#ReggaeAgainstRapeNAbuse

Pledge your support through the creative and artistic milieu, by attending the Reggae Against Rape and Abuse concert, taking place May 4 at Shikisa, Newtown from 12 midday to 12 Midnight. Tickets are reasonably priced and kids get it on free, so supporting this initiative isn't going to cost too much. Bring all your scene-kid friends, hippies, and other normal people too, so that art can change the way we seek to make change in the world. It's not a conference, it's a concert. Make a date.

For more information and to RSVP, just click here

A night of poetry: book launch

Reading my poems, and others, in the 16th Edition of, Botsotso Literary Journal

Literary Journal, Botsotso, edition 16 cover

Oh so very New York, or London, of Johannesburg, to shower us with snow; coinciding with the highly anticipated launch of, prominent and striving, South African literary journal, Botsotso16. My own heart had been overcome with much delight, as the evening drew near. Melville was filled, for what was, arguably, one of the coldest nights, of the 2012 winter season. News of heavy snow storms were making headlines, across the country, and every single social feed- from Twitter to BBM- showed the reaction, from Joburgers; following the heavy snow. Yet, there I sat; a little too preoccupied, with attending the book launch, in which two of my poems, would be included, than to be fussed over the snowfall. Elation is not a strong enough adjective, to describe exactly, what I felt; no other synonym thereof, would suffice either.

So much to smile about

One of the poems, on Page 66

Nadia and I, looking rather panache, before launch.

The inside of the quaint, Cafe De La Creme, right next door to, Book Lovers, on the iconic; 7th Ave (or 7de Laan, rather) began to quickly fill, with poets, poet enthusiasts, and photographers, as my friend's and I walked in; a little later than the expected time of commencement. The man, I presumed, was the MC, had already made several announcements, and later, summoned us, to front row seats. Though I was unable to spend the entire evening at the launch, while there, I did get to listen, to some of the most beautiful pieces of prose, and poetry alike. Everything was genuine, yet still surreal, and for a while, I became rather overwhelmed, and walked out, for some fresh air.

With my doll and everything more, Chanelle, at the launch

INSIDE: Sophiatown Cafe. Pre-launch coffee.

It was exactly as I had always imagined it; the people, their expressions, clothes, and even the ambiance, were in line, with what I had long associated, book launch's with. Mostly, I was thrilled to have two of my closest friends, Nadia and Chanelle, right there with me. Their support will always mean the world to me. Later, I chatted with the editor, Allan, who also handed me a complimentary copy, of his very own anthology; There are two birds at my Window, before encouraging me to continue, submitting work to Botsotso.

Our Own Black Dahlia: Murder Mystery

On a quiet, secluded hill in Los Angeles; far from the hustle and bustle of Hollywood and Malibu, Betty Bersinger and her three-year-old daughter, were strolling up the avenue, as they usually would anyway. But this morning would be different- Betty couldn't bring herself to believe it, and quickly covered her daughters eyes, after what she initially thought was a tossed-out mannequin, turned out to be the body of a young and attractive female; later identified as, Elizabeth Short (22), who had come from Boston, Massachusetts, to Los Angeles, California- hoping to pursue a career, in the fresh glitz and glamour of the Hollywood, movie scene. Her lower body had been cut from her upper body, and she was neatly placed, in a certain pose, with wires, and "clown-like" smile cut across her face; making her mouth stay open, and only partially sewn together, with the thick wire. Also, Smart's body had been drained of blood; possibly to hide all DNA evidence, as police suggested, claiming also that, she had been murdered elsewhere (possibly inside a house) before her body was dumped, on the quiet street.

Young and Attractive; Elizabeth went to LA, searching for fame, but wound up slain, instead.

There was no indication as to who would want to kill this beautiful girl, and soon as news of the grisly murder, reached the media; the story blew out of proportion, and catapulted into a phenomena- which would see the release of several movies, books, and even television series. Who knew, Ms. Smart would achieve fame, so uncannily; posthumous? To this day, investigators are perplexed by the mystery, and though many suspects had initially been brought in, for questioning, none were incarcerated, due to lack of evidence.

Body of the, Black Dahlia; as she was later called, following the  fad around the murder.

In Johannesburg, South Africa, on the 16 August 1949; a young girl, drawn toward the metro-infused glamour and glitz of Joburg, dining and socialising with the upper-class cohort of the then, divided country, was found murdered, in a field in the Johannesburg suburb, Birdhaven.

