Tuesday, 25 November 2008: Rita van den Heever - Jannes Eiselen

BravoBrava’s Personality of the Week is Senior Manager of the University of Johannesburg’s Arts Academy and, arguably South Africa’s best-known female TV face and voice. Rita van Heever joins show host Mixael de Kock in the 1485 Radio Today studios tonight at 20:00. You can also hear this popular gay radio show on DStv Audio Channel 169.

Tune in and hear how Rita studied medicine at the University of Pretoria, failed spectacularly after a year dedicated to hedonism and then went on to study drama at UP. Since, her life has been a ball.
Mother of triplets, Rita joined the SABC TV as a film editor in 1973, after a three-month stint of selling dresses at Uniewinkels. When the TV broadcast started in 1976 she became a continuity announcer.

She subsequently presented just about everything on the box, excluding sport and the news. From early on Rita was involved with arts programmes, presenting such programmes as Encore!, Arts on One, presented the direct broadcasts of the Unisa music competitions, direct broadcasts of the symphony concerts and specialist series such as Aan die Lied.

Rita was for many years a member of the SABC Choir, which subsequently became the Symphony Choir of Johannesburg.

She has a number of unmentionable movies and TV dramas to her credit, and she has worked as a journalist for Rooi Rose magazine.

In 1994 she was appointed as the Cultural Officer to the Sandton City Council. She started the Lunch Hour Concerts in the Sandton Art Gallery on Friday afternoons, which is still going strong.

In 1996 she joined the Rand Afrikaans University as Cultural Officer. This opened up a whole new world of arts management, and she has been learning steadily on the job ever since. Over the years the cultural office grew and expanded and became the Arts Academy, and the RAU became the University of Johannesburg.

All the wonderful things culminated in the building of the UJ Arts Centre, the state of the art gallery and theatre situated on the University’s Kingsway Campus in Auckland Park, Johannesburg. This arts complex has become a favourite with Joahnnesburg’s gay community.

Rita and Mixael chat about the reason for this and also why the arts cannot survive without gay people.

Our Special Guest this week has been around the South African acting circles for some time but is probably best-known for his television role as Dr Deon Bekker in the highly acclaimed SABC drama series “Hillside”. Heart-throb Jannes Eiselen joins Mixael and Rita in the studio to talk about the series – the third season of which is coming to an end tonight.

Jannes also tells us how come he was born in New York and raised in South Africa!

Tonight at 20:00: South Africa’s only gay radio show on 1485 Radio Today and, countrywide, on DStv Audio Channel 169.

18 November 2008: Eusebius McKaiser

Our BravoBrava Personality of the Week is Eusebius McKaiser, strategy consultant, Rhodes Scholar at St Antony’s College and working towards the completion of his Oxford Doctorate.

The World Universities Debating Championships described him as one of the world's ten best debaters: A truly extraordinary South African form a mixed race background but who identifies himself as black.

We chat about his views that black gays in South Africa should be responsible for their own liberation, we talk openly about homophobia and racism and also why leaders of most African countries so violently speak out against homosexuality. Also, why there is this misguided idea that homosexuality is not part of the African culture but that it is a Western behaviour superimposed on Africans.

In the debate we touch on the belief that a common culture exists on the Africa continent and to what extent we are dealing with differentiated cultures and disparate values – and differing moral attitudes towards homosexuality - as one moves from South to North and East to West Africa.

The influence of Islam and Christianity on molding contemporary popular views of African homosexuality is considered as we muse about what Africa could have been like before the colonial era. Can we assume that there may have been very different cultural approaches to homosexuality before Western ideas and organized religions invaded the continent?

Eusebius McKaiser is an adept social and political analyst and widely published in the local media, commenting on issues of identity, with a particular interest in race, sex, sexuality and culture.

Don’t miss this lively and straightforward chat on BravoBrava at 20:00 on 1485 RadioToday and DStc Audio Channel 169.

Our Special Guest this week is a long-standing friend of BravoBrava, Judy Page, who will be telling us about her forthcoming musical tribute to love titled: "Let There Be Love".

There will only be 2 performances: Saturday 29 November at 19:00 and Sunday 30 November at 18:30.

For more information contact Melissa on 011 486 0935 or info@foxwood.co.za

TICKETS AT R90 PER PERSON

OR HER AGENT MAIRI SURTEES CAMERON OF AFRO CELT PRODUCTIONS
ON 011 477 3352 OR 083 395 1014 OR cameroon@telkomsa.net

Tuesday, 14 October 2008, Adieu Tracey Sandilands

In tonight’s edition of BravoBrava we will be reporting back on Joburg Pride 2008 and the volunteers involved in the staging of this mammoth event on the city’s calendar.

Tracey Sandilands, the Administrator of Joburg Pride joins show host, Mixael de Kock, to chat about Pride and Prejudice.

Tracey also is a seasoned professional in the areas of marketing, communication, public relations, events organisation and general management. Join in this broadcast and hear all about Tracey’s life as she and her life partner, Janine, prepares to translocate to Canada where Tracey will head up PRIDE Toronto.

Our Special Guest this week is the Sasol Wax Art Competition winner who was announced at a spectacular function at the University of Johannesburg’s Art Centre last night.

The event was attended by the Deputy Minister of Arts and Culture, Ntombazana Botha, who confessed that she did not quite know what was going on.

Hentie van der Merwe is senior lecturer in fine arts at the University of Stellenbosch and returned from a six year stay in Belgium during last year.

Hentie will talk about his conceptual artwork that won him the coveted prize. Congratulations to Hentie!
And, BravoBrava will be extending special birthday wishes to two very special boys from South Africa’s gay community. Don’t miss out on this one!

In the photograph above Coenie Kukkuk captains the Therapy Viva La Glam float, populated by th country's most beautiful boys! What an eye Coenie has!

In the photograph on the right Coenie strikes a naval pose!

Coenie Kukkuk, editor of Gayspeak, accompanied by the Poster Boys, were invited to Mixael de Kock's after Joburg Pride to get ready for the evening’s outing to Therapy and RuPaul's show. The gathering was served high tea with cupcakes iced in every shade of pink and, with glitter on top!

