Valentine’s weekend couldn’t get any more exciting thanks to an incredible line-up of talent set to take to the Birchwood Hotel stage on Friday, 15 February for the first Birchwood Comes Alive Jazz Evening of the year. Taking to the stage are diverse singer and songwriter Donald Moatshe, RnB group Beyond Vocal, renowned ventriloquist and comedian Chik Aljoy, and upcoming songstress Nwabisa Mxakatho.

Since his debut album in 2008, Know You Better, Donald has taken South Africa by storm with two platinum albums, chart topping hit singles and four Metro FM Music Awards nominations. He has also teamed up with fellow stars’ Kelly Khumalo, KB, Malaika, Selaelo Selota and rapper Slikour. Supporting Donald are Beyond Vocal, five band members that have grown from Gospel Acapella to delving into the Blues, Hip Hop and Rock into their own unique sound. Their harmonies have been likened to that of international groups Boys II Men and Shai.

Showcasing her Afro-pop sound as the opening act is Nwabisa Mxakatho, who made her debut last year. Her songs tell stories of dismantling patriarchy and becoming activists for feminism.Joining Birchwood’s hilarious MC Hector Motivator is Chik Aljoy, a man who brings a unique take on comedy with ventriloquism. The SA’s Got Talent star became a hit with his sidekick puppet monkey in a video that went viral in 2015.

Make Valentine’s weekend memorable with unmissable entertainment on Friday, 15 February at the Birchwood Hotel in Boksburg. Tickets are R2 200 per a couple and include a three course buffet, accommodation and breakfast. Alternatively, standard tickets including a three course buffet are R450 per a person.

Visit www.birchwoodhotel.co.za for more information or contact Martin Mapunda on (011) 897 0024 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to book.

The Sunday Club launches at the Blanko Restaurant in Constantia.

Happening every Sunday at noon, this is the perfect chance to get the whole family together and enjoy a relaxing Sunday afternoon with us.

A delicious three-course lunch for R240 is on offer and can be paired with a selection of award winning wines whilst being entertained by live jazz.

The Sunday Club also offers a supervised childrens fun area provided by entertainment experts, Bazinga.

Adults can sit back and relax while the children choose from face-painting, balloon sculptures, a jumping castle, games and more!

A childs fee of R50 for these activities will be donated to the Cape Peninsula Feeding Association.

So come and enjoy your Sunday with family and friends at The Sunday Club!

Booking is essential.

For bookings: Tel: +27 (0)21 795 6300

Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Address: Alphen drive,
Constantia

www.alphen.co.za/home

UJ Arts & Culture, a division of the Faculty of Art, Design and Architecture (FADA), is proud to announce its inaugural UJ Weekend of Jazz, in celebration of Africa month, which is set to take place from 25–27 May 2018 at the University of Johannesburg.

 Much of what is recognised as South African jazz and dance music originated in the back streets of Sophiatown. Its roots – both here and abroad – reside in revolution, in everyday people trying to make sense of their worlds. The University of Johannesburg (UJ) has been the site of much progressive negotiation around new ways of thinking and doing things, with campuses literally down the road from those spaces of historical and creative significance. So it is fitting that in this time of reimagining and reshaping our country, an institution, which is itself a place of learning and revolution, should bring to life a celebration of new engagements with the jazz tradition.  

In the youthful and high-paced urban environment of the University campus, there is a particularly intellectual and artistic hunger for new means of engaging with ‘old’ ideas, and this manifests in all types of creative expression. Not only is the focus on fashion and design, around new ways of repurposing pieces from the past, but so too do we turn the spotlight on music, which is particularly relevant in the context of a genre traditionally associated with experimentation and pushing boundaries.  In line with UJ Arts & Culture’s strategic focus on creating sites for different engagement opportunities, and offering experiences with the potential to create positive change, there is the recognition that jazz as a genre is also transforming.  Urban jazz is an emerging sub-genre, borne of combining traditional elements of the form with other genres of music, in search of the ‘grey areas’, of new and accessible forms. Often associated with physical expression in the form of dancing, those in the know will recognise the inclusion of some of the timing and flavours of drum ‘n’ bass, and layering of hard funk and ‘chilled vibes’. But mostly, this is music designed to be enjoyed by the masses!

