Johannesburg International Comedy Festival set to launch in November

Posted on September 15, 2015 by Mishkah Roman-Cassiem

If laughter is the best remedy then get ready to be cured….

South Africa’s stature in the world of comedy continues its phenomenal rise with the launch of the Johannesburg International Comedy Festival, which takes place over three days from 6-8 November 2015.

The festival is a multi venue, multi show comedy showcase featuring local, continental and international talent performing at the Alexander Theatre, Orbit Jazz Café, Thirteen and the Bannister Hotel in Braamfontein as well as The Market Theatre and Bassline in the Newtown precinct. With 42 comedians scheduled to take part, this will undoubtedly be one of the biggest gatherings of comedy talent ever assembled on the continent!

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School choir hits high note with R100 000 Woolworths win

Posted on September 14, 2015 by Mishkah Roman-Cassiem

Mzansi is abuzz with the news that Pharrell Williams will be performing live on stage on the 21st of September at the Grand West Arena in Cape Town and then on the 24th of September at The Dome in Johannesburg. Tickets are available from Big Concerts.

The best news about this concert is that young members of a school singing group from Germiston are excitedly preparing for the biggest highlight of their musical careers – performing on stage with Pharrell Williams, American singer-songwriter, record producer, fashion designer and philanthropist.

Adding to their good fortune, the super-talented singing group from Colin Mann Primary, winner of the MySchool Sing With Us Competition, has won a cash prize of R100,000. These funds will be used to renovate the school hall, which was built over 55 years ago and is badly in need of a makeover.

The MySchool Sing With Us competition is part of Woolworths strategic collaboration with the Grammy Award-winning musician. Williams personally selected the winners after local judges Jon Savage, Katlego Maboe and Theo Crous had whittled over 200 entries – from primary and high schools nation-wide – down to 10 finalists.

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GH Mumm Icon of Victory Event

Posted on September 7, 2015 by Mishkah Roman-Cassiem

Yesterday, I attended the GH Mumm SA Icon of Victory event, held at the Four Seasons Westcliff hotel. The event put a definite sprinkle of glamour on an otherwise dreary spring day in Jozi. We arrived in the early afternoon, dressed for autumn weather, and snapped some red carpet pics.

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See Russell Brand live in South Africa

Posted on August 11, 2015 by Mishkah Roman-Cassiem

Russell Brand
Credit: Dean Chalkley

I first saw Russell Brand playing the role of rocker ‘Aldous Snow’ in the Judd Apatow-produced box office hit comedy ‘Forgetting Sarah Marshall’ a few years ago.

Here’s a clip to jog your memory:

Since then, Russell Brand, has starred in several films including ‘Rock Of Ages’, ‘Arthur’, ‘Hop’, ‘Get Him To The Greek’, Bedtime Stories’, ‘The Tempest’, ‘Paradise’ and the voice of ‘Dr. Nefario’ in the hugely successful ‘Despicable Me’ series.

But did you know that he is an acclaimed stand up comedian and author, with an acerbic wit and intellect? Beginning his career as a stand-up comedian, Brand rose to fame in 2003 for his appearances on MTV and on “Big Brother” spin-off, “Big Brother’s Big Mouth.” His career really took off with his first nationwide standup tour, ‘Shame’ in 2006, which was released on DVD as ‘Russell Brand: Live’. Brand launched his second nationwide tour in 2007, ‘Russell Brand: Only Joking’ released on DVD as ‘Russell Brand: Doin’ Life’ and in 2009 he brought his stand-up comedy tour to the United States with ‘Russell Brand: Scandalous’.

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E! to profile African celebrities in E! News Special

Posted on August 7, 2015 by Mishkah Roman-Cassiem

Bonang Matheba

When E! Entertainment Television first launched a few years ago on DSTV, I was over the moon with excitement! Being an avid pop culture curator, this is my go to channel for all things celebrity, so when E! announced that they will be launching their first ever locally produced series, called E! News Special, this was music to my ears!

The 12-part original series will profile some of Africa’s most inspiring and influential pop culture personalities including singers, actors, models, socialites and sport stars. The series will premiere on E! (DStv Channel 124) in South Africa on Thursday, 10^th September at 8 pm.

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