Represent Recommends: PARTY PEOPLE & guests
Good luck with the cold spell Jozi, pull on your hoodies and don’t forget to catch Party People with DJ Khenzero this Thursday night at Roka. Let’s give a warm Jozi welcome to BIG IDEA from Durban who will be performing live… see their biog below. Click on image for more detail. Represent! 30 June @ Roka 44 Stanley @ Milpark 9pm R50 Big Idea – A Brief Biography BIG IDEA started as a collaboration of artists from backgrounds representing the mixed masala of cultures that make up KwaZulu Natal. They have managed to infiltrate the vanguard of Durban’s music scene to become one of its boldest champions. Through their music they cross cultural bridges and build new ones where no-one had thought they could exist! BIG IDEA are the leaders of the resurgence of live music in Durban. Since their inception in 2004, the band has rapidly become the quintessential hip-hop/jazz fusion group. Fronted by charismatic vocalist Quincy “Q” Fynn, the band is Gareth “2 Gees” Gale on drums, Rory “The Jacob” Jacobs on Sampler, vocalist/emcee King Babar, emcee JET and Dj. LV on decks. Electric performances at TransAfrica Express, Krakatoa and Splashy Fen 2005 & 2006 were followed by more chilled performance at The Centre for Jazz and Popular Music (UKZN), allowing BIG IDEA to demonstrate their ability to appeal to a diverse audience. Emcees Q and King Babar are the jacket and waistcoat of the outfit respectively. Babar is better known as one-third of pioneering hip-hop outfit Illuminating Shadows where his abilities shine as both beat producer and through rhyme. With BIG IDEA his skills as a lyricist, beat boxer and freestyle emcee fascinate and thrill audiences every time he touches the microphone. Their performances are characterized by the energy that is exuded by the entire group. 2 Gees is a powerful and stylish drummer who utilizes his experience as a jazz and rock drummer to it’s most potent effect. He provides presence and leadership, which, drives the music forward constantly. Q’s rhyming and descriptive lyricism is “uncompromising, honest and crystal clear”. He has honed his skills through poetry and was a participant at Poetry Africa 2005. He has added a new, unique voice to the South African performance poetry landscape. He describes his work as “Wentworth inspired poetry that both reflects and dispels the stereotype of the urban colored youth.” He is inspired by the contradictions, which he says characterize the new South African democratic age: Growing up in a community, which is tight knit and yet deeply divided through violence, crime and abuse; Living on one of the most beautiful strips of coastline in the...
Frances Goodman @ the Goodman
Catch one of our finest young artists Frances Goodman at one of our finest galleries, the Goodman in Rosebank. We have to ask… is she related? Or is that a dumb question? Frances Goodman Wishful Thinking 23rd June to 14th July 2007 Goodman Gallery In her new solo exhibition, titled “Wishful Thinking”, Frances Goodman continues her exploration into character-construction through language and narrative. She examines how people present themselves to the outside world and how words manage to ‘perform’ and expose people’s anxieties and vulnerabilities. How people use words and language can as easily reveal personal fictions and desires, as they can divulge tastes, biases and predilections. The exhibition comprises three new sound installations and two sculptural series. “Young Guns” is a large-scale video/sound installation that accompanies two young bodybuilders on their quest for perfection, success and ideal beauty. As the narrative unfolds, the viewer becomes aware of a blurring of boundaries between scrupulous preparation and raw narcissism. This slip between definition of self and judgment by others raises questions around contemporary versions of ideal beauty and the limits to achieving them. “I know what you’re thinking…” is a sound installation that examines the very act of judging others. From the endless comments and quips on any number of topics, to the anonymous protagonists in the work, all expose society’s dual fascination and revulsion with others. When people are not constrained by expected politeness and sensitivity, we are all, potentially, the subject of someone else’s prejudice. Goodman’s new sculptures are an extension of her interest in language, and focus on how we ‘read’ objects. There is a play between text and texture, surface and content, sincerity and irony. The obsessively worked and highly decorative sequined surfaces declare a gaudy shallowness, which seems at odds with the sincerity of the bodybuilder’s life affirmations. This exhibition will open on Saturday 23rd June from 18:00 – 20:00, and closes on the 14th July...