The latest Gayspeak is online. What a great publication Coenie! Congratulatiosn to you and your team!

Listeners can access this fabulous online e-magazine, free of charge, at http://www.gayspeak.co.za/

In this month’s edition – The Halloween Edition – you will find:

1. The results – and photos – of the Picture Perfect male model search.

2. Pride Pics and how to get to other galleries.

3. ‘A Critique of Sonja Herholdt’s show at Legends, and Karin Hougaard’s Shirley Bassey show, as well as this artist’s forthcoming performance at Legendss – also the shows of Sharleen Surtie-Richards, Amanda Strydom, and many more.

4.Nightclub news – Halloween party, Flip a Coin and more.

5 Read all about the flea market and antique auction at the farmer’s market just outside Pretoria.

6. Photos and write-up pertaining to writer Lidia Theron and pastor Philip Liebenberg’s talks about their respective books. There is also a review of Phillip’s book by Lidia Theron
7. Great competitions to win tickets to the shows “Dalliance”, Cathy Specific’s “Mile High” and Monte Casino’s “For Your Ears Only”.

8. Win some excellent “Dry Shave Gel” from Manology.

9. News on Graham Norton.

10.A Cher look-a-like competition for the Pink Loerie 2009.

11. Pics of sexy new golf star Camillo Vegas.
On 1485 Radio Today and, countrywide on DStv Audio Channel 169: The only show of its kind in all of Africa!

Tuesday 16 September 2008 - Jenni Green

HEREUNDER:

• Telkom theft delays GAYSPEAK
• TRIO ON A TRIP - Pianist Charl de Plessis at Centurion theatre on 19 September, 20.00 - see write-up on http://curtaincallsa.blogspot.com/
• “CRAZY DIAMOND – A Tribute to Pink Floyd” set to get rockers grooving at The Victory Theatre! see write-up on http://curtaincallsa.blogspot.com/
• Out in Africa Gay and Lesbian Film Festival - Diary of events - also see http://curtaincallsa.blogspot.com/ for write-ups on movies
• SHOW EVENING at LEGENDS Tuesday 23 September!- Meet LIDIA THERON & PHILIP LIEBENBERG and see show by GUILLAUME - write-up on http://curtaincallsa.blogspot.com
• Theatre Highlights at Johasnnesburg's Tesson theatre and the Old Mutual on the Square Theatre. see http://curtaincallsa.blogspot.com for write-ups on "Hello and Goodbye" as well as "Pregnant Pause"
• RUPAUL FILM PREMIERE TO RAISE FUNDS FOR JOBURG PRIDE
  Our BravoBrava Personality of the Week is a board member of Joburg Pride and also the Managing Member of Tanjent Events which was founded with another prominent member of the gay community and also a long-standing friend of this popular radio show.
  
  Jenni Green chats to show host Mixael de Kock about the responsibilities, perils and pitfalls associated with being a director of a Section 21 company such as Joburg Pride.

As the managing member of Tanjent Events, Jenni’s days are filled to the brim with sports events concept development and execution, operational planning and logistics, route planning and management as well as overall project management.

During the interview the listener will learn how Jenni came to choose a career in marketing and communication and how her studies qualified her eventually to become a force of note within the South African sports promotions arena.

Jenni speaks frankly about the inner turmoil of coming to terms with being lesbian and coming out to her family. She also discusses the bumpy road that eventually led to a blissful relationship with another giant in the field of sports promotions.

The interview also explores the criticisms surrounding Joburg Pride, the wisdom of classing a number of diverse sexual orientations under one umbrella and, ways of promoting greater cooperation between these different groupings.

TELKOM THEFT DELAYS GAYSPEAK

As you probably have noticed, there is a slight delay in sending out Gayspeak 75. Editor, Coenie Kukkuk tells us that their webdesigners had their Telkom lines stolen, and are trying their best to get back on air with Iburst and so on.

Coenie sasys they hope to go live on Monday. We are holding thumbs!

What you can expect - Gayspeak 75:1

• The biggest news surrounding Pride is of course that RuPaul will give a live show at Therapy’s After Party at Carfax (see hereunder). Remember that your ticket to the premiere of her movie in Jhb and Pta on the 2nd and 3rd respectively, gives you entry to the After Party as well – plus – win a wonderful hamper and four sets of entry tickets!
• All about Pride 2008
• Lidia Theron, skrywer en Gayspeak medewerker, besoek Gauteng en lewer praatjies oor haar boek saam met Philip Liebenberg op die 23e Sept. by Legends om 8nm presies, gevolg deur ‘n live show deur Guillaume
• Results of Mr & Miss Legends 2008
• Some pics from Oppikoppi 2008
• Johan Strydom se oorwinning oor NG Kerk Immoreleta
• uus oor Die Kaalkop Waarheid se nuwe CD
• Pics of Ellen and Portia’s wedding
• Wonderful shows by Sonja Herholdt, Flip A Coin, Dihan, Charl du Plessis and Nataniël, Mamma Mia! and many more
• A Botox Discount
• News on the new Wrapped mag
• Win tickets to Cathy Specific's new show
• 'n Afikaanse kort-kort verhaal
• And much, much more

www.gayspeak.co.za

Live on Monday afternoon latest

Events at the Out In Africa Gay & Lesbian Film Festival, Killarney Mall. The Festival runs until Sunday 14 September. Tickets are R25

Wednesday 10:
The Forum for the Empowerment of Women (FEW) will present the film Underneath and engage with the Director / Writer / Actress Katrina Deaton. Screening begins at 7.30pm
Saturday 13:
Janine Preesman (Glorious Light MCC) and Douglas Torr (Anglican priest) will conduct a Q&A session after the 7.30pm screening of the Oscar nominated documentary For The Bible Tells Me So.

