Hi, my Name is Peter Stuyvesant, my wife’s name is Cameo and we stay in Chesterfield. We were on our way to meet our old Friend Paul Revere in Idlewild, travelling on the State Express 555 when a Texan tried to rob us of our Gold Dollar’s. I drew my Gunston and shot him it was a Lucky Strike. Now this all happened, outside of Kent, on the West 85 route. When we got to Idlewild we booked in at the Rothmans International Luxury, which has a Five Star rating. Paul suggested we go and visit the Cavalla Kings at the Wills Embassy which is situated in El Cano. We travelled on the Senior Service.When we got there we booked in at the H.B. International Crown which is renowned for its craftwork like the, Rembrandt van Ryn’s, Dunhills, Courtleigh Gold. We were delighted with the Bel Air Light suite with its Rothmans King Size bed covered with Vogue Satin sheets. The Matinee in the Wills Viceroy theatre where the President Giants and Santos Dumont delivered a Courtleigh performance. Now Paul’s girlfriend Kim suggested we go for supper at the Belmont where we had Perilly’s Private Blend, called the L&M flavour. Later in the evening Hunter, from Lexington, presented us with the Camel trophy for our efforts in conservation. PJ 1979
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
Measurements of Winter Arctic Sea Ice Shows Continuing Ice Loss, Study Finds
The 2011 Arctic sea ice extent maximum that marks the beginning of the melt season appears to be tied for the lowest ever measured by satellites, say scientists at the University of Colorado Boulder's National Snow and Ice Data Center.
The CU-Boulder research team believes the lowest annual maximum ice extent of 5,650,000 square miles occurred on March 7. The maximum ice extent was 463,000 square miles below the 1979-2000 average, an area slightly larger than the states of Texas and California combined. The 2011 measurements were tied with those from 2006 as the lowest maximum sea ice extents measured since satellite record keeping began in 1979.
Virtually all climate scientists believe shrinking Arctic sea ice is tied to warming temperatures in the region caused by an increase in human-produced greenhouse gases being pumped into Earth's atmosphere. Because of the spiraling downward trend of Arctic sea ice extent in the last decade, some CU scientists are predicting the Arctic Ocean may be ice free in the summers within the next several decades.
The seven lowest maximum Arctic sea ice extents measured by satellites all have occurred in the last seven years, said CU-Boulder Research Scientist Walt Meier of the National Snow and Ice Data Center, who participated the latest study. "I'm not surprised by the new data because we've seen a downward trend in winter sea ice extent for some time now."
Scientists believe Arctic sea ice functions like an air conditioner for the global climate system by naturally cooling air and water masses, playing a key role in ocean circulation and reflecting solar radiation back into space, said Meier. In the Arctic summer months, sunlight is absorbed by the growing amounts of open water, raising surface temperatures and causing more ice to melt.
"I think one of the reasons the Arctic sea ice maximum extent is declining is that the autumn ice growth is delayed by warmer temperatures and the ice extent is not able to 'catch up' through the winter," said Meier. "In addition, the clock runs out on the annual ice growth season as temperatures start to rise along with the sun during the spring months."
Since satellite record keeping began in 1979, the maximum Arctic sea ice extent has occurred as early as Feb. 18 and as late as March 31, with an average date of March 6. Since the CU-Boulder researchers determine the maximum sea ice extent using a five-day running average, there is small chance the data could change.
In early April CU-Boulder's National Snow and Ice Data Center will issue a formal announcement on the 2011 maximum sea ice extent with a full analysis of the winter ice growth season, including graphics comparing 2011 to the long-term record.
GOOD TO BE IN CAPE TOWN WHERE IT IS WARM!! :)
If you would like to stay in a nice and warm place contact us for more information: e-mail: riverlodgebackbackers@gmail.com or call us 0027214480526
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
Top Class Jam Session
Hip hop, R ‘n B, soul and poetry converge on one stage at the Seasons
Boutique, 18 Bree Street in Cape Town, on Saturday, 2 April, at 2pm, in
the Top Class Jam Session.
monthly session will be held every first Saturday of the month and will
present the talent which is emerging from the ghettos, with young,
underground artists performing live and bringing a fresh, new vibe to
central Cape Town. These will be artists who have yet to be seen on TV
or heard on radio.
