Entertainment


Jozi Fans out in force!

8th Joburg Carnival Celebrates!!

Posted on: 01 Jan 2012

by Ursula Brown Managing Editor and Patrick Allen National Photographic Editor Cape Info SA.

Colourful 8th Joburg Carnval spectacle on New Year's Eve (Sat 31 Dec 2011) bids a final magnificent farewell to 2011 to usher in a New Year full of hope and fitting tribute and 125 year celebration of the City of Gold!  

Braving the weather over 10000 spectators lined streets to see performers file past in scenes reminiscent of famous Rio Carnival in Brazil. A procession of giant puppets, stilt walkers, carnival music, jaunty dancers provided a feast of entertainment for those who had come along for the ride – both performer and spectator alike. The street children who took part for the first time in the carnivals history had the time of their lives as their months of preparation was brought to fruition – and they lent a particularly heart-warming atmosphere to the proceedings.

Member of the Mayoral Committee for Community Development in the City of Johannesburg Clr Chris Vondo, who joined the thousand participants on their walk from Hillbrow to Newtown saluted the “young citizens” for the significant role they played

“Often  youngsters are criticised for lack of creativity and blamed for contributing to most of the social ills in our society. However, today you’ve shown us that you are a different breed. The fact that the number of participants have swelled this year, brings so much joy and hope that our youth are beginning to find positive outlets other than engage in activities that only bring grief and shame to their parents and their community at large,” said Clr Vondo

He added that the mandate of the department of Community Development within the City of Johannesburg was to unlock the spirit of creativity through arts and culture. 

 

“This carnival continues to do that with pomp, grace and style. Since its inception eight years ago, the carnival has created a platform for our artists to express themselves. These flamboyant costumes, floats and other paraphernalia are designed by our very own artists. And with such talent and creativity on display, I’m convinced that soon this carnival will be in the same league as the ones in Rio de Janeiro and London.

Amazing prizes were up for grabs for the best large costume, best troupe costume, best overall interpretation of the sub-themes, best choreographed region and best overall region, and winner of each category receives a trophy as well as thousands of rands in cash. Due to prize giving being rained out winners will be announced on 11 Jan 2012.

2011 Johannesburg Carnival brought to you by City of Joburg's Community Development Department:Directorate of Arts, Culture and Heritage, Directorate: Sports and Recreation; Joburg City Parks, Joburg Zoo, Roodepoort City Theatre, Emergency Services, Johannesburg Development Agency; Milo; Reef Hotel, and Simba.

Photos by Patrick Allen, National Photographic Editor, Cape Info SA

Photo 1. JOZI fans out in force to celebrate......
Photo 2 : Happy 125th Birthday JOZI
Photo 3 : Fans, Dancers, Performers - Jozi my Jozi
Photo 4 : Carnival!!!


Back to host 84th Academy Awards®

Billy Crystal to Return as Host for 84th Academy Awards®

Posted on: 22 Nov 2011

by Ursula Allen-Brown, Managing Editor, Cape Info SA

Billy Crystal to Return as Host for 84th Academy Awards®

Beverly Hills, CA (November 10, 2011) –  Producers Brian Grazer and Don Mischer have announced that Billy Crystal will serve as host for the 84th Academy Awards. "I'm thrilled to welcome Billy back to the Oscar® stage," said Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences president Tom Sherak. "He's a comic legend and Oscar icon, and it feels good to have him back where he belongs."

Commented Grazer, "Like so many others, I've been eager to see Billy host again. It's very gratifying that he agreed to do it with Don and me at the helm."

Said Mischer, "With Billy, we're moving forward with one of the greatest hosts in Oscar history. His return to the Oscars® is, in a sense, a celebration."

This will mark Crystal's ninth time as host. Only Bob Hope has hosted more Academy Awards presentations, with 19 ceremonies between 1940 and 1978. Crystal last hosted the Academy Awards in 2004.

"Some of the best moments of my career have happened on the Oscar stage. I am thrilled to be back there. Actually, I am doing this so that the young woman in my pharmacy will stop asking me my name when I pick up my prescriptions," said Crystal.

Academy Awards for outstanding film achievements of 2011 will be presented on Sunday, February 26, 2012, at the Kodak Theatre at Hollywood & Highland Center®, and televised live by the ABC Television Network. The Oscar® presentation also will be televised live in more than 200 countries worldwide.

