Some people will lick anything to go see Bryan Adams

Licking for Bryan Adams

Desperation arrives onto a new platform, especially for some East Coasters and even some who travelled all the way from Margate. These gutsy people are willing to lick anything for a pair of Bryan Adams tickets whose show starts on 31 January.

From licking toilet bowels to large green dustbins, contestants were willing to go to the extreme. Thousands of photos were brought in to the Breakfast Stack, but only a few selected were asked to the East Coast Radio  studio for a final ‘lickathon’!! Plot twist: each contestant’s significant other had to do the licking.

Each pair of the four contestants were asked to pick a number from one to four and whoever’s number was called out had to step up to the plate had to lift up their lid to find out what was in store for their tongue.

 The one contestant; Leon Fourie, of whom we all cringe to, of which at first, in the beginning licked his own dogs’ poop brought. Leon had decided to bring along his wife Brenda who had to like the sole of an old used slip slop that had a long piece of gum stuck to the underside of it. A disgusting image, but even funnier to watch her take a good long lick at it. Let’s just be grateful that it was not any one’s slop, it was only the Breakfast Stack’s Back stage producer George Thorne whose foot is the only one that has touched it.

Chicken gizzards are up next, and the very brave contestant, Veronica Goose stepped and licked it without it being cooked. Yes... they were raw. Bravery obviously runs in the family when her daughter Tarryn decided to go all out and licked a cockroach for her own entry. 

However, what made things weirder was when a toothbrush dipped in whoever knows what. This sticky challenge was given to Dominique Bruwer to do the honours for the opportunity to win those Bryan Adams tickets that all these contestants wanted.

The final contestant, Ashir Daodary, was the last of the four to get the chance to pick up a lid, which according to Darren Maule; was the worst out of all them: an old tissue that had some very strange snotty looking substance.

Ashir, Dominique,Veronica and Brenda all pulled off the stunt with confident ease. And so, because of all of them doing so well, Darren Maule and the team with their very kind hearts, made everyone a winner. 

Article by +Lauren Immelman 

(Picture - Supplied) 

She is aiming for the 8 Mile Club, ECR's own Abi Ray

ECR’s Abi Ray aiming for the 8 Mile Club

East Coast Radio presenter, Abi Ray, already has many feathers in her cap but in two weeks’ time, she’s hoping to add another: membership of the 8 Mile Club.

An expert swimmer, Abi and her brother Brad Ray, have spent the past few weeks training furiously for the aQuelle Midmar Mile weekend ( 8 & 9 February 2014).

Abi has entered the event nine times before but this year poses her biggest challenge yet.

“I introduced my brother to the Midmar Mile last year; he swam on the Saturday as part of a team, and then went back on the Sunday to swim individually because he loved it so much! It was he who suggested we become part of the 8 Mile Club this year,” says Abi, who started swimming open water events at school.

“I initially thought that he must be absolutely mad, but then I thought about it and realised that if there is one thing that I CAN challenge myself with, it’s swimming. I’ve been doing it my whole life!”

Now, the vivacious presenter is just weeks away from swimming in every event at 2014’s aQuelle Midmar Mile.

“We are doing it to raise funds for charity while taking on a massive personal challenge at the same time. What a goal to achieve! I hope we succeed!”

Abi has been training with a squad in Hillcrest - Aquazone Swimming. She 3 or 4 times a week, covering 2200m – 3000m each time.

More details on Abi’s Facebook page: Abi Ray Radio DJ.

 https://www.facebook.com/AbiRayRadioDj

(Source - East Coast Radio) 

Be the voice for the voiceless and a movie review of The Book Thief and a tale by Andrew Verster

Be the voice for the voiceless

Lauren Immelman

Curiosity killed the cat. This seems to be quite literal for a young cat whose owners’ neighbour bought himself a new car. The cat from next door seemed to decide that it was okay to venture out and walk along the bonnet of the man’s new BMW M3. A few scratches later the once happy car owner was now put into a very different frame of mind.

