Thursday 31 October 2013

New Casio headphones range

Casio launches a range of headphones for professional DJs and music enthusiasts

The Supernova team thinks that these headphone would make a cool Christmas gift for young and old.

Balanced, clear sound with nothing added and nothing left out
Casio has announced the availability of the XW-H headphones designed by audiophiles to reproduce accurate, natural sound across the entire audio spectrum, from crisp, clear trebles to rich, deep bass notes, meeting the most exacting standards of audio quality.

Encapsulated comfort-fit ear pads for focused listening
The ear pads were selected through extensive testing to be comfortable to wear even during long mixing sessions and provide superior isolation from background noise so you can avoid distractions and focus on the music.

Detachable, tangle-free flat cable
A flat cable design eliminates tangles and makes it easy to store the headphones while on the move, and the high-definition cable is detachable for easy replacement.

Folding headband for portability and protection
These headphones were designed with on-the-go professional DJs in mind. The folding headband ensures that the headphones fit easily and store securely in a DJ bag to protect them during travel between clubs. This uniquely designed headband is both durable and surprisingly lightweight. 



Available at:

Music Mate 
Skysun
Mars Music
Pieter Smuts Music
W. Heuer


Press release distributed on behalf of Casio by Sha-Izwe Communication/CharlesSmithAssoc.

Thursday 24 October 2013

Speedy artwork art honoured

PRESS RELEASE
Howard Damon's artwork
Two learners from Delportshoop High School in the Northern Cape are among the category winners of the first SPEED Art Competition, a joint initiative by the BLOODHOUND Supersonic Car (SCC) Project and the William Humphreys Art Gallery (WHAG) in Kimberley.

The winners of the competition were rewarded for their artistic interpretations of the theme with prizes of art products and BLOODHOUND SCC memorabilia. They received their prizes at a function held at WHAG in Kimberley on Tuesday.
The winners are:
Grade 0 – R: Kagontle West, Keadumela Preschool in Kimberley
Grade 1 – 3: Howard Damon, Delportshoop High School
Grade 4 - 6: Juba Titus, Vooruitsig Primary School, Kimberley
Grade 7 - 9: Paul Henri, Diamontveld High School, Kimberley
Grade 10 – 12: Elaine Williams, Delportshoop High School
Category for adult entrees: Shaun van Zyl, Kimberley

Paul Henri's artwork
Artists of all ages were invited to submit works in any medium. For inspiration, they were asked to visit the website www.bloodhoundssc.com which features news and videos about the British BLOODHOUND SCC team’s attempt to set a new land speed record on Hakskeenpan in the Mier Municipality of the Northern Cape.


A selection of the best entries received will be on display at WHAG until Friday 15 November.
The art competition was only open to residents of the Northern Cape. However, Dave Rowley, BLOODHOUND SCC education director in South Africa hopes that it could become a national initiative promoted by galleries countrywide. “We want to inspire young people across the country through this record-breaking initiative to become passionate about science and engineering, and an art competition such as this is just one way of doing so,” says Rowley.

According to Anne-Marie de Kock, a teacher at Delportshoop High School, it was an inspirational experience for her learners to have taken part in such a themed art competition. More than 20 entries from the school were selected for the exhibition and, in all, they received two first prizes and a commendation prize.
Many of our learners cannot really express themselves on paper because they cannot yet write or read that well, but through the medium of art they are able to express their emotions,” she explains.
Delportshoop is about 70km from Kimberley. De Kock will be taking learners whose work is being exhibited at WHAG to see the exhibition on Friday. For many, it will be a first visit to Kimberley. 
Howard Damon points out his winning entry
For more information:
Join the adventure at
www.bloodhoundssc.com
Bloodhound project videos:
www.youtube.com/1050mph
Twitter: @Bloodhound_SSC
FaceBook:
www.facebook.com/BLOODHOUNDSSC
Released by: Engela Duvenage, for the BLOODHOUND SSC Project in South Africa

Busy, busy BK Publishing: Part 2


Cheer Strength

Amanda Bowden gives the Kings Tigers a few tips
Have you read the interesting article on cheerleading in the 'Live it up!' section of Supernova vol. 2.6? Benoit and Andrea eventually got to meet the brains behind the article, Head Coach Amanda Bowden of Cheer Strength. We caught up with her one Saturday morning at Visions Gymnastics Club in Roodepoort, while she gave the Kings School West Rand cheerleading team, Kings Tigers, a few pointers during a workshop. Cheer Strength is South Africa's first cheerleading company, dedicated to promoting cheerleading and improving the existing standard of cheerleading throughout the country.