 As such – far from a stuffy experience of formal jazz performances – this three-day programme will offer an experiential feast of sound and fun, with ticket prices aimed at making the event accessible, to encourage audiences to experience different aspects of this important and historical musical form.  The event will be curated by musical talent showcase Jozi Unsigned, and – testament to their unwavering commitment in support of the growth of live music in Johannesburg – the high-quality offering will vary from somewhat more ‘conventional’ jazz concerts, ranging from bands bucking the old rules and experimenting with new ways of making music.

A specially-selected student jazz band will have the opportunity to take to the stage alongside some of the country’s best; ‘aficionados’ of the future will have the chance to learn a thing (or three) from classes with some jazz masters. Audience members interested in an immersive experience will have those opportunities too. The line includes; Tlale Makhene accompanied by the UJ Jazz band, Sun Xa Experiment, The Muffinz, Bombshelter Beast, Mandla Mlangeni and the TRC, Jazz Cats, Zoe Modiga and Steve Dyer's "Mantswe a Marabi.  

The UJ Weekend of Jazz will take place at the Art Centre on the University of Johannesburg’s Auckland Park campus in Johannesburg from 25–27 May 2018.Both day passes and weekend passes will be available, with student concessions for each – ticket prices start at R120. The full programme will be released on www.uj.ac.za/arts. 

About UJ Arts & Culture 

UJ Arts & Culture, a division of the Faculty of Art, Design & Architecture (FADA) produces and presents world-class student and professional arts programmes aligned to the UJ vision of an international university of choice, anchored in Africa, dynamically shaping the future. A robust range of arts platforms are offered on all four UJ campuses for students, staff, alumni, and the general public, to experience and engage with emerging and established Pan-African and international artists drawn from the full spectrum of the arts. 

In addition to UJ Arts & Culture, FADA (www.uj.ac.za/fada) offers programmes in eight creative disciplines, in Art, Design and Architecture, as well as playing home to the NRF SARChI Chair in South African Art & Visual Culture, and the Visual Identities in Art & Design Research Centre. The Faculty has a strong focus on sustainability and relevance, and engages actively with the dynamism, creativity and diversity of Johannesburg in imagining new approaches to art and design education.   

April 2018 - Morestar Entertainment, the recording label for the superb ‘collaboration album’, M & M; MOREIRA CHONGUIÇA & MANU DIBANGO, is proud to announce that the album has been nominated for a South African Music Award in the category Best African Artist Album.  

Released in 2017 after 5 years in the making, the album pays homage to great jazz standards close to the hearts of Mozambican saxophonist, Chonguiça and Cameroonian saxophonist, Dibango. 

“I am honoured that this album has been recognised by the South African music industry. M & M has once again showed the power of collaboration. It was such a privilege to record side by side with one of Africa’s greatest musicians and it is an experience that I will cherish forever”, says Moreira. 

“This was a special experience for me working with a musician who is not only a fellow saxophonist but also my friend. Despite our age difference, we have many similarities in our styles of music. I enjoyed the opportunity of re-arranging US standards and giving them an African twist.  We must not forget where we come from, our heritage, our soul. The roots of jazz are in Africa” says the legendary Manu Dibango.  

Recorded in France at Ferber Studios in Paris, and mastered in Cape Town at Milestone Studios, this album has received widespread acclaim. This will be Moreira Chonguica’s ninth SAMA nomination. Previous nominations include - The Moreira Project Vol 1: The Journey nominated for Best Instrumental, Best Contemporary Jazz Album and Best Producer which went on to win; The Moreira Project Vol 2: Citizen of the World, nominated for Best Contemporary Jazz, Best Producer and Best Album Packaging and went on to win Best Contemporary Jazz Album and Khanimambo was nominated for Best Engineer and Best African Adult Album. 

M & M: Moreira Chonguica & Manu Dibango, was also nominated for an AFRIMA award in 2017 in the category Best African Artist.  

Moreira will be performing with Manu Dibango at the Africa Festival in Wurtzburg in May 2018.   

For further information contact
Lesley – Morestar Entertainment
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0837028139

For media enquiries or interviews contact
The P.R Team, Cape Town, South Africa
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021-4192390

Multi-talented singer, songwriter, producer and director, Luca Dimoon lands in South Africa after a world tour to present his second album, Telescope, at The Orbit Jazz Club with his South African band.

Over the years, the Italian-born artist’s music has found purpose in constantly seeking to contribute to a social awakening in a world frequently plagued by egos and ills. Often described as a poet, Luca’s lyrical ability reveals a soulful interpretation of words and sounds, intensifying emotions provoked by the messages channeled through his songs.

