SABC 2 is proud to announce the premiere of the powerful seven part documentary “Have you heard from Johannesburg?”.

Thirteen innovative business and arts partnerships were tonight acclaimed at the 13th Annual Business Day BASA Awards, supported by Anglo American;  while successful businessman Dick Enthoven was named the recipient of the first Art Champion Award, for his philanthropic contribution to the arts.

17 years ago, on 25 August 1993, Amy Biehl, a US Fulbright student and human rights workers, was killed in Gugulethu.  On 25 August 2010, a memorial stone was dedicated to her life and legacy.

Night Drive, a South African thriller set in the bush, releases nationwide on 15 October 2010. Against the backdrop of a game reserve, the film tracks an eclectic group of tourists left stranded during a night-time game drive when their vehicle breaks down. As a series of terrifying events unfolds, the tourists realise that wild animals are the least of their fears.

Youth Music Festival (YMF) celebrating its 39^th year with 12 extraordinarily talented young classical music instrumentalists and singers who performed with the Cape Philharmonic Orchestra (CPO) on Saturday 21 August at the Artscape Theatre.  This annual classical music festival is presented by Artscape and the CPO and serves as a launching pad for young accomplished musicians in playing on a professional concert stage.

Kayamandi community will be treated to an explosive Gospel show on Saturday, 28 August 2010 at the Methodist Church, corner of Masithandane and Bassi Street.  The show kicks off at 13:00 and is expected to end at 18:00. 

Acclaimed director Revel Fox’s new film Long Street opens in selected cinemas on 24 September 2010. It’s an intimate, honest film which draws on the real life experience of Fox’s own daughter who battled with drug addiction while trying to make it as a musician. With its sparse dialogue, Long Street tells its story with feeling, compassion and elegance.

Kwa-Zulu Natal singer and songwriter, Holly, is finding a growing – and increasingly devoted - audience for her beautifully crafted original songs.

Luna Lounge’s musical evenings are such stress relievers, and Friday the 13th was no exception as the fairy lights led us from the walkway into the trendy coziness of Blue Stockings.  New drapings and a revamped anthracite heater (thanks to Shawn) kept us snug on this cold August evening.  The frosties, homemade bake and soup, hot coffee and happy chit chat of folk reconnecting with mates, settled us into SVEN THE BEAR: 

 

We were in a fish bowl, hungry for the crumbled food floating on the surface. And oh my!  We were overfed and well nourished by Shomon, Jack Mantis, Domenico Benigno and Aury Livingstone.  What a feeding frenzy it was, leaving us satisfied and clambering for more.

With New York roots and African drums luring her soul back time and time again, ANNE LOWRIE (Make Some Noise Africa: Global Artist Management) manages Shomon and The Jack Mantis Band. Her vast experience as a photographer and entertainment manager enables her to spot unique talent, and in her gentle, caring way, she nurtures her bands, guiding them, linking them across South Africa, and creating amazing opportunities for them.

Local horror movie fans can look forward to some home-grown gore in The Unforgiving, a South African splatter film which opens at cinemas around the country on 20 August.

The Durban International Film Festival is pleased to announce that the winner of the Best Feature Film of its 31^st edition is The White Meadows (Iran). Directed by Mohammad Rasoulof, the film was lauded by the International Jury as a “timeless and poetic narrative.”

In a global music world brimming with solo female performers, Lira stands out as that rare thing: an artist who has been able to create a formidable career without compromising the very values that feed her creative soul.

Auriol Hays was born and raised all over the Western Cape everywhere from Mitchells Plain to Eerste River. She grew listening to classical and jazz music in a family of musicians.

Bubbly actress Maggie Benedict is unquestionably one of the hardest working – and the busiest – actresses to grace our televisions at present, with her sizzling up the small screen daily as Zoey in Binnelanders and most recently receiving rave reviews for her weekly portrayal  as Grace in The Mating Game. Local audiences just can’t get enough of this effervescent performer!