Estelle in Cape Town

“Tell the promoter we need more seats, We just sold out all the floor seats!” As 2010 comes in so do “the hottest in the world right now”. For the not-so football frantic, one of the wonderfluff consequences of being a designated Fifa 2010 host city, is the splendour that we’re expecting to pour in. And while I may be including the European men that our slick city will be swelling with, I am, more importantly, referring to the celebrities that the event will bring. For those familiar with the phrase “American Boy” (and that should really be everyone who speaks english and lives above ground), Friday the 11th of June brings the lady that famed the phrase to Cape Town! Estelle, famous for collaborations with the big boys – namely Kanye West, David Guetta, Sean Paul, John Legend, Will.I.Am and Karl Hinds - is the vocal sensation set to storm the stage of the CTICC. Tickets start at just R300 and this promises to be where the Fifa vibe is alive. And for those of you swinging into the mothercity for football fever in Fall, be sure to curl-up in Cape Town’s comfy bed and breakfast – 17 on Loader in De Waterkant.

Cape Town Pub-crawl

They call it the pub-crawl for two reasons. 1. There are pubs. 2. The involvement of such pubs occasionally results in the action of crawling.

This fact leads us to conclude, that it is our own best interest to rouse bedlam in pubs conducive to crawling. What characteristics determine crawl-worthiness?

1. CLEANLINESS. To pub-crawl is one thing, but to be in a pub already crawling with bugs and Dickensian dodge-cats is a deal breaker. Moreover, hoping optimistically that visible symptoms of Hepatitis F don’t materialize, as a result of braving bar snacks, can somewhat suck the fun.
2. Hence requirement two: GOOD BAR SNACKS. In a less then solid state, culinary surprises (and I’m talking about the Halloween trick rather than treat variety) leave something to be desired – usually the contents of our stomachs… back in our stomachs…
3. The final, crucial component of the good pub-crawl – AMBIENCE.  Disapproving throat-clearing and look-down-the-nose looks responses to Black Label requests, hardly encourage jollity.

In light of these crucial components, a list of Cape Town’s preferred pubs:

Forrester’s Arms, affectionately referred to as “Forries”. Superb gourmet pizza (try the springbok capraccio pizza), bustling atmosphere, and a houseful of red-faced, referee-resenting beer-boep “ballies” (on match days), is what to expect. With a five star pub menu; a variety of draughts, cocktails and wines; a fireplace for cold days and an outdoor area for warm days, Forries really is a best-of-everything pub.

Try Barrister’s, just around the corner. A little less raucous and a touch more mature, Barrister’s is perfect for what starts off as “a quick drink after work”.

The intimate Elephant and Barrel, Franschhoek, has a selection of the most ludicrous cover singers I have ever heard (and I come from a long line of tone-deaf-denialism). From teenagers to twenty-somethings, to farm-workers and farm-owners, everyone is up and semi-jokingly gyrating by the end of evening – proof of just how hard the Elephant and Barrel throws down. A clean venue, cheery staff, and communal bonding (through ridicule of musical acts) catalyses merriment, and puts this pub up in the five-star range.

The Dubliner is always brimming with people and bursting with song. Curtained poker rooms, overly-enthused cover bands and the spirit of the Irish, keep this pub abuzz. For a slightly quieter, Irish pub vibe, stop by Catu Bar, near Greenmarket Square.

Quay Four, with seating right up to the water’s edge, has a striking view of the harbour. A great selection of draughts, really good ol’ pub food (fish and chips, burgers, and the like) and fresh, ocean air keep it classy.

Also situated at the V&A waterfront is Mitchell’s. Be warned, as the unofficial Chelsea fan-house of Cape Town, Mitchell’s is pretty riotous on match days. A great venue and a must-do for the pub-crawl – nothing but good fun.

For something different, in the way of pubs, stop by Ganesh and Tagore’s in obs. Ganesh keeps the charm of the township tavern kitchen – serving traditional meals and unbelievably cheap quarts. In the meantime, Tagore’s is a hidden away Moroccan-feel bar that attracts the bohemian and the hippean and offers up a frantic line up of live Friday night jazz.