After releasing his debut album about a decade ago, On Different Moods, the 35-year-old found himself touring the world in what would ultimately become a voyage of spiritual and cultural exploration. On his musical journey he embraced different cultures, often spending extended periods of time in countries such as France, Spain, Japan, India, Malaysia, Senegal and Kenya, where he was inspired to create Telescope.

Throughout the album, he successfully showcases a unique style of music – influenced by the masters of jazz, funk and soul, he’s fused his sound with elements of electro to create what has often been described as cosmic soul, cyber funk and minimalistic jazz. Telescope, the culmination of his artistry, is undoubtedly something to marvel at – a musically visual journey through Luca’s lens.

Connoisseurs of soulful sounds can catch Luca performing live with his band at The Orbit Jazz Club and Bistro in Braamfontein on 10 April at 20:00. For bookings, live music enthusiasts can email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call 011 339 6645/081 534 2867.

Performance will feature:

• Luca Dimoon – Lead Vocals and Piano
• Mongezi Conjwa – Keyboards  
• Banda Banda – Bass
• Joshua Zacheus – Drums
• Keenan Ahrends – Guitar  
• Nolo Harmony – Background Vocals  
• Yamikani Mahaka-Phiri – Background Vocals 

Notes for editor:

Luca Dimoon and his band will be available for interviews ahead of the show, as well as on the evening of the performance.  

Contact details:

Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 

Website
Facebook
Instagram 

Media links:

“Nonsense” – Taken off the album Telescope 

“Break The Walls" – A Cappella live interpretation of "Break The Walls" taken off the album Telescope, and featuring the Kiwengwa Maasai Tribe in Zanzibar, Tanzania. 

“People Make The World Go RoundThe World Go Round” – Taken off the album Telescope 

“Mad World” – Live Unplugged 

#METAMORPHOSIS is UJ Arts & Culture’s 2018 programme of change.

“Looking at our creative programme through this thematic lens is the ideal stimulus for alignment with the University’s drive to participate meaningfully in decolonisation and transformation,” says Pieter Jacobs, Head of Arts & Culture (a division of the Faculty of Art, Design and Architecture) at the University of Johannesburg.

Drawing inspiration from the theme of #METAMORPHOSIS has seen UJ Arts & Culture plan to change more than its content. The 2018 programme features two brand new festivals as well as new partnerships that will increase opportunities for the university community, creative industries and the public to experience and participate in the arts. The programme is diverse, ranging from jazz, poetry and youth arts festivals to a music concert series, stand-up comedy shows, drama and dance seasons and an exhibitions programme.

"It is a great responsibility to play a role in shaping leaders of the future. And what better tool than the arts to develop the emotional and cultural intelligence to harness the knowledge and skills we acquire as we go through life,” says Jacobs. To this end, UJ Arts & Culture offers students and staff a robust programme to participate in the arts. Through the UJ Arts Academy, students, alumni and staff have access to a range of free dance and acting classes, poetry and drumming sessions or they could audition for theatre productions, the UJ Choir, UniJoh Chorale, jazz band, wind band or orchestra. Its student offering would not be complete without the hugely popular student talent competition presented annually and group tours to festivals and celebrations.

A key component of UJ Arts & Culture’s activities is its annual interdisciplinary collaborative FADA programme, launched in 2017 by the Dean of the Faculty, Professor Federico Freschi. Once again, this programme will see more than 300 students from departments across the faculty get involved in different design aspects of a UJ Arts & Culture-produced play as part of their course work.

“UJ Arts & Culture’s #METAMORPHOSIS programme is designed to advance the University’s vision of an international institution of choice, anchored in Africa, dynamically shaping the future. Bolstered by PhD residencies, local and international performing arts residencies, lectures, workshops and conferences, the Division strives to offer world-class opportunities to experience, participate in, and for empowerment through the arts,” concludes Jacobs.

#METAMORPHOSIS promises to appeal to art lovers with diverse interests:

VISUAL ART

Exhibitions Programme
For the fourth year in a row UJ Arts & Culture’s exhibitions programme will feature the PPC Imaginarium Awards. These awards, established by PPC Ltd, offer emerging designers and artists a platform to showcase their talent and creativity through the use of cement as a primary medium.

