what makes Mi Casa beat

After a recent performance we sat down with Mi Casa to find out a bit more about the story behind their music. This unique collaboration of music diversity, which is bound by the beat, strung with the soulful sounds of the trumpet and given life by the addictive vocals, come together in a way which can be described as nothing less than a having a good time.

Mi Casa, which means My House, can only be defined by the great skill and talent of its members. Consisting of Dr. Duda who is a keyboardist, producer and DJ, Mo-T who has his roots firm in the essence of music is the skilled trumpeter who just embodies the soul of the band and J’Something, the vocalist, songwriter and guitar player is the voice behind the beat.

They are a group that has the best of what all their unique genres can offer, now bound in a great collaboration which has seen them to be very successful.

Performing together for the first time in November 2010, producing their first track 3month later and followed by their first CD 3 month after that, the trio clearly demonstrates their deep passion and love for making house music is.

These self-taught musicians are in a class of their own. Of the 3 SAMA awards which they took home recently, the two which really stands out for them are record of the Year and best Group.

When listening to their music, one can’t help but smile and enjoy the beat. Being inspired by every facet of life, their music grows from experiences with different people, situations and life experiences they go through. They keep grounded by the love, happiness and joy which they put into their music and it is that which people take out of it.

Motlatji is Pursuing Happiness

Motlatji Ditodi is an amazing person of many talents, dreams and aspirations and tackles each day with her “Do it now” attitude. With an extensive repertoire, she has accomplished much and yet still wants to do much more. With all her on-stage presence as an actress, voice over artist and singer, Motlatji now finds herself back at UJ, coming full circle from her student days, to train, teach, grow and develop the talents of students in the arts, who she describes as being “so hungry to perform.”

From youth Motlatji has been performing in school productions and musicals and had a hand in as many productions as she could. After high school she came to UJ and did her B.A. Audiovisual Production Management degree, taking part in all culture activities in Skoonveld Ladies Residence, where she stayed (and became HK in her 2^nd year), and she was in the UJ choir. In her third and fourth year she was involved in the Arts Centre, taking part in every production through the Song and Dance Company, Contemporary Dance, as well as the Drama Company, Motlatji found a home on that stage clearly supported as she says “I want to do all mediums of acting and performing”

After varsity she worked for Red Pepper Pictures where she realised she wanted to get into acting as a professional. From that point she did a few adverts and acted in SABC 2’s Askies, as Nombulelo, as Thembi in Zone 14 on SABC 1 and in the short film Southern Cross, she played the character of Lerato. For someone who has been in the public eye for so long, she still can’t get used to watching herself on TV, but thrives to not only be the best for herself but to represent her country as being one of its greater assets in her genre.

With every job becoming bigger and as a fresh new venture which has seen Motlatji come this far, now she feels it time to give back to the stage where she once thrived.  Currently, involved with ‘Quiet Violence of Dreams’, S.A. Shorts and doing vocals on a friends album, Motlatji still finds it greatly rewarding to train the actors and to teach them the beautiful art that is acting. This in turn brings one of Motlatji’s own aspirations of doing more directing to fulfilment as she has aims of telling more stories, on and off the silver screen, from a black woman’s perspective and added the importance of supporting a cause and being more than just ‘a passenger in your own life’ as she feels “If you don’t stand for something, you will fall for anything.”

Motlatji, with her fun, vibrant and goal driven personality is someone who really stands out, surprisingly she has a preference on individual conversation over crowds of noisy banter. She ended off by saying “find your own journey to happiness and enjoy every moment of your life because everything could end tomorrow.”

Be Still

“For those who hold on to old patterns, there will be increasing pain, violence, confusion, and madness… So for a moment be still… Stillness speaks” -Eckart Tolle

The words written by Eckart Tolle posed many questions and an uncomfortable pondering in my mind about the show. But going into it I felt comfortably exited to witness some conventional performance, but that was not to be.

With its ever dramatic and slow start, where the hidden figures were slowly given shape with the elumination of the stage and where the dark music captures its unique nature, there is where the stillness first began.

With a curious and ever aqueous audience awaiting their money’s worth, the clapping motions of each character with unique and repetitive movements, slowly brought the show to life.

With an excellent use of dimensions, levels and props, the show had such a new feel to it which might have made some onlookers question it. This form of modern dancing really used the bodies of the dancers in a way which one rarely sees portrayed on stage. Using the walls, floor and air as their canvas, they displayed a range of styles and combinations which at times flowed but had neglected timing which might have its roots in the recurring but unpredictable stream of emotions which people naturally poses.

With the puppeteer in the background controlling the one constant and unspoken character, which then gives a sense life to the others as they are then taken by the dancers and made to move in a display which saw the audience extremely impressed.  

With the lifeless and blank faces of the puppets which are like ragdolls in nature and humanlike in shape create mixed emotions around the unclear theme of the piece. As the strong movements take flight in the display of talent and expression, the dark music creates an uneasy feeling but endorses the artistic flair and deeply possessive and in-depth nature of the performance.

This is truly for the open minded, leaving mixed feelings and well true ‘confusion’, this piece embraces those who have acquainted themselves with the new and stilling nature of expressive and interpretive dance.

