Cape Town International Jazz Festival

Music at the Mother City: festival's logo

The 13^th annual North Sea Jazz Festival in Cape Town; promised fans an unforgettable experience this year. Performances from the likes of Hugh Masekela, Allen Stone, Atmosphere from the US, Unathi Nkayi, Jakes Bantwini and many more talents from South Africa and other countries. However; fans were promised a performance from international Neo-Soul singer, Jill Scott and had to be told that her appearance would be cancelled. This caused a lot of chaos for the event planners because fans were complaining, especially those who had bought tickets to the festival just to see Jill Scott perform. The PRP’s working on the event made a major comeback by filling in her performance with well known international artist, Lauryn Hill. A total of 34000 tickets were sold and this shows a large growth for the event, comparing this year to the year 2000; where only 14000 people attended. The festival takes place on Friday the 30^th of March and on Saturday the 31^st of March 2012. Like all the past years, the event takes place at The Cape Town International Convention Centre. I strongly believe that attendees will enjoy a fun-filled experience this year!

Performances at the festival

http://www.iol.co.za/tonight/music/lauryn-hill-bra-hugh-up-jazz-fest-fever-1.1266489

SAFTA's 2012

The 6th Annual South African Film & Television Awards

The ultimate prize: The goldem horn given to every award acceptor

Some people might see them as the South African version of the well known Golden Globes. Whatever the case; the SAFTA’s are an event where actors, producers, editors etc in South Africa get recognition for their remarkable performances. The 6^th Annual Awards took place on Sunday the 11^th of March 2012 at Gallagher Estate in Midrand and were aired on SABC3. Among the biggest winners of the night was the new series on Mnet; The Wild, SABC1’s educational drama Intersexions, SABC2’s Ga Re Dumele and the winner of the night’s Public Vote Award for Best Soap; Isidingo.

A shocking withdrawal

Besides the fact that the awards failed to begin airing at the correct time of 19h30; there was yet another PR blunder which took place. Popular South African television channel; ETV decided to withdraw its entire programme and presenter participation from the awards.  Although they disagreed to provide a reason for doing this; the SAFTA team believed it was due to ETV not agreeing with their way of judging.  This was a very bad move by the channel because it reflects to their stakeholders in a very bad way, especially with concerns to the Public Vote category. Any supporter would be disappointed to find out that the votes they contributed for their favourite shows would completely go to waste!

http://www.drum.co.za/articles/Entertainment/etv-withdraws-from-Saftas

FunMaster's Picnic

GROWTH FROM THE EYES OF MASTERS

FunMasters is a word used to define a group of guys from various parts of Soweto, that have created a trend of fun picnics hosted to unite the youth of our different communities. The FunMasters picnics were first created to unite young people through various activities like music, games, food and drinks. The ‘FunMasters’ include Mikaele Ramalebo, Mabhuti, Musa Makhanya, Tinyiko Nxumalo, Nhlanhla Ndlovu and Shakara Thobejane. What this group of friends started with only 50 attendees; has now grown to an entertainment event filled with up to 5000 people! The first picnic they hosted was in October 2010 at Pimville, Soweto; which was followed by 2 more within the following months. The FunMasters decided to take their 4^th picnic to Mogwase, a location in the North West. As a whole; they have had 8 successfully executed picnics.

A massive turnout!

The much different 8^th FunMasters picnic was hosted next to The Orlando Towers in Soweto; which went all the whole night, had thousands of people showing up! With a very reasonable entrance fee of R20, the venue was packed! I believe that the FunMasters usage of social media to promote their events is very effective! Electronic flyers are distributed through social networks such as Twitter (@fun_Masters) and Facebook (FunMasters SA), other means of branding used by the team is specially designed t-shirts for FunMasters picnics and specially marked water bottles. This method of marketing themselves has clearly worked out for them, considering the growth that has been observed throughout all of their events. People can expect the next picnic to take place in October, at the end of the day; it’s all about having fun!

The ultimate answer to fun: The FunMaster's famous image

Thousands in celebration: People attending the event

Grammy Awards 2012

The 54^th annual Grammy awards: one of the

 most memorable music events of our time

6 is a charm!: The biggest award winner of the night, Adele

Just as it has been for the last 54 years, the Grammys took place to acknowledge great musicians from various music genres. This year the awards took place on the 12^th of February 2012, the night after the tragic death of one of music’s greatest singers of all time; Whiney Houston.  The pop star’s death caused a stir and many hearts at the award ceremony were broken because of this. The Grammy Award’s event planners dedicated a segment in the show to remembering the musical icon, which also came with a touching performance from Rhythm & Blues singer Jennifer Hudson. 

Stand-out performances

Just like any other awards show; a lot of focus was on the award winners of the night. The biggest winner this year being pop superstar Adele, of whom scored an amazing six awards at the ceremony. People might think all the focus was on the pop-soul singer but that wasn’t the case. Nicki Minaj caused stir after the ceremony due to her performance and appearance at the awards. She arrived dressed in all red with a Catholic Father as a date. Her performance displayed a group of choir boys and altar servers on stage with her: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fc6j5z78LxA. Some people might have enjoyed this performance however; faith-based organisation, The Catholic League issued a statement that they didn’t appreciate the hip hop star’s actions. This could affect her public image especially if she had any Catholic supporters who also didn’t appreciate the performance.

Whether it was the loss of a music icon the night before, amazing wins from big stars or performances; the 54^th annual Grammy awards were truly memorable!