Latest news with #MelroseArch
The Citizen
21-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Citizen
Parktown North comedian Costa Carastavrakis brings new show to Melrose Arch
Costa Carastavrakis, a proudly local voice from Parktown North, is set to light up the stage at Melrose Arch with his bold new comedy show, Costa's Corner Kefi. Known for blending razor-sharp wit with cultural storytelling, Costa returns to the spotlight following the international success of his debut, Desperately Seeking Souvlaki. This time, he's serving up bigger laughs, deeper reflections, and the same signature charm that earned him fans at home and abroad. Carastavrakis' path to the comedy stage wasn't conventional. He found his comedic voice in his 40s, after a career that spanned corporate work, acting, writing, and a profound personal journey through addiction and recovery. His story is raw, real, and inspiring – laid bare in his memoir I Am Costa: From Meth to Marathons. For Carastavrakis, stand-up became a lifeline and a way to transform pain into punchlines. 'With proper and thorough healing, I can now make myself laugh at some of it and make others see that true healing is possible if you do the work,' he shared. Read more: Kabomo to treat audience to a night of comedy and music What began as a quiet passion quickly evolved into a calling. Today, his comedy is a captivating blend of personal anecdotes and hilarious cultural insights – a heartfelt, humorous lens into life as a Greek South African. His new show leans into this strength, inviting audiences into the delightful madness of sprawling family dynamics, fierce cultural pride, and the quirks of everyday life in Joburg. Despite his deep Greek roots, Carastavrakis' stories resonate across cultures. Whether he's recounting tales of stubborn aunties, over-the-top family dinners, or community chaos, there's a warm, familiar truth in every bit. His humour has connected with audiences in New York, Athens, Kuala Lumpur and beyond, proving that laughter is a universal language. 'People love South Africans,' he joked, 'and they love feta cheese, so my comedy's easy to digest.' Carastavrakis writes from instinct, constantly developing new material from life's little absurdities. In a country where formal comedy circuits can be limited, he trusts his gut and lets his lived experience lead the way. His ability to find light in dark places, especially in stories of addiction and recovery, gives his comedy both heart and heft. 'Humour and tragedy live side by side. And I've learnt how to dance between the two.' Also read: A celebration of uniquely South African comedy When he's off-stage, Carastavrakis finds inspiration in the streets of Rosebank, where he often people-watches for material. From overheard conversations to the theatrics of everyday city life, everything becomes potential fodder for his next big laugh. Costa's Corner Kefi promises more than just a comedy set, it's a celebration of resilience, culture, and the wonderfully chaotic ride of being human. Loud, relatable, and brimming with heart, this is Joburg comedy with a Greek twist, and your nosiest auntie is more than welcome. Show Details: Costa's Corner Kefi – A Greek Comedy Feast Venue: Melrose Arch Fire and Ice Hotel, Johannesburg Dates: Friday, May 23 at 19:30 Saturday, May 24 at 19:30 Sunday, May 25 at 16:00 Tickets: R220 at (Search: 'COSTA') Age Restriction: 16+ Instagram and TikTok: @costacomedian Ticket enquiries: Email: costa@ Follow us on our Whatsapp channel, Facebook, X, Instagram and TikTok for the latest updates and inspiration! Have a story idea? We'd love to hear from you – join our WhatsApp group and share your thoughts! Related article: Get ready to laugh it off with the best of local comedy At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
Mail & Guardian
16-05-2025
- Business
- Mail & Guardian
TCL launches new range of cutting-edge TV's in in Johannesburg
Last Thursday evening, global electronics powerhouse, TCL, launched its latest series of smart TVs – the C6K range, at a showcase held at Daytona in Melrose Arch, Johannesburg. The event, attended by media professionals, tech enthusiasts, and public figures, marking the brand's continued expansion into South Africa's premium entertainment market. The venue was transformed into a tech wonderland with ambient lighting, LED displays, and immersive product demonstrations. Upon the arrival of guests, they were ushered into a multi-room showcase where the new TVs took centre stage. The TVs themselves—sleek, ultra-thin displays with what members of the TCL team regarded as groundbreaking visual and audio features. Comparison Room and Next-Level Viewing Head of Sales for TCL South Africa, Mr. Muhammed Ebrahim addressed the attendees at the event, focusing on statistics highlighting the brand's cutting-edge All-Domain Halo Control Technology. Citing advancements in super-condensed micro lens design, super micro-OD, dynamic lighting bionic algorithms, transient response, bidirectional 23-bit processing, a 144hz refresh rate, and HVA Screen Technology, Ebrahim emphasized TCL's commitment to reinventing itself as a dominant force in consumer electronics and, reinforcing their goal to marry innovation with immersive viewing. He further explained, 'people often think affordability means compromising on quality, but TCL is proving you can deliver top-tier tech at a competitive price. Pivoting to the overall user experience, Ebrahim said; 'we've got a diverse customer group, TCL accommodates all your needs.' Both from a cinematic and gaming point of view, TCL wants to give its customers 'a true-to-life experience,' he said. Ebrahim added, 'we've got powerful audio systems; our audio is now powered by Bang and Olufsen'. According to a TCL product specialist and training manager who asked to remain anonymous 'Competitors are trying to emphasise brightness because it attracts the consumer.' However, he argued that controlling the brightness of a TV is the most important job. 'It's a fundamental point, because if you don't, you're going to get an over exposed image,' he explained. As TCL aims to produces a range of offers that result in unmatched colour precision and brightness, this Mini-LED TV range is equipped with next-generation features such as the CrystGlow WHVA Panel and All -domain Halo Control Technology. The specialist explained that TCL's core technology lies within lighting control and indicated that contrast levels; local dimming zones, Mini-LED technology and HVA technology, all play a role in how light is controlled. 'In cases where there is no balance of lighting controls, the image presented on the screen won't be realistic, you're going to get something that's too dull or something that's excessively bright, but we want natural, realistic picture,' he said. He concluded that the new models are fully integrated with incredible assistants like a smart voice control system that works even when you're not connected to Wi-Fi. Fans, Familiar Faces and Festivities Presenter and influencer, Kyle Clark, who describes himself as an avid fan of TCL and their products, said 'If we know TCL' they love to 'do it loud and proud.' For his business engagements, Clark often finds himself extending his computer screen onto his TCL TV, making it easier for him to attend online meetings and fulfil his daily duties. 'TCL has always been that brand that knows how to connect a lot of people together,' he said proudly. Several other influencers and media personalities were spotted capturing content, making sure to document every aspect of the show. As a fun, interactive exercise to wrap up the evening and thank attendees, TCL hosted a lively Q&A session. Guests were quizzed on facts about the new TV series, TCL's global footprint, and product features highlighted during the event. Those who answered correctly walked away with exciting prizes—including soundbars, tablets, and branded merchandise—adding a playful and rewarding close to an already impressive at the launch, the General Manager of TCL South Africa, Mr. Mike Chen, expressed pride in the company's continued innovation. 'We have the latest technology', he said proudly. He highlighted that the halo-controlled technology adds a new variety to TCL products and that the 144hz refresh rate 'defines a change in our products'. He also added that TCL focuses on producing bigger TVs, but also that the Mini-LED technology is the company's key value vantage point. What is clear to all current and future consumers of TCL is that these series of TVs are more than just screens—they're portals into new experiences for our consumers.' The TVs are available right now to all consumers at a very competitive price.
