SA’s top comedians celebrated at The 3rd Annual South African Comic’s Choice Awards™
Aug26

SA’s top comedians celebrated at The 3rd Annual South African Comic’s Choice Awards™

We are thrilled to bring you the winners for The 3rd Annual South African Comic’s Choice Awards 2013, and winners are… Paparazzi and film crews flooded the yellow carpet at The 3rd Annual Comic’s Choice Awards™ (CCA) at the Teatro at Montecasino on Saturday 24 August. AsSouth Africa’s comedy industry came out to recognise and award some of its own, excitement for the evening’s gala event was contagious as everyone waited in anticipation to see who’d walk away with one of the six coveted Waldo’s. Far from a standard award ceremony, the variety show kicked off with an eruption of applause as Parkour free-runners abseiled from the roof to the sound of live gunfire.  Audiences were treated to unbelievable production design and celebrity guest appearances from the likes of Jahmil Qubeka, Joe Mafela and Anele Ndoda. Winners performed seven minutes of stand-up as their “acceptance speech” and their pride (and tears of joy and laughter) were felt by all those lucky enough to have attended the comedy industry’s crowning event. Comedians vote for their peers to win the Waldo’s, with only one award, the Savanna Audience Choice Award, being open to public vote; and multi-award winning Sifiso Nene took home this year’s coveted Waldo for the second year running. Pioneering comic Kagiso Lediga won the respect of his peers for his sharp-witted content creation and was awarded The Times Comic’s Pen Award; a well-deserved accolade for one of SA’s most venerable comedians. Mpho Popps Modikoane’s youthful talent and charming comedic disposition were recognized by the industry as he was awarded the BlackBerry Breakthrough Act Award. At Soweto’s Savanna Newcomer’s Showcase in June, crowds gave Schalk Bezuidenhout a standing ovation, so it was no surprise that this mustachioed comic with his trademark ironic jersey and ankle-length trousers would be voted for by industry to win the Waldo in the Savanna Newcomer Awardcategory. Trevor Noah was awarded The Comic’s Choice Comic of the Year Award once again but was unable to attend due to health reasons, while legendary ‘Cousin’ Barry Hilton was the well-deserving recipient of The Lifetime Achievement Award. This year’s theme, “The Art Of Funny” centered on self-expression and social justice, so whilst audiences laughed at the collaborative sketches, there was an underlying message of how comedians, much like graffiti artists and free-runners have the ability to reshape reality, drive a revolution and change the world.  The opening message of the awards encapsulated that ethos – “A free runner is a human soul that refuses to see walls. They use barriers created by authorities as canvases on which to celebrate freedom and rebellion… So do stand-up comics.” Pulling out all the stops to deliver the best event yet, the CCA team produced a magnificent...

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Last chance to get your tickets to this year’s Comic’s Choice Awards.
Aug19

Last chance to get your tickets to this year’s Comic’s Choice Awards.

Tickets are almost sold out for The 3rd Annual Comic’s Choice Awards™ (CCA), which takes place next Saturday night, 24 August at the Teatro at Montecasino. With signature secrecy, the creative team remains tight-lipped about what audiences can expect, other than to say that they are pulling out all the stops to deliver another dynamite production.  Taking the format of a hilarious variety show at which six awards are handed out, winners are required to perform seven minutes of stand-up in lieu of an acceptance speech, so those lucky enough to have purchased the few tickets available to the public are in for a treat! Earlier this year, the comedy industry submitted ideas for the sketches that they’d like to perform and the CCA team had the tough time of selecting the best (and funniest) ones to schedule into the show. With fantastic collaborations and a few wildly unlikely appearances, SA’s top comics, budding newcomers, celebs, VIPs and comedy fans will celebrate excellence in comedy on this very special night. This year’s theme, “The Art Of Funny” centers on self-expression and social justice and blends technology, the growing power of social media and urban street art to reshape reality and drive revolution.  The show promises to push the boundaries of funny vs. socially acceptable and will have you rolling (and squirming) in your seats. And the nominees are…! The Savanna Newcomer Award, Loyiso Madinga, Eureka Nkese, Schalk Bezuidenhout, Kagiso Mokgadi The BlackBerry® Breakthrough Act Award, Deep Fried Man, Mpho Popps Modikoane, Donovan Goliath, Jason Goliath The Savanna Audience Choice Award, Mashabela Galane, Sifiso Nene, Thapelo TIPS Seemise, Khanyisa Bunu The Comic’s Choice Comic Of The Year Award, Trevor Noah, Loyiso Gola, Tumi Morake, Riaad Moosa The Times Comic’s Pen Award, Chester Missing, Loyiso Gola, Kagiso Lediga, Rob van Vuuren This year’s Lifetime Achievement recipient is legendary Barry Hilton, who received the highest number of votes in this special category for comedians with 25 year’s experience, so you can expect a sidesplitting appearance on stage from the ‘cousin’ himself. With tickets from R230 to R270, book now through Computicket www.computicket.co.za for an insiders view into our crazy-wonderful SA comedy industry’s special night. Event Information: Event Info: www.comicschoice.co.za Facebook: www.facebook.com/sa.comics.choice.awards Twitter: @ComicsChoice: #CCA2013 Tickets: Computicket (www.computicket.co.za) from R230 to...

