Nataniël’s Hong Kong Kiss
He has 13 albums, 11 books and has had over 50 stage productions and he wears lipstick! Something was brewing inside of me on Friday afternoon when I realized that there were a couple of hours left until my very first experience of this man; it was a kind of nervous excitement. And although I didn’t know what to expect, Nataniël’s latest stage production THE HONG KONG KISS was absolutely fabulous! With a full on band made up of glorious singers, a percussionist, keyboard player, guitarists and drummer, exquisite lighting and staging the singer/songwriter/entertainer tells his experience of traveling to Hong Kong to meet one of the world’s most famous porcelain masters and designers of ceramic bowls. What was intended as a week-long business trip, turned into an epic saga of intrigue, misunderstandings, deceit and a near death experience. The script is a mixture of English and Afrikaans and whilst he shares his bizarre experiences of Hong Kong he also tells little unrelated stories and personal beliefs. Stories about a school teacher who made him tea with salt and taught him that opening the window just a little bit on a very hot summer’s day will allow for a stronger breeze to flow through, and that his lifelong belief that when one goes outside that they should always wear protection because nothing makes one more common than bad skin! Nataniël also launched his latest album “I Wear White” and performed some of his latest songs. Over the past decade Nataniël has not only established himself as producer, director, designer, playwright and public speaker, but as South Africa’s leading exponent of the solo stage act. An outspoken and controversial figure, he continuously crosses over from the alternative circuit to the main stage, generating extensive media coverage and a massive cult following. THE HONG KONG KISS opened on Friday 9 February and performances will be from Wednesdays to Saturdays at 20h30 and Sundays at 15h00. Book at Computicket or the Emperors Palace box office. No children under 13. CD’s books and selected products from the KAALKOP range (which is gorgeous by the way) will be available at all...
Q&A: Mind Your Head
Mind Your Head is about providing a cultural space/ junction for independent thinking people; those who go against the grain of popular/ mainstream trends, not for the sake of being ‘different’ but for asserting their existence outside the mediocrity that is constantly fed to people everyday in broadcast, electronic and print media. Mind Your Head is about minding one’s head in every respect. Those are words straight from the horses’ mouth, Seed and CAP of Mind Your Head are this weeks Q&A and they shed light on what the establishment is all about… RR: When was Mind Your Head (MYH) established? MYH: As far as the conception of the idea; around January 2006, it officially opened doors on the 1st of September 2006. RR: What is in the name? MYH: The name is a consultative comment on our information- crammed 21st century culture; one can- as most are- be easily swallowed in trend- excesses and lose sight of the little things that matter. We are merely advocating the cautious consumption of everything: be it food, music, knowledge, etc- although our primary trajectory is culture. It really has to do with being aware of that which you put in your head; art, belief, politics, etc. That the main entrance is a small door way, that is only incidental, but the pun nonetheless is welcomed. RR: What is the concept of MYH? MYH: In the guise of a music lounge and cocktail bar, it’s about people genuinely interacting, sharing a good laugh, conversation to the sound of funk/ jazz/ hiphop/ ska/ dub/ soul etc… The broader picture has to do with developing a hub for artistic innovation and giving a platform to musicians, fine artists, photographers and filmmakers who have yet to display their mantle to larger audiences. They may not necessarily be up-and-coming but thrive on the margins. RR: Who are the people behind the concept? MYH: The ‘MYH team’ is a mesh of artists and professionals essentially on a course of pop-culture transcendence. N Masondo; founder/ filmmaker, N Mngadi; founder/ photographer, M Buthelezi; graphic designer and D Koetle; PR consultant. As well as others who work and assisted in varying degrees, from putting pen to paper, picking up a paint brush or giving moral support towards the idea and the work that comes with it. No names, they know who… RR: Which are the best days for people to go through? MYH: That depends on what your preference is, our calendar includes fortnightly film screenings, dub nights, live jazz/ soul, hip-hop performances, art exhibitions, cocktail nights and other events, all of which you can check out on: www.myspace.com/transcendpopculture. Nothing’s ever the...
Netsayi Live in Jozi!
Every once in a while there comes a singer who makes you want to sit up and listen. One such singer is Netsayi. Described by the UK Observer Music Monthly as “Brave enough to stand alone and be counted”- the London based Zimbabwean singer, songwriter, Mbira player, guitarist kicks off her Southern African homecoming tour in Jozi in Feb! With her Netsayi brings her album Chimurenga Soul, billed by The Guardian as “One of the finest debut’s of 2006”. En route from Brazil via the Busara Music Festival in Zanzibar and before returning to the UK to tour throughout Europe in 2007 make sure you catch this magical music sensation in Jozi. Netsayi started playing on the UK concert circuit in 2001. Within a year she’d built a reputation as a sensitive but powerful live performer who was holding her own on some of the world’s most prestigious stages including The Royal Albert, Queen Elizabeth Halls, Barbican, the Hammersmith Apollo and WOMAD. In 2004 Netsayi set up her own record label aptly named Militant Prince. Much like her personality, Netsayi’s music defies easy labels. It is individual, articulate and unmistakably African. Her sense of vocals leans toward soulful jazz. The instruments, the rhythm and thoughtful arrangements draw from Mbira, Latin, Jazz and Rock. Her lyrics, heartfelt and unafraid, are a heady mixture of the political and the personal. Chimurenga Soul was released in the UK to critical acclaim and saw Netsayi being signed to the influential Netherlands-based label, World Connections in 2006… Now Netsayi is coming home. Netsayi is brought to you by African Synergy/Book Café an initiative working to break the cultural isolation between African countries by stimulating a network of music promoters, venues and festivals throughout Africa to provide a workable ‘tour circuit’ for African artists. Details: Thurs 15th Feb 2007 Roka, 44 Stanley Avenue, Milpark 8:00pm (With the eclectic Obita!) R50 Friday 16th Feb 2007 Horror Café, Newtown 10:00pm (Featuring UK based Rwandese DJ Eric Soul of Afrogroov) R50 Saturday 17th Feb 2007 Kippies, Newtown 9:30pm R75 Sunday 18th Feb 2007 Kippies, Newtown 7:00pm (Netsayi will be launching the first in a series of soothing Sunday evening jam sessions at the legendary Jazz venue.)...
