Renos Nicos Spanoudes shares latest news update by Andreas Doumas (NPV representative in Greece).

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Renos Nicos Spanoudes chats to the extremely talented Zoi Liandraki together with our representative in Greece Katerina Simboni Paraskeva about her work and her new song during Saturday’s Role on Hellenic Radio. The talented singer, from Heraklion, Crete, combines sensitivity with passion and warmth, resulting in her amazing voice captivating us with her unique performance.

Ο Ρένος Νίκος Σπανούδης συνομιλεί με την εξαιρετικά ταλαντούχα Ζωή Λιανδράκη και την εκπρόσωπό μας στην Ελλάδα Κατερίνα Σιμπόνη Παρασκευά και συζητούν για τη δουλειά της Ζωής αλλά και για το νέο της τραγούδι κατά τη διάρκεια του Ρόλου του Σαββάτου στην Νέα Πανελλήνια Φωνή. Η ταλαντούχα τραγουδίστρια η οποία κατάγεται από το Ηράκλειο Κρήτης συνδυάζει την ευαισθησία με το πάθος και την θέρμη, με αποτέλεσμα η εκπληκτική της φωνή να μας καθηλώνει με την μοναδική της ερμηνεία. Ακούστε το Podcast!

https://wynk.in/music/artist/zoi-liandraki/wa_4yYatrOggg

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Renos Nicos Spanoudes chats to Darren Meltz about Queer Chorus.

The Johannesburg Queer Chorus is a 54-member strong ensemble for the LGBTQ community and its friends — meaning anybody who sees themself as an ally is welcome to join.

The JQC will have one more performance this year and will hold another round of auditions at the beginning of next year for prospective members.

For their upcoming festive performance, Starry Sky, they’ve prepared some Christmas carols, some usual numbers — even a song about Hanukkah. It’s a performance, Meltz says, that promises to bring pure joy.

• The JQC will be performing at the St Columba’s Presbyterian Church in Parkview on December 4 at 5.30pm. For tickets, to donate to their fundraising initiative or to find out more about the JQC, visit jqc.org.za.

The Johannesburg Queer Chorus presents STARRY SKY 2022. A performance in celebration of our collective universal rhythm.

https://jqc.org.za/?_ga=2.126554506.683554602.1670225621-1530719992.1600766592.

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Renos Nicos Spanoudes chats to female entrepreneurs, Megan Robinson and Stacey Brittain about Bundle-Up.

Bundle-Up thinks out of the bos – femaile entrepreneurs launch subscription lifestyle bosing company with new parents in mind. Not only is the concept a perfect match for any bundle of joy, but it is also a clever business idea that promises to take the baby gifting industry to a whole new level.

Their combined expertise ensures the products included in the boses are exactly what you need from a developmental perspective with locally made products stimulating local economy.

All items are sustainable in support of the move away from plastic to wood with the goal of preserving our environment.

These unique boxes are packed with milestone – appropriate tricks and treats to stimulate baby right from the new born stage which are delivered to expectant mothers on a monthly basis. These beautifully curated boxes present the perfect bled of convenience and keen anticipation.

It’s exactly what new parents need, when they need it – with detailed instructions to help them understand why their need it.

https://www.quickread.co.za/bundle-up-thinks-out-of-the-box/

https://www.facebook.com/bundleupsa/

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Renos Nicos Spanoudes chats to Kaige Bertasso, former Love Island SA contestant finds true love in music.

From reality star to muso, Love Island’s Kaige Bertasso drops his first single on all major platforms.

Although the 23-year-old Durban native did not find love on the show, it acted as a catalyst to finding his true love, music, and the release of his debut single, Finding Me. Kaige says “Music has been a part of my life for as long as I can remember, I grew up playing the guitar, reading sheet music and learnt how to DJ at the age of 12. It is something that was always a part of my life however with tennis being my main point of interest, music took a back seat,” says Bertasso who gained notoriety when he became the first contestant on M-Net’s popular reality TV series, Love Island SA, to leave the show voluntarily, due to his mental health which was the reason for his departure.

