The Armoury Boxing Club hosted its 5th “White Collar” Fight Night on Friday night. I went along partly to cover the event for ILW and partly out of morbid fascination, not really knowing what to expect. A quick glance at the Armoury’s impressive website laid to rest any ideas I may have had of seeing a sociopath ad. exec. version of Brad Pit with bare knuckles beating someone senseless. These guys were into traditional boxing and took themselves seriously as boxing coaches. But still I had reservations on just how real this fight night will be. Will it be a bunch of yuppies pussyfooting around, feeling each other out - a kind of 'display fight'?

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Popular with film shoots, the Valley brothers at Alfreda Hairdressers have their own kind of fame, a recognition that comes from perseverance, longevity and a kind of serenity. Born in Salt River/Woodstock, they have spent their entire lives here, in the barber shop where they work and in the residence behind the shop where they live.

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Since May 2011 Brett Herron, a long-time Woodstock resident, is also the Ward 57 councillor (DA) representing the neighbourhood in the city hall(s) of power. He’s to be seen on his website, on facebook, on twitter, and at your local café. Brett thinks ILOVEWOODSTOCK is a great idea, and here he reveals a bit about his experiences, his plans for the ward and his love of Woodstock.

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Paul Senyol’s colourful and whimsical work caught my eye a number of years ago, and it’s really great to see how this artists’ work has matured and that he is starting to get the recognition he deserves. Paul has just spent three months in Finland on a residency program (Pro Artibus) together with friend and fellow artist Wesley van Eeden and will be heading back soon. ILW caught up with him to find out what he has been up to in Finland and what he has missed about home.

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Between 10 and 5 and Write on Africa set about a bit of mural painting off Hercules St. in Woodstock on Sunday after paint company Dulux donated 40 litres of paint. The idea behind the event was to involve the local community, both in uplifting the facades of the buildings and in allowing everyone who stays in the street or even just walks by to participate and be creative.

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ILW met up with entrepreneur and bookseller Bulelani Ncaphayi. Some of you may have seen Bulelani selling books outside the Shoprite on Main, Rd. Woodstock, a location usually reserved for sellers of fruit & vegetables, sweets etc. We asked him how he came to be here and what made him choose a life surrounded by books.

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