Thesis Social Jam Session Vol3.
We introduced you to the fabulous Sowetan fashion stockist Thesis and the creative collective behind it a few months ago, they’re having a jam session this Sunday, and it looks to be rocking! Click on the flyer for more info: In the streets of Soweto a creative shell was cracked when a truly raw brand was born. This brand lays a point of view about the experiences, culture, ambiance and the beat of Soweto. Thesis is bringing a music report called Thesis Social Jam Sessions. Happening every first Sunday of the month, the jam sessions are described as a social connektion of creative’s and people that are like minded coming together under the roof of Thesis concept store to share in the sounds of true music ranging from Soul to Breaks’, Jazz to Hip Hop, Poetry to Comedy. Live elements rule the platform with new and unsigned (some signed) acts performing to woe the eclectic crowdz that gather to share in on this environment. Born out of true deprivation of what is good in our terms, the Thesis Social Jam Sessions were conceived. The Sessions are set out to include all forms of the arts in order for them to withhold in the current state of “corrupt” art forms and to be considered inclusive to all people with the love of the arts. The arts being talked about include music, photography, fashion design, graphic design, live performance, comedy, poetry and film. The reason for them to be named social sessions is because it’s a coming together of creative’s and like minded people to interact and communicate for the growth of a unified creative society in Soweto. Thesis as a fashion company and brand has already set up the platform through their fashion design and concept store, thus their association with the new brand…Thesis social Jam sessions. As previously proven worldwide, music is the unifier of all languages around the world, including Soweto. With the Thesis Social Jams Sessions, music is the foundation of the sessions with resident and guest dj’s playing an array of eclectic music ranging from 70’s soul to neo soul, hip-hop to trip-hop, jazz to acid jazz and roots reggae to dub steps. Thesis Social Jam Sessions provides a platform to unsigned and signed artists and live performers. The air that we breathe is “live” as we belie that live performance breeds a intensity in the crowd and performers alike with the mood that can not be replicated through recordings. With saying that, Thesis Social Jam Sessions are recorded and broadcast through pod-casts, so that the message, vibe and atmosphere filters down to the people and...
Represent Review: Soweto Gospel Choir DvD Launch
Our indefatigable team of Represent reporters Reuben ‘The Matrix’ Malema and Nkateko “Agent Katz” Siweya headed off to the glittering Maponya Mall in the heart of wonderful Soweto for the launch of the Soweto Gospel Choir’s new DVD… See our photostory here. Thursday 25 September 2008. Maponya Mall – Soweto. A fair weathered evening at this once termed “ambitious White Elephant” (excuse the pun) of township real estate. Today, not only is this elegant mall proudly standing in the heart of black economy, but Maponya Mall is home to the most famous retail, franchise, boutique and chain store outlets of Mzansi’s cherished brands like: Woolworths, Pick ‘n Pay, News Café, Primi Piatti and many more. The Ster Kinekor is of top notch quality, complete with a nice and spaciously designed food court for Africa! Tonight, our entertainment hunting noses have lead us to the Grammy Award winning Soweto Gospel Choir’s launch of their signature DVD: African Spirit. I like the Soweto Gospel Choir, as a matter of fact I prefer their melodic inspirational tunes over that of Joyous Celebration. In sharp contrast to the former, Soweto’s humming choristers beautifully blend a selected collection of staunch church choruses with a number of smooth and equally uplifting melodies. This, I believe is the very reason why they gained international appeal, superstardom stature and all round affection which will surely stand them in good stead for many days to come. The legion of Mzansi’s “want to know it all” daily columnists aka paparazzi, were treated exceptionally well (obviously!) and accorded the kind of decorum fit for royalty. However, a bit of over estimation on the part of the organizers meant that the nice to gobble stuff far outlasted the number of attendees, but sadly on my part, the green bottle from Amstel Brouwerijen of Amsterdam was strictly kept at bay…sad, very sad!!! A makeshift stage was erected in front of Tuscan BBQ adjacent the Ster Kinekor movie theater. We were treated to famous Sunday choruses like “Ke Na Le Modisa, Woza Meli Wami, Bayete” and many more, however the song that most inspired the audience to a point of uncontrollable, compulsive sing along hums was the 1992 Barcelona Olympic Games Theme song: World in Union. I was at a loss for words… After the live performances, we were escorted into the movie theater (Popcorn and ice-cold Coca Cola in hand) for a sneak preview of the magic as recorded in front of a live audience at the Nelson Mandela Theater – Civic Theater – Braamfontein and now beautifully packaged in a collectors DVD which is available at all good music stores nationwide....