Represent Review: Tshwane Comedy Festival
Kom nou mense – why was the Afrikaans night so poorly attended? Sies! Let’s make it up this week by supporting the last few days of the thoroughly enjoyable Tshwane comedy festival at the State Theatre. “Dankie” to all involved, our writers have had a great lag and are looking pretty toned for it. In our last installation, AmorAmor covers last weeks “Afrikaans night”: 27 June at 20.00 – Afrikaans Night Host: Joey Rasdien Featuring: Nicky van Niekerk – Denzel – Pierre Breytenbach – Melt Sieberhagen 28 June at 20.00 – Black Comedy Night Host: Trevor Noah (pic) Featuring: Kedibone Muluadzi – Loyiso Gola (pic) – Dave Kibuuka – Kagiso Lediga (pic) 29 June at 20.00 – Hardcore Comedy Night Host: Mel Miller Featuring: Kyle Thorpe – Trevor Gumbi – Nqoba Ngcobo – Malcolm Ferreira 30 June at 20.00 – Comedy Showcase Night Host: Tshepo Mogale Featuring: Mike – Magic Man – Roni Modimola – Mel Miller Tickets: R70 throughout The Pretoria/Tshwane Comedy Festival should be something of a landmark on our cultural calendar but, having spoken to few people, it seems to have gone by almost unnoticed. At least that would account for the poor turn out at Saturday night’s Afrikaans night. Have to tell you people, it was a shame you missed it. Now I am not an Afrikaans fanatic but I do believe that it is a lyrical and beautiful language and a proud part of our South African heritage that should be preserved. The beauty and emotion of Afrikaans is best appreciated in its poetry but just as emotive is its application in swearing. Yep, swearing. There are just some things that are so much better in Afrikaans. And, yes, the boys put the full lyrical power to good use. To quote our engaging host, Hannes Brummer, “Daar gaan waarskynlik vanaand gebruik gemaak word van ‘n bietjie kras taal, so as dit julle pla, Fokof maar nou.” God bless Afrikaans. The line-up included Nicky van Niekerk, a ‘ware boer-seun’, with his assortment of ‘my scary wife’ and oom Piet stories, Denzel Edgar, our colored homeboy with his astute observations of colored culture, the unlisted but immensely charming and funny Pierre Breytenbach and Melt Sieberhagen, who I would definitely recommend you invite over for a beer if you need cheering up. The boys had their work cut out for them as the small audience seemed a little shy to laugh too loud (myself and my companion obviously excluded from this) but they were consummate professionals and immensely entertaining, which is after all the whole point of such an event. I must admit I am a bit biased as...
Represent Review: Carnival Symphonic Pops
We’re usually a bit skeptical about any mass produced show that ends in …”pops” but one of our citizen journo’s John was eager to give the Carnival Symphonic Pops a spin … turns out the cast was filled with heavy weights and we missed out. Then again, if PJ’s in it it’s gotta rock 😉 Sharpile to John for the review: The new Carnival Symphonic Pops at Carnival City was a true spectacle featuring the wonderful Johannesburg Philharmonic Orchestra and some of SA’s best singing and musical talents. We were warmly greeted by Clint Cunningham, energetic and fun – doing a medley of Creedence Clearwater Revival. Despite an arm injury, the man delivered a solid performance. The music ranged from Viennese medley’s by Rina Hugo to George Benson and Loyiso Bala getting the crowd clapping. Mauritz Lotz – the brilliant guitar player – stunned the audience by playing Nessun Dorma (Ed: an Aria from a Puccini opera) on his guitar and demonstrated how the electric guitar should be played – truly amazing. The show also featured some young talent – Werner van Coller and Ansuje. One of the true highlights of the show was the performance of Sibongile Mngoma. She had the crowd stunned while singing “When you believe” with Rina Hugo and then doing an operatic piece “La Wally”. Wow, what an amazingly clear voice. Andre Schwartz sang the ever popular “Music of the night” from Phantom of the Opera – at this point half the audience was either crying or shaking their heads in amazement – Andre delivered an amazing performance – I can see why he was selected to perform the roll of Phantom at the State Theatre. PJ Powers did a very energetic and mad performance – those that know her style can tell you that she delivers fun and energy. Coenie de Villiers did a medley of his own songs – good as usual – as can be expected from such a seasoned performer. Overall the show was excellent – good sound quality – brilliant band – and with highlights like Sibongile Mngoma and Andre Schwartz’s rendition of Barcelona making the hair on your back stand up – all makes for a good evening of...
Represent Review: John Legend !!!
Running Represent can be pretty thankless work but every now and then someone gives us a lovely pressie (you know who you are) with an article, review or suggestion that we can use. Sharpile! Thanks to Linda for doing just that despite being so busy. Now that all the hype has died down we can tell you that sadly we never got to see John because of family commitments – we’re blue about that. But her review brings us just a bit closer. Enjoy. John Legend is sooo sexy-cute! When we heard about the concert a couple of weeks back, my sister and I figured it would be a great opportunity for us to take her new car on its first out-of-town drive and also get to watch an artist we both enjoy. So off we went to Sun City last Sunday afternoon. It took a while to get on the road, given that I had guests to be seen off at the airport, and she was somewhat *ahem* indisposed after a night out on the town…but we eventually left Jozi around 1pm. As we drove I tried to ignore the growing “spare wheel” feeling within me (we were with her boyfriend). Got to Sun City well after 3pm. I guess John Legend knows a thing or two about African time, because the concert hadn’t started when we arrived. When it did start – opening with “Get Lifted”, he walked out in a fine suit that looked like it was constructed on his body. I screamed like the groupie I am (no shame in my game) and started taking pictures. Got a lot of shots of raised hands, and people’s hair, before I got any decent ones of John. He started off with songs from his first album. Had a kick-ass band, complete with a horn section and hot backing singers. My sister’s boyfriend felt compelled to mutter something like “he’s alright (or more precisely, “yeah, he aight”)” when we wouldn’t stop screaming, especially after he had pulled one girl from the crowd and slow-danced with her. Sister’s boyfriend’s comment was “yuck, he’s all sweaty”…. Sweaty was no deterrent to us; I don’t think either of us would have minded going up on that stage! I got teary-eyed when he sang “Ordinary People”, it was an awesome performance. It also doesn’t hurt that he’s just soo cute – I can imagine him as the kind of boyfriend who writes letters and likes walks in the park… but might just want to get freaky in the park (“we just don’t care, we just don’t care”). He’s romantic without being corny…sexy...
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