeform radio station, streams cutting edge music live online 24/7. The station features themed shows, live performances, readings, sound art, interviews, special projects and much more.
In a double-take on the relationship between sound and spatiality, frequencies and territories, it will broadcast from studios at Tagore’s Jazz Bar in Observatory, Cape Town as well as a satellite studios in Limbe, Cameroon and Kisangani in the DRC. New satellites will be setup in Accra, Ghana and Nairobi, Kenya during 2012.
The daily radio programme features live performances at Tagore’s Jazz Bar on Trill Road in Observatory – which doubles as PASS studios in Cape Town. These live sessions run between 9pm-12am and are guest-curated by musicians, DJs, poets and artists on the PASS residency programme.
SPACE II
Throughout the year, PASS plays host to genre-busting music outfits from global Africa dedicated to exploring new musical territory. The PASS live sessions take place in venues across Cape Town and the world.
Previous performers at PASS live sessions include Philip Tabane & Malombo, Kyle Sheperd Trio, Brice Wassy, G&D (Georgia Anne Muldrow & Declaime), Thandiswa Mazwai, Theo Parrish, Studio Kabako‘s More more more… future, Toumani Diabate, Frank Biyong, Bibi Tanga, Johnny Cradle, Hypnotic Brass Ensemble, Wanlov the Kubolor, Bheki Khoza‘s War Chorale, BLK JKS, Cindy Blackman, Madala Kunene, Bebson de la rue and Tryonix, Funsho Ogundipe and Ayetoro and many many more.
In Cape Town, PASS audiences travel to venues such as St Georges Cathedral, City Hall and the Slave Church in the city centre, and Guga S’thebe in Langa and the Albert Hall in Woodstock..
The Pan African Space Station is a creation of Chimurenga, realised with the kind support of the Africa Centre, Tagore’s Jazz Bar, African Axess and Cybersmart.
PASS people: Ntone Edjabe and Neo Muyanga aka Heliocentrics (curators); Stacy Hardy and Francois Naude(website); Code Drift (hosting); Chimulab (print design); Blue Cow (studio design); Anthony Sloan (production)
