South Africa Blog

Cape Town is gearing up for festival season with many carnivals, creative and music events coming up later this month and throughout March.

Infecting the City, an annual public arts initiative, presented by The Africa Centre, offers free performance art happenings in public spaces in the City that are relevant to the theme and significant for Cape Town. This year’s theme, Treasure, engages its audiences with free street experiences such as Xhosa stick-fighting, a Goema Symphony, Ratiep, and flash mobs by inspirational artists from 21 – 26 February 2011. (www.infectingthecity.com)

Cape Town Pride, the City’s next ‘pink’ festival is scheduled for 24 February – 6 March 2011 with an eleven day celebration incorporating events such as a Mr. and Ms. Cape Town Pride pageant, a Pink Ball and the Pride Parade. The different aspects of this combinative event will take place across the city from Cape Town Stadium and gay-friendly suburb, De Waterkant, to Mzoli’s in Khayelitsha. (http://capetownpride.org)

Amongst many community festivals presented by the ‘One City, Many Cultures Project’ during the month of March, the annual Cape Town Festival is set to take place from 19 – 21 March 2011 in the Company Gardens. The Cape Town Festival is in its twelfth year of celebrating National Human Rights Day with music performances by diverse local bands over the three-day period. (www.capetownfestival.co.za) More…

Cape Town is gearing up to be inspired by all genres of design and an abundance of creativity in the days to come. The Design Indaba Conference and Expo is recognised the world over as a top design and trend event. Drawing the likes of speakers such as Alberto Alessi, Mark Shuttleworth, and Michael Wolff, Design Indaba 2011 is set to add stimulating conversation and a fresh take on creativity and design. The conference runs from 23 – 25 February, with the Expo open to the public between 25 – 27 February at the Cape Town International Convention Centre.

The 2010 Design Indaba Conference and Expo events attracted approximately 37 300 international delegates, media, buyers and members of the public and reinforced Cape Town’s positioning as a design-focused, creatively inspired destination. As part of the annual Design Indaba series of events, the Design Indaba Filmfest 2011 runs from 18-27 February at the Freeworld Design Centre Auditorium. More…

The Cape Town Festival’s (CTF) multi-dimensional street festival Night Vision is back by popular demand on Saturday, 12 March from 6pm till midnight.

It will take place at the newly revamped Cape Town Station Forecourt, extending festivities into Adderley Street between Strand Street and the fountain. The CTF, incorporating the One City, Many Cultures (1CMC) Project, is supported by the National Lottery Distribution Trust Fund (NLDTF).

After a three-year break, Cape Town’s nocturnal urban street festival, Night Vision, is back with a bang, only this time bigger and better than ever before! Night Vision promises to dominate the city night life with a party-thumping arts and entertainment extravaganza. The event will lead up to a climax of explosive live on-stage performances by iconic bands such as High Voltage Collective featuring EJ Von LYRIK, Theba Shumba and D.form; 340ml; The Dirty Skirts and headline act, 2010 SAMA Award Winners, Big NUZ who will take the party well into midnight. More…

Pietermaritzburg band, the Hairy Legged Lentil Eaters, has been confirmed as the featured act for this year’s Splashy Fen Music Festival, taking place near Underberg in KwaZulu-Natal from April 21-25. The festival coincides with the 20th year of the band’s existence, and is an opportunity to celebrate a shared history that dates back to Splashy Fen’s early beginnings in 1990.

Described as the most eclectic folk band this side of the Limpopo, the Hairy Legged Lentil Eaters have made an indelible mark on Splashy Fen over the years, never failing to win over audiences with performances that have ranged from the satirical to the bizarre.

Speaking on behalf of the band, vocalist and guitarist Brian Bedingfield said that it was exciting to be offered the featured act billing and to be paid tribute to in this way by a festival that is “in their blood”.

“Either individually or collectively, the Hairies have been at every single Splashy Fen – if not on the bill, then busking and generally spreading good humour. During the early years, our association with the then Pietermaritzburg Folk Club also saw us getting involved in other ways, either as sound engineers, stage managers, crew or MCs.”

Currently, the band plays an active role in the running of the Maritzburg Musicians’ Club, which meets every other Tuesday at The Red Door in Pietermaritzburg.