Extension prep
Amanda is a true inspiration as she patiently shows the Kings Tigers the proper way to warm up, do handstands, cartwheels, tumbles and stunts. The coolest stunt we got to see was an extension prep, where one flyer stands on two bases hands at chin height. It's not as easy as it looks!

After the workshop, we got to chat to a few cheerleaders about why they love cheerleading, as well as to their cheerleading couch, Edwardo Biffy.


Base position, Inge
Inge (17) is a base position on the team. She loves cheerleading because it is not just dancing, tumbling and stunting. According to Inge, cheerleading incorporates a variety of sports and different challenging movements to music. Cheerleading, to Inge, is great if you want to be fit and learn how to work well in a team.

Flyer position Nadia (16) and all-rounders Casey (16) and Reese (16) love cheerleading because it offers an opportunity to take part in a completely new, interesting sport.


Kings Tigers couch, Edwardo Biffy
The Kings Tigers couch, Edwardo Biffy, has been cheerleading for 11 years. He started at Allen Glen High School. His sister took part in drum majorettes and, as he also wanted to be a part of an organisation, he started cheerleading. Since then, Edwardo has taken part in competitions both nationally and internationally. Like the other cheerleaders with whom we spoke, he loves cheerleading because it combines aspects of many different sports. He believes that the power of the Cheer Strength team lies in the fact it strives to eliminate the stereotypes of cheerleading in order to promote it as a highly beneficial, competitive sport.

If you're interested in cheerleading, visit www.cheerstrength.co.za and contact Amanda for more details.

Amanda shows the Kings Tigers how to prepare for a handstand

Wednesday 23 October 2013

'Shaggy' splashes out with a second print run and a brand new cover

PRESS RELEASE

Since it was first published in 2011, Shaggy: 14 Rather Amusing Rambles by Anton Krueger and Pravasan Pillay has garnered excellent reviews. This ingenious new take on the shaggy dog story has had readers laughing nationwide. The first run has sold out and so we’ve been back to the printers – this time with a fresh new cover that has already caught the attention of readers at the the Frankfurt Book Fair, where we sold out all the stock we’d brought along.

If you haven't already indulged in Krueger and Pillay's distinctly dry South African humour, here’s a taste of what to expect from this idiosyncratic duo:



If you like Monty Python, Pieter-Dirk Uys, Robert Kirby and especially Woody Allen's Getting Even, you will love Shaggy. It provided me with loads of laughter.” Henning Pieterse, winner of the Hertzog Prize

Satirical, whacky, and at times outright absurd... Krueger and Pillay don't so much skewer South African culture as they gently, yet doggedly, needle our politically over-sensitive psyches.” Ben Greaves, The Oppidan Press

With this cracking collection Krueger and Pillay have established themselves as a brave new voice deserving of an appreciative audience.” Jonathan Amid, LitNet

To order your hot off the press copy of these ironic monologues with their shiny new cover, visit www.bkpublishing.co.za or contact admin@bkpublishing.co.za.

Busy, busy BK Publishing: Part 1

World Robot Olympiad


Awesome robots at the SA WRO
It has been a while since we've posted news about what BK Publishing is up to. The past few months have seen us attending numerous events and expos to meet our readers, supporters and other interesting people.

One of the events Benoit Knox and Andrea Vermaak attended was the WRO National Finals at the Tshwane University of Technology in Pretoria. The World Robot Olympiad is a global robotics competition that brings together young people from all over the world to develop their creativity, design and problem solving skills through challenges and educational robot competitions. The WRO competition uses LEGO Mindstorms manufactured by LEGO Education.

This years' entrants (the largest number of participants in the SA WRO) astounded us with their technological savvy. Teams from across the country competed in four categories. Winning teams get to represent South Africa in Jakarta in November 2013. 