Taking lethal measures to stop the cat, he decided to plant moon-travellers, fireworks that explode once ignited, into the cat’s anus which ended in the death of the curious cat.

For people who have that grandeur dislike for cats, who think that this is ethical to treat cats or any other animal like this, is dead wrong. There are organisations that feel that all animals should be treated with love, care and compassion. The Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) is one of these organisations that defend the rights of animals. They feel that all creatures have rights as well as to be treated in a manner where their best interests are put into consideration.

A case such as the above is frowned upon entirely within the animal caring community. In addition to this mentioned, many cases of animal abuse are reported every year. Although an exact number is never really known, up to 100,000 animal abuse cases are reported. Even more animals die from cases of arranged fighting such as chicken fights and dog fights, which in turn feed man’s greed. Various animal anti-cruelty organisations, the SPCA being one of them are constantly phoned with complaints about cases such as these. The SPCA handles situations of animals that come from a domestic lifestyle, farm animals, animals reared for consumption, sports and research as well as wildlife.

The SPCA’s aim is to encourage everyone from all over the world to view and become a part of the community that they have established. They want to share and express the concerns for animals who do not have a voice of their own. Their main purpose is to prevent ill-treatment and improper handling on animals, so as to educate the community about humane treatment of animals. Fundamental education on proper treatment for animals creates a positive mind frame for every one alike to help each other become aware of the problems that many animals face on a daily basis. 

The local impact created by the SPCA is to encourage everyone to become a volunteer and to extend a caring hand which will benefit the animals in the best way. With donations flowing in from different communities, even from overseas where SPCA organisations are placed, the SPCA could be a place where animals are given proper treatment.

However, with a sad heart, we seem to forget that many animals in these shelters are euthanized to create either more space for healthy animals or simply because they are not being adopted. Chain pet stores seem to be keeping people from taking home animals that have lost what they used to have. In many instances when animals come from pet stores, their back ground is not a happy one. According to Oscar’s Law Pet store animals come from mills or irresponsible breeders who sell their animals that are in bad health. Whereas a shelter animal has been through its health checks and shots to make sure that they are fit to be adopted. If the public becomes more aware of these concerns, then the bigger impact in a local society on a positive scale will be awarded.

The Book Thief

Movie Review

By Lauren Immelman

Rating: 5 Stars 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=92EBSmxinus

http://www.thebookthief.com/

                                             

What seemed to be the most interesting feeling in the world was the feeling of knowing that I was watching The Book Thief that first started off as a novel. A German based movie in the time of World War II, with only a small quantity of subtitles, kept me grabbing for more popcorn the better it got from scene to scene.

Liesel, a coming of age German girl, enters into the lives of a middle aged couple. Fostered into their way of life, and growing up in a house in a little village, Liesel learns to take each day as it comes and to take life by the fullest.

Befriending her neighbour; Rudy, and a man she calls Papa, Liesel is pulled into a world of the written word. In the dark of the night, ablaze with a burning fire allows Liesel to grow her curiosity in just one brief moment, so briskly unexpected. And when something absolutely terrifying yet so wonderful happens in her new little family, Liesel cannot help but  delve deeper into a realm where only her eyes and imagination can wonder. Max is its name.

I could not help, in most times while watching this movie also caught by myself, falling into her imagination alongside young Liesel.  The Book Thief is one of those movies where you feel a part of it no matter far removed you are to the whole spectacle. Liesel’s story seized my heart into the tears that fell down close to the end of the movie. 

