UB40 coming on down again!
Do you remember when UB40 performed in Zimbabwe in the 80’s because they couldn’t play in SA and one of the biggest roadtrips in SA concert history happened? Or the UB40 concert in Durban in the 90’s where a fabulous combination of tossed away Durban Poison seeds and post-concert rain resulted in an iridescent green dagga crop taking over the field in Kings Park stadium? Urband leg? I remember sitting playing a scratchy UB40 record on my folks record player listening again and again to revolutionary lyrics like “We fight for our right to be free, we build our own society. (sing our own song lyrics)” . KING (listen) has to be one of my favourite UB40 songs, emotive and powerful. UB40 represents a very specific era and time in my life and evokes rich memories of being young, confident, feisty and full of fight. (Some would say I am just full of other stuff now 🙂 ) The multi-cultural faces of the band seemed exotic and unfathomable for us, at the time, how were they able to do it when South Africans couldn’t even have friends of different races over for supper? Resonating? For hours I stared at their pictures on the covers and watched their borrowed videos taped by a friend from Holland on vhs, mesmerized by their beats… their lyrics were some of the first revolutionary seeds that planted dreams of democracy and equality in my mind, giving me hope that one day our country would change. Heavy I know and I’m showing my age – but it just takes one name or place to trigger the intricate past and today it’s UB40. ‘Nuff Respect Rastas. Thanks for your inspiration and hope. MOVING ON – our TGIT news today is that the legendary UK reggae and dub band will be visiting us again in July. We’ll be there, remembering a time we’d rather forget, but thanking them for showing us the way and giving us hope during a dark and dismal time for those of us who knew that something was very very wrong. 94.7 Highveld Stereo, 94.5 Kfm, East Coast Radio and BIG Concerts are delighted to announce the upcoming tour of one of the world’s most popular bands. Legendary Reggae Ambassadors UB40 will be returning to South Africa this year, for shows in Durban on the 4th, Johannesburg on the 6th and Cape Town on the 10th of July 2007. UB40’s illustrious career, spanning over 25 years, has seen them performing alongside U2, Pink Floyd, Coldplay, Madonna, Robbie Williams and The Who, collaborating with top Jamaican Dancehall artists, and playing to millions of fans around the globe. With an...
SAfrican has a shot at Spielberg’s “ON THE LOT”
Steven Spielberg and Mark Burnett (Godfather of reality tv – Survivors, Apprentice etc) have just announced the list of 50 contenders for their new collaboration “ON THE LOT”, the search for the next big film director. Over 12000 entries were submitted to the call for entry for a 5 minute short film. One South African has made the list of 50 semi-finalists – “Shira-Lee S., 38, acting teacher, born in Johannesburg, South Africa, now living in New York ” See the full list of contestants here. You go girl! We’ll be watching you! The winners get to make a movie with Spielberg at the Dreamwork studio and win a 1 million dollar development deal for their film – now that’s what we call a prize. Here’s more from Rotten Tomatoes: “On the Lot,” executive-produced by Mark Burnett and Steven Spielberg, will give aspiring filmmakers from around the world the chance to earn a $1-million development deal at DreamWorks. Premiering [this] spring on Fox, this unscripted series will feature a cast of 16 undiscovered filmmakers competing to win the support of the show’s viewers, who will decide their fate in a weekly audience vote. The competition will air over two nights weekly, with a one-hour “Film Premiere” episode followed the next night by a half-hour “Box Office” results show. After a global search already underway, applicants will be winnowed to a group of 16 talented filmmakers. These finalists will be brought to Hollywood, where they will be divided into teams and will begin the journey toward their “big break.” Every week, the hopeful filmmakers will produce short films from a chosen genre, running the gamut from comedies to thrillers, personal dramas to romance, sci-fi to horror. They’ll have access to the best resources the industry has to offer — professional writers, cast and crew, and possibly even Hollywood celebrities. After the teams have battled time frames, budgets and all the usual chaos that goes along with filmmaking, their films will debut and be critiqued in front of a live audience during the “Film Premiere” episode. Judges will include a high-ranking motion picture executive, a prominent film critic and a succession of well-respected guests, such as directors who are experts in the week’s featured genre. But the filmmakers ultimately will be judged by the harshest critics of all: the public. It will be Fox viewers whose votes determine which films should be left on the cutting-room floor. On each “Box Office” results show, the director whose feature garners the fewest votes will be sent home. The competition continues and directors are eliminated until only the most talented filmmaker is anointed the winner and heads...
