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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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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Disney on Ice Comes to Town

Posted on June 22, 2015 by Mishkah Roman-Cassiem

PRESS RELEASE

Put on your scarves, gloves and boots and head for The Dome in Johannesburg and GrandWest Arena, in Cape Town, this winter school holidays, where more than 50 classic and contemporary Disney characters will be waiting to warmly welcome guests of all ages to Disney On Ice presents Let’s Celebrate!

The show opens on Friday, 26 June 2015 at the Coca-Cola Dome, Johannesburg and runs until Sunday, 05 July 2015. New seating at this venue ensures that every guest has a clear vision of the ice. The production then moves to the GrandWest Arena, Cape Town for 10 shows from Wednesday, 8 July 2015 to Sunday, 12 July 2015. Tickets are on sale at Computicket.

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Melrose Arch Hotel Girls Night Out Blogger Event

Posted on May 25, 2015 by Mishkah Roman-Cassiem

I was recently intrigued by an email with the subject line “When last did you have a Girls Night Out?” Upon further inspection, it was an invitation from African Pride Hotels to spend a night with my “bestie” at the Melrose Arch Hotel in Johannesburg.

So off Leigh-Che Mackays and I went in anticipation of a long overdue GNO (Girls Night Out). We were greeted by the Marketing Manager, Jenni Davidson, and shown to our comfy twin bed room.

Later, we met for drinks in the Sound Room, where I met the General Manager, Tanya Malan, as well as fellow bloggers Zaahirah Bhamjee from Complete Disbelief, Jessica Franks from Jesska.co.za and Martha Van Zyl from Syllable in the City. It was a cosy ensemble of 4 bloggers, including myself, and our BFFs. Tanya explained that the Sound Room, which is just at the entrance of the Library Lounge, is available for hire for private events.

After everyone arrived, we had a tour of the hotel. Now, I have been to the Melrose Arch Hotel many times before, and even had a “staycation” there once, but I did not realise how much it really has to offer.

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