RUPAUL FILM PREMIERE TO RAISE FUNDS FOR JOBURG PRIDE

There’s a fun and glamorous opportunity to support Joburg Pride at this year’s Cinema Nouveau screened by Fish Eagle Pride Film Festival. The festival, which is independent from Joburg Pride, will be hosting two exclusive fund-raising premieres of the film Starrbooty starring the outrageous international drag diva RuPaul.

RuPaul, who plays the main character, will be appearing in person at the film's glamorous South African premieres on Thursday, October 2nd at Ster-Kinekor Classic, the Zone, Rosebank in Joburg and in Pretoria at Brooklyn's Cinema Nouveau screened by Fish Eagle on Friday the 3rd. Mike Ruiz, the film’s director, will also appear at the premieres.

And that’s not all. Buying a ticket to one of the premieres will ensure free entry into Therapy’s Viva la Glam Pride After-party at Carfax in Newtown, one of a number of Pride after-parties across the city.

Tickets for the Starrbooty premieres cost R150 each and all proceeds will be donated by Ster-Kinekor Theatres and Therapy to the non-profit company that runs Joburg Pride on behalf of the gay and lesbian community.

“It is truly an honour for Ster-Kinekor Theatres to host the world’s one and only drag superstar! We can’t wait to premiere RuPaul’s latest film at our prestigious Pride Film Festival as well as raising funds to further show our support for the local gay / lesbian / trangendered communities,” says Paul Burton, Ster-Kinekor Bookings Executive.

“We greatly appreciate the support from both Ster-Kinekor Theatres and Therapy for graciously donating the proceeds of their premieres to Joburg Pride,” says Tanya Harford, Co-chair of Joburg Pride. “We urge the lesbian and gay community to show their support for Pride by buying tickets to these fantastic premieres.”

Tickets can be purchased at Ster-Kinekor Classic The Zone and Cinema Nouveau Brooklyn box offices, by calling TicketLine 082 16789 or at http://www.sterkinekor.com/.

Joburg Pride 2008

The 2008 Joburg Pride Festival, which is organised by a not-for-profit company of volunteer board members, will take place from 29 September to 4 October 2008. The 19th annual Pride Parade will be held on Saturday 4 October starting at and returning to Zoo Lake Sports Club from 9am. The Parade will be followed by a concert. The theme for Joburg Pride in 2008 is ‘Love, not Hate.’ It aims to highlight the recent spate of hate crimes against members of the gay community; especially black lesbians such as Eudy Simelane, Zoliswa Nkonyana, Sizakele Sigasa and Salome Masooa who were all brutally murdered because of their sexual orientation. For more information visit http://www.joburgpride.org/.

Cinema Nouveau screened by Fish Eagle Pride Film Festival
The Cinema Nouveau screened by Fish Eagle Pride Film Festival takes place at Rosebank (26 Sept - 4 Oct), Brooklyn (26 Sept - 3 Oct), V&A Waterfront (3 Oct - 11 Oct) and Gateway (3 Oct - 9 Oct). Booking and information gathering options are on offer at Cinema Nouveau screened by Fish Eagle, including online bookings either on your WAP-enabled cell phone or PC at : http://www.sterkinekor.com/ or by calling TicketLine 082 16789 (value added service rates apply), or book in cinema at the self service terminals (SSTs) or Box Offices. The novel Touchmart Transaction Access Points (TAP) now offer an even easier means of booking a movie ticket, and are located nationally with convenient access from supermarkets to civic centres.

Tuesday 9th September 2008 - Liesl Theron & Gender Dynamix

HEREUNDER:

• Legends @ Legends - Meet Lidia Theron, Philip Liebenberg and Guillaume
• TRIO ON A TRIP - Pianist Charl de Plessis at Centurion theatre on 19 September, 20.00 see write-up on http://curtaincallsa.blogspot.com/
• Out in Africa Gay and Lesbian Film Festival - Diary of events - also see http://curtaincallsa.blogspot.com/ for write-ups on movies

BravoBrava's Personality of the Week is the Director of Gender Dynamix, the only registered NGO looking after transgender matters in Africa.

We caught Liesl Theron between arriving at Johannesburg Airport from Seattle in the UInited States and departing for her hometown - which is the little village of Cape Town.

Liesl chats engagingly about transgender people and the challenges they face in a very intolerant society.

Gender DynamiX is a Human Rights organisation promoting freedom of expression of gender identity, focusing on transgender, transsexual and gender non-confirming identities. It is currently the only registered organisation within Africa which specifically advocates for transgender individuals.

Gender DynamiX aim is to increase awareness and visibility of transgenderism in South Africa and also to support transgender people to access their human rights through its activities.

Transgender:

The sense of self is in conflict with the gender assigned to you at birth and its corresponding stereotypical roles.

Transsexual:

Transsexual people may seek medical treatment to bring their body and gender identity into alignment.

Not all transsexual people undergo reassignment surgery, for various reasons. High medical costs, unemployment, access to information and limited medical care are some of the factors.

Cross Dresser / Transvestite:

A person who dresses in the clothing of the opposite sex. Being a transvestite does not mean that you are gay.

Drag Queen:

Being a drag queen is about the occasional portrayal of the opposite gender with an emphasis on performance and fun.

FTM (female to male), often called trans man:

Chosen gender is male; he starts out with a female body.

MTF (male to female), often called trans woman:

Chosen gender is female; she starts out with a male body.

Androgyne:

Person appearing and identifying neither man nor woman, presenting a gender either mixed or neutral.

Intersex:

Intersex people (sometimes called “hermaphrodites”, to use a term many activists prefer to avoid) are people whose physical sexual differentiation at birth is not typical. This may involve chromosomal patterns which are not typical, and often involves ambiguous genitalia. Some intersex people develop gender identity issues later on in life.

SOFFA:

Significant Other, Family, Friends and Allies.
What Gender Dynamix does:

· assist trans people to access their rights, and to provide South African relevant information on services and support;

· ensure that trans people are aware of their rights in their communities, at work and when accessing services;

· educate both people in the trans community and non-trans people, this includes media, employers, activists, researchers, students and the general public;

· ensure that medical- and mental health professionals have access to information and to lobby for quality medical treatment, care and access to health care benefits. Medical treatment is a pivotal factor in transgender issues. The lack of materials to the medical community currently has severe irreversible implications for transgender individuals.

