Gertjie's visit to the Transvaal

 

 

GRAND FINALE - Mr Gay South Africa - 26 NOVEMBER 2011, THE LYRIC THEATRE, GOLD REEF CITY

The search for the ultimate gay male. A nationwide search for the ultimate gay male culminates in an extravagant gala night to crown South Africa`s representative for Mr Gay World 2012 to be held at the Lyric Theatre, Gold Reef City in Johannesburg on Saturday 26th November.
Hosts for the evening are:

CATHY SPECIFIC http://www.cathyspecific.co.za/
FRANK MALABA http://www.facebook.com/pages/Frank-Malaba/105263832876754

ARISTS:

- The band ADAM featuring Joe Foster, Hugo Ludik and Reynardt Hugo (Binnelanders)
http://www.adamband.co.za/

- The bank LUDIK featuring Stefan Ludik
http://www.reverbnation.com/ludik
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Stefan-Ludik/102633978019


SPECIAL GUEST ARTISTS:

- MR. GSA 2011 FINALISTS: http://www.mrgsa.co.za/

JUDGES:

International panel consisting of Mr. Gay World Directors and South African representatives.

Mr. ERIC BUTTER: AUSTRALIA
Mr. DEAN NELSON: CANADA
Me NOEMI ALBERTO: PHILIPPINES
Mr TORE AASHEIM: NORWAY
Adv. THEMBA MTHETWA: SOUTH AFRICA
Mr. WILCO VAN EEDEN: SOUTH AFRICA

http://www.mrgayworld.org/index.php/mr-gay-world-2012/organization/executive-committee

http://www.mrgayworld.org/index.php/mr-gay-world-2012/organization/regional-directors/europe

Representing SOUTH AFRICA:

Adv. THEMBA MTHETWA - CEO Public Protector of South Africa: http://www.pprotect.org/leadership/leadership.asp

Mr. WILCO VAN EEDEN - CEO Club Travel Honeydew


CHOREOGRAPHER: STEFAN CARSTENS, 3 WAY THEATRE http://www.3waytheatre.co.za/

SCRIPT WRITER: WIM VORSTER

DIRECTOR: KOSIE SMIT, KOSIE HOUSE OF THEATRE http://www.kosie.biz/



SAT. 26 Nov. 2011.

Doors open and ticket collection form 19h30.

Show starts at 20h30 sharp.


TICKETS: COMPUTICKET or any SHOPRITE or CHECKERS

Price: Stalls from R150
VIP (balcony): From R250
VIP get own area, own bar, gift bags and free entry to After-Party at PLUM with Computicket ticket stub.

Online here: http://online.computicket.com/web/event/mr_gay_south_africa_tm_2011/419163511/


OFFICIAL SPONSORS: http://www.mrgsa.co.za/blog/official-sponsors-2011/

PRIZES: http://www.mrgsa.co.za/blog/prizes-2011/

MR. GSA BOARD OF DIRECTORS: http://www.mrgsa.co.za/blog/contact-us/

AFTER-PARTY: PLUM, PRETORIA

Secrets Make You Sick

An interesting read is Durban business man Trevor Kleinhans' book Secrets Make You Sick. It i sshockingly honest and he brings the message home without ever stooping to moralise. The book is nwo available at CNA, Exclusive Books and at www.kalahari.com

The author writes:
"My life has been a journey; I have visited the devil’s den and landed in the enchanted magical garden. This is a story that will capture your imagination, as I take you through the life of a gay man living in South Africa in the early 1980s and enduring arrest. I had a childhood of living with an alcoholic father and with a sibling that sexually molested me over a six-year period. I was forced to complete two years of National Service in apartheid South Africa and witnessed horrific events in the townships whilst doing compulsory military camps along the way.

I entered into a nine-year emotionally abusive gay relationship, which made me focus instead on a successful career path. At 39 years old I was a successful businessman who never drank alcohol, or smoked cigarettes and was totally against drugs.

When I reached my forties, all this changed. I was faced with huge challenges in my career, ended my nine-year abusive relationship, found drugs, and became HIV positive. By the age of 43, I was a crack cocaine addict and came face to face with the devil; I was on the verge of losing everything, including my life. With a 3% chance of success, I entered rehabilitation clinging to the belief that I would be one of those 3 out every 100 crack cocaine addicts who triumph over their addiction. I had to believe that I could conquer this drug whose addicts are referred to in the drug world as having stooped as low as sucking the devil’s cock.