RHYMING MANTRA BY ANDREW VERSTER

BEES, KNEES AND FLEAS

RATS, CATS AND HATS

DISHES AND FISHES

JUGS AND MUGS

HOGS, DOGS AND FROGS

PENS, PINS AND PANS

RAGS AND BAGS

EYES AND PIES

RICE, MICE AND LICE

COTS, DOTS AND PITS

MUSTARD AND CUSTARD

AUNT AND PLANT

SHELLS, BELLS AND BULLS

TRAINS AND CRANES

BRAINS AND PLANES

BOYS AND TOYS

GIRLS AND CURLS

RAMS, DAMS AND CLAMS

GNATS, KNOTS AND NUTS

FISH AND CHIPS

SHEEP AND SHIPS

ONE DAY AND SUNDAY

TWO AND BLUE

THREE AND TREE

FOUR AND DOOR

HEAD AND BED

RED AND Z

HEAD AND BED

WEED AND SEED

JUDGE AND FUDGE

Andrew Verster is a world famous artist and writer.

Email:  AndrewVerster784@gmail.com 

Big Comedy Show For Durban In February

The Kings and Queens of Comedy are coming….

(Riaad Moosa) 

It’s been ages since a massive line-up of comedians has hit Durban. But it’s been worth the wait!

East Coast Radio proudly presents The Kings and Queens of Comedy. Ten of South Africa’s top comedians will be bringing the house down at the ICC on 14 February 2014 – and this time they’re packing more of a royal comic punch!

(Marc Lottering)  

How does having Marc Lottering, Riaad Moosa, Stuart Taylor, Celest Ntuli and Trevor Gumbi on one stage sound to you?

(Darren Maule)

Throw in Breakfast Stack host Darren Maule as MC along with comedic skills from Mark Banks, Muthu Murughan, Conrad Koch, Ndumiso Lindi, and Simmi Areff and what you get is a one-night only comedy royal flush on 14 February!

(Celeste Ntuli)  

Ten big names.

One big night.

Hours of side-splitting comedy.

(Stuart Taylor)  

Tickets are already on sale at Computicket from R180.

Pictures: supplied

WGSA presents a workshop by comedian Darren Maule & Gravity hits IMAX in 3D

WGSA KNOWLEDGE SHARE SESSION IN DURBAN

Comedic Timing – Darren Maule

The Writers’ Guild of South Africa continues its series of Knowledge Share sessions with a workshop on Comedic Timing, to be presented in Durban by popular performer and comedian, Darren Maule.

Equally comfortable in front of a microphone, a camera or a live audience, Maule has been a familiar name on the entertainment circuit for two decades.  As one of South Africa’s top stand-up comedians, he has starred in several award winning television series and numerous advertisements both locally and internationally.  Television viewers have seen Maule most recently on a Survivor island.  He is also an accomplished actor, with stage success in the Tim Plewman farce, Grin and Bare it.

Maule is also remembered as one half of the comedy duo The House Boys, which played in comedy clubs around South Africa. As the host of East Coast Radio’s breakfast show, he is the voice which more than a million listeners in KwaZulu-Natal wake up to, with local and international fans enjoying features such as The Mauling News – Darren’s unique take on current affairs.

Maule’s industry knowledge, intelligent repartee, engaging manner and ability to win over an audience make him the perfect host for this WGSA event.

