"THE CHILLI BOY" ROMPS BACK TO JOZI

"The Chilli Boy" – one of the most successful shows in South African history – is back in Johannesburg. Geraldine Naidoo’s surreal and groundbreaking play has come a long way since it premiered nine years ago at the National Arts Festival in Grahamstown. This theatrical phenomenon has kept South African audiences flocking to theatres over the past few years and also had a successful run as one of the shows selected as part of the "West End Festival of Performance" in London in 2007.

"The Chilli Boy" is the hilarious portrayal of an old Indian woman reincarnated as a white gangster from Boksburg. At the age of 30, the gangster starts suffering flashbacks from his previous life as an Indian woman. These visions prompt him to don a sari while cooking delicious Indian curries and biryanis. He no longer wants to brawl his way around the streets of Boksburg as his newly discovered maternal instincts start to determine his behaviour. His tough reputation is threatened by the resultant turmoil.

Naidoo has created a play that tackles issues of cultural identity, racial difference and masculinity in an extraordinary and highly entertaining way.

“The play continues to attract huge audiences from across the vast racial and cultural spectrum that constitutes contemporary South African society,” Naidoo said.

While Naidoo's conception, writing and direction have been lauded as brilliant, it is the masterful performance of multi-award winning actor Matthew Ribnick that has had audiences gasping for breath.

“Many audience members describe Ribnick as a “cultural chameleon”. In just over an hour, he skilfully snaps back and forth between characters ranging from the ordinary to the bizarre,” Naidoo said.

Bouts of raucous laughter are punctuated with poignant moments of absolute sincerity as the audience comes to grips with a remarkable story told by a “madman” with a few hats.

"The Chilli Boy" is on at the Fringe at the Joburg Theatre from October 5 until November 6.

Shows run weekly at 20:00 from Wednesdays to Saturdays, with a 15:00 matinee on Sundays. Ticket prices are R130 for all shows. Group discounts are available by contacting the Joburg Theatre on 011 877 6854. The show is not suitable for persons under the age of 12.

Bookings can be made through www.joburgtheatre.com or by calling the Joburg Theatre’s ticketing call centre 0861 670 670.



Media Queires:
Bridget van Oerle/ Christabel Zulu
BUZ Publicity
011 482 3467/3489
083 263 6991/084 5522 417
FAX 086 694 4054
christabel@buz.co.za

PO BOX 1149 Auckland Park 2006
Arts and Culture Trust Publicist of the Year 1999/2004
Nominated in 2008 as one of SA top 10 PR Agencies by the advertising industry publication The Annual
Finalist in the category Sponsorship by a small Business for an Arts Project in the 2009 Business and Arts South Africa Awards

Meet Simba at African Tales

Hey moms, your kids will have the opportunity to meet Simba the Lion during selected performances of Fun, Magic and Tales of Africa at the Peoples Theatre during September. The production directed by Jill Girard and Keith Smith is a great African adventure.

The iconic friendly Lion will make his guest appearance during this delightful family show on Saturday, the 24th of September 2011 at 10:30am and 2:30pm, to celebrate the launch of the new Twistees BBQ flavour and dazzling new packaging for their entire range.

The Peoples Theatre is located at the Joburg Theatre in Braamfontein. To secure your ticket for Fun, Magic and Tales of Africa and enjoy seeing Simba the Lion and many more of the continent’s wonderful creatures “in the fur”, book at Computicket or call the theatre at 011 403 2340/1563.

To find out more about Simba Baked and win great prizes, visit www.simba.co.za/whatsnew or visit the Simba Baked page on Facebook at www.facebook.com/simbabaked .

To find out more about Fun, Magic and Tales of Africa or to book tickets call 011 403 1563 / www.peoplestheatre.co.za .



Bridget van Oerle/ Christabel Zulu
BUZ Publicity
011 482 3467/3489
083 263 6991/084 5522 417
FAX 086 694 4054
christabel@buz.co.za

PO BOX 1149 Auckland Park 2006
Arts and Culture Trust Publicist of the Year 1999/2004
Nominated in 2008 as one of SA top 10 PR Agencies by the advertising industry publication The Annual
Finalist in the category Sponsorship by a small Business for an Arts Project in the 2009 Business and Arts South Africa Awards

New Mnomiya work debuts during JPO season

The JPO’s fourth symphony season will see the premiere of a new South African orchestral work, in addition to lively renderings of classical favourites.

