PRIVATE PRESLEY: A SALUTE TO THE KING

I can honestly say that this performance at The Joburg Theater was one of my favorite performances ever. Who would have thought you could take the King of Rock n Roll and add a genre of dance that is so beautiful and elegant to it.

Sean Bovim, did a fantastic job transforming 50's style of dancing to ballet, I can only imagine how man hours of rehearsal and bloody feet went into this performance.

Henk Opperman, played Elvis, and WOW what a performance from the dancer. He bought Elvis back to life with his amazing performance. His movements, emotions and expressions on stage resinatated so much with the deceased King.

The show played from the 9th to the 25th of October 2015. It was such a brilliant show that I would have loved to have seen it go on for so many more shows. It was the first time the show had traveled to Johannesburg from Cape Town.

My favorite thing about the show was that there were so many different aspects to the show that you would never get bored or ever accuse the show of being one dimensional. There were parts that would have you laughing your head off and parts where you would shed a tear at the shear beauty of dance.

I decided to write this piece after the show, just to show the effect the show had on people. The verdict is in, people loved the show, they were moved by the show and they wanted more just as I did.

Thank you Colab Network, Joburg Theater and Sean Bovim Ballet Company.

Slide Jozi 

I had the opportunity to attend Slide Jozi on the 17th of October 2015.

The layout was well planned and had a great vibe. There was a great variety for food and drinks. Chip n Dip, Mini Donuts, Prego Rolls and many other things were on sale on the day.

West Street was transformed into a party haven, with the three hundred metre slide, food, drinks, clothing and inflatable stores. 

THE SLIDE

The slide was, beside a few minor injuries along the way, very fun. The only thing i would suggest is making it mandatory to go down on an inflatable, I did get stuck along the way a few times. The length of the slide was like nothing I've seen before and was great that it wasn't just a quick slide and it was over and done with. The colours were great and popping, it gave a great vibe for summer, despite the threatening rain.  

Below was the time slots available, and there wasn't a spare minute where there was not someone waiting in the line to go down the slide. 

The event was such fun, it was great to go somewhere in public and be safe, have family time if you had children, have fun with your friends, if you were there with your friends and lastly just have fun, safe fun in general. 

Slide Time Slots:

Slot A – 10am – 12pm
Slot B – 12pm – 2pm
Slot C – 2pm – 4pm
Slot D – 4pm – 6pm

The entertainment line up was huge hit, if people were not there with children they could slide, relax and go dance the day away down at the main stage with fantastic DJ's. 

 ENTERTAINMENT LINE UP

10AM - MARK STENT
11AM - FELIX BRENDEL
12PM - DJ JC1PM - SHORTY ON SAX & SISCO UMLAMBO
2PM - HOUSEHOLD FUNK & APOLLO
3PM - TIMO ODV
4PM - KYLE CASSIM

5PM - VIN GROOVIN  

A HUGE thank you to Slide Jozi and their partners, Dragon Energy Drink, City of Johannesburg, Ecomobility, Spice Productions, Jose Cuervo, Flying Fish, Natcorp and Four Fire Productions. 

My Favorite part of the event, was that it was in the middle of the street and the robots were still working. 

The Sound of Light- Robin Schulz

Naserec Center was home to the Sound of Light, Johannesburg 2015. When I first saw that it was going to be there I thought to myself, I wonder how many people could actually go see the show, as I had seen the venue before. Boy was I wrong. I had clearly never seen it like that before. The expo center, Hall 5, was packed with excited people all looking for a good time.  Thousands of people came out to show their support and love for our South African artists and Djs as well as The Robin Schulz. (Who rocked the stage by the way).

The line up was as follows: 

Vin Deysel,

HouseHold Funk,

Pascal & Pearce, 

GOODLUCK,

ROBIN SCHULZ,

Ricardo da Costa,

Ryan Murgatroyd, 

Kyle Cassim.

I have to admit Goodluck came pretty close to being my favorite act of the night. The energy that had was absolutely mesmerizing. They didn't stop once and they were the only live band. Having backtracks and their own Dj, to dance to, they fitted in with the Dj scene; however they brought that something extra. Plus if the saxophone wasn't enough to get you going, then you were defiantly at the wrong place. They killed it with their performance and really got the crowd going before Robin Schulz came on stage. All of the South African performers were great, and all of them made us proud of South African talent, but Goodluck, really proved why they are so loved by so many fans and why they would be directly before the main act.