Thanks to the amazing people I had surrounded myself with, including friends and family, I managed to enter rehabilitation, and found a counselling therapist that I visited weekly over a five-year period. This biography explains the psychological journey I went through, as my counsellor helped me empty my emotional tank and rid myself of emotions that I had not been equipped to deal with as a child.

I hope to help people that are experiencing or have experienced life in a similar way. I also believe this book will help the families and friends of people experimenting with drugs, or dealing with HIV.

After everything I have been through there is not one thing I would change, as long as I know I would end up where I am at present."

SA GLAAD Praises Unexpected SA Government Support Of UN Statement On Human Rights

On behalf of SA GLAAD, we would like to express our gratitude that the government of South Africa has signed the statement issued at the UN Human Rights Council, which was signed by 85 countries, entitled "Ending Acts of Violence and Related Human Rights Violations Based on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity."

The news was recieved this morning with a mixture of elation and surprise, as it was generally expected that South Africa was not going to sign the UN statement, as it had not supported similar UN statements addressing the topic of homosexuality in the past, and had been in international news on several occasions recently for reportedly saying it would not support this initiative.

We also wish to express our thanks and appreciation to those who organized and supported petitions, both internationally and locally, for people to express their wish that the SA Government sign the statement, and for the attention which other human rights bodies, local and international, have given to this issue.

Over the past few weeks there has been a great deal of confusion among human rights advocacy organizations caused by conflicting reports about South Africa's willingness to support this initiative. This situation was exacerbated by our country's past failure to support a similar initiative in 2008, as well as the puzzling lack of effective official communication from the SA government to the Pink Community on this issue. We hope that in future such misunderstandings and miscommunications can be avoided.

Showing support for our community's human and civil rights as enshrined in our country's Constitution in both local affairs and foreign policy is no small thing, and will not be taken lightly. We are hopeful that this is an indication that government is indeed taking a keen interest in the welfare of ALL its citizens and that it bodes well for the future.

We also take this opportunity to praise the three other African countries who supported the UN statement - the Central African Republic, Rwanda and Sierra-Leone - for holding high the torch of equality, liberty and human rights in Africa. It is our hope that South Africa will lead the way in advancing equality, prosperity and humanity in Africa, and that this be the beginning of a new era of ubuntu on our continent.

It is indeed of grave concern that so few countries in Africa view LGBTI people as deserving of recognition, dignity, equality and decent treatment - and it is disturbing that so many African states view oppression, intolerance, persecution and cruelty as justifiable and even morally correct.

We encourage South Africa to associate more with African countries which cherish the ideals enshrined in our Constitution, and who seek to become like our rainbow nation - and to show them support, leading by example - rather than maintaining ties and shameful associations with states which demonstrate little or no regard for the human rights and dignity of their own people or for the value of human life.

As citizens of South Africa, we would prefer to see our tax Rands and economic contributions invested in uplifting Africa better applied in building a spirit of ubuntu and promoting the values we as South Africans stand for, as enshrined in our Constitution - rather than used to fund and support regimes which devalue human life, make a mockery of democratic principles - and embarrass our nation.

Once again, thank you South Africa for making our voice in the international community of nations, and our Constitution, count for something good and positive - and for making us Pink South Africans proud too for a change.

We hope it will not be the last time.


Kind regards,

------------------------
Christina Engela

South African Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (SA GLAAD)
Member of the Board, Press & Media Liaison
Email: Christina.saglaad@gmail.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=36473738726&ref=ts
Blog: http://saglaad.blogspot.com/

GLAAD withdraws support for COPE

The South African Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (SA GLAAD) herewith announces the withdrawal of it’s support for COPE as a party for which gay and trans citizens should vote in the 2009 elections. SA GLAAD’s reasons for this withdrawal are as follows:

COPE’s choice of Presidential Candidate – The appointment of religious figures in positions of political power and influence as a direct threat to secular democracy;
The appointment of a Presidential Candidate associated with a religious group which has in the past unequivocally demonstrated its opposition to GLBT rights and equality;
COPE’s apparent decision to change into a religious political entity and the threat this poses to equality for all in SA, particularly with reference to GLBT rights.
By appointing a religious figure in such a high office, COPE is taking on the mantle of a religious party - and we anticipate a threat that as such COPE could later form alliances with other religious-cum-political parties which are very, very far from gay friendly and anti-equality. It is no secret that some religious political parties in SA have been trying to reverse every single human rights gain GLBT have made in the last 15 years.