In May, the 300 Art Ornaments exhibition will showcase over 250 pieces collected by the UJ Jewellery Design and Manufacture Department over the past 10 years.
UJ Art Gallery in partnership with the Bag Factory will play host to Brazillian curator Daniella Géo, who delves into the Bag Factory’s alumni archives. TRANS will showcase the impact Bag Factory’s alumni have had on the art scene and the role it played in connecting the Johannesburg with the rest of Africa and the world.
UJ Arts & Culture, in collaboration with the MTN Foundation SA, presents Continuing Conversations, following the 2017 collaborative Shifting Conversations exhibition. The conversations continue in 2018, with works derived from both the MTN and UJ art collections as well as emerging artists with an addition of a mentorship and educational programme.
The 2018 UJ Arts Gallery calendar is set to close on a high with the celebration of 21 Years of The Ampersand Foundation, which rewards excellence in the visual arts by granting fellowships to young professional South African contemporary visual artists. Curator Gordon Froud brings works completed by such fellows together in this exhibition.

MUSIC

UJ Concert Series
Kicking off the UJ Concert Series is the re-launch of the University’s Steinway Concert Grand with Steinway artists Christopher Duigan, Charl du Plessis and Jill Richards featuring the rising star, Sulayman Human, in concert.

Presented in partnership with Pro Helvetia Johannesburg, Swiss group Hildegard Lernt Fliegen (Hildegard Learns to Fly) is a Swiss formation of avant-garde jazz, headlined by singer Andreas Schaerer. In 2014, the band received the BMW Welt Jazz Award, and subsequently toured Switzerland, Austria, Germany, Czech Republic, Slovenia, Estonia, Lithuania, Russia, Luxembourg, China, Italy, Finland, UK and France.

The programme will culminate in FADA’s major fundraising drive in support of the Dean’s Bursary Fund. Presented annually on the first Saturday of November, A Grand Night for Singing will feature familiar and new voices, the UJ Choir and the Johannesburg Youth Orchestra.

UJ Choir

In addition to performing at more than 20 graduation ceremonies and special events, the UJ Choir will perform alongside Hope College (USA) at the Rosebank Catholic Church and with Akustika Chamber Singers at SABC's M1 Studio in May. The highlight for UJ Choir's 2018 calendar includes, competing in the much-anticipated World Choir Games in early July.

UJ Choir, Tuks Camerata, and Puk-Koor will be performing in Koorkaleidoscope at the University of Pretoria's Musaion in August. UJ Choir's annual programme wraps up with its customary end year Celebration Concert at the end of October.

FESTIVALS

UJ Weekend of Jazz
Presented in celebration of Africa Day, the inaugural UJ Weekend of Jazz, is scheduled to take place at the UJ Art Centre from 24-26 May. This urban jazz experience, is set to cast a spotlight on exceptionally skilled emerging jazz musicians who are not afraid to experiment or disrupt the notion of jazz.

National Arts Festival
Keeping up the tradition, UJ Arts & Culture will present a substantive programme at the National Arts Festival with the translation of Reza de Wet’s iconic African Gothic (translation of Diepe Grond) headlining the UJ programme, which includes Choir Boy by Tarell Alvin McCraney, a music concert and STAGED, a new play development showcase.
UJ Youth Arts Festival
The new festival will cast a spotlight on some of the best new creative voices with students from other institutions, colleges and youth groups joining UJ Arts & Culture students in a showcase of acting, singing, dancing and making music. The festival will be hosted at the UJ Art Centre as well as at the Con Cowan Theatre in August.

Izimbongi Poetry Festival
UJ Arts & Culture’s grand finale after a year-long slam poetry programme with students, school learners and the public will take shape in the form of a week-long poetry festival featuring performances by professional and amateur spoken word artists, book launches, lectures, forum discussions and workshops.

THEATRE

Out the Box Comedy
Back by popular demand, UJ Arts & Culture will again team up with POPArt and Goliath & Goliath to present the Out the Box Comedy shows, culminating in a marathon of 20 comedians performing 5-minute sets each.

Choir Boy
Comprising a combination of student and professional actors, the play tells the story of a young man who wants nothing more than to take his rightful place as leader of the school's legendary gospel choir. Can he find his way inside the hallowed halls of this institution if he sings in his own key? After its premiere at the National Arts Festival, Choir Boy will be performed at the UJ Youth Arts Festival in August.

African Gothic
Set against the backdrop of a farm in desolate ruin, Reza de Wet’s, African Gothic (translation of Diepe Grond), tells the story of the complicated, passionate, and troubled relationship between two siblings. Presented in partnership with Joburg Theatres, the play will be presented at The Fringe following its run at the National Arts Festival in July.

