Hair and Carpentry @ Blank
We’ve often spoken about the unusual exhibits at BLANK projects in the Bo-Kaap gallery, Cape Town. The next month features two interesting offerings, first up Gabi Ngcobo’s exhibit featuring her and others hair (!) and then Douglas Gimberg and Christian Nerf invite you to join them in dismantling traditional wooden scupltures! See below: Unwel’olude is artist and curator Gabi Ngcobo’s second solo exhibition. Unwelo’olude is a Zulu saying which translates literally as “may your hair grow longer”. The hair in the saying makes reference to life. The saying is articulated as a well-wisher to someone, usually on their birthday or when they have performed an outstanding deed. It means “long live” or “viva”. The exhibition features works made of Ngcobo’s own hair as well as hair sourced from her friends and family. With this exhibition past, present and future become intertwined. The work is riddled by contradictions that reveal a sense of hope and confusion. Closes: 3 August *************************** OPENING at blank projects: Wednesday 8 August 18h00 Douglas Gimberg and Christian Nerf present CARPENTRY 101. The artists will be attempting to dismantle traditional wooden sculptures, you are welcome to join them. “We are not perfect.” Gimberg “Sometimes bad people do good things.” Nerf A book will accompany the show with contributions from Ronald Suresh Roberts, Bettina Malcomess, Nuno Sacramento, Robert Sloon, Ed Young, Andrew Lamprecht, Bianca Baldi, Johan Kritzinger, Dan Halter, Lizza Littlewort, Gimberg and Nerf. Opens: August 8 Closes: August 31 blank projects 198 Buitengracht Street, Cape Town Tel: 072 198 9221 Email: blankprojects@gmail.com by...
Represent Recommends: Afronova Gallery
Have you been to one of the opening nights of an art exhibition at Afronova in Newtown? Picture it, the city in the evening, night market with colourful vendors selling beads, earrings, clothing and arts and crafts outside the Market theatre, patrons at Moyo’s cuddling under blankets in candlelight and a whole bunch of arty folk gathered in the quaint Afronova gallery and on the cobbled boardwalk sipping on vino. Sounds tempting? What we like about it is you can either just pop in, have a look and mingle for a few moments or you can make a meal of it and join the artist for dinner at Gramadoelas. Go and check it out. If you miss opening night, the exhibit continues for a few weeks normally – just check the opening times out below. Enjoy! Gathered Spirits a solo exhibition by PETROS GHEBREHIWOT Friday 3 August from 18:00 to 20:00 Followed by the artists dinner at Gramadoelas Restaurant In this solo exhibition, Eritrean artist Petros Ghebrehiwot reflects on the collective behavior of people. He explores the reasons that bring small or large number of individuals together as well as the capabilities, experiences, characteristics and power they hold. Every individual has a shelter where he/she practices a private life with family members or alone. Individuals also form crowds who get together for common social, cultural, religious or political reasons. The works deal with the aggregated human spirits and their deeds, through architecture, drawing, painting and assemblage. Exhibition runs until Wednesday 22 August IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWED BY THE ARTIST DINNER @ GRAMADOELAS R100 at the door This is a convivial and adventurous platform for gastronomy and networking. 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 Contacts 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 St – Newtown Po box 3205 – Parklands 2121 – Johannesburg – South...
Represent Recommends: PARTY PEOPLE
It’s definitely one of Jozi’s monthly “must do” events for those of you craving a funked up night out with a dash of live music – Party People always features a dose of hot up-and-coming talent and you know you can rely on the soulful sounds of one of our best DJ’s Khenzero for a little soul shaking – Party People is at Roka on Saturday featuring Miss BEE – sounds interesting 😉 Hallo Party People. Thank you for coming to help us celebrate the Birthday last month…Guess what? It’s that time of the month again and this time we Go BIG with Miss Bee, a part Malawian, part Zambian, Mozambiquian, Zimbabwean born and Canadian nurtured South African singer with the big eyes stands at only 5’2” but has a voice of a chanteuse much larger than herself. Teaming up with American, French, Scandinavian as well as Canadian artists and beat makers brought her into the limelight at various competitions across Canada. Miss Bee performed at beauty pageants, gospel shows, clubs, jazz lounges and opening for Young Buck and Mario; two top selling American artists. She is now back home in South Africa with 2 features on 5th Floor, a Hip Hop outfit’s sophomore album and has performed with a local Cape Town band-Chiroscuro. So come see her live along side DJ Kenzhero and guests @ Roka – Doors Open 9PM. R50 Gets you in!!! • Ladies come in for free before 9:30 pm • Party People Dinner guests get 10% off • Cocktail special – Buy one get one for free b4 10:30 Oppikoppi tickets Give away!!!!! ...