SA GLAAD views a secular democracy as the only safe way forward where ALL people in SA of all faiths, races, cultures and diversities can enjoy freedom and equality together. A President who is also an ordained religious minister and who had filled high offices in religious bodies – would simply by that fact alone ensure that SA would no longer be run by a secular government, but a theocracy – a country whose government is run by a church or religion.

While COPE is portraying Bishop Mvume Dandala as a moderate campaigner for human rights and an esteemed cleric with no agenda against equal rights for GLBT, a major point of concern for gay and transgender people with regard to COPE’s choice of presidential candidate is the discovery that Bishop Dandala is listed as a past Co-Chairperson of a group called SACLA (South African Christian Leadership Assembly).

Many will remember the role SACLA played at the time of the court battles surrounding the passing of legislation which legalized same gender marriage in South Africa. On its website SACLA describes this defeat in 2006 and the move to ‘restore marriage’ quite aggressively and emphatically as a quote “war” unquote. SACLA’s involvement in the fight against same gender marriage reveals this organizations (and ergo it’s leadership’s) narrow views on GLBT rights and equality. When Dr Dandala left this position is unclear, but nevertheless his association with this group is clear.

During his later tenure as head of the AACC (All Africa Conference of Churches) in Kenya, we have found no evidence that he has ever spoken out against or addressed the vicious church and state sponsored persecution of GLBT in African countries such as Uganda. Bearing Dr Dandala's association with a homophobic group like SACLA in mind, it raises questions about the likelihood of his impartiality in the matter of gay rights, specifically pertaining to his aspirations of acting as the country’s next president. Can gay and trans South Africans really expect fair and just treatment with full equal rights under a government led by this man?

Until this turn of events SA GLAAD endorsed both DA and COPE as the only two viable choices for GLBT citizens to vote for in the April elections – but now we no longer see any reason for gay and trans people to vote for COPE, nor to promote it any further.

Christina Engela
South African Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (SA GLAAD)

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 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

Richard Loring: Life is a Journey, not a Destination - Tuesday, 15th July 2008,

WIN WIN WIN WIN WIN WIN

· Five Double tickets to a performance of South Africa’s international smash-hit musical!

Also in this edition:

• A discussion on HARDlove at the Old Mutual Theatre on the Square in Sandton
• Elzabé Zietsman at Foxwood House
• The MTN New Contemporaries Awards 2008 and Exhibition at teh University of Johannesburg Art Gallery
• Carol Lee Fine Art presents group show titled STILLIFE
• A Fish called Molo! for two nights at the Wits Downstairs Theatre
• Bigwood 2 at the ARTspace in Durban
  
  

Following last week’s return to South Africa of African Footprint, one of the country’s best-loved musicals, theatre producer and director, joins us in the studio tonight as BravoBrava’s Personality of the Week.

Richard, who was born in Guernsey in the Channel Islands, has extensive experience in the entertainment industry as both a performer and producer. After a successful West End career, in musicals and records, he left London in the late 60’s to play Tony in The Boyfriend in South Africa, a country he soon adopted as his home.

Richard soon established himself on the local theatre scene and moved on to movie appearances, record releases and television shows. Remembered best for strutting onto the stage in high heels and odd socks as the Narrator in the 70’s smash hit Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, the 80’s saw a major career shift from entertainer to producer.

During the past decade and more Richard has given South Africa specialised entertainment and major events for corporate clients. To this end he opened his own theatre, The Sound Stage, which established the norm for this field of entertainment.

Despite his busy career, Richard has found time to serve as Chairman of the Theatre Benevolent Fund, was Charter Member of Midrand Rotary, is a Paul Harris fellow and serves as a member of The Order of St John and has most recently been appointed Chairman of the Theatre Managements of South Africa. Richard constantly lives out his own philosophy that “Life is a Journey, not a Destination”.

