South Africa

10 Things in New York City the Phoenix Food Scene Will Never Have

Arizona has an up-and-coming food scene, and there's a lot to be proud of, for sure. But when Chow Bella published a list of things that make Phoenix a better food town than New York City, I just had to laugh. The difference in size alone makes the two incomparable. Since moving back to New York six ... More >>

1960s Folk Artist Rodriguez Re-Emerges

Ladysmith Black Mambazo @ Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts

Water Buffalo and Donkey Found In South African Mystery Meat

As if the horror across the pond concerning horse meat wasn't enough, a recent study has revealed that more than two-thirds of the processed meat in South Africa is contaminated with, well, a lot of things. Meat scientists who conducted the testing estimated that fully 68 percent of the processed me ... More >>

KONGOS' "Hey I Don't Know" Video Shows the Band's Live Power

The influence of tribal African sounds comes through in KONGOS' music, so it makes sense the local band pays homage to South Africa in their latest video. The band took footage from a string of five performances there from the past year for a dynamite video called "Hey I Don't Know," off their album ... More >>

My Wine Cellar & Bistro Hosting 2nd Annual Wine Festival

If you enjoy wine tastings on a giant scale, you'll want to attend My Wine Cellar & Bistro's second annual wine festival. Happening November 18, the festival will feature 20 wine samples poured by four wine distributors, as well as live outdoor music. See also: - Best Place to Sniff a Cork - 5 Wa ... More >>

10 Favorite Concerts of the Summer

We don't want to jinx it, but a string of cooler nights and balmy afternoons has us feeling comfortable saying "Summer's done." The festival season has come to a close, and it's time to unpack that neglected denim and put away your jorts and Coachella Crocs for the season. Of course, this summer r ... More >>

Kongos at Crescent Ballroom, 7/20/12

Kongos Crescent Ballroom Friday, July 20, 2012 See also: Kongos Are Huge in South Africa -- Is Phoenix Next? See also: Kongos on the Cutting Room Floor See also: Take Cover: The Rolling Blackouts Cover the Kongos So it looks like not even the transplanted Phoenix-via-South Africa rock 'n' roll ban ... More >>

Top Five Must-See Shows This Week

Curious about what's going on around town this weekend? Need some suggestions as to how to rock, dance, or krump in the Valley of the Sun? Don't fret: These are our Five Shows to See This Weekend.

Kongos on the Cutting Room Floor

See also: Kongos are Huge in South Africa. Is Phoenix Next? See also: The Serene Dominic Show: Kongos Tear it Up Back and forth banter that didn't find its way in this week's New Times article on Kongos finds its way to you now, courtesy of Up On the Sun. Among the topics open for discussion: swe ... More >>

Take Cover: The Rolling Blackouts Cover Kongos

See also: Kongos are Huge in South Africa. Is Phoenix Next? See also: The Serene Dominic Show: Kongos Tear it Up Are you stoked for Kongos' album release party tonight? Well, you should be. The band's latest album, Lunatic is doing quite well in South Africa. Banana Gun, Iamwe, and Future Loves Pas ... More >>

Kongos Are Huge in South Africa -- Is Phoenix Next?

81: Andrea White

From now 'til we publish the 2012 edition of Best of Phoenix, New Times and Chow Bella present 100 Tastemakers -- Valley residents who make the cut in our culinary scene. Some you'll know; for others, it'll be a first introduction (but likely not the last). While you're here, check out our 100 Creat ... More >>

The Valley's Dining Scene Has Plenty to Love

Laura Hahnefeld's Year in Food: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly

​In addition to food trucks making the scene in a big way in 2011 (see the article here), the year in food for the Valley was chock-full of other newsworthy goodies as well -- even chef Payton Curry managed to slip in a last-minute announcement. Here are a few of Laura's favorites:10. Chefs o ... More >>

Top 10 Bread Bakeries in Greater Phoenix

​Bread, often equivalent to the word "food," is an indispensable staple in many parts of the world. Throughout history -- in religion, magic, and custom -- this deceptively simple foodstuff has ensured a seat at our table of survival. Where to find some of the best of it in the Valley? Here ar ... More >>

Kongos @ Crescent Ballroom

The Serene Dominic Show Version 2.0: Kongos

​One of the advantages of being older than dirt is seeing some of your New Times predictions come true. Luckily this one didn't take too long. I anticipated big things for these four brothers from South Africa, who call themselves KONGOS, when I first wrote about them in 2007. So it has been n ... More >>

KONGOS Explains "I'm Only Joking"

​Later this month local rock quartet, Kongos will be performing at KWSS FM's benefit concert in hopes of salvaging the floundering independent radio station. The station has been instrumental in helping the band gain notoriety on the home front, and the band of brothers is eager to do their p ... More >>

Renegade Canteen's First Anniversary and Banana Cream Pie in Today's Eater's Digest

simply-delicious.co.za​ Hungry for your early morning serving of food news, with no preservatives or additives?Happy Anniversary! Today marks the one year anniversary of North Scottsdale Restaurant, Renegade Canteen. Congratulations! The upscale eatery is celebrating by throwing a birthday bash co ... More >>