I have been to many concerts and festival in my time, but I must say the change over time was really one of the best I have ever witnessed. We as the crowd didn't have to wait for the roadies and tech guys to change all of the equipment and do a quick sound check, as so many do have to. They were doing the changeovers of certain equipment during the shows before them but it was really not noticeable. As soon as one act was done and introduced the next one, the next act came onto stage. We didn't have to wait 15- 30 minutes for the changeover. Furthermore, when Goodluck had a few technical issues in the beginning because of the computer bugging out, they still got through it professional and without any sign that they were stressed or worried, and put on a better performance because of it.

The lighting and stage set up was also just phenomenal. It was great in the sense that the stage and the backdrop was two screens with pictures, videos or logos on them, continuously moving and keeping the crowd intrigued. The special effect lighting was amazing. There were laser lights that made patterns across the whole center. There were dancers who at one stage either had hand held smoke machines or lasers on their hands. The lights spread so far and moved according to what their hands did. These were all effects that made the night that more enjoyable.

At first the coupons for the drinks was a bit confusing and didn't make sense, however knowing the business, I realize that having that many staff working an event, it is safer and easier overall to have just a few people working with cash and the bar staff concentrating on the drinks.

It was such a fantastic event; I haven’t had so much fun dancing and singing, in such a long time. It was a place where you could let go and dance like no one was watching, because they weren't, everyone was dancing and having a good time. 

Written by Shannalee Doran 

Parklife 2015

Parklife 2015, held at Marks Park, was an unforgettable experience. The weather, nice and warm, turned out to be perfect for saying goodbye to summer. The vibe was great, the food filled the air with delicious sensations and the music kept everyone happy.

With the musical line up being as great as it was, it was hard to not want to go this festival. With international headliners such as American Authors and Modest Mouse and local artists such as Connell Cruise, Prime Circle, Jimmy Nevis, Monark , Yorke, Gangs of Ballet, Jeremy Loops, Kahn, Jesse Clegg, The kiffness, Vin Deysel, Vimo and many others, the day kept getting better.

Three stages rocked Marks Park, one being the main stage, another a Dj stage for those enjoyed the electro, club vibe and the second main stage. This was brilliantly placed as there was always music going. The two main stages were close to each other so when one artist was busy another could set up and vice versa. The stage where the Djs played was near the food stalls and kept the crowd dancing.

Vega School has placed some of the artwork that people students from the school had painted. These images were so beautiful; they captured the heart and soul of lives in South Africa.

The Gourmet food stalls smelled so good, making everyone hungry. The tastes of the different foods were out of this world. Although some of the food was a bit over priced, one needed to remember it was gourmet, which made paying for it and tasting it even better. The highlight was the cupcakes with caramel coated mini doughnuts, with a chocolate gonash centre.

Ultimate Braai Master Season 4- 

Johannesburg Auditions

If you are one who seeks fame, fortune and overnight success, then Ultimate Braai Master is not for you. However if you seek experience, wealth in knowledge (about food and life), Success within yourself, conflict resolution skills and a taste for life then UBM (Ultimate Braai Master) is for you. On the 7^th of March, Johannesburg produced 33 teams eager to get into the next stage of the show. Finding itself at the Indaba Hotel in Fourways, UBM wakes before the sun rises, getting ready to register the tired, yet eager contestants for the day’s festivities. Having been a part of the registration process for the past four seasons in Johannesburg and Durban when it was held there, I am somewhat biased in certain opinions of the show, however looking objectively at the processes and aims of the show, I have a new found respect for the masterminds behind the show.

When someone says, okay now Braai, the first thing that comes to mind is steak, chops, garlic bread, Wors and pork rashers( just to name a few). One certainly does not think of a three course meal prepared purely on a Braai. Well this is what contestants had to do if they had any chance of impressing the highly renowned judges, to make it to the next round of UBM. Looking at the creations the people produced, it is not an average meal for the average Braai’er. Some of the words used to describe or name the food the contestants were making was defiantly not what the average Joe would know.

Ultimate Braai Master started on the 8^th of April 2012.

“The Ultimate Braai Master is SA’s first original reality-based television series, hosted by Bush-Cook Guru, Justin Bonello, and professional chefs, Bertus Basson and Petrus Madutlela.

Season 4 will see 13 teams travel off the beaten track on the journey of a lifetime! 60 days. Thousands of kilometres. Bigger prizes. Tougher challenges. Only ONE winner!

The Ultimate Braai Master Season 4 will premiere on eTV IN 2015!

