JOZI LIFE

2010-08-27T04:33:00.000-07:00

JOZI LIFE – ISSUE 13

THE TEAM

Publisher
Mark Wade
editor@jozilife.co.za
082 787 9251

Administrator
Deana Halfon
admin@jozilife.co.za
011 788 9255

Copy Editor
Dr Jean-Philippe Wade

Design
Roy Clucas Design Process
011 880 2947

Contributors
AK Ahmed
Daniel Friedman
Sue Fuller-Good
Sharlene King
Rona Marx
Janice Scheckter
Dr Jean-Philippe Wade
Vincent Zondo

Distributor
GOPHERit
084 614 8240

Contact Details
PO Box 72024
Parkview 2122
Telephone 011 788 9255
Fax 086 563 2482
Cell 082 787 9251

Jozi Life is published fortnightly by Jozi Life Publishers CC Registration Number 2009/222092/23 and printed by The Newspaper Printing Company. 12,500 copies are distributed through selected shopping centres, supermarkets, convenience stores, restaurants and coffee bars from OR Tambo Airport to Cresta, and Newtown to Midrand.

Copyright exists on all work published in Jozi Life. Any reproduction or adaptation, in whole or in part, without written permission of the publishers is strictly prohibited and is an act of copyright infringement which may constitute a criminal offence.

The content of Jozi Life does not reflect the opinions of either the editor or publisher.

MY WORDS

The landscape in Johannesburg can look bleak and depressing in winter, if it’s not the dead and dying grass, shrubs, plants or burnt patches where runaway fires have blackened the landscape, it’s all the paper, plastic and glass litter - happily hidden from prying eyes under verdant vegetation during summer - emerging in winter to expose its ugliness. But all is not lost, blossoms have begun to emerge, and that chill has definitely left.

However, we do all make silly mistakes in bad weather, and mine was one rushed morning doing the school run. With my car windscreen covered in dew I switched on the wipers and pumped the washers. To my horror, the water iced up immediately and the wipers scraped backwards and forwards against a newly frozen surface. Start again. Switch off the car. Get warm water. Wash off the ice. Get back into the car. Rush to school.

While our city can look unsightly at this time of year, the same cannot be said about the bushveld, with its own wild character, miles of miles of scrublands and a vision of what this area must have looked like thousands of years ago. This week I’ve featured Genius Loci, a game ranch north of Pretoria that displays this exquisite beauty. Situated a short drive north of Pretoria, the greater Rust de Winter, and Genius Loci in particular, is my imagined idea of wild Africa.

For the past twelve months I have been working with Dean Griffiths on the design of Jozi Life. He was there from the beginning and gave our newspaper its visual concept and character. Unfortunately he’s moving onto new challenges and will be travelling internationally with his new employer. Although sad to loose such talent, we wish him well – Dean we’ll miss you.

To fill this vital role, an old friend Roy Clucas will take over this responsibility. We met many years ago while working together and his creative genius will add a new dimension to our newspaper.

In this week’s issue we have a broad spectrum of features, including Rona Marx discussing our country of rainbows, Danielle Jaffir who mentions the growing popularity of South African arts and artists in New York after the Soccer World Cup, Sharlene King who delves into backs and back injuries, Sue Fuller-Good on how to be recharged, and the Alliance Francaise’s Indalo Project to reduce carbon footprints.

Punchinello’s restaurant at the Southern Sun Montecasino Hotel is covered in our gastronomic section, we have a test drive of the Mitsubishi Outlander - both a ‘mommy’s & daddy’s wagon’ - Vincent Zondo reports back on Craig Port at the Cape Town Fashion Week, and AK Ahmed brings us an interview with Locnville - who I believe are related to Charlie Chaplin.

The publication of our issue thirteen has been marred by unexpected challenges; however, we’re back on the road. Enjoy the read.

Mark Wade
Publisher

MIND, BODY & SOUL

Flags of the World
Rona Marx

Excitement has been building in the spaces between things here in South Africa, the country of rainbows. As our corner of the world is in the deepest throes of winter, the flags of the world wait upon South Africa with breathless anticipation.

These brightly coloured ambassadors of patriotism and pride have splendidly portrayed their symbolism on car windows, outside buildings in the street and in the aisles of shopping centres over the past few weeks.

It strikes me that the flags of the world are nothing but simple cloth and colour, yet they unite the divided and are utilised in the most profound ways. Some of us wear them on our faces and some are draped around our shoulders like a magical blanket of belonging. We wear them on our chests, close to our hearts and we nestle them close to our keys. We use the symbolism of their colours in an assortment of accessories and attire.

Yet, no-one owns them. They are free to all who wish to pledge their allegiance to these ancient representatives of loyalty and symbolism. Everyone is allowed to paint them, photograph them, copy them and display them as they wish.

In certain circumstances we offer the currency of money in order to own them too.

Destroying them is punishable by death in some parts of the world. There are those who will mindlessly attempt to dishonour them in any number of ways, displaying their discontented wrath in symbolic acts that cut deeply to form collective wounds that sometimes may take hundreds of years to heal. Whatever is done to a single flag is done to an entire nation.

Flags can never really be destroyed however, for their design and their representation of meaning will always remain carved into written and unwritten records of power. There are those who love them, and those who hate them, with deep passion.

Some souls have sacrificed their lives in service to their flags.

Flags unite us as a collective, yet their implication is quite different from one person to another. The way we relate to our flags as individuals is quite unique, yet no-one remains untouched by the historic symbolism attached to flags. Their beauty lies indeed in the eyes that behold them.

It seems to me that the flags of the world are a lot like Love.

If you should re-read this piece and substitute flags with the concept of love, you may unearth some deep-seated hidden truths to yourself about your own beliefs around love. Like the flags, love is indifferent to what you do with it.

Whether you acknowledge their importance or implication in your life does not perturb them. But they are always there in that timeless fashion of all things denied or embraced.

Rona Marx is a seeker of truth and spiritual wisdom. Her journey has taken her into some perplexing and enchanting realms and she shares what she has learnt in her writing, as well as through her workshops, public speaking and spiritual counselling. Find out more about her work at http://ronamarx.blogspot.com/ Rona may be contacted at 082 561 6038 or rona.marx@mweb.co.za

WINE NOTES

Setting sails for your first wine adventure
Guest Column by Louis Nel, Winemaker, Louis Wines www.louiswines.com

People are often intimidated by more experienced wine-tasters at wine-tastings, because these experts seem to string together adjectives with such ease. When new enthusiasts first put their noses to wine and try to think of ways to describe it, they are often at a loss for words. People often shy away from a wine-tasting, and furthering their passion, because of this awkwardness.

The actual fact is that people vary so much in their ability to taste wine because wine-tasting is very unscientific. A group of wine experts were once asked to write tasting notes on a number of wines they had tasted blind. The wines were then shuffled and the experts were again asked to match their own descriptions to the wines. They failed dismally.

Numerous studies have found that only between 20 and 40 percent of people can smell the flavour of asparagus. Why then is asparagus a flavour so often found in wines by so-called wine experts?

In an experiment in France wine experts were given a glass of red and a glass of white wine to describe. The wines were actually the same white wine, but one was coloured red. Despite it being the same wine, the descriptions given by the experts for the red wine was in line with descriptions commonly given for red wine, while the red was described like a white wine.

The same experimenter also took the same red wine and put some of it in a very smart-looking, heavy bottle, while the rest of same wine was put in a very cheap-looking, light bottle. When wine experts described the wine, the wine in the smart bottle got remarks such as “complex, woody, rounded and balanced”, while the cheaper-looking bottle’s wine got comments like “short, weak and faulty”.

Someone once asked the director of Chateau Latour whether he had ever mistaken a Burgundy for a Bordeaux, and his reply was: “Not since lunch.”

So don’t be intimidated by wine-tasters and their impressive-sounding vocabulary. They are just as fallible as anybody else. Make up your own wine descriptions, and teach your palate through your wine adventures. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, so have fun, and love the wines that speak to you.

Janice’s wine recommendation:

• Louis Cabernet Sauvignon/Merlot 2007

Winemaker's comments

Subtle mint and eucalyptus mix with blackberries and strawberry fruit on the nose. The flavours flow onto the mouth and mix with soft, yummy tannins to end with a long finish.

