George Benson and Al Jarreau: “Givin’ It Up”
Feb01

George Benson and Al Jarreau: “Givin’ It Up”

Have you heard? The kings of cool are coming to town! Grammy- Award winning superstars George Benson and Al Jarreau will give three unique, once-in-a-lifetime concert performances, together in SA in March! They will be performing in Johannesburg at the Coca Cola Dome, Durban at the International Convention Centre, Cape Town at the Bellville Veladrome, and they will also perform at an exclusive private concert as part of the official opening ceremony of the Arena at the International Convention Centre, Durban. While enjoying the world-wide success of  “Givin’ It Up”, their first full length CD collaboration together, (released on 24 October 2006), George Benson and Al Jarreau recently began a worldwide promotional tour, performing only in a few selected countries, including South Africa. Local audiences have the rare opportunity and privilege to see two of the world’s finest artists on stage together, accompanied by the Benson/ Jarreau touring musicians.   Throughout his career George Benson has embraced everything from straight-ahead jazz to contemporary jazz and R&B/ pop vocals.  He is one of a handful of artists who have achieved major critical and commercial success in different genres and this pedigree makes him one of the most respected performers of the past 30 years. Al Jarreau’s unique vocal style and his innovative musical expressions have made him one of the most exciting and critically acclaimed performers of our time.   Between them, George Benson and Al Jarreau have sold over 50 million records, had 20 number one hits and won 13 Grammy Awards across pop, jazz and R&B categories. “Givin’ It Up”, the new release teaming singer/guitarist/songwriter George Benson with vocalist extraordinaire/songwriter Al Jarreau marks the first time the two artists have recorded together in their 30-year friendship. The Benson and Jarreau collaboration resulted in new arrangements of each other’s respective biggest hits, “Breezin’” and “Mornin’”.   “Givin’ it Up” unites Benson and Jarreau for the first time and features guest appearances from Paul McCartney, Marcus Miller and Chris Botti. It includes “Tutu”, a homage to Bishop Desmond Tutu, featuring special guest Herbie Hancock on acoustic piano. It has been nominated for three Grammy Awards to be announced on 11 February 2007. “Mornin’” was nominated for best pop instrumental, “Breezin’” for best R&B vocal performance by a duo or group and “God Bless The Child” featuring Jill Scott for best traditional R&B vocal performance. Details: Johannesburg: Coca Cola Dome, Northgate Sunday, 18 March 2007 18h00 Durban: International Convention Centre Wednesday, 21 March 2007 (Human Right’s Day) 19h00 Cape Town: Bellville Veladrome Thursday, 22 March 2007 20h00 Ticket prices range from R200- R450. Book now by calling Computicket on 083 915 8000, or...

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Hit Me With Music: A Tribute to a Legend
Jan26

Hit Me With Music: A Tribute to a Legend

Our brother site JHBLive is having a party and we thought we would be good sistas and fill you guys in on the 411. After all, it is a tribute to the great reggae legend Bob Marley, whose birthday is coming up on the 6th of Feb.  Hit Me With Music is a tribute to a man whose lyrics and music rose out of the shantytowns of Jamaica to shape and influence the entire world. Whether you find yourself in a rural African village or on the streets of New York, one thing is certain: Bob Marley’s legend lives on. He is probably the most recognised recording artist to have ever lived. With a mic in one hand and fist in the air, Bob Marley’s message of peace and freedom had the power to bring together warring political parties, to inspire nations to fight for freedom and to give all who heard it hope. Bob Marley never compromised on his ideals and never changed his tune. He remained true to his music and message throughout his life. Expect a night packed full of the hottest reggae, ragga, dancehall, electro, dub, breaks, drum ‘n bass and funk spread over 3 dance floors. Da Details: When: 03 February 2007 from 9pm Where: Carfax, 39 Pim Street , Newtown , Johannesburg The Damage: R60 Da Line-up: Main Floor: Reggae-dub-ragga-funk-house-latin 340 ml Rude Boy Paul KenZhero Levi ‘pon da Mic Rantoboko Electro Floor: Electro-punk-funk-indie-dance-mutantdisco Kid Fonque Offbeat Man KaZaM (with King of Town) Two Twiggs Floor: Hip-hop-breaks-drum ‘n bass Redwood Mr Bong AfroWhitie Blunted Stuntman MPI project Dr Moody For more info click...

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Vote for Bevan’s ROBBIE WILLIAMS video
Nov28

