Havana Club Rum, Discotheque & Dogbox presents LE CASTLE VANIA (USA) at The Assembly

Its the weekend, which means its time to kick loose and get into the groove. 17 on Loader guesthouse has found the perfect way to get the party started on Friday night in Cape Town!

Havana Club Rum & Discotheque present Le Castle Vania (USA) at The Assembly on Friday 27th August 2010, in association with Griet – its gonna be a night to remember so get ready to party people!

Le Castle Vania at The Assembly

Atlanta based and internationally renowned, Le Castle Vania, commonly known as Dylan Eiland, quickly escaped the local trappings of his hometown in Georgia to play music around the world. Atlanta’s burgeoning music scene allowed him to develop his passion for music and nightlife, and he soon gained notoriety with his riotous DJ sets and penchant for production, which made him a household name in the dirty and distorted, indie-electro scene.

His signature sound blends grinding disco punk with strong electronic beats and catchy synth leads, resulting in banging electro music that is dark and dirty but somehow equally uplifting and danceable. New mixes to check out include Tigertron, an original work off of his first non-remix release, “Troubletron EP,” and remixes of “Come Out” for 120 days (Vice Records) and “Bombs” for Scanners (Dim Mak Records), which have all received critical appraisal from the indie electro world.

His most recent creative endeavor is one part musical production, one part DJ performance, one part Blake Miller of Moving Units/Weird Science notoriety, and numerous parts of innovation…namely Lies In Disguise. After finding a home at So Sweet Records and cranking out some original tracks and remixes for Partyshank and Toxic Avenger these two have gained notoriety as the up-and-comers to keep your eye on.

Le Castle Vania will be joined in Cape Town by Some of the most awesome DJs around: Battle Beyond beyond the Stars, bteam, Double Adaptor (JHB), Haezer, El Gordo & The Brick City Massive, with visuals by Dan Ting Chong.

Presale tickets cost R60, and limited tickets will be available at the door for R90 each.

Presale tickets can be purchased via http://www.webtickets.co.za/assembly or at Shelflife (119 Loop Street) (Cash Only). More information available at http://www.theassembly.co.za

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.

Die Antwoord

With no pretenses about the conviction of their message, self-named group, Die Antwoord, is an Afrikaans translation of “the answer”. As of February, this fresh South African act has been “taking over the interweb”. Their Enter The Ninja music video went web and kicked up more bandwith fuss than anything our sweet sovereign SA has seen before – making Die Antwoord a viral phenomenon so seductive that it temporarily disabled South African host Hetzner, before being taken on by the big boys at Google. 

Yolandi Vi$$er and Ninja

With fan followings based on twitter, myspace or facebook, and Youtube as their broadcast medium, Die Antwoord has harnessed all the heat of online campaigning to become one of South Africa’s most distinct popular culture icons. If Yolandi’s haunting voice chanting “I, I, I, I’m your butterfly” sounds familiar at all, then you’re probably aware of this mass musical movement being called “Zef-rap”. They’ve become so big that another South African superpower, director of District9, Neill Blomkamp, has agreed to direct their next music video.

Die Antwoord’s three stage personas include Ninja, classically trained Yolandi Vi$$er and DJ Hi-Tek. While Ninja and Yolandi are a husband and wife team, Yolandi is fairly new to the scene, while Ninja (AKA Watkin Tudor Jones) is infamous around these parts. 

A snapshot from the Enter The Ninja music video

Watkin first tasted fame as part of Max Normal and later Max Normal.tv and The Constructus Corporation. He’s known for constructing entire stage personas around his current musical projects, and this time around he’s gone with what’s being described as “prison-hardened, foul-mouthed white trash”.  

Die Antwoord’s become epic and, while they may they may rub the conservative up the wrong way (ie. like a tractor in the bedroom), it’s ostrich-living not to know them. Having just toured Los Angeles to gain some world-wise-eyes and business savvy, their welcome home gig happens at Stellenbosch’s humble Klein Libertas Teater, this 30th of April. Be there to witness the controversy that slammed South African bandwith, and seduced online-lovers worldwide.