Since Louis Nel contributed the article this month, I though it only fair to include his wine. I first tasted his wines at The Wine Show a couple of months ago and I’m hooked. If this is one you, like me, have missed, you’re really missing something. It retails at around R95 per bottle.

Remember to subscribe to Janice’s newsletter at www.thewineschool.co.za and follow The Wine School on Twitter www.twitter.com/wineschoolsa. New courses coming in October and November so make sure that you subscribe to the newsletter.

ART & ARTISTS

SA in the Global Arena: New York
Danielle Jaffit

South Africa and all things South African have attained a level of global popularity in the past few months. Not since the end of apartheid has it been this cool to be a South African in New York City.

The New York cultural discourse is suddenly peppered with South African artists and these individuals cover a range of artistic pursuits. Probably the most well known South African artist to engage in a dialogue with the New York cultural scene has been William Kentridge, who this year alone has had a retrospective of his work at the Museum of Modern Art, staged the Shostakovich opera, “The Nose” at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and has an exhibition of his films currently showing at the Jewish Museum. However, there have been numerous other individuals who are beginning to make their mark in this artistically rich city:

David Goldblatt, one of South Africa’s most well regarded photographers, is currently exhibiting at the Jewish Museum on New York’s Museum Mile. ‘South African Photographs: David Goldblatt’ captures the world of ordinary people, both victims and oppressors, and the minutiae of everyday life under apartheid. What is so interesting to note is that these local South African-specific images appeal to a global audience. They evoke an emotional response in those who have a superficial understanding of apartheid South Africa.

Ralph Ziman, director of ‘Gangsters Paradise: Jerusalema’, has been dubbed by the New York audience who witnessed the premiere of the film at the Angelika Theatre last month “the Jewish Spike Lee from Africa”. The film has garnered critical acclaim amongst the New York underground hip hop scene, a notoriously difficult sphere to infiltrate. Ziman has been able to translate the South African crime underworld into something globally palatable.

South Africans, it seems, are becoming a permanent fixture in New York’s cultural scene. Hopefully, they will continue to dominate artistic discourse long after the memory of the World Cup has faded.

HEALTH, FITNESS & EXERCISE

Let’s talk about the good back
Sharlene King

I am recovering from a serious back injury. I was down for nine weeks on my back and in a wheelchair, and lying in hospital forced me to stop and reassess my life and decide where I was going from here. I have a new respect for the body and I am even more diligent with posture and correct form with everything I do in my life daily.

I am adamant that my clients follow the exercises that I give them, correctly. Form, correct movement and strength of core, back and legs are vital to prevent back problems.
Back pain is related to your genetic inheritance as well as the use and abuse of your back, or in my case an accident.

The type of endurance you expect of your back is unfair, especially when you look at the training you give it to be able to cope with these demands. Your back has more range of movement than any other part of your body – it can bend forwards, backwards and rotate sideways – and this makes it prone to injury. What you do with your back daily directly impacts on how long it will stay healthy. If you stand incorrectly, sit badly, or pick up things incorrectly, the more likely you are to injure your back. 80% of people experience lower back pain at some point in their lives.

A balanced lifestyle includes moderate exercise and fitness, mobility and cardiovascular fitness. A balanced lifestyle makes your heart stronger, decreases cholesterol, reduces the risk of cardiovascular problems, increases muscle support to the spine and most importantly reduces the risk of lower back pain.

An unhealthy diet can lead to weight problems and can contribute to extra stress on the spine.
Emotional and mechanical stress can affect your back. If you are emotionally stressed, posture is affected, putting more pressure on ligaments, joints and muscles.

People who are overweight or use their back wrongly will experience mechanical stress on their spine. With age, particularly middle age and the menopause, changes occur in the vertebral column: the joints become more brittle and stiff, and there is a decreased range of movement. But with regular exercise and adequate calcium intake, you can reduce or prevent some of the bone loss associated with aging. Keep the back mobile: stretching and palates are advisable to strengthen the abdominal muscles, prevent back pain and improve alignment.
Try massage and reflexology every so often. Eat healthy foods that prevent inflammation in the body, such as oily fish like sardines or salmon. I recommend you eat a diet rich in fruit and vegetables, onions, and garlic. Stay away from fizzy drinks, red meat, coffee and smoking which are all risk factors for reduced bone density. Take glucosamine sulphate, one of the basic compounds in cartilage that has been shown to delay osteoarthritis.

Respect your body and treat it with care from the inside outwards.

Sharlene is a specialist personal trainer and Pilates instructor and can be contacted on 082 600 8944

Recharged
Sue Fuller-Good

I watched my son’s remote control helicopter flying the other day and as I daydreamed over the view I became aware that when the battery started to dwindle it looked just like I sometimes felt. Suddenly the helicopter just couldn’t get very high and its vuma had disappeared. As I watched I saw the futility of trying to keep flying in this state. My son plugged it in to recharge it, realising it wasn’t fun anymore and it wasn’t something he could fight.

He charged it for half an hour and the sparkly ‘new’ helicopter flew high and responsively once more …

I looked at myself and the times when I find it so hard to go and plug myself into some power, but rather ‘fly’ myself in a lack-lustre sort of way, on and on. I decided then and there to make an effort to recognise when my battery needs recharging and to plug it into a source of power when it needs it, not when I consider it to be suitable. I saw how I used high energy foods, often and inappropriately to give me a power surge to tide me over.

I decided to make a list of the power sources I could use. Half an hour to read my book in the sun. A delicious day dream on my patio. A long soaking bath. A long slow run where I do not have to watch the time and have no rush or deadline to meet.

A lovely early night where I can read and drop off to sleep anytime I choose and sleep as long as I need to. A good uninterrupted chat on the phone to a girlfriend about stuff - no particular purpose, just chatter and laughter.

A card game or Monopoly with my kids where we have no time restraint and can play until we are tired of playing.

So my intention is to recharge sooner and more fully, rather than running on empty. I will write more on this next week, but perhaps you can be more aware too and find out what recharges you. Do some of that this weekend if you can. See if it makes a difference to how you fly next week.

Sue Fuller-Good is a physiotherapist and motivational speaker who teaches about Stress Awareness and Balance Creation. She can be contacted on 011 463 0229 or sue@bodybrilliance.co.za. www.bodybrilliance.co.za

BOOKS

A Jo’burg Starter Library

Book publishers, sellers, and collectors are obsessed with libraries. There is nothing better than the spines of books, tall and short, fat and thin, lined up on a bookshelf. Some sort their libraries by author, by genre, even by height or colour. The idea of a starter library is a way of creating more book enthusiasts. It is also to establish knowledge and passion on particular topics, hence giving rise to aficionados.

Listed here is a Jo’burg Start Library which includes must-have books about the beauty, culture and history of our city.

All the following books are available at David Krut Bookstores in Parkwood and Arts on Main, as well as online. Visit their website for more recommended starter libraries: http://www.davidkrutpublishing.com/14192/starter-library.

Hello South Africa, Michelle and Mark MacDonald R185

A phrasebook with over 600 phrases in each of SA’s 11 official languages. Including beautiful photos, insight into SA history and culture and our national anthem.

The Joburg Book, Nechama Brodie (ed.) R320

An engaging and authoritative history that follows the story of the city through its spaces and communities from a multitude of perspectives, both individual and collective.

Jo’burg, Guy Tillim R1,000

The Jo’burg series of photographs by Guy Tillim follows the fortunes of Johannesburg’s inner city residents as a new African city is forged after the apartheid era. This photographic, concertina book is a collector’s item.

Johannesburg One City Colliding Worlds, Lindsey Bremner R250

The author presents us with a kaleidoscopic view of the city by showing us around building sites and derelict buildings. Her insightful text includes the voices of architects, urban planning authorities, politicians and the citizens who inhabit the city.

Inside Joburg, Nechama Brodie (ed.) R190

Full of great ideas on what to do in the City of Gold, as well as interesting information on the city’s social and political history and geological origins. A must-have guidebook for visitors or locals.

Light on a Hill: Building the Constitutional Court of South Africa, Bronwyn Law-Viljoen (ed.) R340

A beautiful and engaging book about the architecture of the Constitutional Court, an important symbol of post-apartheid South Africa and an historic landmark of our city.