From 5 October to 10 November, the Johannesburg Philharmonic Orchestra will conclude its 2011 programme of symphony concerts with a summery flourish, accompanied by top international and local soloists and a trio of eminent conductors. This season sees musicians from Venezuela and Germany taking centre stage, in addition to several of South Africa’s leading lights.

Concerts take place on Wednesday and Thursday evenings at the Linder Auditorium in Parktown, with selected programmes repeated on Friday evenings and Sunday afternoons at Unisa’s ZK Matthews Hall in Pretoria.

Among the season’s highlights is the debut of the work Afroverture by leading choral composer and conductor Simon Bhekathini Phelelani Mnomiya, affectionately known as “SBP”. Commissioned by SAMRO, the Southern African Music Rights Organisation, it takes the form of an overture with mainly Western instrumentation, apart from congas and bongos.

This new composition will be performed at the Linder Auditorium on 5 and 6 October – and at Unisa on Friday 7 October at 8pm – by the JPO under the baton of English conductor Simon Wright, who has earned widespread acclaim for his interpretations of challenging orchestral and choral repertoire.

Also on the menu is Schubert’s Symphony No. 3 , D.200, D major, and the orchestra will be joined by soloist Francois du Toit, one of South Africa’s leading concert pianists, for Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No. 5, Op. 73, E-flat major (Emperor).

The JPO’s resident guest conductor, Bernhard Gueller, takes over the reins for the next three weeks of the season. German musician Antje Weithaas, described by FonoForum as “one of the great violinists of our time”, makes the trip to SA to perform Berg’s Violin Concerto with the JPO on 12 and 13 October. Completing the week’s programme is Haydn’s Symphony No. 101, D major (The Clock/Die Uhr), as well as Beethoven’s Symphony No.1, Op. 21, C major.

Fellow German Maria Kliegel, a cellist and Grammy-nominated recording artist fondly known as La Cellissima, is the featured soloist on 19 and 20 October, as well as on Sunday, 23 October at Unisa at 3pm. The JPO, conducted by Gueller, will accompany Kliegel in performing Elgar’s Cello Concerto, Op. 85, E minor. Audiences will also be treated to renditions of Britten’s Suite on English Folk Tunes, Op. 90 (A Time There Was...) and Shostakovich’s Symphony No. 9, Op. 70, E-flat major.

Glorious voices will ring out through the Linder Auditorium on 26 and 27 October, when Opera Africa soloists Kelebogile Boikanyo, Teresa de Wit, Chris Mostert and Otto Maidi and the Opera Africa Chorus will sing Mozart’s Mass, K. 427 (417a), C minor (Robbins Landon), accompanied by the JPO and led by Gueller. The orchestra will also perform contemporary composer Luciano Berio’s Rendering.

Rising young Venezuelan conductor Christian Vásquez, currently music director of that country’s Teresa Carreno Youth Orchestra, steps into the hot seat on 2 and 3 November at the Linder, as well as on Friday the 4th of November at Unisa at 8pm. He will be joined by the JPO and fellow countryman Edicson Ruiz on double bass, for Dittersdorf’s Double Bass Concerto, E-flat major. At 26, Ruiz is only a year younger than Vásquez, with both musicians symbolising the exciting new talent currently emanating from South America.

The programme for the three concerts on 2, 3 and 4 November also features Rossini’s La Cenerentola (Cinderella): Overture, Hoffmeister’s Violone Concerto, D major, Danzon No. 2 by Marquez and Estancia: Four Dances, Op. 8a by Ginastera.

The JPO’s final symphony concerts for the year, on 9 and 10 November, once again feature Vásquez wielding the baton and Peter Bruns, who has made a name for himself on the international stage as one of Germany’s foremost cellists, working his magic with Lalo’s Cello Concerto, D minor. The JPO will also perform Elgar’s Serenade, Op. 20, E minor and Prokofiev’s Symphony No. 5, Op. 100, B-flat major.

The Wednesday and Thursday night concerts at the Linder Auditorium start at 8pm, with the periodic Unisa Sunday-afternoon concerts starting at 3pm and Friday-night concerts starting at 8pm. Tickets are available at Computicket or at the door. For more information, call 011 789 2733, e-mail info@jpo.co.za or visit www.jpo.co.za .