More Representer’s LURVE our city of Jozi
The words just keep on flying in….there’s More and More love for Jozi. Wow – what a response. You made our day, week, our May… We’ve been showered with shimmering, glimmering, dripping words of love today – All in response to our unimportant little call for Representer’s to remind us all just why we LOVE JOBURG. You have renewed our spirit – we really needed some love so thanks. Look forward to some of our inspiring and amazing new citizen journalists on Represent… we can’t wait. Here’s a taste – we just had to share some of the words with you. SHARPILE!. (If anyone else feels like waxing lyrically, email editor@represent.co.za or write in the comments section.): Yrhiness How can I not and I bet you your R20 Gucci shades from Smal street you do too. I’ve been to China and Nigeria and back to the 1970’s to further 2010 by just taking R6 Zola budd taxi through Jozi. I came in the city naive and after a couple of back door clothing discount offers and a few card games I haven’t ’til date received any greater wisdom. Everytime I put my index finger in the air I surrender myself to the great adventure that awaits me intertwined with the culture massive that beholds this story filled city. Why I love Jozi? Do you have forever for me, to tell my love for Jozi to you? Preya I can’t say there is anything physically appealing to me about Joburg, but it’s got a pulse and soul that I just love. It is great to see how different cultures merge into sub cultures in Joburg. In just one day I can cross paths with a real McCoy Rastafarian to a koogirl all togged up in her designer wear to the up and coming business ladies who are hanging out at poetry sessions in Jozi’s Newtown precinct. “Joburgers” give this city a dynamic energy. The fast paced “Joburgers” are constantly on the move, whether they are going to work or the gym, eating out, partying till late, attending shows and the exhibitions and just moving along with the beating rhythm of Joburg. The diverse background of the “Joburgers” gives this vibrant city a culture like no other city. Leanne Jozi, JHB, Joeys, Jo’Burg, Johannesburg, Egoli, The City of Gold. This is why I love Jozi, with its multiplicity of names it also carries a multiplicity of faces. Jozi can be anything you want her to be making it easy for any person to find their niche on her busy streets and bustling sidewalks. It’s the juxtapositions of ‘walkie talkies’ available on...
Mary J Blige new dates
Here are the new dates (we thought we’d wait a bit before posting them) The new dates will see the Queen of Hip-Hop Soul, kicking off in Johannesburg at the Coca-Cola Dome on 18 October, before heading to Durban’s Westridge Park Stadium on the 19th followed by the Bellville Velodrome in Cape Town on the 21st of October 2007. The tour which was set to kick off in Johannesburg on the 12th of May was postponed in order to accommodate a routing change on her world tour. Tickets already bought for the May dates are valid for the new dates. ********************* What a letdown – Mary J Blige’s concert has been ‘postponed’ – boohoo – we await more info but here’s the official PR for now: MARY J BLIGE POSTPONES UPCOMING TOUR METRO FM, Edgars Music Series and Big Concerts regretfully announce the postponement of Mary J. Blige’s highly anticipated South African tour. The tour which was set to kick off in Johannesburg on the 12th of May has been postponed in order to accommodate a routing change on her world tour. NEW TOUR DATES will be released early next week. “Edgars has had a profound effect on the music scene for the past seven years through Edgars Music Series (EMS), its sponsorship of music events both on a national and international scale in South Africa. It is unfortunate that the tour has been postponed, and Edgars would like to apologise for any inconvenience caused to Edgars’ customers and Edgars Music Series supporters. However, both Mary J Blige and keen EMS supporters can still look forward to a fantastic showcase once the dates are established,” says Dineo Sobantu, Events & Sponsorship Manager for Edgars Chain. “As media partners for the Mary J Blige tour Metro FM welcome the fact that tour is still going to take place later in the year and hope that her fans and listeners have not been too inconvenienced,” said Bob Mabena, acting station manager Metro FM.. Tickets already bought for the May dates are valid for the new dates The South African media described her as having a “smouldering stage presence” during her April 2000 concerts in, which saw her performing to 48 000 ecstatic fans countrywide. Critics and fans alike will be floored by her powerful combination of modern R&B with an edgy rap, and electrifying live performances when she performs in South Africa in October. For further information log on to: www.edgarsmusicseries.co.za or www.bigconcerts.co.za ****************************** “Well I hope she’s better than last time” has been the wary comment from two of my friends and “WHOOHOOHOO” from everyone else that heard that the...
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...
Make your film for Pangea Day
Thanks to Jimi for the hook up. Check out this cool project that has just launched called Pangea. Started by TED documentary award winner Jehane Noujaim, it’s a call to film makers around the world to make and submit short films about their lives that can “bring the world closer together.” 10 films will be chosen and then shown on one day around the world in May 2008 encouraging peace-building and conflict resolution. The TED (Technology, Entertainment and Design) is an awesome conference focusing on GREAT IDEAS that brings people together from the three genres to share their visions… read more here. It’s a great site to visit and spend some time on. Jehane won the award in 2006: “Two weeks before the US invasion in Iraq, Jehane went to Qatar, gained access to both Al Jazeera and the US military’s Central Command offices, and caught the onset and outbreak of the Iraqi war on film. The result: Control Room, her controversial, gutsy documentary that lays out the divergent ways the war was reported by the Arabs and the West. Being raised between Egypt and the US, the exploration of culture is one of Jehane’s driving forces. Her reason for making the film: “It’s important for everyone, simply as individuals, to try to understand different people and different cultures, but it’s especially important for people in the United States because we affect so much of the world beyond our borders.” Each winner gets to make a WISH and bring it to life post the conference, be a part of Jehane’s wish and submit your films for Pangea...
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