Johannesburg Transition: Architecture and Society From 1950, Clive Chipkin R750

This is an absorbing and expansive dialogue between Johannesburg’s past, present and future. Through architecture, Chipkin reflects how our society has transformed and progressed since the 1950’s. This book was recently recognised at the Sunday Time Literary Awards.

TRAVEL

Genius Loci

Tucked away in the vast 900 hectares of pristine bushveld in the Rust de Winter area is Tshukudu Lodge, a four star lodge that is part of Genius Loci Game Ranch, Mystic Monkeys & Feathers, and Kigeli Nature Spa.

Less than two hours north of Johannesburg on the N1, close to the Carousel Casino, Tshukudu is a malaria-free game ranch offering a diversity of game and birdlife, luxury accommodation and all urban amenities: air-conditioning, electric blankets, DSTV and electronic safes in each room, all set in beautifully landscaped gardens around a rock pool. Polite, enthusiastic and helpful staff abound, willing to help guests with the smallest request.

Public facilities include a bar, pool table, lounges and an à la carte restaurant. The atmosphere for guests is homely and welcoming, while conference facilities as well as game drives and bird-watching are offered. And, don’t miss their Sunday buffet – bookings are essential as this is very popular.

For unadulterated pampering, there’s the Kigeli Nature & Wellness Spa, “Treatment for Kings and Queens,” where guests are spoilt with natural treatments in the beautiful Rust de Winter surrounds.

Adults and children alike will be enthralled at their Mystic Monkeys & Feathers Wildlife Park where there is an abundance of primates, both big and small, exotic birds, tigers, cheetah and white lion, and a gift shop.

To enquire further about this memorable experience, log onto www.gl.co.za or phone them on 086 128 7483.

GOING GREEN

The Indalo Project at the Alliance Française of Johannesburg

The different centres of the Alliance Française are local independent cultural organisations dedicated to the promotion of French language and culture. They have existed in South Africa since 1936. At the moment, there are 17 in the major cities of South Africa, Botswana, Swaziland and Lesotho. The Alliance Française of Johannesburg, located in the suburb of Parkview, will celebrate its sixtieth year of existence. Every year it accommodates 1400 students. Being a public place, it does also have a responsibility towards the environment.

"Indalo", which means "Nature" in Xhosa, is a project that was initiated in 2008 by the Alliance Française of Port Elizabeth, with the support of the South African organisation R.E.C (Renewable Energy Centre). It aims at reducing the carbon footprint of the different Alliances Françaises in southern Africa, in order to serve as an example to other organisations.

The Indalo Project has various aims and objectives:
• The rehabilitation of the buildings of the Alliances Françaises;
• An awareness campaign directed at the public within the Alliances Françaises;
• The expansion of the project within all Alliances Françaises as well as external organisations.

With the dramatic increase in the price of electricity in South Africa since the beginning of 2010 and also taking into account the increases planned for the next five years, the Alliance Française of Johannesburg and of Port Elizabeth have been able to reduce their energy consumption due to the optimisation of the electrical system. By replacing normal light bulbs with energy-saving light bulbs, by adapting the geyser and by installing low-consumption heating systems, and by regulating the use of their IT and lighting systems, they have managed to reduce their carbon footprint.

As far as recycling and the reduction of waste is concerned, the Alliance Française of Johannesburg is also committed to a more conscious consumption of the following: eco-friendly cleaning products and paint, 100% biodegradable toilet paper and drinking cups, printing on recycled paper, reducing waste to a minimum and also by sorting of waste.

These are all very simple actions, which on the one hand do reduce the carbon footprint, and on the other hand raise awareness amongst the students and the public visiting the Alliance with regard to environmental protection. A first conference on the subject of water was also an excellent way to sensitise members with regard to the importance of the conservation of this resource.

This is only the beginning. With more than 1000 centres worldwide the network of the Alliance Française can contribute significantly to the protection of the environment with regard to all possible aspects: the conservation of water and energy, the reduction and sorting of waste, the protection of natural resources and awareness campaigns.

For more practical advice, or for additional references and films, please consult the category « Indalo » on our website www.alliance.org.za

FOOD GLORIOUS FOOD

Punchinello’s

Sunday brunch with family and friends is an established ritual in Johannesburg. Whether it’s after a breakfast-run by bicycle, motorbike, that collectible beauty tucked away in a garage, or just after you’ve rolled out of bed, it’s a weekend treat that we all look forward to.

By kind invitation from the management at the Southern Sun Montecasino, my family and I recently drove through the ‘burbs to Punchinello’s to meet its General Manager, Robert Jasper, Executive Chef Gerard Vingerling and Food and Beverage Manager Craig Vermaak, who introduced us to their sumptuous Sunday buffet brunch.

“Punchinello’s is about authenticity of experience and the theatre of food, all within a classic interior with a contemporary twist,” says interior designer Ryan Illgner of Blacksmith Interior Design Consultants. “As a result, from a design point of view, the restaurant has been developed around a ‘show kitchen’ where all activities are in plain view and patrons are able to interact fully with the experience of cooking. The authenticity of the Venetian style is expressed in beautifully elegant hand-crafted furniture pieces, Venetian stucco finishes, and Arabian influenced mosaics and reclaimed oak wooden floors.”

Their Sunday brunch menu is exactly as they describe it; “an array of tantalising specialities” from glasses of Sangria and Cap Classique Cocktails on entering, subtle background music and a menu that stretches from an assortment of fruit and mueslis to pastries, Mediterranean cold Table, a delicious hot selection, and to-die-for-deserts,

Recently included in their schedule is the Chefs of Distinction programme where distinguished chefs will be sharing their talents and special menus with the public. Chef Martin Kobald’s evening focussed on his Austrian roots, while Chef Jodi-Ann Pearton and Stefano Strafella will present in August and September.

Punchinello’s is at the Southern Sun Montecasino, Fourways. To make bookings, or inquire about the Chefs of Distinction events, call Reservations on 011 367 4367.

MOTORING

Mitsubishi Outlander

Whether it’s a luxurious on-road or a rugged off-road car that you want, a ‘mummy’s wagon’ for kids and shopping, or a ‘father’s wagon’ for extended trips into the bush, there’s probably no better all-round vehicle than the Mitsubishi Outlander.

With their new generation MIVEC engines that match your driving style and minimises fuel consumption – a transversely mounted 2.4 litre, quad valve, 4 cylinder DOHC engine with an impressive 125kW of power and 226Nm of torque, a Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT), ‘six-step’ auto/manual transmission and Active Select 2WD/4WD/4WD Lock (when the going gets really tough, there’s lockable 4WD) which operates through an intelligent multi-select gearing system that electronically distributes traction between front and rear wheels - this station wagon will get you anywhere and in supreme comfort.

For safety there’s a Reinforced Impact Safety Evolution body, Anti-Lock Braking (ABS), Electronic Brake-Force Distribution (EBD), Active Stability Control, seatbelt pretensioners - in case of a collision - and Supplementary Restraint Airbags and Curtains (SRS) that extends the full length of the passenger compartments.

The interior boasts hand-stitched leather, a Rockford Fosgate audio system, multi-function steering wheel with built-in cruise and audio control, automatic air-conditioning, electric sunroof with slide/tilt functionality, split tailgate rear entry and keyless Smart Key that is synchronised to each individual vehicle.

The rear seats, both cushions and backrests, can be folded/tumbled in a variety of easy-to-alter cargo and seating variations at the push of a button - in a variety of combinations - to extend the rear cargo area from 774 litres to 1691 litres. Fully extended, it’s really cavernous.

To add to this list of standard features is an upper glove box with a cooling/warming function, numerous bottle-holders front and back, fold-out rear armrest, a three-year or 100,000km warranty, and a three-year or 60,000km service plan.

On a recent trip to the Dinokeng Biosphere, north of Pretoria, this car performed admirably, taking the distance in its calm stride, whether it was the rutted highways or dirt roads. With plenty of space for passengers and luggage alike, all the comforts of a luxurious vehicle and none of the bulk of a typical 4X4, the Mitsubishi Outlander should be at the top of anyone’s list who is looking for a capable city car that can be combined with a serious bundu-basher.

