Represent Recommends: Mkonto Sessions
Aug14

Represent Recommends: Mkonto Sessions

 We’re recommending this gig not only because it’s a fresh underground event in downtown Jozi city but also because Nceba, one of the hardest working promoters and arts supporters we know, is in the team behind it.  If you love HipHop get down to The Penthouse in central Jozi on Friday for a sublime night featuring one of best emcees Tumi and his Dj Papercut, it will be worth it. Mosdef. Mkonto events were formed in 2002 and the first show done was at Mega music. This event showcased artists such as Tumi and the Volume, Spykos, Goddessa for the first time to a large audience in Johannesburg. Mkonto productions also produced the South African and Swedish exchange program, which saw South African and Swedish artists tour the country (Jo’burg, Durban, Cape Town). It’s a platform for conscious artists that use the music to create awareness about heritage, celebrating what we are today, remembering our culture and highlighting the positives of our history. The sessions showcase the best local altenative music in Johannesburg by promoting both recorded and independent artists. Mkonto 24 August 2007 Tumi and Dj Papercut Two time 2007 SAMA award nominee (Music from my good eye). Tumi launched his second album with The Volume in Canada. He has just returned from a tour in France and has been invited back to Europe. LEVI pon the mic SA dub sensation, fresh from an international tour (Reunion Islands) with 340ml. RHAMNCWA Prolific spaza (vern.) MC. Currently co-hosting Cipher (SABC1, Thursdays). DJ Bionic Pioneer, legendary local hip-hop Dj who has played in Africa and has gone as far as New York City. Suprise acts be Herby Dangerous from Zimbabwe and more.. Date: 24 August 2007 Place: The Penthouse (Corner Fox and Von Brandis. next to Carlton Centre) Time: 8:30pm Admission: R50 Contact: CIA 076-249-4167 Email: meanzit@yahoo.com, brendasix@webmail.com,...

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Call for Entries- (RED) Vision@ Vail Film Festival
Aug14

Call for Entries- (RED) Vision@ Vail Film Festival

For those of you familiar with Project RED, you’ll know it’s a movement to raise funds for the fight against HIV/Aids in Africa, one of the main features being the collective of urban brands designing bespoke RED products to fund anti-retrovirals.  The brands include Converse, Motorola and Apple iPod.  The movement is growing and as part of their program, they’re holding a Short Film competition for the Vail Film Festival in 2008.  South Africans this has your name all over it – there are so many up-and-coming film makers around, combined with a subject that is part of our make-up, come on, let’s win this one.  Good thing is, they’re not looking for the usual Disney-style Africaaaaah approach or cliches, they’re wanting refreshing, authentic and optimistic stories. Details here and below: (RED) VISION – Fifth Annual 2008 Vail Film Festival (RED) Short Film Category Submission Guidelines An Emergency Every day, 5,500 Africans die of AIDS. That’s the equivalent of two Twin Towers a day, a tsunami every month. More people die of AIDS in Africa every year than in all the other countries in the world combined. What’s more tragic is that millions are dying unnecessarily. AIDS is a preventable, treatable disease. Two little pills that cost 40 cents a day can keep people with HIV/AIDS alive. In Africa, AIDS is a real emergency. We need a radically new approach to help eliminate it. (RED) – A New Approach (RED) was born out of a passionate belief in our collective sense of strength, justice, humanity and love; that together we have the power and energy to make a difference.  (RED) inspires, connects, and empowers people and business to do what they already do, shop, and do good at the same time.  Buy (RED) and help eliminate AIDS in Africa. Find out more about (RED) and (PRODUCT) RED at www.joinred.com/red. In particular, read the Fact Sheet, FAQ and (RED) Manifesto. The (RED) Short Film Category This year, (RED) and the Vail Film Festival are very proud to offer a special new (RED) Short Film category.   Your film of 3-10 minutes should dramatize one of these two (RED) themes: We are the people we’ve been waiting for Be a good-looking Samaritan It should be: Optimistic Empowering Smart Extraordinary Provocative Irreverent Authentic Don’t: Sell a (PRODUCT) RED product Make the viewer feel guilty Be overtly political Be elitist Be sad Be angry Use violence Submission Guidelines RUNTIME Minimum length of 3 mins. Maximum length of 10 mins. COMPLETION DATE Projects completed after January 1, 2007. PLACE OF ORIGIN Projects may originate from anywhere in the world DISTRIBUTION STATUS Projects must not have distribution PRESSKIT REQUIREMENTS...

