The Taj Hotel and Spa just opened in Cape Town…
Yesterday I attended a media tour of the new Taj Hotel in Cape Town’s city centre.
We were welcomed with freshly printed name cards and a delicious cocktail, giving the appearance that their check in times are pretty quick.
I was given an ID book with pages on which I had to receive a stamp to make sure that I had viewed every major room in the hotel.
We moved from room to room, each with a detailed explanation of it’s history… this was fascinating, as the building is the old reserve bank and they have managed to use many of the original doors, staircases and other items, which date back to over 100 years ago.
When entering a new room, we were greeted by the manager and offered different types of foods and cocktails – so much effort has gone into the menu for each restaurant, which offers delicious food and great wine pairings.
The rooms, spa and Presidential suite (an entire floor) are amazing – also not to badly priced.
Go check it out.
Goodbye Citi TV ad launched on YouTube for fans
Ogilvy Cape Town launched an amazing countrywide road trip last year to pay tribute to the the VW Citi Golf, which will no longer be produced.
This short TV Ad highlights the trip.
Goodbye Citi 
Beaches along False Bay coastline closed following shark attack
A number of beaches along the False Bay coastline have been closed to the public until further notice, following yesterday’s shark attack at Fish Hoek beach (in the South Peninsula).
Western Cape Lifesaving spokesperson, Keith Matthews, says the search for 37- year-old Lloyd Skinner from Zimbabwe, continues today.
The man was swimming in chest deep water when he was attacked by the shark. A surf and land search commenced at first light this morning.
Matthews says it’s not clear at this stage for how long the beaches will remain closed. “It also includes St James, Muizenberg and False Bay beaches. Other emergency services are also helping with the search including NSRI.
Shark Attack Warning
(via: Cape Town Tourism)
The Killers in Cape Town: Photos from the event…
On Sunday, Cape Town was treated to one of the best live performances I’ve seen to date.
The Killers rocked the stage, which was set in the stunning Val De Vie Wine and Polo Estate near Paarl.
Here are some photos of the event via Jared Botha.
360° Virtual Tour of the Cape Town Stadium for 2010
Check out this amazing virtual tour of the Cape Town Stadium.
Inside the CTICC: 2010 Fifa World Cup™ Final Draw
Last week I was invited to attend the media briefing for the Final draw in Cape Town for the 2010 Fifa World Cup™, which is happening this Friday the 4th of December 2009. Continue reading “Inside the CTICC: 2010 Fifa World Cup™ Final Draw” »
A Trip to Killarney Race Track with Cape Town Tourism
Last Friday was an experience of a lifetime and a definite tick on my list of 100 things to do before I die. Cape Town Tourism sponsored a bloggers day out to give some of Cape Town’s bloggers a time out from their PC’s, Google, Twitter and all that. Continue reading “A Trip to Killarney Race Track with Cape Town Tourism” »
It’s never ok to take your shirt off on the dance floor
Whenever good friends are visiting, it means a full weekend of activities. After various locations and digesting loads of food, drinks and conversation, we ended up at Jade in Green Point, Cape Town so that the girls could dance and the guys could have some chill time.
The crowd was pretty different to what we were used to, but it was this legend that made the night more interesting… Enter ‘Tod’.
Tod is a perfect example of why you shouldn’t juice up and spend too much of your time in the free weights section at Virgin Active. While dancing so close to my dear friend Dylan, who could practically feel him breathing on his neck (vomit), he proceeded to remove his shirt to benefit everybody on the dance floor.
There must be a rule about this somewhere and I’m pretty sure it’s Rule #183 of the Wedding Crashers code of conduct – “Do not take your shirt off on the dance floor”. What was worse was the fact that his friends were totally cool with it… Tod, they’re not really your friends.
Tod being awesome
Green Point Stadium Turns The Lights On In Cape Town
Last night Capetonians were treated to a spectacular display when all 360 floodlights for the Cape Town Stadium in Greenpoint were switched on. Continue reading “Green Point Stadium Turns The Lights On In Cape Town” »
Kirstenbosch Summer Concerts 2009/2010 Band Line up
The Kirstenbosch Summer Concerts are in my top 5 list of cool things to do in Cape Town. If you’ve ever been to one, it’s not hard to figure out why.
Kirstenbosch Summer Concerts
Here is the list of bands playing at the 2009/2010 concerts:
- Johnny Clegg (November 22)
- Jesse Clegg (December 6)
- Jonny Cooper Orchestra (December 13)
- Ashtray Electric and Pretty Blue Guns (December 27)
- A Fist Full of Diamonds with Josie Fields, Farryl Purkiss and Dan Patlansky (January 3)
- Freshlyground (January 10)
- Kirstenbosch Gardens, photo courtesy Greg Beadle
- Zebra & Giraffe (January 17)
- Fokofpolisiekar (January 24)
- aKING (February 7)
- Just Jinjer (February 21)
- Prime Circle (February 28)
- Goldfish (March 7)
- The Dirty Skirts (March 14)
- The Cape Philharmonic Orchestra (March 21)
- Watershed (March 28)
The party continues with the Old Mutual Encounters series, featuring Claire Philips and Neo Muyanga (November 29); Lira, Hip Hop Pantsula and RJ Benjamin (January 31); Jamali, Jody, Sasha Lee, Soulstone (February 14); and Tidal Waves and Tumi Molekane (April 4).
