South Africa Blog

The luxurious Erinvale Estate Hotel & Spa in Somerset West is proud to announce the unveiling of Magnolia Restaurant, serving contemporary local cuisine with a twist. This sophisticated restaurant, draped in bold décor, creates a striking setting for patrons to wine and dine away the evenings or lazy Sunday lunches. The inspiration for the name ‘Magnolia’ comes from the spectacular flowering magnolia trees on the hotel grounds, which also inspired the regal décor of the restaurant.

“I am delighted with the ambiance of Magnolia,” comments Craig Seaman, Managing Director of Louis Group Hotels, Spas & Vineyards. “The rich silk drapes, chandeliers and original magnolia paintings, which were commissioned for the restaurant, have amalgamated into a dining experience reminiscent of a bye-gone era … but with a definite contemporary twist,” he adds.

Magnolia’s menu offers a variety of mouth-watering combinations across many cultural influences, creating a melting pot of flavours to cater for every craving. “It’s all about simplicity,” says executive chef Michael Bridgeman. “Magnolia’s menu is about fresh, clean, uncomplicated food. And because we source African spices from Egypt and other exotic regions of the continent, our food has a distinct, unique taste and flavour – we stand out from the crowd,” he says confidently.

Michael worked closely with his younger (“and better looking,” he adds in good humour) sous chef, Shaun Bruce, to create the delectably diverse Magnolia menu. For starters, patrons may order from a selection that includes local mussels from Saldanha Bay, tossed with wild mushrooms and finished in a white wine and saffron reduction. For a main course, patrons have a variety of choice that includes seafood, Karoo lamb and mild masala. ‘Contemporary local cuisine with a twist’ doesn’t come much better than a char grilled beef fillet and biltong flavoured potato gratin, drizzled with a Buchu infused Jus. And a mampoer margarita or traditional Cape malva pudding will put the finishing touch to a scrumptious meal.

Michael Bridgeman completed his chef training at a four-star hotel in Perth, Australia. He worked in London, UK for two years before coming to South Africa in 1995, where he served a one-year stint at the Lord Charles in Somerset West. Michael has been bustling about the Erinvale kitchen for the past ten years, but claims he’s never bored. The executive chef’s philosophy of cooking – namely, fresh, clean, uncomplicated food sourced locally – perfectly compliments the ‘distinctive and captivating hospitality’ ethos of Erinvale Estate Hotel & Spa.

“Michael and his brigade are a dream team with a passion for creating memorable food,” says Jean Paul van As, General Manager of Erinvale Estate Hotel & Spa.

Other dining options at Erinvale Estate Hotel & Spa include:
* The popular Irish-styled Skelligs Pub, which is open daily for lunches and light dinners. The pub offers a relaxed, informal setting in which to enjoy a pint of tapped Guinness or a hearty meal.
* The intimate De Jongh Room can seat a maximum of 14 guests and is perfect for private dining. It also houses the hotel’s breakfast buffet every morning.
* Erinvale also has a number of stylish banqueting venues, which can cater for gourmet breakfasts, buffet luncheons, conferences, cocktail parties, wedding receptions or formal dinner dances.

For more information:
Erinvale Estate Hotel & Spa
Telephone: 021 847 1160
Website: www.erinvale.co.za

Johannesburg Thursday 4th – Sunday 14th September 2008: At Nu Metro – Killarney Mall
Cape Town Thursday 11th – Sunday 21st September 2008: Nu Metro – V&A Waterfront

The Out In Africa SA Gay & Lesbian Film Festival has its 15th birthday outing this September, screening at Nu Metro in Johannesburg and Cape Town for 11 days in each city. Gay cinema is undergoing a quiet revolution – where stereotypes have been ousted and reality is being truly reflected. The Festival has something to suit all tastes and moods! The films? Silly, serious, sweet and sexy by turns, something for everyone… and from countries all over the world – Argentina, Australia, France, Germany, Hungary, South Africa, Spain, UK and USA. .

