Elvis the Greatest Tribute show by Shaky Russell

Shaky Russell who is an extremely talented artist in South Africa hales from a small Indian town called Lenasia. A man who humbles himself wherever he performs or Mc’s. His talent has been recognized worldwide and travels around the globe to perform with his team called the Shaky Russell and Team which consists of vocalists and musicians who travel across South Africa and worldwide with him.

Russell has the look-a-like of the phenomenal late singer Elvis Presley performed on Sunday (18th August 2019) at The Theatre of Marcellus, Emperors Place in a sold-out show called The Greatest Tribute Show – Elvis.

The show was brought to you by Shaky Russell and Team in conjunction with Panache Promotions and Events. The venue packed with the great legend Elvis Presley lovers including the marvelous Shaky Russell were taken back to the 20th century music of the 50’s, 60’s and 70’s. The vibration from the ground and stage was remarkable as the crowd were tangling in their seat hearing the astonishing voice and acts of Russell as the talented Presley who has left behind the meaning of music. 

No one would recognize Russell when he performs on stage as the icon Presley. The crowd were dancing, singing, clapping and in tears rolling down their soft cheeks as Russell took them down memory lane. He walked through the audience singing and had the pleasure of a Presley fan who sang with Russell. Fans were going crazy for him as got excited hugging and jumping to get a glimpse of a handsome hunk during his tremendous performance. 

Percentage of proceeds will go towards Project O Foundation.

Russell whose unique talents tells a story on its own will always showcase his talent as voice over artist, MC, actor, and many other talented roles that he plays 

Vidya Vox in South Africa

Vidya Iyer now well known to her fans as Vidya Vox performed at the Teatro Theatre at Monte Casino on Saturday night (20th July 2019). The show was brought to you by Panache Promotions and Events and Esquire. 

This was another sold out show for Panache Promotions and Events and Esquire.

Farzana Mayet, CEO, started Panache in 2015 and did her first international show last year when she brought SANAM Boy Band in April 2018, followed by Zee stars and lil champs, Indian Idols, Vidya Vox and

Vidya Vox (29) vowed the crowed with her astonishing and extraordinary voice singing English, Hindi and Tamil songs. 

She kept the crowd dazzling on the edge of their seats. Crowd were dancing, singing and enjoying the evening.

The crowd were tantalized with her music. 

About Vidya Vox:

Vox was born in Chennai, Indian and grew up in Virginia and is currently based in Los Angeles, USA.

She studied Carnatic classical music since she was a young girl and has many amazing gurus as goes through her musical journey, including D.K. Nagarajan, brother of the late D.K. Pattamal. 

Vox is currently studying Hindustani Classical and learning Western voice lessons. Vox started her journey on Youtube in 2015 and has grown over five million fan base, travels around the globe performing with her own band called Shankar Tucker band. 

“I can't live without my headphones and the iTablaPro app. I obsess over well-decorated spaces. I don't have any cool life mottos, I just take life one day at a time,” said Vox on her Facebook fan page

Boy Band Sanam rocked Emperors Palace

India-based YouTube sensation Sanam Boy Band - performing their third concert in South Africa - rocked the audience at the Centre Court, Emperors Palace on 24h August 2019.

The band, which has six million followers on YouTube, was brought out by Blu Blood. It consists of Sanam Puri (main vocalist), Samar Puri (guitar) Venky S (guitar) and Keshav Dhanraj (drums) belted out their unique pop style of old and new songs that gave the crowd an unforgettable evening.

The audience walked away with a card that was signed by the band that was put under each seat. Drummer Keshav who set the stage on fire with his flaming percussion mallet (drumsticks) later also threw out some of these drumsticks as a memento for the audience.

The seats and floor were vibrating due to the super loud bass which is Sanam’s trademark. 

Sitaare Dance Academy and singer Ap Ka Suraj were the curtain raisers to the warm, soothing start of the show with former Lotus FM announcer Avin Moorley as the MC for the evening.

The sole singer in the band, Sanam Puri, then started off with some slow sentimental ballads from the bygone eras of Bollywood, which the crowd was slow to react to. But when he started with the upbeat pop songs, there was no holding back himself or the audience. Puri showed amazing stamina in both his voice and stage antics, performing non-stop for almost three hours. 

The band members were pleasantly surprise when Lenasia Times senior journalist Fakir Hassen presented them with a signed copy of his book ‘Milestone Inside 25 years of Democracy’, in which a picture of the band from a tour to South Africa last year features in the chapter on Music.

