‘African Adventure’ a New, Vibrant, Exciting Family Musical

Date: 18 March 2011

Article: Senzo Mlondo

Picture: Supplied

Paisley Productions, in association with South African National Parks, is proud to present the fresh, inspirational and humorous family musical ‘African Adventure’ at The Fringe at Joburg  Theatre from 14th April for a limited season until 5th May 2011.

This exciting, ground breaking stage production incorporates fresh young talent, muppets inspired by the smash hit international musical “Avenue Q” and a Nickelodeon-inspired stage design.

The show is set in the African bushveld where the wildlife faces the ever present threat of poaching. Join Lynette the Posh Giraffe, Malcolm the Funky Monkey and Olivia the Ostrich ‘diva’ as they face the terrifying quest to help their Rhino friends Ricky and Rachael.

Tracey Christelis, an upcoming writer with a fresh approach to family theatre, has captured the heart of our African culture in this new and original script. Jesse Christelis and Zak Hendrikz have teamed up to direct this new proudly South African Musical and with their out-of-the-box approach to theatre are certain to deliver an enchanting African theatre experience.  Enhanced by the inspirational music of Lonehill Estate’s bass guitarist, Mark van den Berg and you have a show that beats and pulses with a vibrant African rhythm, incorporating all music genres from ragtime to world music along the way.

African Adventure will be showcasing some of the country’s most talented up and coming performers from Tshwane University of Technology who are destined to be SA’s theatre stars of the future. Based on the musical ‘Avenue Q’, the cast of 7 human and 9 puppet characters will interact as though human.  The puppets are animated and voiced by the actor who will be present and unconcealed onstage at all times.  The aim is for both the audience and puppeteer to focus on the character being portrayed.

African Adventure Family Musical will whisk you and your family away on the adventure of a lifetime.  There is no better way to entertain the family this Easter Holiday, head down to the Joburg Theatre and let adventure grab you by the tail.

10% of ticket sales go to South African National Parks’ Counter Rhino Poaching and Public Education Divisions.

‘African Adventure’ runs from 12th April until 5th of May 2011 at the Fringe at Joburg Theatre, and performances are;

THE CHURCHES WAGE WAR AGAINST WHOONGA

Date: 18 March 2011

Article: Madoda Ntuli

Picture: Madoda Ntuli

Ayihlome promises a spirit-filled UJ Soweto when pastors of note and moving gospel melodies mesmerise the masses, in a bid to fight the evil of Whoonga.

Ayihlome in UJ, Soweto will be held on 27 March 2011, 12pm until late.  This is the 3^rd leg of AYIHLOME-CHURCHES AGAINST WHOONGA. The first one was held in Durban on 19 February was a resounding success, followed by one held in concurrence with the Ethekwini Community Church on 6 March 2011.

Among those who will be raising the UJ roof will be Pastor Mamponga, Pastor Vusi Dube, Evangelist Zanele Mbokazi, Bishop Nkambule, Pastor Moloi.

“As per tradition that has been created in the last 3 years, The World Gospel PowerHouse have always presented AYIHLOME! at the beginning of the year (January) and at the end of the year, December 31^st. The event has had a dual purpose of closing the year in style, and also of starting the new year with purpose. This year we are starting the year by invading the Whoonga territory," reckons Zanele Mbokazi, World Gospel Powerhouse President

“It is about time the church took a stand against social demons and particularly drugs that tarnish the dignity of human beings especially the youth. The church plays a major role in shaping the future of our youth therefore we can stand by and watch whoonga and other drugs corrode our future hopes,” says Pastor Bheko Moloi .

Gospel music will be dished up by seasoned artist, with the likes of Crown Gospel Awards winners,  Sifiso Ncwane, Uche, Kholeka, Sgwili & Babo and Lindi Kunene, Nqubeko Mbatha  and Nobathembu of Joyous Celebration fame as well as Dumi Mkokstad.

Whoonga is a fast growing drug among youth especially in the KZN, where it was first discovered. It has managed to ravage other provinces as well the ill-influence is spreading like wild-fire.  The whoonga concoction is a mixture of dagga, ratax, asbestos and ARV’s.

 Ticket are available at computicket  / Shoprite / Checkers@ R100.