Ticket prices for Top Class Jam Session
at Seasons Boutique, 18 Bree Street, at 2pm on Saturday, 2 April are
R20 presold and R30 at the door, with an additional R10 for entry onto
the VIP floor. Doors open at 1pm. Tickets are available through Lady P
on 083 239 7850,
email pnkuzo@gmail.com,
or Dat on 072 578 3636.
Eendracht Hotel Vista Trail Run
Eendracht Hotel Vista Trail Run will benefit children’s charities.
Stellenbosch’s magnificent mountains will play host to the 2011 Eendracht Hotel Vista Trail Run on 16 April. The event will be in aid of two children’s charities, namely, the Anna Foundation in Stellenbosch and the President Kruger Orphanage in Reddersburg.
The 2011 Trail Run will consist of a more challenging 12 km trail run and a 5 km fun run ideal for families. The event is organised by the Gereformeerde Kerk Stellenbosch in association with the Stellenbosch Athletics Club. The organisers are expecting at least 1500 entrants for the 2011 event, up 500 from the previous event.
Both routes will start at Coetzenburg Athletics Stadium, run across the sports fields and then turn to the foot of the Stellenbosch Mountain. The Eendracht Hotel Vista Trail Run course winds through fynbos, indigenous bush and eucalyptus and offers magnificent views of Stellenbosch, the Boland, False Bay and Table Mountain. The route’s surfaces differ between technical single tracks, level jeep tracks, a small pavement section, and also include tartan and grass.
The 12km event will start at 07h30, and the family fun run 5 minutes later. Registration will be open from 06h15 on the morning of the event. Entries open on 1 February and close on 12 April 2011. Group entries for schools and athletic clubs must be completed before 5 April.
When: Saturday, 16 April 2011
Where: Stellenbosch
Sunday, March 27, 2011
Raka Festival
So if you are in the mood for a chilled out, musical weekend in the Overberg make a plan and get tickets for the Raka Festival and catch the likes of Ramblin' Bones, Third World Spectator, The Pretty Blue Guns, Gary Thomas, Albert Frost and many more for a relaxing weekend of great music.
When: Thursday, 31 March 2011 to Sunday, 03 April 2011
Where: Swellendam
Costs: R220 for early bird tickets, R250 for other tickets and R300 for tickets purchased 'at the door'. Tickets for Sunday only are R100. All tickets (except Sunday tickets) include camping.
Friday, March 25, 2011
The South African Navy Festival
Will be various events in the main arena that both young and old will find entertaining. Some of the standard attractions to look forward to during the festival include:
South African Navy ships and submarines will be open for public viewing, Tug rides, flea market, children’s activities, Gun Run Display, Navy Band performance, SA Navy Precision Drill, ship boarding display by the Maritime Reaction Squadron, Lynx & Oryx Helicopters display, live cannon firings, South African Navy diving display, Dry Dock concert, Right of Entry Parade through Simon’s Town, Navy Choir performance, Night Gunnery Shoot and more...
Entrance to the festival is free and gates will open daily at 10am until 6pm.
Bring your families and have fun with all the Navy personnel!
When: Thursday, 31 March 2011 to Friday, 01 April 2011
Where: Simons Town
Thursday, March 24, 2011
Brews & Blues Festival
South Africans have two favourite pass times, Beer and Music.
Bringing the finest beer and the best genre, the blues together will make this a memorable experience for beer enthusiasts and blues lovers.
Let’s not forget that blues originated in Africa and was popular in America and the rest of the world. Beer’s origin is in Germany and also one of the most popular social and celebratory drinks in the world. Bringing back blues to Africa and enjoying it with beers from the around the world makes perfect sense.
By combining the best local and international brews, will get every ones mojo working.
Tickets available at www.webtickets.co.za
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
SA Library Week
Library Week will be celebrated in South Africa from 19-26 March 2011. The theme this year is ‘Read in Your Language @ Your Library’.
SA Library Week was started in 1997 and the Library and Information Association of South Africa (LISA) has been working hard at centralising library and information services. One of the many important focuses of this week is to encourage reading and instil a culture of reading so that we create an informed nation and promoting the importance of libraries.
