On the 8th and 9th of October Petronel Baard will be performing her beautiful show “’n Blom in Elke Vrou” in Stellenbosch.
8th of Oct 11am, 9th of October at 2pm at the Drostdy Theater in Stellenbosch.
Regarding the show:
This special show is a light, classical musical and poetic journey through the different seasons of a year.
With the help of her band, Franco Engelbrecht on piano, Johan Engelbrecht on percussion, violin and guitar as well as Lelané van der Merwe on cello, Petronel sings beautiful original music that will take you from summer to autumn, deep into the winter and lifts you up and leave you with and in eternal spring.
Joined by an ensemble of the acclaimed South Cape Children’s Choir of Jan-Erik Swart, this flagship production will transform you.
The performance is not only a journey, symbolic of each of our life cycles, but also an ode to poetry and indigenous plants of South Africa.
It is celebrating our diverse culture by references to the incredible fauna and flaura of South Africa and poetry that symbolizes the human relations to that by poetry Mardene Marais.
In Mardene’s name Cordis Trust was formed who supports the development of Afrikaans culture and is Petronel’s main sponsor for this show.
This theatre entrepreneur, arts developer, power-house voice and diva is a passionate and talented artist.
She writes, performs and produces her own productions and music
Growing up in the beautiful Overberg town, Villiersdorp of the Western Cape of the country, Petronel used to sing and dream of a career in entertainment.
In 2020 she was awarded with the Cordis Trust “Orde van die Beiteltjie” – a very special award for her continued support of the Afrikaans culture and still continues in the creation and establishment of opportunities and many adventures as an artist not only for herself, but many others too.
Petronel is classically trained, plays piano and guitar and has an enigmatic stage personality.
Bookings through Quicket: https://bit.ly/blomvrou
Petronel and I chatted last week:
What is your purpose?
My purpose is sing, live, love and laugh. As a performer, it is to help others too to sing, live, love and laugh.
What does music mean to you?
Life.
My music is about…
South Africa, our relationships and more globally set a reflection of what I experience for others to relate to, or not. My music is about healing.
What is your motto?
I am not sure I have a clear-cut motto, but from a young age it has seems to have been to make the most honest choices I possibly can under any circumstance. In that though, to make choices that is not hurtful to myself or anyone else.
Fame is about…
Fame is a tool.
It helps you to create income and in that for your team and everyone who works with you too.
It is also a tool to uplift and support if used wisely and lovingly.
Retirement will happen when
it is time, but I will just scale down a bit. Our body tells us what we can and cannot do anymore, lol. Our careers benefit, though, from experience and it is necessary to keep on sharing that. I have always been passionate about leaving better infrastructure and organizing for the arts when my time is done.
I don’t do…
I just do.
I would love to co-write with
Diana Krall, Ghost Hounds (what a singer!) and Queen Omega.
Where do you go for inspiration to create?
Nature, my studio, but sometimes like with my song ”Life is Good” I dream it. That was unique and happened after a lot of stress. Music is a release.
What is the most enjoyable aspect of your work?
The stage is my happy place.
The song you must do during every show?
My shows differ, I am lucky in that. Life is Good us often a request, though.
Any funny moments on stage?
Many, some too embarrassing to tell like the time a very well-known singer referred to me and my boobs as “the three of you”. When he asked why I think men are intimidated by me (are they? I didn’t know that) I said it is because they cannot reach this high. I am quite tall. It was quite embarrassing to deal with and in front a big, live audience on camera.
My heroes are
My mom, my brother and sister, my husband, good, honest people. My fans. I love people.
My style icon is
mmm, I am a bit of a Gypsy, I love the way Helen Mirren dresses and beautiful Cate Blanchett too.
Which living person do you admire most and why?
I admire anyone living with depression or ailment also anyone dealing with that family member or loved one that require special needs. Life is tough, it is the so-called ordinary folks that are the heroes.
What is your most treasured possession?
My Voice.
It’s your round; what are you drinking?
G & T!
Dream gig to do?
Any gig you do not have to carry gear…hahaha, there are many great artists I would love to see perform, Diana Krall of course but one of them.
I would love to experience live Fado music in Portugal too. It reminds me a lot of Afrikaans Cabaret, intimate theater in which I specialize.
What makes you stand out?
My length, but also my voice. It is my greatest asset as a performer.
Any nicknames?
Die Lang Vrou (Tall Women).
If you were not a musician, what would you do?
I wanted to become a teacher or pastor, it runs in the family, my sister is a great theologian.
Pick five words to describe yourself?
Dedicated, passionate, loving, fierce and kind. Bit of a paradox there!
Five must have songs on your Spotify playlist
Dans met my from Soetmelk
Hoofstroom from Riku Lätti
The girl in the other room Diana Krall
O tempo Nao Para by Mariza
Twist in my sobriety by Tanita Tikaram
Greatest Movie Ever Made?
Dirty Dancing without a doubt, hahah
What book are you reading?
Jan van Tonder, Roepman, great Afrikaans writer
What song changed your life?
Two musicals, Sound of Music as well as My Fair Lady defined much of my musical influences as a child and it was before my time, too but added to that would be many more diverse influences over the years.
There are songs that changed different stages of my life, one of my own that did that, though, is Life is Good
Who do you love?
My husband even when he makes me mad as a cat.
What is your favourite Word?
I love Afrikaans and in that I wish to quote the title of my favourite album I released, a phrase not a word:
Die Heelal Draai – meaning the universe is ever turning.
Top of your bucket list?
I am content, but I would love to travel more.
Your greatest achievement?
24 years in the South African music industry and still going strong! Hahaha, we keep the faith.
What do you complain about most often?
Headache
What is your biggest fear?
I am a very anxious person, I have to work hard to keep my balance because I am emotional.
Happiness is…
Peace and quiet.
On stage, I tend to
…perform my heart out, make people laugh and cry. Music is a powerful medium.
The best life lesson you have learned?
To live life to fullest.
What has been your favourite journey so far?
Life is a journey.
Do you do charity work, and if you do – what do you do?
As a performer I am very involved in theater development as well as theater structures which brings me into contact with youth development and input into artists that are upcoming from diverse backgrounds. Art is a form if serving.
Wishes and dreams?
To fulfil my full potential as a performer as much as possible.
YouTube link
https://youtube.com/@petronelbaard
Social media links
https://instagram.com/petronelbaardmusic
https://www.facebook.com/petronelbaard
Website
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