SA doccie on show in the Big Apple
Editorista remembers seeing Zim Ngqawana playing jazz in the Netherlands at a festival, it was a moment of such pride tempered with intense home sickness for home sweet Africa as Zim’s music washed over the room, captivating the audience. Any African’s or anyone interested in African Jazz and our stories in general in and around New York City, catch Zim live as he sets the tone for the SA jazz doccie entitled “Unyazi of the Bushveld” that’s showing at the “Columbia Harlem Festival of Global Jazz Documentary Film” festival: African Noise Foundation is proud to announce the selection of a South African documentary production for screening in the prestigious Columbia University Columbia Harlem Festival of Global Jazz Documentary Film. The 29 september screening will be preceded by a concert of the Zim Ngqawana Quartet on 28 september. “Unyazi of the Bushveld” (2007). Aryan Kaganof, director (South Africa). 45 min. The Zulu word “unyazi” can be translated into English as “lightning,” an apposite double image of rupture and new beginnings for UNYAZI 2005, Africa’s first festival of electronic music, the brainchild of new music composer Dimitri Voudouris. Aryan Kaganof’s documentary on this singular historical event is suitably non-linear in structure, as it explores the complex relationship, both assumed and actual, among technology, the African and Afrodiasporic worlds, and the multiculturalism that mediates them. We are presented with a vision freed from the romantically anti-technological stances of the early Nègritude movement (and that of 1960s American black cultural nationalisms), and the concomitant assumptions that nothing of a technological nature can emerge from a black-ruled world. But we are never far from South Africa’s recent history. Until this festival, jazz drummer Louis Moholo, exiled since the early 1960s, had never been on the campus of Johannesburg’s University of the Witwatersrand–or rather, as he commented drily, “We came, but they chased us off with dogs. That was...
Afronism in Newtown
Nothing like a good birthday bash, reminiscing on the years gone by and the way you and your life has changed. Particularly if you are a small creative business that has managed to stay open and rocking for more than a few months in this big dog eats small dog goldrush in Jozi. Congrats to one of our favourite galleries, Afronova, they’re celebrating their second birthday with a retrospective exhibition. Happyyyyyy! So soak up the awesome “Spring in the city” in Newtown @ Afronova: AFRONISM Friday 14 September from 18:00 to 20:00 Followed by the Artists Dinner at Gramadoelas Restaurant Afronism is an exhibition of original works by Gera Mawi Mazgabu, Samson Mnisi, Sandile Zulu , Gonçalo Mabunda, Helen Joseph, Wayne Barker, Birame Ndiaye, Karl Gietl , Bill Ainslie, Nontsikelelo Veleko, Strangelove, Joël Mpah Dooh, Léon Radegonde, Mario Benjamin , Malick Sidibé, Billie Zangewa and Petros Ghebrehiwot. Exhibition runs until Saturday 13 October With the kind support of the French Institute of South Africa ARTIST DINNER @ GRAMADOELAS R100 at the door This is a convivial and adventurous platform to enjoy the gastronomy and the company of artists. The legendary Gramadoelas Restaurant is famous for its Cape Malay and African delights as well as its generous wine sharing. RSVP: afronova@tiscali.co.za Gallery Hours Tuesday to Friday: 13:00 to 19:00 Saturday: 13:00 to 17:00 Contact e: afronova@tiscali.co.za w: http://www.afronova.com/ c: +27 (0) 83 726 59 06 The gallery is just across the Market Theatre entrance Safe parking corner Miriam Makeba and Gwigwi Mrwebi...
For those seeking a touch of classic
If you’re needing a bit of refinement to smarten up your evenings, do catch SA flautist (someone who plays the flute! very well in this case) Walter Kellerman who is releasing his debut CD entitled Colours next week. He’ll be joined by numerous other performers including our friend, dancer and choreographer David Matamela. 5-8 Sept at UJ. South Africa’s premier flautist Kellerman (aka Wouter Kellerman) has finally released his long-awaited debut album Colour, and will be celebrating the event through an exclusive four-date performance run in the month of September. The shows, which celebrate our diversity of colour, culture and music, are scheduled for the 5th, 6th, 7th and 8th September and will be held at the University Of Johannesburg Art Centre. Kellerman is a multi-award winning flautist and was the principle flautist of the National Youth Orchestra and appeared as soloist with the Johannesburg Symphony Orchestra before branching out into more contemporary avenues. Colour showcases his flexibility as a musician and is a fantastic world music offering, taking an unconventional instrument into unconventional genres and making it feel right at home. Colour is produced by legendary guitarist and producer Mauritz Lotz and includes some of the countries great voices adding their vocal contribution, including Nianell, Veronique, (a finalist in the Idols talent show) and Jolette Odendaal. The real scoop for Kellerman though is that Colour has been mixed by one of the world’s top engineers in Los Angeles – Husky Hoskulds. Husky is a double Grammy winner for his contribution to albums by Norah Jones and Sheryl Crow. He has also worked alongside other musical legends such as Elvis Costello, Tracy Chapman and Tom Waits. Mixing the album equates to Husky putting his stamp of approval on Colour and is a true testament to the quality and calibre of music being produced by Kellerman. Kellerman’s bridge across the genres into a more contemporary music world has been well received, and he has worked with musicians such as Nianell, Mauritz Lotz, JB Arthur and Chris Chameleon. His reach has spread from his classical roots, seeing him mixing genres effortlessly. The launch shows feature a selection of top brass musicians including Michael George on Spanish Guitar, Phresh Makhene on percussion and vocals, David Matamela (co-choreographer on African Footprint), Salome Sechele (ex SA Latin American dancing champion and ‘Strictly Come Dancing’ judge), as well as many others. It’s a lively celebration of music and the diversity of our people and cultures. Tickets are available at Computicket! Book now to avoid...