DJ Solarize Passes Away at 26

Leon Botha, who is often associated with Die Antwoord, has passed away from complications with progeria, according to Stereogum.Botha is also known as DJ Solarize. He's known for being a prominent visual artist in Cape Town, South Africa, as well. He appeared in South African hip-hop duo Die Antwoor ... More >>

Saffron Kitchen Pies: Last Farmers' Market Appearance 'til Fall

Saffron Kitchen Your average pot pie pales in comparison to Andrea White's made-with-love version.​Andrea White of Saffron Kitchen has made a name for herself dishing up Sexy and Sassy pies at farmers' markets around town. If you're a regular, you've probably sampled her flaky, buttery crus ... More >>

Fine Toons

Up-and-Coming Wines: Trendy Blends and Rebounding Regions

UNCORK THE ISSUE: Trend-spotting wines is a talent that eludes us, so we instead pick the brains of the most in-the-know wine gurus (see last week's mention of The Scholium Project Wines). This week, we ask Wine Goddesses Katherine Conrad and Erin Giarda of Arcadia Fine Wine for the answers in broad ... More >>

Abri Van Straten Talks About the Function of Art, Being Married to Kristin Bauer, and His Upcoming Performance at Phoenix Comicon

Jasmin KuhnAbri Van Straten​If you've looked at the musical artists lined up to play at Phoenix Comicon next weekend, you may have noticed that one of these things is not like the others. That would be singer-songwriter Abri Van Straten, whose picturesque acoustic folk songs contrast starkly with ... More >>

Saffron Kitchen Pops Up with a South African One-Night-Only Dinner

​If you frequent local farmers' markets, no doubt you've been tempted by Andrea White's sassy, swanky, sexy (can you tell we love her names?!) Saffron Kitchen pies. Now White is presenting a one-night pop up dinner, Thursday, May 19, at Cycle, called "Ubuntu in Phoenix." The price ... More >>

Lion Meat is Back on the Plate in Arizona

Hold your picket signs, people. The folks at Mesa's Il Vinaio are not serving lion meat again. After last year's uproar, when owner Cameron Selogie started serving lion burgers as a special for the World Cup (um, do they really even eat lion in South Africa?), the restaurant started getting pr ... More >>

Die Antwoord Has Five Albums Already Planned

​South African hip-hop group Die Antwoord has five albums up its sleeve that are ready to go, according to Consequence of Sound.The first album in their line of releases is $O$, which they named "because if we didn't make it with this album we were gonna be f*cked," Ninja said.The second album has ... More >>

Andrea Kretzmann of Saffron Kitchen

Photo courtesy of Lizzie Kimball via Andrea Kretzmann​ The business: Saffron Kitchen What they're packin': Meat and vegetable pies with a South African flair Where you can find them: More Valley farmers' markets will be added soon. Find your fix on Thursdays at the Market at Hayden Station P ... More >>

The Parlotones on Dancing, Politics and Making it in America

​Chances are few in the crowd at Arizona Fall Frenzy will have heard of The Parlotones but, believe it or not, they've sold more records than The Killers, U2, and Coldplay.In their native South Africa, at least.Like X-Japan, this band who's huge on the other side of the world -- as in, they sell t ... More >>

2010 World Cup: USA vs. Ghana

World Cup Theme by Shakira Plagiarized?

While Americans don't take to football ("soccer" in our land) the way the rest of the world does, there's something special about the World Cup. Something so special, that even musicians can't help put take part in all the excitement. While R. Kelly wrote an official theme for the global quadrennial ... More >>

Cat Cora: Part 2 of Our Interview With the Iron Chef

​Yesterday, we gave you an appetizer for next week's main dish: a Chow Bella- and Changing Hands-hosted booksigning with Iron Chef and cookbook dynamo Cat Cora, who's currently touring the country to promote Cat Cora's Classics With a Twist. She'll be at the bookstore at 7 p.m. on June 23, a ... More >>

A Reason To Watch the U.S. in the World Cup: Phoenix Product Robbie Findley

lasoccernews.com​The pageantry, spirit and global fascination should be enough to get even casual soccer fans to plop down and watch a game or two of the 2010 FIFA World Cup. But if it somehow isn't, there is a local connection between Valley residents and the iconic tournament being played ... More >>

More Than 50 Grammy Winners Perform in the Same Room on the Same Night. Who Wins?

Jen RogersThe Phoenix Chorale tearing up Seattle.​If you believe that record sales equal musical relevance, then you may think that classical music -- which accounted for less than 3 percent of all record sales in 2009 -- needs to be locked up in some museum archive along with the dinosaur bones. ... More >>

Arizona's Down on Brown and Suffering Economically; Plus, Tohono O'odham Chairman Ned Norris Finally Gets in Touch

You Do Not Hate Dave Matthews

Red-Hot, White, and Brown

Canadian-Indian comic seeks world domination

Ladysmith Black Mambazo celebrates Zulu tradition

Brotherly Love

The Kongo's musical dynasty

History Lessons

The story of an ’80s anti-apartheid activist carries overtones of the present

Get Down With Dave

Chappelle returns with a raucous Party

Love, African Style

Drama devolves into romance

Rise Against, and Tsunami Bomb

Punk with a conscience

Out of Africa

A show of works by William Kentridge

Spender Bender

Campaign contributions buy the strangest things

Quilt Trip

Hope Opera

Fugard's Valley Song keys into South African optimism

Night Train

Apartheid and Seek