Women arts writers' workshop

In celebration of Women's Month and the legacy of women journalists in South Africa's popular media, Standard Bank Joy of Jazz will offer a five-day practical workshop for women arts writers as part of the event's educational programme.

Gwen Ansell, music/jazz writer and journalism trainer, will run the Lady Porcupine arts journalism workshop over 24 - 28 August 2009 in Newtown. The course is R1200, which covers all teaching and materials and scholarships are available. Entries close on 5 August.

Guests include international media trainer Fiona Lloyd, poet Myesha Jenkins and historian of women in jazz Ceri Moelwyn-Hughes. There will also be opportunities to interact with Joy of Jazz festival role-players.

The curriculum is based on the Specialist Journalism Unit Standard of SAQA-accredited Level Five National Certificate in Journalism - learners, cadets or interns at media houses will be able to add arts stories to their assessment portfolio.

The workshop title honours Johanna Pahlane, who wrote for Bantu World under the pen name 'Lady Porcupine' in the 1930s while also directing the Merry Makers vaudeville troupe.

For more details, email with 'Women writers' workshop' in subject line or go to www.standardbankjazz.co.za and www.tmusicman.co.za.