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Channel O Music Awards Nominees
Aug13

Channel O Music Awards Nominees

It’s awesome that Africa is Representin’ with nominations from 12 different countries at this year’s Channel O Music Video Awards, check out the nominations below.  We’ve found some of our favourites artists from the nominations on YouTube – click and watch and tell us what you think!   Remember, it’s not the song we’re after, it’s the video! HHP – Thlabane to Maftown D’Banj – Why Me E.A.B.C – Kube  Dama Do Bling for Danca Do Remexe Lira – Feel Good Channel O is proud to announce the nominees for the 2007 Channel O Spirit of Africa Music Video Awards. This year’s nominee list has produced 46 artists from 12 different countries. SA’s HHP leads the pack with five nominations under his belt. Hot on his heels with four nominations each are Nigeria’s D’Banj for Why Me, Mozambique’s Dama Do Bling for Danca Do Remexe and Uganda’s E.A.B.C for Kube. Now in their fourth year, the Channel O Spirit of Africa Music Video Awards are unique in that videos are voted for by viewers, giving fans complete control over who receives an award.   Criteria used for short-listing were technical quality, frequency of requests for a video on the different Channel O shows and overall creativity.  The videos need to have been released between June 2006 and June 2007 and should have received airplay on Channel O. Channel O General Manager Yolisa Phahle is sure that the nominations reflect the diverse and growing music industry in the continent.  “We are seeing videos of increasingly high quality and this is a direct reflection of the industry’s growth”, she says. “At Channel O we look to strike a balance between promoting the up and coming big names of tomorrow alongside established artists.  This year some of the newer names are also producing outstanding music and high quality videos”. Viewers and fans will be able to vote for their favourite artists by smsing or voting online. Voting starts on Monday 20 August until Thursday, 04 October. Viewers can vote in each category by logging on to http://www.channelo.co.za/ to vote,  or SMS to 34622.  All sms’s are charged at international call rates. The complete list of nominees is: 1.         BEST MALE VIDEO            Artist                                                   Song Title                              Country Batman Samini                                   African Lady                            Ghana D’Banj                                                 Why Me                                   Nigeria Don Kikas                                           Miss U                                     Angola HHP                                                     Tlhabane to Maftown               SA Nameless                                            Sinzia                                      Kenya Tay grin                                               Stand Up                                 Malawi 2.         BEST FEMALE VIDEO                    Artist                                                   Song Title                              Country Chomee                                              Jiver  Sexy                               SA Dama Do Bling                                   Danca Do Remexe                 Mozambique Ida                                                       Make It Hot                              Kenya Lira                                                      Feel Good                               SA Neyma                                                 Mbilo Yanga                             Mozambique Weird MC                                            Ready to Party                        Nigeria 3.         BEST NEWCOMER VIDEO             Artist                                                   Song...

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Wanna travel the world with Smirnoff?
Aug08

Wanna travel the world with Smirnoff?

