ZOLANI MAHOLA & THE BLACK CAT BONES

Plus The Runaway Train Cult

Friday 27 June 2014

The Bassline, Newtown

he stage is dark, purples and blues, a large gauze screen flickers with primitive images, and on stage, bare chested drummers start thundering out a badass Bo Diddley beat, maracas start doing their rattlesnake thing, a wild man in porcupine headdress wails into his harmonica as the band, brass section and all, launches into the baddest version of Not Fade Away this side of Bardskeedersbos…enter Zolani Mahola.

Across The Bridge Sessions are series of concerts curated by producer Dan Roberts of Stoep Studio and staged by the Bassline, Newtown. Inspired by the iconic Mandela Bridge that crosses from Braamfontein into Newtown it’s as much about physically bringing people across the bridge as it is about bridging the gaps between musical genres.

Each event is structured around a theme and will feature a mix of some of the most influential and emerging talents interacting with each other across a variety of musical genres. The Sessions will be accompanied by food that reflects the theme and theatrical staging to transport the audience to the world of music we are creating.

The very first Across The Bridge Session will be presented by Jagermeister and feature a line-up nobody would have possibly imagined – the explosive four piece rock outfit THE BLACK CAT BONES together with ZOLANI MAHOLA of Freshlyground fame.

This magical collaborative experience was born at the 2014 KKNK festival, when Zolani spontaneously began jamming onstage with The Black Cat Bones. What followed stunned the audience, and left them gasping for more. Now, these diverse artists will come together once again as Joburg gets to experience an exclusive and fully fledged collaborative show that will explore the very (African) roots of Blues, Soul, Funk and Rock.

Zolani Mahola is her generation’s best vocalist, and needs no introduction. Fronting multi-platinum selling AfroPop sensations Freshlyground is just her day job. Also a highly qualified actor, Zolani is a multi-talented, world-class performer, who recently became a mother.

Incendiary stage performers, The Black Cat Bones first began making a name for themselves on the SA live music and festival circuit a few years back, culminating in the MK Award in 2013 for Best Live Act. Individually these two artists enjoy huge and loyal followings, and combined they’re set to take things to an altogether higher plane.

The Runaway Train Cult band will open the show. Highly popular in their own right, the band plays an infectious “Gypsy Folk Jazz” groove that will ideally compliment the evening’s main performers. Dan also brings his many years as a photographer, filmmaker and now SAMA award-winning producer to the party in his role of Across The Bridge Sessions curator.

Tickets are limited. R150 per head, available online at www.pnptickets.co.za or https://www.facebook.com/basslinejozi/app_277112852299042

Catering provided by BlackSamSmoque – https://www.facebook.com/BlackSamSmoque

http://www.blacksamsmoque.com/

ONE NIGHT ONLY

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Says Fiaz Mahomed, CEO of Ster-Kinekor Theatres: “Our promise to our audiences is to continue bringing them great cinema moments at their greatest, and we are achieving this by introducing new cinema viewing experiences, upgrading existing sites, opening new sites, installing the latest technology and staying in touch with our customers through a variety of communication platforms. On that note, it is difficult to envisage a greater moment than watching a blockbuster movie on a massive screen within the world’s most immersive cinematic experience. That is what we as Ster-Kinekor and The IMAX Experience® offer you.

“The Grove Mall has been selected as our second preferred site for an IMAX theatre. Our new cinema complex in the upgraded entertainment area of this iconic mall is performing exceptionally well and is a promising site for us. The public reaction to the IMAX theatre at Gateway has been extremely positive, and it is proving to be a popular choice for an immersive cinema experience. With a number of big blockbuster films releasing in the IMAX format this year and a strong cinema-going culture in this part of the country, we are confident that our second IMAX theatre at The Grove will perform equally well,” comments Mahomed.

“Internationally, IMAX theatres are enjoying renewed success and have become a popular viewing option. We are confident that our local audiences in Pretoria, and further afield, will also welcome and support this exciting new development.”

Says Andrew Cripps, President, IMAX EMEA: “We entered into the initial partnership with Ster-Kinekor last year with the belief that it would not only raise our visibility in South Africa, but also set the stage for mutual growth opportunities in the region. It is encouraging to see that this is already bearing fruit, with the opening of the second IMAX theatre in June this year – a mere seven months later.”