Balkanology

Fortune tellers and flying carpets are the fan fare of Balkanology, 26th April 2010. Again the magic of Gypsy/Balkan music is made manifest in the carnivale festivities of a massive, manic party – A one night only affair. Here today, gone tomorrow – as the caravan children do. 

Balkanology – the deliciously devilish circus spectacular – will lay love loose on the new Cape Town venue of spectaculars – whispered as a replacement to the infamous Madame Zingara’s –  the wonderhouse that is Vaudeville. Think magicians, balkan bass and bare-bellied beauties, with the wonderment of dream and hallucination. The insatiable line-up lists tempos from Toby2shoes, Maoriginal, Hopa Banda and the Nomadic Orchestra.

Tickets are R120 pre-sale and R150 at the door. I’m told there’s no party like it.

Time to shine.

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

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

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.

Origin

In the heart of the Riebeek Valley, this weekend, comes Origin trance fest. The setting: river, rolling lawns, dance and trippy decor. Strictly an over 18 festival, reviews I’ve heard of previous Origins have involved words, “unadulterated (or maybe not) mayhem” and “way way sick”. While not particularly articulate, I think these drive home the message: ineffable awesomenessity. (I know it’s not a word, but let’s go with it). Festival activities will include swimming, swaying, camping, drinking, dancing, perusing craft and pausing for nourishment at the food market.

While trance isn’t my particular field of expertise, I know enough to know that this one gets rave (literally) reviews. Be sure to check it out this weekend. At only R190 (pre-sale) for the entire weekend, tickets make for a more-than-affordable end of month treat.

The J&B MET

Attracting an attendance of over 50 000 people, this race has become one of the gold-starred, red-circled, ear-marked events of Cape Town’s social calendar – and this year the theme, Full Colour, encourages a full voltage experience.

The highly fashionable, enjoying gourmet food, artful cocktails and top shelf spirits, will be there, this Saturday, bets in hand. The J&B MET holds back on nothing – marquee dining, top of class DJs and, always memorable after-parties and the penguin-suit/city-Cinderella glamour of the fashion show. In the fashion sphere, the annual award for best-dressed couple and best marquee will be given, with competitors taking part by invitation only.

Still, the main attraction are those short, breathtaking moments in which we’re mesmerized by the movement of the pedigree beauties, tearing up the emerald lawn.

Pocket Power, who has won the last three events, as well as the last four L’Ormarins Queen’s Plate events,  is favoured by many to win Saturday’s 2km dash. Still, experts claim that favourable weights, Kapil, Smart Banker, Buy And Sell, Ivory Trail, Strategic News and Rudra, will give him a run for his money, and ensure an exciting race. Meanwhile. Big City Life - last year’s Durban July winner, is hoping to break his recent unlucky streak at the J&B Met.

Entrance to the MET is R150.oo per person (plus some dress to impress), inclusive of a R10.00 betting voucher. However, a VIP ticket at R350.00 per person, provides VIP parking, 5 complementary drink vouchers, access to the open-air sound and lighting rigged performance area, as well as the VIP J&B MET lounge – and last but not least, entrance to the official 5fm J&B MET afterparty. This notoriously wondrous state of affairs, promises us Roger Goode, DJs Ryan Dent, Craig Massiv, and DJ Fresh.

For those seeking a safe haven during it all, be sure to ring 17onLoader – Cape Town’s premium guest house.

Oude Libertas Outdoor Concerts

In full swing of the summer season everyone is embracing the AL fresco (and lustfully absorbing the memory for the months of winter that will come before we know it). Every year, Oude Libertas brings an array of artists to soothe those lazing in the sun.

Situated on the slopes, Oude Libertas‘ amphitheatre captures a postcard view of the Stellenbosch mountain range. This year, Oude Libertas again presents a “picnics welcome” line-up of diverse South African acts, including Ladysmith Black Mambazo and The Black Tie ensemble. If you want to sink into the warmth of the Cape mountains, this is the way: wicker baskets, wine and “whine”