Metamorphosis
As Gregor Samsa awoke one morning from uneasy dreams he found himself transformed in his bed into a gigantic insect. The staging of the play will be the culmination of a year-long process that involves more than 300 students and lecturers from different departments in the Faculty of Art, Design and Architecture (FADA) working on various design and development aspects of the work as part of their course work. Kafka’s Metamorphosis, adapted by Steven Berkoff will be tested in October with a view of undertaking full runs in 2019.

DANCE
MIDM’s 40th Anniversary Celebration Season proudly hosted by UJ Arts & Culture at the UJ Art Centre will comprise two programmes – the first will run from 14 to 16 September 2018 and the second in the following week from 20 to 22 September 2018.

SWAN, inspired by the famous ballet, Swan Lake, and the Japanese social phenomenon Hikikomori, the dance piece was built by Hannah Ma and Kesuke Mihara on Tchaikovsky’s music. SWAN will perform at the Con Cowan Theatre from 21 to 23 September 2018.

For more information visit UJ Arts & Culture’s new user-friendly website and booking system at www.uj.ac.za/arts

About UJ Arts & Culture

UJ Arts & Culture, a division of the Faculty of Art, Design & Architecture (FADA) produces and presents world-class student and professional arts programmes aligned to the UJ vision of an international university of choice, anchored in Africa, dynamically shaping the future. A robust range of arts platforms are offered on all four UJ campuses for students, staff, alumni and the general public to experience and engage with emerging and established Pan-African and international artists drawn from the full spectrum of the arts.

In addition to UJ Arts & Culture, FADA (www.uj.ac.za/fada) offers programmes in eight creative disciplines, in Art, Design and Architecture, as well as playing home to the NRF SARChI Chair in South African Art & Visual Culture, and the Visual Identities in Art & Design Research Centre. The Faculty has a strong focus on sustainability and relevance, and engages actively with the dynamism, creativity and diversity of Johannesburg in imagining new approaches to art and design education. 

#zajazzawards01 Today we are excited to announce the kick off of the first Mzantsi Jazz Awards (MJAs) season which will culminate with awarding the deserving South African jazz artists.

If you are fan of Jazz, you will know that South African jazz has grown in leaps and bounds and we also know that the jazz music even in its richness doesn’t enjoy the same publicity as its contemporaries within the South African music industry. The purpose of the awards is an effort to remedy the aforementioned situation.

The MJAs will be an annual event that recognises and appreciates Jazz music in the country. Artists and recording companies are invited to submit work produced during 1 April 2016 to 31 March 2017 for an award. Nominations may be submitted online by completing a nomination form on www.zajazzawards.co.za or download nomination form and email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Nominations are open from 19 May 2017 to 7nd of June 2017.
An official announcement of nominees will be made through direct communication with the artist, recording labels, producers and also announcement through media and website publishing by 27 of June 2017.

The AWARDS are scheduled to take place on the 11th of August 2017. All nomination process enquiries can be directed to Douglas Maximus at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call 012 751 7608.

The Birchwood Hotel’s Ekurhuleni Comes Alive Jazz Festival will be celebrating its 15th year of stellar performances on 3 June by giving Joburg-locals a taste of Africa as renowned Zimbabwean and South African artists collaborate to provide an evening of memory-making entertainment. The Birchwood Hotel has pulled out all the stops in bringing the best local flavours to lead the line-up of talented musicians including the “grandmaster of traditional Zimbabwean Pop”, Oliver Mtukudzi, who will be headlining the evening.

In association with the City of Ekurhuleni and the Sowetan and Mail & Guardian newspapers, the festival is a highlight on the Jozi music calendar and offers a new group of prominent and upcoming local performers every month. Supporting Mtukudzi is Afro-jazz and soul musician, Nokukhanya Dlamini, who is also known for her award-winning theatrical performances in The Lion and the Lamb, and in Ketekeng.

Hosted by motivational speaker and presenter, Hector Motivator, the June event will open with upcoming female vocalists, Watching Over Africa, as well as multiple-award winning comedian, Mashabela Galane.

Don’t miss out on a rare opportunity to watch the greats of African music combine in an evening of Jazz, Acoustic and Soul music in celebration of the continent’s rhythm. Enjoy a delicious meal shared with fellow music-lovers by booking your table of 10 before 27 May to take advantage of the Early Bird Special. The festival starts at 8pm and tickets are R400 per person or R4 000 for a table of 10. For more information or to book contact Dudu Kgomo on (011) 897 0141 or on This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or visit www.birchwoodhotel.co.za.