More details www.oscars.org 



KYLIE MINOGUE extends her South African tour with ONE more show

Posted on: 17 Jul 2011
by Ursula Brown Managing Editor Cape Info SA

KYLIE MINOGUE extends her South African tour with ONE more show

A frenzy of last minute ticket buying erupted when pop Icon, Kylie Minogue announced that she will be extending South African leg of her “Aphrodite Live” 2011 World Tour with one more performance at the Sun City Superbowl Sunday 10 July 2011.  

Kylie commented “I have been looking for an opportunity to perform in South Africa for a very long time so I am really delighted that I can now confirm I will be visiting Johannesburg and Cape Town in July this year. I’ve been having a wonderful time touring Aphrodite and I’m absolutely thrilled I will be able to bring ‘Aphrodite Live’ to South Africa. 

The Aphrodite Live 2011 Tour was essentially 76 days around the world for Kylie, and her globetrotting will come to an end in South Africa, in the Mother City on July 14th. 

Over the course of her extraordinary 20-plus-year-career, Kylie Minogue has been a global force in pop music and is one of the world’s most successful female artists with more than 60 million albums sold worldwide, 50 hit singles including the dance-chart-toppers “Can’t Get You Out of My Head,” “Love At First Sight,” “Slow,” and the Grammy-Award winning “Come Into My World.”  

She has received countless awards and accolades including an OBE from the Queen, 9 sold-out world tours including her current Aphrodite tour which will have travelled to 27 countries throughout Europe, Japan, Australia, Asia and now coming to South Africa. Kylie has released eleven studio albums, three live CDs, eight live concert DVD’s, plus her Greatest Hits, Ultimate Kylie double album and several remix albums. Kylie has her own successful bed linen line “Kylie Minogue at Home” and has released 8 fragrances from her ‘Kylie Minogue House of Parfums’. 

Aphrodite was released in July 2010 and became Kylie’s fifth #1 album in the UK, hitting the top spot a full 22 years to the week since her debut album Kylie entered the chart.  The album also made Kylie the first solo artist in the history of the UK charts to have a #1 album in four different decades.  Around the globe Aphrodite debuted in the top 10 in thirteen different countries. 

“Aphrodite Live “ 2011 South African Dates  
Sun City Superbowl Johannesburg 
Fri 8, Sat 9, Sun 10 July 2011
Ticket prices: R466 - R1770

Grand Arena in Cape Town
Wed 13 and Thurs 14 July 2011 
Ticket Price: R466 - R1570


NEIL DIAMOND LIVE Tour

Posted on: 27 Mar 2011

Neil Diamond LIVE in South Africa for very first time during April 2011. Big Concerts are incredibly excited to announce that Neil Diamond will be performing LIVE in South Africa for the very first time during April 2011, he will be performing four shows in new stadiums built for Soccer World Cup.

Over the course of a career that kicked in with the rush of "Cherry Cherry" in 1966 and continues to crescendo nearly four decades later, Neil Diamond has never failed to surprise and delight fans with fresh approaches to music that moves him the most deeply.

Over the years, his songs and his unmistakable voice continue transforming his concerts into nothing less than standing room only communal celebrations, intimate encounters between artist and his millions of fans. He has sold over 120 million albums and set box office records at major venues all over the world.

Across a musical career stretching nearly 50 years, Neil Diamond has sold more than 128 million albums worldwide. He has charted a staggering 37 Top 10 singles and 18 Top 10 albums. In September 2010, it was announced that Neil Diamond is nominated for The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. His last studio album, "Home Before Dark" (2008), debuted at #1 in the U.S. and internationally. His 2024 DVD, "Hot August Night/ NYC", has been certified double platinum. A Grammy Award-winning artist, Diamond is a member of Songwriters Hall of Fame and recipient of Sammy Cahn Lifetime Achievement Award, one of the highest honours bestowed upon songwriters. Diamond's many other achievements include a Golden Globe Award and 12 Grammy nominations. He was NARAS's 2024 MusiCares Person of the Year.

• Sat 02 Apr 2011 - F N B Stadium, Joburg - 8PM (Open)
• Tue 03 Apr 2011 - Moses Mabhida Stadium, Durban - 8PM (Open)
• Fri 08 Apr 2011 - Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, Port Elizabeth - 8PM (Open)
• Mon 11 Apr 2011 - Cape Town Stadium - 8PM (Open)

Tickets available at Computicket from 09:00am on Saturday 9th October 2010. www.computicket.com or 0839158000.