STER-KINEKOR ANNOUNCES OPENING OF SECOND IMAX® THEATRE AT THE GROVE MALL

As with the roll-out to convert all cinemas to digital projection that was completed towards the end of last year at all Ster-Kinekor sites, the return of IMAX to the country reinforces the company’s position as the industry market leader.

Construction on the IMAX theatre at The Grove Mall in Pretoria will commence during April 2014. The expected completion date is June this year, to coincide with the much-anticipated international release of Michael Bay’s Transformers: Age of Extinction at the end of June. This film is being partially filmed with IMAX’s new 3D digital cameras. These specific sequences, which will expand to fill more of the screen exclusively in IMAX, will deliver unprecedented crispness and clarity and a truly immersive experience for moviegoers.

“With more than 25 full-length feature films scheduled for an IMAX or IMAX 3D release in 2014, we are confident that this is going to be a big year to watch the best films on the Ster-Kinekor IMAX screens,” concludes Mahomed.

For more information, visit www.sterkinekor.com. To find out about other exciting offerings and promotions, follow @SKTheatres on Twitter or on Facebook at Ster-Kinekor Theatres. You can also download the Ster-Kinekor app on any Nokia, Samsung Android, iPhone or BlackBerry handset for up-to-date information and to make bookings.

The post STER-KINEKOR ANNOUNCES OPENING OF SECOND IMAX® THEATRE AT THE GROVE MALL appeared first on Book Of Swag.

It’s nearly time to light up the night and see the streets of Soweto illuminated by Energizer for the dazzling Energizer Light Race. On Saturday the 10th of May 2014, runners, cyclists and walkers will all gather to see street culture sparkling with life and light as they race along the township streets. Entries for this spectacular, proudly South African event are closing on the 25th of April – So if you haven’t entered yet, it’s time to get moving!

Energizer is gearing up to make the race an authentic township adventure like nothing Jozi has ever seen before. As participants move through the township along the safe and guided route, they will see Zulu drums and dancers, Vilikazi Street where Nelson Mandela once lived, hear the vibrant jazz at the Sakhumzi restaurant, see Archbishop Tutu’s home and more.

The races themselves will start at 5:30 – 6:00pm. There will be entertainment from 3:00pm until 10:30pm, including the Extraordinary Gentlemen and DJ Milkshake, making the event the place to be for spectators and racers alike. The venue will only close at midnight, so there will be plenty of time to party the night away. There is also a share of R25 000 to be won in prize money for the racing events, which include a men’s and women’s 10km trail run, a veteran’s 10km trail run; and a men’s, women’s and veteran’s 20km bike trail. There is also a 5km walk.

There are several registration venues to choose from, including the Cycle Lab in Fourways, The Creative Counsel Offices (on Corner of Corlett Drive, Opposite Melrose Arch) and Mapoyna Mall, Soweto but all racers must enter online at www.energizerlightrace.co.za, and spectators can buy tickets directly from the site as well. Entrants will receive an exciting complementary Energizer goodie bag worth R500, which includes an Energizer headlight – perfect for race day.

Don’t miss out on this opportunity to light up the night with Energizer. Get glowing now! For more information, go to www.energizerlightrace.co.za.

The post Don’t lag behind – Get your entry today to race in the Energizer Tour de Township appeared first on Book Of Swag.

Artist Chad Muska opens up his private studio in Los Angeles to the public for the

first time with a ONE NIGHT ONLY solo art show, with work

spanning textural painting, sculpture, and more.
On Friday April 25th, pro-skateboarder and artist Chad Muska (@themuska) will open up his private studio space to the public for the first time, with a solo art exhibition titled Alignment. Muska has been working out of Werkärtz Studio for the past year, building and experimenting in unconventional art materials and applying them to both hanging wall pieces, and sculptures. Muska has decided to open up his personal studio he transformed into a gallery atmosphere and invite the public in to see the large level art installation he has created. While the opening is one night only, Friday, April 25th, studio visits by appointment are encouraged throughout the week of April 21st, leading up to the show.

