Beat Box: And the Grammy award winner is…

This year’s 56^th Grammy Awards ceremony saw some new entrants to the music and entertainment industry rule the stage and scoped top accolades. Hip hop duo Macklemore and Ryan Lewis muzzled some stiff competition in the rap categories which were fiercely contested by the likes of Jay-Z, Drake, Kanye West and Kendrick Lamar.

The duo were nominated for seven awards and walked out of the staple Centre with four Grammy Awards. In accepting the accolade for “Best New Artist” lead singer Macklemore gave thanks to fans and followers for their support.

The pair also took home “Rap Album of the Year” for their offering “The Heist”, “Rap Performance of the Year” and “Rap Song of the Year” for “The Thrift Shop”.

Jay-Z, who was nominated nine times for his “Magna Carter Holy Grail” album scoped the Grammy Award for “Best Collaboration” for “Holy Grail” which he featured Pop and RnB darling Justin Timberlake. Jay dedicated the award to his daughter Blue Ivy and his team.

Other winners were Daft Punk, New Zealand’s sensational songstress Lorde and country singer Kacey Musgrave, Ziggy Marley, Stephen Colbert, and Bruno Mars. The “Lifetime Achievement Award” was given to Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr for their stunning work with the Beatles.

Fellow British singer, Adele took the award for “Skyfall” theme song for the James Bond 23th film titled Skyfall. South African group Lady Smith Black Mambazo were awarded “World music Album Award”, which they were shared the award with Savor Flamenco and the Gypsy Kings    

The event was fuelled with great musical performances and stunning props and the lighting wasn’t shabby at all. The attendees were wished by performances by Daft Punk who performed “Get Lucky” featuring Pharrell Williams, Stevie Wonder and Nile Rodgers. Also performing on stage was winners Macklemore and Ryan Lewis, Gary Clarke Jr, Black Sabbath, Zedd featuring Foxes.

Now that this year’s Grammy Awards have come and gone, it’s back to the studios for most artists to cook up new music.

Ashley Mokwena

Twitter: @ashley_mokwena

First Indian International Film Festival of South Africa hosted by Ster-Kinekor

Ster-Kinekor in partnership with Utkarsh Projects is hosting the first Indian International Film Festival of South Africa, show casing a variety of titles, languages and genres from the booming Indian film scene.

The festival provides a fantastic opportunity for both Indian and South African cultures and artistry to converge on the big screen. The Indian International film Festival of South Africa kicked off last week Friday at The Zone, Rosebank with film such as ‘Pied Piper’, ‘Paradesi’, and ‘Mithunam’ to name just a few. The festival will draw to a close this evening with several mouth-watering films.

The festival released 25 titles which are showcased at Ster-Kinekor cinemas, Cavendish Square in Cape Town, Gateway Mall in Durban, Brooklyn Mall in Pretoria and also The Zone at Rosebank, Johannesburg.  Both Ster-Kinekor and Utkarsh Projects representatives were quite delighted to be partnering and bring the innovative festival to our shores for the first time.

Ster-Kinekor Marketing Executive Doug Place said: “We are delighted to be partnering with Utkarsh Projects on this fantastic journey to bring the Indian International Film Festival of South Africa to local audiences.” Doug went on to say, “This is actually a great opportunity for Ster-Kinekor to further reach a wider consumer base and also to expose the local lover of films to new cultures.”

Utkarsh Projects director Rajiv Terwadkar commented: “Through IIFFSA and various other initiatives launched over the period of the festival, we aim to connect African and Indian cultures using cinema as the story teller.” “It’s also our intention to discover and train local actors and filmmakers, and to start community development projects both in Africa and India.

With the South African film industry transforming and showing good signs of fabulous content, this would be a great opportunity for both the Indian and South African film industries to collaborate and produce fine content for the big screen.

For more information and to bookings, visit www.sterkinekor.com or call the Ticketline on 082 16789.