Academy Orchestra given platform at JPO concert

Date: 09 March 2011
Article: Madoda Ntuli
Picture:Supplied

The Johannesburg Philharmonic Orchestra’s concerts on 16 and 17 March 2011 will feature a special “curtain-raiser” by the JPO Academy Orchestra. At 8pm on Wednesday and Thursday, just before the start of the JPO’s final symphony concerts for the season at the Linder Auditorium in Parktown, the Academy Orchestra will perform the first movement from Schubert’s Unfinished Symphony. Thereafter, the JPO will continue with its scheduled programme under the baton of principal guest conductor Bernhard Gueller – performing the Prelude, Liebestod and Nachtesang from Wagner’s Tristan und Isolde, as well as Mahler’s Symphony No.4 in G major, featuring soprano Kelebogile Boikanyo.The JPO Academy is proud to present to the loyal supporters of the JPO the next generation of orchestral musicians who will, in time, become the future members of the JPO.

Many of the young musicians in the Academy Orchestra are part of a four-year accredited training programme offered by the JPO, which arose in response to the lack of a similar programme being offered at South Africa’s tertiary institutions. This initiative is geared towards nurturing and encouraging young musicians to turn professional at the end of their training. For the last three years, the Academy Orchestra has built its membership from the humble beginnings of around 28 players to its current membership of 52 players, of which 35 are scholarship students in the academy. The remaining players hail from various schools as well as Wits University, and the orchestra also features privately-tutored students from around Gauteng.

The scholarship students receive weekly tuition on their chosen instrument from teachers drawn from the JPO, in addition to intensive music theory training. As the four-year course is designed to train orchestral musicians, they are required to attend weekly rehearsals with the Academy Orchestra in addition to their practical and theoretical lessons.

This year, the JPO has also started weekly scale and technical classes for the strings, and a brass ensemble which meets three mornings a week.
The young musicians have been rehearsing for this performance with the JPO since the beginning of February, putting in many hours of intensive sectionals and tutti work.
For more information on the JPO and the JPO Academy, call 011 789 2733, e-mail info@jpo.co.za or visit http://www.jpo.co.za/.

The Legendary Jeremy Taylor Looks Back

Date: 09 March 2011
Article: Madoda Ntuli
Picture : Supplied

JEREMY TAYLOR: “Ag Pleez Daddy” - 50 Years On
The beautiful, intimate little theatre at Foxwood House in Houghton is soon to host a legend; the man that South Africans took to their heart – despite the fact that his biggest hit song was rapidly banned by the government of the day. Or maybe because of it!
We ask the man himself what his new show will be about: “About an hour and a half,” Jeremy replies with the usual elfish twinkle in his eye.

In many ways, it will be a nostalgia trip, affording audiences a live performance of Jeremy’s greatest and most loved hit songs of the 60s and 70s – songs such as “Lift Girl’s Lament”, “Ballad of the Southern Suburbs”, “Transplant Calypso”, and “We’re From the Northern Side of Town”…
And, of course, the crowd-pleasing “Ag Pleez Deddy”. Clearly, there’s no way that the audience will allow the well-loved folk singer to leave the theatre without performing that celebrated ditty...
We will also be hearing the beloved songster’s newer work, and be regaled by anecdotes and stories of his life then and now, in his customary dry and witty style. Like a true folk singer, he will perform his songs ‘unplugged’ on his acoustic guitar.

“Yes, it will be a matter of something old something new,” Jeremy continues. “As usual, my appearances are a personal exploration, and since it is now exactly 50 years since the release of “Ag Pleez, Deddy”, there will inevitably be some reflection on how and why these songs of mine bubbled up to the surface, and what relevance they have, if any, to the South Africa that has emerged from those madcap days of tears and laughter. This may turn out to be more of a ‘Jeremy Taylor at home’ rather than ‘back in town’.”
And how does he feel about returning to South Africa? “I am both excited and nervous!” he laughs. “The years spent living and working there – 20 in all – were so intense. Nowhere else have I experienced such a sense of physicality; such a lust for life. To share that feeling, I wrote songs, and whenever I sing them, the feeling comes back. I guess that means I'll have to keep singing!” he concludes with a roguish grin.

Bookings to be made directly with Foxwood House at 011 486 0935.
But hurry, as there are only four shows!