· provide a safe space for the transgender community to share information, stories and experiences and to participate in the organisation’s development, as well as in social and political processes.

· create a much needed history and positive identity for South African transgender people;

· contribute, encourage and stimulate academic and scientific research in Africa on transgenderism; and

· collaborate, partner with other NGO’s to strengthen the LGBTI and human rights sector.

Transgenderism is not unAfrican or Western. The word transgender is fairly new, dating back to the early ’90 – but the existence of transgender was always there.

“At the age of six I already knew how to differentiate between Male and Female. I knew that I was in a female body but did not identify as one when I was growing up, I heard about a myth which stated that if a crab bit you, your gender will change to the opposite one. I always wanted it to bite me but I was scared of the pain that it was going to give me.
Later at the age of 15 I had a calling to become a Sangoma( traditional herbal healer) and when my family investigated it they discovered that the Ancestor that wanted me to practice the herbal healing was my great grandfather, because of this they then started to believe that my male behaviour comes from that Ancestor. They started to become more accommodating and accepting of my feelings and decisions that I made regarding my gender.
Neighbours were curious to know how my family dealt with how I address myself. My parents always used my Ancestors as the justifying reason for my male behaviour. They always said “He inherited in from his great grandfather”. People started to accept me and became friendly towards me because they respected my Ancestors wish.
I personally think that even if my Ancestors did not choose to call me I was still going to be a transgender person. “

How to deal with Transgender matters:

1. A short guide to the what - not’s

NO - Never ever use the words Tranny, Trassie, She-Male, Hermaphrodite or any other slang words when reporting on Trans people.

Yes Always use Trans man, Trans woman for people who have transitioned or are in the process of transitioning. See list below for extended terminologies.

No Never call Trans men and Trans women by the popular reference -Transvestite.
Transvestites do not change their gender. They are people who just dress in clothes of their opposite sex.

NO Never, under any circumstance, refer to Trans people under the blanket term Gay.

Transgender is not about sexual preference, it is about gender. Trans people run the gamut of sexualities - gay bisexual and heterosexual. Calling them gay would be like assuming and asserting that all feminists are lesbians.

2. He or She?:

When writing about transgender people, the correct way to refer to them is by their chosen gender.

When talking or reporting about a person who has transitioned from female to male, the correct pronouns would be the masculine form like for any other kind of male.

E.g. “He realized that his female body did not match his sense of self”

E.g.: Robert Hamblin used to be a woman but has transitioned to a man, thus one now refers to him as him and he.

Of course the same transition applies to people who have transitioned from male to female.

With intersex people and gender queer people it would be best to ask how these people would like to be referred to.

www.genderdynamiX.org.za

BOOK AND SHOW EVENING @ LEGENDS Tuesday 23/9 WITH LIDIA THERON & PHILIP LIEBENBERG, AND SHOW BY GUILLAUME

Well-known writer, Lidia Theron, and new kid on the block, Philip Liebenberg, writer of "Daar's 'n gay pastoor in my kop" (There is a gay pastor in my head), will give talks on their respective books and sit for a Q&A session at Pretoria gay nightclub, Legends, on Tuesday, the 23rd of September at 8pm. The versatile singer Guillaume will do a show thereafter, which will be followed by the dance floor opening, as the next day is a public holiday. It promises to be yet another night of wonderful diversity at Legends. Entry is only R50, and R30 for students.

About Lidia:
It is not too late if you haven’t yet read the book Jy bly my kind, written by Lidia Theron, to do so now. It is a must. It is about a mother’s acceptance of a gay child. The book is not meant necessarily for gay people or for the parents of such children only. Lots of other people said after reading the book, that it was very informative and gave them a different view of gay people. The publisher’s comment on the back of the book:

"What is a mother’s reaction when she finds out her daughter is in love with another girl – or her son with another boy?

How does she comfort her husband when he cries out: “We have lost our child!”?

How does she handle questions like: “What will people say?” or: “What did we as parents do wrong?”

How does she deal with the shame and feelings of guilt that accompanies it?

How does it affect her standing as a believer, towards her church?"

The book has since changed the lives of many gay people and their families and it's an honour to have Lidia, who is a pensioner and resides in Betty's Bay, SW Cape, here in Gauteng as guest.

About Philip:
Philip Liebenberg is the pastor of Die Kapel, Melville, Johannesburg, South-Africa. He also authors the series 'Espresso vir jou siel', which is a series of books containing essays and devotional writings as well as sermons preached by Philip. Philip is a gay pastor although his congregation is not a gay-only church.He is a published author: Penguin South Africa published a book on his life journey as a very spiritual child and later as a married pastor, struggling to come to terms with his sexuality and spirituality. The title of the book is "Daar is 'n gay pastoor in my kop!"What makes Philip’s book so unique is that he comes from a Pentecostal/Charismatic background and this is the first time in South Africa that a book by someone (a gay pastor) coming from one of these churches is being published. Following in the footsteps of the groundbreaking '‘n Kas is vir klere', this book will give voice to the experiences of numerous gay and lesbian Christians from a Pentecostal/Charismatic background, who not only have to deal with the usual rejection from their churches when they realise they are gay, but with the terrible stigma of being labelled as “demon possessed”.

About Guillaume:

Guillaume needs no introduction - since his very popular album "Da-Idi" in 2001, he has since launched several more. He was one of the top 5 most favourite artists at KKNK 2003, where he launched his album "Swart of wit", which has since gone gold. He is back in 2008, with his new look and his new album, called "Nader aan jou", produced by Coleske Artists, who was also responsible for Eden's latest success, "Knieë lam".

The authors will be available for book signing and a chat afterwards, and books will be on hand for sale to the public (cash only).

Gayspeak.co.za

Edited by: Coenie Kukkuk

Contact: wbvd@law.co.za

Events at the Out In Africa Gay & Lesbian Film Festival, Killarney Mall. The Festival runs until Sunday 14 September. Tickets are R25.