When: Tuesday, 22 March 2011 to Sunday, 27 March 2011
Where: South Africa, Nationwide
Monday, March 21, 2011
The Feast of The Grape
The Durbanville Wine Valley will host the Feast of the Grape on the 21st March 2011. This harvest festival is a complete package of wine, great food & fine music – from picking a bunch, making your own wine, to wine tastings and cellar tours. Participating Wine Farms include Participating Farms Altydgedacht, Bloemendal, D’Aria, De Grendel, Diemersdal, Durbanville Hills, Hillcrest, Meerendal and NitÃda.
When: Monday, 21 March 2011
Where: Durbanville
Sunday, March 20, 2011
We ♥ Real Beer at The Old Biscuit Mill
The Neighbourgoods Market in Woodstock is the place to be if you love beer
This time the 2nd WeLoveRealBeer Craft Beer Festival is bigger, better and 'beerier'! Taking place at the Neighbour Goods Market in Woodstock on Sunday 20th March 2011, this festival is set to break all records.
More breweries, more beer, more food, extra DJ's and a solid line-up of live music will all add to making this the biggest Craft Beer Festival in South Africa.
R30p/p will get you through the door - entrance includes your own limited production WLRB glass. After that, you are in the hands of the brewers themselves!
This year we will be offering an 'early bird' ticket discount - buy a book of 10 tickets for the price of 9 tickets - that will also get you through the gate quicker.
Pre-sale ticket can be purchased at &UNION, Superette and by contacting WeLoveRealBeer on twitter at @weloverealbeer.
South African artisan Breweries in attendance include Napier Brewery, Jack Black Beer, Mitchell's Brewery, Brewers & Union, Darling Brew, Camelthorn Brewing, and many more to be confirmed.
Be a part of something great by joining the CapeTownMagazine.com Facebook Fan Page and see what you can win every week with our Weekly Giveaways!
For all annual events happening throughout Cape Town and surrounds in 2011, be sure to check out our Events Section.
For updates on the best artisan beer festivals in and around Cape Town for the lovers of beer, be sure to subscribe to our free monthly Editor’s Picks Newsletter and follow us on Twitter.
| Date: | 20 Mar 2011 |
| Time: | 12:00 - 23:00 |
| Venue: | The Neighbourgoods Market |
| Location: | 373 - 375 Albert Road | Woodstock |
| Price: | R30p/p |
| shaunfrancbond@me.com | |
| Website: | www.weloverealbeer.com |
http://www.capetownmagazine.com/events/festivals/We--Real-Beer-at-The-Old-Biscuit-Mill/2011-03-20/128_37_53051
Saturday, March 19, 2011
Full Moon Gathering
Full Moon Gathering
Meet @ 5pm - short low fitness walk All are welcome children especially welcome.
We will gather together at one of the ancient Sacred Sites on the lower slopes of Little Lion's Head above Hout bay and to be in one of the best and most powerful positions to view, experience and share with others the Sun Setting over the Atlantic Ocean to the West and the Moon Rising through the Sacred Gateway of Constantia Neck in this Powerful Portal.....on this auspicious Day when the Moon will be @ Perigee (Closest to our Earth) in all Her Beauty and Energy . An Opportunity to be a Fulcrum between the Two Divine Masculine and Feminine Energies of the Father Sun and Mother Moon that will perform a Grandiose Dance, the Balance of Life the Yin the Yang and the Sacred Place where Light and Shadow meet. Come and Join Us and be a part of this Cosmic Song-!
Come Rain or Shine! I will be there
MEETING PLACE : at Suikerbossie (Turn off main road as if going to the Suikerbossie restaurant, The Parking area just, 100meters after turning on your left ie. below the suikerbossie restaurant)
TIME 19th March @ 5pm. ending around 8pm
Please bring warm clothes/wind protection/water /tea/ snack the walk is short a low level of fitness is required. Something to sit on. Drums welcome..Prayers and intentions for yourselves our planet and humanity.
Cost by..Donation (suggestion R100)or what you can, basket will be passed
RSVP via email / Face Book or SMS My contact # is
Cost: by donation
Parking area below Suikerbossie restaurant
t 0794048762
e dean@sunpath.co.za
w www.sacredsites.co.za
a Parking area below Suikerbossie restaurant
Friday, March 18, 2011
12th Annual Cape Town International Jazz Festival
The Cape Town International Jazz Festival has grown into a hugely successful international event since its inception in the year 2000. Attendance figures have increased from the initial 14 000 to 34 000 in the last 11 years.