Bookings essential admin@writersguildsa.org.  Date and Time:  27 January at 18h00 Venue:  Ike's Book Store, 48A Florida Road, Morningside, Durban (Source - WGSA)  Gravity hits IMAX in 3D  GRAVITY: An IMAX 3D Experience® Out-of-this-world 3D experience on massive screen transports you into outer space… IMAX® fans are in for a treat this month. They are about to get the opportunity to watch the movie that is out of this world, that features two of Hollywood’s biggest stars, and that topped the US box office in its first week of release… and, all of this, in the most immersive cinematic experience. If you haven’t yet seen the multi-nominated and award-winning space spectacular, Gravity, Ster-Kinekor is giving you the chance to see it the best way possible – in IMAX® 3D. Director Alfonso Cuarón’s Gravity will be releasing at the IMAX®theatre at Gateway in Durban, to coincide with its global IMAX® re-release on Friday, 31 January.  If you have seen Gravity,you haven’t yet seen it in the most immersive cinematic experience that is IMAX® 3D… but, now you can, at Ster-Kinekor’s state-of-the-art IMAX® theatre at Gateway. This acclaimed visual spectacle, which has already garnered a Golden Globe Award (Best Director – Alfonso Cuarón), eleven BAFTA nominations (including Best Film and Best Director), and an incredible ten Academy Award® nominations including Best Picture, Best Director and Best Actress, comes to life in IMAX® 3D as it has never been seen – or experienced – before. Gravity: An IMAX 3D Experience® has been digitally re-mastered into the image and sound quality of an IMAX 3D Experience® with proprietary IMAX DMR® (Digital Re-mastering) technology. The crystal-clear images coupled with IMAX®'s customised theatre geometry and powerful digital audio create a unique environment that will make audiences feel as if they are floating in space with the characters of the movie. Dr. Ryan Stone (Sandra Bullock) is a brilliant medical engineer on her first shuttle mission, with veteran astronaut Matt Kowalsky (George Clooney). But on a seemingly routine spacewalk, disaster strikes. The shuttle is destroyed, leaving Stone and Kowalsky completely alone – tethered to nothing but each other and spiraling out into the blackness of outer space. The deafening silence tells them they have lost any link to Earth... and any chance for rescue. As fear turns to panic, every gulp of air eats away at what little oxygen is left. But the only way home may be to go further out into the terrifying expanse of space. ‘The IMAX® 3D was incredible. The additional dimension seamlessly adds depth to Gravity and isn’t simply for cheap thrills. With the scope and grandeur of Gravity, both in subject matter and in terms of visual storytelling, IMAX® 3D should be your first choice if it’s available in your area…  Gravity in theatres now is a must see film. You could not possibly appreciate nor enjoy the film, as its creator intended, on a smaller screen at home…’ – Michael Foster: www.flixnerd.com If you would like to watch Gravity: An IMAX 3D Experience® at Ster-Kinekor Gateway, bookings will open on Friday 24 January (film releases on Friday, 31 January). The running time of the film is 1hr 31min and it carries a PG7-9 L classification. (Source - Ster-Kinekor)

Want tickets to the Movie Premier of Cloudy With A Chance Of Meatballs 2?

Find out how you can win tickets to the Premier of Cloudy With A Chance Of Meatballs 2

Kids if you think you could be more creative than inventor Flint Lockwood, who, in his home town created a machine that caused delicious food to fall from the sky, like rain, then let us know. The Northglen News and Sony Centre want you (kids) to answer this simple question: If you could invent a machine to create any kind of food instantly, what would it be and why? Tell us in no more than three lines and the most interesting, inspiring and original entrants will win front row seats to the premier of Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs 2. Part two of this of Sony Pictures Animation’s comedy kicks off where the first hit movie, Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs, left off. In the first movie inventor Flint Lockwood thought he saved the world when he destroyed his most infamous invention -- a machine that turned water into food causing cheeseburger rain and spaghetti tornadoes. But Flint soon learns that his invention survived and is now creating food-animals – "foodimals!"  Flint and his friends embark on a dangerously delicious mission to battle hungry tacodiles, shrimpanzees, hippotatomuses, cheespiders and other foodimals to save the world – again!

The Durban premier will take place on 29 January at 7pm at Ster Kinekor in Gateway in 3D. And if you allow your mom and dad to tag along they too can get in on the action when Sony Gateway gives away loads of prizes to lucky Cloudy with a chance of Meatballs 2audience members. Send your entries to warren@sony-centre.co.za by no later 1pm on Monday, 27 January 2014.

(Source - Sony Centre) 

Student Makeup Artist, Hairstylists and Fashion Stylists Needed For Film

Student Makeup Artist/Hairstylists and Fashion Stylists Needed for Independent Film Production- Durban

Looking for student/interns in the field of makeup artistry, hairstyling and fashion to join our film crew during pre-production and shooting of a full feature horror film to be released in October 2014.

