BELVEDERE VODKA and Cape Town Fashion Council illuminated the night with an exclusive VIP party to celebrate the opening night of Fashion Week – Press Release

The luxury vodka of choice chosen by the world’s fashion elite, Belvedere Vodka, together with the industry platform for the fashion industry in Cape Town, Cape Town Fashion Council, hosted South Africa’s fashion elite, celebrities and notable industry luminaires last night, who descended to Cape Town to attend the Mother City’s Fashion Week.

 

 

Belvedere Vodka and Cape Town Fashion Council stayed true to form and hosted this exclusive opening night celebration party at one of the city’s hottest venues, Coco Lounge. Traditionally not open on Thursdays, Coco Lounge opened its doors exclusively for the event, and guests were greeted by the opulent décor of the chic and sultry venue, which had a unique Belvedere fashion twist in honour of Fashion Week. With its splendour and elegant ambience, guests were welcomed with cocktails from the popular ‘Belvedere Bear’ and the brand’s ‘Illuminate the Night’ theme, which amplified their experience. One of the most recognisable faces in South Africa, with a television career that spans over two decades, Bonnie Henna did a splendid job as MC and compère for the evening.

 

The Illuminate the Night opening party proved to be the most anticipated and sought-after ticket in town, with the venue seamlessly blending with the fashion elite and the best of Cape Town’s nightlife. South African fashionistas Anelisa Mangcu, David Tlale and socialites such as Jen Su, Natalie Becker, Kia Johnson, Tracey Lange, Khaya Dlanga and Cindy Nel are just some of the names that were mingling and enjoying the finest Belvedere Vodka.

 

Staying true to fashion week, Cape Town Fashion Council presented an impactful fashion installation. Fashion designer, Selfi was the first instillation for the night with designs inspired by architecture, forms and patterns in nature. Following that was Spilt Milk that presented its  installation, and made sure the guests who missed their main show earlier that night “didn’t cry over spilt milk” as they wowed the audience with their almost angelic designs. Lara Klawikowski’s ceased the fashion instillation with designs that were imaginative, purpose-driven and eclectic, and can best be described as wearable art.

The trademark Belvedere Models, dressed by Spilt Milk, were at the cutting edge of the latest trends. Make-up artist David Sharp worked his magic with the Belvedere Models make-up while their hair was a artistic interpretation of the famous Belvedere Trees that you see in the brand’s campaigns.

 

Created in Poland, the birthplace of vodka, Belvedere represents the pinnacle of the Polish vodka-making tradition. Distilled exclusively from the finest 100% Dankowski Gold Rye and quadruple distilled to create the perfect balance of character and purity, Belvedere Vodka is the true expression of luxury vodka.

The Amazing Cape Town World Music Festival

 

The Electronic Music Area when DJ Clock was on the decks

I was blown away by the lineup for the 2014 Cape Town World Music Festival and Thandiswa Mazwai was  the one that stood out for me the most. She has only released two solo albums but her music influence has been constant throughout the years. This is one performance I was not going to miss.

 

I unfortunately could not attend on Friday so I missed out on Bongeziwe Mabandla and OkMalumKoolKat :(.  I trust that they delivered great performances.

 

On Saturday I was looking forward to DJ Clock and the main headline act Thandiswa Mazwai.  DJ Clock who has just released a 6-disc album did wonders on the Electronic music stage. I arrived and the tent was packed with everyone moving along to every song. His composure while making everyone go crazy on the dancefloor was admirable. He certainly moved to my top 5 favourite DJs list after his set at CTWMF. He brought the heat!!

 

 

The main act Thandiswa was everything on stage,her involvement of the crowd created a concert feel in her performance. What stood out for me the most was her voice, she can sing!! At some point I felt she even sounds better live than in studio.  I do however feel she could have performed more of her songs but hey she is great! .  One can see how she has managed to remain exclusive yet admired by almost everyone in the music scene. Her performance was a perfect way to end the Festival.

 

Checkout more pictures below taken by Jonx Pillemer. Well done to the CTWMF team! Looking forward to the next edition. Love Dudoo!

 

 

 

 

One on One with Vusi Nova

He has been named the Best Stylish Artist in 2014 by the 13^th Annual Metro FM Awards. Some people call him “Mr. I’d Rather Go Blind” and some call him pretty face with a seductive voice. His name is Vusi Nova, a man most fell in love with when he dropped his rendition of ‘I’d rather go blind’ by Etta James earlier this year.