The Waterfront Wine Affair

Cape Town’s been very quiet this week – we’ve been nursing our once-flourishing social calendars and wishing for sunburn. But what we have fast forgotten is that winter brings wine, fireplaces and excuses for shared body-heat… 

Until Friday, The V&A spends the week swaying with the inebriated influence of dozens of boutique and reserve wines. With curling leaves and early evenings comes the annual V&A Wine Affair. The backdrop of a Table Mountain-marked cityscape makes The Waterfront’s look out a perfect rooftop for some indulgent-out-of-doorsness. 

This well-loved tasting/sipping soiree is a palate party.  Think sushi, oysters, imported cheeses and charcuterie… the menu boasts the best elements of The V & A’s award-winning restaurants. And for the refined gourmand masticating on the fantastic, a selection of wildly well-reputed wine farms wets the appetite and injects some jollity to the “affair”.

The Waterfront Wine Affair runs from 17h00 – 21h00 everyday until Friday 7th May. Tickets are between R90 and R110 thereafter, inclusive of wine / deli tastings and a brochure guide. 

All in all, merriment in low harbour lighting is a wonderfully warm, cosy way to snuggle into the week’s wintry weather.

Afrika Burns

22nd-27th of April, Afrika Burns is up next on the South African social calendar. And for those of you thinking trance, dance and liquored prance, you should know what sets Afrika Burns apart:

Founded on the principles of the United States Burning Man Festival, Afrika Burns is all about the gift economy and the freely expressed community. To quote their mission statement:

“This “gift economy” means that there is no commercial exchange at the event – no vending, no cash bars and no branded promotion of services or products – the aim being real social interaction. It is an exercise in total self-reliance: participants camp for four days and provide entirely for themselves, including all their water, shelter and food needs”.

In addition, every camper is asked to gift something to the community – be it a drum solo to the full moon, freshly squeezed juice to those braving the scorching sun or a sculptural artwork to be sacrificed in flames. In a nutshell, Afrika Burns is community-orientated cultural communism. What you need you bring, or source from the community. Money is no good on the long stretch of road marked by an absence of anything.

All in all, Afrika Burns is not for those that snigger at tambourines or recoil at the idea of dirt up their skirts, but it is said to be a life-changing experience and one worth the wash-less nights

Two Oceans Marathon

Tomorrow (Saturday 3rd of April) brings the 2010 chapter of The Two Oceans Marathon! The Two Oceans Marathon was first run in 1970, and has been recognized as one of the world’s most beautiful race routes ever since. The name tells all – runners start in Newlands, head out to Noordhoek and across Cape country. Taking on the incline of Chapman’s Peak, promising a view of both the Pacific and Indian oceans. This year’s race will be just as spectacular as the last, but runners should note that weather reports are partly cloudy skies, a strong southerly and a serious seventy percent humidity.

Two Oceans Marathon via Chapman's Peak.

The Two Oceans includes a 56km ultra marathon, the popular 21km half marathon and the 5km or 2.5km fun runs. All in all the Two Oceans Marathon is one of Cape Town’s local loves and encouragement is abundant from sidewalk supporters.

Be wary though, the route results in road closures – so be sure to note these before heading out for your weekend drive. And for those needing to rest tired eyes and sore bodies over this long weekend – be sure to head for the comfort of 17 on Loader.

Cape Town Jazz Festival

The Mother City is set to be buzzing this weekend with visitors pouring in for the Two Oceans Marathon and the Cape Town Jazz Festival. If you prefer to work up a sweat to some soulful sax, then the CT Jazz Festival is where you’ll want to be.

Taking place on 3rd and 4th April across five different stages throughout the city, the renowned festival boasts a line-up that would make the Montreux Jazz Festival blush! To the more savvy Jazz-lovers out there, artists to tempt you include Jonathan Butler, George Benson, Judith Sephuma and Brooklyn Funk Essentials (to name a few).

For those who are a little green on their Jazz greats, but are keen to party, Lira and TKZee are sure to get you jammin’.  Just so you’re sure this is no foolish business, get to Greenmarket Square at 5pm on 1 April for the free community concert that will give you a taste of what’s to come. 

For more information on the festival programme click here. 

