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Showing posts with label fred felton. Show all posts
Showing posts with label fred felton. Show all posts
Tuesday, July 23, 2013
Film Review - Francine
Film - Francine
Directors - Melanie Shatzky, Brian M. Cassidy
Cast - Melissa Leo
A New Experience
Image courtesy +DURBAN INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL
This movie is something different. I love directors that like to take risks and take challenges.
You will see plenty of those in this movie. This is indeed a classic indie film.
We join the main character Francine (great performance by Melissa Leo) as she comes out
of prison. She gets to experience freedom and life. She surrounds herself with animals.
There are some wonderful close up shots, the directors explained they love close up shots
because it enables you to see what is going on with the character.
Shot in a classic working class setting in New York you see a different type of people.
Hard working people of the earth.
The directors come from a background of still photography and they used many natural sounds.
The script was based mostly on improv.
A wonderful little movie at the Durban International Film Festival.
Rating 7/10
Next shows are:
25 July 8pm Suncoast
28 July 7pm Suncoast
Tweet me what you think of the movie @fredfelton and use the hashtag #Diff2013
Find out more about the festival here: http://www.facebook.com/DurbanInternationalFilmFestival
Review by +Fred Felton
Monday, July 8, 2013
You are invited to a Leadership Breakfast in Durban with Rod Smith
Join us this month for a leadership breakfast with Rod Smith and Yours Truly.
Rod will be speaking on leadership strategies and I will be MC and speaking
on 'How to Network.' It will be a fantastic opportunity for business leaders
and entrepreneurs to network and learn.
Each delegate gets a workbook from Rod and a book on Twitter from me.
Where: The Benjamin Hotel, Florida Road, Durban
When: 8am for 8h30am start
Date: 25 July 2013
For bookings email Fred on falconscove@gmail.com
#RodSmithDurban
Wednesday, July 3, 2013
Art Exhibits, Book Launches and DIFF News
Miele Art Exhibit Wed 10 July
To RSVP email tamara.maharajh@miele.co.za
(Source - Miele)
You are invited to a book launch
For more details and to book email Simone on admin@psasouthernafrica.co.za
(Source - PSASA)
Update on the Durban International Film Festival (D.I.F.F)
We are proud to notify you that the programme for the 34th Durban International Film Festival is now live on the website of the festival,
We thank you very much for your patience in the matter,
You can click on this link to take you to the webpage: http://www. durbanfilmfest.co.za/
DURBAN INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL: July 18 - 28
The Festival begins on Thursday 18 July at CineCentre, Suncoast Casino & Entertainment World, with the World Premiere of the Jahmil XT Qubeka's Of Good Report (South Africa) and runs until July 28. (www.durbanfilmfest.co.za)
Related articles
Friday, June 21, 2013
Hirsch's have @deenamcsa over, read about a book launch, a celebrity art auction and @SamsungSA training
Deena Naidoo coming to Hirsch's Umhlanga
(Source - Hirsch's)
A Book Launch for You
Award-winning playwright, Ashwin Singh, acclaimed for his thought-provoking dramas and satires, now has the distinction of having an international anthology of his plays published by UK publishers, Aurora Metro Books. The anthology is titled “Durban Dialogues, Indian Voice”, and it features five of Singh’s best plays, namely To House, Duped, Spice ‘n Stuff, Reoca Light,and Beyond the Big Bangs. The book will officially be launched in Durban by the Indian Cultural Centre, Consulate General of India, Durban. The showcase cultural event will be attended by artists, academics, teachers, civil servants, diplomats and cultural activists. Clinical psychologist and theatre producer, Shantal Singh, will MC the event and the book will be launched by Guest of Honour, the Consul General of India, Durban, Mr Vinod Kumar Sharma together with the director of the Indian Cultural Centre, Dr Lesley Jacob.
