Canonball Press opening at David Krut tonight
Check out one of our favourite art spaces in Jozi, the visionary David Krut gallery. It’s small but packed with awesome art, books and really friendly curators. Pop in on your way home on Jan Smuts, it’ll take you 5 minutes to visit and you’ll have got your arty fill! Cannonball Press is a New York based woodblock collaborative whose gritty, underground images have made Martin Mazorra and Mike Houston the indisputable kings of scruffy-pirate black-and-white hillbilly printmaking. Cannonball Press has just returned from the Oppikoppi music festival where they participated in the visual art component and an exhibition on their work will open this Thursday, 16 August, at 18:00 at David Krut Projects. While in South Africa they also hosted a woodblock workshop with artists, including Wilma Cruise, Mary Sibande, Lawrence Lemoaona, Bruce Backhouse and Bronwen Findlay. Cannonball Press: New York to Johannesburg will include a collaborative work with the aforementioned artists, as well as an installation and works on paper and canvas. For more on the exhibition, see...
Represent Recommends: Mkonto Sessions
We’re recommending this gig not only because it’s a fresh underground event in downtown Jozi city but also because Nceba, one of the hardest working promoters and arts supporters we know, is in the team behind it. If you love HipHop get down to The Penthouse in central Jozi on Friday for a sublime night featuring one of best emcees Tumi and his Dj Papercut, it will be worth it. Mosdef. Mkonto events were formed in 2002 and the first show done was at Mega music. This event showcased artists such as Tumi and the Volume, Spykos, Goddessa for the first time to a large audience in Johannesburg. Mkonto productions also produced the South African and Swedish exchange program, which saw South African and Swedish artists tour the country (Jo’burg, Durban, Cape Town). It’s a platform for conscious artists that use the music to create awareness about heritage, celebrating what we are today, remembering our culture and highlighting the positives of our history. The sessions showcase the best local altenative music in Johannesburg by promoting both recorded and independent artists. Mkonto 24 August 2007 Tumi and Dj Papercut Two time 2007 SAMA award nominee (Music from my good eye). Tumi launched his second album with The Volume in Canada. He has just returned from a tour in France and has been invited back to Europe. LEVI pon the mic SA dub sensation, fresh from an international tour (Reunion Islands) with 340ml. RHAMNCWA Prolific spaza (vern.) MC. Currently co-hosting Cipher (SABC1, Thursdays). DJ Bionic Pioneer, legendary local hip-hop Dj who has played in Africa and has gone as far as New York City. Suprise acts be Herby Dangerous from Zimbabwe and more.. Date: 24 August 2007 Place: The Penthouse (Corner Fox and Von Brandis. next to Carlton Centre) Time: 8:30pm Admission: R50 Contact: CIA 076-249-4167 Email: meanzit@yahoo.com, brendasix@webmail.com,...
Represent Review: Who’s afraid of Virginia Woolf?
Catch Janice Honeymoon’s “Who’s afraid of Virginia Woolf?” at the Market Theatre in Newtown till the end of September, our citizen journalist John went to check it out for Represent, he gives it the thumbs up: “The piece is solid and intense delivering everything you need, laughter, suspense and shock.” Thanks John – here’s his take: I’v long sat with baited breath to see this play – those old enough will recollect the 1966 film with Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton. This was my first time to see the entire play and I was not disappointed. It’s over two hours long and esssentially features an elderly couple tearing into each other, leaving huge gaping emotional scars – it reminded me of War of the Roses. The piece is full of chuckles and funny bits caused by the elderly couple playing on each other’s emotions and performing in front of a much younger couple and using them as pawns in their mind games. At times the action became quite physical when the older woman, played by Fiona Ramsay, started screaming and choking her husband , played by Sean Taylor. The two older actors deliver stellar performances – I could still hear Fiona Ramsay squeal like a banshee in my dreams that night. Everyone had American accents and some of the subject matter was very American, making it hard to understand some of the funny bits which got totally lost on the audience at times. The younger couple, played by Nicholas Pauling and Erica Wessels gets caught in the middle of this screaming war – they deal with it quite differently than I would have imagined. Erica Wessels caused quite a bit of laughter with her girly-squeaky voice breaking some of the more tense moments in the play. By the way, the play’s title – “Who’s afraid of Virginia Woolf?” – gets mentioned in the play, but we never found out where it came from . The piece is solid and intense delivering everything you need, laughter, suspense and shock. It’s length – over 2 hours, and 2 intermissions – was the only negative element. This is definitely only for adults though. Strong acting – weird situations – and a little of all of us the recognize – go and watch it ! Tuesdays – Saturdays @ 20h00 Sundays @ 15h00 Ticket prices: Tues – R40; Wed & Thurs – R80; Fri & Sat – R130; Sun – R80...
