Vodacom Community Funny Festival 2011

Bush Radio in partnership with Vodacom will be bringing you the very best of SA entertainment at the Vodacom Community Comedy Festival on Sunday the 10th July 2011 at the Joseph Stone Auditorium in Athlone from 4pm-6pm.

A group of artists, musicians and dance groups will also take the stage to ensure that you are entertained for the entire evening.

Doors open at 3:30pm and Emile YX? (Black Noise) together with the very passionate dance group Heal the Hood will kick off the music half of the afternoon at 4pm sharp.

Upcoming South African Artist’s Sylvester will then showcase his talent and bring the very best of slow jams to the audience. Rapper and freestyler Xola X, will then wow the crowd with his crazy beats.

His performance will then be followed by the young and vibrant recording artist Denyschia. Hip Hop group New Kids Edition (NKE) will then pump up the volume.

The SAMA awarded singer/song writer Claire Phillips will end off the music and dance entertainment part of the event.

It will then be time for comedians; Wayne Mckay, Mum-z and Dalin Oliver to showcase the best that SA comedy has to offer.

Tickets will only cost you R40 per adult and R20 per child under the age of 12.

For more information or ticket bookings call the Bush Radio offices on (021) 448 5450.

Dancers (and Radio people) don’t cry

Afrika Ablaze and Bush Radio 89.5 FM brings you the Re-run of Dancers Don’t Cry – Bigger and Better, produced and directed by Glenda Jones.

Dancers Don’t Cry premiered at the Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC) in March 2011, with matinees and evening
shows. All four shows played to packed houses, standing ovations and rave reviews. Comments ranged from “A truly brilliant show” to “The best dance/drama I’ve ever seen” to “Brilliant dancing, outstanding acting and a beautiful story.”

Requests for a re-run of this dynamic production poured in, and, it was recently announced that a re-run of Dancers Don’t Cry is
heading for the CTICC on the 2nd July 2011.

A squad of 60+ exceptionally talented dancers will be performing in the magnificent auditorium at the prestigious venue of the CTICC.

Dance pieces include Krumping, Hip-Hop, Ballet Funk, Contemporary and Cabaret. Every dance piece has been hailed as a masterpiece and a must see!

The story is about the journey of 3 young dancers who find themselves trapped in a volatile world of dance politics.

Nationally renowned producer, director and choreographer; Glenda Jones, is ecstatic about the re-run. “It is a dream come true for
the multi-talented cast of Dancers Don’t Cry and a wonderful opportunity to present a show that has captured the hearts and minds of those who got to see it. Don’t miss this run!”

For more information or tickets contact: afrikaablaze@hotmail.com or 078 478 9847

Watch the video clip on your mobile: CLICK HERE

Chad Saaiman shot

Chad Saaiman on the Breakfast Show in February 2011

We learnt with great shock early this morning that musician Chad Saaiman, was shot in an alleged hijacking last night in Johannesburg.

Chad’s brother Lee, confirmed the shooting in an interview with the Breakfast Team this morning. (See Bushradionews)

Our thoughts are with Chad and his family as we wish him a speedy recovery.

Chad assisted Bush Radio with various events and projects.

Celebrating the Ngcukana dynasty

Ezra Ngcukana, tenor sax, Wesley Rustin, bass, Gugulethu, Cape Town, South Africa. January 2010. (Photo courtesy of John Edwin Mason, 2010)

We thought 2010 was a bad year for South African jazz but 2011 seems to be rivalling it. We have already lost Duke Ngcukana, Ernest Mothle and Zim Ngqawana.

On his CONNECTED 2 JAZZ show on Bush Radio 89.5 fm on Tuesday 7th June from 8 – 10 pm, Nigel Vermaas will be celebrating the lives of the two Ngcukana Brothers who passed away within 9 months of each other, Ezra and Duke, as well as their father, Christopher Columbus Ngcukana aka Mra. Helping me to remember the family will be the youngest of the brothers, Mfana Ngcukana, musicians Sylvia Mdunyelwa, George Werner and Mark Fransman, as well as writer Sindiwe Magona They all have unique insights into these three strong personalities and enduring artists.

LISTEN TO THE TRIBUTE PROMO

We will also feature Zim Ngqawana’s version of YOU THINK YOU KNOW ME, a composition by Mongezi Feza (of the Blue Notes) which became closely identified with Ezra. Zim was a pallbearer at Duke’s funeral. In due course CONNECTED TO JAZZ will honour this jazz giant.

Nigel has broadcast documentary-style tributes to a number of our departed jazz heroes including Winston “Mankunku” Ngozi, Miriam Makeba, Johnny Fourie, Alex van Heerden, Robbie Jansen, Gito Baloi and Hotep Idris Galeta.

CONNECTED 2 JAZZ can be heard every Tuesday night from 8 – 10 on Bush Radio 89.5 fm. Aside from playing a wide range of jazz, it also attempts to explore the connections between jazz and other music.