Post Press Release – Unity Jam and Breathe Sunshine African Music Conference

 

On Sunday 16 February 2014, Cape Town changed forever. The Breathe Sunshine Unity Jam achieved its goal of uniting people through music in a way never seen in the city – bringing people of all ages, races and backgrounds together at Marakana Park in Langa Township. The event attracted a significant white audience, many of whom had never been into a township before, making a positive step to breaking down the psychological barriers that still divide the city.

 

International German reggae superstar Gentleman had the crowd in frenzy with an energetic, electrifying performance. It was the headliner performer’s first time in South Africa, and his appearance formed part of an African tour supported by the Goethe-Institute. A line-up of talented local artists such as Jeremy Loops, Ifani, Driemanskap, Diloxclusiv ft. Jimmy Dludlu, Trenton and Free Radical, Mighty, Fosta, Youngsta, DJ Realrozanno, Teba, Crosby and West Geez and Mawezza delivered stellar performances, further showcasing the power that music has to unify people. 

 

“We have achieved 20 years of democracy this year, and it is disappointing that the city is still so divided and disconnected. The Breathe Sunshine Unity Jam exceeded my expectations and proved that we can create platforms where people of all races can meet and celebrate our diversity. It has been one of the most inspiring moments of my life,” says Trenton Birch, founder of Black Mango – the social enterprise responsible for the event.

 

The Unity Jam event was held on the third day of the Breathe Sunshine African Music Conference, which, after a second successful year has firmly cemented itself as one of the most important industry events on the calendar. New additions to the conference this year proved successful, notably an invite-only indaba session that enabled the City of Cape Town to meet with a number of promoters to assess ways of working while also breaking down communication barriers across the city.

 

The Bridges for Music Electronic Room was hugely popular, as well as the Technical Demonstrations room, hosting Pioneer & Serato, Ableton, Bundi Productions and Akai, showing off some of the world’s most cutting-edge music software and hardware. Workshops backed by SAE Institute provided a platform for young up and coming artists and industry players under the ‘Empowering Your Art’ banner, while back-to-back DJs in the networking lounge ensured that the energy never faltered. 

 

The Unity Jam had social media channels buzzing with positive feedback, setting the scene for an even bigger and better event in 2015.

 

 

• Website – http://breathesunshineconference.com/

·      Facebook – http://www.facebook.com/BreatheSunshine?fref=ts       

• Twitter – @BSunshineAfrica
• YouTube – blackmangomusic       

15th Cape Town International Jazz Fest

The CTIJF takes place at the Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC), 28-29 March 2014.   Festinos are spoilt for choice and will probably be challenged to work out how to divide their time during the weekend of fabulous music and entertainment.  Rashid Lombard, CEO of espAfrika and the founder of what is considered as ‘Africa’s Grandest Gathering’, stated: “This year’s line-up is set to spark and ignite an even grander and more energetic experience than ever before and perfectly sets the tone for the next 15 years of JazzFest.”

Minister of Arts and Culture, Mr Paul Mashatile says:  “The Cape Town International Jazz Festival is a great reflection of how far we have come as a nation. It showcases our brilliant local talent, while also attracting leading jazz artists from all over the world. This has allowed the CTIJF to help grow a larger skills base within our creative sector, which, in turn, helps strengthen and celebrate our cultural diversity.”

A comprehensive JazzFest Training and Development programme accompanies the entertainment each year. The workshops and interventions expose hundreds of young people of all ages, mostly from Cape Town, to a variety of music skills and therapies that are designed to stimulate interest and passion in our cultural heritage and encourage a lifelong love of the Arts to ensure that South Africa’s story continues to evolve and be recorded in a variety of mediums.

Patricia De Lille, Executive Mayor of Cape Town says:  “The CTIJF helps bring people from diverse backgrounds together in a shared common love of jazz.   In doing so, the festival helps to showcase the city and how its inclusive approach is of paramount importance.  As such, the city salutes the 15th year of the CTIJF and will continue to support the good work this important music festival does.”

Showcasing what the Festival has to offer local citizens and foreign visitors, the SABC is once again the official broadcast sponsor, ensuring that the best Cape Town has to offer is shown to as wide an audience as possible.   SABC Spokesperson, Mr Kaizer Kganyago says “The SABC is indeed privileged to once again be one of the Gold sponsors and the exclusive Broadcaster for the 15th Cape Town International Jazz Festival. We welcome the opportunity to support the festival that helps us to deliver on our mandate to provide entertainment to our viewers and listeners. Given the reach of the SABC, and its dominance of the media landscape, we have to use our resources to educate, inform and entertain our listeners and viewers. Our involvement with the Cape Town International Jazz Festival is also based on the fact that we want to continue to promote South African Music and  celebrate local talent. The Festival provides the ideal platform for the SABC to continue showcasing the country’s musical cultural diversity, exposing it to a growing audience. The SABC will, through its various Radio Stations and TV platforms continue to support the Cape Town International Jazz Festival to ensure that this genre continues to grow and evolve”.