There’s no better way to bid adieu to the southern Summer than with the Cape Town Jazz Festival, tickets range from R330 for a day pass to R485 for the weekend pass and cheaper prices for single performances; Available from Computicket www.computicket.com, Shoprite Checkers and www.capetownjazzfest.com

And for those jazz-listeners who aim to maintain levels of luxury high this weekend – treat your open ears to the  Cape Town Jazz Festival and your lovingly lazy bums to a bed in 17onLoader - Cape Town’s best bed and breakfast. 

Wishing you all a wonderfully indulgent and uproductive long weekend

Cape Town Carnival

For those of us who may have gone underground, and have missed the memo, this weekend brings the inaugural Cape Town Carnival.

Cape Town Carnival 2010

In South African sidewalk-style, performers and performance artists flood into the citybowl to celebrate Cape Town in carnival fashion.

Thursday kicks off festivities with fashion shows at The Lookout - the V&A Waterfront. The catwalk will boast celebrity models and big-name South African designers – think the likes of hip-hop, Carducci, Kobus Dippenaar and Rosenwerth, all staged under the glass marquee of the Aston Martin rooftop.

Then in the heart of the city – our own Greenmarket Square - live local acts throw down this Saturday the 20th. As of 6pm, local loves Locnville, Loyiso and Emo Adams will be performing. But this is just the pre-party, anticipating an 8pm parade of unprecedented proportions – in excess of 2 000 bejeweled singers, dancers and musicians will storm Long Street, performing to Cape Town’s six official songs, before a backdrop of festivities and floats.

So if you’re a loyal local, or just visiting Cape Town and looking for something to do (and a place to crash?),  Cape Town Carnival is it.

Time to get into the spirit of things

A weekend away, Darling?

This weekend, the charming Darling of the Western Cape, snatches up the last fleeting moments of ripening weather, to bring us the Darling Music Experience. The donkey-drawn-carriage streets, in amongst swells of Darling vineyards, will be awash with merriment and music from Thursday ’til Sunday.

Thursday 11th features concert pianists, while Friday 12th promises wine estate choir performances and rising stars of the Artscape National Youth Music Competition.

Saturday the 13th brings a street-side screening of the documentary “El Systema” – documenting the efforts of Evita se Perron. This is followed up with a wicked wine and food paired luncheon, wine-tasting, a musical rally for kids and a duel between dynamic musicians.

Last, but not lonely, the lover’s day of Sunday the 14th. A celebration of church choirs, a jazz lunch and a finale of world-class acts.

P.H.Fat and Playdoe LIVE!!!

The discotheque series, presented at Assembly, has done nothing to disappoint. Tonight they bring us two of South Africa’s most deliciously high-rising, local acts - Playdoe and P.H.Fat.

Both dreamteams have exploded onto the South African music scene by pioneering their amalgam genres. Playdoe’s name says it – a malleable genre, a fluid sound and a playful live act that is almost evangelical about, “it’s that beat”. Playdoe consists of Sibot – the genius that brought you Max Normal, Constructus, Closet Snare, Knights of the Round and Real Estate Agents – while Spoek supplies the god-step and the man purse. They’ve toured Europe and played with the calibre of Anti Pop Consortium, DJ Krush, DJ Food, Afrikan Boy, Dan La Sac vs Scroobius Pip, M.Sayyid (solo), Buzzcocks, Cadence Weapon, Dizzee Rascal… in nutshell, they can hold their nuggets amongst the good-beat-gods.

P.H.Fat , and their motto, “dance so hard you blood turns to mayonnaise”, bring social satire and a darkness to their mish-mash of experimental rap/electro. Masters of localized lyrical masterstrokes, “Eskom’s coming! Turn out the lights”, is one of their most celebrated song lines. In addition their superstar-less, diva-free nature and sardonic self-deprecating humour, make them a crazy enjoyable live act.

To see is to believe. These guys are going places, and they reaffirm the faith in South Africa, that seasons of Idols have repeatedly robbed us of.

Other acts include the consortium of Richard III, Liver, Lapse and Mastercash.

DOORS OPEN AT 9PM and entrane is R30 Before 9:30 and R50 After.

Do yourself a favour. Hope to see you there.

South African Wine Course

Are you tired of having dinner with your snootier glass-twirling, wine-snorting friends – and wondering how it is that the opinion of  a person gargling wine in public, can be considered so solemnly? If like me, you are well fed-up with going out to dine with someone that assumes you can’t choose the wine (because, perhaps you can’t), then this course if for you.