46th FLEUR DU CAP WINNERS ANNOUNCED!

Posted on: 27 Mar 2011
by Ursula Brown, Managing Editor, Cape Info SA

Nominees and VIP guests, all dressed to the nines, were greeted on  red carpet with cocktails and canapés, mingling to music by vivacious saxophonist Judy Brown and harpist Jane Theron. Lara Bye, previous Fleur du Cap winner and nominee, directed on stage event that was given a uniquely Capetonian vibe this year. Performances by David Kramer and his Breyani Band, Limited Edition Drummers, Gugulethu Tenors, Thembi Mtshali-Jones and world champion break dance duo Jed and Duane Lawrence, also known as the Ubuntu BBoys. 

Entertaining the illustrious crowd in between the awarding of prizes was hilarious MC Alan Committee with elegant television personality Charlene Truter his co-host.

Fleur du Cap Theatre Awards is the premier event of its kind in South Africa. Every year prizes are given to outstanding individuals for theatre excellence, specifically focusing on professional theatre productions staged in Cape Town Metropole and surrounds. Judges are made up of local critics, journalists, writers and drama educators, who base their decisions on having viewed close to 100 productions over twelve months, in several venues in and around the city. Panel consists of Marianne Thamm,  Mariana Malan,  Marina Nel,  Peter Tromp,  Len Ashton,  Beverley Brommert,  Wayne Muller, Herman van der Westhuizen,  Zane Henry,  Jill Makram,  Denise Bester and Conrad Sidego, the non-voting chairman.

London Road, production directed by Lara Bye, scooped three awards for Robyn Scott as Best Actress, Ntomboxolo Makhutshi as Best Supporting Actress and Nicholas Spagnoletti for Best New SA Script. Woyzeck was acknowledged in two categories with Bongile Mantsai winning Best Supporting Actor and Leopold Senekal receiving the Fleur du Cap for Best Design (costumes and set). Pieter-Dirk Uys, who was awarded a coveted TEDDY in Berlin last month and a Naledi in Johannesbaurg last week, received his third major award of 2011 when he won the Fleur du Cap for Best Performance in a Revue or Cabaret for his role as Bambi Kellermann in F.A.K Songs and Other Struggle Anthems.

Each award carries a R15 000 cash prize and a silver medallion, making a 'Fleur du Cap' one of the most coveted awards in the industry. Awards are given for musicals, comedy and drama productions. Special attention is paid to the entire artistic creation of a production which includes writing of new scripts, acting, directing plus the challenging technical and design elements.

46th annual Fleur du Cap Theatre Awards : Category winners 

BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR : Warrick Grier for Blackbird as Ray
BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS : Robyn Scott for London Road as Rose
BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR : Bongile Mantsai for Woyzeck as Drum Major
BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS :  Ntomboxolo Makhutshi for London Road as Stella
BEST DIRECTOR : Malcolm Purkey for The Girl in the Yellow Dress
BEST PERFORMANCE IN A ONE-PERSON SHOW/ James Cairns for Dirt 
BEST NEW SA SCRIPT: London Road - Nicholas Spagnoletti
PRIZE FOR NEW DIRECTORS : Christiaan Olwagen for Woza Andries
BEST PERFORMANCE IN MUSICAL: Ilse Klink for Mamma Mia! as Rosie
BEST PERFORMANCE IN A REVUE OR CABARET: Pieter-Dirk Uys for F.A.K Songs and Other Struggle Anthems as Bambi Kellermann
BEST DESIGN : Leopold Senekal - Costume and Prop Design for Aesop's Fables and Costume and Set Design for Woyzeck
BEST STUDENT AWARD : De Klerk Oelofse from University of Stellenbosch (US)

LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD : Mannie Manim

AWARD INNOVATIVE THEATRE CONTRIBUTION: Klein Libertas Theatre Stellenbosch

PEOPLES CHOICE AWARD - Members of public voted online for favourite production of 2010 between 28 Feb - 16 Mar. The Mechanicals production of Louis Nowra’s Cosi.