And the cherries on top are the fabulous filmmaker guests, among them Bennett Singer (Director of Brother Outsider: The Life of Bayard Rustin). Justice Edwin Cameron selected this multiple award-winning documentary which reveals the life of the gay man who mentored Martin Luther King. Cameron will attend some of the screenings and engage with director Bennett Singer and Rustin’s life partner Walter Naegle.

Lisa Thrasher (Producer of Itty Titty Bitty Committee) is an Independent Film Producer and serves as the President of Film Production & Distribution for POWER UP (Professional Organisation of Women in Entertainment Reaching UP) – she will be running a Producer’s Seminar in Johannesburg and Cape Town – see the printed programme and website for further details.

Also in attendance will be Jamie Babbit, the Director of Itty Titty Bitty Committee. Babbit has enjoyed success as a television producer/director, serving as both for the WB television series Popular, as well as directing episodes of such critically acclaimed shows as Ugly Betty, the L Word, Alias, Nip/Tuck, Malcolm in the Middle and The Gilmore Girls.

Must see movies
Compact and feisty, this year’s programme of award winning films has something for everyone. The films, all with strong LGBTI themes, range from searing documentaries to a surf’s up flick and an apartment block suspense thriller. For the boys, we recommend:

25 Cent Preview
A gritty, ‘in the moment’ gallop through the red-light district of San Francisco, this is a journey into the uncensored life, loves and tricks of its street hustlers. Honest, riveting performances and a fast pace ensures compelling viewing that reveals far more humanity and understanding than you would expect.

The Bubble
Hottie Iraelli Noam and gorgeous Palestinian Ashraf drive this captivating ode to transcendental love – sexual, familial, and platonic – that encapsulates the surreal lives lived by young gays and straights, Jews and Arabs, men and women in Israel today. From the director of Yossi and Jagger.

Outing Riley
Laid-back and cleverly crafted, this light amusing coming-out family comedy disarms stereotypes and expectations of what a gay man is meant to be and how he is meant to act.

Times Have Been Better
In imitable quirky French style, the proud liberal parents of thirty-something banker Jeremy descend into crisis when he celebrates moving into a new house with his older, long-term boyfriend by finally announcing to the family that he is gay.

Saturn in Opposition
Gorgeous Lorenzo and older author Davide are the central loving couple of a close-knit sophisticated group of friends who loyally weather each other’s imperfections, insecurities and secrets with sensitivity and joviality. From the director of Hamam and Ignorant Faries.

Savage Grace
Careening from New York in 1946 to London in 1972, via Paris and Spain, this true story with a stellar cast (Julianne Moore, Eddie Redmayne) charts one family’s descent from decadence into a dysfunction that would make Jerry Springer proud.

Shelter
Young, talented artist Zach has sacrificed his dreams of going to art school in order to look after adorable nephew, Cody, which his self-centred sister seems incapable of doing. Then along comes his best friend’s studly older brother. With great surf scenes and sensitive lensing, this summer coming-out and falling-in-love romance elegantly sidesteps clichés.

Out in Africa has developed a new partnership with Cape Town Pride. There is a Gala event at the first screening of Shelter in Cape Town. Tickets will be more expensive (R50 instead of R25), but it is for a good cause – the CTP Shelter Trust. In addition, Out in Africa will have a presence at Cape Town Pride in February 2009 with more films for your delectation.

Were the World Mine
This fun, dazzling and amusing musical-of-errors with a first rate ensemble cast and delicious lead is a magical modern interpretation of Shakespeare set amidst the familiar scenarios of high school angst and adolescent crushes.

You Belong to Me
In the vein of all suspense movies, this uneasy thriller follows the misfortunes of rookie-architect Jeffery who transforms from stalker into victim when he moves into a sinister building and its characters provoke a creeping paranoia.

Documentaries:
The Quest for the Missing Piece
A religious rite of passage; a hidden badge of cultural identity; how can cutting a piece of genital skin encapsulate so much and evoke so many conflicting thoughts, feelings and emotions?