A couple of weeks ago he visited Cape Town to promote his album titled Walk Into Light. With our luck we managed to steal him for few minutes just to have a little chat with him, and this is how it went down.

Who is Vusi Nova?

I am just a simple guy who’s in love with love, and loves to sing about it. I am a very shy person and quite private. I love my mother and yes, I am a mama’s boy. Hahaha!

I was born in Port Elizabeth and moved to Johannesburg where I grew up and attended most of my school years then it became home.

 

Where did your love from music start?

Well I can say as long as I can remember. I come from a musical family, where literally everyone can sing. Music is the only way I can fully express myself.

 

What is the most extraordinary part of your career so far?

Well the has been a lot but I can say releasing my first single and the overwhelming response it got from the public. That alone is something I did not expect.

 

Who is your daily inspiration?

Well as I said earlier, I am a mama’s boy. Therefore, my mom is my inspiration and love.

What made you decide to make ‘I’d rather go blind’ your single?

Actually, at first when I recorded the song it was not meant to be a single or even be part of the album. I just recorded it, because it is one of my mom’s favourite songs and I was dedicating it to her. However, after a while we decided to put it out there and see what will the public say, and that is how it became a single.

 

Who did you work with on this album?

On the production side, I worked with Pyro, Kris J, Techno P, Vusi Ndlovu, and Mono T. I also featured the beautiful Moneoa, my voice coach RJ Benjamin and Ishmael.

 

What sound /genre does the album have?

The album consist of RnB, a bit of classic and jazz but mostly the is some soul into it.

 

Which songs in the album that can give us a hint the kind of person Vusi Nova is?

Hahaha! That is a tricky one, I could say number 3 titled Loli.

Did you foresee the popularity?

Not at all, I was surprise that people were drawn to this album since my first one did not do much.

 

Are the any projects that you involve in?

Quite a few, I am involve with ONE is a campaigning and advocacy organisation of 3.5 million people taking action to end extreme poverty and preventable disease, particularly in Africa. I am also working on a SHARING OF SKILLS and STAGE project with Port Elizabeth OPERA HOUSE.

 

Name one thing we do not know about Vusi Nova?

I love living on the edge a bit. Hahaha!

 

What is your bad habit?

I am quite impatient.

Are you dating or single?

I am single, but not ready to mingle. Hahaha!

 

What can we expect from you in the next few months of 2014?

You can expect more music, and that is all I can say for now.

 

Last words to your supporters?

Thank you for the love you have shown me so far, and I would not have made it this far without you. Thank you so much

You can follow him on @VusiNova or visit his website: http://www.vusinova.co.za

You can also catch him on the following places around the country:

24 – 27 JULY – Opera House Mandela Bay Concert Series (PE)

31 August – Arts Alive Concert at Zoo Lake (JHB)

27 Sept – Port Elizabeth Jazz Festival

16 DEC – Morula Casino (TBC) 16 Days of Activism Outdoor JAZZ Festival

City of Cape Town partners up with #MBFWCT

The City of Cape Town has officially partnered with leading fashion authority, African Fashion International (AFI), in hosting Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Cape Town (MBFWCT) 2014, South Africa’s premier Spring/Summer fashion showcase, which takes place in the Mother City from 24-26 July.

 

The annual event, which features SA’s top designers and draws 1000s of industry entrepreneurs, buyers & influencers as well as local & international media to Cape Town, has been recognised by the City of Cape Town as a major catalyst for the growth of and creation of jobs in the fashion, design, textile & tourism industries, both locally and countrywide.

 

“The powerful impact of events like Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Cape Town cannot be understated. Together, the fashion, design and tourism industries – grown and supported by AFI initiatives like Fashion Week – are a significant contributor to Cape Town’s economy and, by extension, contribute to the national economy,” says Anton Groenewald, City Executive Director of Tourism, Events and Marketing.

 

Groenewald has hailed AFI’s numerous ongoing initiatives – including the various Fashion Weeks (Joburg A/W Cape Town S/S and Africa), AFI Fastrack™ & the AFI Next Generation incubation programmes, AFI Africa Fashion Awards, AFI Privé, AFI Africa Trade Expo, and the AFI FashionTalks seminars – as being instrumental in the fact that, in 2013, textiles and clothing accounted for about 14% of South Africa’s manufacturing employment as well as being its second largest source of tax revenue.