Melodytrip has ranked this proudly South African event as No.4 in the world, outshining events such as Switzerland's Montreaux Festival and the North Sea Jazz Festival in Holland.
The festival’s winning formula of bringing more than 40 International and Local artists to perform over two days on five stages has earned it the status of being the most prestigious event on the African continent.
Known as Africa's Grandest Gathering, the festival which will be in its twelfth year when it takes place on Friday 25th and Saturday 26 March 2011 at the Cape Town International Convention Centre. Once again Cape Town International Jazz festival will thrill loyal and new fans with world class music.
The community concert, part of the build–up to the 12th Annual CTIJF will again this year be held at Green-Market Square.
This well-attended event will start at 5pm on 23 March 2011 and features some of the top headliners that will also be performing at the Jazz Festival.
Cape Town International Jazz Festival organisers had to wait for more than three years to be able to find space in saxophonist Wayne Shorter’s busy schedule and get him to perform at Africa’s Grandest Gathering. According to espAfrika and festival director Rashid Lombard, as organisers they have always wanted the 77-year old saxophonist to appear in Cape Town. “For years, it’s been our wish to get Wayne Shorter to the festival. As a touring artist we could never get the time right. We are thrilled that this round this living jazz legend could make”. Cape Town International Jazz Festival: Packed with the Best
At the centre of every innovation that occurred in jazz in the last 50-years, Shorter leads his stellar quartet made up of pianist Danilo Perez, bassist John Patitucci, and drummer Brian Blade at the festival that takes place at Friday 25 and Saturday 26 March at Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC). The quartet, whose members are bandleaders of note has been together since September 2000. Shorter whose introspective saxophone tone is engulfing assembled the acoustic group as he took a turn towards music that predate his association with bands like the jazz-rock fusion outfit, Weather Report.
To join Shorter as headline acts is the 1970s band Earth, Wind and Fire (EWF) and US saxophonist Dave Koz. Rooted in soul, funk, gospel, blues and jazz, EWF emerged as the other wing of pop music of the 1970s, a wing based on Afro-American musical sensibilities. To produce its sound, EWF members used their skills as jazz musicians to produce brassy music that transcended categories. The results were everlasting hits such as “Shining Star”, “Mighty Mighty”, “Let’s Groove” and “Kalimba Story”. Although he comes from a different period, Koz’s approach is similar to that of EWF, production of well-crafted music that appeals to a wider audience.
A multifaceted artist, Koz not only plays saxophone masterfully, he runs a yearly Smooth Jazz Christmas Tour, owns a record company, promotes an annual Dave Koz & Friends Jazz Cruise and hosts a syndicated radio programme that is broadcast through smooth jazz stations across the US. It will not be for the first time that the saxophonist appears at the Cape Town International Jazz Festival. He appeared as a guest at the festival’s 10th anniversary in 2009 where he shared the stage with guitarist Jonathan Butler. A sign of how popular Koz’ music is on these shores, the first country outside of the US where his recording gained platinum status is South Africa. His 1999 The Dance sold over 100 000 units.
As in previous years, there will be at this year’s event an equal split between African artists and those from abroad. To lead Africa’s contingency is West African griot Youssou N’dour and reigning queen of Afro-soul, Simphiwe Dana. In musical career that goes back to 1975 when he became a professional musician, N’dour has grown to be a musical ambassador of the African continent. With his voice he champions the cause of the entire continent. In many ways Dana is taking the same path. Since the launch of her 2004 debut album, Dana’s contemplative voice has won her one award after the other. It has also won her a huge following locally and internationally. In 2005 which is the last time that the silky-voiced singer appeared at the Cape Town International Jazz Festival, her show was rescheduled and moved to a bigger venue as more than the expected number of music lovers came to hear her. With a stunning new Afrocentric recording Kulture Noir, those wanting to hear her sing will definitely exceed the 2005 crowd.
Part of the African squad this year is South African-based Mozambican saxophonist and flautist Ivan Mazuze as well as up-and-coming Angolan vocalist Sandra Cordera. Cordera who fuses bossa nova with strong Afro-jazz styles, was selected last year by Radio France Internationale (RFI) as one of Africa’s best 10 musicians. Cordera is the second Angolan artist to perform at the Cape Town International Jazz Festival. She follows in the footsteps of singer Paulo Flores whose reception at last year’s festival is a testimony of how the audience at the festival is open musically.