Nominated for 2013 Best Reality TV show at the SAFTAs “

During the show I had the opportunity to interview some of the contestants as well as host, director, producer and mc of the event to. I interviewed three teams which included, Zambeze Breezers, Team Gee Gee and Team Braai Code.

I asked the contestants the following questions and they responded accordingly:

          Question: What made you enter UBM this year?

         Answer:

Zambeeze Breezers(ZB): This father, daughter duo had seen it on TV and thought they should enter

Team Gee Gee: Full of enthusiasm, this Granny team wanted the experience, they wanted to feel the excitement of the everything, wanted to try something different, wanted to experience the adventure of it all and most excitingly, it was on their “BUCKET LIST.”

Team Braai Code: It was this team’s third try at the cooking show, they are passionate about Braai’ing, they want to go on the road trip to see the country, to have the experience of the show, and they loved having a fun day out with people who loved Braai’ing as much as they do.

What are you making?

             Question: What are you making?

             

             Answer:

ZB: Starters-Prawns and avocado

Main-  Fillet, Rotisserie Chicken, Salad, Caramelised Carrots & Mushrooms

Team Gee Gee: Starters-Bacon, Cheese Meat Roll With Spinach and Cheese.

Main- Braised Lamb, Tomato Rice, Mint with Peas Soaked In Olive Oil, Carrots, Onions and French Leaves.

Dessert- Blueberry muffins with poached meringues.

Braai Code: Starters- Smoked Tequila, Citrus Infused Hot Wings

.

Main- Grilled Rack Of Lamb (which had been marinated in brine since 1 am that morning). Grilled Barley  and green veggies.

Dessert- Baked chocolate pudding with a Bar One centre, Jack Daniels Tennessee Whiskey creamy Caramel Sauce. (Jack Daniels breaks the sweetness of the caramel according to the experienced team.)

Question: What do you want to achieve from this show?

Answer:

ZB: They said that they own a safari lodge in Namibia and would like to gain more experience for the lodge and for people to go to their lodge; they even offered for the winner of UBM this year to stay at the lodge.

Team Gee Gee: They answered that they would like to go further, to show people that  

“JUST BECAUSE YOU ARE OLD, DOESNT MEAN THAT YOU CANT GO OUT AND DO SOMETHING, GET OUT THERE AND ENJOY LIFE!!”

Question- What would you say to future contestants?

Answer:

Team Gee Gee: “Go for it, it’s wonderful, it’s a buzz”

Team Braai Code: “ Prep well, think out of the box, you won’t get into the completion by just doing normal chop and Wors, it’s important to show the judges on the day that you can maters different techniques on Braai’ing, not just putting a piece of meat on the fire, techniques including smoking and baking etc. Different disciplines to get to the next level of the competition.”

Then moving on from the contestants, Justin Bonello, Peter Gird, Andrew Faber and Charmaine.....

First up, Justin Bonello, Host and Creator of UBM....

            Question: What is UBM?

            Answer: “Ultimate Braai Master is a home grown reality TV show, that is made by South Africans and that stars South Africans, and strutting our stuff around the Braai. It’s probably one of the hardest reality based competition on in air in the country.

We are very proud, because we take good cooks and turn them into very good cooks.

There are thirteen teams who embark on the trip of a lifetime, travelling across South Africa to beautiful places. We want to show what South Africa and South Africans have to offer, putting the teams through hardcore challenges, resulting in one team walking away with half a million rand, a brand new car and most importantly the title of Ultimate Braai Master season 4. We Love the show.

            Question:  What is your favorite part of the show?

            Answer: “Introducing South Africans to their own country. People from all walks of life become friends for life. There are very few things that can do that, the way the Braai does. (bring people together)

            Question: What is the best part of the turn out this year?

            Answer: “It’s a bitter sweet situation. The sweet side is the callabre of chefs and cooks has been higher than ever. The bitter side is that South Africans are scared of the show, it’s very hardcore, the challenges are difficult in trying circumstances and the contestants are away from home for up to two months. The sad part is that part is that parts of South Africa think it’s too hard for them.”

            Question: What would you say to future contestants?

            Answer: “The best advice I could give is that we are looking for outgoing people who can cook, get onto the road show and to learn enough to take the title. We want to encourage South Africans to be a part of something that is truly and proudly just who we are.”

