Vuyani Dance Theatre, celebrating more than a decade of sustainability presents its revamped Four Seasons.

Gregory Vuyani Maqoma, one of South Africa's leading choreographers is presenting his ‘revamped’ 2010 work, Four Seasons, at the Dance Factory, Newtown Johannesburg from 5 to 8 May, 2011.

This return season of Four Seasons is in celebration of VDT’s many years of proud sustainability and has been made possible by funding from The National Lottery Distribution Trust Fund (NLDTF). This funding has been allocated for a three year period and has enabled VDT to grow its management team. The team, together with a new Board and patrons, Judge Edwin Cameron, Advocate Pinky Mokgatla and Consular Paul Mees, is a blend that bodes well for the company in the years ahead.

The limited season opens with a red-carpet, Black-Tie/Green-Tie event celebrating VDT’s more than a decade of sustainability in regards to good governance, on Thursday 5 May 2011.  It will be hosted by VDT’s patron Judge Edwin Cameron and invited guests will comprise media, Citigreen companies, corporate companies, and government organisations.

Four Seasons, fresh from a successful run at KKNK, features the full company of eight dancers: Thabo Kobeli, Teresia Mojela and Shawn Mothupi (from the original cast), Sibusiso Ngcobo, Thulani Chauke, Phumlani Nyanga, Nosiphiwo Samente and Charlston van Rooyen. 

Four Seasons is at the Dance Factory, Newtown Johannesburg for a very limited season: four performances only, Thursday 5 May – Gala evening (by invitation only), Friday 6 and Saturday 7 May at 8pm and Sunday 8 May at 2.30pm. Booking is at Computicket.  Tickets are R90.  Students / Pensioners / block bookings (10+) - R40.

Four Seasons is funded by the National Lottery Distribution Trust Fund and is further supported by Business & Arts South Africa (BASA) and Breinstorm Brand Architects; also Nedbank Arts Affinity and The Arts & Culture Trust (ACT).

For more information about Vuyani Dance Theatre call 011 838 7666 or visit the VDT website atwww.vuyani.co.za

Pre Human Right's Day Party for FREE!! @ Liquid Chefs, Rosebank

Lets raise our glasses, as we toast to our rights this

Human Rights Day
with Rhythm100Radio
with a 6hour jam packed show of #HomoNoHomo and The Recovery
featuring
Mika Stefano, Saz, DJ Cosmo and Lehasa Moloi.

Sunday 20th March
17:00 - 23:00
@ Liquid Chefs, Rosebank, Johannesburg

Come early for Cocktail specials...
A percentage of drinks will go to HURISA (Human Rights Institute of South Africa)

Twins on Decks, DJ Voodoo, Biz, Shluda, DJ Cosmo and Saz will be in the mix...

Come on time and look at the new Flud Watch range...
They will be available at discounted prices...

Also stand a chance in winning tickets to Dreamgirls South Africa and the Channel O Sessions with Slikour and TKZee

If you cant make it, feel free to tune in on http://www.rhythm100radio.co.za/
or on www.r100.mobi on your BB

Did I mention its free...
#NoCoverCharge...

Invite, courtesy of Mika Stefano. For more information visit www.mikastefano.com

JENNIFER HUDSON'S dual ESSENCE covers!

CHRIS BROWN'S F.A.M.E. (FORGIVING ALL HIS ENEMIES)

Calling Dancers & Dance Fans!

DON’T FORGET MARCH 21ST

The dance happening of the year is just around the corner, so if you have an itch in your dancing shoes, brace yourself for a whole bunch of learning, doing and experiencing, in The Dance Explosion.

Both established and new dancers from around Gauteng are invited to participate in, and showcase their work at, the Sibikwa Centre For The Arts in Benoni South on Human Rights Day, March 21st.

The event was a rousing success last year with over 20 dance companies participating – and more fireworks are expected this time around.

If you’re into dance, you owe it to yourself to throw your name into the hat. These groups have already committed themselves to the vibrant melting-pot that is The Dance Explosion:
Amagqoza Cultural, from Daveyton; Most wanted B/Boys crew, from Soweto; United Generations, from Thembisa; Phelane Theatre Production, from Daveyton; Linyelo Dance Theatre, from Katlehong; Batsumi Cultural Group, from Thokoza; Etwatwa Performing Arts Productions, from Daveyton; Etwatwa Kempton Rockers, from Kempton Park; Alba Creative Arts Performance, from Etwatwa; Sizwe and his Company, from Johannesburg CBD; 325 Home Boys, from Orange Farm.