“The single is an electronic dance song with a touch of house music. It masks the pain in the beginning and allows for a happy build into Finding Me. This summer hit will have people bobbing their heads as it echoes familiar narratives with them. Making this track has grown me and that growth has seamlessly infused itself into the sound which represents the cycle of growth. When we find our healing, we find our happiness.” says Bertasso.

“What I’m most excited about is for people to hear and know my story. I like most of us have been through so much and the hard part of it has birthed this creativity within me. I want people to know that they are not alone and they too can find happiness even in the worst.”

Finding Me is available on all major digital platforms now.

You can stream the single here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=rAc4VFlG4ng

SOCIAL MEDIA DETAILS:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/land_of_kaige/?hl=en

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Renos Nicos Spanoudes interviews Durban-based actress, Katishcka Kiara, who portrays the role of Pauline in the Netflix series, Blood & Water.  She is a 24-year-old South African actress, model and influencer who studied at AFDA Durban, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Live Performance.

Katishchka plays the character of Pauline. She has subsequently shot another Netflix series (post-filming season three of Blood & Water in March-May 2022). The upcoming Netflix series, 'The Hive' is directed by Gareth Crocker & Nick Wolmarans. This is set to air in 2023 on Netflix. Increased accurate representation of Indian females in the media and entertainment industry is one of the main reasons that Katishcka got into the industry. She wants to add to the inclusion of Indian faces and Indian stories into narratives and represent them authentically. She is currently the only Indian cast member in the main cast of 'Blood & Water'.

After graduating, Katishcka starred in the short film, 'Slumber Party' directed by Palesa Lebona which was part of the National Film and Video Foundation's Female Filmmaker's Project. The film aired on SABC 1 in 2019 and is currently available for streaming on Showmax.

Her big break came in 2021 when she was cast in the second season of 'Blood & Water' on Netflix; a highly successful Netflix South Africa original that aired worldwide and was trending in the top 10 shows on Netflix internationally.

Katishcka has also starred in a featured role in an upcoming Amazon series, 'The Power' which is created by the creators of 'The Handmaid's Tale'.

On the content creation and influencer front, Katishcka collaborates and partners with brands like Netflix, Sorbet, Edgars, The ARC Store, Krispy Kreme, amongst others, to create content on Instagram and TikTok. Her TikTok following is at 11,2K and her highest viewed TikTok video is at 795K views; which is part of a popular content series that she created for TikTok called; “Indian Families”.

Katishcka is currently based in Durban but frequently works in Cape Town and Johannesburg. Other hobbies include: being really good at accents (British, American, Australian, Indian, Irish), yoga/fitness and meditation.

Katishcka is passionate about sharing her mental health journey with anxiety and depression and how spirituality and lifestyle changes have helped her.

https://www.timeslive.co.za/tshisa-live/tshisa-live/2021-09-20-durban-actress-a-new-face-on-netflix-hit-series-blood--water/

Katishcka Kiara (@katishcka) • Instagram photos and videos

https://www.facebook.com/katishcka/

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Renos Nicos Spanoudes chats to Des Lidberg about his new book Every Day Is An Opening Night - Our Journey Together (Paperback).

Both a deeply personal memoir and a glimpse into their socio- political activism, Every Day Is An Opening Night by Des and Dawn Lindberg documents the joys and challenges of a lifetime in South African theatre – as musicians, performers, song writers, stage designers, managers, impresarios and ultimately legends of the entertainment industry.

The book traces the duo’s 55-year career, from singing folk songs in the Troubadour coffee-bar in Johannesburg to taking their “Folk on Trek” shows on tour across South Africa and (then) Rhodesia, and producing and performing in major musicals all over southern Africa. Highlights of their story include their controversial multiracial production of Godspell, the duo’s legendary Sunday-night Soirées and the founding of the annual Naledi Theatre Awards, now in their 18th year.