Responsibilities Include:

·        Pre-Production – Work as a team to create looks for each character and their appearances throughout the film. (Hair, makeup and wardrobe)

·        Production – Recreate predetermined looks on set ensuring attention to detail on each look. Assist with touch ups and wardrobe changes.  Assist with setting up and organisation of tools/equipment and outfits before, during and after each shoot.

Requirements:

·         Study or experience in one or all of the fields mentioned

·         Own kit and tools (expensive consumables will be provided for or reimbursed)

·         Own transport or access to reliable transport

·         Available on weekends and some weekdays/nights  for shoots

Please note that this is not a paid for production and you will only be reimbursed for any expenses incurred pertaining to the film production however the decision to reimburse for services will be relooked during and after the production in accordance with budget allowances.

This is a great opportunity for students to gain valuable experience in their field in a film making environment. Any practical hours required for your qualification will be signed for as well as a letter drafted on request for CV’s or references. Your name will also be added to the film credits.

If you are interested please contact Ashleigh Vorster on 072 1841 621 or ak.vorster@hotmail.com before 25 January 2014

(Source - Hakar.G Films Productions) 

Film Review - Verdi's Falstaff

Falstaff – Giuseppe Verdi 

Conductor: James Levine

Production: Robert Carsen

Set Designer: Paul Steinberg

Costume Designer: Brigitte Reiffenstuel

Lighting Designer: Robert Carsen and Peter Van Praet

Cast: Ambrogio Maestri (Falstaff), Lisette Oropesa (Nannetta), Angela Meade (Alice Ford), Stephanie Blythe (Mistress Quickly), Jennifer Johnson Cano (Meg Page), Paolo Fanale (Fenton), Franco Vassallo (Ford)

The highly successful Season VII of opera, Live in HD by The Metropolitan Opera in New York, launched exclusively at Cinema Nouveau and select Ster-Kinekor theatres in November last year. The season runs through to June this year, and features ten magnificent productions.

The third opera of the season is director Robert Carsen's acclaimed new production of Verdi's Falstaff, which is conducted by the undisputed master of Verdi’s final comic masterpiece, music director James Levine. It stars Ambrogio Maestri singing the title role of the blustery Sir John Falstaff, opposite a marvellous ensemble cast.

This production, the first new Met Falstaff since 1964, releases locally on Saturday, 18 January. It runs for a limited season till 30 January (running time: 2hr 50min).

Verdi's brilliant final masterpiece, Falstaff, has its first new Met production in nearly 50 years. Maestri sings the iconic basso buffo role of Falstaff, the boorish, blustery character originally seen in Shakespeare's Henry IV and Merry Wives of Windsor. Angela Meade is Alice Ford, one of the many objects of Falstaff's affection. Stephanie Blythe is the sharp-tongued Mistress Quickly in a cast that also includes Lisette Oropesa as Nannetta, Jennifer Johnson Cano as Meg Page, Paolo Fanale in his Met debut as Fenton and Franco Vassallo as Ford.

There is something about seeing a production filmed at 'The Met.'  This has to be one of the biggest and most imposing theatre I have seen.  It also features row upon row of balcony seating for people to sit in.   Everything about this opera is huge from the main characters to the imposing sets and backdrops.  

25 Propmen work on this show.  It also has something interesting about it.  The Director decided to set it in the 1950's of America.  So this is not your ordinary Falstaff.  

It features some wonderful performances and Maestri is indeed brilliant.  Larger than life he is.

He is also a talented cook in real life and you can find out even more about him and the cast and crew on the Met Website - http://www.metoperafamily.org/opera/falstaff-verdi-tickets.aspx

This filmed opera is really worth seeing.  Catch it while you can at Cinema Nouveau.

Rating:  8/10 

To Book A Ticket:  www.cinemanouveau.co.za

Find them on Twitter: https://twitter.com/nouveaubuzz

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CinemaNouveau

Review by +Fred Felton