Off the Shelf on the Rooftop of Jozi
The crew from Coal Stove films will be having another filmfilled night in the city of Jozi at the mind-blowing Intermission space at the Private Practice venue in Bree street on the last Sunday in September. Four local SA short films will be shown – the film makers will all be on hand for questions afterwards. Get amongst! Map and more info below: SUNDAY, 28th SEPTEMBER. 6.00 PM for 6.30 PM AT PRIVATE PRACTICE NO. 195 JEPPE STREET (ENTRANCE ON BREE…See map below for directions) Featuring: “DE LA REY “, a documentary by Panayota Athanasiou on the controversial popular Afrikaans song of the same name. “UBOMI”. A community’s struggle against crime and child abduction leads them to startling self-realization. By Themba Oliphant. “DAY 7596” by Xolelwa Nhlobatsi and Carl S. Nkosi. Three best friends in their twenties are startled out of the humdrum of Coaltheir ordinary lives when one of them is tragically murdered. “ACE OF HEARTS ” by Andrew Macdonald. When a serial killer turns on the cop who is out to get him, a gripping cat and mouse chase ensues. FOLLOWED BY A Q&A WITH THE FILMMAKERS IN ATTENDANCE. ENTRY R20 For more information: Call: 011 836 8911 Email Visit Coalstove. Click below for the...
Support South African Crafters in Newtown
We always feel *happy* after a Saturday in the sun in Newtown, downtown Joburg city, with all the wonderful eating spots available, the theatre, the shops, the vibe is well worth a visit: A great way to celebrate Spring and the city is to head down to The Zasekhaya Market, which takes place on Mary Fitzgerald Square, Newtown on Saturday 27 September from 10am. The market sets itself apart as the crafters and artists that sell at the Zasekhaya Market offer trendy and cutting edge products that range from jewellery, shoes, bags, felt animals, mirrors, accessories, clothing and visual arts. The crafters are some of the top artists in the countries and often their products are exclusive and one offs. It’s a great outing for a Saturday, safe and secure parking is available on the square and there are many restaurants nearby to provide...
Represent Review: Road to V Launch party
Short, and oh so sweet, that’s the tone that was set at the launch party for the first ever Road to V festival thats taking place in December in South Africa. We’re hoping the heat may still be turned up artist-wise, ‘coz ever since Snoop stood us up at his Joburg concert, we’ve been sulking. He’s cool, but he’s come and gone and we think there’s fresher, edgier artists than Snoop and Maroon 5 for a brand like V. Anyway, let’s see what happens, we’re sure the party will rock either way, as every summer party does. They’re looking for South African bands for the mix – our team Reuben ‘The Matrix’ Malema tells us what you need to do to enter below, as well as what went down at the launch, and photographer Nkateko Siweya shares a photostory of the party with us here : Wednesday night, Melville – Johannesburg. The Brits are here in full force! Well, that’s my view of Sir Richard Branson’s Empire: The Virgin Group. In this case a division of it which resides in leafy Sandton called: Virgin Mobile. This year the Virgin conquest has its eyes firmly set on ZA. A kick-butt and cash flush team made up of Sony Ericsson, Edgars Music Series, MTV and of course, Virgin Mobile will be granting a selected few South African bands (music groups) a chance to share a huge blingin’ stage with Snoop Dogg at the (already UK and USA staged as V Festival) Road to V World Music Concert in Johannesburg on 15th December 2008. The Catch The prospective band/s must upload an MP3 of their well made track on the Virgin mobile website for the scrutiny of the good people at Virgin. Yes, it’s that easy and yes it’s that difficult too, because chances are you may be amongst the selected few and chances are you might not make it at all – but then again if you do not try you may never know, right? So, go right ahead and be a good sport! Take the chance! And what a chance… The biggest prize of all is a guaranteed opportunity to perform at a sequel of the event with some of the world’s greatest musicians in the United Kingdom and the United States of America in 2009. This thrilling opportunity for South African bands to crack the extremely competitive international market was announced by Nicholas Maweni – Head of Corporate Affairs at Virgin Mobile South Africa on the night. A lot of nice to know stuff was also shared, we were blessed with good music from Jozi, KoldProduk, Cassette, Zebra &...
Drum down on Heritage Day
What an opportunity Representers, make sure to catch the Once Off performance at the JAG of master drummer Samson Mudzunga this Heritage Day: Legendary drum-maker Samson Mudzunga will be presenting his latest performance: Fish Drum from Lake Fundudzi. The two-hour performance will incorporate the domba, malende and tshikona dances. During the performance Mudzunga will also re-enact his arrest after an altercation with Venda chiefs. The drum that Mudzunga will be using for this performance is large enough for him to fit inside. The drum was made from wood drawn from the spiritually charged waters of Lake Fundudzi in Limpopo. Samson Mudzunga is a self taught artist who was born near Lake Fundudzi in 1938. He has been exhibiting his work since 1988. Much of his works are based on over-sized drums which he uses during his performances. These drums are also adaptations of traditional drums used during various Venda ceremonies such as initiation rituals. By transforming these drums both in form and conceptually to new and often non-sacral uses, Mudzunga straddles the divide between traditional art and contemporary art. For instance one of Mudzunga performances involves him being buried in one of the drums only to...
Represent Review: Joy of Jazz 08
This years line up was so juicy, we just had to get amongst one of Joburg’s (and soon to be the world’s…) premier jazz music festivals, the Standard Bank Joy of Jazz. Reuben ‘The Matrix’ Malema does the honours below, Nkateko Siweya tells our photostory here… 31 August 2008. The Foothills of Moretele Park – Mamelodi – Pretoria (City of Tshwane), the setting of this year’s SA Music Heroes Concert. For us (true jazz followers) it was an assortment of choice on a silver platter. As the impressive line-up of stars was flaunted, I found myself in a very bitter-sweet predicament. Looking up at the aging league of our household favourites, I gazed upwards (in peasant style) as the old guard performed, with my glazed cheeks and my broad smile; but I was saddened, as I wondered to myself what the future of South African jazz holds. Our legends are aging very quickly, from Bro Hugh Masekela to Mama Letta Mbuli, the torch is surely changing hands… but to whom? And yet, I cling on… The Event Mr. Wilson Mankuku Nkosi mashed us up with his mature trumpet sounds, following suite was Mrs. Nothembeni Mkwebana who immediately sent us on a systematic repertoire of jump action moves as we unanimously responded to her rock ‘n roll aligned musical chords. Her guitar skills drove me insane! Jimmy Dludlu with his maestro guitarist skills quelled us under his charming spell as we hummed the tunes to his famous tunes. I am such a down-beat fan! At 18:00, my favourite jazz artist, Mr. Jonas Gwangwa ascended the platform. His well known originals: Batsomi and Kgomo, had the multitudes passionately singing along: “Nna di sa fele Nka di busa, di sa fele Nka di busetsa morago…” I love this song!!! August being the end of Women’s month, it was fitting that Mzansi’s famous jazz couple (who were coincidentally celebrating their 40th Anniversary) be crowned the flagship performers of the evening. Ladies and Gentlemen: Mr. Caiphus Semenya and Ms Letta Mbuli. They are such an inspiration to me and many of their avid fans. The evening was sealed off with a colourful display of majestic fireworks. What a smoky way to enter a new season! I so wished the blossom season can be ushered in by a renewed affirmation to the nurturing, growth and sustainability of the genre by young and talented Jazz artists with a fresh new sound and long term commitment. We need to revive and preserve our country’s jazz heritage. Before it is too late. Reuben-The Matrix-...
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