Represent Review: Omar Pene
How we wish we could have been there to get down with The Matrix as he swung his hips to Senegalese rhythms transfixed by the backing singers agility. Despite his opening sentence, we’re sure he had no problem doing the kwasa-kwasa at Kippies: Change is good they say, but I have to admit, I’m a bit nervous when it comes to dealing with cultural adjustments and their resulting (pre-requisite) behaviour. Well, to sift through the chuff – I plunged head first into unbeknown territory when I marched into Newtown’s legendary Jazz club – Kippies International – to attend the live music show from Senegal’s jazz star: Omar Pene. The atmosphere on 66 Quinn Str (Cnr Carr) was made lively by the opening act: Nathi and the Band performing a remix of the famous “Mangwane Mpulele” with all of us automatically joining in! The mood became emotional as we all listened as one to the poignant title track: Soze- a dedication to his late sister who passed away from an AIDS related illness. Nathi has dedicated the track to all live with HIV/AIDS. (Nathi/Soze, the album is out on sale now!) Apart from the annoying bankcard machines being offline, the ambience was groovy, welcoming and conducive to a good night in Jozi`s cultural heartland – Newtown. Then came the cultural twist as Omar Pene took us on a hip-swinging journey of authentic Senegalese dance floor tunes, even the Matrix lost all control and hit the dance floor Big Time. Kippies had a true multicultural audience on Friday; all paying homage to the singing sensation that is Omar Pene; there were us Darkies (dressed to shame the devil as usual), Whities in their droves (well prinked up too admittedly!) and enthusiasts of all sorts! Omar had us eating out his hands as we got down to the elaborate “Kwasa-Kwasa” dance of North West African origins, shaking it till the end. At one point I found myself multitasking as I gasped, stared and pondered on how horrified the Teasers girls would be if they could witness the things which Mr. Pene`s lead backup singer and beloved daughter could do with (just) her hips (Ka Mmago!!!). Omar Pene came to South Africa to perform at the Durban Film Festival, but owing to the dedication of Africa Synergy and the support of Kaya FM to the continuous development of a cultured Jozi inner City, Kippies international became the proud host of this ingenious and indigenous Senegalese artist. Nothing could have been more befitting and so rewarding! How grateful we are to have such culturally inclined international music supporters such as Africa Synergy, Kippies International and Kaya FM. For loads...
Represent Recommends: Introdans
We’re so lucky to have such a choice of delightful overseas performers gracing our shores these days, keeping our options broad and varied. If you’re into dance, physical theatre or merely love being mesmerized by powerful live performance, make sure to catch the popular and world-renowned Dutch company Introdans this week in Jozi. See their website. The acclaimed Dutch dance company Introdans will perform in Johannesburg this week after a successful run in Cape Town. Since 1971 when it was founded by Hans Focking and Ton Wiggers, Introdans has grown into one of the biggest and most active ballet companies in the Netherlands. The company presents modern ballet performances on the themes Old Masters, New Partners, Young Talent. Working from the Netherlands, the company dances in Dutch theatres and at international venues. An array of choreographers create ballets for Introdans in which classical elements are combined with modern techniques. There are 3 performances only which will take place at the University of Johannesburg on Wednesday, July 4, Thursday, July 5 and Friday, July 6, all starting at 8pm. The programme includes Hans van Manen’s Andante; Tom Wiggers’ Gilles; Ed Wubbe’s White Streams and Ben Holder’s Daylight. The South African Tour is sponsored by the Royal Netherlands Embassy in Pretoria and Podium Kunsten (The Hague). Booking for Introdans is through Computicket, tickets are R120 and R150. Tickets for pensioners and students with student cards are R80.00. There is a 10% discount offered for groups of 10 or...
Pink coming to SA!
At last, one of our favourite pop artists Pink is on her way to perform in South Africa – wish she was playing at Live Earth. Sorry Durbanites it’s only Jozi, Sun City and CT for now. It’s going to be a fabulous Spring. We can’t wait. Yay!!! Pink “I’m not Dead Tour” Proudly presented by Sony Ericsson and 5fm in association with MTN, PINK’s first ever SA tour, kicks off at the Sun City Superbowl on the 8th, before heading to the Coca Cola Dome in Joburg on the 9th, and finally the Bellville Velodrome in Cape Town, on the 11th of September 2007. The multi-Grammy Award winning, multi-platinum selling PINK, recently shattered Australian songbird, Kylie Minogue’s home record as the female artist to sell the most concert tickets in an Australian arena tour. She played 36 sell out concerts in Australia/NZ gigs to more than 310,000 fans, breaking 3 building attendance records, and beating Minogue’s previous record of 20 concerts to 215,000 fans during her 2006 Showgirl Homecoming Tour. PINK and her band are set to put on a powerful, hit-packed show with all her signature brash and in-your-face flare, whipped up with her unique blend of soulful funk punk-pop rock and roll! “To have such a distinguished musical influence associated with Sony Ericsson’s music proposition through our Walkman® mobile phone range will further strengthen our commitment and drive on music for us and our partner, MTN”, said Sonja Shear, Head of Marketing for Sony Ericsson, Southern Africa. Shear continued, “Our decision to sponsor Pink’s ‘I’m Not Dead’ Tour, allows us the opportunity to bring the best in music entertainment to South Africa. We will be releasing our rose red W660i handset in addition to our black and orange W880i, and funky pink Z310i clamshell handset exclusively through MTN.” 5FM Station Manager Helen Graham said “Pink is the archetypal 5FM artist – widely popular but with an edge that has kept her interesting longer than many of her contemporaries in the pop genre. We’re very excited to bring her live show to our listeners, who have kept her recorded work in our charts for many years now”. Alastair Roper Sports and Promotions Executive for Sun International, has this to add, ”It’s an honour to welcome PINK to Sun City as she joins the list of Grammy award winning artists that have performed in the world renowned Sun City Superbowl.” PINK has become one of the most enigmatic pop stars around, after gaining prominence in 2000, with her first record, Can’t Take Me Home, which boasted worldwide sales of over 4 million copies. PINK then collaborated with Christina...
