Represent Revisits: Studio 83
Some of you will remember an interview with “The Cut” contestant Gorgeous George in January – my how time flies. With the phenomenal proliferation of blogging, online mags and offline mags, we caught up with him to discuss where his magazine journey has taken him and to check out his June 16 special edition. We fill you in on the “Creative Editor” – thanks to AmorAmor for the interview. PS: Click on the flyer to see Represent’s latest ad featured first in S83. Comments? Click here to fly to Studio83. 1. The magazine has been running for a few months now. Has your readership increased and how do you measure it? Well it’s not really about the readership _ it’s about doing what you really want and others appreciating it. The last couple of months of the magazine have been about growth not numbers. After this one we can start talking about numbers. 2. How do you source your contributors? Before you go to bed with S83 Magazine, you have to love it first (no sexual connotations intended). This means that before you can write for S83, you have to love the magazine first. Most contributors are in love with S83, so that makes a lot easier for them to write for the magazine. Most approach S83 to see if they can write for the magazine and they mostly do. Sometimes S83 bumps into creative lifestyle igniters then the usual happens – they hook up. 3. Your graphic and photographic contributors are amazing. Have you considered running a design competition to source new designers? Well S83 is looking for sponsors for that idea. S83 is a magazine where you will find your black diamond talent and it will be great to reward the designers and photographers. That is still work in progress. 4. I showed your mag to a cousin from Cape Town who was very impressed. Being an aspiring young entrepreneur himself, his first question was, “how do you make your money?” Has the magazine become an income stream for you? I’m sure it’s not your only source of income. Care to share your secrets? It’s not a secret really. The 1st six months was all about growth. Now that S83 has grow(n) the next step is to take it to the next level. S83 does not generate income yet. It will be very soon. No, S83 is not the Creative Editor’s Source of income. 5. Are you happy with the way the magazine is evolving? Yes. 6. In terms of exposure, do you think you are reaching your target audience? S83 target audience is not everybody. So yes, we...
Represent is watching: Jason Mraz
Have you heard of this dude? We’re guessing probably not yet, but if you’re lucky enough to be watching Ugly Betty then you may have heard his voice on the song “If Beauty is Ugly”. He’s got a soulful acoustic guitar thing going…bit of a George Michael *Ed screams hysterically* touch… If you’re into John Mayer, Sons of Trout, Maroon 5 or Dave Matthews (homeboy!) you will more than likely dig his acoustic soul and smooth lyrics. So all we’re saying for now is watch this crooner. Remember who told you first 🙂 Enjoy the Jason Mraz live latino style track below – a few bum notes and guitar slips but he seems to rock the party nonetheless! [youtube]-_qBfbJBd_4[/youtube] His Bio tells us: Rocking socks in Flip-flops signifies that it must the chilly season in southern California. “This is a delight,” Jason Mraz, a Virginia Born transplant says of the sudden drop in temperature to a mere 57 degrees. “By golly I bet it could snow,” He jests. “I’m still new to Palm trees as a stand-in for the Spruce.” 7 Holiday seasons, 6 albums and 3 websites later, Atlantic Recording Artist Jason Mraz is planting his troubadour roots firmly into the sands and soils of the San Diego music scene. Currently working on his third studio album at home, Mraz makes time for surfing, landscaping, & meticulous recycling when he’s not writing or playing the role of photo-docu-manitarian. “That’s a word I made up to make taking Polaroids sound more profound. Anything creative, like gardening, cooking, taking snapshots, or even sports… is juggling a sport? Anyway, it’s what I like to refer to as ‘fillin’ up the well.’ If what you’re putting into your body and mind is good stuff, then good stuff is what you’re most likely going to give out.” Mraz, who visited 16 countries in 2006, is putting together his first book of Polaroid Pictures based on his travels. “What I love about instant photography is that it captures the moment. Digital Photography can sometimes take you out of sync with the real moment always unfolding before you. Digital gives you the option of erasing the moment and trying to produce a better one. I’d rather sit and wait until the light is right before I snap an image. If anything, I get to sit with my subject and truly savor the moment.” Mraz’s message is clear. Live in the moment. Be present. “And say thank you for everything.” He adds. “…and Thank YOU for adding that.”...
Representah! Opera Extravaganza
If you have not yet been blessed with the sugared words of our citizen journalist, the one and only Reuben-the Matrix-Malema, read on. We hope you’ll be encouraged to join his growing Represent fanclub. To all those Opera goers who were lucky to catch the Opera Extrvaganza, share your thoughts with The Matrix please. Sharpile Reubs! “People’s reactions to opera the first time they see it is very dramatic: They either love it or they hate it, if they love it, they’ll always love it. If they don’t – they might learn to appreciate it, but it’ll never be part of their soul”. These famous words have been immortalized by the screenplay persona of Edward (Richard Gere) in Hollywood`s timeless romantic flick: Pretty Woman (my all time favorite movie – for real!). Now, more than ever before, I tend to fully agree with the above statement and not because I’m leaning towards my personal opinions about live opera, but simply put: judge not that which thou hath no knowledge of. On Thursday night Jozi`s patrons of the arts (live and static) came out in their droves, all well groomed and prinked in splendour, glittering and absolutely glamorous in support of this year’s capacity filled gala evening of Opera Africa`s Opera Extravaganza at the Johannesburg Civic Theater – Braamfontein. The performances were a well orchestrated mixture of professional artists such as Johan Botha and mainly young black and talented stars in the making, with an epic theatrical setting only befitting a royal ball; all was set for a musical journey for the ages. Admittedly as an opera novice – I did not quite understand the whole idea of juxtaposing the Orchestra slap bang! in the front of the performance crew’s stage area, but boy oh boy – what a huge impact that had on the audience’s reaction. Curtains were raised to a synchronized clapping of hands for the opening performance which I interpreted as an uprising of disgruntled subjects against their fat cat ruling nobles. Funny enough the revolt was led by a regiment of Knight Templars (whom history portrays as sworn protectors and guardians of the royal lineage). The Nobles finally get incarcerated with the lower class braking into a state of uncontrolled jubilation when…Enter the super star Turner trombone: Johan Botha, respected noble man in the Royal courtyard – ordering the immediate release of the Nobility prisoners and returning things to a state of unacceptable “normalcy”. This act accompanied by the powerful music stirred up people`s emotions and more so that of my confidant: Ms Janica N. Nhlapo who started jerking a tear or two (how I kicked myself for the lack of...