A chance opportunity to see “Tap Dogs” in Australia inspired Richard Loring to create African Footprint – South Africa’s longest-running musical. However, the path to success was not always easy. Loring supported the cast and crew for a year and a half of creative rehearsals before his and the cast’s faith was rewarded - their first break – a performance before Nelson Mandela on Robben Island as part of the Millennium Celebration, which was viewed by millions on television!

Gold Reef City Casino recognised the potential of the show and African Footprint held its World Premiere at the casino’s then newly-built Globe Theatre, on 11 May 2000 in the presence of President Thabo Mbeki. The show’s emotive power brought many in the audience to tears and a member of the public exclaimed, “It should be obligatory for every South African to see this show as you leave with a sense of jubilation and optimism.”

Some of the praise the show earned from reviewers included: “All I can say is … Wow!”, “African Footprint makes its extravagant mark, iyavaya” and “Viva “African Footprints!” In that first year, “African Footprint” won 3 Vita Awards, including Best Musical Production.

Invitations were received from international producers to take the show abroad. Audiences around the world have applauded African Footprint with sustained standing-ovations. Loring kept the show on the boards for some nine years despite broken contracts and disappointments - their England tour was cancelled due to the Foot and Mouth epidemic and the 9/11 tragedy cut their USA tour short. In this time, some 200 performers, some coming from very humble backgrounds, were trained in dance skills and professional show disciplines. As top-class performers, many have moved on to start their own companies, to perform in other shows or in the lucrative industrial theatre market.

While it is international recognition and success one aspires to, it is the growth of those who have danced and sung on the journey with Loring that he finds most rewarding.

African Footprint, now one of the country’s best-loved musicals, returned to its home at Gold Reef City Casino for a four-week season from 5 July to 3 August 2008 at the casino’s plush new 1100-seat venue, The Lyric Theatre.

The inspiring show that celebrates the vibrant and diverse history and spirit of the people of South Africa has been spreading its message of optimism about South Africa around the world for the past nine years. During this time, the performers have touched hearts and minds from China, India, Europe, Australia, Morocco, Israel and England through to Mexico, Canada and the USA.

The show fuses the hypnotic heartbeat of the African drum, the cheerful pennywhistle and the inspiring words of Don Mattera with Kwela-jive, traditional gumboot, tap, contemporary ballet and hip-hop pantsula into an “explosive stampede of song and dance”.

"We're delighted to have African Footprint back at Gold Reef City” says Steve Hight, General Manager of Gold Reef City Casino. “After a critically-acclaimed tour in the US, the show returns to South Africa with a cast of 32 as well as new lighting, costumes and backdrops. The show is bigger and better than ever before and will be even more dynamic in our new world-class Lyric Theatre.”

Bookings are now open at Computicket and tickets are expected to sell out fast. Don’t Miss It!

Details from Computicket; www.computicket.co.za and (011) 248 5000.

ACT NOW!, an innovative initiative in the fight against the global HIV/AIDS pandemic, was launched at last week's special performance of African Footprint in Gold Reef City Casino’s plush new 1100 Lyric Theatre on 9 July. ACT NOW! is an exciting project that aims to unify the South African theatre world in the fight against HIV/AIDS.

The launch fundraiser event was a partnership between Arts and Culture Trust (ACT), Gold Reef City Casino and African Footprint, which provided ideal platform for the launch of this initiative.

ACT NOW! is a mutually beneficial fundraising framework for partnerships between ACT and the South African theatre industry. All proceeds from tickets sold on the evening will go towards setting up the fund for ACT NOW!, which aims to mobilise the performing arts in South Africa to raise funding for arts and culture projects that support the fight against HIV/AIDS.

The initiative is loosely based on the Broadway Cares model, an American initiative which creates AIDS awareness and raises funds for artists every year, on a particular week, on Broadway.

At the initiative of the US Embassy, the embassy’s Culture Envoy Joseph Norton, brought the Broadway Cares project to the attention of South African show producers a year ago. These producers included Richard Loring producer/consultant for the Lyric Theatre, who introduced the project to the Gold Reef City Casino management and motivated for the project to be linked with the return of African Footprint from the USA. The US Embassy has supported the project even further by buying the first 100 seats for the special African Footprint show.