VENUE: Foxwood House, 13 5th Street, Houghton
DATES: Saturday 26 March at 8pm
Sunday 27 March at 12 noon
Saturday 02 April at 8pm
Sunday 03 April at 12 noon
TICKETS: R150, including welcome cocktail

Marga Van Rooy

Date: 04 March 2011
Article: Madod Ntuli
Picture: Supplied

Marga is largely known as a comedy TV actress, and is perhaps best loved for portraying Ouma Ellie in Mollie en Wors on KykNet. Her first love has always been the stage, however, and she would like to celebrate that passion by bringing to the Promusica stage work that she has done at various festivals over the years - in addition to a new Afrikaans farce, Pille en Brille, by the scriptwriter of the successful Bakgat movies.

From February 27th, Marga will be presenting, at Promusica, a series of warm and funny works of classic and contemporary Afrikaans folklore.
The more well-known authors in this milieu include Mikro, Dot Serfontein, Andre le Roux, Con Viljie and P.H. Nortje. But worthwhile work by lesser known and unpublished authors will also be brought to life by this hearty actresses.
The shows are presented at Promusica’s Basement Theatre at 4pm every first and last Sunday of every month, from February 27th until (and including) May 29th. Tickets are R80 –R90 throughout the season.

February 27th

Ai Meraai! Die bruidjies Dit en Dot! – by Mikro
The popular local author Mikro is perhaps best known for writing Mattewis and Meraai, and other tales about the quaint and charming lives of the people of the small town of Gonnakolk. In this hilarious yet heartwarming show, Marga plays a number of characters in the small Karoo town.
The show enjoyed great success at Hermanus, Krugersdorp, the Pierneef theatre in Pretoria, and last year’s Cultivaria Festival in Paarl.

March 5th & 27th and May 1st & 29th

Pille en Brille – by Henk Pretorious
Two elderly female friends in a retirement home start competing with each other after the arrival of a new widower. Yvonne Schoeman and newcomer Deon Vermaak join Marga in this hilarious romp.
From the contemporary pen of the Bakgat scriptwriter, comes this riotous farce for stage. It was successfully presented in Promusica’s Basement Theatre last year before being performed at the Kalfie Festival in Hermanus during August - to capacity audiences.

April 3rd
Die Psalmstorie
This production celebrates Easter. Marga brings the spotlight to the wonderful world of the Psalms in the Bible from the time of Moses and King David - to Boney M and even later! But it isn’t all serious stuff, as the psalms, after all, are all about people, and people can be quite amusing to observe!

April 24th

Dot Serfontein vertel
Marga brings us an old favourite that has played to enthusiastic audiences at cultural festivals such as Die Woordfees in Stellenbosch, Cultivaria in Paarl, Die Rittefees cultural week and the Volksblad Kunstefees.
Like Mikro before her, Dot Serfontein - mother of the famous Antjie Krog - was no stranger to seeing the comedy in the world around her. Her famous daughter pointed out that her mother would frequently have her in stitches. Dot wrote about her life as a farmer’s wife in Kroonstad, raising chickens and children. It is a real treat. Critics at the festivals have noted that Marga really gets under the skin of Dot Serfontein.

For school/group bookings, contact Queen (queenm@promusica.co.za) or Nevolan (nevolanr@promusica.co.za) on 011 674 1356/7/8/9 or fax on 011 674 2365.
Other bookings can be made at Computicket Outlets (Checkers Hyper and Shoprite), or online at http://www.computicket.com/

The Joburg Promusica theatre complex, situated within the Civic Centre at 100 Christiaan De Wet Drive, Florida Park, Roodepoort, offers ample free and guarded parking for patrons.

THE SEARCH IS ON FOR THE NEXT McDONALD’S TOP JOCK

Date: 04 March 2011

Article: Senzo Mlondo

Picture: Mashabela Seshoka

McDonald’s South Africa understands that if you are not sleeping, then chances are your hunger isn’t either. That is why more and more McDonald’s restaurants are staying open 24 hours a day. 

In celebration of their extended opening hours, McDonald’s is once again making music with Mzansi’s youth through their Top Jock DJ search. Partnering with South African DJ extraordinaire and party-starter, DJ Euphonik, McDonald’s invited aspirant DJ’s between the ages of 18 and 24 from ten campuses around the country to submit their demos to enter the competition.