You got to give it to ’em – Smirnoff certainly knows how to do things in style.  Their latest venture, Smirnoff Ten, is an awesome concept, bringing the idea of reality tv, documentaries, travel, multi-culturalism, brand activation etc all into one powerful punch…  They’re looking for ten people to spend a year partying around the world with Smirnoff – wow – the auditions are this week so hurry!!!   The lucky South African that makes it will be one lucky b*stard although we’re certain travelling together with the same 10 people for a year will take it’s toll and be filled with ups and downs and lots of babelaas…. SMIRNOFF EXPERIENCE IS LOOKING FOR ONE LUCKY SOUTH AFRICAN TO TRAVEL THE WORLD FOR TWELVE MONTHS OF ORIGINAL FUN As part of its launch of Smirnoff Experience, the makers of Smirnoff announced that they are beginning a global search to recruit ten consumers who will travel the world in search of original nightlife experiences. This original initiative – dubbed The Smirnoff Ten – will select ten people from across the world who will get a once in a lifetime opportunity to travel together for a year re-tracing the journey of the Smirnoff brand. This adventure will be documented through short films, blogs, photos and other media. Now the search has begun for the lucky South African who will ultimately be part of the exclusive Smirnoff Ten. As part of the journey, the team of globetrotters will travel to Smirnoff Experience events around the world.  The journey kicks off in Moscow at the end of September then to Shanghai in January, 2008. Paris will be the next leg of the journey with New York hosting the final event in September 2008. In addition to the cities mentioned above, the Smirnoff Ten will visit some of the world’s other exciting cities, events, festivals, bars and clubs across Asia, Europe, South Africa, Australia, North and South America. Smirnoff is seeking fresh talent who may have experience as writers, photographers, reporters, presenters, cameramen, editors or they could be any other creative individuals. Smirnoff will also be looking at people who have experience working within the nightlife industry, such as mixologists, DJs, promoters – essentially those people who can navigate their way into any party or club anywhere in the world. The South African search begins on August 9, 2007 at Durban’s De la Soul and then its off to Cape Town on August 11 at Blush Lounge in Greenpoint.  Joburg consumers can attend the auditions at Capitol in Rosebank on August 17 and 18, 2007.  The auditions will run from noon to 19h00 in each city and are open...

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Represent is Loving: Feist
Aug08

Represent is Loving: Feist

You may have heard the loungey remix of her stunning song “One Evening” that’s getting loads of airplay, Canadian Leslie Feist must be over the moon as her debut album, released only in April, shoots up the charts the world over.  “Feist” has a sexy slow-paced soulful voice that picks you up and carries you away… Think disco meets folk meets soul touching on rock.  Her album “The Reminder” is a must-have for Spring, get your hands on it now.  Watch One Evening now (below)....

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Celebrate Women Artists in Aug – do it girls!
Aug07

Celebrate Women Artists in Aug – do it girls!

If you have not been to the awesome ConHill in Braamfontein/Parktown yet, here is your chance, ladies and guys get your friends together and go and celebrate some of our most prolific female artists in SA.   If you go on Sunday the 11 August, you get to meet the artists’s and chat to them about their work – a rare opportunity indeed. Go Go Go. To celebrate National Women’s Month in August, an exhibition of contemporary photography and poetry by 14 South African women is being held at Constitution Hill in Johannesburg.  Titled Isis X, this exhibition seeks to evoke the spirit of the mythological Egyptian goddess and, at the same time, pays tribute to the creativity of her modern-day earth-bound counterparts. The exhibition, which can be viewed from now to the 31 August 2007, is being presented by Botsotso, a grouping of South African poets, writers and artists that has been in existence for 13 years. The four female photographers taking part in the Isis X exhibition are Neo Ntsoma, Suzy Bernstein, Riana Wiechers and Anna Varney. The latter two women will also be displaying their poetic prowess, and joining them are fellow poets elsbeth e, Sumeera Dawood, Lisemelo Tlale, Elizabeth Trew, Anet Kemp, Baitse Mokiti, Myesha Jenkins, Arja Salafranca, Makhosazana Xaba and Bongekile Mbanjwa. On display are 50 photographs and poems taken from the book Isis X, edited by Allan Kolski Horwitz and available through Botsotso Publishing. “Such an openly women-only venture might attract projections of stereotyped feminism or effeminate style,” commented poet Eva Kowalski of the book, “[but] neither is valid concerning this intelligent, varied, yet ultimately coherent anthology.” Similarly, the Isis X exhibition aims to reflect the humorous personal insights, poignant social observations and spirited expressions of anger and hope reflected by the female contributors in the book. It is hoped that visitors to the exhibition will conclude that a female artist’s pen and lens are, indeed, mightier than the sword. The opening will take place at 6pm for 6.30pm on 2 August, in the atrium of the exhibition space at the Women’s Jail at the Constitution Hill Complex in Kotzé Street, Hillbrow. Keketso Semoko (Isidingo actress and women’s rights activist) and Odette Geldenhuys (legal rights activist and documentary film maker) are the guest speakers, and several of the poets will also give readings of their work. There will be a walkabout for the public on Saturday, 11 August at 11am, during which the photographers and poets will be present to discuss their work. In addition, there will be an evening of women’s poetry at the same venue at 6pm on Friday, 24 August. This will feature...

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