Catch a Fire, finally in SA!
You know things have changed for the better in South Africa when you have local stars such as Bonnie Henna (formerly Mbuli) and Tumisho Masha starring alongside some of Hollywood’s hottest in the form of Academy Award© winner Tim Robbins (Mystic River, The Shawshank Redemption) and Derek Luke (Glory Road, Friday Night Lights). And you know you’re on Represent when you can read an interview between *Miss P* and the beautiful Bonnie Henna and talented Tumisho Masha on the movie Catch a Fire premiering in SA this Friday 09 February! Directed by Australian veteran Phillip Noyce, (Patriot Games and Clear and Present Danger) Catch and Fire is the powerful true story of the life of Patrick Chamusso’s hero journey to find freedom during the divided times in the early 1980’s in South Africa. The film was shot in locations where the real action happened all those years ago! Bonnie Henna plays the role of Precious, wife to Derek Luke who plays Patrick Chamusso in the movie. We chatted about the experience, the accent and the afro… RR: This is not your first movie, but this is pretty huge, how do you feel? BH: I’m really pleased with the film and my experience of working on it. I think it’s a brilliant film that has helped stretch my capacity as an actress. RR: What are your feelings on the movie as a whole? BH: I think it’s a wonderful film and beautifully told. RR: How would you describe the experience of working with veteran director Phillip Noyce? BH: Phillip Noyce is a great director with an impressive track record, I learnt so much from him, and he is also one of the kindest and compassionate people I’ve ever met. RR: Precious Chamusso’s accent is indigenous to South Africa, but it is not yours personally, was it easy to pull it off? BH: The accent was quiet challenging; the test was maintaining it throughout the film. RR: In an article about the movie you are quoted saying “I want to become one of the best actresses in the world” how do you plan to do this? BH: My perspective has changed since then, I am more concerned about the people I will meet and work with, the things I can learn from them, traveling the world and enjoying the journey. RR: Do you think South Africa has enough opportunities for talented actors? BH: My dreams and goals are not limited to the availability of opportunities in South Africa; there is always a bigger picture. RR: How do you feel about the lead role being played by a non- South African? BH:...
Ticket Giveaway: Heavyweight Comedy Jam
Heavyweight Comedy Jam Returns, Fitter and Funnier Than Ever Before! This February sees the return of South Africa’s hottest comedy event when the Heavyweight Comedy Jam takes to the Centre Court stage at Emperors Palace, Johannesburg. We are giving away two double tickets, so you and your partner can laugh your butts off and tell us all about it… Fast earning a reputation as the only place to have your funny bone tickled by the best in the business, 94.7 and Emperors Palace will host the first 2007 Heavyweight Comedy Jam on Friday February 9th at 20h00 – and the line-up is guaranteed to send comedy fans into a spin (that is once they’ve recovered from Laila Ali’s super middleweight fight against Gwendolyn O’Neil which takes place just days before!) Heading the side-splitting list of comedic heavyweights is Canada’s Tom Stade who, legend has it, broke out of the deep and dark backwoods to become a star in his home country on the back of such shows as ‘Stade and Confused’. It’s not the first-time that Stade has had South Africans guffawing in the aisles – Johannesburg is among the many international cities that he has played part of an impressive list that includes New York, London and Amsterdam. Known for his offbeat take on a wide range of subject matter, this versatile and compelling comedian has completed a sell-out show at the Adelaide Comedy Festival, and has appeared in a slate of UK comedy shows, including Channel 5’s ‘The Comedy Store’ and BBC TV’s ‘The Live Floor Show’. The list of homegrown heavyweights is just as impressive- with leading comedian, John Vlismas appearing in the Heavyweight Comedy Jam for the first time. Vlismas needs no introduction to comedy fans – over the years his skewered observations and on-point presentation, as well as his commitment to breaking comedic barriers, has earned him a strong following. Darren Simpson will join the event, having recently played a sold-out six-thousand plus show. The now notorious “Whackhead Simpson” wreaks even more havoc on stage than he does as a regular part of the Rude Awakening Breakfast Show with Jeremy Mansfield on 94.7 Also on the bill is the man who is fast gaining a reputation as one of the country’s funniest – Chris Forrest. Dubbed South Africa’s answer to Steve Wright, Chris’ witty and cynical one-line humour is thought provoking and to the point. Totally nerdish and unflappable, his Drew Carey-looks and slowed-up delivery have ensured that audiences take to him enthusiastically and he is racking up a brace of local and international appearances. Martin Jonas’s brand of comedy (which includes some fantastic impressions)...
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