Sit on the Represent couch @ Sundowners
This sounds like the perfect way to finish off the week for any hard working, hard playing Jozi peeps: cruising to the Primi Forum in Melrose Arch, having a comfy couch reserved just for you and your chommies, sipping on one of those crazy cocktails at sunset while you sink into the weekend seduced by the sweet sounds of some of Jozi’s best DJ’s. Nca hey! We have a couch to give away to this Friday’s Primi Forum with the fabulara DJ’s Kid Fonque and Terrance from SoulCandi – well not give away exactly, but we have been given a special front row Represent couch for a Representer and two friends to sashay into from 16h00 on Friday and make their own for the evening. We love halfdays. The place gets packed out, so you really want this couch with your name all over it. To win the couch for this Friday, simply email editor@represent.co.za and tell me in a few words why you deserve the couch...
DURBS: Represent Recommends – Off the Wall2
Durbanites! Anyone into graf, comics, hiphop, art and performance art make sure to get down to Off the Wall 2 opening at the tres trendy artSpace on Monday – it looks brilliant – wish we were there. We’ll try and interview some of the guys for ya, interesting to see blogging and real life merge through sketching! Durbs we expect nothing less than the most progressive of movements from you. When you bringing it to Jozi? Beautiful artwork “Cosmic Love” from Jeff Rankin. DON’T FORGET TO PULL IN FOR OFF THE WALL 2 A visual arts performance exhibition featuring The Sketchbook Project Opening Monday, May 7 at 6:30pm continuing on through Saturday, May 26, 2007 COME AND ENJOY: *exciting new visual art hybrids that combine comix, graph-X, hip hop & blogging.. *a retina-searing onslaught on the neo-bourgeois sensibilities of the postcolonial mainstream… *a melting pot spiced with slam, hip hop and live comix jamming… *paintings & drawings, original comix & prints, artists’ books & micro-zines, original sketchbooks & editioned facsimiles, animated blogs, anti-brand caps & tees, graffiti workshops, comic jams & slam performances. OFF THE WALL 2 features more than 20 artists, both established and up-&-coming, including (at last count): Zapiro, Rico, Themba Siwela, Wesley van Eeden, Jason Bronkhorst, Ewok, Alastair Findlay, Ben Hodson, Tyron Love , N.D.Mazin, Jeff Rankin, Andrew Mogridge, Mogorosi Motshumi, Jeremy Nel, Mike Scott, Wild Beast, Luke Molver, Leonora van Staden, Senyol, Scott Siveright, Ross Turpin, Adelle O’Connell, Thabani Gumede, Andrew Schnetler, Alastair Laird, and Unknown Graf Writers… The show will also include a CHEAP STUFF WALL with works priced to sell at R300 or less. A POP GOES YOUR WALLET CHEAP STUFF AUCTION with a maximum wallet of R300 will also be held on the opening night. SKETCHBOOK VIEWINGS: The artists’ original sketchbooks will be displayed behind glass at the opening event. But for those who wish to browse through these original works of art, the artists will be showing their sketchbooks at the gallery during the day on Monday 7 May, before the exhibition opening. Thereafter, the sketchbooks may be viewed at the gallery on request and under supervision for the duration of the exhibition. RESPONSIBLE GRAFFITI PROJECT: Cape Town street art guru Senyol and Durban graf-X ranter Ewok will be running a “Responsible Grafitti” workshop in the gallery on Sunday, 6 May. The mural art produced on that day will be on exhibition for the duration of the show. THE SKETCHBOOK PROJECT: For a sampling of what’s been going on in the Sketchbook Project, go to http://www.sketchbookproject.blogspot.com/. Most of the work on exhibition will relate back to the sketchbook pages the participating artists have...
Represent Recommends: Who is RJ Benjamin?
In April 2005, yes that’s two years ago, we first heard about RJ Benjamin and decided to do an interview with him. Now two years later his star is finally rising as we hear his groove-filled music all over the radio. We thought it would be interesting to read the interview now: 19 April 2005 – Who is RJ Benjamin? He’s a white boy from the East side with lots of soul who looks to be our very own Justin Timberlake… He’s released his debut album WHO I AM – if you’re into soulful funk kinda stuff make sure to buy it before it slips off the shelves. Don’t forget who told you first. We caught up with the man and found out a little inside info: Where were you born and where did you mostly grow up? Born and raised in Edenvale. Where did you go to school and how far did you study? I went to school at Sandringham High. I studied contempary music for two years at Allenby and got a Diploma and then I studied Jazz for a year at Pretoria Tech What is the earliest type of music that you listened to and what was the first album that you bought? Earliest Motown Sounds, First album Bad by Michael Jackson How old are you and how long have you been in the music business? 25 going on 26, been in the industry teaching for 6years and music industry for 3 to 4 years Which musician did you hook up with first and how did you meet? DJ Cleo, while studying in Allenby Who writes your songs? Me myself and I, Who can singa song with emotion unless you’ve been there. Do you start with the lyrics or the melody first? It depends on the song, it depends on the situation and circumstances Who has been most instrumental to your success? The team working around has had real belief in me. What has been the best gig for you so far? My launch Where do you mainly record and why? No specific studio, because working with specific producers they feel comfortable with their studio, so its just moving around How come a white boy like you got so much soul??? Did you only listen to so-called “black music” growing up or were you mixing with black friends too? Early on in my life it was hard to mix with black people, later in primary school I did see that first sign of black people moving into white schools, which made it easier. Initially it was my dad who bought me up in a lot of soul...