Muska’s artwork uses his immediate surroundings, available materials and the relationship between man and nature as inspiration and mediums of his new work. He is fearless and intuitive in his use of materials now being drawn to industrial elements like concrete, resin, and steel, all materials he has a strong connection with because of his long career in skateboarding and past artwork he has produced. “Without these mediums, my career in skateboarding would not be possible and there would be no walls to create public displays of art on. I have tried my best to create a new identity in my art separate from the public persona of a professional skateboarder that I’ve had for all these years, but that DNA is embedded in me, and remains prevalent in my artwork.” says Muska about his work.

Although at first glance Muska’s most current body of work looks nothing like the street art or the graffiti he has become widely recognized for doing, the details in the artwork show those direct connections. There has been a long progression of repetition in Muska’s previous work, that lead to the destruction of the obvious imagery he had been using and brought him to the patterns and textures that are dominant in his current artwork. Muska feels a strong connection to the anti-imagery pieces he is creating, as they are a more open to interpretation to the viewer, and offer boundless longevity.

Muska has exhibited in numerous group shows and his most recent solo show Transitions exhibited at New Image Art gallery in June 2013. This exhibition picks up where Transitions left off by exploring “the continuous use of concrete by blending together both elements of nature and synthetic materials into abstract patterns and bold structures.”

Alignment: A Solo Exhibition by Chad Muska

Friday, April 25th, 2014

7:00pm – 11:00pm

RSVP: emgpr.com/ChadMuska

246 North Avenue 25 Los Angeles, CA 90031

www.werkartz.com

The post ALIGNMENT A Solo Exhibition By Artist Chad Muska appeared first on Book Of Swag.

Second Weekend Party in the Coachella Valley To Feature Sets from Brenmar, Juan Wauters, Dâm-Funk, Habibi, Rebolledo, and more!

Listen to a Mix of the Artists Playing Desert Gold HERE

Visit acehotel.com/desertgold For More Info
After the success their first weekend parties, Ace Hotel is gearing up to kick off the second weekend of its annual Desert Gold party at the hotel’s iconic and idyllic Palm Springs location. Once again, Festival NRMAL, The Do-Over, and REMEZCLA will curate the weekend’s events, programming hotel’s Amigo Room, Commune, and Swim Club Pool. Ace Hotel will also host complimentary Yoga, karaoke, DJ sets and more. Visit acehotel.com/desertgold for more info. The second weekend will also be sponsored Mailchimp and Tumblr, who will be supporting the Ace Hotel blog for the week during its coverage of Desert Gold and Coachella.

Each day, NRMAL will program the Swim Club Pool from 12pm-6pm and the Amigo Room from 10pm-2am, and feature emerging artists from Latin America and the rest of the world. For the second weekend, NRMAL has Freak City L.A. taking over Desert Gold with sets from Kali Uchis — Snoop Dogg’s newest female discovery — and Brenmar, Chicago’s leading producer who’s worked with everyone from Beyoncé to Mykki Blanco. To close out Desert Gold, NRMAL will bring three exciting musicians to the stage: Mexico’s rising act CLUBZ, Uruguay’s newest Captured Tracks artist Juan Wauters, and Burger Records’ girl band Habibi. The final night will be capped off by a blistering set from in the Amigo Room with Kompakt and Cómeme’s own Rebolledo. Listen to a Soundcloud of the artists playing the parties here.

On April 17, Windish Agency and Innovative Leisure will take over The Clubhouse at Ace Hotel & Swim Club. Music will be curated by Innovative Leisure from 5pm-8pm, and complimentary drinks will be served. Invite only.

The Do-Over is back in the Coachella Valley for Dochella at Ace Hotel. The Do-Over crew will take to Interstate 10 and arrive at Ace Hotel & Swim Club for a very specal get-down with a roster of — in the tradition of The Do-Over — amazing mystery DJs. The legendary party will be Sunday at Ace Hotel (April 20) from 1pm-6pm Guests from previous Dochella sessions include ?uestlove (The Roots), Hudson Mohawke, Benji B, DāM-FunK, Daedelus, Salva, Boys Noize, Busy P, Brodinski, DJ Kraze, Cosmo Baker, Pools, DJ Day and many more!

REMEZCLA will also join Ace Hotel for their Palm Springs events this year, taking over the Amigo Room on Friday April 18 from 10pm-2am. An online guide to local Latin music and culture, REMEZCLA promotes Latino culture in the United States in all its emerging, alternative, diverse, local and international forms.