Launch Details:
Venue: Consulate General of India
1 Kingsmead Boulevard, Kingsmead Office Park, Durban
Time: 6.30pm
Date: Friday, 12th July 2013
(Source - Pansa)
A Celebrity Art Auction for TAFTA
(Source - TAFTA)
Samsung Training
(Source - Hirsch's)
Related articles
Related articles
Wednesday, May 15, 2013
Read about the Long Short Walk, news for photogs, Justin Bieber and exciting news for Musicians
Get ready for the Long Short Walk this coming Saturday
In case you weren't aware that we postponed the Long Short Walk to this coming Saturday, herewith the information. Due to the downpour last weekend we really couldn't walk, so we look forward to seeing everyone this coming Saturday.
We will still be meeting at Mitchell Park, right across the road from Vida E from 11am onwards and should start the walk at 12pm. The walk will end at the attached (pic) point where local graffiti artist Pastel Heart will be whipping up something awesome to add some 031 flavour to our cause!
After we will head back to Spiga to serve some snacks to all those that took part!
Please spread the word, we are hoping to get a big group together to support this cause, and get Florida Road buzzing with excitement.
(Source - Spiga Durban)
(Source - Sony Gateway)
Bieber of De Aar: Notes from a Pan-American Ground Squirrel
On a whim, I thought of writing this essay about the Bieber concert where sanity is pitched very closely to the winds.
Some have compared the Beatles to Bieber, or maybe the other way around. Where is The White Album? The albums that launched the lads from Liverpool were punctuated by genius, although the hysteria was less manufactured. This ragamuffin, exporting American mediocrity was being passed around with his mind filled with swine fever, and having his nails manicured at ECR, 5fm and yodelling whilst drinking liquor in the forbidden bush. Pausing to think I wondered what vast, cavernous cherubing was necessary for trumped up choristers with bad hair; shrill at that, being roundly feted as the young Mozart of his day.
Bieber certainly plays in a minor key. In another age, another time, Bieber might have been sent to a salt mine or imprisoned for corrupting a minor. Never mind the Bollocks. An evergreen friend of mine pointed emphatically to the axiom, “Teenagers were always thus” but I tried to face Machu Picchu and pondered exiling myself to Cape Town; where sadly the last outpost of the Empire was serenading the intrepid banality of this Uitlander.
Theatre in the round. Theatre in the Zoo. In Amsterdam they are busy riding bicycles in a good cheer, and speaking in full sentences in a language I can understand.
Perhaps one can forgive this sophistry, should Justine Beaveriana sing La Traviata in perfect pitch in La Scala whilst writing his memoirs in the Karoo. The farcical disembodied voices on the radio, these days, are as much to blame for this alas. Of course I can believe that belief is something important to believe in even if corruption is the belief that distempers the air in our disbelief. What is belief after all, on the back heels of a shoeless squirrel who is probably schooled in unbelief, if we are to be believed? Did he relieve himself? I decided this morning to start walking to the mid Karoo to start a café that services the cisterns of De Aar when Bieber relieved himself on the way to a city or game reserve, where he tasted the lie of the land.
Noting in the margins that Belief only exists in the Karoo; I fetched a bucket of condensed milk to greet and bless this Canadian with a strange deformity on his left shoulder. The panting shoals of four-year olds dragged by parents after midnight, to this strange ceremony put my soul in danger. I thought of the wretched Child Protection Act of 1996 that allows our children to wonder aimlessly through the streets, with pencils in their noses, and being the fine citizens of North America that they always wanted to become. The future is not what it was I suppose! At last we can expect the next chapter in the soon to be published biography called "The Squirrel Whisperer" or the Scientific Version- "How I perfected the lobotomy of the World in Eighteen Years" or "Around the Page in Eighty Badly Misspelt Words". Local Thesbian Jaspar Ennui III is teaching his pet hamster Somalian, and calls his great sailing yacht, Bind the Thick to the Starboard. He already has several offers from the Department of Education. What a relief! Beaver can now retire. What animalism.
Opinion Piece by Timothy Sparks - email: tpwsparks@hotmail.com
Musicians Needed!