Fleur du Cap Theatre Awards is an initiative of the Distell Foundation, forming part of Distell’s Corporate Social Investment Programme that is dedicated to supporting the performing arts. The event itself is an evening of glitz and glamour that is equivalent to the Tony Awards in New York, and it attracts the cream of the country’s theatre talent and entertainers.

Colin Firth - Best Actor Golden Globes 2011

COLIN FIRTH - Royal Winner at GOLDEN GLOBES 2011

Posted on: 21 Mar 2011

by Ursula Brown - Managing Editor - Cape Info SA

Firth took the "Best Actor in a Motion Picture – Drama" award for his role as George VI.The victory puts him in pole position for the Oscars next month, after losing out last year when he was nominated for A Serious Man.

As he collected his award the British actor thanked his “supernaturally talented fellow cast members” and his “exquisite no-nonsense Queen”,  Helena Bonham Carter.“Getting through the mid stage of your life with your dignity and judgement in tact can be somewhat precarious," he added.

ALL THE WINNERS - GOLDEN GLOBE 2011 

Best Motion Picture - Drama : The Social Network
Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture - Drama : Colin Firth, The King’s Speech
Best Motion Picture - Comedy or Musical : The Kids Are All Right
Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture - Drama : Natalie Portman, Black Swan
Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture - Comedy or Musical : Paul Giamatti, Barney’s Version
Best Television Series - Comedy or Musical : Glee
Best Director - Motion Picture : David Fincher, The Social Network

Cecil B. DeMille Award : Robert De Niro

Best Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture : Melissa Leo, The Fighter
Best Actor in a Television Series-Comedy,Musical:Jim Parsons, Big Bang Theory
Best Actress in a Television Series - Comedy, Musical : Laura Linney, The Big C
Best Foreign Language Film : In a Better World (Denmark)
Best Performance by Actress in Series, Mini-Series, or Motion Picture Made for Television : Jane Lynch, Glee
Best Screenplay - Motion Picture : Aaron Sorkin, The Social Network
Best Performance by Actress in Mini-Series or Motion Picture Made for Television : Claire Danes, Temple Grandin
Best Performance by Actor in a Mini-Series or Motion Picture Made for Television : Al Pacino, You Don’t Know Jack

Best Animated Feature Film : Toy Story 3

Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture - Comedy or Musical : Annette Bening, The Kids Are All Right
Best Original Score - Motion Picture : Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross, The Social Network
Best Original Song - Motion Picture : “You Haven’t Seen the Last of Me,” Burlesque : Music and lyrics by Diane Warren : 
Best Television Series - Drama : Boardwalk Empire
Best Performance by an Actor In A Television Series - Drama : Steve Buscemi, Boardwalk Empire
Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Series, Mini-Series or Motion Picture Made for Television : Chris Colfer, Glee
Best Mini-Series or Motion Picture Made for Television : Carlos
Best Performance by an Actress in a Television Series - Drama : Katey Sagal, Sons of Anarchy
Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Motion Picture : Christian Bale, The Fighter



8th NALEDI THEATRE AWARDS WINNERS

Posted on: 21 Mar 2011
by Ursula Brown, Managing Editor, Cape Info SA

The Naledi Awards: Winners Announced in Star-Studded Ceremony 

Naledi’s have had their share of drama and controversy in the past, but this year’s event went off without a hitch or anyone throwing toys, and most spectacular and enthusiastic to date. MC, Nik Rabinowitz, kept show rolling and audience happy, and presenters roster glittered with celebrities. The Naledi Chairman, Dali Tambo, and Executive Director, Dawn Lindberg, also lent their presence to the proceedings. 

Top-drawer entertainment was provided by multi-Grammy Award-winning Soweto Gospel Choir,  Bala Brothers,  PJ Powers,  Alan Committie and quartet Complete (from Songs of Migration). Angela Killian, currently playing title role in Evita at Pieter Toerien Theatre. 

Lifetime Achievement Award presented to “SA’s most famous white woman”, Evita Bezuidenhout, for her witty, refreshing and fearless observations of social fabric of our country over past 30 years, whilst Executive Director’s Award was similarly given for three decades of service - to Lefra Productions, for their promotion of Afrikaans Theatre.

Naledi judges, amongst whose number are theatre and television personalities, arts journalists, drama teachers and academics,  spent weeks discussing and debating various nominees, and - as usual - it hadn’t been the easiest task to come up with one winner in each category. But come up with winners they did, and last night was the turn of the victors to claim their laurels and bask in the fanfare.


