THE BLACK DIAMONDS - a MUSICAL

Who’s the “Heart Boy”?

South Africans Intrigued by Mystery Child’s Random Appearances

For the past few weeks, an unnamed young boy wearing a red cap has been popping up on our TV screens and on radio shows handing out a red heart, and no one seems to know why. He appears to be making inexplicable and unscheduled appearances at a variety of media outlets.

He has arrived unannounced at all times of day and night on the TV sets of Talk, Magazine and Music shows, where he’s promptly handed a red heart shaped balloon to the visibly surprised presenters or actors and disappeared without a word.

He was seen on M-Net’s Idols - where he gave Lloyd, this year’s runner -up, a red heart – wonder why not the judges? The same boy took the name of the programme All Access quite literally when he accessed their studio with his live intervention! Some of the TV presenters who have been surprised by this diminutive visitor were Redi Tlhabi, Lalla Hirayama and Kuli Roberts on the Mzanzi Magic network, and Freek Robinson, who was busy presenting Regstreeks in the KykNET studio when he too had a red heart bestowed upon him.

And it hasn’t stopped there! This enigmatic little figure has also cropped up at radio stations such as 5FM, Jacaranda and Kaya FM – handing his red hearts to DJ’s and newsreaders. The young boy, always in a red T-shirt and cap, has also visited newspaper reporters, journalists and editors.

South Africans have been charmed by this very sweet intruder, who has been calmly interrupting regular programming, handing out a heart, and - just as mysteriously as he arrived – retreating with a dimpled smile.

This inscrutable little interloper has had tongues wagging from Beaufort West to Beit Bridge. Who, everyone is asking, is this strange visitor, and what - if anything - is behind these crazy, unsolicited appearances?

Facebook your heart out – and win big

Imagine you could win a Mini Cooper convertible or an Apple iPad simply by indulging in one of your favourite pastimes – spending time on Facebook. Well, imagine no more!

Because Doritos knows that South Africans love social networking as much as they enjoy having fun and indulging that midnight attack of the munchies, they have introduced a great new competition to tie in with the launch of their new Doritos Late Night All Nighter Chilli Ribs flavour.

This spicy new taste sensation has been released in limited-edition packs containing a graphic symbol known as an augmented reality marker on the back. Pointing a webcam at this symbol will enable the viewer to see exclusive 360-degree music videos by Grammy-winning sensation Rihanna, South African hip-hop trio Teargas and others online at www.doritoslatenight.com.

In the local competition linked to this sizzling global initiative, there are daily prizes of R500 up for grabs until 15 December 2010 to lucky web-surfers who register on the Doritos South Africa Facebook fan page. Remember, you have to be 18 or older to enter the competition.

Not only can you win cash prizes in the daily random draw section of the competition, but for every friend (up to a maximum of 10 a day) you invite to join the Doritos South Africa fan page, you will receive an extra entry into the draw.And that’s not all: all entries received for the daily R500 cash draws will automatically go into the draw for the grand prizes on 17 January 2011 – a sensational Mini Cooper S Convertible, and three runner-up prizes of a highly desirable Apple iPad.

To score additional entries into the Grand Prize draw, you can test your music knowledge in the weekly Pop Quiz. And if you get the question right, you automatically receive five additional points into the draw for the grand prize.

So, start your guilt-free surfing and join up with Doritos on Facebook – http://www.facebook.com/DoritosSouthAfrica. You may just be the one driving away in a super-smooth set of wheels come January 2011...

JANICE HONEYMAN’S EXPLOSIVE NEW PANTOMIME – ROBINSON CRUSOE & THE CARIBBEAN PIRATES

This show is an explosive adventure with parrots, peg-legs and barrels of laughs.

Shows come and go all year round, and then there’s the annual Joburg Theatre pantomime, written and directed by the irrepressible queen of double entendre, Janice Honeyman.


Tanya Van Graan and Carlo McFarlane

With thrilling sword fights, hilarious comedy, a shipwreck, a sea monster, an abundance of comedy, flamboyant costumes and fabulous sets, Joburg audiences are in for a very special treat as they join the celebrity starts in this spectacular production.

Now, I’m not really going to detail the review of this show, except that, it’s one of those shows you just can’t afford to fail to watch. It is for the young and old, contemporary and traditional, common and elite, there’s honestly something about Honeyman’s productions that will make you change the way you look at South African stage works.




Judy Page and Carlo MacFarlane

 

However, I have a bone to pick with her as far as the casting is concerned. And this bone is not for her alone but, almost all directors that cast Carlo McFarlane as lead, especially in major musical productions. Carlo regularly struggles to hold any note, his acting is without emotions and too dramatic, he always messes up the choreography and this I say from his latest dreadful performance on the opening night for this year’s Panto. Ever since his role in Footloose as Ren, I have doubted his talent in theatre, especially when he has to combine all three (singing, dancing and acting). I hope Carlo is not part of the cast for next year’s Panto, Cindarella as I fear he will devastate everything.