East Coast Radio is Looking for Musicians for Durban Day
For more details visit this link: http://www.ecr.co.za/competition/be-the-band/
(Source - East Coast Radio)
If you would like to drop off your bankets for Twitter Blanket Drive Drop Off Locations so far in Durban are:
- Europa, Florida Road
- The Sharkcage at The Sharks Rugby Stadium
Tuesday, May 14, 2013
Indaba 2013 In Pictures
No words needed, the pictures do all the talking.
Shot on location at #Indaba2013 and #MeetSouthAfrica by Fred Felton - @fredfelton
Monday, May 13, 2013
Exclusive Interview with Travel Blogger @MzansiGirl at Indaba 2013
Today I bumped into Travel Blogger @MzansiGirl at Indaba 2013 at the Visa Stand.
We had a cappuccino and chatted about blogging.
@MzansiGirl
I asked her some questions about this and that:
Where were you born?
Durban
What do you do?
Work in Tourism with Government by day. By night I share the love, I blog, I tweet and
inspire people to see more of SA.
Blogger or Wordpress?
Wordpress. It's good for SEO.
How do you share your blog posts and what works best for you?
Tweeting led me into blogging. So I tweet it. I should use Pinterest more.
I love Instagram.
What have you learnt from the Travel Bloggers and #MeetSouthAfrica ?
They showed me some wonderful new apps like Vine and ProHDR.
I also learnt a great deal at the Getaway Bloggers Conference which was held recently.
I learnt a lot from Mike Sharman he is so inspiring.
What do you think of the Twitter Wall at Indaba 2013?
It is cool. I love them at any meeting or conference. I can see what is happening on
Twitter. I have set up so many meetings just via Twitter.
What do you think of Indaba 2013?
I think this year it is a case of quality over quantity. I love the new tech like
Indaba Connect.
You said you use Twitter what tools do you use for Twitter?
Hootsuite
What book are you reading?
Conversations with My Sons and Daughters by Mamphela Ramphele
Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
I'd like to be working for myself.
Useful contacts for this Blogger:
Her Blog: http://www.mzansigirl.com/
Twitter: @MzansiGirl
Tweet her she might just Tweet you back.
Interview & Photo by Fred Felton - @fredfelton
Related articles
Sunday, May 12, 2013
A little story about a bag I picked up at Indaba 2013
This week I attended a media reception held by the Airports Company of South Africa at Indaba 2013.
They gave us these bags:
They have some wonderful beading that decorates them.
If you read the card attached to the bag you discover a little something.
These bags are made at Sithandiwe Disabled Care Centre in Alexandra. Airports Company SA has supported the company in finding new premises.
The centre has been operating for 8 years and was started by a woman who has a disability herself.
The centre caters for 105 people ranging in ages. They have various physical and intellectual disabilities.
21 people reside there mostly children, some are orphans.
The centre is largely self-sufficient through the sale of beadwork, baskets and paintings produced by those who work there.
They really are wonderful bags and if you would like to contribute either by purchasing their products or making a donation please call Zandi Ndhlovu on 071-435-5853
or email sithandiwedcc@webmail.co.za
Article and Photo by Fred Felton - @fredfelton
Related articles
Saturday, May 11, 2013
Highlights from the Travel Bloggers Conference at Indaba 2013
Yesterday I attended this session in Indaba 2013 and we heard from Travel Bloggers who are exploring SA you can follow their travels by tracking the hash tag #MeetSouthAfrica.
We heard from @velvetescape @traveldudes @viajarcondiego and @umarket amongst others.
Here are some of the blogging tips they shared:
Bloggers are digital storytellers.
Instagram, Pinterest and Vine are powerful tools for travel bloggers.
@umarket showed us how they made a vine video of how to make roti.
Bloggers share their personal experiences.
Bloggers use social media to market their content.
We certainly all learnt something at this event.
Blogging is certainly a powerful tool in the travel and tourism industry.
Thanks to @william_price and SA Tourism for this great event.
Article by Fred Felton - @fredfelton
Tuesday, May 7, 2013
Read about the Long Short Walk, Photography Events, Mother's Day Events and Live Theatre
What ‘s it about?
The Long Short walk was established and launched as a part of the Zenani Mandela campaign. Zenani was Nelson Mandela's great grand-daughter, who was killed on the eve of the Soccer World Cup in 2010, on her way home from the Opening Concert.