“We know that young adults are out and about socializing on the streets of Mzansi and we are working to become more accessible and more relevant to them,” says Daniel Padiachy, the Department Head of Consumer and Business Strategy of McDonald’s. “McDonald’s South Africa aims to cater for those who are awake late into the night working, studying or having a good time. We presently have restaurants nationwide that are open twenty-four hours a day and we intend to keep the number growing.”

McDonald’s Top Jock search will scout out and cultivate the youth’s musical talent to the background of young adults having a great time. At each of the campuses, five finalists will battle it out in front of their peers and judge DJ Euphonik to become Top Jock. The winner will be handsomely rewarded with very desirable prizes that include a 12 month sound engineering degree from Soul Candy.

All South Africans can celebrate with the youth and McDonald’s by enjoying the value and convenience of the McDonald’s drive-through restaurants that are open 24 hours a day. McDonald’s South Africa will continue to grow this platform, increasing the number of restaurants that are open 24/7, providing meals to Mzansi night and day.

Visit http://www.mcdonalds.co.za/ to find the McDonald’s 24/7 restaurant closest to your home or office, and when each campus competition is happening.

Live Above All dominate the SAFTAS, Taking Home Six out of Eleven

Date: 04 March 2011

Article: Madoda Ntuli

Picture: Mashabela Seshoka

27 February 2011: Winners of the 5^th South African Film and Television Awards {SAFTAS} fiction categories were announce last week Sunday at an award ceremony held Madame Zingara’s Theatre of Dreams. The who’s who of the Film and television industry, nominees, and government official and industry stakeholders gathered at the venue to witness the spectacular ceremony hosted by Thami Ngubeni and Joey Rasdien.

“Congratulations to all the winners’ u fiction categories. The judges worked tirelessly to ensure that the best South African Film and Television talent is honoured and celebrated. We wish all the productions that participated in this year’s SAFTAs the best and encourage them to once again submit their productions when the call for entries for the SAFTAs 2012 is announced,” says Eddie Mbalo CEO of NFVF.

In the Feature category, Life above all came on top winning six awards out of eleven nominations. The Film won the Best Feature Film, Best Feature Film Actress Khomotso Manyaka as Chanda beating her fellow actress Lerato Mvelase, Best Feature supporting Actress- Harriet Manamela as Mrs.Tafa, Best Feature Film Ensemble, Best Feature Film Ensemble and the film’s director, Oliver Scmits won the Ster-kinekor Theatres Best feature film director award receiving a cash prize of R20 000 from Ster-kenekor Theatres. Themba Ndaba won the best feature film Actor in Hopeville.

The winner of the Best TV Drama was Erfsondes. In the TV soapie catyegory Tshepo Maseko won the Best TV Soap Actor for his role as Parsons in Isidingo, while Moshidi Motshegwa won the Best Actress for her role as Noami Ryth

We are honoured to sponsor the Best Feature Film Diretor’s Award. South African feature films are very important part of our business and we are vested in supporting the film industry by releasing as many titles as possible onour circiut.  We have seen the number of South African Films released quite significantly and we hope to see more in 2011, Says Fiaz Mahomed CEO Ster-Kinekor Theatres.

The winner of the Best TV Drama was erfsondes. In the TV soapie category Tshepo Maseko won the Best TV soap Actor for his role as Parsons in Isidingo, while Moshidi Motshegwa won the Best actress for her role as Naomi in Rhythm City.Best YV Comedy Actor was won by David Clatworthy fr his role as Clive in Konstarnasie while the Best TV Comedy Actress was won by Busi Lurayi for her role as Phumzile in City Ses”la.

NFVF CEO in his capacity as a Chairpeson of the SAFTAs Commetee and Paul Raleigh, SAFTAs judging Commetee overall Chairperson, announce the lifetime Achievement Awards for 211. Moonyeen Lee was awarded as a lifetime Achiever for Casting, Wiston Ntshona for acting and Lillian Dube for acting and social activism. Elements advertising agency represented by Louis Seeco was recognised for their contribution to the creation and design of the SAFTAs award the Golden Horn