Festival organisers are again sticking to programming that makes the two-day event not only memorable but a music show where attendees have choice that ranges from straight-ahead jazz sounds to more urban and contemporary styles. For those for more jagged chords and notes, they will have the opportunity to hear hot-blowing US trumpeter Christian Scott; Patricia Barber who is revered for her pianism and her contralto voice; and Cape Town-based guitarist, pianist, vocalist and gifted composer Dave Ledbetter. Known for his work with groups like the energetic Truly Fully Hey Shoo Wow Band and Boereqanga, the talented musician leads at this year’s musical extravaganza his own band, The Clearing. The band is presently putting final touches to its recording.
Programming at the festival continues to provide a stage for younger but serious musicians. On this year’s lineup is South African singer Lisa Bauer, Hong Kong-based Singaporean singer and producer Hanjin, and bassist/vocalist Esperanza Spalding. In addition to leading her band Spalding is a member of Joe Lovano’s new band, Us Five. Spalding, saxophonist Ravi Coltrane and drummer Francisco Mela were the rhythm section that accompanied McCoy Tyner at the CareFusion New York Jazz Festival in June last year. Always determined to cross barriers, Spalding is a rising star. Her latest recording weaves chamber music and jazz improvisation. Her bass-playing transfixes audiences and her multilingual singing hypnotisises listeners.
The lineup will be incomplete if there are no artists and bands that create nostalgia and a sense of déjà vu. One artist that will definitely create such feeling is US flautist Hubert Laws. Laws is one of the musicians that secured a place in jazz for flute. In the 1970s, Laws was the No.1 flautist in Downbeat readers’ poll for 10-years in a row; a position he held for seven year in the critics’ poll. He achieved this without abandoning his love for classical music. Throughout his career, the 71-year old flautist has demonstrated his ability to straddle effortlessly the worlds of jazz and Western classical music. After a partial withdrawal from the music scene in the mid-1980s, Laws is back, starting where he left off.
Surely to bring down the house is the old South African band, The Flames. Steeped in Atlantic soul and Motown sound, before disbanding in 1970 The Flames was one of the country’s top pop groups. The band was the first non-white South African group to reach the Top 20 charts of the whites-only Springbok Radio. The Flames is also the first group in the world to record with the label that the famous Beach Boys owned. The band’s appearance in Cape Town will definitely be a reunion and connect the group with thousands of its fans.
To provide contemporary sounds will be “lieutenants of funk, corporals of beat and renegades of rhyme”, Gang of Instrumentals, South African group that fuses electro, disco, funk, pop and African rhythms; Gazelle, and Monique Bingham whose name is synonymous with the live band Abstract Truth.
The artists revealed at the first artists announcement who will appear at this year’s festival are: Earth, Wind and Fire (US), Christian Scott (US), Dave Ledbetter and the Clearing (SA), Dave Koz (US), Esperanza Spalding (US), Gang of Instrumentals (SA), Gazelle (SA), Hanjin (Singapore/Hong Kong), Hubert Laws (US), Ivan Mazuze (Mozambique/SA), Lisa Bauer (SA), Monique Bingham (US), Patricia Barber (US), Sandra Cordera (Angola), Simphiwe Dana (SA), The Flames – Official Reunion (SA) and Wayne Shorter Quartet with Brian Blade, Danilo Perez & John Patitucci (US) and Youssou N’dour (Senegal) .
As part of the Cape Town International Jazz Festival’s commitment to the sustainable development of the Music Arts industry, the festival proudly presents a series of Workshops that takes place at various venues throughout the CBD and greater Cape Town area over an 8 day period. This social investment component explores various elements of the jazz world and includes Arts Journalism, Music Workshops, Music Business, Master Classes as well as many other workshops. Another element of the CTIJF is the esteemed Duotone Photographic Exhibition that documents the emergence and growth of jazz globally. The Community Concert (free to all) will take place prior to the festival on the Wednesday at Green Market Square and is a showcase of some of the international and local acts scheduled to perform at the Cape Town International Jazz Festival.
Two exciting new additions to this year’s workshops is The Juilliard School, New York - Conversations 2011: A Trans-Continental Jazz Event and The Berklee College of Music (US) -Auditions, Interviews and Clinics.