Monday 8:

Lisa Gornick, Director of Tick Tock Lullaby will do a Q&A after the 7pm screening

Tuesday 9:

Director Bennett Singer and Walter Naegel will present and do Q&A for the film Brother Outsider (Edwin Cameron's choice), screens at 7pm

Director Jamie Babbit and Producer Lias Thrasher will present and do Q&A for their film Itty Bitty Titty Committee, screens at 7.15pm

Jewish OuLlook are presenting the film The Bubble. There will be a panle discussion with david Bilchitz and lael bethlehem after the 7.30pm screening

Wednesday 10:

The Forum for the Empowerment of Women (FEW) will present the film Underneath and engage with the Director / Writer / Actress Katrina Deaton. Screening begins at 7.30pm

Saturday 13:

Janine Preesman (Glorious Light MCC) and Douglas Torr (Anglican priest) will conduct a Q&A session after the 7.30pm screening of the Oscar nominated documentary For The Bible Tells Me So.

Photographed in the BravoBrava studios (from l to r) our Personality of the Week, Hugh Fraser, director of Out in Africa Gay and Lesbian Film Festival, Nodi Murphy, show host Mixael de Kock and physics guru Shane Wilson.

Like the inheritance of blue, brown or green eyes and red, blond or black hair, being gay is not a choice but a biological reality. Let us then proudly celebrate the colour that gay and lesbian people bring to this world as Joburg Pride ensures you your rightful place in the heart of South Africa’s culturally and biologically diverse rainbow nation.

Mixael de Kock
Executive Producer and Presenter
BRAVOBRAVA
South Africa’s only gay radio show broadcasting on:
1485 Radio Today and countrywide on DStv Audio Channel 169

Also see the follwoing write-ups:

• Hereunder and also more fully on http://curtaincallsa.blogspot.com 15TH OUT IN AFRICA SA GAY & LESBIAN FILM FESTIVAL

Our Personality of the Week is Hugh Fraser who graduated from Wits University in 1987 with a degree in architecture. Growing up in apartheidsouthafrica, didn’t offer much opportunity for travel, which he yearned. With the opening of the stable door in 1990, he bolted.

Over the next 15 years, he divided his time between practice which eventually left him with an architectural gastrectomy; and travel and photography.





Eventually he fled clients and contractors and worked for the Cement and Concrete Institute promoting the concept of concrete architecture. He is currently employed by the PG Group, as the shard of glass, exploring exciting developments in glass architecture, which mirror technological advances in materiality.

For 20 years he has observed the built environment through film and digital photography. Almost without noticing, a huge archive has been amassed and the transition to digital photography has allowed us to change the way we view architectural photographic experiences. Time is not encapsulated like a video recording or a still, but a series of pictures that can stand alone; and when viewed as a sequence offer a refreshing unedited record of architecture.

Also on the shoe tonight is longstanding friend - and Capetonian! - Nopdi Murphy.

She will discuss The Out in Africa SA Gay & Lesbian Film Festival which is turning 15 this year and bringing some reel buds to the big screen this spring!

The Festival reflects the significant changes that Gay cinema is undergoing by truly reflecting reality and ousting stereotypes, offering a broad choice of films ranging from comedy to documentary, feature films and shorts, local and international titles. Among the highlights are Eytan Foxs’ The Bubble, Jamie Babbit’s Itty Bitty Titty Committee, the award-winning XXY directed by Lucía Puenzo, the Oscar-nominated documentary For the Bible Tells Me So by Daniel Karslake, the hugely entertaining Times Have Been Better and Brother Outsider: The Life of Bayard Rustin.

While our films and the panoply of topics they touch on entertain, panel discussions and especially our guests turn the festival into a unique inter-active experience. Our guests this year are Emmy-award winner Bennett Singer (Director of Brother Outsider: The Life of Bayard Rustin, an award-winning documentary selected by Justice Edwin Cameron. The film reveals the life of the gay man who mentored Reverend Martin Luther King. Cameron will attend some of the screenings and engage with the director and Rustin’s life partner Walter Naegle, also a guest of the Festival.

Lisa Thrasher (Producer of Itty Titty Bitty Committee) is an Independent Film Producer and serves as the President of Film Production & Distribution for POWER UP (Professional Organisation of Women in Entertainment Reaching UP) – she will be running a Producer’s Seminar in Johannesburg and Cape Town, which are free and open to all – see the printed programme and website www.oia.co.za for further details.

Also in attendance will be Jamie Babbit, the Director of Itty Titty Bitty Committee. Babbit has enjoyed success as a television producer/director, serving as both for the WB television series Popular, as well as directing episodes of critically acclaimed shows such as Ugly Betty, the L Word, Alias, Nip/Tuck, Malcolm in the Middle and The Gilmore Girls.

Must see movies:
25 Cent Preview
A gritty, ‘in the moment’ gallop through the red-light district of San Francisco, this is a journey into the uncensored life, loves and tricks of its street hustlers. Honest, riveting performances and a fast pace ensures compelling viewing that reveals far more humanity and understanding than you would expect.

Itty Bitty Titty Committee
Shy, heartbroken Anna is a plastic surgeon’s receptionist. Her life is transformed when the office is defaced by sexy Sadie, a member of the underground women’s rights faction C(i)A or Clits in Action. Pulsating with a radical brand of gender politics accompanied by grungy, punk lesbian-rock, this loud, feisty activist comedy is an endearing introduction to dissident feminist groups and the ‘ballsy’ female anarchists who run them.

The Bubble
Hottie Israeli Noam and gorgeous Palestinian Ashraf drive this captivating ode to transcendental love – sexual, familial, and platonic – that encapsulates the surreal lives lived by young gays and straights, Jews and Arabs, men and women in Israel today. From the director of Yossi and Jagger.

Outing Riley
Laid-back and cleverly crafted, this light amusing coming-out family comedy disarms stereotypes and expectations of what a gay man is meant to be and how he is meant to act.

