Last week I wrote about the charity ‘Match in Africa’ between two tennis legends Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal, in aid of the Roger Federer Foundation, played in the Cape Town Stadium on Friday evening 7 February. Figures presented in it were estimates, but the impact of this star event for Cape Town, our country, and Southern Africa is even bigger than anticipated. Continue reading →
A top event held at the African Pride Crystal Towers last night saw an attendance of close to 700 invited guests, despite the bad weather, testimony to the pulling power of the Mercedes-Benz Opulent Living Style Night, which celebrated the 10th Jubilee edition of the Opulent Living magazine, and the launch of the new Mercedes-Benz C Class. The function tied in with the Mercedes-Benz Cape Town Fashion Week, which runs until today, and highlighted 
style, beauty, and design.
Despite the large number of invited guests, the Century City hotel foyer, in which the function was held, never felt over-crowded, and provided an unusual party venue, probably previously unknown to many of the guests attending. The choice of the venue may have been motivated by the proximity of the Mercedes-Benz dealership close by. The weather was kind to guests on arrival, allowing most to get inside without getting wet. We were handed a paid-for parking ticket on arrival, an organised touch!
Inside the foyer, a number of artists were performing, two of them doing interesting things with large hoops, sometimes performing movements with them separately and at times Continue reading →
Capetonians are in for a summertime treat with a variety of AquaFestival shows presented almost daily, until 6 January, in the V&A Waterfront.
Based on past Aqua Opera performances, the new AquaFestival show has been expanded to change its focus every 3 days or so. It started off with H2Opera earlier this week, features the popular Parlotones on 18 December, Freshly Ground on 19 December, a Jazz tribute to Miriam Makeba from 20 – 22 December, AquaCarols directed by Richard Cock from 22 – 24 December, Johnny Clegg from 26 – 28 December, AquAbba from 29 – 31 December, AquaJazz on 1 January, AquaBallet on 2 and 3 January, and Ladysmith Black Mambazo from 4 – 6 January. The Zip Zap circus performs daily until 31 December.
Performed on a stage built on a floating barge moored close to the Aquarium, with Table Mountain as a magnificent backdrop, the setting in good weather is exceptional. Even the singing seals trying to out-do the opera singers added an interesting touch to the concert. The H2Opera was performed by local singers Pretty Yende and Otto Maidi, while Oleysa Petrova and Brad Cooper are two visiting singers, from Russia and Australia, respectively.
Further details can be obtained from www.aquafestival.com. Tickets can be bought at Computicket.
Chris von Ulmenstein, Whale Cottage Portfolio: www.whalecottage.com