For accommodations or shuttle contact us at
Thursday, March 17, 2011
Robben Island
Once “home” to South Africa’s most famous political prisoners, including Nelson Mandela, Robben Island is one of South Africa’s most visited tourist attractions, and rightly so. Do not leave Cape Town without visiting the island – it is likely to be one of the highlights of your trip.
The island-museum of Robben Island is situated some 9km (5.5mi) offshore from Cape Town. Dubbed “Robben” (“the place of seals”) by the Dutch settlers, Robben Island was declared a World Heritage Site on December 1, 1997.
The island has a turbulent history. From the 17th to the 20th century it was variously a prison, a hospital and a military base. It is most famous for being a political prison during the era of apartheid, or racial segregation.
Many of South Africa’s most prominent freedom fighters spent time on Robben Island. Its most famous prisoner was Nelson Mandela, who spent 18 years on the island out of the 27 years he was imprisoned. It was here that Mandela and his fellow prisoners were subjected to hard labour.
Robben Island has an interesting mix of flora and fauna and Murray Bay, Robben Island’s small harbour, is home to 140 000 African penguins.
If you would like to experienced the wonders of Robben Island contact us for more information: e-mail: riverlodgebackbackers@gmail.com or call us 0027214480526
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
The Cape Winelands Film Festival returns to its Stellenbosch roots tonight. In its fourth year, the festival takes place in one of the prettiest little towns in South Africa.
The festivals opens with Michael Henry Wilson’s documentary Reconciliation: Mandela’s Miracle. Completed last year, it details the strategy South Africans take for granted, but which the rest of the world saw and still sees as Mandela’s miracle: the events overseen by Nelson Mandela that shepherded our country in a peaceful transition from apartheid to a democracy.
It is driven by the notion that even the most terrible tyranny can be overcome through reconciliation, as both the oppressed and the oppressors need to be liberated from the vice-grip of prejudice and injustice.
The film was judged best documentary at last year’s Hollywood Film Festival and won a Global Impact Award at the Conscious Life Film Festival in Los Angeles this year.
Festival director Leon van der Merwe said they decided on the theme of reconciliation because it is a concept worth exploring in contemporary South African society.
“The films we have in the line-up regarding reconciliation were a fluke except for Turkish film Kosmos and Greek film Homeland which we watched because of their themes. The rest were unsourced and unsolicited,” explained Van Der Merwe.
They’ve managed to pick up Distell as a sponsor in kind. Through the alcohol producer/marketer, the festival now has access to the Oude Libertas venue for premieres.
Irma Albers, arts and culture controller of the development programmes at Distell, said they’re doing this to expose the community to something they might not get chance to see under normal circumstances – in this case, films beyond the normal skop, skiet en donder playing at the local cinema.
“Also, it’s about getting people to a place they’ve not experienced before, so they can realise people also go to the theatre,” said Albers.
Van Der Merwe said it was difficult to pitch a film festival at a particular audience in this country because the potential market is so diverse. Instead, they’re focusing on the diversity of good movies available, and hoping to attract people interested in watching excellent films.
He’s also sure they’ll attract people interested in African films since they have seven feature films on offer, as well as three local feature films and 13 local documentaries.
There are also never-before-seen-in-this-country films from Japan (Kinboku and Akira Kirosawa’s Madadayo) and Finland (Princess).
“The whole point is to bring the audience in the Western Cape the films we are missing out on on the commercial circuit. Cinema Nouveau has become a haven for glorified blockbusters, despite Ster-Kinekor maintaining that they are fulfilling the idea that what they screen at Cinema Nouveau is art.
“We don’t want to label what we’re screening as just art, but ‘more serious in content’ film,” said Van Der Merwe.
He’s watched all of the films and struggles to highlight some of the 38 feature films above the rest, but says he’s very happy about getting Slovakian film, The Legend of the Flying Cyprian and 2010 Egyptian film Microphone, which tells a story eerily similar to the events that recently played out in the country.
Then there’s Do Elephants Pray, a small English film about a straight-laced advertising executive whose life is thrown into disarray when he meets a free-spirited woman.
He’s also quite keen on documentary The World According to Ion B, about artist Ion Barladeanu who was living on the street when he was discovered making artworks out of recycled waste.
There’s also a masters section, with lectures on the work of cinematic legends, in addition to screenings of some of their best work. The lectures take place from 7.30pm at the Neelsie.
