Robin Hood and the Babes in the Wood Review

Robin Hood and the Babes in the Wood

On the 6th of November, I had the chance to go and see Janice Honeyman's Robin Hood Panto. Here are my thoughts on it...

I have seen every Panto for the last three years, and previously through school. I love seeing them every year. This year was different. It was by far my favourite. The humour was top notch amidst the political turmoil that is surrounding the world right now. I haven’t laughed so much in a long time. What I really loved, was that normally the Panto brings in a major technical aspect, like a helicopter, or a giant spider, and this year there were the normal cars being involved, but the cast and the story line made the show so great. Don’t get me wrong, I love the technical aspects that are always showcased during the show, but it shows that sometimes you can go back to basics and make an impression. Now let’s go back before I really put two feet in it. The stage, lighting and props were amazing...as always. My point is, that even if there were no amazing backdrops and the cast were wearing paper bags, the show would be amazing because of the content presented.

I would honestly recommend taking your kids, but not only kids would enjoy this, this show is amazing for all ages and is guaranteed to make you laugh and think about political issues in a different light. All ages, races, religions will enjoy this show.

Over 30,000 tickets had already been sold before the opening of  this year’s panto, so best to hurry and get yours now for South Africa’s most popular family entertainment tradition.  Tickets are available by visiting www.joburgtheatre.com or calling 0861 670 670, as well as through Webtickets and at Pick ‘n’ Pay stores. For group bookings of 10 or more, contact the theatre directly on 011 877 6853/6815.

For details of the full schedule and performance times, visit www.joburgtheatre.com

TWITTER HANDLE:

@joburgtheatre

HASHTAG:

#RobinHoodPanto

The following is the rating for the show: 17/20 BluBirds

Fun

Laughter

Production

Ticket Prices

Boys Nites Out @ Billy The B.U.Ms Fourways!

Boys Nites Out @ Billy The B.U.Ms Fourways!
Boys’ Nite Out? Well it’s a no-brainer decision with what’s on offer at Billy The B.U.M’s Food and Cocktail Bar in Fourways! Every Wednesday , from 6-9pm and for only R200 you get bottomless draft beer and a choice of the following burgers: No Nonsense, BUM’s Burger, Johnny Junk Burger or Joburger. Guys, we still want you looking your best even though it’s just you and your mates – no shorts, caps, vest or caps allowed. Also, no under 23s. Billy The B.U.M’s Fourways, the only destination for a Boys’ Nite Out!

“I’m sorry, they’re not at their desk at the moment, they must be at Billy The B.U.M’s Fourways Breakaway Lunches!”

 

Your lunch hour can be the only thing that gets you through the day, at Billy The B.U.M’s Food & Cocktail Bar in Fourways we’re fully aware of this and we have exactly what you’ve been needing in terms of feeding! From 12-3pm as part of our Breakaway Lunch, you choose from a selection of our iconic burgers served with fries and onion rings for only R50! Add a draft beer or glass of wine at an extra R25 or if you’d like a soft drink it will only set you back an extra R15! Billy The B.U.M’s Fourways, as always, has you covered! T’s & C’s Apply. Takeaways not permitted. For booking contact 011 465 2621.

RAW Urban Gardening

RAW Urban Gardening

“10 Urban Planting Tips - brought to you by RAW”

If growing your own fresh produce and being more “green” is something you have always wanted to do – then why not give it a go? Just go easy on yourself – you don’t need to be an expert on mulching over-night

1.  Consider container growing: Don’t own that mansion with rolling green hilly gardens yet? Relax, you don’t need acres of land to get planting. And there’s no harm in starting small and manageable. Advantages to starting with container planting include space, easier access to watering and the ability to “follow” the sun. And just about any plant or vegetable can start out in a container. Weeding is also minimal

2.  Container selection: It’s tempting to want to go with the funky and pretty pots first – we know, but make sure the containers you select will give your plants room to grow - taking into consideration the expected size the plant should reach. Holes for drainage are also important. Typically plants in clay pots need more watering than other containers

3.  Soil Selection: The correct soil is key to a successful urban garden. If your garden soil has not received too much love lately, then consider commercial potting soil. The pH of your soil is important so if you are not sure how to check, there are cool gadgets from the local nursery that can help you – alternatively don’t be shy with the compost if your soil is out of the ideal pH range

