The highly anticipated Viva Riva!, a film by Congolese director Djo Munga, will finally get to be seen by the masses throughout the continent. The film sizzled at the Cannes Film Festival earlier this year. It has since participated in more film festivals around the world, including our very own Durban International Film Festival a few months ago. Moreover, Viva Riva! went on to win various awards, the biggest honour being the recent MTV Movie Awards... 

The inaugural Mzansi Love Soul music extravaganza that took place on the Heritage Day weekend was, despite a few glitches, a soaring success. We gave you a taste of what was to be expected with a picture montage of the rehearsals a day before the event took place. On Friday, 23 September, and Saturday, 24 September, The Lyric Theatre in Gold Reef City was abuzz with a sizzling line up of Mzansi‘s hottest R&B and soul musicians and singers. I... 

Last night I tagged along to the Lyric Theatre at Gold Reef City to have a glimpse of what to expect at the musical extravaganza aptly dubbed Mzansi Love Soul taking place later this evening. Just as I entered backstage, there Brian Temba was, waiting for his turn as he watched Afrotraction do his his thing during the rehearsals. It was great to see him, in his new dread-lock-less look. As many of you know, he’s been in the U.S. since the beginning... 

MLU Nomfusi Bo Malimela Lungi Naidoo Afrotraction Lee-Ann Brian Temba Theo Kgosinkwe Crowd Collaborations  Read More →

Over a week ago I attended a Russian Bear Vodka event dubbed Big Moves Session I had been invited. The event saw a collaboration between the vodka brand and the iconic New Balance sneaker trade name. The viral teasers titled Are U In created an intrigue whereas their refreshing and clever invitation (whereby guests received one shoe as an invite and had to collect the other to form a pair at the event) roused heavy anticipation. It had been a while... 

Frank McComb was undoubtedly the only artist I couldn’t have missed the festival to see. He was my personal main attraction. I’ve been a fan of his music since the first time I heard him. At that very moment, I couldn’t figure out if it was Donny Hathaway or someone else singing. I also picked up some Stevie Wonder in the texture of his voice. I made sure that I arrived at Mbira early. I didn’t even debate the possibility... 

With these huge international jazz festivals there is always one, or two, or more draw cards that always seem like they were selected just for me. On this year’s Standard Bank Joy of Jazz Festival, that list was topped by Frank McComb. Other jazz and soul greats that made me instantly want to attend, in hopes of experiencing their given gifts and immense talents included Tutu Puoane, Tania Maria, Wynton Marsalis, Simphiwe Dana and Alexander... 

As I reported a week before the Durban July, I couldn’t attend Jo’burg leg of Castle Milk Stout‘s Pause In The Sky event. When an opportunity presented itself for me to be part of the Durban edition of the event at the Durban July, I couldn’t contain my excitement. Now, I haven’t been to the Durban July in about 4 years. And the last time I attended I was there with a late friend of mine who passed away a few months... 

The 17th Annual MTN South African Music Awards eventually took place at Montecasino this past Saturday, 21st May 2011, amidst many issues that plagued the long running music award event since whispers about it moving to Johannesburg started whirling. It wasn’t the first time the awards were held in the City of Gold, but they had been hosted in Sun City for about a decade now. Much has been documented about disappointments from the biggest and... 

Last night Montecasino was abuzz as the music industry and media descended upon La Toscana where the finalists for the 17th Annual South African Music Awards were announced. The whole venue and its surroundings was turned into a heaven of musicians, celebrities, and other stakeholders that form part of this coveted event in the entertainment calender. When we arrived at the venue, there was a long queue that never seemed to diminish because those...