SOHUM - I AM

Jazzy Masala Creative, founded and directed by Versha Magan (a dancer who has more than 30-years of experience) hosted the astonishing show called Sohum – I am on 14th September 2019 at the Lyric Theatre, Gold Reef City. 

Two young talented dancers of Jazzy Masala, Shreenu Nagar and Yashika Makan choreographed for the first time and also dance 55 minutes none stop and gave a mind-blowing performance. 

Lathasha Subban, a courageous dancer did a shiva dance. The little Jazzy children outshined with their amazing dance skills and showcased their talent. Jazzy Masala has the youngest child who is just four-years-old who played the role of Lord Krishna, and performed his role with perfection.

Our new Indian Consulate General Mr. Balwant Thakur had landed few hours before the show. Thakur said, “I am mandated with bringing India to South Africa and also explore to take South Africa to India. I have come with lots of ideas and thoughts.” 

Kathak Rockers were on fire during SA Tour

The beautiful, humbled and diverse dancer Versha Magan, Director/Founder of Jazzy Masala Creative hosted the renowned Kathak Rockers who were on fire live in concert, end of July with a crowd applauding Magan’s two-day International show, which was held at the Lyric Theatre, Gold Reef City and a kathak workshop at Mulbaton Primary School two days later.

Dancers from different academies and freelance dancers were blown away by the two astonishing Kathak Rockers team which is led by the amazing duo Kumar Sharma (India) and Svetlana Tulasi (Russia) with the four dancers Anmol Sood (India), Rashi Narula (India), Eshika Choomer (India) and Rahul Sharma (India) who are part of the team and all six superstars have participated on Super Dance – Sony Tv, channel 450 and many other dance shows

The two-day show was a diverse show with kathak dance moves performed with not just Hindi music, but Kumar Sharma choreographed a dance with the song Shape of You. Sharma and Tulasi choreographed and taught the SA dance teams dance moves which were performed with the duo live on stage in just a few days. The tireless rehearsals were well learnt which kept the crowd dazzling on the edge of their seats.

Magan, Sharma, Tulasi, and all the dancers kept a smile on their faces as they performed, giving the crowd a phenomenal show.

Sharma and Tulasi also explained about kathak moves before they took the crowd by surprise with the meaning of kathak through fantastic dance moves. Kathak is a major form of Indian classical dance which is well known around the globe.

The duo didn’t leave a spot missing when fans from young to young at heart were drooling as they pushed through the crowd in the foyer to catch a picture with the team after the show.

“As witnessed on multiple platforms (including many different performance-focused reality television shows in India), Kathak Rockers inject contemporary energy and passion into this historic dance form, using the most popular and vibrant Bollywood music. An absolute treat for dancer lovers:” said Magan adding that the International acts are dancers from leading dance troupes in South Africa giving local artist a firsthand experience of working with International collaborations. The South African group is diverse and emphasizes on inter-generational inclusion that sees dancers as young as 14 years share the stage with seasoned professionals. This initiative is part of a development programme and foresee more opportunities like this for the near future.

“We experienced a performance by this troupe which lifted spirits and left audience with a lifelong love for this particular form of dance.”

More than 100 dancers from children to adults attended the workshop in Mulbarton where Sharma and Tulasi took them through beautiful dance moves. And not forget the amazing interactions and selfies from participants who could not hold their breath as they walked towards the Kathak Rockers team. All six dancers spoke to each person and answered all their questions

Magan excitedly explained: “The workshop’s aim was to promote the exchange of learning between India and South African artists - and to stimulate the development of the Kathak artform in South Africa and raise its standards of performance and practice. “

The following dancers were part of the show Shivani Govender of Desi Motion, Shreenu Nagar (Jazzy Masala), Yashika Makan (Jazzy Masala), Latasha Subban (freelance dancer), Suheena Ayrga (freelance dancer), Sanam Maharaj (freelance dancer), Ashna Day (Pravikas Kathak Kendra), Shaytala Mistry (Pravikas Kathak Kendra), Shreeya Nana (Pravikas Kathak Kendra), Sanjana Vinod (Nataka Dance Company) and Talya Roopan (Nataka Dance Company)

Land Invasion a major issue

Illegal land invasion is a major issue and source of distress to residents in Lenasia and surrounding areas. Community members of Lenasia appear fed-up with frequent, annoying acts of illegal land invasion.

Earlier today, Friday, 27th December 2019, a joint-operation was conducted by JMPD and other authorities which saw an estimated 19 unoccupied half-built structures get demolished at various sites across Lenasia, Extension 13.

