Tumi hosts listening session for Whole Worlds

Tumi, mostly known with his band The Volume, has a new album out. Sony Music invited us to the listening session that was held at The Planetarium at Wits University on Wednesday afternoon.

Always the creative soul, the selection of the venue had lots to do with his album, aptly titled Whole Worlds. At the reception area, there were flyers with sketches and pictures of different planets stuck on the walls alongside the material from the venue, making for a smooth assimilation into the space. After having drinks and Astrios, we were led to the inside of The Planetarium.

Lance from Sony Music introduced Tumi to the media and other guests that were in attendance. As the lights went out, the excitement permeated in the air, in anticipation of this truly unique experience, at least in South Africa. Tumi took to the mic and described inspirations for each of the 4 songs he played us (helped on the decks by DJ Bionic). He relayed to us neatly-worded descriptions of how the songs came about and each and every person involved with the tracks. I instantly fell in love with each of the songs he played, especially one that features mama Sibongile Khumalo.

It was a breath-taking experience, knitting together the visuals of the planets on the roof and the powerful sounds that came from the speakers, As we left The Planetarium, we were gifted with a copy of the full album with some more Astrios as well as a remarkable booklet with amazing photography and beautifully coined words that accompanied the CD.

I played the whole CD on my way back from the listening session and with each listen, I fell more and more in love with Whole Worlds. It's an amazing piece of work that Tumi should be utterly proud of. It's hip hop music elevated into another level, only a way Tumi would make it. Whole Worlds is available at music stores nationwide now, go out and cop it.

MTVBase Nights to close 2009 with a BANG

It seems MTVBase is going all out for their last monthly MTVBase Nights event for December, set to take place in two cities this time around. Here is what my wifey, Melanie, says on the release she sent me:

MTV base nights and Absolut Rocks bring you "Who Gon’ Run this town tonight" on 4 December in Jozi and Durban with major album launches in both cities.

Since its inception in July, MTV base nights has become the most anticipated night out on the monthly social calendar. With the crowds the party pulls every month, artists and bands have started using the first Friday’s event, as the launch pad for new releases, like Jozi’s “Wildlife” in November.

December is no different. Only bigger and better. Two cities – Johannesburg and Durban; 4 official album launches and it’s all brought to you by MTV base nights and Absolut Rock.

On 4 December MTV base nights and Absolut Rock will be taking over Moloko and Louis XVI in Rosebank, with two mega album launches for TEARGAS, supported by L-Tido, live on one stage. Your favourite DJs Dimplez, Biz, Soul Sista, DJ LeoLarge, Hudson and Brooklyn’s best kept secret, international big gun DJ G Brown, will make sure you blaze up the dance floor ‘til sunrise –. MTV base hottie, Sizwe Dhlomo will be hosting the Jhb event.

It’s all happening at Plush in Durban on 4 December. The popular venue explodes with not one, but two album launches for JR and L Volvo. Flippin’ it all night long on the decks are the city’s hottest DJs – DJ Mel, P-Kuttah and C-Live. Durban peeps are still talking about the last MTV base night, so don’t miss out again.

"Who Gon’ Run this town tonight" is proudly brought to you by ABSOLUT Vodka Rock Edition.

Doors open at 21h00. Tickets available at the door. R100 gets you in, R150 gets you VIP. Dress code is smart casual. No sneakers and no under 21’s.

For more information log onto www.mtvbase.com or join the MTV Base Nights event page on Facebook.

MTV Base Nights peeps Are Hot And You're Not

If you are not attending the monthly MTV Base Nights that has been heating up Rosebank for the past few months, what are you waiting for?

Latinova will be sizzling yet again this Friday, 06 November 2009 as MTV Base hosts another of their dope parties, dubbed this time I'm Hot And You're Not, that take place every first Friday of the month. There is a bevy of DJ's that will be taking to the decks to make you dance until the morning. But the entertainment doesn't E.N.D. (as BEP say on the new album, Energy Never Dies) there as the hip hop group Jozi will be launching their new album and performing tracks from that very same album. You don't want to miss out. Please check the attached flyer for the details.

And get this, YEAHBO.DOT.NET is giving away 5 VIP tickets to the event. All you have to do to win is send an email, with your contact details to khetha@yeahbo.net; and answer these simple questions:

• What was Jozi's debut album called?
• Name at least 2 members of the group Jozi.

I'm currently in Botswana until this coming Sunday, so I'm sad that I'm not going to be there. But if you are in and around Jozi, you have no excuse.

Law Abiding Citizen advanced screening a soaring success

Even though the advanced screening of Law Abiding Citizen, hosted by YEAHBO.DOT.NET, started a bit late because it was screened at the same theatre the Michael Jackson film screened (which overan its time), it was still a sounding success.

The guests started arriving as early as 16:45, amongst the early birds the very dignified and talented Lindelani Mkhize and his wife. I was very humbled and appreciative of their understanding of the late start to the joyous occassion.

Before the beginning of the movie, as usual I took to the mic to give away great goodies, including Bruno hampers, Virgin Active hampers, VIP tickets to MTV Base Night's monthly soiree taking place this coming friday, 06 November 2009, the same day Law Abiding Citizen hit cinemas throughout the country, as well as Jamie Foxx's Ignition CD's (thanks to Sony Music). The giveaway exercise proved very long when guests couldn't find the pieces of papers stuck beneat their seats, but recovered nicely as I got into a nice interaction with the guests, asking them questions related to the movie, as well as related to MTV Base Nights, (where hip hop outfit Jozi will be launching their new alabum), as well as related to YEAHBO.DOT.NET.

