John Edwin Mason: Documentary, Motorsports, Photo History

"One Love, Ghoema Beat: Inside the Cape Town Carnival"

I've created a website for my book, One Love, Ghoema Beat: Inside the Cape Town Carnival. It's published, in South Africa, by Random House Struik and, elsewhere, by the University of Virginia Press. An audio/video preview of the book is the star attraction on the site. You can read a... Read more →

Duckrabbit Likes Ghoema!

Well, I've finally arrived. From now on, it's the big time for me. The esteemed, venerable, and beloved (and, occasionally, noticed, read, and paid attention to) duckrabbit blog likes my new book, One Love, Ghoema Beat: Inside the Cape Town Carnival. You can click directly on the image to see... Read more →

Preview: "One Love, Ghoema Beat: Inside the Cape Town Carnival"

Update, 12 May 2010: "One Love, Ghoema Beat: Inside the Cape Town Carnival" is now available from any South African bookstore. The North American edition is on its way. My new book, One Love, Ghoema Beat: Inside the Cape Town Carnival, will be in bookstores in South Africa and the... Read more →

"One Love, Ghoema Beat: Inside the Cape Town Carnival": Almost Here

It's starting to feel real. My new book, that is, One Love, Ghoema Beat: Inside the Cape Town Carnival. Random House Struik, my South African publisher, already has copies on hand. Both my North American publisher, the University of Virginia Press, and I are trying to be patient -- our... Read more →

Cape Town Carnival 2010, Part 4: This Time in Glorious Color

I've shown these photos before. I'd converted them to black and white, and I don't think it worked very well. The men and boys in these photos are members of the Pennsylvanians Crooning Minstrels, one of the over sixty troupes that take part in the Cape Town New Year's Carnival.... Read more →

Cape Town Carnival 2010, Part 2: DieTweede Nuwe Jaar

Most people think that the minstrel troupes' great parade through central Cape Town, South Africa, on die Tweede Nuwe Jaar [Second New Year, January 2nd] is the be-all and end-all of the New Year's Carnival. And why wouldn't they -- it's absolutely spectacular. (All photos copyright John Edwin Mason, 2010.... Read more →

Cape Town Carnival 2010, Part I: New Year's Day with the Pennsylvanians

Less than twenty-four hours after arriving in Cape Town, South Africa, I was hanging out with the Pennsylvanian Crooning Minstrels, one of the city's best known carnival troupes. The Pennsylvanians are one of the troupes I've gotten to know best, while working on my book One Love, Ghoema Beat: Inside... Read more →