I went to the scene at around 1pm to speak to some of the angry residents of these allegedly illegal dwellings that were demolished but unfortunately, a few of them who were part of a meeting held at the time became rude to me, and incredulously claimed that it is “my people who did this”, though I did not understand what they were saying or meant by such an outlandish statement. They also demanded that they want Media24’s Daily Sun newspaper to cover this ordeal and these few residents claim “it is our paper” and Lenasia Times is a paper “for your people”. Not respecting that I was simply performing my role as an impartial journalist there to help ascertain facts and fairly obtain all sides to the story, they nevertheless chased me away and I then had to run to safety as they appeared ready to start stoning me.

JMPD spokesperson Xolani Fihla explained today’s demolitions was due to a planned joint-operation involving JMPD Region G, POPs, Bylaws Unit, and SAPS POPs in Extension 13.

He said, “Approximately 19 unoccupied half-built structures were demolished. There was no resistance or violence encountered.

Fed up and frustrated residents of Ext 13 said: "Lenasia residents, extension 13, have been experiencing Land Invasion for a while now. This has inconvenience residents in many ways," adding that land-invaders have been connecting water and electricity illegally, our home values have been at risk, our streets have been vandalized, these Land invaders have been brutal and rude to the residents." Crime has been increasing, almost every corner have become a dumping site. We were at the mercy of the government and we are now greatful that there is justice in South Africa." They ended by explaining, "These Land-Invaders are people who have enough money to risk illegal buildings so they could benefit free land, so they are not people who are from the streets. Some of the houses they built are the luxury type and they drive luxury cars as we see them parked next to their illegal land and monitor their construction. This is greed and it has to be stopped."

A video of my ordeal with upset residents can be seen here 

https://www.facebook.com/lenasiatimes/videos/488399165133804/

Mohamed and Swaransh thrill Lyric Theatre

A phenomenal performance by Mohamed Faiz (11) and Swaransh Tiwari (5) of Sa Ra Ga MA Pa Zee Li'l Champs was live in a memorable show on 30th August 2019 at the Lyric Theatre, Gold Reef City. The show was brought to you Panache Promotions and Events.

Sad but unfortunate Pritam Acharya – 2nd runner up and Sugandha Date - winner were not able to perform due to food poisoning and they both shared a message to the audience stating they will return in the near future for a mind-blowing show. Zee Talent Manager Puneet Kumar also spoke to the champ’s loyal patrons and gave them an opportunity to get a picture with Faiz and Tiwari.

Both outstanding singers kept the crowd dancing, clapping and screaming for them as they sang songs from the 90s to the latest Bollywood movie songs.

Little Tiwari, a shy, sweet, humbled and talented singer at just five-years-old vowed the crowd with his talent. Whilst Faiz who could not stop smiling for over an hour while he sang, also pulled on to stage a child who danced with both singers on stage and also took a picture with the crowd requesting everyone to stand up in order for him to get a snap. 

The crowd were spellbound by both artists including the band – Ujwal Jawda (drums), Farouk Langa (dhol), Prashant Pradeep Fodka (keyboard), Prince Gogoi (bass) and Vicky Katiyar (bass).

The night was not complete with just two astonishing children and a band – the crowd were enthralled by the vibrant MC, Shaky Russell, curtain raisers Imran Aslam Mohammad (singer), Naaj Studio Dance Academy and performance by Michael Jackson look-a-like. 

Lenasia Times got an opportunity to interact with both singers and they said: "We loved the Johannesburg audience and Johannesburg." This was the champs first trip to South Africa and live performance. They performed in Durban on 7th September 2019 to an unforgettable evening brought to you by Eventz4U.

Here are some of the views from Panache’s loyal patrons:

Hemalee Chiba said: “The show was another spectacular as always. Both Mohamed Faiz and Swaransh Tiwari are so talented. I would love to have them back and they should rock it again.”

Ashendren Naidoo said: “I actually really loved the show. It was amazing and both children created a vibrant and loving atmosphere.”

Veena Morar said: “The little guy Mohamed Faiz blew the audience away with his amazing talent, confidence, and his drive captivated the audience and he is certainly a little Udit Narayan in the making. The show was charming, and the audience was left enthralled with both kids.”

Sharad Gokal said: “Mohamed Faiz together with the rocking musicians simply blew my mind away. I was simply in awe, that a child of his age has such a commanding presence on stage. I wish him all the best. The 5-year-old has a great future ahead of him.”