Represent Interview: Scottnes from CoalStove
“Film makers need to do what kwaito did: mess around and wait for what feels good to you. When people like Oscar and others started kwaito they didn’t care that people called it bubble-gum, they made the music because it sounded good to them. That’s what we need to do.” Scottnes Smith Every now and then Editorista gets to meet people who simply radiate “raw talent”, drawing you to them and making you curious about the path they’re shooting along. Today we get under the skin of 23 year old Scottnes Smith, a sparkling bright flame that we met two years ago at a rather messy awards ceremony- let’s just say lots of gold tequila was quaffed to celebrate a win and Scottnes happened on the occasion and offered much support. We’re catching him on his way towards massive things, starting with his start up Coal Stove productions – make sure to check out their Off The Shelf movie nights. We give you – Scottnes! Scott, give us the short version of your backstory if you don’t mind… from birth to now, how did you find yourself where you are at?… I was born and bred in Jo’burg. I lived in Nigel for a while- way back, then moved to Eldo’s. From there my family moved to Observatory when I was about 13 where we’ve been ever since. I went to school at Sacred Heart College. Right now I’m finishing a degree in Dramatic Arts specializing in Television at Wits University. I guess that’s it. How do you define and describe your brand Coal Stove? Whats it all about? Coal Stove Pictures is based on a simple idea: South African stories need to be shared, with each other and with the world. The Coal Stove is the place where we share our stories. It gives fire, warmth and maybe cooks a little pap! We wanna help South Africans reach out to each other through all our stories. Tell us about the Off the Shelf events .. what’s the inspiration, what can your clientele expect? Off the Shelf is a place where people can come and enjoy SA films. We show short films from around the country and internationally. Most of the work is by students at film schools though not exclusively. Off the Shelf is an opportunity for filmmakers to get their work shown. There’s no point in having films gathering dust in our cupboards. People make films to be seen. We give them that chance. For people who are not necessarily filmmakers though, Off the Shelf is a place to just enjoy being at the movies but with a distinctly SA flava....
Aiybo! Phuza’d K-Ci lets the ladies down.
Sounds like Keith Sweat was the knight in shining armour that saved what could have been a disastrous Ladies Day concert thanks to the shameful drunken/drugged performance of K-Ci and JoJo, although Ginuwine did his part too to keep the concert on the up. By the way losers, we do have newspapers, tv and internet in “Aaafrica” and your poor treatment of your African fans will not go unchallenged. Thanks to Linda for representin’! As I watched K-Ci and JoJo’s performance at the Women’s Day concert on Wednesday night, I was fuming, already planning what I was going to write about the ridiculous farce of an act the Hailey brothers were putting on. I was also cursing the crime situation at concerts because out of fear of being robbed of my new sleek new phone which takes such lovely photos, I had brought my old crappy phone. I wish I’d had a fantastic camera with me to capture the moment because I don’t think anyone who wasn’t at the concert would actually believe how poor a performance K-Ci and JoJo put on, and how drunk K-Ci was. That was all before Keith Sweat came on stage though! He was the concert’s saving grace. He was professional, organised, and daymn! still oh so sexy after all these years! But let’s talk about the first two acts first. Ginuwine is cute, and he can really dance! I’ve never been a big fan, and I only really know his popular tracks that got played on the radio, like “Pony” and umm, umm, that other one. But I enjoyed his show; he was energetic, so fine, and very entertaining. His backing singers had great voices, and there were a couple of dancers with him as well, all male – a nice break from the standard fare of booty-shaking ho’s on stage. I really liked the fact that we didn’t have to wait 30 minutes between acts; the stage management was tight. Well, actually, it’s not like there were any instruments to be moved around – Ginuwine had no band, just a DJ. K-Ci and JoJo had no band, no DJ, just a boom box. I’ve noticed that American artists tend to do this when they perform here in “the motherland”. They generally give us the budget version of the shows they put on back home. They should watch some of our local acts in concert – I’ve HHP perform with an 8-piece band; and I won’t even talk about the tight choreography of the likes of KB and the late Lebo Mathosa. American artists, we know what a good concert is; we are not fooled! I’m...
Channel O Music Awards Nominees
It’s awesome that Africa is Representin’ with nominations from 12 different countries at this year’s Channel O Music Video Awards, check out the nominations below. We’ve found some of our favourites artists from the nominations on YouTube – click and watch and tell us what you think! Remember, it’s not the song we’re after, it’s the video! HHP – Thlabane to Maftown D’Banj – Why Me E.A.B.C – Kube Dama Do Bling for Danca Do Remexe Lira – Feel Good Channel O is proud to announce the nominees for the 2007 Channel O Spirit of Africa Music Video Awards. This year’s nominee list has produced 46 artists from 12 different countries. SA’s HHP leads the pack with five nominations under his belt. Hot on his heels with four nominations each are Nigeria’s D’Banj for Why Me, Mozambique’s Dama Do Bling for Danca Do Remexe and Uganda’s E.A.B.C for Kube. Now in their fourth year, the Channel O Spirit of Africa Music Video Awards are unique in that videos are voted for by viewers, giving fans complete control over who receives an award. Criteria used for short-listing were technical quality, frequency of requests for a video on the different Channel O shows and overall creativity. The videos need to have been released between June 2006 and June 2007 and should have received airplay on Channel O. Channel O General Manager Yolisa Phahle is sure that the nominations reflect the diverse and growing music industry in the continent. “We are seeing videos of increasingly high quality and this is a direct reflection of the industry’s growth”, she says. “At Channel O we look to strike a balance between promoting the up and coming big names of tomorrow alongside established artists. This year some of the newer names are also producing outstanding music and high quality videos”. Viewers and fans will be able to vote for their favourite artists by smsing or voting online. Voting starts on Monday 20 August until Thursday, 04 October. Viewers can vote in each category by logging on to http://www.channelo.co.za/ to vote, or SMS to 34622. All sms’s are charged at international call rates. The complete list of nominees is: 1. BEST MALE VIDEO Artist Song Title Country Batman Samini African Lady Ghana D’Banj Why Me Nigeria Don Kikas Miss U Angola HHP Tlhabane to Maftown SA Nameless Sinzia Kenya Tay grin Stand Up Malawi 2. BEST FEMALE VIDEO Artist Song Title Country Chomee Jiver Sexy SA Dama Do Bling Danca Do Remexe Mozambique Ida Make It Hot Kenya Lira Feel Good SA Neyma Mbilo Yanga Mozambique Weird MC Ready to Party Nigeria 3. BEST NEWCOMER VIDEO Artist Song...
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