Luxe Noir ... Aiwekhoe Iyahen

"Our magazine celebrates the wealth of creativity, diverse traditions and the rich cultural resonance of artistic expressions from the African continent and her vast diaspora," says  Aiwekhoe Iyahen, Editor-in-Chief and Founder of Luxe Noir Magazine, on the iStart2 Show this week.

Luxe Noir is a biannual magazine dedicated to promoting contemporary African art, design and travel. "Our magazine entertains and educates, but most importantly, it adds a fresh African perspective to the world of creative publications. In so doing, we hope to cultivate a richer, more diverse narrative on African art, design and travel."

ON ARTISTIC EXPRESSION

"The arts are a window to our soul. They express both our individual and collective stories and help to shape our identity. Our features explore the works of artists who continue the tremendously rich legacy of artistic story-telling in all its forms on the continent."

ON CRAFTSMANSHIP & DESIGN

"Craftsmen, designers and artists are the guardians of our creative heritage. In our magazine, we delve deep, exploring the value of their creative ideas, their processes and the traditions that continue to inspire African makers in a rapidly changing world."

ON TRAVEL

"We journey across the African continent to bring you interesting and unusual travel features. Through our words and our photographs, we showcase the old, the new and virtually unknown -forcing you to view this vast continent in a fresh and authentic way."

Join Aiwekhoe, as she begins what will be a captivating journey. Listen to her story.

Upcoming show:

#iStart2Sing presents "Kreet van Afrika - Cry of Africa"

Join us in celebrating the power of some of South Africa`s musical icons in a showcase of the magic that happens when musicians with seemingly different cultural backgrounds take hands to create and play music together. Pops Mohamed, Coenie de Villiers, Somerfaan, Dudu Majola, Decca, Ashish Joshi, Poorvhi Bhana, Luna Paige, Decca and the beating drums of Sankobo Afrique are lined up to create a magical evening of beautiful music on Friday, 25 November 2016.

 

Bookings now open here.

Cry of Africa - Kreet van Afrika ... Atterbury Theatre - 25 November 2016

Celebrating the Magic of Beautiful South African Music!  

 

The Cry of Africa sees top Afrikaans and Pan African together on one stage for the first time.

Music has always been an integral part of the fabric of life in Africa, but the different genres and styles of its diverse cultures are rarely seen performed in one venue. his is about to change when musicians from seemingly disparate backgrounds come together on one stage on 25 November for the last iStart2 performance for 2016.

The Cry of Africa or its Afrikaans title, Die Kreet van Afrika, is on at the Atterbury Theatre in Pretoria for one night only. Presented by iStart2, an initiative that has created a platform for people to join hands across cultural boundaries, this performance showcases musicians from Afrikaans, Indian, Southern African and Pan-African backgrounds. 

iStart2’s aim is to connect and to create practical solutions for a more sustainable future through the arts and to creatively communicate the message of sustainability to its audiences. 

Legendary multi-instrumental jazz musician Pops Mohamed is the golden thread that weaves its way through a unique musical line-up that includes singer-songwriter Coenie de Villiers, rising star Dudu Majola, alternative Afrikaans artist Somerfaan, the West African drumming sensation Sankobo Afrique, and Decca, duo Herman Steyn and Douw Steyn.

“See something unique... hear the sounds of the Kalahari ... experience the past and meet the future,” says Coenie de Villiers. “I listen to an immense amount of indigenous and African music and I respect Pops’s work very deeply. It touches me. Pops really is an idol for me. If we can move the world as artists we can create a better world for all of us.”

Join us in celebrating the power of some of South Africa`s musical icons in a showcase of the magic that happens when musicians with seemingly different cultural backgrounds take hands to create and play music together. Pops Mohamed, Coenie de Villiers, Somerfaan, Dudu Majola, Ashish Joshi, Deca, Poorvhi Bhana, Luna Paige and the beating drums of Sankobo Afrique are lined up to create a magical evening of beautiful music on Friday, 25 November 2016. Artspoken from Soshanguve and Vangi Gantsho will complete the line-up! Experience uniqueness! 

Venue: Atterbury Theatre, Daventrystraat 4, Lynnwood, Pretoria
(Cnr Lynnwood Drive and Daventry Street)

Time: 20h00

Date: 25 November 2016

Cost: R160 per ticket

Tickets available from Computicket here from Friday 28 October 2016.