Tickets will sell fast, so make sure you book online at www.webtickets.co.za or call +27 21 799 8783/8620
Find out more about Cape Town events here.
Table Mountain Revisited
Summer, fashionably late in Cape Town this year, let everybody know that it had arrived with an epic weekend of good weather, that wasn’t disturbed by clouds, wind or the cold that left with winter. Continue reading “Table Mountain Revisited” »
Loerie Awards Photos and Some Ego Feeding
I attended the 2009 Loerie Awards in Cape Town on Friday night and was blown away. Walking down the red carpet, posing for photos and chilling in the VIE (very important ego) Lounge felt like you were at an event in Hollywood.
Jax Panik was the opening act for the Friday night awards and were incredible. From there Marc Lottering took over with ease and was a great host – he delivers those filthy jokes so well.
Awards were given to those who deserved them and there were some incredible displays of the talent that the South African creative industry holds. The after party was held in Long Street and was buzzing with intoxicated Ego’s from all over South Africa.
The winners can be found here.
For more photos and information – visit the Loeries site for Cape Town.
The Egos - via capetown.travel
Jax Panik - via capetown.travel
Very Important Egos
Feed Your Hangover @ 2009 Loeries Festival Weekend
The 2009 Loerie Awards is in Cape Town this year, gathering many of the worlds top creative talent for one massive weekend of awards, binge drinking and shenannigans.
Long Street plays host to the festival weekend and is home to some of the greatest party venues in Cape Town.
With this said, people are going to PARTY… therefore there are going to be many hangovers to feed at all hours, which is why this list of the best breakfast venues in Cape Town to smash some bacon in your face is so important.
View the best Cape Town breakfast spots here
Mmmmm... Bacon!
I Heart The Wedding DJ’s – Live at Assembly
Following a housewarming in Cape Town, a large group of us made our way to The Assembly to watch Zebra and Giraffe, followed by The Wedding DJ’s live in action.
It was the unexpected pairing of two disparate styles of music and stage presence that made for one impressive show.
Zebra and Giraffe were great, playing many of their songs that one recognizes from the airplay they receive on 5FM, which quickly reminds you why they’re quickly becoming a leading local band.
But in my opinion, The Wedding DJ’s stole the show. I know they just play remixed 80’s classics, but the entertainment lies with the vibe they create. Spinning slick favourites such as the theme songs from Baywatch and Top Gun, to a surprisingly well received version of a Spice Girls hit – they owned the stage. Continue reading “I Heart The Wedding DJ’s – Live at Assembly” »
Coda playing live at Wembley Square tonight
Popular Afro-fusion group Coda is holding a free concert at Wembley Square tonight at 18:30. Featuring Verity and The Shades, and a 2010 Diski Dance demonstration, makes for a great start to the weekend.
CODA was nominated as one of the South African’s top five new bands in the 2006 Top Billing/Lifestyle Awards, and has been described in the media as the ‘next big thing’ in the South African music industry.
Watch them this weekend:
18 Sept 09
FREE Wembley Square concert featuring Verity and The Shades
Time: 6:30 PM
Cost: Free
Venue: Wembley Square, Solan Street, Gardens
Contact: Carol@Codamusic.co.za
19 Sept 09
FREE Waterfront Amphitheatre Bandana Day Concert
Time: 2 PM
Cost: Free
Venue: V & A Waterfront, Cape Town
Contact: Adi@sunflowerfund.org.za
More information can be found at the Coda Website.
Cape Town Winter Photo Competition Winner
We recently ran a competition at Cape Town Tourism for the best Winter Photo. Continue reading “Cape Town Winter Photo Competition Winner” »
The Silicon Cape
Something fresh has brought together the creative and digital minds of Cape Town.
Online entrepreneur Vinny Lingham, well known for the success Yola (previously SynthaSite) teamed up with investment man Justin Stanford to launch a new platform for Capetonian’s to meet, interact, share ideas and essentially bring change to Cape Town, known as The Silicon Cape.
Here is the overview as on www.siliconcape.com
THE VISION
The Silicon Cape vision is of an ecosystem in the Western Cape of South Africa, that serves to attract and bring together local and foreign investors, the brightest technical talent, and the most promising entrepreneurs, to foster the creation and growth of world-class IP start-up companies in an environment that competes with other similar hubs around the world against the backdrop of one of the most beautiful settings and pleasant places to live, work and play on the globe.
THE CONCEPT
The concept of the Silicon Cape is not owned or controlled by any single entity. It is a living community and an organic, ever-developing concept in the hearts and minds of every participant, which endeavours to catalyse the local IP entrepreneurial community. As a community member, come and be a part of the genesis of turning the Silicon Cape into reality.
THE INITIATIVE
The initiative aims to start a conversation — to plant a seed and foster the concept of the Silicon Cape in people’s minds and on their lips around the world as the emerging Silicon Valley of Africa, and to create an environment and a perception of the area as a world-class location and destination that is not only capable of delivering but already is. This will in turn create real benefits for the Cape and it’s residents and stakeholders, and assist in attracting further foreign direct investment into South Africa.
THE EVENT
The aim by the end of the first event is to catalyse widespread conversation around the concept online and offline, build a global brand, and to establish a working group of volunteers and donors to take the vision forward and see it through to reality, garnering support from all sectors and stakeholders and ultimately establishing a foundation. The event is due to be attended and addressed by the Premier of the Western Cape, Helen Zille.