4.  Magic mulching: When you plant in containers in full sun you may want to consider a layer of mulch on the top of the soil to help retain moisture in the soil. Up to 70% of water can evaporate from the soil on a hot day if you don’t have mulch as a protective layer on top.  It really is one of the best moisture holding strategies around

5.  Be water wise: Clean water is vital for any urban garden. Water pots in the later afternoon – research suggests that watering container plants in the afternoon may lead to healthier, stronger growing plants compared to container plants watered early in the morning. The next time you boil or steam vegetables, don’t pour the water down the drain, use it to water potted patio plants, and you’ll be amazed at how the plants respond to the “vegetable soup.”

6.  Plant smart: Do your home-work before you start planting. Some species live better in an urban environment than others. Start with plants that have low water needs – these will save you time and money in the garden. Grow drought resistant veggies too – things like green beans, brinjals, beetroot, carrots or Swiss chard are considered pretty hardy

7.  Sunny spots: Sunlight is crucial, make sure that you find a place where the plant has access to at least 6 to 8 hours of sunlight a day.

8.  One pot veggie garden: The smallest and simplest of urban gardens is simply a single pot, packed with as many herbs and veggies as possible. Get yourself a galvanized water trough, drill some drainage holes, fill it with soil and then plant complementary groups of plants together.

9.  Plant friends: Companion planting is worth looking into when growing a variety of products in a small space. Some plants are not as compatible as others in close quarters – kind of like people.

10.                Keep it organized: You’ve got these amazing herbs and now you want to cook with them – so keep it organised. There are lots of funky ways to keep your garden coordinated. Simple ice-cream sticks is an easy way to mark what is what. And you can style them any way you want. Use paint, markers, washi tape, or even use chalkboard paint to make them even more customisable.

Starbucks Red Holiday Cups Feature Customer Art for the First Time

Starbucks Red Holiday Cups Feature Customer Art for the First Time

For many, when red Starbucks cups return, it’s a signal that the holiday season is drawing near.

Since 1997, Starbucks has welcomed the holidays with a special red cup that celebrates the spirit of the season. Over the years, designs have ranged from the modern, using whimsical brushstrokes in bold colors, to the nostalgic, featuring mistletoe and ornaments. This year, for the first time, Starbucks red cups will feature designs created by customers with 13 distinct cups in stores starting on November 10.

“We hope this year’s red holiday cup designs express the shared spirit of the holidays as told by our customers,” said Sharon Rothstein, Starbucks global chief marketing officer.

For years, Starbucks customers have been decorating their white cups (Starbucks even held a contest to support this creativity). Taking a cue from customers who had been using their red holiday cups as a canvas, last December Starbucksinvited customers to share their designs on Instagram.

From Illinois to Indonesia, Pennsylvania to Korea, Dubai to Ontario, in just eight days, Starbucks received more than 1,200 individual submissions from 13 countries. Many of the images were featured in an online cup collection. 

“We were surprised and inspired by the amount of incredible art submitted by our customers, the designs were beautiful, expressive, and engaging,” said Dena Blevins, creative director, Starbucks Global Creative Studio. “We quickly realized there was potential to use the customer created art for our holiday cups.”

The Starbucks Creative team printed each design posted to social channels and noticed the themes that began to emerge – graphic, inspirational, intricate, seasonal, typographic. No customer names were included, just a photo of the cup that was submitted.

“We loved how the red cups with white designs naturally created a collection,” Blevins said. “They hang together as one idea but each expression is unique.”

Next, the Starbucks team asked a small group of customers to mail in their cup so that it could be evaluated for potential production. The team worked to honor the artists and the integrity of their artwork, making as few changes as possible to the original.

In the end, 13 customer designs were selected from six countries to represent the collective spirit of the holidays around the world. Starting November 10, their designs will be showcased on the holiday cups served in the more than 23,000 Starbucks stores in 74 countries. 

 “People will be walking around the street in Shanghai, New York and London carrying these cups,” Blevins said. “We love that this year our customers’ artistry can play a part in brightening someone’s day.”