Vote for Bevan’s ROBBIE WILLIAMS video

Many of you will remember him from the Toastie breakfast show on tv, others of you may recognise him from his hairstyle… But he’s our Bevan i’nit and he’s entered Robbie Williams music video competition! We need you to vote for his video (if you like it of course) so he can win some pounds and ‘ave it large. Click here for the site. … Here’s the deal: Robbie Williams is collaborating with seven different filmmakers to create seven original short films using the tracks from his new album Rudebox. Now he is inviting all the independent filmmakers out there to provide the eighth for his track The 80’s. The winner, chosen by Robbie Williams, Lord Puttnam, Jonathan Ross, Jules Oldroyd (Head of T4) and a prominent film commissioner, will win a ý7,500 prize. There is a further prize of ý7,500 for the winning film as voted by the public. And here’s how to do it easily from Bevs people at Comedy Underground: Co-founder of the Underground, ace director & generally cool oke, Bevan Cullinan, has, with his producer Gary, shot and entered a Robbie Williams music video competition and needs your help to vote them to the top so that they can become mildly famous overseas and win the prize money to pay for the film! The music video is very funny and features Bevan, James Cairns and Chris Forrest in a film called “LIKE A HOOLIGAN”. You’ll recognise them in the thumbnail JPEG (standing in 80’s Leotards, looking like they were dressed by the Salvation Army dance gear surplus store). What we need you to do is to go to www.robbiewilliams.com/rudeboxshorts and register on the site. DON’T BE SCARED. These are nice people who don’t spam. If you are uncomfortable with providing your telephone number, put a fake one in (they’re just needing it in case you win so that they can call you, but you’re not entering a film, so it doesn’t matter). They just need you to register so that they can keep a check on allowing only one vote per register. What is very important is to keep checking for a return mail with a link that you will need to click on to verify your vote, it is to stop scam voting on dormant accounts (hope this makes sense). The votes count as ratings. Vote 1 for crap and 5 for eternal kifness (the judging is not based on the amount of votes). We’re hoping to get votes between 3 and 5, but if you feel it’s worth 5, we’d love you long time (insert nervous laugh here)! Unfortunately, if you are on...

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Vote for LOYISO GOLA
Nov22

Vote for LOYISO GOLA

We were just saying the other day that it’s time us young people got amongst and started doing things our way… looks like we have a leader already! Loyiso Gola, one of our favourite most outspoken comics is ready to lead the revolution… Disillusioned by the leaders of today? Tired of the succession battle? Unhappy about floor-crossing? Sounds like you need to follow the growing group of … supporters for the next “president elect” – Loyiso Gola. After hosting the “Let Durban Laugh Festival” which will be held at the Durban City Hall on the 8th and the 9th of December and is expecting about 4000 people over the 2 days, Loyiso Gola hits the road again with a much anticipated run of his one man show which will aptly carry the gripping title, “Loyiso Gola for President”. This show will run at the Market Theatre, Newtown from the 30th of January to the 4th of February 2007. Popular radio station YFM has come on board as the key media partner and will be giving the show a substantial amount of support during its run. This will be the first instalment of this show and be the first opportunity for Loyiso to perform this set to the public. However it will also be the last time Jozi sees him perform for a while as he leaves for Durban shortly thereafter to perform as the warm up act for internationally acclaimed comedy superstar Sugar Sammy for the entire month of February at the Suncoast Casino resort. (Sugar Sammy hails from Canada and his meteoric rise to fame culminated in him touring North America last year with Dave Chapelle. It is testament to the profile that Loyiso Gola now enjoys on the local comedy circuit that he was selected by the organisers of the event to be part of this show) Loyiso Gola has been described in comedy circles and numerous articles as “the next big thing in South African comedy” with some going as far as saying that he is the future of comedy in this country. His unique sense of humour and his affinity towards openly frank and observational commentary has carved Loyiso into a comedy genius and has elevated his status in the realms of local comedy. In taking his one man show to the people, Loyiso follows the path of many legendary comedians before him in packaging a one man show with its own distinct style and subject matter. Many of these, namely Richard Pryor’s I’m Crazy; Eddie Murphy’s Raw; Chris Rock’s Never Scared; Jerry Seinfeld’s I’m Saying This For The Last Time and Dave Chapelle’s Killing...

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Review: James Bond Casino Royale
Nov20

Review: James Bond Casino Royale

If you want the version that doesn’t give it away read this one: Brilliant opening scene, cheesy theme song, sexy new Bond Daniel Craig, yukky soppy love scene, too long, could do with an edit of the last stretch, awesome entertainment, probably the best yet. Then if you want the juice – read here…. Thanks to Heineken for the invitation to the Casino Royale preview with all th… e shlebs and media on Friday night at Village walk. Casino Royale was thoroughly enjoyable, with the manificent opening Parkour scene taking your breath away and throwing you straight into the action… the visuals of the chase sweep you up and keep you watching all the way through to a rather soppy love scene right near the end. It is at this point where the audience starts getting a little fidgety and wondering ‘how much longer’ and I am afraid it is just before this point where the movie should have ended. But it didn’t and you go on to see the usual James Bond twist at the end leaving our hottie loveless and lost and you bursting for the loo or a smoke or just to get up. 7 out of 10. But a tighter edit would have kept it sweet. Daniel Craig makes a fine Bond although he lacks the ‘slick n slimey’ Bond factor and has more of a ‘heavy macho’ side to him than previous Bonds. His pout and piercing blue eyes can get a little intense as well. Eva Green (or Evergreen) is sexy and sultry, keeping the boys happy. After the movie we were invited to (our not so favourite club) Moloko – it was a pleasure getting there early and being able to find space to sit and feel welcome (as opposed to walking in on a heaving room of strangers with no room to move). The catering was brilliant with NY style chinese take-away boxes and lots of yummy delights. The bar was flowing and service was attentive. Editorista was introduced to the joys of poker and found herself addicted almost instantaneously. Thank heavens the chips were plastic or she’d have to work the dance floor for money like one or two young ladies appeared to be doing. Great to see some of our friends at the event -David Kau looking suave in white, Sibu Shangasi the “Red Bull” man friendly as always, Lebo looking luscious and Melanie looking gorgeous (you know who you are girls), Mike from JHB Live enjoying the snacks, super smooth Simphiwe our favourite Swazi boy (call me) and Monique taking over the dance floor. Definitely worth watching. But...

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