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Let us laugh with Tumi Morake…
Apr25

Let us laugh with Tumi Morake…

Feel it she is here! Tumi Morake that’s who, known for her comedic acting and now stand-up comedy, Morake, along with three of her comically correct comrades, will take over each Wednesday night’s Carnival Comedy Sessions for the next six weeks. Morake’s comedy has been described as in your face and slightly provocative. But she’s funny, isn’t that the whole point? As one of South Africa’s most respected comedians, Morake, majored in performance and writing, focussing on the comedy. It’s no wonder standing up is no laughing matter for her. Asked what can be expected from her at Carnival Comedy, Morake says “Come and hear first-hand how being 20 kilograms too light to be first lady inspired me to explore other talents!” During each six-week tenure of Carnival City’s Carnival Comedy Sessions resident comedians are given the opportunity to own all aspects of the show from the guests they invite to join them to imaging, design, set and lighting of the show. Where…? Comedian        Tumi Morake (and friends) Date                Every Wednesday from 01 May to 05 June 2013 Time                Doors open at 19h00, show starts at 20h00 Venue              Mardi Gras Theatre – Carnival City Cost                 R80.00...

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Freedom to Dance at Arts Alive
Aug26

Freedom to Dance at Arts Alive

There’s one week to go till the City of Johannesburg’s nearly month-long Arts Alive festival kicks off on the 3rd of September  – we’re hoping you’ve already decided which part of the festival calls your name and booked your baby-sitter.  This year we’re spoilt for choice with a broad line up of dance, comedy, theatre, film, visual arts, poetry and music to choose from throughout September…  We’re going to be covering the Freedom to Dance House and Hip Hop event at Carfax that kicks off the festival  – here’s the deal: The stage is set, the line-up has been finalised, finishing touches are being made and the smell of excitement and anticipation is thick in the air. It’s that time of year again… the 2009 17th annual Joburg Arts Alive International Festival set to take place in Johannesburg between the 3rd and 27th of September. In addition to the numerous captivating art disciplines set to grace urban central Johannesburg such as, theatre, dance (from classical to contemporary and street), visual arts, comedy, spoken word and poetry, the festival will also play host to the Arts Alive Freedom to Dance extravaganza, taking place at Carfax – Jozi on Friday the 4th of September 2009. Aimed at youth, this evening will whet the appetite of the toughest music critic with performances by leading house and hip hop DJ’s from South Africa. Guests on the evening will also be privy tothe electric legendary beats of international house sensation Rocco who by reputation exceeds all expectations. A regular on the Europe, USA and Asia house scenes, Rocco’s Deep House is rapidly growing in popularity among South African audiences. Rocco has previously been welcomed to South African shores and has played for an astounding 3000 spectators. His most recent release called “Someday” on Real Tone Records struck a chord with international and South African audiences alike having made its way to the Traxsource’s charts for 3 weeks and already supported by Louie Vega, Mr V. and Laurent Garnier! The House Floor at Carfax will also play host to many talented South African DJ’S including MacG, Mo Flava, Willie, Oskido, Bouer and Monde. And who could forget to mention the infamously popular Black Coffee who began his DJ career in 1994 while still in High School? His Deep/Afro House, Soulful Lounge, and broken beats are known around the country and are testament to his excellence. If Hip Hop is more your scene then get ready for an evening filled with insane beats and wicked rhymes. With appearances by Beatoven, Vigi, and Tholi B the evening is set to rock all the way through to the...

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2nd Annual Jozi International Comedy Festival
Jul21

2nd Annual Jozi International Comedy Festival

The second annual Jozi International Comedy Festival will be taking place at the end of August featuring a diverse line-up of 7 big hitters….Go Go Go… Last year, HuntaLive brought the broadest selection of comedy styles and material ever seen by Johannesburg fans to the Jozi International Comedy Festival, resulting in an annual event, now sponsored by Nando’s. The Nando’s Comedy Festival promises to be the highlight on the Johannesburg Comedy Calendar for 2009. The Festival, which will run over seven days, will consist of an international stand up theatre show – the “UN Comedy Show”, a late-night stand up show “UNhinged” and a local stand-up competition “Comedy Showdown”. The Nando’s Jozi Comedy Festival will run from 17th August to 23rd August 2009 and tickets can be purchased at Computicket www.computicket.com. Tickets are priced from R150 to R220. SHOW SCHEDULES & TIMES: UN Comedy Show: 17th – 21st August (Monday – Friday) at 20h00 (8pm) And 23rd August (Sunday) at 18h00 (6pm) UNhinged: 21st & 22nd August (Friday & Saturday) at 22h30 The UN Comedy Show will be hosted by international comedy icon, Angelo Tsarouchas (Canada), the larger than life, Actor/Comedian, who is without question, Canada’s next “big thing”. Dubbed “The Hitman of Hilarity”, Angelo definitely exudes star power. His trademark mobster resemblance, burly size and no hold back attitude have put him in high demand on the global comedy stage as well as in television and film projects on both sides of the border. Comedy heavy weight Ahmed Ahmed (Egypt) who regularly performs at The Comedy Store in Hollywood and has toured all across the US and Europe will make his debut appearance in South Africa. He was the winner of the first annual Richard Pryor Award for ethnic comedy at the Edinburgh Festival. He has appeared in several films and television shows such as Executive Decision, Swingers, Roseanne, JAG, Tough Crowd with Colin Quinn on Comedy Central, and MTV’s Punk’d with Ashton Kutcher. Comedy legend Steve Best (UK) will wow Jozi fans with his one-liners and props in an extremely visual comedy act. Likened to Steve Martin and Tommy Cooper, Steve has toured with Frank Skinner, Harry Hill, Craig Charles and Omid Djalili. He has performed all around the world including Hong Kong, Norway, The Falkland Islands, Kosovo, Bosnia, Bali, Jakarta and Denmark. After opening for Australia’s top comedian Carl Barron during his SA tour, David Kibuuka (Uganda) will return to the Jozi stage. “Dave” has a unique brand of humour that combines wit and intellect without losing touch with his audiences. He has also opened for the likes of Barry Hilton and John Vlismas on their...

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