Alvin Ailey's standing ovation

The globally acclaimed Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater received a standing ovation at their gala performance on Thursday 3 September 2015 at Mostecasino, Johannesburg. It's no surprise, as the New York-based dancers are the definition of strength, grace, power and precision.

Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater
Photo by Andrew Eccles

Every one of the pieces performed was audibly breathtaking. Striking costumes and meticulously choreographed performances effectively boasted every rippling muscle in the dancers' bodies as they weightlessly leapt through the air or balanced on the edge of every dancers' dream.

Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater
in Hans van Manen's Polish Pieces.
Photo by Paul Kolnik

The mesmerising Polish Pieces showcases Dutch choreographer Hans van Manen's genius in combining colour and patterns with rhythm. A kaleidoscope of dynamic dance culminates in two sensual, emotionally charged pas de deux.

The dynamic Yannick Lebrun performed Artistic Director Robert Battle's energetic solo Takademe with great athleticism and an equally high spirit. Seldom has a range of emotions been so sincerely expressed by any performer, leaving the audience in awe and inspired.

Yannick Lebrun in Robert Battle's Takedeme.
Photo by Andrew Eccles

Grace, choreographed by Ronald K. Brown, transports one to the spiritual roots of African-American culture. The dancers' enthusiasm and passion is visibly clear in this piece that's injected with energy.

The highly acclaimed American classic Revelations is Alvin Ailey’s signature masterpiece. It is a tribute to Ailey’s heritage, exploring moments of deepest grief and joy.

Matthew Rushing, Demetia Hopkins-Greene,
Linda Celeste Sims and Guillermo Asca
in Robert K. Brown's Grace.
Photo by Paul Kolnik

The ballet piece ‘Fix Me, Jesus’ is transfixing. Linda Celeste Sims is the epitome of grace and strength, arousing gasps from the audience as she pivots in arabesque, perfectly balanced. One should not underestimate the strength of her dance partner Glenn Allen Sims, as many non-dancers so often do. It takes a great amount of agility, strength and focus to partner a ballerina with such grace and effortlessness.

AAADT's Linda Celeste Sims and Glenn Allen Sims
in Alvin Ailey's Revelations.
Photo by Andrew Eccles

The show closes with the toe-tapping, uplifting ‘Rocka My Soul in the Bosom of Abraham’, leaving no doubt in any audience members’ mind that Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater is a unique, inspirational modern dance Company that celebrates the human spirit though African-American culture and the power of American modern dance tradition. Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater deserves its reputation as one of the world’s most popular modern dance companies.

Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater will be performing in South Africa as follows:

Cape Town

Wednesday 16 September to Sunday 20 September 2015

Artscape

There are two alternating programmes of about two hours each. Both programmes end with Revelations.

Tickets are on sale at Computicket.

For more information on Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, click here.

Follow Showtime Management on Facebook for more amazing events in South Africa.

Review by Andrea Vermaak, BK Publishing.

On a journey with George Ezra

On Sunday 30 August 2015, two members of the Supernova team, Chrisna Prinsloo and Andrea Vermaak, took a road trip to Carnival City to watch English folk, blues and rock singer and songwriter, George Ezra.

Bongeziwe Mabandla opened the show with his beautiful, haunting melodies, followed by the ever energetic, entertaining Freshly Ground. The latter took the minds of every South African present back to the past with their hits 'Do Bee Do', 'I'd like' and, of course, 'Waka Waka'.

The lovely George Ezra then took the stage. He held the audience captivated from start to finish with his quirky sense of humour as he told anecdotes of his journey across Europe, and how certain people and places influenced his songwriting. His humble smile and soulful baritone voice then captured a few hearts as he delighted with hits 'Budapest' and 'Blame it on me', as well as few other gems that are sure to be hit singles in the near future.

All too soon, the show was over. We were whisked back to reality and the sparkling lights of Carnival City. We'd happily take another road trip – physically and mentally – with George Ezra any time!

Future Afro beats emerge from Cape Town

We featured a review of TheCITY's self-titled debut EP in Supernova vol. 4.6. In the interim, we caught up with the band's bassist, Ryan McArthur.

Why ‘TheCITY’? What is the significance of your band’s name?

People sometimes ask how such 'different' individuals meet, and if you look at a cosmopolitan city, you'll find very different people with common interests, which is what we are, a meeting point, a focus of a concept - TheCITY of Future Afro music.

Do you think the city in which one lives has any influence on the kind of music people make or listen to? If so, has Cape Town influenced you in anyway?

Of course. Reuben and Clem are Cape Coloured so the music of Cape Town, Goema, is part of their heritage and they grew up listening to Abdullah Ibrahim, Winston Mankunku and Errol Dyers, and hearing the minstrels rehearsing on warm summer afternoons, preparing for New Year celebrations. We fuse our heritage into the music we make. We feel it's very important.

You describe your sound as ‘Future Afro’. Can you describe the genre in a bit more detail?