Peter Gird: the Producer

Question: Tell us about Ultimate Braai Master

Answer:” UBM is an outdoor, lifestyle cooking show that is meant to talk to all South Africans, and who is now talking to a hundred million people around the world. It is more than a Boerewors and Chops show, it is what is achievable on a Braai. It is also a travel show where we take people to amazing places and show them an amazing time. It’s not just a cooking show. “

Question: What is your favourite part about being a part of UBM?

Answer: “What I am so proud of is that we have created a show in South Africa for South Africans, filmed in South Africa and it has travelled globally, and I think that really is an achievement. We are selling ultimate Braai Master to Canada, Australia and Sweden if those negations are happening. And it’s something we’ve created and it’s something all South Africans love to do.

“It’s a truly home-grown show.”

And I think that’s what South Africans need right now.”

Question: What would you say is your favourite part of this year’s show?

Answer:” Well this year’s show, the one we are about to shoot, is going to be different for people who have watched the show before. I think that we have learnt a lot of lessons from other reality shows, where there is a lot more strategy, and a lot more animosity and we are going to create that this year, so there is going to be a lot more needle, there is not going to just be this loving group of South Africans cooking like we have had in the past.  And hopefully we will have some bigger prizes. I think that the exciting part for me is that the winner of this year’s show will, not only be winning the money and the car but will also represent South Africa at the World Barbeque Championships, In Las Vegas, and they will get their Springbok Colours.”

Question: What would you say to future contestants?

Answer: “Well I think what I want to say for future contestants, is that is it for ordinary people, yes we have put chefs and trained people in, but we try and level the playing field. But I want the show to be for everyone and so I think you have got to be able to cook, as I say everyone loves to Braai a chop and do chakalaka and all that sort of stuff, but it’s not about that, it is about if you can achieve amazing things in your kitchen, you can take that skill onto an open fire, and that’s what we try and do. So it’s for anyone who loves cooking.”

Andrew Faber- Director of UBM

            Question: What has been the most challenging thing about being the director so far?

            Answer: “Working with Justin Bonello (chuckles, only joking).

The whole show is challenging, it’s a lot of logistics, a lot of pre- thinking, pre-planning, though and production.

There is a lot of effort that goes into planning a trip so that they ensure everyone is safe and that they are successful in making a show. It is a big task travelling around the country with 80+ people. “

            Question: As the director, what do you look for in a contestant?

            Answer: “What I look for in a contestant is, first of all, it’s a cooking show; they have got to be able to cook.  Second, I like people who are fighting for the money, and willing to cause conflict with fellow competitors. I found that last year the harder we pushed them and the harder we made the show, the more they became like a family as a posed to wanting to fight with each other. A lot of people who watch reality shows like that sort of drama where they fight with each other, for me personally I like people who are nice people and people who get along with other people that have respect for the fellow competitors, but it doesn't make the best TV, that’s the only problem. “

            Question: What is your favourite part of this year?

            Answer:” Definitely going on the road for two months, it’s absolutely awesome, and being on the road, it’s tough and hard and you don’t want to be there, but when everything is all finished and done and you look back and think what an awesome experience. And it’s the same for the contestants, they battle it out, they cry the scream the laugh they shout, they want to leave and feel home sick but after a week of being home they want to go out on the road again, because it was such an awesome journey.”

Question: What would you say to future contestants?

            Answer:

“Be yourself and cook with your heart, there isn’t anybody who you can be but yourself. Cook with love and you can taste it.”

                                                                                               

Charmaine: MC of the event.

            Question: It is the first time at the show, what are your thoughts?

            Answer: “I have had the most phenomenal experience and I couldn't have ever imagined it would be as good. I have met the most interesting people and have seen what can really do on a Braai. I am a vegetarian so I thought that you just slap on a piece of meat, left, right, and center done.”

                        Question: What has been your favorite part of the show so far?

                        Answer: “Definitely meeting the contestants, working with the crew and tasting all of the food.”

                        Question: What would you say to future contestants?

                        Answer: “Be creative; never put a hold on your imagination. Add your own spin to spices, some contestants have grown their own veggies and to be open and creative.”

The following teams made it to the shortlist at the Johannesburg Audtions:

Braai Vingers
The Fire Flies
Rustenburgers
Cinnamon Zest
Yolo Roadies
Braai Code
Dad's and Lads
Big D's Braai
Gee Gee
Smoking Hot
Die Worsmasjiens
The Travellers
Double Trouble
Tjop en Ou Top
Warriors

Wild Card Teams:
Vat n Kans
Guts, Grills and Glory
Wine and Dine

Let’s see what happens with this year’s contestants, we wish you the best of luck.

 Written by Shannalee Doran.