The Robo Bros, Liam and Nicholas Waller, were placed first in the Regular Primary category, while JEK Theory (Joshua Brits, Evan Cantrell and Kayleigh Herrhann) won the trophy in the Regular Junior High category.

The Wetland Rangers, Pieter and Kobie Theron

The Wetland Rangers, Pieter (12) and Kobie Theron (12), with whom we had the opportunity to chat, did not surprise us when they won the Open Primary category. Their model sluice which simulates water level control in the St Lucia wetlands boggled our minds. We hope that they can implement their ingenious design to save the wetland. We wish them all the best!

WiErd, Jaen-Jurie and Danielle Rootman


We also got to chat to Danielle (16) and Jaen-Jurie Rootman (14) of team WiErd, who won the Open Junior High trophy for their idea for a voice activated robot programmed to guide tourists to various attractions on Robbin Island. We'd love to see their idea fulfilled and take a guided tour around Robbin Island – robot-style!



QWERTY Robots - CE3, Dylan Rheeders and Marco Pretorius

Enthusiastic Dylan Rheeders (17) and Marco Pretorius (15) of team QWERTY Robots – CE3, also made us proud when they who won gold in the Open Senior High category with their clever cave exploring robot. CE3 has already discovered new parts of the underground lake in the Sterkfontein Caves. Imagine what else CE3 could find!




If the level of entrants is this high already, we can't wait to see what next year's competition will produce!

P.S. Watch this space for 'Busy, busy BK Publishing: Part 2' coming soon!

Friday 18 October 2013

Bloodhound SSC news


Bloodhound SSC
Remember Supernova vol. 1.3? We did a super cool feature article on the super fast supersonic car, the Bloodhound.

Well, since our article, the project has grown exponentially! Bloodhound SSC has its own YouTube channel, for example. A brand new episode shows how inspirational Bloodhound, a good teacher and an exciting Ambassador can be. Watch it here now!

You can also read driver Andy Green's monthly diary to follow the progress of the build of Bloodhound SSC. This month, he comes up with some astounding facts about how much stress the various parts of the car has to... and can take.

Bloodhound SSC
You can also follow the build by subscribing to the Bloodhound's Facebook, Twitter and GooglePlus social network platforms. 
As by now you should be Bloodhound's greatest fan, you can purchase an inexpensive model on the website shop. Click here to get yours! You can also join the 1K Supporters Club or put someone's name on Bloodhound SSC's fin - the certificate makes a great gift.

Supernova vol. 1.3

Watch this space for more awesome Bloodhound SSC news from Supernova, the mag for curious kids!

Wednesday 9 October 2013

Win tickets to The Big Bad Musical and more!



For more PLAY BIG fun, Montecasino and the MTN Festival present THE BIG BAD MUSICAL. Join other fairytale lovers in the enchanted Montecasino Ballroom and be part of live Court TV, where you will decide the outcome of the biggest trial ever in the fairytale world – against the notorious Big Bad Wolf. Little Red Riding Hood, The Three Little Pigs and everyone else the Big Bad Wolf has wronged will be there. Will you?


Date show and times:
Friday 11 October at 13:00 and 15:00
Saturday 12 and Sunday 13 October at 10:00, 12:00 and 14:00


Tickets are R50.


For more information please visit Montecasino.co.za


Competition:
Stand a chance to win a family package of four tickets to The Big Bad Musical, as well as Bird Garden tickets, movie tickets and a Montecasino gift voucher.

To enter, email the answer to the following question, along with your name and contact details to andrea@bkpublishing.co.za before 15:00 on Thursday 10 October 2013.

Question: Who is standing trial in The Big Bad Musical?


Remember, the competition closes at 15:00 on Thursday 10 October 2013.

Enter now!

Supernova, the mag for curious kids: Volume 3.1


We are proud to present the first issue of the third volume of the mag for curious kids! We've added exciting new sections and given others a make-over to keep kids curious and to broaden their horizons far beyond their school text books.

