Workshop for women journalists

The 15 chosen participants will be offered the chance to learn about arts journalism in Joburg's lively Newtown Cultural Precinct, with access to a range of resources and activities and a focus on the Joy of Jazz festival.

The workshop is supported by Standard Bank and will run in co-operation with the Joy of Jazz Festival, taking place in Newtown 23 – 25 August.

The course, called Lady Porcupine, is named after the pen-name used by Johanna “Giddy” Phahlane, columnist for the Bantu World newspaper in the 1930s and leader of the Merrymakers vaudeville troupe.

The course is facilitated by music writer Gwen Ansell, former executive director of the IAJ, author of the SA jazz history book Soweto Blues (Continuum (NY) 2005) and contributor on South African jazz to the latest edition of The Rough Guide To World Music. There will also be guest sessions.

Those who can apply are:

• Women broadcast or print journalists in mainstream or community media covering the arts and entertainment beat or wishing to do so.
  
• Women junior journalists who are currently part of intern, cadet or workplace skills programmes
  
• Final-year or graduate women journalism/media or music students
  
• Women working in PR or arts or heritage administration, or as performers.

The week-long course is offered at a fee of R1500 which covers all teaching and materials. Scholarships will be made available by Standard Bank for cadets, learners, interns, students, freelancers and community media workers.

Send your CV with all contact details, two references and a personal letter stating why you want to attend the course, how you hope to benefit, and what you can bring to it. If you need a scholarship write an essay (maximum 500 words) on the following topic:

“Not only do women have equal opportunity in show business, they have better opportunities than men – just look at stars like Beyonce!” Do you agree or disagree with this statement, and why?

Full details are available from . Put the words “Joy of Jazz course application” in the subject line. If you need to use surface mail, send the package to: Gwen Ansell, PO Box 719 Bruma 2026, Johannesburg. Applications close on 10 August.