Joy of Jazz line up announced
Linda has been jazzing it up all over Jozi, she went to the Joy of Jazz media conference to find out for you, darling Representers, just what we’ll be tapping our feet to this year. PR at end. I admit, I was star-struck when I saw Miriam Makeba – Mama Africa no less – chilling on the couch – as I walked into the launch of the Standard Bank Joy of Jazz last week. I might have even let out an involuntary “oooh” when my favourite musical couple Letta Mbulu and Caiphus Semenya walked in, followed by the legendary Jonas Gwangwa. Here’s the great news! All of the above will be performing at this year’s Standard Bank Joy of Jazz, which is set to take place from 23 to 25 August in Newtown. This year’s line-up sounds absolutely smashing. It consists of Miriam Makeba, Letta Mbulu, Caiphus Semenya, Jonas Gwangwa, as I’ve mentioned, AND George Duke, The Count Basie Orchestra, Dorothy Masuka, another fine Marsalis brother – the trombonist Delfeayo (big brother Branford Marsalis performed at last year’s Joy of Jazz). Pieces of a Dream and Kunle Ayo will also be here. The Moreira Project will be showing their stuff, as well as newcomer and SAMA winner Siphokazi (she was at the launch and I was struck by how tall and graceful she is). Nokukhanya, Sipho Hotstix Mabuse, Ray Phiri and Stimela, Steve Dyer, and Thandie Klaasen will also be holding it down. In addition, there will be workshops for emerging artists and other events at taverns around Jozi. After the official briefing, the artists were requested to stay behind for a “photo opportunity”. I was tickled pink! Had to restrain myself from jumping in between the divas and asking someone to “please shoot me”. In about two months’ time, the spectacular Joy of Jazz will be upon us again, and I can’t wait! THE OFFICIAL PR: The Standard Bank Joy of Jazz Festival has thrown down the gauntlet to all other South African jazzfests in the country by presenting one of the most diverse and powerful line-ups in years. What makes this year so different from previous festivals and other jazzfests in South Africa is that it will feature the first American big band to play here in about 30 years – the world famous Count Basie Orchestra. The Standard Bank Joy of Jazz, which runs in Newtown from August 23 to 25, also pays its own tribute in Women’s Month by bringing together four of the country’s national cultural treasures on one bill – Mama Africa Miriam Makeba, Dorothy Masuka, Thandie Klaasen and Letta Mbulu whose illustrious musical...
Represent Review: Imperial Russian Ballet
Representah Werner scored some points with his wifey by sweeping her off to the Imperial Russian Ballet at the Civic aka Nelson Mandela Theatre. He says it’s a must see – so go on… treat your lady. See it! But hurry it’s showing from now ’till the 24th June. It is not very often that we have the privilege of being captivated by truly world class performances from international artists. Well, if you have been sitting on the sideline waiting for such an event, the wait is finally over. The Imperial Russian Ballet troupe is currently visiting South Africa and thrilling audiences for a limited number of performances. As the name suggests the group is from Moscow and was founded in 1994 by legendary Russian ballet dancer Maya Plisetskaya. The company has already toured several countries including diverse countries such as Australia, Japan, Germany and many more. The choreography, albeit mostly classical, tends to lean to the modernist style unique to performances we have learnt to expect from Russia. The stage design, costumes and wonderful music is only outdone by the incredible talent of the performers. The programme is unique in the sense that it is broken into two distinctive acts consisting of a number of interpretations of well known ballet masterpieces. The first act is dedicated to George Bizet’s “Carmen” and is a truly a fitting introduction to an evening of spectacular dance. The second act comprises of a number of restyled ballets that include “Swan Lake”, “Nutcracker”, “Don Quixote” and “Orpheus in the Underworld”. Audiences will be overwhelmed by the wealth of talent that exists within the troupe and left breathless by the masterful performances of dancers like Anastasia Mikheikina, Nariman Bekzhanov and Kirill Rad. The repertoire of the cast includes numerous well known ballets and it is clearly evident that the production and performers are set to thrill audiences worldwide for quite some time to come. The production is currently staged at the Nelson Mandela Theatre and runs from 19th to the 24th of June 2007. Lovers of the performing arts should note that this is truly one production that is not to be missed. Details: Venue: NELSON MANDELA THEATRE Date: June 19th – 24th Price: (from) R125 inclusive of booking fee THE IMPERIAL RUSSIAN BALLET IMPERIAL RUSSIAN BALLET was founded in April 1994, on the initiative of the legendary Russian ballet dancer Maya Plisetskaya. The group’s name is a tribute to both former “emperors” of the stage – immortal founders of the Russian ballet stage, and to the Emperor’s family, that had made a great historical contribution into native culture, including the foundation of the Bolshoi and Mariinsky Theatres....
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