Times Have Been Better
In imitable quirky French style, the proud liberal parents of thirty-something banker Jeremy descend into crisis when he celebrates moving into a new house with his older, long-term boyfriend by finally announcing to the family that he is gay.

Savage Grace
Careening from New York in 1946 to London in 1972, via Paris and Spain, this true story with a stellar cast (Julianne Moore, Eddie Redmayne) charts one family’s descent from decadence into a dysfunction that would make Jerry Springer proud.

XXY
Living in a coastal Uruguayan town ‘problem’ teen Alex has been isolated and protected by her parents. A top plastic surgeon comes to assist with a solution. While the adults agonise over the conundrum of Alex’ gender, she and the surgeon’s closeted son get on with their own exploration of sexuality and identity. Beautifully shot, sparsely scripted, with stellar performances.

Documentaries:
For The Bible Tells Me So
In this thorough, positive and ultimately hopeful documentary, the filmmaker presents the complex subject of homosexuality and religion through personal and intellectual arguments that encourages people to examine their beliefs rather than mindlessly accept the preaching of others.

Panel discussions will be held after screenings in both JHB and CT – see printed programme and website for details.

The Festival is funded by:
The Atlantic Philanthropies, National Film and Video Foundation, Italian Institute of Culture, Goethe Institut, British Council, Cape Film Commission, Nu Metro, Exclusive Books, Killarney Mall.

http://www.oia.co.za/

15TH OUT IN AFRICA SA GAY & LESBIAN FILM FESTIVAL
Johannesburg Thu 4th – Sun 14th September 2008
Nu Metro - Killarney Mall
Cape Town Thu 11th – Sun 21st September 2008
Nu Metro - V&A Waterfront

www.oia.co.za ▪ 021 461 40 27 ▪ info@oia.co.za

27 August 2008: Media Statement

BravoBrava is alive and well and living at 1485 Radio Today countrywide on DStv Audio Channel 169. This is the show where everyone is a star and deserves the right to twinkle; where everyone is cheerful, trouble-free and at ease! On this show some are gay, some not so gay and some, not gay at all. This is the radio show where listeners are not separated but where the aim is to integrate, to encourage and to embrace.

Going out on Tuesday nights from 20:00, it is three years since this immensely popular gay radio show hit the airwaves for the first time. Other shows have come and gone but BravoBrava remains South Africa’s only gay radio show broadcast nationally. During this year BravoBrava celebrated its 100th broadcast as well as its 100th celebrity interview!
What is so encouraging is the fact that the show has won at least as many heterosexual listeners as it has inspired vast numbers of gay people. Producer, compiler and presenter Mixael de Kock says that both gay and non-gay listeners phone in from the most obscure places in South Africa to say how much they enjoy the programme.
Be it in the main centers or the rural areas of South Africa it would appear that once people had tuned in to BravoBrava they come back every week.
The main objective of the programme is to integrate rather than to separate. Mixael smiles when he confirms that the many non-gay listeners are proof that BravoBrava has achieved its aims. “If non-gay people listen to a gay programme because it is interesting, informative and entertaining then I have a captive audience to whom I can prove, through intelligent radio, that gay people are worthy contributors to society. And, in the end that is what gay pride is about.
We make provision for in-depth interviews as well as shorter interviews ranging from politics and current affairs through legal, financial as well as fashion and the arts in all of its guises. But, humor is very much the order of the day and, the quirkier the better!”
It is interesting that BravoBrava’s radio cereal called The De Cocqs of Grootvoëlsvlei had, via streaming, won a huge international audience as well. This series with its weekly one-minute disposable episodes is based on the classic Springbok Radio soapie Die Du Plooys van Soetmelksvlei.
This series has been a huge hit with the younger crowd and has led to the planning of an event, the BravoBrava Annual Grootvoël Awards, soon to be announced in Wrapped.

Mixael de Kock interviews Fulvio de Stefanis a director of Joburg Pride, the Section 21 Company responsible for Johannesburg’s greatest annual spectacle. Fulvio De Stefanis has a BSC Civil Engineering degree from WITS University. In addition to his role in the construction and property development industry.

Fulvio has also been a leading dance event promoter for over a decade. He was a co-founder of The Mother of All Raves which commercialised the rave ‘scene’ in South Africa with events attracting over 16 000 people.
He brought TRADE, London, to the country and produced the largest gay rave in South Africa, with Channel 4, BBC, Attitude Magazine and DJ International covering the event.

Fulvio went on to open Bitch super-club in Johannesburg which operated with great success for a number of years before he opened Legends nightclub in Pretoria. He also has experience in publishing, having launched The Vibe Magazine, with an audited readership of 100 000, which he published for 24 issues.

There will also be a short insert interview with Philip Liebenberg, the author of “Daar is ‘n Gay Pastoor in my Kop“. Phillip has been on quite a journey that took him form studying theology, practicing as a pastor, getting married, having children and, finally coming out ias the 21st Century dawns.

The main interview with Fulvio de Stefanis will centre on the great news that International diva, and the most famous drag artist in the world, RuPaul will be strutting her stuff in Johannesburg and Pretoria during Joburg Pride week this October: presenting a live performance at Therapy’s Viva La Glam Pride After-party and launching her new film at Cinema Nouveau’s Pride Film Festival.

The drag superstar singer and actress will be performing her chart-topping hits on stage at Therapy’s Viva La Glam Pride After-party at Carfax, proudly presented by Flex Bender, on Saturday October 4th, with a live act that starts at 11pm. The mega party will also boast four dance floors each featuring top South African DJs taking the event’s 2008 Pride celebrations into the early hours of the morning.

“This is a major scoop for Joburg’s nightlife and the city’s Pride celebrations – boosting both to an international level,” says Therapy co-owner Fulvio De Stefanis. “RuPaul is one of the world’s true gay icons, and we’re very proud to bring her to South Africa for the first time.”
RuPaul is also coming to the country to promote her latest film, Starrbooty, which will be exclusively screening at Cinema Nouveau’s Pride Film Festival around the country. Starrbooty tells the story of a gorgeous crime fighting federal agent named – you guessed it – Starrbooty, who disposes of villains while becoming entangled in various romantic liaisons.