“As the oldest funding agency for the arts in democratic South Africa, ACT receives many such applications for support. ACT NOW! will enable us to set up a fund specifically to support these kinds of requests,” says Pieter Jacobs, the projects manger of ACT. “ACT NOW! is an opportunity for the performing arts industry to give back to its own community while supporting the fight against HIV/AIDS.”

Says Steve Hight, General Manager of Gold Reef City Casino: “We are proud to support this worthwhile initiative with a special performance of African Footprint. Gold Reef City Casino believes strongly in the importance of giving something back to the community, and we believe that ACT NOW! will help to make a difference and benefit many South Africans. African Footprint, a uniquely South African production, is an ideal show to be associated with ACT NOW!”

For more information about ACT go to http://www.act.org.za/

This Saturday – 19 July Foxwood Theatre is honoured to present:
Elzabé Zietsman and Janine Neethling on fire.
Join in an unforgettable evening with these enchanting ladies. Cabaret raw and divine. Elzabé Zietsman - a diva with no boundaries.
19 July 2008 19h30




Tickets: R100 p.p. Optional Buffet: R 135 p.p.
Bookings: Pauline Mayne: 011 846 0935

Elzabé Zietsman's prolific career has seen her on stage, television, in cabaret and film productions. She has performed all over the country and is widely known to audiences for her starring role in M-Net's popular soap, Egoli. In the mid-90's during a run of her shows in Windhoek, she was spotted by a musical director who urged her to apply for the title role of Evita for a summer festival in Germany.




Elzabé performed Evita in 1996 in German and was invited back in 1997 to perform the role of Velma in Chicago and in 2000 the narrator in Cabaret, all in German. She was allocated solo cabaret shows at the festival, which proved extremely popular with German audiences. In 1998 she performed Brecht for the Goethe Institute who invited her to Berlin in 1999 to further her studies in German.Elzabé was directed by David Kramer in Jol and Janice Honeyman in True Confusions.



She played Wallace Simpson in Pieter -Toerien's Her Royal Highness and worked with Casper de Vries in Ziets & de Vries, which took the country by storm in 1990. In 2000 Elzabé and Amanda Strydom performed the sell-out, Strydom & Zietsman in Alphabetical Order. In addition to her numerous one-woman shows, she has starred in Darrel Roodt's film, The Stick and the internationally released film, River of Death. In 2000, she played the lead in the highly acclaimed Deon Opperman musical, Vere.



Elzabé recorded her debut CD, "XIII" in 1999 and toured with her show by the same name the following year. She has performed with many highly respected South African artists and regularly performs her cabaret shows for corporate functions.


CAROL LEE FINE ART

Will be presenting 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 August10h00 - 15h30

Exhibition closes at 14h30 on Sunday 3 August
Enquiries: Carol Lee 011 486 0526

At the Wits Downstairs Theatre:

A FISH CALLED MOLO !


VENUE: Wits Downstairs Theatre, Jorissen and Station Streets,Braamfontein
SEASON: 18 and 19 July @ 20h00
RUNNING TIME: Sixty Minutes (No Interval)
BOOKING: www.computicket.com / www.strictlytickets.com
ENQUIRIES: Dale Abrahams 073 398 1769

Dale Abrahams is an actor and comedian best known for his roles in the TV series Molo Fish, Dollars and White Pipes. Some of you may recognize him from the Cerelac baby food advert; he has also featured in the TV stand up Comedy series “Comedy Showcase”. He is also a regular on the Jo’ burg comedy circuit. His new show “A Fish called Molo” is a no- holds- barred and hilarious compilation of shady politicians, load shedding, air travel and his early childhood in Swaziland.

This is a must see for comedy lovers. The show has a limited season of only two nights at Wits Downstairs Theatre on the 18 & 19th July 2008.

Tickets can be purchased via Computicket or at Wits Box Office and are very reasonably priced at R 90,00( includes Computicket’s service charge ) and a discount price of R 80,00 ( includes Computicket’s service charge ) is available for students.
NB. No persons under 18 years of age.

Light meals and a full cash bar can be enjoyed in Café Dulce, situated in the Wits Theatre Foyer.
Free, covered parking in the adjacent Senate House (the entrance is on Jorissen Street) ensures peace of mind.