We were very sad to return this vehicle to the Mitsubishi Motors Sandton dealership, and could quite easily have purchased one there and then – we’ll be having a chat to our vehicle finance agent soon!

For further information, or a test-drive, contact the guys at Mitsubishi Motors Sandton, corner William Nicol & Main, on 011 244 7000.

MOVIES

Alfred Hitchcock: Psycho (1960)
Dr Jean-Philippe Wade

Film theorist Robin Wood wrote of Alfred Hitchock’s Psycho (1960) that it was “perhaps the most terrifying film ever made: we are to be taken forward and downward into the darkness of ourselves”. Now celebrating its 40th anniversary, Psycho re-defined the horror genre by giving it psychological depth, and gave birth to ‘slasher’ films such as The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (1974) and Halloween (1978).

Secretary Marion Crane (Janet Leigh) steals from her company to enable her and her financially-strapped lover Sam to marry. Fleeing with the money, she stops off at a motel, where she is brutally murdered, apparently by the crazed mother of the gentle manager, Norman Bates (Anthony Perkins). A private detective traces Marion to the motel, but then he is also murdered, in the Gothic house overlooking the motel, apparently by the same mother. However Marion’s sister Lila and Sam learn from the sheriff that the mother committed suicide a decade before after murdering her lover, and realize they must go to the motel to solve the mystery. In a terrifying climax, the son Norman is revealed to be the ‘psycho’ split-personality serial killer, condemned to shift between his amiable self and the personality of his mother, whose clothes he sometimes wore, and whose preserved corpse ‘lived’ in the house.

In an interview with Francois Truffaut, Hitchcock said that “Psycho has a very interesting construction and that game with the audience was fascinating. I was directing the viewers. You might say I was playing them, like an organ”. When we think of a film director, we think of him or her directing the actors, cameras, script, crew, and so on, and forget that what a great director like Hitchcock also did was direct the audience, carefully manipulating their expectations and emotions.

Audience plot expectations were spectacularly misdirected. They expected the story to focus on the only star of the film, the sympathetically portrayed Janet Leigh, as she nervously flees with her embezzled money and then decides to return it after a chat with Bates, and yet by the end of the first act she had been killed off, leaving the audience confounded in their assumptions. Interestingly, Hitchcock insisted that audiences in 1960 would not be allowed into the cinema after the film had started to ensure this misdirection had its full effect.

And then there is the most famous scene in all of cinema history: the shower scene, analyzed a million times in books and film studies classes. Its less than 3 minutes took a full week to shoot, has over 70 camera angles and about 90 rapid cuts – a magnificent montage from the knife’s point-of view of Marion Crane’s slaughter under the shower’s relentless water fountain (the naked body is not that of Vivien Leigh but of a nude model stand-in). What is most striking compared to more recent ‘slasher’ movies is that most of the violence is implied rather than shoved in your face – the terror audiences continue to experience comes from the editing itself as the viewer is placed right in the heart of the killing. And of course the music: the bird-like screeching of the strings by composer Bernard Herrmann is as important to the emotional impact of the scene as is the editing. Turn the sound off when watching it and see how its terror deflates.

Hitchcock (1899-1980) is undoubtedly Britain’s most accomplished director of over 50 films. After an early directing success in England, he moved to Hollywood at the end of the 1930s and reached his peak in the 1950s and 60s with films such as Vertigo (1958), North by Northwest (1959), Psycho (1960) and The Birds (1963).

After big-budget successes, Hitchcock deliberately made Psycho as a B-movie, using a television crew, black and white film, and a meagre budget of $800,000. Despite this, it was his most commercially successful film.

Three more Psycho films were made from 1983 to 1990, all starring Anthony Perkins but none directed by Hitchcock. American director Gus van Sant made a rather odd shot-for-shot remake of the original film (however in colour) in 1998. The bisexual Anthony Perkins, whose subsequent career was defined by Psycho, died in 1992 from AIDS. His widow Berry Berenson was killed on American Airlines Flight 11, during the September 11 terrorist attacks in 2001.
Hitchock once said, “That's why I take pride in the fact that Psycho, more than any of my other pictures, is a film that belongs to film-makers”. He was exactly right.

A 40th anniversary Blu-ray DVD of Psycho will be released this year.

Jean-Philippe is a professor of Media and Cultural Studies at the University of KwaZulu-Natal.

FASHION

Craig Port dazzles at the Cape Town Fashion Week
Vincent Zondo

Cape Town Fashion Week took place last weekend, and we probed for the trends for summer as well as which designers soared above the rest.

Craig Port definitely sizzled with his Ready-To-Wear collection for both Men and Women for spring/summer 2010.

Port took what seems to be a very minimalist view on summer this year – white dominating his men’s collection with palest of grey. According to an interview done prior to the show with capetownmagazine.co.za, he was inspired by ‘Paris and the YSL - Retrospective at the Petit Palais’.

Most inspiring was the styling of the entire collection - suited for a man who is looking for a very relaxed but edgy look that oozes opulence basking in soho-chic. The interesting detailing and cuts as well as overall construction certify this as the most refreshing collection for men. The mix between superbly cut jackets (some coming sleeveless), paired with bermudas and draped neck tee shirt pushed the envelope on what we have come generally to expect from a runway collection for men.

His latest accessories range includes underwear; shoes (classics, brogues, loafers, and sandal) as well as belts, which will surely attract SA men.

Craig Port is truly a power house and we wait with keen interest to see how the collection trickles to market through his distribution outlets – YDE being one of them.

Vincent is a brand-builder and a freelance fashion writer. Follow him on Twitter.com/VincentZondo

MUSIC

Loc in the Ville – Duo-ing what they do best
AK Ahmed

Even though the successful Cape-Town based twins Andrew and Brian Chaplin broke into the music scene with one hit after another as the talented Locnville, such talent and passion is only harnessed from practice from a very young age.

I caught up with the duo that has brought a new depth of talent to the music industry and it is for this very reason that they are taking South Africa by storm…

What are your earliest memories for your love of music?

Andrew: It is probably jamming out Pink Floyd’s Dark Side of the Moon with our dad. But I think our passion has always been there.

Brian: Jumping on the couch to Achey Breaky Heart at around the age of five. I learned to play that song at six years old and then I just carried on from there.

How has the ‘massive fame’ changed your lives in a positive way?

Andrew: Well I wouldn’t necessarily say that our fame is massive, but thank you AK. The only thing that has really changed is that when we go out – people recognize us and all that but another big change is the constant travelling.

Brian: I do not consider myself massively famous either. The lifestyle change includes lots of travelling, which is always fun and getting a lot of people who really like the music is fantastic.

What would you attribute your success to?

Andrew: Confidence, persistence and determination. We always knew that this was what we were going to do, so we never concentrated on anything else except making it work. I often actually wondered how we managed to pass high school! (Laughs)

Brian: Determination, perseverance and an incredibly good team work.

Which song is each of your favourites of your album?

Andrew: My personal favourite is Get to you. First off, I just really love the beat and was very amped when I came up with it. The second reason is because I love the lyrical content; we personify success as ‘you’- so people often ask who the song is about, and it’s about that ‘b**ch goddess’, success.

Brian: My favourites are Get to you, Purple days and Passion to go just for the fact that they were really fun tracks to record and I always enjoy listening to them.

How would you describe true happiness and success?

Andrew: Doing exactly as you please with the people that you love. True happiness is true success.

Brian: As long as you are happy with what you are doing and everything else feels right, then you have achieved and reaped the benefits of happiness and success.

I am certain the music industry has its highs and lows. What were the first few lows that you had discovered in the early stages of your career?

Andrew: The first is constantly being told by people how they are going to make you a star and then nothing actually happens. We worked with a producer a couple of years back that really had us going, but I just was not feeling it and it did not happen.

Brian: A lot of talk! There are plenty of people who will convince you that they are who you need, but it rarely turns out that way. Also receiving harsh criticism at first was difficult, but you learn to just accept it for what it is.

Locnville is practically a household name. I am sure that you must have had other names in the running before you chose Locnville. How did you choose the name and what were the other names in the running?

Brian: We went through a ton of names in the very early days, but came up with Locnville about five or so years back and haven’t looked back since!

