Africa Day is for you
Africa Day – Giving a Voice to African Unity As a country, South Africa is probably best known for overcoming seemingly insurmountable challenges, and forging reconciliatory links where conflict and strife seemed the only outlet for expression. The events of the past few weeks have reinforced the need for bridge-building initiatives such as the Africa Day celebrations, and organisers have resolved that this year’s events will take place as planned. The weekend of 23, 24 & 25 May, is devoted to Africa Day celebrations, culminating in two free concerts held in Newtown’s Mary Fitzgerald Square (24 May) and Soweto’s Mofolo Park (25 May). The concerts have always attracted a widely diverse audience. One the key reasons for its success is that the shows enjoyed the support of nationals from all parts of the African continent. The Concert Goes On “The easy thing would be to cancel or postpone the shows, but we believe that now, more than ever, it is critical that South Africans and our brothers and sisters from the rest of the continent gather together on this auspicious anniversary to celebrate and honour the ties that bind us, the commonalities that make us one people.” explains Steven Sack director for Arts Culture and Heritage within the Department of Community Development, City of Joburg “It’s important to remember that Africa Day was founded to connect us to one another as a people. We want the concerts to be an exemplar of this principle – let it be a place and time where we can be part of turning the tide against the xenophobia, and remind ourselves that fundamentally, we’re all in this together. ” Safety and Security The unrest has also prompted the organisers of the Africa Day celebrations to bolster the safety and security set up of the event to allay any potential worries around security at the shows. Comments Graeme Dickson, Arts Alive Disaster Management Consultant “We are confident about our security plan, and working in close conjunction with the Johannesburg Metro Police Department and the South African Police , have escalated the security and police presence to an appropriate level. “ As the preparations for the events continue, there is no doubt that, in keeping with our tradition of overcoming strife and challenges, the City of Johannesburg’s Africa Day 2008 celebrations will become part of a new story – one that tells of the triumph of compassion and Ubuntu over fear and...
TED conference ‘Suspended’
It’s been a tough week for South Africa’s people as we contemplate the wave of devastating violence rampaging across our glorious city of Johannesburg. Our hearts are heavy. To kick us while we’re down, we received the sad news that September’s much-vaunted TED conference Africa (that we told you about in November last year), has been ‘suspended’ apparently due to a ‘lack of available’ time. We have written to the organisers to request more information. We’ll get back to you as soon as we hear more. For now, read the reasons...
Punk, Indie, Rockers and Metalheads take note
We’re impressed with music management company Roadshock records, it’s refreshing to get such an informative and comprehensive newsletter update on their artists and their performances. They’re the management company behind Harris Tweed and the New Academics as well as the Stealing Love Jones and their pumping tour to the states side, make sure to catch the Love Jones as we know them, on their triumphant return- see below. They’re also the peeps bringing out an array of indie bands from Europe and other wild and wonderful places to our banging shores. Enjoy. (STEALING) LOVE JONES They’re South Africa’s most promising pop-rock act since forever. With an already well established SA and USA radio presence, a lead-singer possessed of a cracking voice, good looks, and the business savvy of a CEO, Stealing Love Jones are poised to become enormous. It’s time to meet the Joneses. 29.06.2008 (ZA) GRAHAMSTOWN, Die Taphuis 29.06.2008 (ZA) GRAHAMSTOWN, Rhodes Rag 30.06.2008 (ZA) GRAHAMSTOWN, Die Taphuis 01.07.2008 (ZA) GRAHAMSTOWN, Die Taphuis 01.07.2008 (ZA) GRAHAMSTOWN, Rhodes Rag booking: booking@roadshock.com current release: Special Edition band email: stealinglovejones@roadshock.com band website: http://www.stealinglovejones.com 4 AXID BUTCHERS —————————— Italians on the paper but fairly international in their attitude, the 4 Axid Butchers started to hit the road in 2004. Their 150 concerts took them to play in France, Germany, Austria and Slovenia, and they will be the first Italian band to play in South Africa. Pioneers of a new sound which ranges from psychedelic punk to a dirty funk with disco-dub digressions provided by the retro raids of a Farfisa Matador, the Butchers surprised more than one live: in the first part of the show, they focus everything on drums and percussions, supported by powerfull bass lines, then suddenly they change the stage set up and switch towards a sort of funky punk sound, where the freakytar replaces the timbales. With four vocals all along, the band brings up action and a loud whirl on stage, following the tradition of Mano Negra and squeezing an eye to Happy Mondays !!! Do not fasten seat belts and get ready to freakydance! ” 24.07.2008 (CZ) HRADEC KRALOVE, Happy Days OA 16.08.2008 (DE) RATHENOW, Musikbrauerei 04.10.2008 (DE) MOERS, Die Volksschule 08.10.2008 (DE) BERLIN, Duncker Club 24.10.2008 (DE) LICHTENAU-IMMELDORF, Weißes Roß booking: booking@roadshock.com current release: empTVsion (Quicksand Records) band email: kristof@roadshock.com band website: http://www.4axidbutchers.com BANDA BASSOTTI —————————- Banda Bassotti born in 1981 in the suburban yards of Rome by a group of comrades carpenters who supports the political causes of the Nicaragua, Salvador, Basque and Palestinian population. 30.05.2008 (DE) LINDAU, Club Vaudeville 31.05.2008 (DE) SCHWäBISCH GMüND, Esperanza 01.06.2008 (DE) HAMBURG, Hafenklang Exil 02.06.2008 (DE) HANNOVER, Béi...