My name/ my naam is Ellen Plakkies

My name/ my naam is Ellen Plakkies, set with Cape Town as its backdrop, staring Vinette Ebrahim and Christo Davids, as the leads of Ellen and her son ‘Abie’ as he’s so affectionately calls him. This wondrous portrayal of the story of Ellen Plakkies is now coming to the Jo’burg Promusica Main Theatre and is not to be missed.

This captivating story of a mother who loses her son to his addiction to Crystal meth, written and directed by Lizz Meiring, is an amazing piece of art which at its core is held together by the detailed expression and depiction of the story as it takes to the stage.

The play holds young ambition and dreams in the beginning of its story line which clearly relates you immediately to each character. With the progression, it highlights not only the struggle of a ‘single’ mother but one of social influences and drugs which steal the dreams of the youth and bring ambition, respect, good judgement and compassion to its knees.

This struggle is played out in the most riveting manner, taking one out of the theatre and putting you into the neighbours’ yard where you can see, hear and feel the relationship of mother and son unfold.

In its simplistic use of set, it embodies the struggle most people in our tense economy go through, using simple cloths and pieces throughout the story. This allows the audience to see the struggle on a physical, emotional and economic level, bringing them understand the point where her actions clearly depict her love and respect for her own life and her inability to suffer any longer.

The interaction and reaction by both actors leave nothing more to be desired at the end of the show. This gripping display of emotion, passion and understanding of both characters shine through even if they didn’t breath a word.

This piece is one that is not to be  missed. It is on stage from the 4th to the 5th of May 2012 at 20:00h. There is an age restriction of 16 (VL) and Tickets are available from Computicket for only R80 and for students and pensioners it is R60 at Joburg Promusica Main Theatre, 100 Christiaan De Wet Drive, Florida Park, Roodepoort.

UJ Arts makes Great Music

This year has seen many new performances lined up at the UJ Arts Centre. With a fresh new twist on its list of musical entertainment, the Arts centre has set up a programme for the finer and more soulful and relaxed moments in life.

With an array of Jazz as well as Classical pieces that will be performed by many different artists throughout the year, these performances provide a perfect way to end any busy day with its rich and stimulating music. Having some familiar notes intertwined each performance will have you leaving the hustle and bustle of Jo’burg at the door.

These are culturally enriching performances which see audiences range from a more mature audience to those younger souls who share the great appreciation for good music.

With a great glass of wine or just some juice in hand, falling into the embrace of the swift and slow motions of the instruments, bringing you back to fonder times and reminds you of the finer things in life.  

Tickets and programmes are available at the Arts Centre and at the door, there are some of those moments that you just don’t want to miss out on.

                                                                                                               

Mine

Recently the UJ Art Gallery opened and welcomed home the artistic works of 19 of South Africa’s most influential and acclaimed artists with the launch of the exhibition MINE. These works displayed on the world stage was welcomed by a curious crowed gathered in the gallery to witness these works displayed on South African Soil for the first time.

Mine is based on a play on words which is encompassed by its title. This exhibition displays two sides of a coin, one being the mining industry of Johannesburg, bringing to light parts of the economy, growth and development of the country and on the other side is the identity which is held by the artists in this ‘South Africa’.

It is a range of short films. They are displayed individually and invite the onlooker to exhibit the works on a visual and audio level. With different subject matter, each piece is on a different level to the next and all are, in their own right, brilliant.

With names such as Dineo Seshee Bopape, Doris Bloom, Jacques Coetzer, Robin Rhode, Lerato Shadi and Gregg Smith, to but only name a few, the host of captivating and thought provoking pieces are a must-see for all.

This exhibition is now on the move again. Displaying many of South Africas great talents and keeping us as a nation, proud of every part of our heritage and love for the more complex things life has to offer, Food for thought, if you may.

Alice who? -Back by popular Demand

The performance starts on a calmer more intimate note complimented by the choice of song which sets the mood for the transition into the dazzling dance performance which it is. The show has an air of mystery which saw the audience captivated in anticipation to the very end which is quite unpredictable .

This show will be featuring at the National Arts Festival in Grahams town from the 4^th of July, accompanied with Short Stories, they are taking to the road to represent UJ in a performance that is worth the wait.

With its fresh new twists, it is an exceptional piece which is greatly admired for its combination of styles, genres and its choice in music which carries the relevance of each scene so well. The selection of the characters displayed the particular attention to detail accompanies with the drug related subtlety which the story carried throughout.

The effortless changing of dance styles and meticulous nature of both the acrobatic acts saw a fusion of life and art which the dancers effortlessly present on stage, even more so demonstrated by their seamless costume change and in the level of integration of the show which flowed from one scene to the next.

The electric atmosphere of the sassy and sexy numbers make sure all the boys will want another look, complimented more so by the level of team work and the long hours, clearly demonstrated by each performance.

If there is one thing that is clear, it is that UJ has talent and Owen Lonzar, Creator and choreographer, has found it in both the fine cast and crew of Alice Who? Coming back for another round of performances in Grayams town, this is a recommended watch!