Catch the Hairy Legged Lentil Eaters on both stages and busking on the rocks at the 22nd Splashy Fen Music Festival this Easter! Supported by East Coast Radio, the four-day festival will also see performances by the likes of Karen Zoid, Ard Matthews, Dan Patlansky, Madala Kunene, The Rudimentals, Valiant Swart, Good Luck, Wrestlerish, Versus The Wolf, Isochronous, The La Els, City Bowl Mizers, Boulevard Blues, Holiday Murray, Margaret’s Daughter and The Aquarian Quartet, featuring guitar maestros Steve Newman, Syd Kitchen, Greg Georgiades and Tony Cox.

Tickets cost R500 at Computicket and selected Game stores. The price includes camping for the entire festival. For more information, visit www.splashyfen.co.za or contact 031 563 0824.

Known for its creatively-inspired accommodation offering, The Grand Daddy Hotel in Cape Town recently redecorated its restaurant with the help of interior decorator, Tania Reddering. The result is a casual, easy-going eatery for hotel guests and Capetonians to enjoy.

King proteas, light wood and white surfaces, scatter cushions and cool turquoise touches give the open-plan space a re-energized feel that nods to the building’s colonial heritage. The clean, light-filled look is a match for the daytime-focus of the restaurant. The menu has also been revised to include easy-going classics and a lovingly crafted burger that is likely to draw rave reviews.

Now serving a hot breakfast from 6h30 till 12h00 (and a continental buffet until 10h00), The Restaurant has an accessible lunch time menu of crowd-pleasers and an early evening dinner seating on Friday nights. A selection of imported teas from Teabox (teabox.co.za) add intrigue to the teatime experience with the strong aromas of strawberries and rooibos, white peach – and spicy chai pervading the air as guests enjoy a tea ceremony with a personalised teapot that filters the tea directly into the cup.

Kids (ten years and under) will also be able to enjoy a menu especially created for them. Patrons will also be able to connect to the internet on their personal laptop with a free 20 MB voucher compliments of Skyrove. As Skyrove only requires the user to insert their cellphone number, no codes or permissions are required from a waiter.

The Restaurant is fully licensed and opens at 06h30 from Mondays to Sundays. It closes at 17h00 from Mondays to Thursdays, 21h30 on Fridays, Saturdays at 19h00 and at 14h00 on Sundays. As with the hotel’s other spaces (The Venue, Daddy Cool, The Airstream Trailer Rooftop), The Restaurant can be hired or incorporated into a total event package.

The Grand Daddy is proudly associated with Jaci’s Lodges in the Madikwe Game Reserve and Cheetah Plains Lodge in Sabi Sands

The Brightwater Commons, in conjunction with the Chinese Embassy in South Africa will be hosting a celebration of the Chinese New Year on Saturday 12th February 2011. To start at 11am, this event will feature a variety of vibrant cultural performances as well as colourful exhibitions that will allow visitors to experience the beauty and diversity of the Chinese culture.

Whilst the exhibitions and stalls will open at 11am, the entertainment programme will begin at 1pm with an official opening ceremony. This will be followed by the ever popular and spectacular Lion and Dragon dances. Other performances that will dazzle and delight visitors will include an acrobatics, contortion and fire act; traditional Umbrella and Fan dancing, as well as demonstrations of martial arts.

The event’s highlight will be a set of acts by the talented Yunnan Arts Troupe originating from Yunnan, which is regarded as China’s most culturally diverse province. The professional 14 member troupe will reflect the colour and culture of the province through the dances of the region’s different ethnic minorities. They will also present a delightful magic show and Tibetan songs.

Visitors can also see a variety of cultural exhibitions, from arts and crafts all the way to clothing; and enjoy lunch on the commons as there will be numerous food stalls specializing in different kinds of delicious Chinese cuisine ranging from stir-fried dishes to sweet treats. The celebrations will close at 5pm.

According to the Chinese Zodiac calendar, 2011 is the Year of the Rabbit. To the Chinese people, speed, strength and kindness of heart are traits associated with the rabbit. They therefore believe that those born in the Year of the Rabbit are clever, romantic, modest and merciful. The rabbit is the 4th animal on the calendar, which dates back to more than 2000 years ago. There are 12 animals on the calendar which works in 12 year cycles. The Chinese believe that these animals appeared before Buddha or the Jade Emperor. The animals are listed on the calendar in their order of arrival, starting with the rat and followed by the ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, goat, monkey, rooster, dog and pig.