It's a fusion of hip hop, electronica, afrobeats and soul.

You’re a group of people from very different backgrounds and musical styles. How did you decide on the genre of music you’d like to create as TheCITY?

We all share a love for jazz, so that is a common musical thread, and probably a subconscious understanding we share.

Who is your greatest influence and why?

Wow, it’s really hard for musicians to boil it down to one influence, especially if you’re trying something different, which is more of a hybrid of styles. Top 3: Little Dragon, J Dilla, and Abdullah Ibrahim.

Your self-titled album is free on Facebook and Bozza. Why free?

That is our 1^st album done in 2010. Back then, it was only a duo with Clem and Bonj. We’ve just finished a five track self-titled EP, which is our first official release as a band and is available on iTUNES, Deezer, Google Play, Shazaam and all the other online purchase sites.

What is the secret ingredient to success in the music industry?

There is no secret ingredient for success in any career path, except to be passionate about what you do and to plug at it constantly no matter what. It can get rough juggling gig management, PR, admin, rehearsal schedules, etc., so it's important to know your priorities and to strive for balance in everything.

Interview by Andrea Vermaak

Press images by Deidre Hewitson

Win tickets to see George Ezra live!

Win one of three double tickets to see George Ezra live in Durban, Cape Town and Johannesburg!

Send your name, age, location and contact details (email and phone number), along with your answer to the question below to competition@bkpublishing.co.za.

Question: Name one of the supporting acts at the George Ezra shows.

Competition closes 26 August 2015. Only one double ticket available per venue. Terms and Conditions apply.

Terms and Conditions for Supernova competitions

1. Competition ends, Wednesday 26 August 2015 . 2. All entries must include name and surname, age, date of birth and contact details. 3. Persons entering the competition must be 18 years or under.  4. Competition is open to anyone except the employees  (or members of their immediate families) of Supernova magazine or advertisers or prize sponsors. 5. The closing date specified for the competition is final and no late entries will be allowed. 6. If you win a competition you will be notified via telephone or email.  7. The judges’ decision is final. 8. The prize will not be redeemable for cash and is non-transferable. 9.Supernova magazine is not responsible for delayed or lost entries. 10. Supernova magazine is not responsible for the loss or damage of a prize after it has been sent to the winner. 11. Incorrect entries will be disqualified. 12. Supernova magazine may use the information given in the entry for BK Publishing's internal database. All the information will be kept confidential. 13. If the competition requires the entrant to provide illustrations, photographs or any original artwork by the entrant, the submission of the work will constitute a consensual release and will allow Supernova and the competition organiser to publish your artwork in the magazine and online. 14. If you enter this competition we will assume that you have read trough the Terms and Conditions, and that you understand and agree with them. 

BK Publishing at the South African Book Fair

Meet the BK Publishing team and get copies of all your favourite books and magazines 

at the South African Book Fair 2015.  See you there!

Win 'The Magic Mat and its little secret'!

Read Supernova's review of The Magic Mat and its little secret 

below and answer the question to win! 

It's that easy! All the best!

*Click on the image to enlarge.

Terms and Conditions for Supernova competitions

1. Competition ends, Wednesday 16 December 2015. 2. All entries must include name and surname, age, date of birth and contact details. 3. Persons entering the competition must be 18 years or under. 4. Competition is open to anyone except the employees (or members of their immediate families) of Supernova magazine or advertisers or prize sponsors. 5. The closing date specified for the competition is final and no late entries will be allowed. 6. If you win a competition you will be notified via telephone or email. 7. The judges’ decision is final. 8. The prize will not be redeemable for cash and is non-transferable. 9.Supernova magazine is not responsible for delayed or lost entries. 10. Supernova magazine is not responsible for the loss or damage of a prize after it has been sent to the winner. 11. Incorrect entries will be disqualified. 12. Supernova magazine may use the information given in the entry for BK Publishing's internal database. All the information will be kept confidential. 13. If the competition requires the entrant to provide illustrations, photographs or any original artwork by the entrant, the submission of the work will constitute a consensual release and will allow Supernova and the competition organiser to publish your artwork in the magazine and online. 14. If you enter this competition we will assume that you have read trough the Terms and Conditions, and that you understand and agree with them.

Supernova goes to ancient Rome

Supernova vol. 4.5

This winter, Supernova takes a colossal step back in time to meet the important men who founded, built and destroyed the Roman Empire. Shake hands with (or run away from!) Julius Caesar and Octavian Augustus, among other emperors, while you learn about their conquests and defeats, and life in ancient Rome.

When you're done conquering most of Europe with the Romans, learn more about viruses and how to conquer them too! The air is drier in winter, so you're more likely to catch something funky in the air. It helps to understand what viruses are so we can keep ourselves safe from them.

On the bright side, 2015 is the International Year of Light, so we also explore the world of light and colour to find out exactly what they are and how we experience them.

All this and so much more in Supernova vol. 4.5! Subscribe today!