Andrew: Well, if you are going to look way back to when we started playing our music, there were a lot of names we considered – but the music that we make as Locnville has always been Locnville. Locnville is the only name for the music we are doing now.

What would you consider is the weirdest thing that a fan has done?

Andrew: It would probably have to be our most recent time in Port Elizabeth. Two girls managed to break through a metal fence into our dressing rooms.

Brian: (Laughs) These girls broke through a seriously dangerous metal fence and then convinced security they were part of the media before sneaking into our room.

If you had the power to change a few things in the world, what would you start with?

Andrew: I would start with changing the way politics and money works. The way it is being done know is old school and is bound to fail eventually. In my opinion, the world is no different from the medieval times, except now we just have computers and more sophisticated technology.

Brian: The distribution of wealth needs to be reconsidered. People and society as a whole need to learn to be more open minded and realize that one person’s ideology will never work, because everyone is different.

What charities are close to your heart?

Andrew: I definitely have a lot of support for REACH FOR A DREAM campaign as well as the 1GOAL organization. However, I’m not too specific with charities as I support more causes as opposed to actual charities.

Brian: Pretty much all charities are close to my heart but I enjoy learning of new charities and help in any way I can.

With a countless amount of fans it is no surprise why your debut album, Sun in My Pocket, is a huge success. When can we, including myself, expect your second album?

Andrew: Thank you AK. We are already working on plenty of new material for the second album and I am really amped with where we are going with it. If I have got one thing to say about the album without giving too much away, I would say it is not the Sun in My Pocket album!

Brian: Firstly thank you, secondly I have no idea when exactly people can expect the release of the second album because we have quite a lot of work to do overseas before we can give complete focus on our second album. As Andrew said, we are constantly writing new material and I am amped to get the new stuff out there! We have gone bigger on production and are experimenting more with our vocal ranges.

Why practice vocal ranges when the fans can easily reach octave ranges? We can definitely keep a look out for their new album as I am sure Locnville will not disappoint fans.

Extremely down to earth, energetic and passionate – I noticed how the Chaplin brothers truly enjoy every minute of what they do and it is staying true to themselves that makes them two of a kind.

Abdulkadir Ahmed, better known as AK Ahmed, is an aspiring freelance writer who specializes in entertainment and lifestyle news, as well as being an enthusiastic blogger. Photos supplied by Just Music Press Contact.

MUSIC VENUES
Daniel Friedman

Alexander Theatre, 36 Stiemens St Braamfontein. A large, warehouse-style party venue. Tel: 083 267 0239

Bassline, 10 Henry Nxumalo Street, Newtown Cultural Precinct. This large venue hosting jazz and other good music needs no introduction. Website: www.bassline.co.za. Tel: 011 838 9145.
back2basix, corner of Perth and Lancaster Roads, Westdene. Unpretentious, relaxed live music venue. Website: www.back2basix.co.za. Tel: 011 726 6857.

Black Dahlia, 192 Trichards Street, Boksburg. A big and popular East Rand venue for all kinds of rock, mostly of the alternative and heavy variety. Email: the_black_dahlia_venue@hotmail.com

Belavista Lounge, 3rd Floor and Rooftop, Grafik Centre, Spar Complex,
corner Bertrams Rd and Carnarvon St, Bertrams. An interesting, eclectic line-up of live music and a great view can be found here. http://www.belavista.co.za. Tel: 084 600 5069.

Blou Hond, 67 Fourth Avenue, Linden. Renowned Afrikaans musos play here, and the ticket price, which is usually around R200, includes a four-course meal. Website: www.blouhond.co.za. Book at Tel: 011 782 9805.

Blues Room, Village Walk, Sandton. Glitzy live music venue at The Village Walk Mall. Website: www.bluesroom.co.za Tel: 011 784 5527.

The Bohemian, corner of Park and Menton Roads, Richmond. Regulars of the Bo know what to expect. Grungy but comfortable. A true Johannesburg stalwart. Website: www.thebo.co.za. Tel: 011 482 1725.

Café Barcelona, Elardus Park Centre, Pretoria. One of Pretoria’s stalwart live music venues. Cover is usually R50. Website: www.cafebarcelona.co.za. Tel: 012 345 3602.

Cantina Tequila, 4th Avenue, Linden. A noisy restaurant and bar that sometimes hosts live music. 082 448 9789.

CCHQ, corner Main and Violet Roads, Edenvale. A well-hidden but magical venue that caters mostly to the indie, goth and metal crowds, but to a host of others too. There is allegedly a “bondage room” somewhere in the club. Tel: 011 822 4271.

Cool Runnings, Benoni. Shop 1 Lakedene Centre, Lakefield Avenue, Lakefield, Benoni. Another rocking Cool Runnings, regularly hosting free live bands and comedy. Tel: 0833606514.

Cool Runnings Fourways, River Bed Junction, Fourways. Lots of up-and-coming SA rock showcased at this large and happening version of the franchise. Tel: 011 704 0987.

Cool Runnings Victory Park, corner 2nd and Rustenburg Rds, Victory Park Shopping Centre. This newest addition to the Cool Runnings chain offers comedy every Tuesday night and live bands every Saturday Night. Entrance is free.
Website: http://www.facebook.com/RockfordMedia.

Espresso Jazz, 60, 4th Avenue, Linden. An intimate venue which often hosts jazz, folk and the occasional dub-step evening. Tel: 082 417 1938.

ESP, 84 Oxford Street, Ferndale, Randburg. Rave will never die at this Randburg club that opens every Saturday night. Cover is R50. Website: www.esp.co.za.

Groove Bar, Pond Value Centre, Old Pretoria Road (corner of James Crescent),
Midrand. Commercial house on a variety of dancefloors every weekend. Tel: 011 315 8377.

Kitchener’s Carvery Bar, corner of Juta and de Beer, Braamfontein. Once a musty old bar, now a hip nightspot. Expect an interesting line-up of DJs focusing on techno, indie, electro, minimal, dubstep and more. The venue also hosts the occasional acoustic artist. Email: andrewthedj@gmail.com

Latinova, 160 Jan Smuts Avenue (entrance on Tyrwhitt Avenue), Rosebank. Dress to impress at this stylish urban club, where R&B, house and hip-hop will always be on the menu. Tel: 082 458 0675.

Le Mix Room, Newtown Mall, 77 Harrison Street, Joburg CBD. Large new inner city club focusing on urban entertainment. Tel: 082 316 5261

Linder Auditorium, Wits Education Campus, 27 St Andrews Road, Parktown. A large auditorium featuring a range of classical, choral and operatic performances. Tel: 011 789 2733
The Loft, Shop 6, 7th Avenue, Melville. This relaxed restaurant and bar hosts live music on Friday nights. Tel: 011 482 8986.

Moloko, 160 Jan Smuts Avenue (entrance on Tyrwhitt Avenue), Rosebank. An upmarket urban bar beneath Latinova featuring smooth, soulful sounds. Tel: 082 458 0675.

Ninetysix, corner of Witkoppen and Main Roads, Fourways. A stylish lounge/bar/restaurant. Website:www.ninetysix.co.za.Tel: 011 467 6696.

Radium, corner of Louis Botha Avenue and Ninth Street, Orange Grove. One of Joburg’s oldest pubs and a good place to go see jazz, folk and blues acts. Website: www.theradium.co.za. Tel: 011 728 3866.

Ramp Divas, near East Rand Mall (turn right at Hyundai in North Rand Road
when coming from highway), Boksburg. Joburg’s most happening gay club where cheesy music rules. Cover is R20. Tel: 082 680 3691.

Red Room, corner of Juice Street and Beyers Naude Drive, Laser Park. This mecca for Joburg metalheads, Goths and punks is still pumping. Website: www.redroom.co.za.

Roxy's, 20 Main Road, Melville. This large live music club will never die. It hosts loud rock and, on Mondays, even louder student nights. Tel: 011 726 6019.

Sutra, Wild Waters Complex, 1 Margaret Street, Bardene, Boksburg. A successful club hosting commercial house and electro on weekends. Website: www.sutra.co.za. Tel: 083 675 9006.

Taboo, 24 Central, corner Gwen Lane and Fredman Drive, Sandton, North Jhb. The epitome of upmarket Sandton clubbing. Website: www.beyondred.co.za.