One exciting new section is 'Andy's Atlas', where Andy takes kids on a journey to interesting countries less travelled. Andy meets the locals to discover what they wear on traditional occasions, what they eat and what makes their culture unique. Andy also learns interesting facts about the local language. In this issue, Andy visits beautiful, mysterious Myanmar.

The 'I wanna be' section gets a face-lift with an exclusive interview with an ornithologist. We prefer to get the inside info from the horse's mouth (or in this case, the bird's beak!).

'Brain games' has been extended to an amazing double-page spread for double the fun!

Have we made you curious yet? Go on, get your copy of the latest issue of Supernova today!

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We also appreciate this comment from Sue Gordon, a teacher at Station Hill School :

Superb production: the bite-sized articles, full of fun, colourful, digestible information to widen students' horizons and encourage reading.”  
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Monday 7 October 2013

Record breaking number of entries for Cartoon Network’s Animation Generation!


Overall winner to be given airtime promoting the brand new fifth season of 
Adventure Time on Cartoon Network


Animation Generation, the exciting, nationwide initiative by Cartoon Network, celebrated its 8th year in South Africa with a record breaking 13 021 entries. The initiative is a drawing competition, which promotes illustration and celebrates the imagination of many talented young South Africans in schools across the country.

Enhle Majola's winning entry

The overall winner from this year’s competition was Enhle Majola from Lyndhurst Primary School in Kwazulu-Natal. Her artwork of her character Skilo Pop Fighter impressed the judges with its highly original design and name.

Her drawing will be fully transformed from a one-dimensional drawing into a fully animated character which will be broadcast on air to promote the brand new fifth season of Adventure Time premiering on Cartoon Network, DStv channel 301, in October.

The theme for this year’s Animation Generation was Adventure Time and students were encouraged to design and create an original hero or heroine, villain or villainess to join Finn, Jake, Princess Bubblegum and Lady Rainicorn as they travel through The Land of Ooo on unusual and bizarre escapades.

1900 primary schools across South Africa were invited to participate and children between the ages of 6-14 years old joined in. Entries were judged by the creators of Adventure Time – Adam Muto, Supervising Producer and Kent Osborne, Head of Story – amongst others.

Creativity plays an integral role in the development of all children and Cartoon Network’s hit comedy Adventure Time is all about letting your imagination run wild. This is the perfect pairing. The aim of this year’s competition was to give students the opportunity to harness their natural creativity and the entries did not disappoint – they were original, exciting and of an exceptional standard. We were extremely pleased with the huge number of entries this year. This project we care a lot about here at Cartoon Network”, said Tal Hewitt, VP and GM of Turkey, Middle East and Africa for Turner Broadcasting System.

Winners in each of the age groups (6-8 years, 9-11 years, and 12-14 years) walked away with some amazing prizes, some of which were iPads, Blackberrys and iPods. The overall school with the most entries was Marianpark Primary School which received R10 000 from Cartoon Network to enhance the art facilities at the school in order to further improve creativity of their students.

The winners in the three age categories were:

6-8 years
  • Gold – Enhle Majola – Lyndhurst Primary School, Kwazulu Natal
  • Silver – Razaan Meyers – Parkhurst Primary School, Western Cape
  • Bronze – Surelda Roberts – Laerskool Mikro, Western Cape

9-10 years
  • Gold – Phanaso Zondi – Lyndhurst Primary School, Kwazulu Natal
  • Silver – Nqobile Mngadi – Lyndhurst Primary School, Kwazulu Natal
  • Bronze – Theron James – Greenheights Primary School, Kwazulu Natal

11-14 years
  • Gold – Danielle Rothwell – Bedfordview Primary School, Gauteng
  • Silver – Caitlin Davies – Bedfordview Primary School, Gauteng
  • Bronze – Theveshan Chetty – Brailsford Primary School, Kwazulu Natal

All the winning artwork will be displayed on www.cartoonnetworkafrica.com/animationgeneration.

To watch the new amazing fifth series of Adventure Time tune in to Cartoon Network, DStv channel 301, every Monday from 7 October at 17h55 as part of Cartoon Network’s “Mighty Mondays”, with repeats on Saturdays at 10h00 and 14h35.

Press release courtesy of ARCAY Burson-Marsteller.