TICKETS! Awesome RJ Benjamin @ 88
*To win a pair of tickets for Wednesday please email the editor with subject RJ, include your name, age and cell number asap!* Here’s a chance to get up close with rising star RJ Benjamin (read Represent interview here) at an intimate acoustic session at 88 in Norwood – we don’t know Natalia from CT but let’s give her a warm Jozi welcome… and Menage-a-Trois rings a bell – we’ll try send someone to cover it. And we’ll try and get some tickets while we are at it. RJ Benjamin – Natalia (Cpt) – Menage a Trois @ 88 Lounge – Wednesday 13th June An evening of acoustic RnB, Soul, Folk, Pop and just maybe a little bit of Rock is in store when RJ Benjamin takes to the stage supported by a guitarist, drummer and some surprise guest appearances, alongside Natalia the special guest folk /pop singer songwriter from Cape Town, and the beloved trio from Pretoria, Ménage a Trois. Dates: Wednesday 13th June Venue: 88 Lounge Address: 114 William Road, Norwood Entrance: R40, Members R30 Info: 076-590-0564 or MovementMedia@gmail.com Websites:; http://www.88.co.za/ – www.rock.co.za/natalia Line Up: RJ Benjamin – Natalia (Cpt) – Ménage a Trois (Pta) Write Ups RJ Benjamin He’s established himself as a regular on local radio stations, and has been hailed by some as the one of the best composer/singer/musicians this country has ever produced. His debut album, Who I Am is best described as funkadelic neo soul played by top jazz session musicians and accompanied by RJs sultry, sexy voice, the album is skilful, intelligent and highly accessible to music lovers across the board. Look out for his second album offering due for release soon, and expect some surprise vocal guests alongside a guitarist and drummer. Ménage à Trois The trio performs an exclusive blend of bass driven funk and folk rock with each of the band members contributing their own initiative to the project. The music trancends many different styles and genres, and draws from an array of musical influences, including Ani DiFranco and The Dave Matthews Band. Natalia The young singer song writer from the Mother City is currently on her second tour of Joburg, having performed the Cape Town circuit since the tender age of 15, she’s already had the honour of sharing the stage with the legendary Rodriguez on his latest SA tour....
Join the Green Drinks group in Joburg
We’re hoping there are at least a few activist tree-huggers in our readership who are concerned about the environment and willing to do something about it. (I know at least three of you 😉 personally) If you live in Joburg and would like a chance to have a good yak on eco issues and at the same time meet some like-minded peeps, get to Joburg’s first GREEN DRINKS session next Wednesday. BTW it’s free – but please note if you will be attending you need to holler at the organisers to let them know you’re coming (see below). The Mail and Guardian give you more info here. Here’s the scoop: Green drinks groups are active in 224 cities around the world, including Cape Town and Stellenbosch and now a new group is starting up in Joburg. Green drinks was started in the UK back in 1989 and calls itself an informal, organic, self-organising network where anyone environmentally minded can go along meet like-minded people and get chatting over drinks. Green Drinks Johannesburg is launching on Wed 30 May at Primi Forum in Melrose Arch and is being organised by former Big Brother housemate and eco-entrepreneur Irvan Damon. “Green drinks is a small beginning and gives a voice to those wanting to make a difference,” says Damon. The events will deal with topical, relevant issues that affect South Africans, from our current energy crisis to debates around what effect the car you drive has on climate change, says Damon. Each month there will be a mini-panel to discuss the latest trends and developments in the environmental sector, ensuring that South Africans aren’t left behind as the green cause advances globally. “Any kind of forum where environmental organisations can get together to share information and ways to help one another is very important,” says Jeunesse Park, founder and CEO of Food and Trees for Africa, “and it’s nice to attend that sort of thing in an informal setting.” Read a full press release over here More details on http://www.greendrinks.org/ or contact Irvan Damon at irvand[at]mweb.co.za or call him on 073 692 7386...