Sustainability Conversations ... DiCaprio's Before The Flood (Watch it FREE)

"Try to talk to anyone about climate change and people just tune out," says Leonardo DiCaprio. We wanted to create a film that gave people a sense of urgency, that made them understand what particular things are going to solve this problem."

Before the Flood, a new feature-length documentary, presented and produced by Leonardo DiCaprio can be viewed FREE on 30 October 2016. Over the last three years, DiCaprio travelled the globe to explore the effects of climate change on the planet and its inhabitants.

While filming the documentary 'Before the Flood' DiCaprio gained insights from scientists, activists and world leaders on the massive global challenge that is climate change. His collection of interviews in the film—ranging from President Obama and the Pope through to Elon Musk and Piers Sellars—cover the science, impacts, vested interests, politics and possible solutions.

What has changed in the time since DiCaprio received Al Gore's climate lesson in An Inconvenient Truth just over 10 years ago?

Says DiCaprio, "Everyone was focused on small individual actions [back then]. Boiled down to simple solutions such as changing a light bulb. It's pretty clear that we are way beyond that now. Things have taken a massive turn for the worse."

Before the Flood Trailer

National Geographic, aiming to spread the word, will air 'Before the Flood' in 171 countires and in 45 languages on 30 October 2016.

Catch the film on Youtube, Facebook, Twitter, iTunes and Google Play for FREE

A lot has been happening in 2016 in the war on climate change. Looking at some of the headlines featured on the topic makes one realize that we need to take collective action as a matter of urgency. Get up-to-date with climate change in the world and SA - more info in articles below:

- World on track to loose two-thirds of wild animals by 2020 (source here)
- World's wildlife being pushed to the limits (in pictures) (here)
- South Africans urged to preserve indigenous plants, trees (here)
- If we ate climate change, would we understand it better? (here)

Nuclear deal is nothing but a fool's gamble with our future - Jay Naidoo. 

Read his article in the Sunday Times here.

Luxe Noir is a biannual magazine dedicated to promoting contemporary African art, design and travel. Produced in Johannesburg, South Africa, this magazine celebrates the wealth of creativity, diverse traditions and the rich cultural resonance of artistic expressions from the African continent and her vast diaspora. We chat to founder and Editor-in-Chief Aiwekhoe Lyahen on the iStart2 Show this week.

THE iStart2 SHOW

Keitu Gwangwa & Pierre du Toit host the iStart2 Show on Thursdays at 17h30. Radio Today broadcasts on 1485 MW (AM) in greater Johannesburg and countrywide on ‪#‎DStv‬ audio channel 869.

Radio Today also streams globally on www.1485.org.za. 

Upcoming iStart2 Show "Cry of Africa" at the Atterbury Theatre 
25 November 2016
Pops Mohamed, Coenie de Villiers and friends
See you there!

Writing's on the Wall ... Hennie Cloete

"We have not grown a population of entrepreneurs in South Africa. People generally believe they must be wage earners. The till must open on the 25th of each month," says Hennie Cloete on the iStart2 Show this week.

Hennie Cloete is inspired by entrepreneurship and the challenges we face in South Africa. He questions issues like why people cling to security, why we are scared to break the "rules" and operate outside our comfort zones and has definite opinions on reasons why many people see themselves as helpless wage earners.  An appetite for risk and passion for your dream are the most important characteristics he looks for when helping and mentoring prospective entrepreneurs. 

"The most valuable lessons I have learnt was through failures," says Hennie. "You might find me without money but NEVER without a plan." Hennie is CEO of Tholo Management Services and is passionate about helping entrepreneurs grow.

Hennie is adament that we must think differently about water and how we use water. "Water is a big issue. I started rainwater harvesting at home. My urban farm is growing at a rapid rate. I am trying to build an urban farm in my backyard. We will be able to feed my family and even be able to give some to friends and family."

Hear what this highly passionate, talented and remarkable entrepreneur has to say - just click play below:

Thought of the Day:

Upcoming event:

Place: Atterbury Theatre
Date: 25 November 2016 at 20h00
#iStart2Sing presents an evening of musical excellence
Artists: Coenie de Villiers, Pops Mohamed, Somerfaan, Sankobo Afrique, Ashish Joshi, Poorvhi Bhana, Dudu Majola, Luna Paige & Decca.

See you there!