About Me

The simple life of a foreigner lost in Cape Town... read about what's hot, what's not, where to go and what to do or eat!!

Monday, October 6, 2014

Saturday 11th October - Benefit concert at Maynardville with lots of entertainment for all

MAYNARDVILLE!! JEUGFEES....DIE FEES MET GEES!!  


benefit concert for the youth by the youth of the minority groups.

The concert is in aid of raising funds that in turn will be ploughed back into the various minority youth groups. Khoi-San Youth, Coloured Youth, Malay Youth and White Youth.

The day is centered around a youth theme as to involve as many of the minority youth groups to better understand and learn from each others cultures and history.
The youth of today will be the shapers of what RSA will be in the future.

Join us as Western Cape Action Forum proudly bring you::

MAYNARDVILLE!! JEUGFEES....DIE FEES MET GEES!!

Activities on the day,
Musicians
Beer garden
wine tasting tent,
Boere sport,
Potjiekos competition,
rides and slides ,
Arts And Crafts stalls

Get your tickets here: http://www.itickets.co.za/events/332880.html


2014 SHNIT International Festival - Cape Town 8-12 October 2014

From Wednesday 8th October to Sunday 12th October, catch the best shortfilms in a back to back marathon across Cape Town.

Shnit International Shortfilmfestival has had the objective to promote short films as an independent art form of film and to present them to an ever broader audience.

Every year at the beginning of October, shnit International Shortfilmfestival simultaneously flickers across the screens in different PLAYGROUNDS on five continents. Thus, shnit is committed to internationality regarding both its program and the eight festival cities around the world. Bern is the most important PLAYGROUND since the festival was founded there. The other international PLAYGROUNDS are Bangkok, Buenos Aires, Cairo, Cape Town, Kyoto, Moscow and San José. Thanks to this worldwide structure, shnit makes an important contribution to the international establishment of short films and promotes the dialogue between the audience and the filmmakers from all over the world.

PROGRAMME FOR THE 2014 SHNIT INTERNATIONAL SHORT FILM FESTIVAL

Films will be shown in 100-minute blocks, and each block fits into one of the five categories below. Click here to view the full Shnit programme.
  • In Competition: this category is made up of the 64 shorts vying for the Flaming Faun trophy as well as the nine locally made shorts that are competing for the Made in SA trophy. For the first time ever, the audience will have a say in the latter competition.
  • A Real Treat: this category is made up of a mix of audience favourites, from the heart-warming and disturbing to the naughty and poignant.
  • For Special Interest: this category is made up of shorts that would appeal to niche interest groups, like those who love anime, documentaries and experimental works.
  • Out of Curiosity: this category is made up of pieces meant to broaden horizons. Historically, it’s comprised of mostly original South African showcase work, and this year 18 out-of-competition Mzansi pieces are included on the bill. 
  • At the Peak: this category is made up of festival highlights. 
SHNIT TO KEEP YOUR EYE ON AT THE FESTIVAL 
The Made in SA Blocks (see programme for times/dates): Comprised of two 100-minute blocks showcasing the nine painstakingly selected South African-made films vying for the crown, this portion of the festival gives the audience a chance to weigh in on the best of the best. On the final night of the festival, one film will receive the first ever audience award and another will come away with the South African jury’s top honour.
Tickets: R40p/p from the venue 
The Kaapse Bobotie Blocks (See programme for times/dates): This lekker line-up of 18 films screens across three 100-minute blocks in both Cape Town and Stellenbosch to give Mother City audiences a taste of the best and spiciest local out-of-competition shorts.
Tickets: R40p/p from the venue
Closing Night Ceremony (12 October, 7pm – The Labia): The big shebang! This final evening of programming culminates in the much-anticipated award ceremony, at which the South African directors jury will be pick a Made in SA winner and the audience will choose the Real Time competition champion. This latter challenge gives three filmmakers 72 hours to put together a short during the festival – the films will be screened at the ceremony.
Tickets: R40p/p from the Labia
Shnit After Party (12 October, 2pm - Colorbox Studios on Paarden Eiland): Shnit’s teamed up with the folks behind Just Another Sunny Sundae and It’s a Textile to bid farewell to 2014’s festival with a brilliant Sunday mash-up. The afternoon-to-evening jol brings together the best of fashion, food and funky tunes in an industrial chic creative space in Paarden Eiland. Not to mention, songstress Nonku Phiri, who’s best known for her ‘Ghetto Tech’ collaboration with Crazy White Boy, celebrates her birthday with an evening live set and a late night DJ set.  Shnit hits the party from 10pm after the closing awards ceremony.
Tickets: R50p/p at the door or FREE with a Shnit festival pass
TICKETS FOR THE 2014 SHNIT INTERNATIONAL SHORT FILM FESTIVAL

Tickets for the short film festival are available at all the venues and cost R40p/p unless otherwise advertised. Shnit addicts can get a weekend festival pass for R180p/p. The passes are non-transferable.