Media Queries:
Bridget van Oerle/ Christabel Zulu
BUZ Publicity
011 482 3467/3489
083 263 6991/084 5522 417
FAX 086 694 4054
christabel@buz.co.za

PO BOX 1149 Auckland Park 2006
Arts and Culture Trust Publicist of the Year 1999/2004
Nominated in 2008 as one of SA top 10 PR Agencies by the advertising industry publication The Annual
Finalist in the category Sponsorship by a small Business for an Arts Project in the 2009 Business and Arts South Africa Awards

Alice Who? This ain’t Wonderland

Alice follows her drug addiction down the rabbit hole and meets the White Rabbit, the Mad Hatter and the Queen of Tarts. Alice thinks she is in a happy place but what does the White Rabbit grow in his garden and why does the Mad Hatter want Alice at his tea party?

The UJ Dance Company presents a new look at Alice in Alice Who? An all dance theatre production that is exciting, fresh and more than a little crazy featuring music from all genres in a thought provoking piece that will make you understand that This ain`t Wonderland.
Alice Who? is not children’s theatre but a dance production in the style of “theatre of the absurd”.

It is the brainchild of director and choreographer Owen Lonzar, who hasworked on many productions for Pieter Toerien Productions and Janice Honeyman. He also works extensively abroad.

Tickets cost R50, with discounts for Pensioners, UJ Staff, students and groups of 10 or more. Book at Computicket.

Visit our Facebook page or our website for information on other upcoming productions at the UJ Arts Centre on https://www.facebook.com/pages/University-of-Johannesburg-Arts-Centre/162815443178 and www.uj.ac.za/artscentre.

The run ends on 15 October 2011.

Dates: 8 & 12 - 15 October 2011
Time: Various starting times
Ticket prices: R50 [R30 for pensioners, students and groups of 10 or more]
Venue: University of Johannesburg Arts Centre
Kingsway Campus, Kingsway Avenue, Auckland Park
Contact: Ehllené or Precious on 0115593058

The Sleeping Beauty

The South African Ballet Theatre (SABT) presents the magical fairytale ‘The Sleeping Beauty’ at the Joburg Theatre from Friday September 30th to Sunday October 16th 2011.
Based on the original choreography by Marius Petipa, and set to Pytor Tchaikovsky’s sweeping score, this season will feature SABT stars such as Principal dancer Burnise Silvius, international guest artists Lily-Ann Bones, Daniel Convery and Australian Adam Thurlow who returns to SABT for his second guest appearance.

Also appearing in ‘The Sleeping Beauty’ are a host of surprise local celebrities in the roles of the King and Queen as well as members of the SABT Academy and SABT Development Schools.

The well – known fairy tale of the spell placed on Princess Aurora by the evil fairy Carabosse, is told in four acts with appearances by the Lilac Fairy, Puss in Boots, the Bluebird couple and of course, Little Red Riding Hood.

The season is accompanied by the Johannesburg Philharmonic Orchestra (except for performances on October 6th, 7th and 13th which are performed to a recorded score) under the baton of Sonja Bass. This season marks the first time that SABT works with a female conductor.

The production is suitable for ages three and up.

SABT is the country’s foremost professional ballet company and has established itself as a major player in the performing arts with impressive productions of classical ballets, new works by South African choreographers and collaborations across international boundaries. 2011 marks the Company’s tenth anniversary.
Bookings for ‘The Sleeping Beauty’ are through the Joburg Theatre on 0861 670 670 or www.joburgtheatre.com.

SABT management has endeavoured to keep ticket prices for the 18 performances as low as possible with prices ranging from just R50 to R320. All tickets for the Sunday morning performances at 11h00 are R110.