Pictured: Bubbles Shroeder in her prime

Her murder quickly emerged at the core of realistic narrative; cementing her death in the minds of those who were around then, for a very long time. Later, two men who had reportedly been seen with the girl, later identified as the voluptuous and dreamy, Jennifer De Klerk (18), known simply as, Bubbles, were charged, but then later acquitted, since the case rested, predominantly on circumstantial evidence. 

This week at Gallery AOP, at 44 Stanley; artist, Kathryn Smith, has set up an incident room, with images, videos and documents, etc; featuring years of research and facts, compiled and exhibited, to reconstruct that gloomy day, back in 1949, when Bubbles' body was first discovered.

Book: Bubbles, by Rahla Xenopoulos

In the midst of the 44 Stanley exhibition, taking place this week; a new book, titled "Bubbles" by writer, Rahla Xenoupolus, offers a creatively inspired, fictional tale- told alongside the facts, in a near-charming, sultry, and first-person account, with the dark lingering in the undertone of the narrative. 

Bubbles by Rahla Xenopoulus is published by Penguin and can be purchased at any good book store out there.

Incident Room, an exhibition by Kathryn Smith

at 44 Stanley, Johannesburg (close to the SABC and Melville)

Times: 14h00- 17h00; daily, to discuss the case

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Personal Note:

I don't know, but I see so many similarities between these two cases; the themes of escapism, and the notion of beauty and fame, having devastating consequences, are present in both cases. Elizabeth Short, like, Bubbles Shroeder, were both attractive, aspirant, young and socialite-cum-celebutante silhouettes, who even while still alive, left a lot of mystery in their wake. Posthumously, however, both were achieved grander heights of fame, with staggering amounts of news coverage, adoption and adaptation from creative geniuses, all over, scratching their heads, in anticipation of a case, such as the Black Dahlia Murders. 

14th "ENCOUNTERS" South African International Documentary Festival

The Encounters, South African International Documentary Festival return this year, from the 7 to 24 June, in Cape Town, and Johannesburg. About 29 international, and 22 locally produced, South African films will be screened during the festival, at different venues across the two major cities; venues such as, The Fugard Theatre in Cape Town, and The Bioscope in Johannesburg- sharing a complex with the modern-cum-art, Art Decadence Hotel at the heart of Johannesburg's arts & culture arena.

There's a great selection of films to be screened, and even just by the titles, you are sure to be enthralled, and have something to speak about for a long time. The festival draws the attention of ardent movie-goers, passionate filmmakers, writers, and actors alike, while also remaining open enough to attract general, scene-seeking people.

Some of the films I would recommend, and those I am dying to see are; the world premiere of, Cocaine, Suicide and the Meaning of Life, by Riaan Hendricks. Jumu'a : The Gathering, by Dylan Valley also looks like a really interesting film. The other three are; Anne Frank Remembered (documentary), Call Me Kuchu by Katherine Fairfax Wright & Malika Zouholi, which is a film centred around one man's campaign for Gay Rights in Uganda, who ultimately ends up getting murdered by the regime. And last, but not least, The Cut by Beryl Magoko; revolving around the issue of female genital mutilation in Uganda. These are the titles I am most looking forward to seeing, although there are so many others I wish I could see too.

Ticket prices range from R40 onward, and can be purchased through The Fugard theatre box office, Computicket, and The Bioscope.

For further information pertaining to the festival, click here

Source: www.encounters.co.za

The Index finger of the City.

I attended a party recently;

My friend's gorgeous affair

took place upon the roof'

of the Johannesburg, Art Decadence Hotel

The hotel breathes the breath of the glamorous,

and captivates, while it allures the senses,

the true essence of life atop a city.

Johannesburg is the city of art,

Johannesburg is the city most close to my yearning heart.

A view from the top; a look at the city just as the sun set.

Mild darkness. Half-day, half-night; a two-faced moment, like being in two places at the time, I, along

with these buildings, were caught in two time spaces, at the same time.

A vintage touch to a modern city. 

During the early afternoon. The air smelled of excitement, and feelings most unexplained. 

Clouds amassed to conceal, at least partially, the fancy tops of some buildings.

That tower stands out, most stall.

That tower is the index finger of the city.

© Raeez Jacobs Photography. 2012. All Rights Reserved.

My Johannesburg: City of Gold

These are images I took of Johannesburg. There are more but unfortunately they're all gone now; since my iPhone was stolen not so long ago. These two are gorgeous though, and I think they really show off my photographic skills. 

Hope you like them!