CANSA announced as official partner for Sexpo 2016 10th Anniversary of Sexpo to raise cancer awareness

CANSA announced as official partner for Sexpo 2016
10th Anniversary of Sexpo to raise cancer awareness

 

Now in its 10^th year, Sexpo, Africa’s largest human sensuality and lifestyle expo, and one of South Africa’s favourite annual exhibitions, is back. Its 2016 incarnation sees a new date, new venue and the introduction of some new touches, including a partnership with the Cancer Association of South Africa (CANSA).

Sean Newman, managing director, Sexpo,”We are very proud of our partnership with CANSA. This being our 10^th anniversary, and with CANSA on board as our CSI partner it showcases how Sexpo has come of age and takes health seriously.”

Says Elize Joubert, CANSA CEO, “We aim to offer visitors and exhibitors the opportunity to understand the different forms of cancer, specifically linked to sexual behaviour, by providing information and creating awareness regarding the two top female cancers as well as the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV). It’s all about lowering the cancer risk as much through education and offering screening.”

 

 On top of all the fun at Sexpo 2016, CANSA’s Mobile Health Clinic will be on hand to provide health information and screening such as clinical breast and skin examinations as well as offering healthy lifestyle risk assessments to Sexpo visitors. CANSA will also be on-hand to answer any health related queries visitors may need answered.

 

SEXPO FAST FACTS

Dates: Thursday, 27 October to Sunday, 30 October 2016
Times: Thursday 11am to 10pm; Friday 11am to 11pm; Saturday 10am to 11pm; and Sunday 10am to 6pm.
Venue: Hall 6, Johannesburg Expo Centre, Nasrec, corner Nasrec and Rand Show roads, Johannesburg

Restrictions: Strictly over 18 years only
Pricing: Thursday R100 (Silver), R250 (Gold); Friday-Sunday R150 (Silver) and R250 (Gold).

Tickets: Computicket
Web: www.sexpo.co.za

 

ABOUT CANSA

CANSA offers a unique integrated service to the public and to all people affected by cancer. As a leading role-player in cancer research (more than R12 million spent annually), the scientific findings and knowledge gained from our research are used to realign our health programmes as well as strengthen our watchdog role to the greater benefit of the public. Our health programmes comprises health and education campaigns, CANSA Care Centres that offer a wide range of care and support services to those affected by cancer, offer stoma and other clinical support and organisational management, medical equipment hire as well as a toll-free line to offer information and support. We also supply patient care and support in the form of 11 CANSA Care Homes in the main metropolitan areas for out-of-town cancer patients plus one hospitium based in Polokwane, as well as CANSA-TLC lodging for parents and guardians of children undergoing cancer treatment.

 

For more info visit www.cansa.org.za or contact CANSA toll-free 0800 22 66 22 or email info@cansa.org.za. Please follow CANSA The Cancer Association of South Africa on Facebook, @CANSA on Twitter and @CancerAssociationOfSouthAfrica on Instagram

 

Last Fighter Standing Breaks the Mold

Last Fighter Standing Breaks the Mold

The thrill of the fighting championship rocked the Ticketpro Dome on 15 October 2016
Expectations were exceeded by far, minds were blown and the fighting action was next level at
Last Fighter Standing (LFS) which took place at the Ticketpro Dome in Joburg on Saturday. From
the phenomenal Vegas style opening ceremony right through to the left hooks and right upper
cuts, knock-outs and submission style wins, the caliber of sports and entertainment on show
was unlike anything ever seen before on South African shores.

LFS Spokesperson, Darius Jakovchuk: “What an incredible weekend of fighting. The skill the
fighters brought to the table was off the chain. The response from the audience, which
numbered over 5 000 has been nothing short of phenomenal. Having an incredible opening
ceremony and performances by SA’s best musicians like MiCasa really added the cherry on top.
We can’t wait for next year’s LFS, we’ll be making it even bigger and better!”