More than a music festival, the CTIJF has developed to become one of South Africa’s leading lifestyle experiences and events.  In 2014 and celebrating many notable achievements as a country – 20 years of democracy and the World Design Capital status – the JazzFest leads the way.
The official sponsors for the Cape Town International Jazz Festival 2014 are the Department of Arts and Culture and the SABC (broadcast).

*Note: The ‘Weekend Passes’ are sold out for the 15th Cape Town International Jazz Festival (CTIJF).

The Artist Line-Up is as follow:

SOUTH AFRICAN:  
AKA and Da.L.E.S; The Mike Rossi Project: Trespassing Permitted; The Blue Notes Tribute Orkestra; Bokani Dyer & Kyle Shepherd; Mathew Gold; Mi Casa; The Shape of Strings to Come: Jimmy Dludlu (featuring Alvin Dyers, Richard Ceasar and Saudiq Khan, with C-Base Collective); and, The Worcester Secondary School Band

INTERNATIONAL:
Abdullah Ibrahim and Ekaya; Andreya Triana (UK); Kirk Whalum “The Gospel According To Jazz Africa” Chapter I ; Frank Paco Art Ensemble (Mozambique); Lalah Hathaway (USA); Level 42 (UK); Moh Dediouf (Senegal); Randy Weston’s African Rhythms Trio (USA); Shakatak (UK); Tasha’s World (The Netherlands); Tizer Quintet(USA);

Action Bronson and Jack Parow to join Eminem S.A Rapture Tour

The countdown to Eminem’s arrival has  begun. The rap icon is bringing his EMINEM RAPTURE 2014 Tour to  the continent for his first live shows in Africa. Primedia and Dainty Group are  proud to announce that American Rapper Action Bronson and South  Africa’s own Jack Parow will be the supporting acts on the EMINEM  RAPTURE 2014 Tour. The South African leg of the Tour will hit Cape Town  Stadium on 26^th February, 2014 and Ellis Park Stadium on 1^st  March, 2014.

WIN TICKETS TO THE BREATHE SUNSHINE AFRICAN MUSIC CONFERENCE & UNITY JAM

You want to learn more about the music industry? Well the Breathe Sunshine African Music Conference taking place this weekend will provide an opportunity for you to interact with Music legends and learn more about the Music business. The weekend will end with the Unity Jam that will be taking place in Langa on Sunday.

Click HERE to read more about the conference and Unity Jam.

COMPETITION:

We are giving away one set of 2 tickets for the 14 of February and 2 sets of double tickets for the Unity Jam.

To win you just have to comment on the blogpost and tell us why you deserve the tickets. Please state which set of tickets you would want to win.

The competition closes tomorrow at 2pm.

HERE  WE GO!!!

Kendrick Lamar in CT #MillerBoomTown by Brat

Since August 2013 we all have been waiting for the self-proclaimed ‘King of New York’ to hit our shores, and finally last week he did.  The 6 months most of us spent in suspense finally came to an end, and it was time for most South African’s to put on their swag and hit the road to see the 26 year old Kendrick Lamar also known as K.Dot do what his known for on his Good Kid Maad City tour.

This tour was powered by Miller Genuine Draft South Africa; it kicked off at the Wavehouse in Durban on the 7^th of February, the moved to the Johannesburg Stadium on the 8^th, and finally closing the tour in Cape Town at the Bellville Velodrome Stadium on the 9^th.

This post will refer to the Cape Town leg of the tour as I was fortunate enough to attend and be mesmerised by this not only talented man but also eye catching.

The buzzing outside Velodrome was beyond as everyone could not wait to be inside so they can get to see the man of the hour. Some people started lining up in the afternoon, making sure they are part of the first bunch to get in and get the best view in the house.

The show was MC’d by the handsome Channel O presenter Sthembiso SK Khoza and by his side was the beautiful and curvaceous Tarryn TK Kay from Good Hope FM; they kept us all entertained throughout the show.

Kendrick was not alone on this tour, he was supported by the most talented and gifted artist of S.A such as Khuli Chana, Reason, iFani, Dj Dimplez and our very own ILL SKILLZ, and Dj Ready D who got to open up for him in Cape Town.

The show was beyond fire, it was an exploding volcano. The South African acts needed no introduction as they kept hitting us with their best from beginning to end, making sure that they left us at awe. This was one of those moments that made me proud to belong in this country.

By the time Kendrick got on stage the crowd was already hyped up and roaring, and as for me I was dying with anticipation. Everyone was more than ready to sing along to his old and new songs that he got to perform during his set of two hours.
As much as I was supposed to focus on taking pictures (as I was the photographer for the night) I couldn’t help it but to stare and day dream a bit about me and him. LOL *hides* at least I got to touch his left foot *faints*

*Thanks to Trevor Stuurman for these pics

All and all this was another event that went up on my wall of the most memorable things in my life.

Words can’t describe what happened at the Velodrome, if you were not there askies shem you missed out.

CTVIBES would like to thank Melanie Ramjee and Gwen Ironsi for allowing us to be part of this amazing experience #MillerBoomTown.

Mel & Kelz #LadiesAtWork