Tuesday, March 22, John van Zyl: The Man who Shot Liberty Valance is a film in which Ford deftly creates a structuralist opposition between the book and the gun, the male and the female, myth and history, Eastern values and frontier individualism.
Wednesday, March 23, Hannes van Zyl: Renoir as a film director who redefined the language of film and influenced generations of film-makers, with special attention to The Rules of the Game (La Règle du Jeu).
Thursday, March 24, Dr Lesley Marx: Orson Welles, maverick genius interpreting American dreams and nightmares with a focus on Citizen Kane.
Friday, March 25, Dr Martin Botha: Auteurial self-consciousness in the cinema of Frederico Fellini, with special reference to Roma.
For those who can’t make it out to the winelands, short films will be screened at the CityVarsity campus on Kloof Street while the rest of the films will be screened at the Neelsie and 5 Ryneveld (restaurant/lounge/bar cinema, 5 Ryneveld Street in the heart of Stellenbosch).
The festival runs from today until March 26. See http://films-for-africa.co.za/
For accommodations or shuttle contact us at
The Cape Town Carnival - A celebration of dance and creativity Born out of a vision to have a street spectacular in Cape Town, which measures up to the standard and quality of other great Carnivals in the world, the Cape Town Carnival started with a pilot in 2010, when 2 500 community costumed performers took to the streets of Cape Town in song and dance in a riot of colour.
Behind this event was hours of preparation in rehearsal, costume-making, music production and float-building. It enabled a torrent of local talent to strut the streets and for a huge audience to enjoy all that the Carnival has to offer.
What we believed then and what we see now, after the success of the 2010 FIFA World Cup, was the ability of events such as this to being about real and significant social cohesion and sense of community belonging.
The participants of the Carnival are drawn from more than 23 local communities from the Cape Town Metro and included people from every walk of life.
Based on lessons learnt during last year’s pilot Carnival in Long St, the 2011 Carnival will see the launch of a much grander Carnival experience. It will have all the glamour and sensuality of Rio but with a distinctive African beat.
What to expect?
The Carnival Parade will start at 8.30pm on the Saturday March 19 and proceed down the “Carnival Corridor” in Long Street, through the purpose-built gateway that will be ablaze with colour, lights, lasers and dancers, welcoming all to the Carnival.
150 Harley-Davidsons will precede the event, heralding the grand entrance of nine spectacular floats and over 2 000 dancers in elaborate and colourful costumes. Pulsating music from the floats will provide the rhythm for the dancers, and spotlights, big screens and giant puppets will add to the magical atmosphere.
As the last float passes through the purpose-built exit at the top end of the carnival corridor, DJ Fresh will turn up the beat and the thousands of revellers will party the night away in a vibrant street party.
Arrive early Strategy
Because of a significantly scaled-up media strategy, the event organisers are expecting revellers to respond to the parade in very large numbers and for this reason a special FanJol will be set up in Greenmarket Square to accommodate early spectators. A large screen, a themed bar and food vendors will be set up for the Stormers vs Bulls Super 15 rugby match. Special late night trains are being finalised with Metrorail to ensure that revellers can enjoy the party without running foul of the law.
For accommodation or shuttle contact us at
www.riverlodge.co.za
Tel. Office +27 (0) 21 448 0526
Mobile +27 (0) 82 515 0407
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
World of Birds
The largest bird park in Africa, Hout Bay’s World of Birds fits neatly into a valley that provides a perfect sanctuary for the four-hectare series of aviaries. This exquisite setting is surrounded by a number of mountain ranges, such as the Twelve Apostles, Constantiaberg, Chapman’s Peak and Little Lion’s Head.
Walk-through aviaries
More than 3 000 birds and small animals belonging to 400 different species are housed in spacious, landscaped walk-through aviaries that afford visitors unrivalled face-to-face interaction with some of Mother Nature’s most beautiful creations.
Monkey Jungle
The Monkey Jungle, with its cute squirrel monkeys, is always a hit with children and the young at heart, while photographers revel in the many photographic opportunities that abound. The World of Birds is a premier tourist attraction – visited by 100 000 people every year – that should be on your “top-five” list.
If you would like to experienced the wonders of Hout Bay and Seal Island in a glass- bottom boot contact us for more information: e-mail: riverlodgebackbackers@gmail.com or call us 0027214480526