DJ Day will once again return for Reunion, an intimate party where patrons can chill out, dance, drink and listen to good music. DJ Day will program the Amigo Room on Thursday April 17, playing a mix of soul, funk, 45’s, hip hop, disco and more. For this weekend’s events, DJ Day will be joined by Shortkut and Stones Throw’s Dâm-Funk. The party aims to be an all-inclusive, comfortable environment where guests can sit in the booth, have a drink and enjoy the vibe. “I want it to be like the show Cheers, where everyone knows your name. That the kind of vibe I want it to have,” says DJ Day.

Desert Gold Weekend 2 Lineups:

THURSDAY APRIL 17

The Windish Agency and Innovative Lesure Present Desert Vibes
5pm-8pm at The Clubhouse at Ace Hotel & Swim Club
¡Reunión! with DJ Day, Shortkut & Dâm-Funk
10pm-2am in the Amigo Room

FRIDAY APRIL 18

Moon Juice Pop Up
11am-5pm in the Cabana by the Swim Club Pool
Subsuelo resident DJ’s: Canyon Cody, Gozar and DJ Ethos with Special Guests
12pm-6pm at the Swim Club Pool
Airbrush Kingdom Customizing Alternative Apparel
12pm-8pm in the Co-Op
DJ Frosty & Pinchy

10pm-2am in the Amigo Room

SATURDAY APRIL 19

Moon Juice Pop Up
11am-5pm in the Cabana by the Swim Club Pool
Festival NRMAL: Hosted by Freak City L.A.
12pm-6pm at the Swim Club Pool
12pm-2:45pm: Chico Sonido (MX)
3:00pm-3:30pm: Kali Uchis (USA)
3:35pm-6:00pm: Freak City DJ’s (USA)
Airbrush Kingdom Customizing Alternative Apparel
12pm-8pm in the Co-Op
Festival NRMAL
10pm-2am in the Amigo Room
Freak City DJ’s & Brenmar (USA)

SUNDAY APRIL 20

Moon Juice Pop Up
11am-5pm in the Cabana by the Swim Club Pool
Festival NRMAL: Hosted by NRMAL
12pm-6pm at the Swim Club Pool
12pm-1:45pm: Jamz (MX)
2pm-2:45pm: Juan Wauters (URU)
3pm-3:45pm: Clubz (MX)
4pm-5pm: Habibi (USA/PR)
5:05pm-6pm: NRMAL DJ’s (MX)
The Do-Over
12pm-6pm in The Commune
For this event, RSVP on the Do-Over website.
Airbrush Kingdom Customizing Alternative Apparel
12pm-8pm in the Co-Op
Festival NRMAL
Rebolledo (MX)
10pm-2am in the Amigo Room

MONDAY APRIL 21

Waldo Closing Party
12-5pm at the Swim Club Pool

Bingo
7pm at King’s Highway

The post Ace Hotel’s Desert Gold Returns This Weekend appeared first on Book Of Swag.

Two of the country’s most influential indigenous music acts, Ladysmith Black Mambazo and Phuzekhemisi, will receive Lifetime Achievement Awards, sponsored by Amstel, at the 20th Annual South African Music Awards this month.

“During Freedom Month, we are proud to pay tribute to these national treasures and music ambassadors who have worked tirelessly to raise the global profile of isicathamiya and maskandi, two traditional music genres rooted in the South African soil,” said David du Plessis, the Chief Operating Officer of the Recording Industry of SA (RISA).

The Lifetime Achievement Awards, sponsored by Amstel Lager, will be presented during the main SAMA 20 awards ceremony at the Sun City Superbowl on Monday, 28 April 2014.

Phuzekhemisi (the stage name of Johnstone Mnyandu) is widely regarded as the king of maskandi music. He expressed his delight at being honoured by the music industry with this accolade, saying: “I am grateful to those who still recognise my music – may they also do so to other artists who have worked so hard.

“No words can describe how grateful I am to receive such an award; I thought the industry and the people had long forgotten about me. This is wonderful, thank you!”

Phuzekhemisi means “drink the medicine” or “one who drinks at the chemist” in isiZulu. Maskandi is a literal translation of the Afrikaans word for musician, namely “musikant”, and a solo maskandi is seen as the local equivalent of the European wandering minstrel.