It is a call to action, led by the Mandela family, and carried out during the United Nation's Global Road Safety Week that takes place between 6 - 12 May. This campaign is International and hundreds of countries are taking part and arranging their own Long Short Walks. The Long Short Walks are then filmed/photographed and distributed via Social Media such as Facebook,Twitter and Flickr with the hashtag #walksafe . All photos/footage are then put together, providing snapshots of streets and journeys across the world.
Our Walk.
We are hosting the 031 Long Short Walk. We will be walking down Florida Road as it is not only our 'home' but also one of the busiest streets in Durban in terms of foot-traffic, and we are always witness to vehicles speeding/driving under the influence in this street, with complete disregard to the pedestrians.
We are meeting at Mitchell Park (across from Vida E) on Saturday the 11th of May from 11h00. The walk will start at 12h00 and our destination will be the Durban Tourism Office at the bottom of Florida Road.
Thank you to Fishwicks for sponsoring the printing of the posterboards and banners for us. We will be serving snacks at Spiga after the walk to all those taking part.
Link to FB: https://www.facebook.com/ events/565942543450202/
The London Walk
The Rome Walk
The Vietnam Walk
(Source - Spiga)
Music At St Clements
Nibs & Rodney Branigan
Friday 10 May
St Clements
191 Musgrave Road, Durban
18:30, R80pp
Bookings essential 031 2022511
Acclaimed South African troubadour NIBS will be on tour this May with world acclaimed, acoustic guitar virtuoso, Rodney Branigan from Texas.
The two met at in London in 2011 and have spoken about a combined tour ever since. Nibs will be releasing his brand new Anthology album, ‘Crossing Borders, Driving north’, while Branigan will be gracing our shores with his outer worldly guitar prowess.
(Source - St Clements)
(Source - Hirsch's)
Join Sony for a Photography Talk
(Source - Sony Gateway)
Live Theatre
Catalina UnLtd proudly announces that Catalina’s Deaf production “Listen with Your Eyes” a comedy play, created and performed by Bo Tasker, Darren Rajbal and Ismael Mansoor and directed by Alison Swannack, is going international.
Catalina UnLtd has decided to showcase “Listen With Your Eyes” by running the play again from 30 May to 1 June 2013 at the Catalina Theatre, 18 Boatman Road, Wilson’s Wharf for the public who missed this fantastic show last year. To book a ticket (R80) please visit http://www.computicket. com. The play runs from Thurs 30th May, Fri 31st May at 8pm and Sat 1 June at 2pm and 8pm.
‘Listen with your Eyes’ took Catalina’s “Talking Hands”, the first ever Deaf Theatre Festival delivered in South Africa, by storm last year. It has been selected for the Festival Clin d’Oeil (European Deaf Theatre Festival) in Reims, France. While showcasing the richness of performance art among the South African Deaf Community, the cast will be exposed to the excitement of the international Deaf Theatre world at a time when this Deaf Cultural Festival celebrates its 10th year.
Festival Clin d’Oeil was created in 2003 (European Year of Disabled Person) and this year will run from 5th to 7thJuly. This multidisciplinary arts festival is aimed at highlighting the richness of the Deaf community. This unique festival has become a reference and an essential event to the global Deaf community as it opens a space for artistic expression and communication which is accessible to both Deaf and Hearing people. In addition to the performance of ‘Listen with your Eyes’, the festival has also requested the performance of ‘Rainbow Magic’ for the street theatre aspect of the Festival, as well as two workshops for children.
Message from Mr David de Keyzer, the Festival director ‘I always take great pleasure in meeting new artists and that is why we have chosen to invite the cast from Catalina UnLtd. It is very important for us to promote foreign artists in Europe, at Festival Clin d'Oeil. We encourage the exchange of experiences and cultures in which results in constant evolution of our art. I will be amazed by the South African culture now, and the audience can also discover this culture so far from France… We are very pleased with the arrival of these great artists. With more than 6,000 persons attending the Festival in 2011, "Clin d’Oeil" is today the international central meeting event of Deaf culture.