For additional information please visit www.saballettheatre.co.za

PRINCIPAL CASTING:
Please note that this cast list is subject to change
PRINCESS AURORA PRINCE FLORIMUND LILAC FAIRY
Friday 30 September @ 8pm Burnise Silvius Adam Thurlow Sanmarie Kreuzhuber
Saturday 1 October @ 3pm Shannon Glover Humberto Montero Nicole Ferreira
Saturday 1 October @ 8pm Lilly-Ann Bones Daniel Convery Chloé Grové
Sunday 2 October @ 3pm Burnise Silvius Adam Thurlow Sanmarie Kreuzhuber
Thursday 6 October @ 11:00am Sanmarie Kreuzhuber Jonathan Rodrigues Chloé Grové
Thursday 6 October @ 7.30pm Shannon Glover Humberto Montero Nicole Ferreira
Friday 7 October @ 8pm Lilly-Ann Bones Daniel Convery Chloé Grové
Saturday 8 October @ 3pm Burnise Silvius Adam Thurlow Sanmarie Kreuzhuber
Saturday 8 October@ 8pm Sanmarie Kreuzhuber Jonathan Rodrigues Chloé Grové
Sunday 9 October @ 11am Lilly-Ann Bones Daniel Convery Nicole Ferreira
Sunday 9 October @ 3pm Lauryn Summerley Jonathan Rodrigues Sanmarie Kreuzhuber
Thursday 13 October @ 11.00am Shannon Glover Humberto Montero Nicole Ferreira
Thursday 13 October @ 19:30 Lauryn Summerley Jonathan Rodrigues Sanmarie Kreuzhuber
Friday 14 October @ 8pm Burnise Silvius Adam Thurlow Sanmarie Kreuzhuber
Saturday 15 October @ 3pm Shannon Glover Humberto Montero Nicole Ferreira
Saturday 15 October @ 8pm Sanmarie Kreuzhuber Jonathan Rodrigues Chloé Grové
Sunday 16 October @ 11am Burnise Silvius Adam Thurlow Sanmarie Kreuzhuber
Sunday 16 October @ 3pm Lilly-Ann Bones Daniel Convery Nicole Ferreira
ENDS
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
PHOTO: BURNISE SILVUS AS AURORA Photographer: John Hogg.

SABT Fans SABTZA

“What is this thing called Swing?”

Louis Armstrong once asked the question “What is this thing called Swing?” in a song penned in 1939.

On Friday, 7th October at 8pm at the Theatre of Marcellus, Emperors Palace, audiences will have that question answered for them. Two of Mzanzi’s brightest musical stars, GARTH TAYLOR and WINNIE KHUMALO, are set to get audiences swinging at a wonderful evening of Big Band, brassy sounds.

SWING WITH GARTH TAYLOR features special guest star WINNIE KHUMALO in a celebration of one of the most-loved musical styles, adored over decades and influenced by greats like Frank Sinatra to Louis Armstrong. Along with songs from these two icons of Big Band are renditions of South African originals by both Taylor and Khumalo, like you have never heard them before – in big band splendour!

Taylor and Khumalo will be accompanied by a ten-piece big band led by Andrew Baird.

SWING promises to deliver cool, rhythm-filled, finger snapping, toe tapping, sky-reaching entertainment. The repertoire includes hits such as Fly Me To the Moon, I’ve Got You Under My Skin, What A Wonderful World, These Boots are Made for Walking, My Girl, My Way and many more.

The second part of the evening is a pure celebration of the hits of these two great local artistes’ hits, given new life with live big band sounds and dancers.

Both artistes are loved for their big radio hits: Taylor with his recently-released songs My Girl and Pillow and Khumalo for the beautiful I Just Want to Live my Life.

The Theatre of Marcellus is the perfect setting for this show with big names and big sounds.

There is only ONE show on the 7th October at 8pm. Tickets range from R95.00 to R150 and are available at Computicket.


ABOUT GARTH TAYLOR

Garth Taylor believes that music is a universal language that knows no boundaries and the opportunity to combine his unique style with that of Winnie Khumalo is a thrilling new challenge. Multi-talented is the word that best describes this exciting artist.

He co-produced his 2009 album Stripped Down Soul’d Out which saw Taylor going back to his roots with good results: the album spawned the huge hit If I gave you my soul.

His latest August 2011 release, My Girl, masterminded by Unie Moller (the UK promoter who created the smash hit all-girl group La Vuvuzela) is set to take the international market by storm with the new sound of Garth Taylor.

Garth Taylor is no newcomer, with a career that spans almost two decades. His hits range from Why which remained at number 1 for five consecutive weeks and is now a classic. Only With You remained at number one on Cape Town charts for six consecutive weeks.

Garth has shared the stage with industry greats, both local and international, such as Simply Red, Shaggy, Jonathan Butler and the late Brenda Fassie.

In June 2011 he was a headline artist in Bangkok Thailand at the Thailand International Festival and his journey into the world of Swing gives an added dynamic to his well-established career.

Garth always finds the time to help raise funds and awareness for foundations that care for abused women and children. He works for numerous charities and takes pride in being a Shout ambassador. He is a lover of the outdoors, plays golf and is a keen fisherman.

Website: http://www.garthtaylor.com

ABOUT WINNIE KHUMALO

Winnie Khumalo is a Soweto-born singer, much-loved actress and a popstar with a string of hits to her name.

She was introduced to the music industry at the tender age of 15 when she released the albums Hey Laitie, Tshina Tshina (Produced by Sello Chicco Twala) and an album entitled Dlamini in the 1980s. Winnie Khumalo also recorded a gospel album titled Izono Zami in the 1990s produced by Pastor Langa Dube.