The winning fighters who get a slice of the prize money and prestige are:

• LFS Ladies Featherweight Division - Essiane "Junior" Clotilde, beat her worthy opponent
Bunmi Ojewole after going the complete 5 round distance - by points.
• LFS SA Men’s Lightweight Division - Ceeh Khobone, beat Alan Smith, who although the
youngest entry within the LFS Nationals showed great determination and willpower, by
points after also going the full 5 rounds of receiving serious punishment!
• LFS SA Welterweight Division - Keagan Wroots won against Gunter Ngunza by a
strategic arm lock submission.
• LFS SA Men’s Heavyweight Division - Thabani Mndebela, who was fighting Quinton
Rossouw, won by points – in a fight that was called “the best South African fight of the
century” by many of the great sporting enthusiasts present at the Dome.
• LFS 4 Nations Division - Danyo Ilunga (Germany) beat Peter Graham with an exciting
knock-out, after Danyo lost his fight against Alain Ngalani on points, but Alain could not
fight Peter Graham (who won Kristaps Zile from Russia) due to an injury which he
obtained within his fight against Danyo during the International pre-lims.
• The SA vs Russia exhibition Heavyweight Fight, between Danie van Heerden and Reinis
Porozovs was won by Danie van Heerden when he got Reinis into an impressive
submission, which is not seen often within Heavyweight fights.

The incredible SA Nationals, in 4 divisions, fought it out for their share of R1 million in prize
money and Last Fighters Standing 4 -Nations, was awarded a total of another R1 million in prize
money. This clearly ensured fighting at a new level of crowd pleasing entertainment where
fighters showed heart, honor, dedication, integrity and mind-blowing action from start to finish.
Another awesome element that set LFS apart and some would say, way ahead of the rest, is that
unlike in other fights or competitions, the Women’s Fights’ prizes are equal to men. A very much
overdue development and one that is most welcome.

The CEO of LFS, businessman and media entrepreneur Quinton van der Burgh combined the
awesome new LFS platform with a reality TV show and charity initiatives in partnership with
Generosity Water.

MO MAGIC

MO MAGIC

The Fringe at Joburg Theatre: Johannesburg, 20-23 Oct 2016
Having astonished, amazed and entertained a number of celebrities, personalities and
members of the public with his weekly prime time TV show titled “Magic with Mo” on SABC3,
South African magician Mo Magic has embarked on a nation wide theatre tour. With multiple
sold out performances across the country, the magician now brings the live show to
Johannesburg, for the first time.

A first of its kind for South Africa, the TV show gained a tremendous following from the viewing
public and rose to second most watched South African TV show on SABC3 behind Isidingo.
Additionally, the only international shows with larger viewerships were Bold and the Beautiful
and Days of our Lives, both on air for decades with a long standing following. The magician
says, I’m thrilled the TV show was so well received. South Africans are clearly appreciating the
art of magic and I’m honoured to be sharing it with them.”
The TVSA blog reported “Magic with Mo has pulled out an ace for SABC3 with a whopping
increase in viewership since its premiere” adding “Not an easy feat on a Saturday night. This
growth is a good example of a show slowly building by being engaging or entertaining. Well
done, Mo.”

An honours degree graduate in electronic engineering, Mo resigned from a lucrative career as a
project manager, in 2010, to pursue his passion for the art of magic. The magician says, “2015
brought with it the realisation of my dream - to share the art of magic with South Africans
regularly on TV, taking it to them in their homes. During 2016, I planned to take the art of
magic to people in their towns and cities to experience live.”

This being his 14th year with the art of magic, the audience can expect to see some of the
magic, mentalism (mind reading magic) and stunts as seen on the TV show, and other routines
saved especially for the 90 minute theatre show. He will also have you in stitches with his
clean comedy and witty ad-libs. The magician says, “I’m ecstatic that audiences across the
country are enjoying my theatre show and am excited to bring my show to Johannesburg. This
is the very first time I will perform my theatre show in the province.”

The brand ambassador for “Child Welfare Durban & District”, Mo Magic is also using the tour to
spread awareness into the contribution made by the organisation towards “giving childhood
back to children” and has combined a message with an illusion in the show to spread the news.
The magician’s ambitious nation wide tour makes history in that this is the first time a South
African magician will tour the country with a theatre show, combining magic, mentalism and
comedy. The show will then travel internationally. Tickets for “MO MAGIC” are available
through Webtickets and bookings are now open.

Venue: The Fringe at Joburg Theatre
163 Civic Boulevard, Braamfontein 2017, South Africa
Performance Dates: Thursday 20 October - Sunday 23 October
Performance Times: Thursday - Saturday 7:30pm Sunday 2pm
Running Time: 1h30min (No Interval)
Tickets: R150 available via webtickets.co.za or joburgtheatre.com
No under 6s & No Admittance After Start of Performance
Press & Show Queries: bookings@momagic.co.za www.momagic.co.za