Represent Interview: Billie Zangewa
We remember reading about Billie Zangewa when she won the Absa L’Atelier Gerard Sekoto Award Exhibition in 2004 for her gorgeous handbags. We were very envious of her prize – a return ticket to Paris and a few months in the incroyable city d’amour…but at the same time we were delighted for her. Billie has been on quite a journey since then and is now holding a solo exhibit at the Afronova gallery in Newtown from Friday 4 May 07 (opening night) to Saturday 2 June 07. Email afronova@tiscali.co.za for queries. Represent caught up with Billie: So Billie, give us the short version of your backstory if you don’t mind… from birth to now, how did you find yourself where you’re at? Born in Malawi. Grew up in Gaborone, Botswana. My dad is Malawian and mom South African (Sotho from Aliwal North). I am somewhere in between. After varsity I moved to Jhb as there are more opportunities for an artist here than in Gaborone. What inspired you to become an artist? Where did you study and how long did it take? It’s a bit like it was pre-destined because I have known it since I was 9 yrs old. I got my BFA (Bachelor of Fine Art) at Rhodes university and that was a 4 year degree. How do you define and describe yourself? I am a visual artist, daughter, sister, aunt, friend, girlfriend….I am a simple person just trying to fulfill my dreams with the support of those that care about me. Have you been lucky in life, if so, tell us how? I FEEL as if I have been lucky. Because every time I have been trying to do something the “universe” has sent me an earth angel (or several) to help me. What was the last exciting thing that happened to you? This journey in general is really exciting. Being awarded a residency in Antwerp at the Dak’art 2006 was awesome. Being on the ski slopes for the first time this past December was pretty exciting too. What do you love about Johannesburg? Jhb CBD, which is full of exciting visuals. The blinding sunlight – even in winter! The level of cuisine – we can find so many kinds (Japanese, thai, Indian etc) and its all extremely good. What would you change about Jozi if you could? The crime! It’s cramping our style. What’s your ideal city to live in and why? I am eternally in love with Paris. I spent 5 months there and did not want to leave. I love French culture and you can walk around the city pretty much anytime of...
Deconstruct the Long Weekend on Monday night
Just when we thought we had it all down we remembered Tuesday is also a holiday and thought we better give the hedonists at Represent somewhere to shake your touche through Monday night too so the looooong weekend keeps on keeping on 🙂 It’s another Deconstruction party and it’s taking place at the new Kippies (awesome venue – it’s the new version of the old Songwriters club next to Fuel not far from Carfax – great loungey environment, super acoustics and a fab glass contained smoking area.) Here’s the speel and remember to dress up! or down… or downright wacky – whatever blows your hair back – the theme is Malice in Wonderland 😉 Deconstruction: Malice in Wonderland Monday the 30th April 2007 Kippies in Newtown Featuring: The Awakening (Acoustically Deconstructed) Devil’s Cartel DJ’s: Destrukto Greg Bowes The Brothers Grimm Sisters Revolution (Alexia vs. Tamian) Infidel Also: Eat Me Drink Me surprises by MissYucki Loads of CD give-aways for best dressed Artwork on display South Africa’s Suicide Girls… and more. Check it out on...
Celebrate Freedom Day in London
Almost forgot to wish everyone HAPPY FREEDOM Day – to all those Londonians feeling homesick and needing to get down to some homegrown sounds make sure to get to DJ Mo-laudi’s INTERNATIONAL PARTY BOYS CLUB parties in celebration of SA Freedom weekend… They’re free and they’re taking place every night till Sunday so hambani! DJ MO-LAUDI presents: SOUTH AFRICAN FREEDOM WEEK(LONDON) 26 apr THUR-ZENSAI, 16 inverness st FREE 27 apr FRIDAY-CROSS KINGS,126 york way FREE 28 apr SAT-WINE BARELL STRATFORD REx FIVE POUNDS 29 apr SUNDAY-BUCKS HEAD 202 Camden high st FREE FOR MORE INFO WWW.MYSPACE.com/djmolaudi...
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