Shaun Brian Murphy and Carlo McFarlane

 

Despite the Carlo situation, the show is out of this world even though, I still feel last year’s Pinocchio was much better and more inventive.

This year has more comedy than creativeness. There were moments where I felt like I was at a Marc Lottering stand up show featuring the cast from Robinson Crusoe and The Caribbean Pirates. The comedy goes on with hilarious scenes by Loise Saint-Clare as Zanilla Zillion; you know who that is in real life, right? Louise’s husband, Michael Richard kills the role of Beelzebub Bullybugger. He doesn’t even try for that, it just comes naturally, which I found very impressive.




Louise Saint- Claire as Zanilla Zillion

 

There are other names to this collaboration, such as Judy Page as the fairy, Bruce J Little as Jack Sparrow, where he literally appears 3 times on stage, a notable performance by Thokozani Nzima as Black Friday, Robin’s black friend and Ryan Flynn as Oesie Woesie. However, above everyone I’ve just mentioned, I was stunned by Kim Engelbrecht as Bobbin. I loved her singing, very clear, unlike the mumbling by McFarlane.



Kim Engelbrecht and Marc Lottering



It’s a shame we only have one pantomime a year, as I feel more than one would definitely add to the way South Africans view theatre. Honeyman’s pantomimes have a combination of reality, comedy and art which creates equilibrium of entertainment and culture.  Personally, I wonder how an oldie like her keeps up with the “here and now” because; she has it on lock down.

ROBINSON CRUSOE AND THE CARIBBEAN PIRATES is running on the stage of The Mandela Joburg Theatre till the 2^nd of January 2011. Tickets range from R191, R212, 242 and R278. Booking can be made at Computicket or by calling 083 915 8000. Discount for groups of ten or more is available.





SIBIKWA BREAKS NEW GROUND!!

Sibikwa has been flooded with applicants for Breaking New Ground, a Festival celebrating Solo Performances that will be held at Sci-Bono in Newtown from the 18th - 20th  November. There are few opportunities for artists to showcase experimental, risk-taking work that broadens the horizons of creative expression. For audiences starved of variety and challenge, this is an event not to be missed.



Gladwell Rakoma. Solist from Sibikwa


Up and coming performers such as Roberto Pombo, whose face will be easily recognisable from the KFC adverts, will present work alongside more established artists such as Craig Morris, well-known for his performance in Blood Orange. Members of Moving Into Dance and the Sibikwa Dance Company will also be performing, including Freddy Zwane who will be presenting a solo piece he is currently working on in Copenhagen, where it will premier. Leigh Nudelman, who performed in the international tour of The Elephant, and Kieron Jina, recently returned from a Middle Eastern tour of Dada Masilo’s Carmen will also present work.




Freddie Zwane, Taemane Mothobi and Teboogo Munyai
Members of the Sibikwa Dance Company


The New Education Wing at Sci-Bono has been secured as a fitting venue of open flowing spaces in which performers will create their own performance space, taking the audiences on an interactive, moving journey. Audience members are welcome to bring their own food and drinks to enjoy while watching the performance.




Leighh Nudelman


The festival will take place at the Sci-Bono Discovery Centre Newtown on the 18 -20 November 2010.Admission fee is R30 and payable at the door. For info on this festival, contact Lerato at 011 422 4359 or lerato@sibikwa.co.za or visit www.sibikwa.co.za

MILLER ROCK THE BOAT PARTY

If you would really like to win yourself VIP Tickets for the Miller Cruise this year, make sure you're at Vaccamatta, Fourways - Monte Casino this coming Thursday.

Ladies and students free the entire night and R40 for gents in the working class. Buy one, get one free from 20h00 to 22h00.

This is your last chance to WIN those awesome ticktes. Get yourself there, don't say i didn't tell ya. Hala!!

GAY MEN, HIV and MEDIA

I will be attending this forum and i'll give you guys an update as to what exactly went down. I just hope all the aprticipants are gay or atleast very well informed of "gay sex" as i am personally tired of people who know nothing about certain subjects being centre of "knowlegde".

I will be representing the "gays" ofcourse and it woul be lovely if you can send me your comments, an e-mail and inform  me of what questions to ask and what info to convey at the forum.

Drop me your thoughts and views about this forum. Lets chat-

Morale Veritaz- The Truth behind the Rhyme

As you guys know that, i try by all means to bring everything and anything from the arts, lifestyle and entertainment, here's what one of the young  lifestyle journalists think about this iconic and fast growing Hip -Hop star.
Enjoy-


 By Monde Nyovane

Millionaire swag, street tales and a relentless hustle are but three words that describe hip hop prince, Morale Veritaz.  Three years into the game and not only has he remained consistent, but he’s sound is fresher than before.