A highlight of Winnie Khumalo’s music career was working with the late Brenda Fassie (as a backing and lead vocalist). She has also had the pleasure of working with Pure Magic, Sipho Mbele, Brothers of Peace (B.O.P), Bongo Maffin, Zonke Dikana and DJ Cleo.

Versatile Winnie Khumalo acting credits include her role one of the biggest TV series in South Africa, Muvhango, Mponeng (in which she played the role of a sangoma) and the stage play The Journey.

After a break from live performance and recording, Winnie returned with a mature album simply titled I just wanna live my life produced and distributed by Kalawa Jazzmee Records’ Oscar “Oskido” Mdlongwa.

This album, which sold over 25 000 copies (Gold) and more than 50 000 mobile downloads, became one of the best selling albums within the SA Music Market. Its title song I just wanna live my life is a house tune that still dominates the charts and on high rotation on all major radio
stations in the country.

The video for I Just wanna live my life was nominated for Best Dance video and Best Afro Pop video in the Channel O Music Awards but was also nominated in the South African Music Awards (SAMA), alongside DJ Oskido, Liquid-Deep, Big Nuz and Rhythmic Element in the category Record of the Year.

Winnie was selected to take part in the Shoprite Checkers Women of the Year competition as well as the Museke online Africa Music Awards.
Along with Sello Chicco Twala, she composed the hit song Mina Ngiyohlala Nginje which topped the charts.

Winnie also performed alongside South African president Jacob Zuma during the 2009 ANC election campaigns. In 2010 she made a return to the stage playing Brenda Fassie in Jerry Mofokeng’s musical The Brenda Fassie Story.

Her soon-to-be-released album is entitled Woman and she is delighted to be sharing the stage with Garth Taylor, exploring the wonderful world of Swing.

Watch YouTube:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZvksCEJMjrU

Listen YouTube:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mT4qaZGrdi0

Facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Winnie-Khumalo-fans-n-family/322445994498

ALL PRESS AND MEDIA ENQUIRIES

Bridget van Oerle/ Christabel Zulu
BUZ Publicity
011 482 3467/3489
083 263 6991/084 5522 417
FAX 086 694 4054
christabel@buz.co.za

PO BOX 1149 Auckland Park 2006
Arts and Culture Trust Publicist of the Year 1999/2004
Nominated in 2008 as one of SA top 10 PR Agencies by the advertising industry publication The Annual
Finalist in the category Sponsorship by a small Business for an Arts Project in the 2009 Business and Arts South Africa Awards

THE SOUTH AFRICAN BALLET THEATRE’S ‘BALLETOMANIA!’

THE SOUTH AFRICAN BALLET THEATRE’S ‘BALLETOMANIA!’
AT ARTS ALIVE 2011

This year’s Joburg Arts Alive International Festival includes the return of classical ballet to the bill as The South African Ballet Theatre (SABT) presents Balletomania! - a Celebration of The South African Ballet Theatre’s 10th anniversary.

This season forms part of the on-going celebrations to commemorate SABT’s 10th anniversary and runs from September 9th to September 11th at the Joburg Theatre.

The programme will feature highlights from SABT’s glittering repertoire, new works as well as appearances by the SABT Academy and Development programme dancers.
Established in 2001 after the closure of The State Theatre Ballet in 2000, SABT has forged a central niche in the local dance sector and this anniversary is indeed a proud moment, not only for the dance community, but for all Joburg residents and Arts Alive patrons.

SABT is the country’s most prestigious professional ballet company and has established itself as a major player in the performing arts with impressive productions of classical ballets, new works by South African choreographers and collaborations across international boundaries.
Bookings are through the Joburg Theatre on 0861 670 670 or www.joburgtheatre.com for the following performances:

• Saturday, September 10th 15h00
• Saturday September 10th 20h00
• Sunday, September 11th at 11h00
• Sunday September 11th at 15h00

Tickets prices range from R110 to R220 (Except for Sunday, 11th September at 11am – all tickets for just R110).
For more information please visit www.saballettheatre.co.za or www.artsalive.co.za.

Patrons are also advised that, due to the Balletomania! Season, the Open Day at SABT studios for The Sleeping Beauty has been re-scheduled to take place on Saturday, September 17th from 10h00 to 13h00. Bookings may be made through Mr Moagi on 011 877 6898.