Diversity, protection and development of languages are a central concern of the Festival. Greater diversity in the public audience is now fortunately possible thanks to the 15 interpreters present, the vélotypie, subtitling and the magnetic loop, which allows meetings and exchanges between deaf and hearing people.’
The play “Listen with your Eyes” is a Deaf-only comedy based in a science lab. The hearing scientist and his Deaf assistant find communication a big challenge and they set about designing a robot to interpret for them. While designing the robot the hearing scientist learns a lot about Deaf people’s communication needs but not without loads of humour!
This is the first time ever for a Deaf-led and exclusive South African cast and director to perform on the international stage, which makes history for Catalina UnLtd and South Africa!
The Artistic Director of Catalina UnLtd, Mr Themi Venturas, says, “We have embraced the Deaf community and deaf artists at Catalina, and it is gratifying to see this international recognition for their efforts. The play is sure to be well received in France, and we are currently looking for funding and sponsors for our talented cast and director.”
The festival is paying 50% of the airfares for 4 people, Ismael Mansoor, Darren Rajbal, Bo Tasker and Alison Swannack and providing a small fee for the performances. “All we need to showcase South African Deaf theatre talent in Europe is to find the funders. A reasonable amount for these amazing South Africans to showcase their work on behalf of the city, the Province and the country,” notes Mr Venturas. All assistance would be greatly appreciated.
For further information or to make a contribution please email Alison Swannack at listenwye@gmail.com or contact Francis Doherty-Bigara at 031 837 7400 or 072 795 5965 . You can also visithttp://listenwye.wix.com/about or www.catalinatheatre.co.za
(Source - Catalina Theatre)
Friday, April 12, 2013
Mexican Dinners, A Big Business Conference, Interviews with Copywriters and a Short Story
Hirsch's have a cooking demo just for you.
(Source - Hirsch's)
The African Renaissance Conference is coming.
Email: info@thoughtfire.co.za for more details.
(Source - African Renaissance)
Part 2 of our interview with copywriter Cath Jenkin
A short story
MISS JONES by Andrew Verster
“Have you met Miss Jones, people asked as we passed by, to quote Noel Coward or is it Oscar Hammerstein?”
“Is she the one with the short skirts and low-cut neckline?”
“No, that’s her mother. Miss Jones is dumpy and looks as if she had got her clothes at a car-boot sale.”
“I prefer the sound of Mother Jones .”
“You gather she’s a hooker?”
“I would never have guessed!”
“Ultra sophisticated. Penthouse in Umhlanga. Porsche. Salukis.”
“By the way, why did you ask if I knew her?”
“She’s coming round for Bridge tomorrow evening, and we are one short.”
“Pity. Scrabble’s my game.”
“Win some, lose some.”
“Ask her about Scrabble anyway. You never know.”
“See you. Must rush. I’m doing a brinjal lasagna. She’s a vegetarian. Which is hard to believe.”
Andrew Verster is a world famous artist and writer based in Durban.
Thursday, March 21, 2013
Lots happening around Durban this weekend
Looks like Durban is the place to be over the next few days.
Music aplenty.
Dr Fly and The Nurses voodoo
Durban - The Warmest Place To Be presents feast of music at the Rainbow Restaurant – March 24.
In recognition of Human Rights Day in South Africa and as one of the official welcoming events for delegates to the Fifth BRICS Summit, Durban - The Warmest Place To Be presents a feast of music at the Rainbow Restaurant in Pinetown on Sunday, March 24 at 2pm.
The first performance starts at 2pm with deep jazz as Burton Naidoo's Musical Democracy quintet takes to the stage. This will be followed by a set from five-piece afro-beat outfit Tanga Pasi who hail from the Kalanga region of Zimbabwe and who will be making their third appearance at the Rainbow. For this performance the audience will get to hear the sounds of their debut full length album, Ntolontolo - A Long Time Ago. From there it’s "sho't left" to the unique sounds of Dr. Fly and The Nurses, an a capella trio in the tradition of the Andrew Sisters featuring the vocal talents of Sophie Basckin, Jessica Sole and Natalie Shama. Then it will be time for a "beega party" with electro-percussion trio Napalma fronted by Mozambican born/Brazilian raised vocalist Ivo Maia with Brazil's Cid Travaglia driving hard on djembe.