For The Bible Tells Me So
In this thorough, positive and ultimately hopeful documentary, the filmmaker presents the complex subject of homosexuality and religion through personal and intellectual arguments that encourages people to examine their beliefs rather than mindlessly accept the preaching of others.

Panel discussions will be held after screenings in both JHB and CT – see printed programme and website for details.

Rampant – How a City Stopped a Plague
How a City Stopped a Plague tells the story of how “poofters, junkies and whores contained the AIDS virus.” and champions Australia’s early response to HIV.

Panel discussions will be held after screenings in both JHB and CT – see printed programme and website for details.

Tickets are R25
Exclusive Books Fanatics earn 200 bonus points for each ticket purchased so please remember to bring your Fanatics card.

We look forward to seeing you at the Festival!

Info
www.oia.co.za ▪ 021 461 40 27 ▪ info@oia.co.za

The annual Cape Odyssey, which was inspired by the prestigious Absa Cape Epic, is a two-man team stage race that has changed the face of trail running – with enthusiasts covering 211km over 5 days.

From 8 to 12 October 2008, only the most courageous amongst runners will become part of the legend. Starting in Hermanus on the Southern Cape coast, they will traverse the varied landscapes of the Western Cape and at the same time endure the harsh elements before arriving at their final destination – which will be nestled between towering mountains in the beautiful Cape Winelands, at the legendary farm of Boschendal.

The Cape Odyssey is organised with the participating athletes at the focal point. The organiser‘s primary goal is to deliver an unsurpassed and unforgettable trail running, African travel experience and adventurous enjoyment to all athletes.

Teams of two can register in four different categories including Ladies, Men, Mixed and Masters (both runners must be 40 years or older). The minimum age of participation is 18.

Eager enthusiasts not participating in the entire challenge can still be part of the action by entering Die Burger Fun Run held at Boschendal Wine Estate on the final day (12 October 2008).

Those fit and ready to take up the challenge and participate in the Cape Odyssey or Die Burger fun run, can read more about how to enter at www.cape-odyssey.com.

Become part of a legend!

Mel Botes’s latest production, Crazy Diamond – A Pink Floyd Tribute was launched at the KKNK held in Oudtshoorn in March 2008. The production covers a wide spectrum of Pink Floyd’s music – from the band’s first album, Piper at the Gates of Dawn (1967) which includes songs like Astronomy Domine, songs from the albums Dark Side of the Moon, Meddle, The Wall and the group’s last album Division Bell (1994). It tells the story of the founder, Syd Barrett and the big influence he had on the individuals in the band and how he influenced their music in the later years.

Mel says “This production is a big challenge for me and a very valuable learning curve. It is a wonderful opportunity to interpret everything I learned about Pink Floyd’s music over the last 30 years”.

Supporting Mel in this production is the finest of South African musicians. Simon Orange, former keyboard player of the legendary Blues Broers, will feature on Hammond organ, piano and backing vocals. Jaconell Mouton, one of S.A.’s top session musicians and regular face on the SABC 2 program ‘Noot vir Noot’ plays keyboards and saxophone. Jaconell who has supported well known artists such as Nianell and Coenie de Villiers will also be responsible for musical direction. Master guitar player Denny Lalouette is on bass guitar and Theuns Botha on drums and percussion. Hanna Erasmus and Elaine Page will assist with the backing vocals. Mel leads on lead guitar and does most of the vocal parts.

The songs included in this production are Money, Speak to me, Breathe, Time, Wish you were here, Brain Damage, Shine on you crazy diamond, Mother, High Hopes and the band’s smash hit Another Brick in the Wall and more.

Details:
Venue: Theatre @ The Pavilion (previously IMAX), V&A Waterfront, Cape Town
Dates: 26, 27 & 28 September 2008
Time: The show starts at 20:00. Pre-theatre buffet dinner from 18:00.
Price: Show tickets are R130 per person. Dinner & Show tickets are R220 per person
Accommodation: Cape Town Hotels & Accommodation

For bookings or for more information contact Computicket or Theatre @ The Pavilion on 021 419 7661 or visit the website Theatre @ The Pavilion.