Represent Review: Niemand/Lonehill Estate
Representah John went to check out Niemand and Lonehill Estate at Carnival City – the bottom line is the same old story guys, we need to support our hard-working and superbly talented artists more – let’s get behind them and attend as many shows as we can. This is what Represent is all about so let’s Represent! Here’s Johns words, Sharpile!: I don’t know what the issue is, marketing, the fans or winter? Twice I’ve gone to see a show at Carnival City, first the Carnival Pops, and now the Niemand show – and both times the venue was almost empty. I really feel for the excellent performers on stage having to play to almost empty halls. Friday night’s show by Niemand really lived up to it’s name as almost no one pitched to see the show. That said, the show was brilliant. Niemand is one of the best acts I’ve ever seen on the local scene and were it not for the awkward seating arrangements, we would have been dancing and rocking violently. They delivered what I expected and more. The highlight of the show though, was the opening act – Lonehill Estate. Wow ! These young guys are playing at a level only seen in seasoned performers. Why they opened for Niemand is beyond me because they deserve their own show. The front man Nathan Ro has an incredible voice and it helps that he is a born performer. He presented the songs in a funny, sometimes sad and always most entertaining manner. He has the charisma of a dictator on stage yet will stun you when he and the band do an ad-libbed song, with words and themes – including musical keys – from the audience. He is a REAL “Soutie” and yet he enthralled the small crowd with his take of an Afrikaans song. The rest of the band, The President (well deserved name) and Sunshine D, is VERY capable but the base player, Gabriel Craig, stunned us. The guy is so versatile – after playing base for a few songs he switched to piano, penny whistle and the flute. Wow – what a talent! The show gets full marks – it’s entertaining – a bit loud so leave the old folks at home – and tickled our feet which left us wanting for space to dance. Come on everyone! This kind of talent deserves better support all...
Represent Review: Fall Out Boy
Fall out who? Editorista asked (she’s a jazzy hiphopping kinda girl)… *blush* ….”FALL OUT BOY” she was informed, firmly educated by many of their adoring Jozi fans. Thanks to Mike, our own private rockstar in the making, who checked out one of the hottest rock acts on the planet on behalf of all Representers on Friday night at the Dome: The two-hour traffic jam caused by the masses of cars headed for The Coca-Cola Dome and the broken down truck on Hans Strijdom all added to the anticipation for the Fall Out Boy concert on Friday. Getting into the venue was a similar story as the constant flow of people clogged a jam-packed entrance. The crowds were hyped up and ready for action while the opening bands showed their stuff. The proudly South African sounds included the likes of Love Jones, Harris Tweed and Fever Tree. The lights at long last all darken as the crowd’s electric energy, caused by the anticipation of everyone about to see their all time favourite boy band live, cuts through the air The quartet appears onstage to an enormous scream from what seemed like the whole of Johannesburg. Completely ignoring the crowd, they form a little group around the drum kit for a quick wish of good luck and possibly a traditional handshake. They break into an energetic song brand new off their new album “Infinity on a high”. The lead guitarist/singer blows us away with his great vocal skills, a true show of a talented song writer and band leader. The bass player Pete Wentz (evidently the favourite band member to the crowd as he received the biggest applause) takes first prize for performance with the drummer coming a close second. The lead singer, being as humble as he is, enjoyed playing the gig and did everything perfectly. The Bassist being a hunky guy with some earth-shattering good looks, clearly enjoys showing them off – maybe a little too much. Being the first person to speak to the crowds, his arrogant nature shines through clearly. When describing his take on South African culture he blatantly mocked the power cuts and bad taxi drivers of Jo’burg, hardly a good idea to relate to the crowd and create a good atmosphere. The majority of the crowd was so infatuated with his dashing good looks they miss the not so nice remarks about “South African culture”. Besides the wack attitude from one member in the band the performance was the best I’ve seen since The Offspring’s performance in 2004. Hopefully next time around the attitudes will be more...
Represent Review: Blackbird
Wow, sounds like we have a realtime replacement for our addiction to the 24 series. Thanks to Representah John for the review, in summary: “This one is for the hard core theatre goers – leave Granny at home!” If you have the mettle for a violent and graphic theatre show, get to Blackbird at the Market Theatre. Blackbird Market Theatre – Laager Theatre 13 July – 19 August 2007 Blackbird is a thought provoking and explosive play from acclaimed Scottish playwright David Harrower. Fifteen years ago, Ray and Una had a relationship, which devastated their lives and the lives of the people around them. Since then Ray has moved on. He has a new life, a new identity. He didn’t think he could be found. Una has thought of little else but finding him and on discovering where Ray is, sets out to find him with shattering consequences. What evolves is a compelling but uncomfortable drama that encapsulates the unresolved, misshapen, emotional mess that might accompany any suddenly interrupted relationship, legal or otherwise. REPRESENT REVIEW: We visited the Market theatre on Wednesday evening to witness a play by the acclaimed Scottish playwright David Harrower. The cast was British and I was really looking forward to seeing “Blackbird”. I didn’t know what to expect so I sat back and watched in anticipation. The stage was littered with trash and half eaten burgers. It looked like a canteen slash pigsty. People were looking through the sand blasted windows of the set creating a weird feeling every time I noticed them. The lights dimmed and the two main characters appeared. A man, late fifties, and a woman in her late twenties. Both had strong British accents. For fifteen minutes we were totally baffled. We could feel the tension on stage but were at a loss as to what was going on. The man was visibly shaken. The younger woman was constantly attacking him verbally. Then the bombshell dropped. I’m not going to spoil the plot for you, but suffice to say it was one of the most unexpected twists I’ve ever experienced on a stage. This play is definitely not for the timid or faint of heart. It is an hour and fifteen minutes of a continuous emotional rollercoaster ride. The language was graphic and some of the physical fight sequences were very disturbing – though some members of the audience had a chuckle. Maybe they are used to more violence than me… The ending is sad and tragic – but I expected as much after realizing the plot. There are no winners in this story. This is not a typical night...
We will be back!