Also known to his fans as Mr. Joburg, the rapsta is well known for hit singles like “Aint No Thang”, “I Am” and “Promise” featuring Lungelo. Morale’s featured on numerous mixtapes including his own Rising Son (2007) and a few appearances on Nokia Hype Sessions. His debut album Rising Star, was released in 2008 under Neo Shanty/Uproot Records.  

The immaculate rhymesta with a laid back swag reminisces how it all began in Jewish boarding school, with a search for identity that led him into the classics Kriss Kross, Snoop Dogg, WU Tang and the legendary Biggy Smalls. “I’m talking about my history, today’s time and how we’ve evolved and the obstacles we still have to go through”.  Locally Morale’s admirers the likes of hood storyteller Maggs, and hip hop royalty Tumi.

Morale

Recently he released the heart felt single Ayamaah with Kwaito chief, Zola- a track dedicated to a fan’s girlfriend who was comatose at the time. She has since made a speedy recovery and the track has received major hype. When asked about the collaboration “everybody knows Zola for doing good- he’s got that voice with pain”. The video is set to be done this November including an unreleased single titled Illusion.

“If you do it by yourself, you’re in control of everything; you learn to build relationships as this is a people’s industry”. With his recently launched publishing and media company Neo Shanty, Morale is a one-man branding machine with endorsements from beverages Ciroc, Miller and upcoming deal with Puma. “If I can keep up, it’s an advantage. Any brand needs to keep with the times”.

  His second album Decoded, set to drop in February is be well rounded classic with the likes of TP< Tumi, Sean Pages, RJ Benjamin and many more. Also catch the ‘Truth’ on Hype’s November Mixtape. Morale Veritaz has made a subtle but important name in the hip-hop industry, a great inspiration to young upcomers- take note!

Holla at Morale @Twitter and Facebook under Morale Veritaz

WHAT MAKES YOU SOUTH AFRICAN?

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I am completely aware that, this article’s scenery moderately has nothing to do with the arts, lifestyle and entertainment or celebrity scandal however, I think the solution for my question or point of view might be based on the South African collective status, to an extent adding to the lifestyle and entertainment substance.

There is a lot that this country has to offer, from the political dynamics, race, variety of languages, historical perspective, geographical setting, education, division of classes or standards and many other factors. With all of this mentioned, I then posed a question to myself as to, WHAT IS IT THAT MAKES ME A SOUTH AFRICAN? This does not add to whether or not, I am proud to be this country’s citizen, what I like or dislike, my opinions about certain issues and my future as a young black (or any other race) individual studying or hoping for a future in the communication industry (or any other field).

I also thought of this question as I was watching the public television, being SABC1, 2 and 3, reading the largest newspaper disseminated in the country, The Daily Sun, browsing through one of the “hypothetically” most viewed blogs, visiting South African posted videos on YouTube and in essence all these little things that, in my observation truly depicts our country and what the South African general public value or view as significant. 

In my thinking, I did not want to take into account internationally based  examples , such as our education system, wide range of global television charter screening, clothing trends, culture and other means of globalization.

I would then like you guys to inform me or assist me in an exploratory expedition of what it is that makes you a South African. The motive behind this article is that, personally I think that, media plays an enormous role in our behavior and how we view the country’s development or lack thereof and how most people base their decision on whether or not they like or dislike this country and any other personal based decision on the country at large.

I will use a dreadfully typical and indiscriminate example with Soweto and most white people. A large amount of the white raced people has never been to Soweto but, some have even written books about the place. Several are terrified of the place hence, never even been there and this is all the efforts from the media. How these “white” people perceive Soweto is totally based on what they see and read from the medium.

My point being, the media is a very powerful tool in how people perceive their standings or even self. However, I feel that the South African media is not aware of the portrayal they place to our country.

I then challenge you to inform me of what is it that you think MAKES YOU A SOUTH AFRICAN?

Drop me your comments, agree or disagree with what I say, let’s talk about it. Do you see what I’m seeing?

WHO WILL OWN THIS YEAR'S THRONE?

The hottest event this side of the equator is taking place right here in Soweto on 29 October 2010 at 08:00pm. Crowning Miss Soweto 2010 is set to rock Jozi’s world in a star studded line-up comprising of PROkid, LiquidDeep, RJ Benjamin, Pebbles and Deep Level in a stage performance choreographed by fashion guru and stage extraordinaire Somizi. -The show will also feature a power insert by ‘Praise Poet’, Masoja.