Ashley Mokwena

Twitter: @ashley_mokwena

      

Sounds of the moment

“Drunk in Love” – Beyonce ft. Jay-Z

“Bed Peace” – Jhene Aiko ft. Childish Gambino

“Adore You” – Miley Cyrus

 

“Doc Shebeleza” – Cassper Nyovest

 

“Made it 23” – Mike Will ft. Juicy J, Miley Cyrus and Wiz Khalifa

Twitter: @DaStitchBlog

Welcome Note

YES! YES! We’re officially back for 2014… This year will be no different, @DaStitchBlog will continue doing what it does best, feeding the readers with lifestyle matters.

Over the next coming months we’ll be adding quite a few features to our content and also adding more “Man Power” to the fantastic young team.

This month our music feature is American singer and songwriter Jhene Aiko, the rising star who’s worked on songs with the likes of Kendrick Lamar, childish Gambino and Drake to list a few. Fashion features, Grooming, Techno trends, Literature, and Movies will be joined by Motoring. Inside City and Art will be back in February.

Enjoy what’s left of the first month of the year!

Ashley Mokwena

Twitter: @ashley_mokwena

Wired for sound with Bose boutique stores within stores

 

DionWired has just staged an audio shopping revolution in South Africa with the inclusion of a trendy Bose boutique store within their outlets at Greenstone and Woodmead in Johannesburg.

 

Created in line with the Bose store-within-a-store design used across the world, this is the first of many trendy in-store Bose boutiques and will offer discerning customers a complete sound solution including demonstrations to installations to after sales service. Bose is recognized as a global leader in quality home cinema and personal audio systems.

 

Sound Imports, the authorised Bose distributor for the past 35 years, explored opportunities to reach the customer effectively and has been responsible for getting Bose products to the discerning audience in the South African market through the right placement of products in the significant audio and consumer electronics retail environment.  Now this is being strengthened with a solid partnership with DionWired, Sound Imports is able to take the Bose experience closer to their customers.

 

Andrew Jackson, Director of DionWired, said the decision to include a Bose boutique store within DionWired outlets was a “win-win” for both DionWired and Sound imports. DionWired, through its focus on “innovating, educating and inspiring’ consumers” and offering premium merchandise and the best product solutions, had become synonymous with a “blue carpet” retail experience. The addition of a Bose boutique outlet would further enhance this.

 

Bose would reach a whole new market in South Africa, he explained. Bose has established itself as a leading audio brand worldwide.

 

Jackson said that Sound Imports, as the Bose distributor, naturally aligned with the DionWired brand. “DionWired recognises Bose as a truly aspirational brand. With a store-within-a-store concept, customers get to experience Bose products and exclusive service by a Bose audio Specialist who will demonstrate what is possible. This is a whole new way of experiencing audio. DionWired went with Bose as Bose understands today’s modern and contemporary customers’ requirements for personal audio products and audio streaming, and the desire for well-designed and discreet sized products with exceptional performance.

 

He acknowledged that the tie up with Sound Imports and Bose is one of the biggest milestones both in DionWired’s history and in the audio industry in South Africa. As a leading national specialist electronics chain, DionWired will be “consumerising” what has, up until now, been viewed as a high end specialist brand that has been reserved exclusively for Independent smaller retailers. 

 

Based at their prime positions in Gauteng, DionWired’s Greenstone and Woodmead outlets will be the first to launch the Bose store-within-a-store concept. However, over the next six months, this will be rolled out to stores in Pretoria, KZN (Umhlanga) and Cape Town stores and other Johannesburg stores, as well as new stores that will be opening such as Cavendish and Cradlestone in November 2013.

 

For further information, or to get shopping, log on to www.dionwired.co.za.

 

 

 

 

The Perfect Read

Title: The Lost Symbol
Author: Dan Brown

In his latest novel, Dan Brown turns his focus away from the Vatican and the Illuminati to a group shrouded in equal mystery and esoteric symbology – the Free Masons. When Robert Langdon receives a call in the middle of the night it leads him to an ancient call to action, a call carved from the dismembered hand of his kidnapped friend, mentor and Free Mason Grand Master, Peter Solomon.