Love Jozi’s extended its family
Iconic Jozi t-shirt brand ‘Love Jozi’ are over the moon to have found a place to ‘call home’ in one of Johannesburg’s most vibrant (and one of our personal favourite) communities, Soweto. The place, Thesis in Mofolo Village, home to and of the Thesis fashion label, a youthful brand ingeniously tailor-made for the people of Soweto, ‘providing quality at affordable prices’. It’s the brainchild of five creative youths from Soweto who put their talents together and came up with the clanger of a concept. Thesis is the only stockist that supplies the Love Jozi classics from 2 years ago – ranges 5 and 6. We’re really excited for the socio-politically inspired “Xenocentric Range” launching next week as an exhibition – make sure not to miss it – click here and read more below on both brands. In a Represent exclusive interview, Brad Kirshenbaum, creator of Love Jozi, got up close and personal with his new extended family: BRADLEY KIRSHENBAUM: So Mangi told me you guys were hectic at the moment? NOMBULELO HLOMO: We’re working on our spring/summer 2008 range, we’re hectic but we’re coping… BK: I’m also hectic, but good-hectic like you. NH: What you working on? BK: Also my new range. NH: Are you showing it at any of the Fashion Weeks coming up? BK: NO, never, Love Jozi isn’t a fashion label! NH: Yes it is, what is it then? BK: A design brand! NH: OK BK: What is Thesis? NH: We’re a fashion label. We are taking part in the Joburg Fashion Week, that’s where we will be launching the new spring/summer range. BK: That’s great. Isn’t that at Montecasino? NH: Yes. So where do you show it then if you aren’t a Fashion Label? BK: I’m having an exhibition of the new range. NH: Oh ja we got the invitation to the launch, thanks. BK: So I’m really glad you guys are stocking my Tshirts now. NH: Cool. They are coming alright, our customers are crazy over the Black Coffee T’s and the Love Jozi T’s, especially the girls. I think they are going to do really well in summer. BK: Who are your customers? NH: Cool people from different places in and around Soweto, the East rand, Pretoria, all over. We don’t sell anywhere else though, looking into it. BK: I’m sure lots of people would want to stock Thesis. NH: Thanks – I hope so! BK: See you at the launch! Love Jozi presents its first exhibition launching Range 9 :The Xenocentric Range. TBWA\ HUNT\LASCARIS 51 Wierda Road West, Wierda Valley, Sandton. Open during office hours from Friday 1 August – Friday 29...
Mak Manaka launches his debut album
Watch out for the debut album from Sowetan poet, writer, creative mind and performer Mak Manaka – “Word Sound Power”. “Word Sound Powerâ€!! is the debut album of acclaimed Soweto Poet and writer Maakomele Manaka, popularly known as Mak. Mak the poet, arising out of Soweto, South Africa, from an artistic heritage, is a soldier of the pen with charisma and imagination that masters his delivery. Word Sound Power!! grabs your attention from the Prelude to the end. In The African Dream “The pen is my shepherd, I shall not fear†right through to A Feeling Like This “She’s love Longing to be Found†reflects wisdom beyond his age. Word Sound Power!! Takes you on a journey that you want to be on, new, exciting, and informative. Your voyage is full of colours and sounds, like a locomotive; onward bound, steady and on track. The lyrics will make you laugh, cry, wish, groan an perhaps in the end agree. World Sound Power!! An album of quality music and conscious lyrics, is certainly a milestone album for Spoken Word in South Africa. Produced by Melody Muzik Sound Productions, the music reflects a deep range of reggae rhythms together with hip hop and jazz. International and local musicians have contributed and collaborate on Word Sound Power!!, including ex-Kwani Experience songstress Nosisi Ngakane, The Royal Kushite Philharmonic Orchestra featuring L Michell, H Izachaar, L Beckett and mixed by K M Tafari. A songstress, Sibongile Khumalo calls it “Fresh, Introspective and Candid, the best thing for a long time and called on young people the world over to emulate the inspirational lyrics of this young poet, Mak Manaka.†South African icon Don Mattera says†If genius can be genetically connected and if it flows from generation to generation, then Mak Manaka is the epitome of it.†The album “Word Sound Powerâ€!! is an auditory experience that tells of Mak’s evolution as a young African who has triumphed over adversity, pays tribute to the unselfish nurturing his being receives and testament to what influences his creative spirit....
Ladies get enchanted by the Quadro…
Mhh, Good looking talented Brothers in suits singing coolio harmony and opera with deeep bassey voices… ladies, this one’s for you. The Soweto Opera Quadro will be hitting the road to take their Brothers in Song show to both Johannesburg and Cape Town audiences in March and April this year, in what is set to be not merely a tour, but a tour de force. The four Soweto singers that make up the outfit – tenors Elliot Koena, Edward Mabunda and Bokang Sehau, as well as baritone Xola Mpo – are causing quite a stir in local music circles, making opera accessible to the broader public while not compromising on quality. These versatile performers are capable of wrapping their finely-tuned vocal cords around anything from jazz, opera and Broadway standards to Afro-pop, traditional music and gospel. The Soweto Opera Quadro will give two performances at the Baxter Concert Hall in Cape Town on Saturday, 1 March 2008, at 5.30pm and 8.30pm. Thereafter, they travel to London’s West End to participate in the South Africa Proud! Festival. The quartet then head back to Johannesburg to perform Brothers in Song at the UJ Arts Centre from 15 to 27 April 2008. An added treat at the concerts will be the presence of special guest Loveline Madumo, a talented soprano who also enchants audiences as a member of the celebrated Black Tie Ensemble. Musical direction for the Brothers in Song show is by Mark Cheyne, who also conducts, with staging by Trish McKenna. The concerts promise to deliver a blend of music to suit all tastes. Music-lovers can expect to hear exquisite renditions of a diverse selection of tunes by the likes of Josh Groban, Il Divo, The Beatles, George Harrison, Verdi, Johannes Kerkorrel and Nianell. Booking for all the Brothers in Song concerts is open at Computicket. The Soweto Opera Quadro is: Edward Mabunda Born in Soweto, Edward started singing at an early age. He joined a private music clinic where he studied basic performing arts and majored in voice and stage acting under Petrus Mofokeng. Edward sings a variety of music genres from traditional African music to opera. He joined Pro Musica Opera Company as understudy in 1999 and performed in Opera productions such as Verdi’s La Traviata, Rigoletto, Un Ballo in Maschera, Madam Butterfly, Tosca, La Boheme, Le Nozze di Figaro, Mahler’s Symphony No 2 and the Gounod St. Cecilia Mass. He is also a freelance soloist for SABC choristers and a founder member of The Soweto Opera Quadro. Elliot Koena Elliot is a tenor and started singing at primary school, later joining vocal teacher Petros Mofokeng as a...
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