Represent Photo’s: Snow in Jozi
SEND US YOUR PICS!! I know we had to snuggle just a little tighter last night *yummy* and we even had the heater on full blast as a creepy whining wind swept around our walls… but we had no idea that our city was being covered in flakes! Till we got an early morning sms (Sharpile!) and were delighted to see the snow all around us. See our Flickr pics here and feel free to send any pics to editor@represent.co.za (BELOW 500kb please) if you’d like us to add them to our set. Enjoy. Photo’s...
Represent Review: Tshwane Comedy Festival
Kom nou mense – why was the Afrikaans night so poorly attended? Sies! Let’s make it up this week by supporting the last few days of the thoroughly enjoyable Tshwane comedy festival at the State Theatre. “Dankie” to all involved, our writers have had a great lag and are looking pretty toned for it. In our last installation, AmorAmor covers last weeks “Afrikaans night”: 27 June at 20.00 – Afrikaans Night Host: Joey Rasdien Featuring: Nicky van Niekerk – Denzel – Pierre Breytenbach – Melt Sieberhagen 28 June at 20.00 – Black Comedy Night Host: Trevor Noah (pic) Featuring: Kedibone Muluadzi – Loyiso Gola (pic) – Dave Kibuuka – Kagiso Lediga (pic) 29 June at 20.00 – Hardcore Comedy Night Host: Mel Miller Featuring: Kyle Thorpe – Trevor Gumbi – Nqoba Ngcobo – Malcolm Ferreira 30 June at 20.00 – Comedy Showcase Night Host: Tshepo Mogale Featuring: Mike – Magic Man – Roni Modimola – Mel Miller Tickets: R70 throughout The Pretoria/Tshwane Comedy Festival should be something of a landmark on our cultural calendar but, having spoken to few people, it seems to have gone by almost unnoticed. At least that would account for the poor turn out at Saturday night’s Afrikaans night. Have to tell you people, it was a shame you missed it. Now I am not an Afrikaans fanatic but I do believe that it is a lyrical and beautiful language and a proud part of our South African heritage that should be preserved. The beauty and emotion of Afrikaans is best appreciated in its poetry but just as emotive is its application in swearing. Yep, swearing. There are just some things that are so much better in Afrikaans. And, yes, the boys put the full lyrical power to good use. To quote our engaging host, Hannes Brummer, “Daar gaan waarskynlik vanaand gebruik gemaak word van ‘n bietjie kras taal, so as dit julle pla, Fokof maar nou.” God bless Afrikaans. The line-up included Nicky van Niekerk, a ‘ware boer-seun’, with his assortment of ‘my scary wife’ and oom Piet stories, Denzel Edgar, our colored homeboy with his astute observations of colored culture, the unlisted but immensely charming and funny Pierre Breytenbach and Melt Sieberhagen, who I would definitely recommend you invite over for a beer if you need cheering up. The boys had their work cut out for them as the small audience seemed a little shy to laugh too loud (myself and my companion obviously excluded from this) but they were consummate professionals and immensely entertaining, which is after all the whole point of such an event. I must admit I am a bit biased as...
Represent Review: Carnival Symphonic Pops
We’re usually a bit skeptical about any mass produced show that ends in …”pops” but one of our citizen journo’s John was eager to give the Carnival Symphonic Pops a spin … turns out the cast was filled with heavy weights and we missed out. Then again, if PJ’s in it it’s gotta rock 😉 Sharpile to John for the review: The new Carnival Symphonic Pops at Carnival City was a true spectacle featuring the wonderful Johannesburg Philharmonic Orchestra and some of SA’s best singing and musical talents. We were warmly greeted by Clint Cunningham, energetic and fun – doing a medley of Creedence Clearwater Revival. Despite an arm injury, the man delivered a solid performance. The music ranged from Viennese medley’s by Rina Hugo to George Benson and Loyiso Bala getting the crowd clapping. Mauritz Lotz – the brilliant guitar player – stunned the audience by playing Nessun Dorma (Ed: an Aria from a Puccini opera) on his guitar and demonstrated how the electric guitar should be played – truly amazing. The show also featured some young talent – Werner van Coller and Ansuje. One of the true highlights of the show was the performance of Sibongile Mngoma. She had the crowd stunned while singing “When you believe” with Rina Hugo and then doing an operatic piece “La Wally”. Wow, what an amazingly clear voice. Andre Schwartz sang the ever popular “Music of the night” from Phantom of the Opera – at this point half the audience was either crying or shaking their heads in amazement – Andre delivered an amazing performance – I can see why he was selected to perform the roll of Phantom at the State Theatre. PJ Powers did a very energetic and mad performance – those that know her style can tell you that she delivers fun and energy. Coenie de Villiers did a medley of his own songs – good as usual – as can be expected from such a seasoned performer. Overall the show was excellent – good sound quality – brilliant band – and with highlights like Sibongile Mngoma and Andre Schwartz’s rendition of Barcelona making the hair on your back stand up – all makes for a good evening of...
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