More Representer’s LURVE our city of Jozi
The words just keep on flying in….there’s More and More love for Jozi. Wow – what a response. You made our day, week, our May… We’ve been showered with shimmering, glimmering, dripping words of love today – All in response to our unimportant little call for Representer’s to remind us all just why we LOVE JOBURG. You have renewed our spirit – we really needed some love so thanks. Look forward to some of our inspiring and amazing new citizen journalists on Represent… we can’t wait. Here’s a taste – we just had to share some of the words with you. SHARPILE!. (If anyone else feels like waxing lyrically, email editor@represent.co.za or write in the comments section.): Yrhiness How can I not and I bet you your R20 Gucci shades from Smal street you do too. I’ve been to China and Nigeria and back to the 1970’s to further 2010 by just taking R6 Zola budd taxi through Jozi. I came in the city naive and after a couple of back door clothing discount offers and a few card games I haven’t ’til date received any greater wisdom. Everytime I put my index finger in the air I surrender myself to the great adventure that awaits me intertwined with the culture massive that beholds this story filled city. Why I love Jozi? Do you have forever for me, to tell my love for Jozi to you? Preya I can’t say there is anything physically appealing to me about Joburg, but it’s got a pulse and soul that I just love. It is great to see how different cultures merge into sub cultures in Joburg. In just one day I can cross paths with a real McCoy Rastafarian to a koogirl all togged up in her designer wear to the up and coming business ladies who are hanging out at poetry sessions in Jozi’s Newtown precinct. “Joburgers” give this city a dynamic energy. The fast paced “Joburgers” are constantly on the move, whether they are going to work or the gym, eating out, partying till late, attending shows and the exhibitions and just moving along with the beating rhythm of Joburg. The diverse background of the “Joburgers” gives this vibrant city a culture like no other city. Leanne Jozi, JHB, Joeys, Jo’Burg, Johannesburg, Egoli, The City of Gold. This is why I love Jozi, with its multiplicity of names it also carries a multiplicity of faces. Jozi can be anything you want her to be making it easy for any person to find their niche on her busy streets and bustling sidewalks. It’s the juxtapositions of ‘walkie talkies’ available on...
Representah! A Day in the Life… Jozi 2010
We’re really excited about our new crew of citizen journalists writing for Represent and giving us even more juicy content for you darling readers – here’s our debut submission from a very loyal Representah Linda Soga who took time out to attend the Inner City Summit last weekend – for anyone that’s interested in the plans for the city from now to the big bang in 2010, read all about it! Some very exciting moves – by the way, anyone know what’s happening with ConHill – seems to be moving a little slower than planned? i.e. Where is that Hyatt hotel? Sharpile Linda – uyarocka. A Day in the Life… Jozi 2010 I roll out of bed…growling at my alarm clock as I rub the sleep out of my eyes… I look at the time; “Yikes! Late again”. I take a quick shower, dress, grab my bag and set off at a trot down to the bus stop at the corner, pausing only to say hello to the doorman at the front of my apartment building. I’m just in time to catch the bus; one minute later and I would have had to walk the five blocks to the train station (in these heels, girlfriend? I don’t think so!) I get on the bus, sit down and start to breathe normally. In fifteen minutes, I’m at the office, and as the day goes by, I start planning what to do later on… it’s Friday. A few phone calls tell me that it’s all happening in Newtown tonight… Oh yes, I live in downtown Jozi, and the year is 2010, although you’d be forgiven for associating the scene I’ve just described with Manhattan, London or some other metropolis. Or picture this… I haven’t driven my car in over two weeks. Oh, there’s nothing wrong with it; I just have not needed to. I live downtown, a walking distance to work. There’s a shopping arcade across the road from me, for those quick after-work purchases. And for entertainment, I’m spoilt for choice – there’s the gallery around the corner, the movie house two blocks away and Joburg City Hall, always good for live music. This is the Joburg of the (not too distant) future. This urban landscape was painted by the City of Johannesburg at the Inner City Summit which I attended last weekend – of a city in which one will be able to live, work, and play. The Summit was held at the Braamfontein Recreation Centre, next door to the recently refurbished Parktonian Hotel. There was a large turnout, of people from all walks of life – property developers, business people, investors, and...
Represent Recommends: Sophiatown in Newtown
If you love Newtown like we do and want to know about what’s going down from entertainment to downtown rejuvenation, then visit the official Newtown website – subscribe to the newsletter which updates you on all the news. Click here to zoom there. Always loving Newtown! Check out the list of Newtown restaurants here. Visit the Sophiatown restaurant on the ground floor of the KAYA FM building on Mary Fitzgerald Square. Service is still getting there and the menu was still en route when we went but the decor is stunning and the vibe on a Saturday or Sunday afternoon is great. Chilling out in the city having a glass of great wine and watching people go by! Thanks to Lungi and Shereen for the intro and one of the best afternoons in Newtown. From the Newtown site: “Located at No. 1 central Place, Sophiatown is set to be another huge attraction in the Newtown Cultural Precinct. The atmosphere at Sophiatown is laid back and stylish, with Jazz and African marimba beats playing while people come together to enjoy a meal with great company or just have a few drinks in the cigar lounge. Sophiatown can seat up to 180 people and is available as a venue for functions.Sophiatown is open during the week from 10am-11.30pm, and on weekends until late. Contact (011) 836-5999 “PIC and words above: http://www.newtown.co.za/ PIC and words...
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