Hailing from rural KwaZulu-Natal, Phuzekhemisi and his brother, Khethani, burst on to the local music scene in 1989. Sadly, Khethani was unable to fully enjoy the fruits of their success as he was killed in a car accident in 1993.

Phuzekhemisi went on to record a succession of platinum-selling albums, all featuring his distinctive maskandi guitar style. An activist musician, he has often angered those in power with his outspoken lyrics, which highlight social ills in the country’s rural communities in particular. Over the past quarter of a century, this fearless champion of the underdog has never shied away from controversy and speaking his mind.

This true musician of the people is nominated in the Best Maskandi Album category at SAMA 20, for his album Kungakho Nilwa Nodwa.

Ladysmith Black Mambazo are celebrating an incredible 54 years since their formation, while still basking in the glow of their fourth Grammy Award (for their release Singing for Peace Around the World), confirming the band’s pre-eminent position in the world music pantheon.

But, as these maestros of vocal harmony point out, “the journey of Ladysmith Black Mambazo started in South Africa and the group was celebrated in South Africa before we became internationally acclaimed”.

“Being given the honour of a lifetime achievement award is like South Africa saying thank you to us for being great ambassadors of local culture and heritage through our music. We thank you, SAMAs, and we salute you, South Africa.”

Ladysmith Black Mambazo are enjoying yet another golden year. From 17 April to 11 May 2014, Amambazo, a musical based on their story, will take to the stage at the State Theatre in Pretoria. And in August, they will head to the prestigious Edinburgh International Festival to premiere a Zulu ballet titled Inala that celebrates South Africa’s 20 years of democracy.

Joseph Shabalala and his fellow music magicians first came to the world’s attention when they collaborated on Paul Simon’s Graceland album, kindling a global interest in world music.

Their isicathamiya style of choral singing was born on the mines and travelled with the migrant mineworkers when they returned to their rural homes. This is where the tradition of Ladysmith Black Mambazo’s distinctive, stirring vocal harmonies was born.

Over the decades, they have clocked up many career highlights, among them performing for Nelson Mandela at the Nobel Peace Prize ceremony in Oslo in 1993 and at his inauguration in 1994, and singing at the concert marking Queen Elizabeth II’s 50th anniversary as monarch.

Amstel toasts South African music legends
Amstel Lager is proud to once again be the sponsor of the South African Music Awards’ Lifetime Achievement Award. Every year, for the past 20 years, the SAMAs have recognised greatness and longevity, celebrating those who have perfected their craft over time.

Amstel Lager would like to congratulate this year’s recipients and thank them for flying the South African music flag high both on home soil and abroad, time and time again.

As Diederik Vos, Marketing Manager of Amstel Lager South Africa, explains: “At Amstel we believe nothing of greatness has ever been accomplished in a hurry. Great things take time to achieve, and becoming a respected legend is one of them.

“With this in mind, we at Amstel are proud that the recipients of this year’s Lifetime Achievement Awards are truly iconic South Africans, who over decades of work have created uniquely South African music. They have built their legacy by taking their time, and we at Amstel salute that.”

• The South African Music Awards are organised by the Recording Industry of South Africa (RISA), a trade association of recording companies operating in South Africa.

• The 20th Annual South African Music Awards are made possible with the generous support of official vehicle sponsor Kia Motors, official broadcast sponsor SABC1, event sponsor Sun International and Amstel Lager.

Follow SAMA 20 on the following digital platforms:

Hashtag: #SAMA20

Twitter handle: @OfficialSAMAs (www.twitter.com/OfficialSAMAs)

Website: www.samusicawards.co.za

Mobisite: www.samatv.mobi

Facebook page: South African Music Awards (www.facebook.com/SAMusicAwards)

Instagram handle: @OfficialSAMAs

YouTube channel: samusicawards (www.youtube.com/samusicawards)

Flickr: samusicawards (www.flickr.com/samusicawards)

The post Amambazo and Phuzekhemisi to be honoured at SAMA 20 appeared first on Book Of Swag.

So we were sent a link to a video this morning and well we might say we are stoked about sharing this one And Night Club in Braamfontein Johannesburg made an awesome AD and this is what it looks like be sure to pay them a visit this long wekend

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