Anthea Bissolati
It’s a week later, and I’ve realised that I should really share this amazing experience with you all. I’ve attended a show that I had no great expectations for, but like the strong South Easter we get this time of the year, it ended up blowing me away.
It’s Boogie Time ran at the Artscape from 19 -23 November 2025, and I scored a ticket by chance. A close friend of mine offered me the ticket as her husband couldn’t attend due to work commitments. Honestly, this event wasn’t on my radar at all, so I didn’t even know what it was called. Even less did I know that this event is in its 16th year.
It’s Boogie Time was presented by Ganarama Productions, a collaborative venture by Gary Naidoo and Rafiek Mammon. With a stellar line-up of local talent, these guys absolutely rocked it! They covered so many eras that it was impossible to sit still and be quiet. We were blessed with renditions of music by Tina Turner, Diana Ross, Freddy Mercury, The Four Seasons, Depeche Mode and Sisqo, to name but a few.
It’s Boogie Time was jam-packed from beginning to end. Every musical moment seamlessly flowed into the next. This show was so professionally done that I honestly couldn’t find a thing wrong with it.
Aside from the live band and the fantastic singers and dancers, the show had an entertaining theatrical flair to it, along with a sprinkling of comedy.
What stood out for me even more than the music was the wardrobe. Whoever was in charge of their wardrobe did an impeccable job. The ladies were flawlessly dressed for each era, from Disco to R&B. Don’t get me wrong, the guys, too, were dressed well, but the ladies were absolutely stunning.
Something else I really loved about this show was the audience. It was such a mixed bag; it was quite amazing to see. In the row in front of me was a lady who seemed at first glance like she could be about 80 years young. To my absolute enjoyment, she was up and dancing once the show got going. It was so heartwarming to see people of all ages just getting out of their seats and absolutely loving the music.
Ganarama Productions and Giving Back with It’s Boogie Time
GaNaRaMa is an acronym of the first two letters of the names and surnames of the founders Gary Naidoo and Rafiek Mammon.
Gary Naidoo is a UCT performance graduate who shines as an actor, singer and comedian. He has performed in many live music shows such as “70’s Revolution”, “Motown Magic”, “That Crazy Little Thing 1 & 2” and “That 80’s Show”. On the theatrical front, he has graced local and international stages with two major productions, namely Taliep Petersen & David Kramer’s “Ghoema” and the acclaimed “Fire Raisers”.
Rafiek Mammon, a former Cape Town Arts Editor, Fleur du Cap Theatre Awards judge and Kunstekabinet member for the Klein Karoo Nasionale Kunstefees (KKNK). He is an established playwright, producer and director, who has penned several award-winning plays. Rafiek holds a Master of Philosophy (M.Phil) degree in Modern Teaching Philosophies from The University of Stellenbosch, and a BA (Social Science) degree from UCT.
An important aspect of the annual show hosted by Gary Naidoo and Rafiek Mammon is that it helps NPOs, and even mosques and churches, raise funds through ticket sales. It is an excellent way for a production company to give back to communities where most of its support comes from.
Why You Should Attend the Annual Ganarama Boogie Shows
Singer Celest is one of the lead cast members of the Ganarama Boogie shows for many years running, along with her husband, singer, music producer, actor, comedian and athlete, Jon-E, and she was kind enough to share a few photos with us.
We asked her why people should attend the annual Boogie shows by Ganarama.
“Boogie is that party everyone needs to attend because it’s the unofficial opener to the festive season. For some first-time attendees, it will also be an introduction to a fire cracker cast who will undoubtedly keep you entertained with powerhouse vocals, lekker upbeat dance moves and jokes for days.”
As an avid concert-goer, Chair Dancing is one of my favourite hobbies, and when I catch myself and others dancing in our seats, it’s always a clear indication that we are having a great time.
I will definitely keep an eye on the Artscape Calendar and on social media news of Ganarama Productions.
Well done Gary and Rafiek! You and your cast did a fantastic job!
It’s Boogie Time had me chair dancing!