 

Further reflecting the economic power forged by South African fashion are the impressive rankings of Cape Town and Johannesburg on The Language Monitor 2014’s list of world fashion capitals, with these cities being ranked at 27^th and 37^th, respectively. The partnership between the City of Cape Town and AFI goes a long way in recognising the impact that a sustainable and thriving fashion industry will have on the overall economy.

 

“AFI is proud to work with the City of Cape Town once more to build on the already-significant growth in local design-related industries. The City’s continued endorsement and support of AFI in showcasing the country’s best design talent, providing designers with access to global markets and helping them to develop sustainable business models, is invaluable to the growth of the continent’s fashion industry,” says AFI Spokesperson, Sizwe Nzimande.

 

The City has similarly recognised AFI’s efforts (and MBFWCT in particular) in Cape Town’s successful tenure as World Design Capital (WDC) 2014, which was awarded to the Mother City in recognition of its efforts to utilise design as a tool for social, cultural and economic development.

 

Meanwhile, AFI’s efforts to encourage international media to publish and broadcast Cape Town’s and South Africa’s rich culture, tourism and business potential will no doubt again be evident at MBFWCT 2014.

 

This year, 27 of the country’s top designers will present collections in 15 shows over three days at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Cape Town 2014, at the Cape Town International Convention Centre, 24-26 July.

Prime Circle: Let The Night In Tour

Multi award-winning rock group Prime Circle are launching their sixth studio album to their South African fans in spectacular style this July and August, with a nationwide arena tour that promises to pull out all the entertainment stops.

 

The six-date Let the Night In concert tour kicks off at the MontecasinoTeatro for two nights on 18 and 19 July, then on to Bloemfontein’s Sand du Plessis Theatre on 31 July and 1 August, before ending at Cape Town’s Grand Arena on 9 August. Durban date to be announced.

 

The Let the Night In South African tour – which hits the country soon after Prime Circle wrap up the first leg of their 30-date European tour – is set to showcase the band at its spellbinding best, with a strong visual component complementing the kick-ass music.

 

Designed and overseen by the members of Prime Circle themselves, these concerts in the country’s state-of-the-art concert venues will feature massive stages, out-of-this-world lighting and mammoth sound.

 

The emphasis is on delivering a spectacular, quality live music experience to their fans, explains frontman and singer-songwriter Ross Learmonth.

 

“This will be our biggest venues tour of South Africa – our very first stand-alone arena tour,” he says. “We’re all super-amped about it. Audiences can expect an explosion of feeling and visuals – it’s going to be totally over the top. Each concert is going to be an event, rather than just a show!”

 

Local fans will be among the first to see Prime Circle performing hot-off-the-presses tracks from their stylistically adventurous new album, Let the Night In – including the first radio single, Gone.

 

Plus, they’ll be playing all the hits that South Africans know so well, which have helped elevate Prime Circle to the position of the country’s premier rock act in the 13 years since their inception.

 

Don’t miss out on this golden opportunity to see Prime Circle on their dedicated Let the Night In arena tour this winter – live, loud and ready to blow your mind in grand style!

 

Tickets Bookings:

Johannesburg, Durban and Cape Town:

www.computicket.com / tel: 0861 915 8000

Bloemfontein:

Performig Arts Centre of the Free State  / tel: 051 447 7772 (9am to 5pm weekdays; 9am to 12pm Saturdays)

Tour itinerary:

• 18 and 19 July 2014: The Teatro at Montecasino, Johannesburg – tickets priced from R225 to R300
• Durban date to be announced
• 31 July and 1 August 2014: Sand du Plessis Theatre, Bloemfontein – tickets priced at R175
• 9 August 2014: Grand Arena at GrandWest Casino, Cape Town – tickets priced from R145 to R315

 

Prime Circle are: Ross Learmonth (guitar and vocals); Marco Gomes (bass); Dale Schnettler (drums); Neil Breytenbach (keyboards) and Dirk Bisschoff (guitar)

 

Website:  www.primecircleband.com

Facebook:   Prime.Circle

Twitter: Prime_Circle