This festive season, the M-Net Channels have decorated their
schedules with plenty of sparkling entertainment. Among the additions to the
line-up are two fresh local music shows, designed to bring joy and a little
more magic to homes across South Africa on Christmas and on the first day of
the New Year.
On December 25 at 17h30 the tuxedo-ed trio of Swing City –
acclaimed musicians Loyiso Bala, Graeme Watkins and Nathan Ro – will celebrate
special times with M-Net 101 viewers in the first of a series of shows, called M-Net & Friends, filmed at the State
Theatre in Pretoria. While the trio will belt out the biggest holiday hits, plus
some of the classics of the swing era, they will also be joined by other
well-known musicians they love and admire, including Shoowop Shop (Tamara Dey,
Mickhale Jones and Mariechan Luiters), Heinz Winckler, Chiano Sky and the
18-piece Johannesburg Big Band.
The M-Net &
Friends Swing City show is packed with laughs, good cheer, trumpets,
trombones and saxophones - and of
course, music from Swing City’s new album Well
Swung! Fans should look out for a moving version of SomerKersfees by Heinz, as well as a cheeky rendition of Santa Baby by the ravishing Chiano Sky.
Meanwhile Loyiso Bala’s effortless Thula
Thula will touch many hearts.
On January 1, same time same place, the Parlotones will
blast off the New Year with the their powerhouse M-Net & Friends special. Featuring guests such as the talented
string quartet, The Muses, Vusi Mahlasela and Khuli Chana, backed by Ghanaian
heavyweight Sarkodie, the show also sees inimitable Afrikaans rapper Jack Parow
swap hats and share the stage with Kahn (cleverly dubbed The Parowtones). In
addition, musical genius Dan Patlansky shows just why he’s been named one of
the world’s best guitarists, while The Voice SAseason one winner Richard
Stirton will join his mentor and coach on stage, too. Along the way, host
Kahn’s chit-chats with his guests will also allow fans to get to know the stars
a little better.
“M-Net commissioned these music specials as a special gift
to our viewers”, says M-Net’s Head of Publicity, Lani Lombard. “At the same
time, it allows us to shine the spotlight on incredible South African talent.
Furthermore, we’ve really pulled out all the stops this festive season to
provide the best entertainment possible.”
Apart from the M-Net
& Friends music specials, there’s also the M-Net Inspire pop-up channel
(channel 109 on DStv Premium and Compact), featuring movies and programmes that
celebrate the triumphs of the human spirit. And, for everyone young at heart, M-Net Movies Smile, channel
105 on DStv Premium) has created Animania- a feast of animated movies for 18
hours per day.
The December 25 line-up for Animania includes the South
African film Khumba, Pooh’s Heffalump Movie, Astro Boy, Strange
Magic, Big Hero6, Tarzan and Shrek 2.
On M-Net Inspire, viewers can watch the inspiring true story Faith Like Potatoes, Summertime Christmas,
Rocky and Chef, among others.
With M-Net’s new Super Sunday movie offering, Dstv Premium
viewers can now also choose between three different premiere films on Sunday
nights. This Christmas, M-Net 101 will screen the hilarious holiday romcom, Love The Coopers, while M-Net Movies
Premierechannel 104 will be airing the acclaimed sports drama, Concussion.
For connoisseurs, the world cinema option on M-Net Edge Channel
102 is Saint Laurent, the foreign-language film exploring the life of designer,
Yves Saint Laurent.
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