Their story unfolds during a turbulent era in South Africa’s history: a time when local unrest, international opprobrium, sanctions and an intransigent government combined to create a challenging environment for artistes. Along the way, they worked with famous musicians, endured Special Branch attention, had their albums banned, won and lost court-cases… and quietly persevered, undaunted, as musical anti-apartheid activists. Their friends and collaborators constitute a roll call of some of the best-loved personalities in the arts and show business, from Jeremy Taylor and Mark Banks to Johnny Clegg and John Kani, with appearances by the legendary Taubie Kushlick, Pieter-Dirk Uys, author Gordon Forbes, pianist Richard Clayderman and UK comedian Spike Milligan. The reminiscences are told with a light touch – sometimes poignant, frequently funny – and enhanced by a generous gallery of photographs.

While the original manuscript was completed before the tragic loss of Dawn in December 2020, the book now stands in honour of her life, telling the tale of two pioneers of South African entertainment in their own words. As Des writes in the coda: “If this book achieves nothing else, I am determined that it will help me to sign off on our story in a way that does justice to the extraordinary leader, wife, mother, partner and lover Dawn was. Our story is a joyful one, and we tell it together as a celebration of life.”

https://www.loot.co.za/product/every-day-is-an-opening-night/vdmp-7280-g980

https://www.desdawn.co.za/about-us/

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Renos Nicos Spanoudes chats to Josh Lindberg (Director) and Daniel Geddes (Actor) about the Olivier Award nominated play ‘Cruise' for six shows only at Theatre Linden in Johannesburg from Tuesday 6th – Sunday 11th December 2022.

Presented by HIV@40 and starring Daniel Geddes, Cruise is “an emotional roller-coaster without ever once losing its hold on your attention” – Evening Standard. Cruise is the true story of what should have been Michael Spencer’s last night on earth. When diagnosed with HIV in 1984 , Michael is told he will have four years left to live. So, with the clock ticking, he and his partner Dave decide to sell their house, flog the car and spend everything and party like it is the last days of the world.

Cruise opened in the West End of London in the thick of the Covid-19 Pandemic and was the first play to surface out of the pandemic. It ran for a month at The Duchess Theatre and due to popular demand and rave reviews, transferred to the Apollo Theatre in the West End, closing in September 2022. This South African production of Cruise is directed by Josh Lindberg, with original music by Roelof Colyn, set design by Wilhelm Disbergen, lighting by Jane Gosnell and produced by Colin Law with funding grants from the NAC , Department of Sports, Arts and Culture , PESP and AfroAsia Philanthropy (Thailand). Cruise stars the inimitable Daniel Geddes in the re-staging of the Jack Holden original work.

Daniel Geddes adds; “I’m super excited and honoured to be sinking my teeth into this incredible role. This Olivier nominated play is so important, and I can’t wait for South African audiences to see Jack’s amazing work for the first time this December.”

https://www.inyourpocket.com/johannesburg/cruise-at-theatre-linden_27578e

https://www.quicket.co.za/events/196625-cruise/?ref=events-list#/

thetheatrelinden.co.za/facebook.com/thetheatrelinden

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Renos Nicos Spanoudes chats to Nadia Virasamy, about Moving into Dance which celebrates the Katlehong Community Dance Initiative (KCDI) on December 3rd.

The Katlehong Community Dance Initiative (KCDI) is a partnership between acclaimed dance training provider and professional dance company, the Moving into Dance Trust (a Non-for-profit) and the Ithuba Community College (ICC). Situated with the community, ICC has been a beacon of hope for academically minded youngsters who are striving to go beyond their current socio-economic situations.

Nadia Virasamy, CEO of MID said: “The KCDI was essentially about providing children and youth in the area a form of recreation through dance also to inspire them to drive employment opportunities through the performing arts. This is what we set out to do ad this is what we have achieved. Having worked with more than 800 children and youth per week has truly gone beyond all our expectations but it has shown us the hunger for the arts in the area”.

The project for this year draws to a close in December and will be celebrated through a final performance at the Zonkizizwe Community Hall on 3 December 2022 at 13h00 called Dance Katlehong! Entrance is free.

The community is encouraged to show their support to the youth of Katlehong by attending.

https://www.facebook.com/Movingintodance78/

#IVET

#entrepreneurshipeducation

#primaryschool #ICCJHB

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