RuPaul, who plays the titular character, will be appearing at the film’s glamorous premiere on Thursday, October 2nd at Ster Kinekor, the Zone, Rosebank, and will also attend the Pretoria premiere of the film at Brooklyn’s Cinema Nouveau on the 3rd. All proceeds from the premieres will be donated by Cinema Nouveau and Therapy to the non-profit company that runs Joburg Pride on behalf of the gay and lesbian community. RuPaul is a multi-talented American singer, actor and lyricist who has appeared across a grand spectrum of media. The singer’s remake of classic disco anthem ‘It’s Raining Men’, her collaboration with Elton John (‘Don’t Go Breaking My Heart’) and her massive hit ‘Supermodel (You’d better work)’all soared to the top of the charts.
On the left is a mamba in disguise!

RuPaul has also featured on the silver screen, with roles in mainstream cinema as well as in iconic gay films such as ‘To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything! Julie Newmar’ and ‘But I’m a Cheerleader’. In 1995, RuPaul was signed as the face of MAC cosmetics; making her the first drag queen supermodel. She is currently working on ‘RuPaul's Drag Race,’ a reality TV game show that aims to find the number one drag performer in the United States. Therapy’s Viva La Glam Pride Afterparty - proudly presented by Flex BenderSaturday October 4, Therapy, Newtown, Johannesburg.

Doors open at 4pm with shower and change room facilities for revellers wanting to come straight from the Pride march at Zoo Lake. Entrance fees range from R80 between 4pm and 7pm (with no pass-outs) and R150 after 8pm. Pre-sale tickets for the event at R120 per person can be purchased by calling TicketLine 082 16789 or at www.sterkinekor.com. Therapy Happens at Carfax, Pimm Str, Newtown, Johannesburg. Tickets on sale from 25 August. The Starrbooty Film PremieresThursday, October 2nd – Ster Kinekor, the Zone, Rosebank, Johannesburg
Friday, October 3 - Cinema Nouveau, Brooklyn, Pretoria Tickets for the premieres of Starrbooty are priced at R150 per person and also include free entry to the Therapy’s Viva La Glam Pride After-party. Tickets can be purchased at Ster Kinekor cinema box offices, from cinema Self-Service Terminals, by calling TicketLine 082 16789 or at www.sterkinekor.com. The Cinema Nouveau Pride Film Festival takes place at Rosebank (26 Sept - 4 Oct), Brooklyn (26 Sept - 3 Oct), V&A Waterfront (3 Oct - 11 Oct), Gateway (3 Oct - 9 Oct). Tickets on sale from 25 August.

Tuesday, 22 July: Bryan Bester, Kurt van der Muller and Morne Ebersohn

ALSO IN THIS EDITION:

• Carol Lee Fine Art present STILL LIFE
• Highlights from the new edition of the gay magazine WRAPPED
• South African Tattoo to thrill audiences
• Programme of events to December 2008: Music in Sandton Central is now available on http://curtaincallsa.blogspot.com/
• BravoBrava Resident Astrologer, Anita Noyes-Smith's Zoul Centre newsletter, Soul News, now available from Website: http://www.soulzentre.co.za/
• See the exciting new edition of Gayspeak on http://www.gayspeak.co.za/
• CHA CHA HEELS taking drag from the doldrums to centre stage - see write-up on http://curtaincallsa.blogspot.com

INTERVIEW WITH ROELOF COLYN HAD TO BE CANCELLED. ROELOF HAD TO GO TO CAPE TOWN AT SHORT NOTICE TO SORT OUT A FAMILY MATTER. WE WISH HIM EVERYTHING OF THE BEST AND HOPE THAT THE PROBLEMS WILL RESOLVE!

We welcome Kurt van der Muller and Bryan Bester, Producers of the show Cha Cha Heels. We also chat to Morne Ebersohn, Publishing Editor of WRAPPED Magazine tonight.

Roelof Colyn is BravoBrava's Personality of the Week tonight. Together with his straight partner, Jonathan Roxmouth, Roelof gives a show of note in A Handful of Keys (see critique on (http://curtaincallsa.blogspot.com) which is on at the Pieter Toerien Theatre at Montecasino. Roelof talks to Mixael de Kock about his loves, hates and preferences in this frank interview.

In the photograph above right, Roelof is seen on the "right" side of Jonathan Roxmouth and, in the photograph on the left he sits closest to the camera, obviously stealing the show!

The show is a delightful romp through both classical music and musical theatre as well as pop.

Listen to this interview and win yourself and your partner two tickets to this smash hit - now already running for 14 years!

CAROL LEE FINE ART

presents a group show titled STILL LIFE with paintings and sculptures by

ALET SWARTS - RUDOLPH VOSSER - ROSEMARY JOYNT - COBUS HAUPT - GUY du TOIT - LORI SCHAPPE-YOUENS - JENNY PARSONS - EUGENIE MARAIS - MJ LOURENS - ANGELA BANKS - RETHA BUITENDACH - RUHAN JANSE van VUUREN
Venue: Upstairs@Bamboo
corner 9th Street & Rustenburg Road Melville Johannesburg
Opening: Saturday 26 July 2008 09h30 - 16h00
Please join for refreshments at noon
Road closures in the area on Sunday 27 July until 1pm - access from south, down 9th Street
Hours: Sunday 27 July to Sunday 3 August
10h00 - 15h30
Exhibition closes at 14h30 on Sunday 3 August
Enquiries: Carol Lee 011 486 0526

WRAPPED TAPPING INTO THE GAY MARKET

The emergence of a growing grey gay sector of the population has raised the question of suitable, gay friendly retirement villages. This is explored in more detail in the winter edition of Wrapped, including interviews with South African realtors.

A year since publisher Morne Ebersohn took over Wrapped, incorporating a facelift in the design and layout of the magazine, he explains how Wrapped has evolved into a magazine catering to a broad interest base.

“Our winter edition showcases a clean look, which is the direction we will be taking the magazine in the future. While fashion has a place, we have always explored current trends and delved into controversial issues experienced by this sector of the population.”