“The best part of it all is that with the kind and generous support of the Ethekwini Municipality we are able to use this event as a fundraiser for the Rainbow's charity of choice, the Open Door Crises Centre which is based in Pinetown and offers invaluable assistance to the victims of human trafficking and abuse. All monies raised from ticket sales will be donated to Open Door.” says Neil Comfort of the Rainbow.
Doors open at 1pm and tickets are R40 at the door. For more info contact the Rainbow on 083 706 2294 or 083 4638044.
Tanga Pasi
(Source - Versfeld & Associates)
ROWAN STUART LIVE @ ST. CLEMENTS
Date: Friday 22 March 2013
Venue: St. Clements, 191 Musgrave Rd, Durban
Type: Concert - original acoustic alternative
Time: 7 for 7.30 pm
Entrance Fee: R50 per person
Contact: 031 202 2511
----------
Durban musician Rowan Stuart will be returning to St. Clements restaurant for a solo acoustic performance on Friday the 22nd of March.
Since the release of his first solo album in 2008, Rowan has been steadily forging a path for himself as an esteemed original artist. Despite an ever-evolving sound, fans of Rowan's music have come to expect his signature of thought-inspiring lyrics and meticulously-crafted melodies, with a touch of the unpredictable, creating songs with an uncommon level of depth. Rowan's acclaimed abilities as a guitarist are also definitive in the innovative and fluent guitar parts he writes.
This performance at St. Clements will be one of the first stops in a series of solo acoustic shows around South Africa this year. The performance will include songs from Rowan's previous albums; ‘A Thousand Brand New Places’, ‘Soul In A Suitcase’ and 'Light In Cages', as well as an exciting batch of new material, written exclusively for the solo acoustic format.
The music will kick off at 7.30 pm. Food and drinks will be on sale.
CDs will also be available.
Visit www.reverbnation.com/rowanstua rt for more information, or contact St. Clements on 031 202 2511
Venue: St. Clements, 191 Musgrave Rd, Durban
Type: Concert - original acoustic alternative
Time: 7 for 7.30 pm
Entrance Fee: R50 per person
Contact: 031 202 2511
----------
Durban musician Rowan Stuart will be returning to St. Clements restaurant for a solo acoustic performance on Friday the 22nd of March.
Since the release of his first solo album in 2008, Rowan has been steadily forging a path for himself as an esteemed original artist. Despite an ever-evolving sound, fans of Rowan's music have come to expect his signature of thought-inspiring lyrics and meticulously-crafted melodies, with a touch of the unpredictable, creating songs with an uncommon level of depth. Rowan's acclaimed abilities as a guitarist are also definitive in the innovative and fluent guitar parts he writes.
This performance at St. Clements will be one of the first stops in a series of solo acoustic shows around South Africa this year. The performance will include songs from Rowan's previous albums; ‘A Thousand Brand New Places’, ‘Soul In A Suitcase’ and 'Light In Cages', as well as an exciting batch of new material, written exclusively for the solo acoustic format.
The music will kick off at 7.30 pm. Food and drinks will be on sale.
CDs will also be available.
Visit www.reverbnation.com/rowanstua
(Source - St Clements)
Pole by Andrew Verster
POLE DANCERS FOR ALL OCCASIONS - the invitation popped up on my screen.
What occasion of mine would need a pole dancer I wondered? A poetry reading at St. Clements? Coffee and croissants at the Alliance? The opening of GANDHI at ArtSpace? An evening at home watching television?
I deleted the offer. But the next day another email arrived offering a thirty percent discount if I chose a Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday.
I sensed desperation. Perhaps it’s a fallow time for pole-dancing? Their heyday was in the late nineties. Could they be staging a come-back?
Watch this space for developments.
Andrew Verster is a World Famous Artist and Writer based in Durban.
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