Leading South African rock outfit Prime Circle will perform a special acoustic set at this year’s White Mountain Folk Festival running from 24-28 September. Currently riding high after the release of their third album ‘All or Nothing’, Prime Circle have in just seven years gone from a rehearsal room in Witbank to become a major force on the local music scene.

Also included in the line-up are John Ellis, frontman of internationally acclaimed local group Tree63, Syd Kitchen, Van der Hoven featuring Henry Steel, Dave McMillan & Roly Struckmeyer, Cabins in the Forest and a host of other great artists. The full programme is still being finalised and will be announced shortly.

Now in its third year, the festival is held at White Mountain Lodge in the foothills of the Giant’s Castle Nature Reserve in KZN, just 34km from Estcourt on tarred roads, 200km from Durban and 430km from Johannesburg. It offers five days of live acoustic music on different stages – in the lodge’s 150-year-old restaurant and pub, on the marquee stage and around the pool – as well as a choice of camping, caravanning and chalet accommodation, plus outdoor activities for the whole family.

Other attractions include abseiling, fishing, boating, hiking and paintball, arts and crafts, a beer market, assorted food stalls, fun kids’ entertainment, helicopter flips and all the facilities you need to make your stay as comfortable and enjoyable as possible.

Great music in an awesome setting

White Mountain is a festival for people who enjoy slightly more laid-back acoustic music – ranging from blues to rock and, of course, folk. It’s an opportunity to hear the ‘softer’ side of some of SA’s top rock acts, and to appreciate the talents of established and up-and-coming contemporary, folk and acoustic artists. So, if you like the idea of getting away from it all for a long weekend of acoustic music in an awesome setting, then White Mountain is the place for you!

Tickets are available at selected Game stores (R350), Computicket (R400) and at the festival gate (R450). The price includes camping for the entire festival and children under 12 pay R50. In addition to the festival camping area, there’s also a caravan park where campers and caravanners can enjoy their own electricity points, separate ablution blocks and full use of the lodge’s facilities. Unfortunately the chalet accommodation is already fully booked (or try Drakensberg Accommodation for other options).

For more information, programme updates or to enquire about trading at the festival, contact Pedro at 082 892 6176.

By Dominic Khuzwayo

Sydney Ace Mnisi, one of the greatest saxophonists in South Africa finally launched his album on Tuesday 29 July 2008 at Barrington’s Restaurant, Johannesburg (Killarney Mall). The album title 20 years celebration indeed attracted many jazz artist and fans to come witness the celebration of this offering.

Started the music journey at age 28, Bra Sydney has toured to places like London, US, South Korea, Germany, Switzerland, Belgium just to name the few. He also shared stage with great artist, Hugh Masekela, Abdullah Ibrahim, Feya Faku, Pat Matsikiza and recently the Voice. He is one of those few musicians you can easily tell that is humble when he is playing, ‘he has a soft touch.’

Just by listening to the first track named it’s about time, one can’t dispute that this nine tracks album is going to be played even after 20 years. And adding to good flavour to the sound is Andile Yenana (pianist), Jimmy Mngwandi (bassist) and Clement Benny (drummer).

It was all hands clapping as the band ‘strum the first note’, you could see Bra Sydney happiness popping out his eyes. There’s a guy who was sitting next to me that I think describe the song title Afro nicely, “Oh! this is good song when you’re driving’, I can’t say more but if you want to beat the stress of traffic Afro is the tune.

In addition, the are other good tunes like Blues Tembisa, Global village, Lost a few times, Courtyard, Skuka & Kwela Gontsana, but the one which gave me a he! moment was the last tune from the set, Grooving in hell.

One might say it’s quite a contradictory to rap artist 2pac thug mansion, ‘a place where thugs go to when they die’. But Bra Sydney’s horn will turn your thoughts off, thinking hell as a scary place to a place where you can groove!

It might not be a favourite title for Christians but no doubt is tune that will make them forget about the name and start taping through the whole 20 years of experience.

More info:
Name: Dominic Khuzwayo
Company: CRN Magazine (Journalist)
Cell: 078 5745 807