For more information on the Chinese New Year Celebrations at The Brightwater Commons contact Francois on 011 789 5052.

See Randburg Accommodation to find a place to stay for this event.

It’s out with the old and in with the new in typical Decorex Durban style. And yet, this time around it’s with a sensational new twist!

From 18 – 21 March 2011, at the Durban Exhibition Centre, Decorex SA in collaboration with the KSA Kitchen & Bathroom Faire will play proud hosts to an all new and totally fabulous décor, design and lifestyle exhibition. With the launch of Trends & Tastes 2011 Durban’s décor and design fundis can look forward to a veritable feast of design trends, delightful décor and the very best in good living.

Expertly conceptualised and created to offer a fusion of the finest in everything about the home, living and lifestyle, Trends & Tastes 2011 will look to provide the answers to those in search of ultimate sophistication. Give insight into what defines uber-chic and open doors to preciously guarded, exquisite pieces. All within a sophisticated yet relaxed environment that gives you the time and space to indulge the senses and defy sensibility – even if for a moment.

Cairey Slater, Decorex SA General Manager Exhibitions & Events is confident and excited about the launch of this all new show for Durban, “Trends & Tastes 2011 is an original offering that will bring a fashionable mix of home, décor, design and living under one very glam roof. We are super-excited about the variety and uniqueness on offer and we’re aiming to rock Durban by creating a relaxed yet cosmopolitan and forward-thinking experience. The beauty of Trends & Tastes 2011 has to be that there will be something for everyone. It’s all about a great day out and an opportunity to find the way of creating the space and life that you love.”

Here’s a sneak peak into what Durbanites [and those wanting to visit SA’s newest and hottest show!] can expect from Trends & Tastes 2011:

Trendy Décor & Design: A showcase of top décor and design talent from Durban’s amazing gene-pool and the promise of impressive heavy weights’ is on the cards. If it’s décor you’re into this is one show you don’t want to miss! From decorators and designers, to inspiring room settings, furniture, stylish accessories and fabric houses we’ve got the trendiest décor and design line-up in town!

Kitchens & Bathrooms: Our range of kitchens will make even the novice want to whip out their wok and our bathrooms will provide pure inspiration! The KSA are back in full force and Trend’s & Tastes promises to showcase the country’s largest, leading collaboration of specialist spaces!

Tantalising Tastes: Enjoy our organic food market and all things delectable in District Delicious. For foodies and those that love to roll up their sleeves, keep an eye out for an awesome schedule of free sessions and be sure to make a date with our line-up of big name stars and international guests. We’ll also be featuring a range of Durban’s top restaurants and a feast of delish delights to savour while at the show, so make sure you come hungry!

Expert Advice: From Plascon’s launch of their ‘love’ inspired 2011 colour forecast to the Living Green House – where an entire home is created and everything from frames to flooring ease our environmental footprint make sure you get the most of out of the free consultation you need to get you on track with your interior project. Make a date to spend time in our DStv Theatre of Ideas or Ask the Experts area and come away with all the tools, insights and inspiration that you need for your very own home. Whether your creation is gourmet artwork on a plate or a tastefully recycled ‘Louis’, a paradise of demonstrations and interactive sessions awaits!

A Great Day Out: The Good Living Pavilion incorporating a range of attractive options for lifestyle estates as well as an invigorating wellness arena promise to make it an entertaining and fabulous day for the family. Live entertainment, with food and drinks from some of Durban’s best restaurateurs further add to this great day out. Keep an eye out for amazing prizes and competitions that we’ll be running during the show and stand a chance of winning thousands in trendy home décor, design and lifestyle items!

With a line-up of show-stopping fashionable ‘home-wear’, the best in design and décor talent, a twist of lifestyle enablers, all things trendy and tasteful and a splash of fabulous family entertainment, Durban’s new show Trends & Tastes 2011 is set to top even its predecessor is certainly one not to be missed! Visit www.decorex.co.za for more. Trends and Tastes is proudly sponsored by Plascon, with DStv as media partner.

Links: To find a place to stay see Durban Accommodation.