Ottoman Slap: an itinerant tale through music & dance
This Cape Town ensemble has been slowly brewing over the last few years, creating a repertoire of ancient traditional music mixed with original pieces inspired by these lesser-known genres, with appearances at Alexander Bar, Rocking The Daisies and Cape Town World Music Festival.
The five-piece comprises vocals in Spanish and Roma, Middle Eastern bellydance and an artillery of instruments, ranging from double bass, saxophone and mandolin to accordion, darbuka and hulusi!
Audience Responses
Great show, great energy in the band. I was amped to get up and dance but there was no dance floor. :-)
This band was sensational. I loved every minute of their performance. Highly recommended. Please bring them back.
Ottoman Slap are brilliant, I loved every minute of the show and the venue is lovely too, intimate and fun.
"Trapped by an encore" was my thought by the end of the evening of Ottoman Slap as I wanted to rush out and grab a drink after the last piece was played. What started off a charming and promising : interesting sounds , quirky band members (who clearly are very talented) and short anecdotes felt, by the end of the evening, to be indulgent and oompah. Perhaps it was the "itinerant" quality of the whole performance: Spanish (wonderful voice - but why only Spanish?) libretto mixed with middle eastern bellydancing (I have to admit to a prejudice there - although she was utterly accomplished ). The small stories about the songs seemed to vanish as the evening wore on. I am afraid that it felt that the performance was geared towards the performers and not towards the audience: playing at the audience rather than for the audience .
Talented and versatile group of musicians.
What a wonderful performance, will def see them again. Lovely theatre space too.
Great performance, despite problems with the one mike. Bring them back again
Thought it was great, different, beautiful, good-feel music and altogether entertaining
Fantastic, loved it. Ottoman Slap are extremely talented and relaxed performers which gave such a friendly and happy vibe to the performance. Real toe-tapping stuff.
My sister and I enjoyed it immensely! We loved the way the musicians interacted so naturally and humorously with the audience and each other. And the music was so unusual and well arranged. Marissa's dancing was exquisite. It was altogether a most entertaining, informative and musically delightful experience. The venue was also a pleasure - everything was very well organised and comfortable.
The show was professional, engaging and very entertaining. We loved the variety of instruments and musical compositions. My husband and I enjoyed how the music was weaved together with mini-stories and belly dancing. Thank you!
I really enjoyed it. The intimate atmosphere of the theatre really added to the experience. And the impromptu guest at the end was fun!
The best night out in years!
It was fantastic! Great intimate performance by a great band and nice little venue. Twas my first time there...good job!
Fantastic performance and music
this is Julie responding . . . not Caroline. thoroughly enjoyed the show - quirky, entertaining and unusual. Lovely to see a band like that in a proper theatre setting with good lighting and a real stage area - most enjoyable all round!!
That was one of the best live music events I have attended, and I've seen many! We'll done for an impeccable performance.
Fantastic - i love mad enthusiasms in all shapes and forms - and this was wonderful.
so enjoyed it!!!wonderful talented performers!
Brilliant! A must see!
Fantastic, loved it. Ottoman Slap are extremely talented and reelaxed performers which gave such a friendly and happy vibe to the performance. Real toe-tapping stuff.
Ottoman Slap were really great. I would love to see them back. I have tended to only to come to Alexander Bar for theatre-y things, but I'm really liking it as a a music venue. The room got pretty warm as the show went on.
Very moving. Felt warm and fun. Thank you.
Really enjoyed it