Ottoman Slap: an itinerant tale through music & dance

4.70 (33)

Ottoman Slap: an itinerant tale through music & dance

5 performances between Feb. 21, 2014 and Feb. 14, 2015
Middle Eastern music & dance
Musical director: James van Minnen • Raoul Spiegel: saxophone, hulusi, saw • James van Minnen: percussion, mandolin • Simone Chiara: vocals, guitar, percussion • Marissa Cuenoud: percussion, dance • Callan Wolff: double bass
60mins
Ottoman Slap 02.jpg Ottoman Slap 03.jpg Ottoman Slap 04.jpg Ottomanslapteaser.jpg
Ottoman Slap brings you melodies from the mountains of Al-Andalus, rhythms from the Middle East and dance from the sands of the Sahara… right to the foothills of Table Mountain. Come enjoy this feast of flavours ranging from sultry to sublime as this unlikely troupe takes you on a trip down the road less travelled!

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. :-)

Pirate • Attended Feb. 14, 2015, 9 p.m.
5.0

This band was sensational. I loved every minute of their performance. Highly recommended. Please bring them back.

Roxy • Attended Feb. 14, 2015, 7 p.m.
5.0

Ottoman Slap are brilliant, I loved every minute of the show and the venue is lovely too, intimate and fun.

Shelley • Attended April 12, 2014, 9 p.m.
5.0

"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 .

Bev • Attended Feb. 14, 2015, 7 p.m.
2.0

Talented and versatile group of musicians.

Fiona • Attended Feb. 14, 2015, 7 p.m.
5.0

What a wonderful performance, will def see them again. Lovely theatre space too.

Lynzi • Attended April 12, 2014, 7 p.m.

Great performance, despite problems with the one mike. Bring them back again

Andrew • Attended Feb. 14, 2015, 9 p.m.
5.0

Thought it was great, different, beautiful, good-feel music and altogether entertaining

Gillian • Attended April 12, 2014, 7 p.m.
4.0

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.

Tracy • Attended April 12, 2014, 7 p.m.
5.0

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.

Caroline • Attended April 12, 2014, 7 p.m.
5.0

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!

Jenna • Attended Feb. 14, 2015, 7 p.m.
5.0

I really enjoyed it. The intimate atmosphere of the theatre really added to the experience. And the impromptu guest at the end was fun!

Amy • Attended Feb. 21, 2014, 9 p.m.
4.0

The best night out in years!

Natalie • Attended Feb. 14, 2015, 9 p.m.
5.0

It was fantastic! Great intimate performance by a great band and nice little venue. Twas my first time there...good job!

Matthew • Attended Feb. 21, 2014, 9 p.m.
5.0

Fantastic performance and music

Tabitha • Attended April 12, 2014, 9 p.m.
5.0

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!!

Caroline • Attended April 12, 2014, 7 p.m.

That was one of the best live music events I have attended, and I've seen many! We'll done for an impeccable performance.

Sunanda • Attended Feb. 14, 2015, 7 p.m.
5.0

Fantastic - i love mad enthusiasms in all shapes and forms - and this was wonderful.

Gillian • Attended April 12, 2014, 7 p.m.
5.0

so enjoyed it!!!wonderful talented performers!

Hazel • Attended Feb. 21, 2014, 9 p.m.

Brilliant! A must see!

Nikki • Attended Feb. 14, 2015, 7 p.m.
5.0

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.

Tracy • Attended April 12, 2014, 7 p.m.
5.0

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.

Steve • Attended Feb. 14, 2015, 7 p.m.
5.0

Very moving. Felt warm and fun. Thank you.

Paul • Attended Feb. 14, 2015, 7 p.m.
5.0

Really enjoyed it