Tanz Café, NOTE: This no-frills live music venue has moved to a new location. Website: www.tanzcafe.co.za. Tel: 011 463 3128.

Tokyo Star, 26 Gleneagles Ave Greenside. A more stylish, grown-up version of the original Melville venue. Hosts DJs and the occasional band. Tel: 072 478 2592.

The Woods, 66 Carr Street, Newtown. The venue of choice for the skinny jeans crowd – electro DJs and indie bands. Tel: 011 838 9277.

Zeplin's, 384 Pretorius Street, Pretoria. Pretoria’s huge club for metalheads, Goths and other alternative types. Website: www.zeplins.co.za.

Jozi Life Issue 12

2010-07-08T00:53:00.000-07:00

THE TEAM

Publisher
Mark Wade
editor@jozilife.co.za
082 787 9251

Administrator
Deana Halfon
admin@jozilife.co.za
011 788 9255

Copy Editor
Dr Jean-Philippe Wade

Designer
Dean Griffiths
design@jozilife.co.za
www.cobalt-online.com

Contributors
Carrie Adams
AK Ahmed
Daniel Friedman
Sue Fuller-Good
Sharlene King
Rona Marx
Janice Scheckter
Dr Jean-Philippe Wade

Distributor
GOPHERit
084 614 8240

Contact Details
PO Box 72024
Parkview 2122
Telephone 011 788 9255
Fax 086 563 2482
Cell 082 787 9251

Jozi Life is published fortnightly by Jozi Life Publishers CC Registration Number 2009/222092/23 and printed by The Newspaper Printing Company. 13,000 copies are distributed through selected shopping centres, supermarkets, convenience stores, restaurants and coffee bars from Norwood to Cresta, and Newtown to Midrand - including OR Tambo Airport.

Copyright exists on all work published in Jozi Life. Any reproduction or adaptation, in whole or in part, without written permission of the publishers is strictly prohibited and is an act of copyright infringement which may constitute a criminal offence.

The content of Jozi Life does not reflect the opinions of either the editor or publisher.

Jozi Life is proud to be associated with the Joburg Theatre, South African Ballet Theatre and the Market Theatre. We also wish to thank The Wine Club, Norman Goodfellows, The International Wine Company, David Krut Resources and the Nirox Foundation for content.

Please note that a couple of errors sneaked past weary eyes into our last issue. Jonathan Liebmann’s name was spelled incorrectly, and Malva is at Main Street Life, not Arts on Main. Our sincerest apologies.

MY WORDS

I’ve been complaining to all and sundry about the cold weather, but then watching the numerous documentaries on television about climbing Everest, mushing through Alaska on the Iditarod, extracting core samples of ice from the Antarctic to examine our world’s history and mad adventurers in Iceland, the climate here in winter is relatively balmy. And then we have friends who are still swimming in the sea off the KwaZulu-Natal coast and walking around in shorts, T-shirts and slops in the middle of winter while I have gas heaters and electric blankets firing all night. Are we ever happy?

While people say they’ve never experienced such cold, the weather bureau says it’s quite normal. How quickly we forget … I remember a snowfall in Johannesburg in the early 1980s that surprised everyone, but then that’s weather; it’s unpredictable.

With threats of global warming and global cooling coming from all directions, all we can really say is that in our earth’s history of billions of years, this has all happened before.

Talking about happiness, or in this case, unhappiness, the Soccer World Cup has really proved that unpredictability – something to do with a ‘chaos theory’ I think – is commonplace in sport. While the bookies have probably had a field day, the rest of us reel with confusion. Underdogs have become ‘overdogs’, and disgraced players, coaches and referees abound. If the word ‘cleansing’ could be applied to this event, it’s quite appropriate.

However, with the reputed cost of staging the SWC running into billions (exact figures aren’t available, but it could be near R50 billion), I’m sure that the millions of South Africans who live in abject poverty would rather have a solid roof over their heads, food, clothing, healthcare and education.

Talking about ‘disadvantaged’ people is not Jozi Life’s core focus, but I was privileged to join artist Willem Boshoff on a walk-about on Main Reef Road. When built in the late 19th century – to join the mines from west to east Rand – was nearly 100kms long. The intention behind his journey is to document sections of this road – much changed over time – in daily ‘bites’ and create a photo documentary.

On the day that I participated, we wandered through a ‘squatter camp’ between a railway line and a main road. My earlier complaints about the weather became rather academic. These poor people have absolutely nothing, and I doubt whether anyone really cares. Their homes were made of cobbled together plastic bags, bits of cardboard, packing boxes and old timber. There was neither tapped water nor electricity or toilets, and garbage disposal was an open-air festering heap. If our government continues to favour ‘glamour’ sporting projects over the needs of the poor – and now we want to pitch for the Olympic Games – there’s going to be huge dissention.

And now onto lighter subjects, namely this issue. We have a few new names to add to our contributors from this week. We have Steven Lack from The International Wine Company who’ll be adding his knowledge to our Wine Notes – look out for their ‘tasting’ events – Blaise Hopkinson with his thoughts from abroad (I never quite know where he is, but I have sneaky feeling that he’s wandering the beaches of Hout Bay at the moment – not quite the same as Bangkok, Dubai or London), Richard Simpson and his alter ego Rickie Lee Jones, Vincent Zondo, fashion, and David Krut Art Resources who’ll be adding an invaluable supplement to each issue.

Make sure that you visit the Nirox Foundation in the Magaliessburg, and see Le Grand Cirque Fantazie at the Joburg Theatre.

And, once again, enjoy the read.

Mark Wade
Publisher

WINE NOTES

ILLOU: On tour in SA
Steven Lack

The International Wine Company is based in Johannesburg, and through our policy of dealing with only award-winning wineries and estates that are leaders in their respective countries - wineries and estates that set the trends for others to follow, by creating benchmark wines the standard by which all others are judged - together with our commitment to customer service, has become one of South Africa’s leading wine importers.

We are renowned for presenting some of the finest wine events seen yet in South Africa. Last year we hosted all the leading 1st growth Bordeaux chateaux at our “Ultimate Bordeaux Experience” featuring over the weekend such great wines and estates as the Chateau Latour 1943, Chateau Margaux 1964, Chateau Haut Brion 1964, Petrus 1988 & Chateau Cheval Blanc 1986, among many others including the most famous 1961 vintage.

We are honoured at the International Wine Company to yet again be hosting another one of Bordeaux‟s leading chateau here in SA: Chateau Ducru-Beaucaillou.
The appellation of St Julien, Bordeaux, does not contain any 1st growth estates. Ducru-Beaucaillou is the leading 2nd growth from Saint Julien. Monsieur Stephen Lemaitre from this most prestigious estate will present three gastronomic events in Johannesburg, Cape Town & Durban.

Each event will start off with Champagne & canapés, a tutored tasting of the wines of “Chateaux & Domains Jean-Eugene Borie”: Chateau Ducru-Beaucaillou, Croix de Beaucaillou & Chateau Lalande-Borie.

A 5-course gourmet dinner will follow, each course immaculately paired with great vintages of these estates spanning 4 decades. Vintages of the very prestigious Chateau Ducru Beaucaillou featured will include 1975, 1982, 2000, 2004 & 2006.
Chateau Lalande-Borie will feature the 2005 & 2007 vintages, while Croix de Beaucaillou will feature the 2005 & 2006 vintages.

The 1982 vintage being one of the greatest vintages of the last 50 years along with 2000 and 2005, while 1975 is also regarded as being one of the finest vintages of Chateau Ducru Beaucaillou.

Johannesburg: at Auberge Michel Restaurant on the 20th July 2010

Cape Town: at Westin Grand, Arabella Quays Executive Club 19th Floor on the 23rd July 2010.

Durban: Venue TBA on the 21st July 2010.

Price: R1,450 per person. Space is limited to 40 guests per event, so early booking is advisable.

In addition to our “Standard Range” of wines available in SA, we stock all of the Bordeaux Grand Crus with vintages dating back to 1919 which are purchased “en primeur” and cellared at our associate cellars in Bordeaux (established 1879) since their original release from their chateaux, each bottle “date stamped‟ when they leave these cellars for the first time.

