It’s official – John Legend is on his way!
GUYS WE DID OUR HOMEWORK AND CAN CONFIRM THAT JOHN LEGEND IS ON HIS WAY! The concert will also feature big names Watershed and Freshly Ground and there’s a whole art and fashion angle attached – read the PR at the end. We’re stilll buzzing!
10 May Breaking News
Heaven only knows! This has certainly made our day – thanks to Boogie for the heads up – it’s almost as good as yesterday’s news about Femi Kuti. Apparently John Legend will be headlining the second annual POSITIVE ROCKS event in Sun City on the 16th and 17th June. Ordinary people, let’s go go go to the park…! As soon as we have more info and it’s all confirmed we’ll let you know. If you don’t know John Legends music, check out his site here He’s the most soulful singer of the moment, whose unbelievable vocal, song-writing and piano talent sets the perfect romantic, urban soul backdrop for today’s crazy life. He is a true LEGEND.
Just Announced!! John Legend will be performing at POSITIVE 2007 at Sun City Resort on 16 & 17 June. This five time Grammy Award winning R&B singer, songwriter and pianist is ready to set the Superbowl alight with his smooth soulful music.
John Legend is an artist who proves that, even in an age of expediency and crass commercialism real talent not only still matters – it is admired, applauded and is a coveted commodity.
John Legend’s debut album, Get Lifted, mixed classic R&B grooves with modern hip-hop sounds (and artists) and was one of 2005’s top albums. On the strength of the enduring single “Ordinary People,” the album reached the Top Five of the Billboard 200. This led to three Grammy Awards: Best R&B Album, Best R&B Male Vocal Performance, and Best New Artist. Legend’s next album Once Again launched in October 2006.
Legend pours himself into his live performances, really getting into each of his songs, whether they’re about flings or committed relationships he takes the audience to a high level of intensity. He doesn’t hold back and neither does his legions of fans. Superbowl ticket holders can be prepared for an entertainment roller coaster.
“Sun International is thrilled to announce John Legends participation in POSITIVE. He is one of this decades foremost musicians and appeals across audiences,” says Philip Georgas, Divisional Director, Sun International Resorts.
”The POSITIVE campaign’s message is to create global awareness of successful AIDS Hospices in South Africa and an artiste of John Legend’s calibre draws attention to the positive work being done in local communities.”
This year’s revolutionary arts-fusion fundraiser event promises to be the most amazing weekend of entertainment to be seen in a while. Not only is Legend performing on 16 & 17 June, but on Friday 15 June, at the exclusive POSITIVE Rocks banquet guests will be treated to a cameo performance from this legendary musician. Guests will also be able to enjoy music from SAMA Award winning band, Watershed and South Africa’s MTV award winning group Freshlyground amongst other phenomenal South African musicians and international stars to be announced shortly.
With Number One singles in Germany and more than a dozen South African radio hits, and two SAMA’s, Watershed is a firmly established South African band. Watershed has paved a path that is worthy of reverence, their on stage chemistry and magic is as addictive as their rock ballads.
“As musicians we should stand behind worthy causes particularly those directly affecting the citizens of our country. POSITIVE unites artists in the fight against HIV/AIDS. We are proud to add our voices to the other artists uniting from across the globe to participate in POSITIVE and send a message to the world that there is hope in fighting for those living with this dreaded disease”, says Craig Hinds, singer, songwriter and front-man for Watershed.
South African band Freshlyground won the Best African Award at the 2006 MTV Europe Music Awards, becoming the first ever South African group to win in this category.
Everywhere they go they’re a phenomenon! Rainbow South African audiences cram into venues to see them, older fans dance to their music, hip teenagers lip-sic their lyrics and they’re highly respected by stylish, urban music fans. They represent more than their music – they epitomise South Africa’s promising future, embodying hope and unification.
To add to the banquet buzz, POSITIVE brings together incredible culinary and fashion design talent. Leading fashion designers and Michelin star chefs have united under the auspice of POSITIVE. Celebrities, invited guests and
sponsors will be treated to a 5-course dinner banquet delivered by Michelin star chef, Michel Sarran and other internationally acclaimed chefs.
Chef Michel Sarran, a two star Michelin Chef from Toulouse, France is one of the finest chefs in the world today. Originally from Gers, Michel divided his professional course between the south-west and the banks of the Mediterranean before settling in Toulouse in 1995.
“Chefs are merchants of pleasure. I want to create tastes that titillate and tickle the palate and if my food can provoke emotions then my goal is achieved and the pleasure is shared,” says Michel.
Sarran’s restaurant bears his name and is centrally located in Toulouse. He is touted as one of the best chefs of his generation. Sarran trained at the reputable la Côte Saint-Jacques and is well known for making the finest French cookery accessible to the people.
To further assault the senses, guests will be entertained by the latest in international fashion design and specially choreographed sequences combining fashion and music. Heading up the Pan African designer list is Deola Sagoe. Deola has given African fashion in the 21st century the most radical expression imaginable, from deeply rooted African fabrics to perfectly matched accessories. She creates designs that truly celebrate Africa and Nigeria.
Known for constantly fabulous designs, flawless colour combination, attention to detail, perfect finish and finesse, Deola is also a two-time international award winner. Deola is described as the African fashion designer who is “best placed to interpret Africa’s cultural diversity and artistry, expressing the earthiness and mystery, the vibrant colours warmth and passion of the African woman in her simplicity and elegance.”
Deola ostensibly depicts earthy feminism in tasteful designs. Her refreshing exploration of that which is genuinely African evokes a subtle nostalgia for history favoured by her use of hand woven fabrics, accessories like cowries, crystals, and beads, as well as the extensive use of gold.
Local celebrated design team, Malcolm Klûk and Christiaan Gabriel Du Toit are the respective creative forces behind KlûK & CGDT collections and they are amongst a host of South Africa’s finest fashionista’s to show their specially created couture at POSITIVE.
Some of the world’s infamous catwalk goddesses will also be in attendance at POSITIVE. Amongst them is Oluchi Onweagba. Her sensual face, perfect figure and infinitely long legs have helped her to the top of the fashion league, where she’s modelled for everyone from Gianfranco Ferre to Gap. Oluchi has come a long way since 1998, when, as a young 16-year-old she scooped the M-Net “Face Of Africa” contest.
An art exhibition will grace the walls of the Hall of Treasures curated by Koulla Xinisteris featuring renowned local artists. International and local celebrities have also applied to canvasses their personal visual interpretations of Tapologo’s mission statement: “Hope, Healing and Compassion”. These canvasses will form a “Wall of Hope” in the Elephant Atrium.
Well known South African Artist, William Kentridge will be one of many artists to exhibit at the POSITIVE Wall of Hope. Kentridge is regarded as an artist of great importance both locally and internationally having exhibited worldwide.
Miss South Africa – Megan Coleman – patron of the Tapologo Aids Hospice – will be the face of this extraordinary event.
POSITIVE aims to raise global awareness of AIDS Hospices in South Africa. Spearheaded by Sun International, leading international and South African music, fashion, culinary and artistic talent will come together under the auspice of POSITIVE.
POSITIVE creates a platform to increase social awareness, educate across audiences and embraces all cultures in the fight against HIV/AIDS. Proceeds from this watershed event are donated to the Tapologo Aids Hospice (Northwest Province), Missionvale Care Centre (Port Elizabeth), Noah (Kwa-Zulu Natal) and St Michaels Hospice at Nazareth House (Cape Town).
Tickets for John Legend’s concerts on 16 June at 20h00 and 17 June at 15h00 are available at Computicket and range from R350 to R495.