Date: 08 oct. 2014 - 12 oct. 2014
Time: 20:00 - 22:00
Venue: Various
Location:
Price: R40p/p - R180p/p
Phone: +27 (0) 21 447 4638
Email capetown@playgrounds.shnit.org
Website: capetown.shnit.org/en

Tuesday, March 4, 2014

Cape Town First Thursdays - Explore Cape Town's art for free - March 2014

ON THE FIRST THURSDAY OF EVERY MONTH,
EXPLORE THE ART GALLERIES AND SHOPS OF
CAPE TOWN'S CENTRAL CITY UNTIL LATE FOR FREE!!!

First Thursdays Cape Town is approaching, and once again, City All Sessions will take to Greenmarket Square – this time, with a triple bill of South African sounds.



 The show opens at 18h00 with a set from the Native Groove Collective, our resident brass ensemble.

Following this will be Afro-folk guitarist Bongeziwe Mabandla accompnied by percussionist Texito Langa.

Also part of the line up is the Josh Hawks Band, joined by drummer Barry Van Zyl, and guitarists James Kibby and Chris Bakalanga.

for more Info on First Thursdays Cape Town:
Venue: Various art galleries around Cape Town city centre    
Time: between 5pm and 9pm     Cost: Free
Email: goodevening@first-thursdays.co.za
www.first-thursdays.co.za

Monday, March 3, 2014

Monday Deals at Gourmet Boerie

I love a good deal when I see one and today being Monday, I particularly enjoy something to lift my mood!

If you haven't tried the South African must boerewors (farmer's sausage) roll, today is the day!

Get your ass to Gourmet Boerie on kloof street for a Buy 1 get one Free Boerie!!! Add a tribe coffee for a mare R10... that's what we love!!! :)


For their full menu, visit their page

GOURMET BOERIE
021 424 4208
8 Kloof St, Gardens

The Office restaurant and bar

 
 
Founded by a group of entrepreneurs, The Office was born out of a belief that great ideas can only be explored in the right environment. Kitchen tables, coffee shops and box-shaped office in business parks aren't conducive to productivity. A laptop, cloud storage and a cell phone allows you to work anywhere - so why not choose a relaxed space? 

Indeed, that was the idea! A modern spin on a private member's club, The Office is a place to work and socialise.... but is it?

So on a sunny afternoon, got the munchies and decided to give it a go.. In all fairness, I still thought this was "Blakes" which I enjoyed for the bangers and mash.. but hey, I was already there and hungry so gave in..

When I got in, the place was totally empty - I could hear the sound of flying bugs, was so quiet. None the less, never judge a restaurant by its empty surroundings.., right?

Although, they tried to add some nice touch to the deco, I found it somewhat cold, even in the day's 32 degrees heat.. The staff was friendly though and looked desperate to have something to do.

I was disappointed that the new owners couldn't be bothered to change the menus holders from Blakes and still had pages of the Blakes menu within their own... thumbs up for recycling on this one but somewhat confusing when you want to order food... where was I???


 
The menu is extensive... a tad confusing and frankly overpriced...
 
 
 



Bonus point : the stunning view from the deck :)
Downside : Offices / board rooms scattered all over the place making it cold and dull - Might work for an office rental space (maybe) but not recommended for a meal. 

The food?? Well, if I haven't mentioned it, was not worth mentioning! Don't waste your time, nor money!





Sunday, March 2, 2014

La parada tapas Bar

Opened since September last year, La Parada has become one of my favourite place to hang out.


Like its sister restaurant in Kalk Bay, La Parada celebrates the Spaniard passion for social eating.
If you have been in Spain before, you would know how much the Spanish love late, loooong social dinners where the focus is on meeting friends and socialising while enjoying a whole bunch of delightful foods.
I love tapas - simply because I love food! And if you know me a little, you will know that I always struggle picking one dish only and I want to try a bit of everything at once. This is exactly why, La Parada is my heaven place. With tapas ranging between R15 to R25 each for small portions and R35 to R50 for large portions, you will not break your bank account.



My ideal lunch is to order 6-7 different small portions and usually my bill comes to about R150 for all to be shared with a friend or lover - Not too shabby if you ask me! (and you don't go home hungry at all)
  - I personally didn't enjoy the oxtail though, was too sweet and too much cinnamon...seems to be some form of trend in Cape Town, as if the town wasn't sweet enough already! :)






Spanish chefs produce calamari tubes with fresh salsa verde for soaking up with crusty bread, tender and fragrantly spiced oxtail canneloni with crisp potato topping, and patatas bravas (squares of fried potato in a vivid tomato sauce). The paprika-spinkled octopus, served on a bed of sliced potato, tastes much better than it looks. Croquettes (in prawn and ham versions) are everything you dreamed: creamy in the centre and dark golden and crisp on the outside. Glossy with garlic and olive oil, this is rich, bold food that’s not for sissies.

Opening Hours: Monday – Saturday: 12pm – late (kitchen closes at 10pm); Sunday: 12pm – 5pm
107 Bree Street | City Centre | Cape Town | +27 (0) 21 424 2235