He says articles dealing with current topics in relation to the gay and lesbian population will always feature prominently, as these are issues experienced on a personal basis by the readers.

“I’d like to think we have achieved the right mix of hard hitting features with more relaxing reads dealing with travel, what is happening in the music and art scene, hot new restaurants and the latest fashions.”

December figures revealed the highest ever sales for Wrapped magazine, up by 60% and verifying that the needs of readers are being met.

This edition includes an interview with Watershed’s Craig Hinds, a look at tattoos, a test drive of the latest SAAB convertible and a fashion shoot highlighting the latest club gear shot on location in Therapy. The interior section features a Woodstock cottage, which has been renovated into a luxury city house.

Ebersohn proudly mentions the success of Wrapped led to the launch of a digital TV channel in May, which will serve as an extension of the magazine’s content and also allow readers to submit their own content.

The channel can be viewed at http://www.wrappedmag.com/, together with highlights from the magazine.

Currently on sale nationwide at CNA, Estoril Books and Exclusive Books, Wrapped is the only ABC audited gay publication.

Bridget von Holdt
InZalo Communications
011 646 9992 / 082 37 610 0650
bridget@inzalo.com

DUIGAN & RICHARDS PIANO DUO in the FREE STATE

24 July 2008
Odeion, Bloemfontein

19:30

Christopher Duigan is widely recognised as one of South Africa’s foremost concert pianists. He is maintaining a busy performing career since his professional debut with the Cape Town Symphony Orchestra in 1991. Studies at the Universityof Natal with Isabella Stengel, the University of Cape Town (graduating with M.Mus.) with Lamar Crowson and Albie vanSchalkwyk lead to scholarships to the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester where he studied with Brazilianvirtuoso Arnaldo Cohen.

He has performed extensively with all leading South African orchestras. Christopher is also an ensemble musician andaccompanist and regularly partners sopranos Angela Gilbert, Bronwen Forbay and Zanne Stapelberg.He has received the UNISA Overseas Scholarship Competition (1994), 1st prize in the Adolph Hallis Piano Competition(1996), awards for the best South African pianist in the UNISA International Piano Competition (1996) and the Cape TownSymphony’s Joseph Lan Award for his outstanding performance of the Bartók Piano Concerto No. 3 (1994).

International performances include those in London at St Martins in the Field, St James’- Piccadilly, South Africa House and at theEdinburgh Festival 2001 and 2003.Based in KwaZulu-Natal, he is committed to promoting classical music locally and further afield. As concert promoter andimpresario he is the principal organiser of the widely acclaimed MUSIC REVIVAL, established in 1997.

Jill Richards’ passion for contemporary music started while she was a student at the University of Cape Town and has led toher being South Africa’s foremost performer of new piano music today. Jill has long been associated with new music groups,workshops and festivals - ranging from the Huddersfield Contemporary Music Festival (broadcast by the BBC) to SouthAfrican events such as the annual New Music Indaba, where she performs regularly.

She has been widely broadcast, not only in South Africa and the UK, but also in the US and Europe, and has released fourCDs, with the fifth to be released in 2008.Jill’s versatility means that she is equally at home with the standard repertoire, both as soloist and chamber musician. Her piano duo partners include Christopher Duigan, Kevin Volans and Michael Blake, and she has also worked with jazz composers Surendran Reddy and Denzil Weale.

PROGRAMME:

Brahms - Variations on a Theme by HaydnBrahms - Sonata for two pianos in F minor

Mozart - Sonata for two pianos in D major, K448.

ADMISSION:R70 (adults)R40 (pensioners, students, learners)

Tickets available at PACOFS, tel. 051 - 447 7772

The South African Tattoo

Featuring over 500 local and international performers -- is set to thrill audiences at Montecasino in Johannesburg from September 11 to 14.

The South African Tattoo blends the traditional spectacle of massed pipe bands with a uniquely African flavour and spectacular acts from as far afield as Switzerland.

The spellbinding show is modelled on the world-famous Edinburgh Tattoo – which draws an international audience of over 200 000 people and reaches a television audience of another 100 million. “Most of all the South African National Tattoo is an enthralling, foot-tapping, heart- pounding cultural extravaganza arranged to delight young and old,” says General Manager of Montecasino, Steve Howell. “The Tattoo is a tradition born in an ancient land and adopted in major cities throughout the world.

“The organising committee has a wealth of experience. Most are currently involved in pipe bands and highland dance bands and have recently participated in the Edinburgh, Basel and Moscow Tattoos.

“This is going to be a great show. We are proud to present the South African Tattoo and we anticipate it will become a popular annual event,” Howell said.The high-energy event takes place at Montecasino in their outdoor events venue. The show –maximises dramatic light displays – and runs for 90 minutes with no interval and back-to-back activity culminating in a grand finale.

The average length of each act is 10 minutes and many acts overlap for maximum audience attention.

“We promise to hold you spellbound – from the opening scene to the grand finale,” says Simon Carter, MD of MC2 who are producing the spectacle.

“One of the highlights will be the Top Secret band from Switzerland who have thrilled audiences at tattoos around the world.

“The show will also include the famous Navy Gun Run, precision marching, horseback displays by the mounted unit of the Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department; as well as the SAPS who will show their impressive dog squad acts and much, much more.

“We expect crowd favourites to be the massed pipe bands and precision marching of the Transvaal Scottish and other regiments, the Highland Dancers and of course our Zulu performers,” he said.

A charity performance will benefit the Walter Sisulu Paediatric Unit and organisers hope that sufficient funds will be raised by ticket sales to pay for a life-saving heart operation for a South African child.

Booking is at Computicket with special rates for groups. “We have deliberately kept the price low to make it an affordable show for the whole family, kids’ tickets start at R95 and the most expensive adult ticket is R187. There are a limited number of tickets available, so you are advised to book early,” Carter said.

Buz Publicity:
Bridget van Oerle
011 673 4995
083 263 6991
mailto:buz@buz.co/za%20/ anele@buz.co.za