STRETCH YOUR HORIZONS

Dancers – like all other artists – can’t work successfully in a vacuum. They need input and stimulation from their peers; in short, someone to ‘bounce off’.
This is where the Dance Explosion comes into its own. It’s a great place to not only show off one’s work, but also to see what other dancers are up to, and share ideas an opinions on where dance is at in South Africa today – and where it’s going.

STILL TIME TO PARTICIPATE!

Dancers and choreographers who are interested in taking part in the Dance Explosion may still apply – just do it now! Contact Sibikwa at 011 422 4359 or sibikwa@iafrica.com

Although registration for this exciting event had officially closed on March 1st, the organisers have extended the deadline in order to accommodate companies and individuals who missed the mark. Their reasoning: the greater the diversity, the better.

To find out more about Sibikwa, visit:www.sibikwa.co.za

Killer Moves – Flash Republic’s official launch hits The Alex!

Flash Republic, the internationally adored dance outfit with the audacity to bring a post-punk and rock sensibility to the table, has been tearing up the airwaves in the last couple of months with their latest album, Killer Moves.

Not being the types to hide in the shadows, the audacious, boundary-breaking, once-trio/now-quintet have now decided to give this already-celebrated album the launch it truly deserves! Joining forces with their new production partner, Strike Productions, the dance moguls will be showcasing tracks off their new album - backed by the most incredible sound, lighting and visuals that ‘The Alex’ has ever seen.


Add favourite local DJs Ryan Dent, Roger Goode and Craig Massiv, and everyone there is in for a night to remember!
The word from Flash is: “Please join us to celebrate the release of our best work yet. And thank you to all of you for your massive support of the new album. Flash Republic salutes you!

Fans can keep in touch with Flash Republic and their sounds by surfing to:
www.theflashrepublic.com
www.facebook.com - Flash Republic Pagewww.twitter.com/flashrepublic
www.justmusic.co.za


Flash Republic would like to thank the following sponsors for their continuos support and generous contribution to the launch: Adidas, Cheap Monday, David Guillson @ Carlton Hair, Patron, Rockit Distribution and AKG, Tiger of Sweden, Safilo Strike Productions and Yamaha.


Bookings can be made at any Computicket outlet (at Checkers Hyper and Shoprite), or online at www.computicket.com


VENUE: The Alexander Theatre, 36 Stiemens Street, Braamfontein.
DATES: Saturday March 26th
TICKETS: R100 from Computicket / R120 at the door
TIME: Doors open 21h30 Flash on around 23h30

Spotlight on Education at 2011 Franschhoek Literary Festival

The 4th annual Franschhoek Literary Festival is on from 13 to 15 May this year, and one of the key aspects to be addressed in various panel discussions is that of literacy and education.


In How to Fix our Schools on Saturday 14 May at 10:00, Professor Jonathan Jansen, Vice-Chancellor of the University of the Free State (Knowledge in the Blood), discusses solutions to current challenges faced in the South African education environment with Anne van Zyl, Head of the Oprah Winfrey Academy, and Melvin King, Head of Bridge House Primary, regulated (for once) by John Maytham.


Jansen also looks at the question Can Books Help to Heal a Nation? at 16:00 on Saturday 14 March with author Elinor Sisulu (co-founder of the Puku Children’s Literature Foundation) and Carole Bloch (co-ordinator of the PRAESA Early Literacy Unit at UCT). This session is chaired by SAfm’s Karabo Kgoleng.


In Leadership and Innovation Jansen debates fresh directions for South Africa with Justice Malala, economist Francis Wilson and sustainability consultant Camaren Peter at 10:00 on Sunday 15 May.

At 14:30 on Saturday 14 May Leon de Kock, Head of English at Stellenbosch University, puts three authors who teach creative writing – Kei Miller, Finuala Dowling and Kobus Moolman – on the spot with a leading question: Can You Teach Writing?


As part of the FLF’s commitment to create a reading and writing culture in the Franschhoek valley, the festival brings the grand finale of the Franschhoek Schools Spelling Bee on Saturday 14 May at 15:00, with primary school word experts spelling their way to glory.


The FLF is presented in association with Porcupine Ridge Wines and the Sunday Times, and is further made possible through the generosity of Franschhoek guest house owners and voluntary workers who give their time and energy to make it an event to remember. Ticket proceeds and other donations go towards the FLF Library Fund.

The full FLF programme is available on www.flf.co.za. Bookings are open and tickets can be booked on www.webtickets.co.za. Ticket prices remain unchanged at R60 per event, unless otherwise indicated.