Bigwood 2007 - Background - The first Bigwood exhibition was held at Manna in Durban on Friday the 13th, 2007. A crop of Durban's most inspired and talented creatives came together to create something unique, fresh and memorable. It was good to be part of something that doesn't take itself too seriously and Bigwood's success is largely due to this playful approach.There were lumberjacks painted on tree stumps, plush forest critters, byro birds on school desks and an orange Yeti even made an appearance. Furry creatures that only come out at night, well... came out at night.We've retained this playful creative spirit for the next Bigwood event.

_______________________________________________________________________________[R]evolution Canvas presents Bigwood2 at artSPACE durban, Durban - July 18 2008.

Bigwood2 is being sponsored by [R]evolution Skateboards. This year's event will feature some of South Africa's best graffiti artists, designers and illustrators. All artists have a strong individual style, a unique and rare talent, and pack some heavyweight skills in their arsenal. It's also the biggest exhibition of this kind the country has seen to date. 2008's event sees over 40 artists taking part, with a strong Cape Town contingency this time round. We're proud to have legendary artists Senyol, Theory1, Sadmascot, twelve AmiCollective members and a host of other talented Cape Town artists involved.[R]evolution are generously supplying blank skateboards to artists to customize. These limited edition (one of a kind) decks will be on display at Bigwood2. See below for more info on the [R]evolution Canvas initiative. [R]evolution are doing good things for local artists.We're taking Bigwood2 to an international stage with this year's event traveling to Artspace Berlin in March 2009. As Bigwood (Bigwood artists and all those who support), we're pulling together collectively to have South African talent displayed to a wider audience. So drop by and show your support!For Bigwood2 we have the NoNoNo!!! DJ crew - the Eclectica Allstars - on the ones and twos! Leo Janssen, Hedmekanik and the Mixin Vixin will provide an appropriately wild and wonderful soundtrack.

_______________________________________________________________________________Date: 18th July 2008Venue: artSPACE durban - 3 Millar rd (off Umgeni rd), Durban, South AfricaTickets: R20 pre-sale / R40 at the doorTime: 19:00 till 2:00Limited tickets are available so get down there early. Or pre-book to avoid the cue.Mobile: 072 863 5923 or mail me: firebrand.design@gmail.comSafe parking. Cash bar.

_______________________________________________________________________________[R]evolution Canvas[R]evolution Canvas is a collaborative initiative to encourage and promote a positive change within society. Activist at its core [R]evolution is about creating, evolving, and empowering. We aim to spread a DIY ethos to encourage people to build a better future for themselves. As movement rather than a product, we strive to work with like-minded artists in a collective effort to educate and empower the youth of South Africa. Working with artists to make their art accessible to the youth, and in turn providing a platform to get their message across. Art is a medium that has no borders or boundaries, and by working together we can spread the message of change far and wide.http://www.revolution.co.za/

_______________________________________________________________________________Participating Artists 2008: am i collective (12 Cape Town artists),Justin Bailey,Pete Bircham, Brandt Botes, Marcel Coetzee,Andrew Donaldson,Ellomennopee (Tempest van Schaik),Philip Erasmus,Richard Hart (disturbance design), Roger Jardine,Joey Hi-Fi,Ruhan Janse van Vuuren, Matt Kay, Warwick Kay,Kronkh, Kim Longhurst,Gabriel Metcalfe,Christian Mugnai,Alistair Palmer, Kevin Parry,Trevor Paul,Richard Phipson, PlayOne WK?, Dirty Sanchez (Scott Robertson), Skullboy, Sadmascot, Senyol, Jenna Shone,Theory1, Colwyn Thomas, Ross Turpin, Wesley van Eeden, Hylton Warburton

The exhibition runs through Saturday, 2 August at 1pm.

artSPACE durban3 Millar Road (off Umgeni Rdnext to Waste Centre)Durban

tel: +27 31 312 0793

http://www.artspacedurban.co.za/

Gallery hours: M - F 10 - 4pmSat and Public Hol 10 - 1pm

BravoBrava contact details:

Cell Number: 071 226 8063
Email: mixaeld@gmail.com
Blogsite: http://bravobrava.blogspot.com/
Snail Mail: PO Box 85414
Emmarentia
2029 Johannesburg
South Africa