ANDRÉ RIEU: LIVE IN SOUTH AFRICA

Posted on: 08 Mar 2011
by Ursula Brown, Managing Editor, Cape Info SA, reporting live from the Mother City.

JAMES BHEMGEE:  SOUTH AFRICAN TENOR TO SWEEP AUDIENCES OFF THEIR FEET. Tenor and former street sweeper,  James Bhemgee, has been chosen to perform with André Rieu during his upcoming SA Tour. Bhemgee, winner of SA's Got Talent, caught the world’s attention with his incredible voice and rags to riches story, as well as the ear of the biggest touring classical artist in the world, André Rieu.

A true South African success story, James Bhemgee will have the opportunity to perform on stage with some of the best classical musicians in the world during André Rieu’s nationwide Tour this March. 

Bhemgee who hails from Mitchell’s Plain in Cape Town, was invited to Maastricht to rehearse with André Rieu and his Johann Strauss Orchestra and had this to say upon his return: “I am so honoured to have been chosen by André to perform with him and his orchestra. We had such a lovely time rehearsing in Holland and all I can say is that the South African audiences will be blown away by the concerts. All of this is truly a dream come true for me!”

Having topped the tour rankings with his sold out SA Tour last year, the Dutch violinist and conductor’s magnificent grand-scale production will once again feature his Johann Strauss Orchestra, choir and soloists, as well as SA’s nightingale, Kimmy Skota, who stole the hearts of everyone during her incredible performances last year.

With multi-platinum status, André Rieu has over 30 million albums globally, and has broken all classical concert records, packing stadiums with over 700,000 adoring fans each year. He has sold over 300,000 DVD’s in South Africa alone, earning him a special place in South Africans hearts and minds and truly being one of contemporary musical geniuses.

A musical phenomenon, André Rieu is unlike anything else in the entertainment world. His audience members are known to jump to their feet and dance in the aisles at his unparalleled music spectaculars. Now with added South African flavour, this is a concert that is definitely not to be missed.

Book at Computicket to avoid disappointment. Tickets range from R400 – R1,050.

ANDRÉ RIEU’S SOUTH AFRICA 2011 TOUR DATES: 

Grand Arena, Grand West Cape Town:
Fri 11 Mar 2011 : 8pm     
Sat 12 Mar 2011 : 8pm    
Sun 13 Mar 2011 : 6pm   

Superbowl, Sun City:
Fri 18 Mar 2011 : 8h30pm
Sat 19 Mar 2011 : 7pm
Sun 20 Mar 2011 : 7pm    

ICC, Durban: Wed 23 Mar 2011 : 8pm


World Aids Day Concert

Posted on: 01 Dec 2010

by Ursula Brown, Managing Editor, Cape Info SA

6th World Aids Day Gala Concert 2010. International recording artist, actor, director and first UNAIDS Special Goodwill Ambassador to South Africa, Jimmie Earl Perry joined by Sharon Kips, Soli Philander, Ladysmith Black Mambazo, New Apostolic Church Symphony Orchestra and Choir, Nina Schumann. 

Star-studded line-up brings powerful programme of classical, pop, jazz and adult contemporary to inspire patrons to make a difference to mankind. Joyous celebration to honour unsung heroes.

Presented by Africa Centre for HIV/Aids Management at Stellenbosch University with
New Apostolic Church Cape

Artscape Opera House Cape Town.


James Bhemjee wins SA's got TALENT 2010

Cape Town WINS SA's got talent 2010

Posted on: 01 Nov 2010

CAPE TOWN Winners SA's got TALENT 2010

by Ursula Brown Managing Editor, Cape Info SA

James Bhemgee, the opera singing street sweeper from Mitchells Plain, became the winner of SA’s Got Talent 2010. The unemployed singer received a standing ovation from all three judges and burst into tears when his name was announced as the R250 000 winner.

Madalene Abrahams, a 32-year-old police constable from Strand, took second place, while another Cape Town act, The Limited Drum Corps, from Manenberg, came third.

Before the winner was announced judge Ian von Memerty told Bhemjee and Abrahams: ''Don't ever let yourself go back to where you've been before. You need to follow this career, people need to hear you sing."