Calling all Jozi Creative Minds
Looking for a place to expand your mind, network with like-minded people and generally get creatively deep? Don’t miss Addictlab coming fresh to Jozi central’s streets from the land of beer and Brusells, Belgium. It’s the beginning of exciting times to come and what will hopefully be a long and fruitful collaboration 😉 , so please join the crew at one of our favourite venues, the top floor of the Lister Building (if you haven’t been yet, come on!). Sept 6. 6pm for the opening, more info on the exhibition below: Open LAB 1.0 JOBURG/SOUTH AFRICA @PRIVATE PRACTICE Addictlab.com is an international creative lab©, attracting great talent from different fields (design, fashion, art, photography, etc.), creating platforms for the creative scene and inspiration for the industry. Come discover our magazines & lab activities, participate in current research, get published in the AD!DICT books or tap into addictlab with your business. BECOME A LABBIE. Want to be part of our lab, and published in the next Ad!dict book? Apply now, become a Labbie. Register (free!) and upload your work. SEPT 6 WILL BRING YOU: Local talent, global labresearch, lots of inspiration and invitations to participate. Active research today: • The Eco issue • The Nano Research • The South African brand issue. Check http://www.addictlab.com/ for all research areas. DATES: Opening : Thursday September 6th – 18h Sound: Canned Applause Expo: Friday September 7th – Sunday September 16 / on appointment or check dates on the website. FREE ENTRANCE Bring work and friends – Please confirm your presence rsvp info@addictlab.com ADDRESS PRIVATE PRACTICE 195 JEPPE STREET LISTER MEDICAL BUILDING 18th FLOOR JOHANNESBURG SA Safe parking via entrance BREE street. map check http://www.intermission.co.za/ ——————————————————- EXTRA: INNOVATION WORKSHOP Extra: a workshop for people from industry and organisations – How can you tap into addictlab? Get to know the innovation packages, such as Creative X-Rays, Inspiration showers etc TUESDAY SEPT 11 / 11AM / Apply first. Mail info@addictlab.com ...
Represent Recommends: Classique 5
The first of September is certainly jampacked with parties as Joburgers venture out from their hibernation to celebrate good times, choose carefully and don’t forget if you want a great party, Classique is the place! It’s the 5th installment and it’s looking hot as always, moving to a new level with celeb guests nogal! Cape Townians Unite! Click on flyer for more. CLASSIQUE 5 ! 01 September 2007 ROKA Lounge, 44 Stanley Road, Millpark We’re back!! With all the monotony going on, we thought we’d bring you guys something different this time around. Classique CA Productions brings you a night to remember! JOE BARBER will be in the house! That’s right… Cape Town ‘s very own Boeta Gamat and Boeta Joe are coming to Classique 5 to keep you entertained! We’re starting this evening off earlier than usual… doors open at 7.30pm. Get there early if you want to catch a good seat in the Barbershop. R60 gets you in. We have DJ Roger the Dodger all the way from the Mother City bringing you the best tunes to dance the night away Cape Town style, along with our very own Classique Crew DJ’s, Peter Joseph with jazz and Shaun Harry with everything else. Its a fact that Classique is not one damn thing over and over… It is one damn good thing after another For more info: mail...
Represent Review: Hurry up and catch Rent!
Seems like RENT at the recently refurbished Alexandra Theatre in Braamies has been extended an extra month – till the end of October – lucky Jozi peeps – make sure NOT to miss out on a fabulous show and if you’re in CT – get booking. John caught the show: Wow! I felt like a pirate finding buried treasure ! The Alexandra theatre was recently renovated and re-opened and what a gem. The place is beautiful, situated in Braamfontein, and reminded me of the golden days of theatre in Johannesburg. It has a different feel than the Market and a fabulously big theatre and new bar. Enough about the venue ! RENT was fabulous ! The cast is young and full of energy. It had some familiar faces like Ilse Klink (Isidingo – who knew she could sing this well??) and Aubrey Poo (Muvhango). The pace is fast and energetic and the vocals are strong and solid. The story revolves around a group of friends living in a rundown building in New York during the eighties. One of their friends inherits a lot of dough and wants to turn the building into a cyber studio (what ever that is…) and wants to throw them out – they cannot pay their rent (hence the name). The tenants owe rent for the previous year and struggle to eat – the place is cold and damp – everyone is trying to make it in entertainment, tv, music and the like. The piece had two sections making it quite a long play – almost three hours – but it is well worth it. The songs ranged from deep and touching to beautifully crafted vocals, to outright fun and games. The story is more complicated than the usual political piece or pantomime – but left us sad at times – I even developed a bit of a flu nose at one point – and laughed out loud at other times. This production is big – the set is beautiful and sports a corner where a five piece band sits producing all the music “live” for the show. What a band ! The sound was brilliant allowing the musician’s talents to shine. Music director Bryan Schimmel impressed with some stunning music from which looked like a young band. The dance sequences were good as well with some filling the complete stage with cast members. The cast is big – the main characters make up about half and the rest are street people. The whole thing is done in “American” which turned out much better than I expected. This is quality stuff. Everyone will find something here. I wish we had...