After many months of following the girls lives, voting them out and listening to their view as they define style, elegance and beauty, it is time to witness the CROWNING OF MISS SOWETO 2010. The event will be held at the Nasrec Expo this coming Friday @ 20h00. Don't miss out. Get yourself a ticket via Computicket.


Be part of more than sophistication, come witness ultimate natural splendor!

Channel O Music Video Awards 2010 – Vote and Win Big!

Need wheels desperately? Love African music in all its brilliant variety? Then here’s an easy way to combine both of these in one cool way! Voters in the upcoming 2010 Channel O Music Video Awards stand a chance to win one of four brand new Chevy Sparks from NOW until 29 October when voting closes.

 Two of the winners will be drawn from those who have made their mark by voting - either via SMS [SMS the artist code to the number [+27 83 920 8406], on the web (www.mva.channelo.tv) or on their mobile phones [channelo.tv or on MXiT] – while the other car can be won by purchasing a ticket to the event. Tickets are on sale at Computicket.




JOZI

  From Hip-hop to Dancehall; from Kwaito to Afro Pop; from Ghana to Angola; from Namibia to Kenya - and so many other countries and music genres! – the 2010 Channel O Music Video Awards are set to again showcase the best music the continent has to offer. In total, the 2010 Channel O Music Video Awards are spread across 14 categories – with five nominees in each category, except Most Gifted Video of the Year which features six nominees.




K'NAAN

 

To cast your say in this year’s Channel O Music Video Awards winners, vote by SMS [SMS the artist code to the number [+27 83 920 8406], on the web (www.mva.channelo.tv) or on their mobile phones [channelo.tv or on MXiT]. 



Ceremony scheduled for the 4^th of November 2010 at the Sandton Convention Centre. Don’t let people tell you of what “was”, get yourself a ticket and part of the Channel O music experience. 

Here are the FINAL NOMINEES for 2010.

1. MOST GIFTED MALE VIDEO		SMS CODE
WANDE COAL	BUMPER TO BUMBER	1A
BANKY W	STRONG TING	2A
ZEUS	CHAMPAIGN MUSIC	3A
BLACK COFFEE FT ZAKES BANTWINI	JUJU	4A
K’NAAN	T.I.A.	5A
2. MOST GIFTED FEMALE VID
WITNESS	ATTENTION PLEASE	1B
KENNY SAINT BROWN FT DA GREEN	TURN ME AROUND	2B
MO’CHEDDAR FT OTHELLO	TURN ME AROUND	3B
THEMBI SEETE	FREE	4B
LIZA JAMES FT LOYISO	VOU TE ATACAR	5B
3. MOST GIFTED NEW COMER
OCTAVE COUPLET FT. HYDRO	DO UR THANG	1C
DJINEE	OVERKILLING	2C
L - TIDO FT.T-P	CALLING	3C
GABRIELA	MINA NAWENA	4C
M.I. FT. DJINEE	SAFE	5C
4. MOST GIFTED DUO, GROUP OR FEATURING
M.I. FT. DJINEE	SAFE	1D
TUMI FT.BRICKS & TRACY LEE	BAMBEZELA	2D
OBITA FT.LOYISO	EVERYBODY DANCE	3D
P SQUARE FT.J-MARTINS	E NO EASY	4D
DEEP LEVEL	WE RUN THIS CITY	5D
5. MOST GIFTED DANCE VIDEO
DJ CLEO	MZIMBA SHAKER	1E
BIG NELO	HOJE E SURRA	2E
BIG NUZ FT.DJ TIRA	UMLILO	3E
DJ VETKUK VS MAHOOTA/PROFESSOR	BAYETE	4E
LIQUIDEEP	FAIRYTALE	5E
6. MOST GIFTED RAGGA DANCEHALL VIDEO
GENERAL PYPE FT.NAETO C,VECTOR, SASHA, DA GRIN & GT	CHAMPION (REMIX)	1F
SAMINI	SWEET MISTAKE	2F
BUFFALO SOULJAH	TOO MANY OF ME	3F
WYRE	UPRISING	4F
KWELA TEBZA FT. VARIOUS ARTISTS	BETTER DAY (REMIX)	5F
7. MOST GIFTED AFRO POP
D'BANJ	FALL IN LOVE	1G
NTANDO	NGIYOSEBENZA	2G
NAMELESS & HABIDA	SUNSHINE	3G
ANOGIRI	OYIBO	4G
JOZI	PARTY TIME	5G

Remember that, you can also vote for the most gifted Hip-Hop Video, Most  gifted RNB Video, Most gifted Kwaito Video and Most gifted South VideoBe part of this year's Channel O African Musical recognition by casting your vote and booking a seat for this year's Award Ceremony.

I will be updating you further on any additonal changes and filling you in on this year's awarding journey.