Although I had watched the film more than 2 weeks ago, I sat through the second half because I wanted to see the reactions of the guests when my favourite scene was running. As precisely as I had expected, everybody reacted the very same way I did; I chucked as they literally jumped off their seats. Law Abiding Citizen will keep you thrilled for the complete duration of the movie with the suspense, the mystery, the espionage and spycraft elements of the movie, the interesting and unique story, as well as the sterling performances from all the actors involved. The chemistry between the main rivals, Clyde and Eric, played by current Hollywood leading man Gerard Butler and Jamie Foxx respectively, is dynamic and superb. F. Gary Gray definitely has another winner in his hands. His directing shows his flair and understanding for the art.

It was great getting positive responses from the guests after the movie. People like Unreleased Records owner Draztik and actor and TV presenter Fezile Makhanya (whom I caught up with after not seeing him for a while) gave me their two cents, and my great friends Melanie Ramjee and Louise Pillay echoed their sentiments via Twitter minutes after seeing the movie. Below is more email responses I received from some of the guests that came through and who thoroughly enjoyed themselves.

Thanks so much for the invite yesterday. The movie was awesome. Ninel you will
have to see it. More importantly thanks for distributing our flyers at your
events. Much appreaciated my friend. Melanie Ramjee

This movie was top-notch Khabazela!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Tx for the
invite.
Mangaliso Pewa

Thanks for the invite . .movie was too nice,
Lets do this
again. Charlene Vilane.

Thanks for Sunday, we thoroughly enjoyed ourselves.
Belinda Belseck.

What a movie!!!!! I thoroughly enjoyed myself last nite. It may
have started late but it was worth the effort. Will definitely watch it again
and encourage friends to watch. Dimakatso Machepa.

Overall, it was a fun afternoon. Thanks top all that came through for the
support. Don't forget, Law Abiding Citizen is at cinemas nationwide this
coming Friday, 06 November 2009. Most have referred to it as the best movie
of the year. Go and check it out and tell us what you think.

Sasol Schools Festival soars, more than 36 years later

Sasol invited me, and a few other media members, to the Mpumalanga leg of the long-running Sasol Schools Festival. Taking place at the Witbank Civic Theatre over two days, yesterday and today, the festival featured different aspects of professions in the arts sphere, specifically tailored to create awareness, inspire and motivate school pupils in the province to pursue such careers.

Before going further, let me provide just a bit about the background of this amazing initiative Sasol is involved in. The National Schools Festivals, a project of the Grahamstown Foundation, was originally conceived by Professor Guy Butler and started in Grahamstown over 36 years ago. It has grown from strength to strength and now covers all regions of South Africa, with the exception of Limpopo. The Gauteng and Mpumalanga festivals, together with Freestate/Northern Cape, form part of the Sasol Schools Festival Series. Sasol is the principal sponsor, while NLDTF and the Arts & Culture Trust (ACT) and Breadline Africa (BLA) are co-sponsors through the ACT BLA Fringe Grant awarded to the project for 2009.

The Sasol Mpumalanga Schools Festival, previously held in Secunda, is now taking place at the Witbank Civic Theatre, and took place as I have mentioned already, yesterday 15 and today 16 October with approximately 300 delegates that attended. The programme comprised up to four productions and 14 workshops. There were performances of The Suitcase by the legendary James Ngcobo, who we had an absolute pleasure of meeting earlier today; Le Carnival de ma Vie by Matchbox Theatre Collective; and The Sibikwa Players. Award-winning stage, film and television actor, James Ngcobo best known for his roles as editor Joe Dlamini on the SABC3 drama series Hard Copy and Mo on SABC 2 comedy series Stokvel, was set to inspire the learners with his keynote speech.

We went to different venues in the theatre where learners participated in professionally facilitated workshops, lectures, and productions focusing on different genres of the performing arts, as well as the spoken and written word. Participants also got to informally interact with artists and experts in all these areas and learn from their experience. It was such a great way to impart knowledge and skill that we foun ourselves joing the learners with different activities. Some of the highlighs for me personally was seeing the learners do break-dancing, which was energetic, fun and up-beat; as well as an interesting sketch-production workshop where this young boy displayed a sterling potential as a stage actor playing a person who cannot speak but communicating so well with a lady he was partnered with that was aksed to interpret what he was rying to communicate with her.
Th festival seemed to attract even the old who may have benefited from the festival when they were growing, viz. during lunch an old man serenaded us with his guitar and dancing skills, despite his health attempting to damper the spirits whe he started coughing uncontrollably at one point (see picure below).

Forging ahead from many other impediments, the festival, which has been sponsored by Sasol has for over two decades, focuses on holistic person-development and aims to expose learners from a variety of backgrounds, both affluent and previously disadvantaged, to the opportunities available to them through the Arts. Sasol is doing a phenomenal job in cultivating a culture of developing the children from as early as high school. I believe this will help in future entertainers getting into the industry with the right skills, attitude andf direction they need to build their careers and successfully maintain them. I also apppreciate the awareness and inspiration this festival is giving to the children, like one of the kids we chatted to who said he realised from participating in some of the activities that he would actually like to be a comedian.

Although I think it is a bit difficult to measure the success of the festival well into these kid's futures, I also believe there have been many people that started at the very same place and are now acclaimed entertainers in their own right in different disciplines. I'm looking foward to seeing the talent from this festival flourish and make our country proud in many years to come.