DJ Sdunkero’s magic hook
We’re so happy for Mpumalanga as we realise how much the ‘Song of the year’ title means to one of our favourite provinces. We’re going to keep listening to the mysterious “Maputo Song” to see if we can find the magic hook that got the province voting the song into first place for “Song of the Year”, give us time to find that kwasa rhythm ne! Congrats to Ligwalagwala FM and DJ Sdunkero – see some of their photo’s of the Ligwalagwala FM experience of the SAMA’s and the delight of some of the Maputo Song fans here and read our thoughts from a marketing perspective on our sister site JOVA . You can also find out more about DJ Sdunkero at MIO. Read Ligwalagwala’s announcement below: Mpumalanga’s finest house DJ Sdunkero caused a stir when he won the “MTN record of the year award at the SAMA event this past weekend 03 May. The whole of Mpumalanga was behind the KaBokweni born muso who was nominated for the record of the year, the famous “Maputo Song” from his album Edladleni Volume 1. Ligwalagwala FM is more than ecstatic after one of its very own DJ Sdunkero won the biggest award of the South African Music Award. DJ Sdunkero emerged head and shoulders above prolific artists in the category of Record of the year to win it. “The 3rd of May 2008 will forever be a memorable day to me because I was able attract the recognition that Mpumalanga province deserves”, I was more than confident about my work prior the awards but the win gave me more joy than I anticipated Messages of support were conveyed from the Mpumalanga Provincial government, Department of Arts and Culture and the Public prior to the event. He received a hero’s welcome when he landed at the Kruger Mpumalanga international airport where hundreds of fans where eagerly awaiting their hero. “Sdunkero has put Mpumalanga entertainment industry on the Map, the whole country will now give us the respect we deserve” said an excited fan. Amongst the crowd was ANC treasure Mathew Phosa and his wife Speaker of Mpumalanga legislature YM Phosa Indalo car hire sponsored the Ligwalagwala FM DJ’s with two branded Mercedes Benz, while Sdunkero’s was dressed by Mpumalanga born tycoon Robert Gumede executive chairman of Gijima ASP. DJ Sdunkero hosts the “The Zone Eskhaleni” with Giventake 18h00-21h00 on...
Win Tickets to Goldfish this weekend
::We have FOUR pairs of VIP tickets to give away to the gig this Friday. Simply email Editorista and tell me which Spanish island Goldfish are heading to. Include your name, cell number and ID please. :: We’re delighted to see some quality LIVE music going down at Sutra at Wild Waters and hope you will get your bikini’s out one more time while the sun shines this Autumn in support of one of our hottest musical products of the moment GOLDFISH as they set off for the party island paradise of Ibiza – read all about their signing to Pasha here. We wish you all the best guys – MAKE US PROUD – hey who knows, we may even see you in Ibiza! Their only way is up, so make sure you get close to them NOW while they’re still within reach. On Friday 9th May, SUTRA welcomes one of the most exciting LIVE electronica dance acts in the world right now to the shores of Wild Waters.. GOLDFISH! Join them for what promises to be an unforgettable performance LIVE from Sutra’s infamous upper terrace as bid them goodbye and wish them well on their tour of IBIZA! DATE: Friday 9 May, 2008 VENUE: Sutra Nightclub ADDRESS: Wild Waters Complex 11 Margaret Lane, Boksburg, JHB DOORS OPEN 20h00 – 05h00 COVER CHARGE: Ladies only R60.00 – VIP all night Gents only R70.00 VIP R100.00 SUPPORT DJ LINE-UP SUTRA TERRACE Roger d’Lux Ricardo da Costa Kirsti Daniel Sun X-Ray CHILLI LOUNGE Cecil Mac J_Hazzard Jimmy Chronic Guy Herman Robin & Brands THE EARTH FLOOR Mike...