Tel: (011) 447 6427 Web: www.internationalwines.co.za Email: info@internationalwines.co.za

A VIEW FROM ABROAD

I’m an alien, a legal alien, but a South African in London
Blaise Hopkinson

No apologies to Sting, who sang about being an Englishman in New York. They kind of liked his cute accent, spiky hair and otherworldliness.
A friend recently attended a Christopher Hope writer’s workshop in Greyton, and fell into conversation with the White Boy Running author, who has been an exile from the land of his birth for decades. He splits his time between England and France.
He opined that for all the time he has been a legal alien in England, he has always felt just that, an alien. Not foreign. That is how the English treat us. In France, where he has a home, he is welcomed as foreign, but not as alien. He is celebrated for his foreign-ness.

Famous South Africans in England are always referred to by their South African roots in the media, however withered those roots might be. Janet Suzman, niece of Helen and a stalwart for four decades of the London theatre scene, is often labelled “South African-born”, in spite of her cut glass accent and iconic status as a doyenne of Shakespeare productions. You never read about Sol Kerzner, “the international hotel mogul”. Instead, it is “South African billionaire hotelier”, in spite of his being resident in the UK for yonks.

A colleague from Bloemfontein who has lived as a legal alien in London for 20 years was shouted down by her colleagues when she pronounced satisfaction at the recent Tory/LibDem election win. “You are South African, go home, your opinion doesn’t matter,” one member of the sub-editing underclass declared. This, in spite of two decades of tax paying, a haughty demeanour at home in the salons of Mayfair and a mid-Atlantic accent untraceable to Bloem.
What makes this particularly galling for the South African alien in London is how welcoming our homeland and its folk are to those from foreign climes.

Our cities are brimming to the gunnels with visitors from all around the world. Our arms are outstretched, our welcome without guile. We celebrate their foreign-ness, but we don’t treat then as inhabitants of another planet.

Other Cape Town colleagues lived and worked for four years in provincial Chichester, legally and productively. They are professionals, people who know their craft. But for four long years they were aliens.

We are not foreign, because we share a language, have roots, grew up in a former colony and spent our childhoods believing that everything from Mighty Blighty was better, classier and to be aspired to.

How wrong we were, and how brutal the blow when one finally works out how foreign the English themselves really are. We are a bit like Americans, believing any English accent is somehow posh, that Posh Spice Victoria Beckham is upper crust. Ooh, how wrong we have been.

While South Africans have been doing their gap years and longer in London and parts more bucolic for decades, we remain un-rehydrated aliens in English eyes and tend to behave like them too.

Shops selling biltong and Marie biscuits can be found in London, and a can of Castle can be had at a price. We still have braais in our backyards, even in the depths of winter, and we speak Afrikaans when we don’t want the locals to understand us on the bus.

The open floodgates of emigration to England, and to the boroughs of London in particular, have unleashed a bigger backlash than ever against the alien classes. We take their jobs, they cry. Their benefits-sponsored prams are the weapon of choice, and just speaking with a foreign accent brings on snorts of derision from the nascent under-classes.

Many of us have made our starts in London, often spluttering, by tapping into the “South African mafia” network that exists. We fall upon escapees from Benoni to Bellville when they are in a position to give us a job, mention our names or throw us a crust. And the English don’t like that. We invade their space, return the favour of colonial occupation and rub their noses in their country’s loss of status as a world power.

So, as we welcome the huddled masses of English footie fans to our sparkling shores, we must be especially on our best behaviour in the presence of our former colonial masters, they of the St George's Cross and doubtful cuisine.

Blaise is a freelance marketer, editor, journalist and raconteur, and is resident in either Bangkok, London or Cape Town.

THEATRE

The triumphant return of Le Grand Cirque Fantazie

Joburg Theatre brought you - for the first time in South Africa - the spectacular extravaganza known as LE GRAND CIRQUE. After 54 sold-out performances, it has become the most in-demand show from our patrons for a return visit. We are absolutely delighted that we can now announce an exclusive four-week triumphant return of LE GRAND CIRQUE with its brand new edition LE GRAND CIRQUE FANTAZIE.

This latest edition brings back the most popular of its original LE GRAND CIRQUE sequences and adds even more breathtaking spectacle with a feast of white-knuckle stunts and precision skill, producing so much mind-boggling electricity it could light up all of Joburg!

From the award winning creative team behind SPIRIT OF THE DANCE, one of the world’s - and certainly South Africa’s - most popular dance shows, came the next generation of Cirque style productions.

The spellbinding and magical LE GRAND CIRQUE is one of the most exciting shows you will ever see. It has fast become one of the hottest tickets in show business history with sold out shows and standing ovations night after night. It has played to over ten million people around the world, smashing all box office records on the way.

Featuring an international cast of 50 world champion acrobats and performers from over 15 countries - including China, Russia and Monte Carlo - this award winning spectacle will quite simply take your breath away. This thrill a minute production delivers incredible talent beyond your wildest imagination that will take you to the edge of your seats - and back again!

LE GRAND CIRQUE FANTAZIE is perfect for all the family, with fun and happiness written all over it. The mesmerising show brings you beautiful costumes, dynamic lighting and some of the greatest international talent ever assembled on one stage. The music for the show has been selected from the world’s most popular classical composers, and masterfully arranged with up-to-date rhythms to reflect the international appeal of the show.

Performances begin in The Mandela at Joburg Theatre on Thursday July 15th 2010 and the limited season must close on Sunday August 8th 2010.

Tickets are available at Computicket – call 011 340 8000 / 083 915 8000 or visit www.computicket.com. Special discount ticket prices are available for groups of ten or more – call the theatre’s VIP Ticketing on 011 877 6854.

LE GRAND CIRQUE FANTAZIE is presented in South Africa in association with M-Net and Classic FM.

HEALTH, FITNESS & EXERCISE

Muscle cannot turn to fat
Sharlene King

What really happens when we stop exercising? Muscle and fat – the non-existent connection!!

Muscle and fat have completely different chemical constitutions. Scientific research shows that the basic chemical structure of fat is three long chained fatty acid molecules – made up of hydrogen, oxygen and carbon molecules, bound together by one molecule of glycerol.

Stearic acid shown as tristearin is the typical chemical structure of neutral or bodily fat. Amino acids, the functional units of protein, form the base of muscle tissue. Amino acids are made up of a carbon molecule, joined by a nitrogen atom.

Although it’s difficult to grasp, it’s as simple as this: muscle cannot be converted into fat or anything else. But what leads so many people to believe that it is possible in the first place?

Let’s talk facts:

When resistance training, muscle hypertrophy is initiated. This is the increase in muscle fibres when these fibres are overloaded with resistance weight. When you stop with this type of training this adjustment simply reverses. The muscles atrophy and merely shrink to their original untrained size.

During hypertrophy the muscle (body tissue) increases. A greater energy through the body is needed in order to load the muscles with heavy weights, and therefore you might require more calories to maintain the muscle earned. But when this regular training stops and the muscles atrophy, fewer calories are required, so you would adjust your diet to the lower energy requirements needed.

When we train, we tend to take on a whole new lifestyle. We eat more healthy foods, and we connect with our bodies. But when we stop, we tend to go to the other end of the scale and over-nourish ourselves with all types of food that our bodies don’t need.
And that is when we pile on the blubber. So, if you are taking a week or two off in winter, remember that nutrition plays the most important role in the way you look and feel.

You will only get fat if you have the lifestyle to support it!

Sharlene is a specialist personal trainer and Pilates instructor and can be contacted on 082 600 8944

Southern Comforts
R.B. Simpson

If you've stayed in Johannesburg for any length of time you'll be aware of the divide between the Northern and Southern suburbs. It's more than geographic. No hard feelings, but we'll stay here and you stay there, thank you very much.

Is it snobbery on the part of the North? I can't think of another word for it. For Southerners on the other hand, class is just something you were in at school.

I've lived in the North, East and West of Joburg, and in my opinion the South wins in every way that matters. Like just being yourself without having to be better. Enjoying simple friendship without worrying about whether you're on the right social ladder, or impressing the right peer group. And feeling free to chat to anyone, anywhere, anytime.

You pick these things up about the South in just a very short time. Especially if you work in the North and come home to the South. It's like stepping off a treadmill in a Virgin Active gym as opposed to stepping out for a stroll in the country. When you've finished gymming in the North you jam back an Energade. In the South you just open a beer.

