Regardez les photos de Johannesburg!
ALLEZ-Y! See this amazing photo-story of Johannesburg city from photographer Richard Dobson for French magazine GEO right here. Entitled “The New Barons of Johannesburg” the photographer captures the inner-city dwellers from the roughest of the rough buildings with the poorest of the poor squatters through to the most blinging penthouse apartments of the Bridge Precinct with landlords relaxing in their free-standing bath. Makes you think… doesn’t it. Check out the RED ANTS in action – it’s not just a figment of the inner city imagination: Hope you can read French ‘coz the explanations are all in Francais but the photo’s tell it pretty much like it is anyway. Richard Dobson apparently works for GEO but spent some of his life in South Africa. We found out a bit about him through the publishing company Struik’s website: Richard Dobson Richard Dobson was born in Yorkshire in 1963 and educated in South Africa between 1975 and 1983. His passion for photography began in London in 1984, when a wander through the autumn forest of Hampstead Heath with a roll of fujichrome in his camera produced crisp, saturated slides that got him hooked. Four years assisting London advertising photographers provided the experience needed to step out into the world of professional photography. He now divides his time between Cape Town and Paris, shooting advertising and editorial photography. Clients include German and French GEO, Conde Nast Traveler, The New York Times, Vietnam Airlines, Nokia and Jeep. Enjoy! Merci a Boubou for the...
Fashion Week: PORT in association with Caprice
Titled “The New Olympians” Craig Port’s collection was yet another display of pretty practicality! The Port/ Caprice collaboration made things very interesting for everyone in the crowd. Just as we were checking out some really snuggly men’s jackets (these are going to be perfect for winter!) a slinky model would walk down the glass/ mirror stage in the sexiest underwear under the sun. Catch pics of Craig and Caprice’s range here. The definition of The New Olympians range? Well he says: ‘The precariously nestled snow- fields high up on mountainous slopes that cut through the weather and the grid of civilization’ (Hmmm, I guess that means, wear my clothes and be warm and snuggly this winter) These images are supplied by Audi Joburg Fashion Week, click here to go to the...
Review: Greenside: Mama Themba’s v Vide e Caffe
Greenside is a fabulous Johannesburg suburb, there’s something so chilled, green and alluring about it but at the same time it keeps a low profile of sorts. Lets face it, as far as our pavement suburbs go, it lacks the grunge of Melville and Norwood, it doesn’t have the same consistent finesse (minus Jollies) of Parkhurst and you don’t get the village feel of Parkview. But is does have it’s own style. Vida e Caffe, is our latest most favourite coffee shop!… And the newly opened Mama Themba’s certainly adds a grungy feel. SJ reviewed the two Greenside restaurants for you right here. (Told you Editorista would be on the prowl…) Vida e Caffe Greenside was the first shop in the Vida Joburg clan, followed by Rosebank, Sandton and the newly opened Hyde Park. Vida lives the essence of ‘less is more’ with a brilliantly simple concept inspired by the flavours and textures of Portugal- it guarantees an overall pleasant, relaxed experience. We love the quirky touches like the dudes who sing a little song when you put a tip in the box “Obregado” (Sharpile in Portuguese) and the other little ditty they chant for when ladies arrive at the counter… “Ola Magents check out the ladies…” (something like that) – very flirty! You order from the counter, there’s a simple yet satisfying menu to choose from and you get to sit at “aesthetically appealing” table and chairs (for the design-minded)… and simply relax. If you’re lucky, there may even be a jazz performance from the very talented Marcus Wyatt or Carlo Mombelli and various supporting dishy musicians. Good taste. So good they were awarded a prize by the godfather of good taste, Wallpaper* Magazine for best coffee shop design or concept. We highly recommend JAZZ at VIDA in Greenside on Sunday mornings or at the Rosebank Vida (The Zone) on Saturday mornings. Click here to see our Youtube clip on Carlo Mombelli at the Vida in Rosebank on a Sat or watch the video at the end of this post. And… secret… if you go round closing time, which iis generally round 6pm, the staff hand out the remaining delicious and decadent muffins to all clientele – Mahala! And now onto Mama Themba’s…. eish. Well first of all, we thought we’d been teleported to the 80s when we walked past the colourful shopfront and busy pavement – it’s got an old, worn look and feels like it’s been there for years. But clearly it hasn’t been there for years as it wasn’t there last year. Apparently it used to be in Linden and recently relocated to Greenside. Well anyway, our experience wasn’t particularly pleasant but maybe we’re not the clientele they are after. First off, while we decided what we were going to have, we ordered still water and they...
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)...
My Jo’burg Stay Away
When I heard that a group of guys I know actually spent the whole of the festive holiday playing Monopoly, I was really intrigued… I mean, yeah you’re home and have nothing to do, mara Molopoly? Anyway, turns out that it’s the new concrete jungle sport, these guys take their boards everywhere… Wierd, but true! Happy New Year! I sincerely hope that you’re happy to be in the New Year because ready or not you’re in it, whether you’re happy or not or you believe it or not. As for 2006 and all the memories good or bad “can we have amafluit bafwethu?” I hope that you’ve enjoyed yourselves and at least got to enjoy not going to work or to school for that matter and I hope you packed the stomach with all the food and drink that was on offer, which has become synonymous with the festive season. At least that’s what consoled the rest of us who stayed in Jo’burg on chill mode. With all the preparations that I’d made for the December holidays with my boys, my staying in Jo’burg over December was not the plan and it sort of reminded me of when I was still at school. The holidays begin and you have to look forward to staying at home. Broke, and in the dusty streets of Soweto, you knew that you were in for some major boredom, dust, alcoholics and watching chicks that spend their holidays in the front seat of some playas car. So come summer 2006, I’m older, more resourceful, more cash and single with an Audi A3 with an empty front seat (know what I mean), one kinda had the feeling that I had to live up to some playalistic expectations that have been made constitution by MTV HIP POP urban culture. After our Cape Town plans fell through due to spending R12 000 on getting the car ready, paying debts and sundries, it just became practical to spend the rest of the R3000 in Jo’burg instead of going to Cape Town to become a bergie in the name of sticking to plan A. Fair enough December started with a bang, last minute jobs that’ll pay in February, free parties, beautiful weather with afternoon rain. It’s amazing how people behave when December rolls around. It’s like we all behave like school kids who’ve finished their exams and they’re just waiting to GO. And that’s just what happened. People went. It was so evident. It’s actually scary. Jo’burg doesn’t look normal empty. Imagine driving on the M1 South from Woodmead to the CBD at 100km/h at 16H55 and getting there in ten...
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