This call leads Langdon down the proverbial rabbit hole and leads Langdon and the reader to explore the pagan symbology and imagery replete among the USA’s greatest and most well known monuments. Along this road with Langdon is his mentor’s sister, Katherine Solomon a scientist involved in an obscure branch of science seeking to reveal the mysteries of human nature. The Solomon family is thrown into chaos as they are haunted by the death of Peter’s son and, along with Langdon, are manipulated by a madman seeking his own deadly apotheosis. Typical of a Brown novel, it is a fast-paced race against time to find Peter Solomon and unlock the mysteries of the Masons to save Peter and to save themselves.

The Lost Symbol is fast-paced, it is filled to capacity with action and there’s hardly a moment to reflect on the revelations in the novel as the characters rush and stumble toward one thing or another. Although it is action-packed, it lacks the originality and the flare that makes Brown’s books so exciting. Unlike his most popular novels, the Free Masons are not the enemy in this novel but rather the target of a ruthless attack which has the potential to bring a powerful nation to its knees. It does however deliver that unique Brown flavour guaranteed to keep you on the edge of your seat.

 

Title: Angela’s Ashes
Author: Frank McCourt

“Worse that the ordinary miserable childhood is the miserable Irish childhood and worse yet is the miserable Irish Catholic childhood.” This Pulitzer Prize winning novel is a tale of poverty and hardship as the author takes us on the journey of his childhood from New York to Ireland. Failing to live the American Dream and after losing his sister, Frank and his remaining siblings and parents return to Ireland where tragedy strikes and his father’s alcoholism and his mother’s struggle to provide for Frank’s remaining siblings marks their journey through childhood. A family having old potatoes and boiled pig’s head for Christmas supper, this is a biography seems to be without the expected triumph of the author at the end as he rises from the ashes of his bleak past. Living in a double-story run-down building where the top floor is known as “Italy” and the bottom floor is known as “Ireland” and is prone to flooding, Frank and his family are placed right next to the shared street toilet and have to contend with the resultant…challenges that come with their unique situation.

The first thing that strikes you about McCourt’s writing is the clear and stark recollection of his childhood. Next, is the seemingly endless stretch of tragedy and unfortunate events from losing his siblings to having a father more interested in his next drink than providing for his family. It’s a heart-breaking story where McCourt writes a young man who is haunted by a need to be a man before his time and look after his family while battling with his Catholicism, always at odds with what he needs to do to survive. An autobiography, bleak in its truth and honesty and layered with emotion which takes the reader on a harsh and moving journey.

 

Compiled By: Mduduzi Makhubo

Vibe: ‘Hostile Take Over’ by Midrand's new nightspot

 

The birth of the vision of young, creative, black South African entrepreneurs promises  to be the biggest wave to hit the Jozi entertainment and lifestyle scene. The opening of Club XI, in Midrand Johannesburg is the beginning of a new era in showcasing young South Africa and its greater potential.

An upmarket venue, oozing class and versatility offers a variety of entertainment options. The size of the venue in itself speaks volumes (all puns intended). The bars are fully kitted, and ready to cater to your specific needs. The menu offers a wide selection of ‘grill house’ inspired meals that compliment the various delightful drinks and cocktails that are served. 

 

Club XI worker showcasing her Club XI branded t-shirt

 

 

The inside of Club XI

A personalized menu option is available for private functions and corporate events, as well as exclusive areas within the club that offer privacy and a sense of ‘intimate interaction’ for functions such as bachelor parties, birthdays and matric farewell after parties and the likes.

The main dance floor is creatively designed with a sizable stage, allowing for talent to showcase what they are about. From poets, jazz musicians, comedians to the hip hop dancer, Club XI is the perfect venue for live performance. The magnitude of your audience will rarely pose as a challenge, as this is GPs biggest entertainment space.

Club XI executive members are in the process of expanding venue options, such as the opening of an exclusive VVIP lounge.

Club XI has set the standard and now invites you to indulge in its pleasure!

 

 

Website: www.clubxi.co.za

Facebook: ClubXiMidrand

Address: 665, Corner Aitken and Alexander road, Midrand.  (Former known as Shoosh)

For quires contact: Prince 061 035 6076/ prince@clubxi.co.za

 

Images by: Mesuli