The North has its points obviously, but points are exactly what it's all about. Everyone seems to be keeping some sort of scorecard. Out here in the South people just relax and enjoy the game.

FASHION

African Fashion Week is set to dazzle Jozi
Vincent Zondo

With the 2010 FIFA World Cup at our shores, all eyes are on Africa. But soon the attention will move from the soccer fields to the glitz and glamour of Africa Fashion Week.

This year’s designers are sure to heat-up Jozi and the country at large. With International fashion designers jetting-in to showcase their Trans Seasonal 2010 collections alongside our local fashion icons – Marianne Fassler, Stoned Cherrie, Carducci and David Tlale, to name a few.

Africa Fashion Week will feature more than 27 designers from Guinea Bissau, Nigeria, Uganda, Botswana, Ghana, Somali, Tunisia, French Comores, South Africa, Mozambique, the United States and the UK. Jozi is in for a serious dose of fabulousity.

Paris based award-winning label Xuly Bët, which recently made global headline with the 'Obama' dress at New York Fashion Week, will open Africa Fashion Week. “His designs are renowned for being daring and they show more of a blend between African and western design themes” –fashion.ukfirst.com, The Fashion Pages. Little wonder he is the fashion favourite with celebrities like Grace Jones, Lauryn Hill and Neneh Cherry.

If you love Lady Gaga and Rihanna’s edgy and dramatic dress sense, you will be pleased to know that their current fashion favourite, US-based designer, Laquan Smith, will also be showing his collection. He designed the gold jumpsuit for Rihanna’s Rudeboy music video and for Alicia Keys’s latest video – an exquisite purple catsuit. Also, who can forget those fantastic leggings worn by Lady Gaga at the Much Music Awards? Mimi Plange, who has worked with designer Rachel Roy and Patricia Field, the famed Sex and the City stylist, will also be bringing her sophisticated, yet deeply romantic label Boudoir D'Huitres.

Other international designers include the New York-based label Mataano with the Somalian sisters Ayaan and Idyl Mohallim, who have been featured by Oprah and CNN and British-based designers Koko.

On the local front, our designers promise to dazzle the world as they take us on an inspired voyage of all things haute in Africa. Earlier this year I was fortunate enough to interview David Tale before his show at the Audi Joburg Fashion Week. It was invigorating to see the passion of this visionary designer. And judging by the successful exhibition of his extravagant collection, entitled Fantastical Structures, there’s no doubt that David Tlale will be a designer to look out for.

“Inspired by the African Emperor Butterflies, David Tlale brings to life an enchanting design transformation with his CHARAXES collection for Spring/Summer 2010. Like the metamorphosis in the life cycle of the butterfly, this collection expands and grows with flourishing design aesthetics, beauty and colour of the Charaxes”, Tlale’s publicist confirms.

Also well-known designer Stoned Cherrie’s collection will be a retrospective look at the label's silhouettes throughout its history. Marianne Fassler’s collection, entitled Global Gathering, promises a multi-layered extravaganza focussed on the idea of beginning.

Other designers completing the line-up will be Sakina Msa, Ituen Basi (last year’s Africa Fashion Award winner for Innovative Designs), Soucha, Thula Sindi, Heni Este-Heijzen and Christie Brown (joint winners of last year’s Emerging Designer Award), Noir, Qumi Bespoke, Koketso Chiepe, Gloria Wavamunno and Abigail Betz and Fabiani. It’s the crème de la crème of the fashion world on Africa’s stage.

“Africa Fashion Week is providing a platform for shining stars from across the world, the continent and the country, The world continues its love affair with all things African and it is very important that we here in Africa continue to support that”, said Dr. Precious Moloi-Motsepe, Chairperson of African Fashion International.

Africa Fashion Week was showcased at the Sandton Convention Centre, from 30 June - 3 July. Visit www.africanfashioninternational.com.

Vincent is a brand-builder and a freelance fashion writer. He regularly contributes to various online magazines. Follow him on Twitter.com/VincentZondo and his personal blog www.joburglifestyle.blogspot.com

HAREM - Rediscovering the Definition of Unique
AK Ahmed

Everyone knows that the greatest treasures are not easily found. So when a heterosexual man stumbles upon a fashion gem per se, it is truly something worth taking note of. Hidden away in the Victory Park shopping Centre, I cannot call Harem a store as it has so many facets. The visually captivating ‘store’ was the main reason I had to find out more - only to discover a harem of timeless fashion and homeliness together with the basic foundations of community.

Barely exceeding six months old, Harem has brought a refreshing taste to the community as word of mouth spread. CLOTHING CULTURE COACHING is the slogan that stays true to Harem’s eclectic mix of elements. Speaking to life coach and fashion expert (even though she will not admit her expertise), Rayana Edwards, I managed to discover that the store is much more than its ravishing décor and tapestries. Rayana recently worked with head designer of Sisters at Work and close friend Rashika, to bring the range of Shwe-shwe clothing to the store. The get-together was held at Harem in Victory Park, welcoming all to experience a step further into African culture.

Shwe-shwe fabric is one of the oldest fabrics used throughout Africa. “The cloth itself is used throughout Africa, and in South Africa in particular there is a very rich history that goes with it. Shwe-shwe is normally used for weddings and traditional ceremonies so it is known, but what we are trying to do here is to make it wearable to all South Africans”, Rayana told us.

The store not only uses South African fabrics, but it is their middle-eastern fusion that makes it that more exciting, by importing from India. Integrity of the store is the essential backbone and each piece of clothing is not tainted by sweat-shops or low-grade materials.

Rayana also does life coaching and brings empowerment to the community. By empowering herself along her own life’s journey, she tries her best to keep on empowering people and helping them find balance in their own lives.

The store celebrates fashion that throws the ordinary mainstream clothing out of the door and brings in fresh timeless pieces to suit the needs of sophisticated clients.

The natural interaction between the clients and the friendly assistants are just a pleasure to watch as a connection is immediately formed. Harem has a beautiful atmosphere that makes you feel completely at home while you are in an enchanting abode.

Abdulkadir Ahmed, better known as AK Ahmed, is an aspiring freelance writer who specializes in entertainment and lifestyle news, as well as being an enthusiastic blogger.

Pop goes the Diva!
Rickie Lee Jones

Depressing, isn't it, when the flavour of the month looks like she's just woken up from a sleepover at a friend's house and can't wait to see what's for breakfast - pancakes or cocoa pops? Miley, Miley, Miley, my, my, my - sweet sixteen and never been dissed. Her fans screech "Go girl!" I'm more inclined to say, "Go back to bed little girl."

It's enough to give Sheryl crow's feet. Used to be you were only called a diva after paying your dues for a quarter of a century on the operatic stage or the blues circuit. Now these instant 'divas' or 'icons' pop out like, like - popcorn out of a microwave!

Diva, indeed. The coinage of artistic achievement has been somewhat debased. Well, stuck up old me, I guess. Inevitable conservatism setting like cement. What is one to do? Remember what ravers we were when Cyndi Lauper and Debbi Harry were kicking up a storm? Seems like another world. A prehistoric one.

But it is sad when the over-riding emotion a teen sensation like Britney Spears now evokes is nostalgia. Wasn't it last week she was inducing heart attacks in thirty-year-old males with 'Baby One More Time'? Look at her deesdae, dazed and wobbling around in her reconstructed come-back phase. Puppy fat gone doughy. Making videos and live appearances that look like Night of the Living Dead.

Madonna's looking positively owlish, isn't she? Sex goddess, not. All good house-keeping, wisdom and The Old Lady Who Lived In A Shoe. The Material Girl's gone Maternal. Buying up babies like appliances at a hyper fire sale. She just ain't rocking anymore. Curling up at the edges from over-exposure.

We pay good money to see pop stars actually go - pop. Go down in flames like they used to. Like Janis Joplin and Mama Cass. Or am I alone in thinking that if you want glory, there's got to be some blood and guts in it too?

It doesn't take much of a detour before we bump into other perishable items in the supermarket of the star system. Lindsay Lohan comes into focus, hazily. Now she's value for money that girl.

But something's not right when the most sought-after paparazzi angle is Lindsay Lohan sober and wearing underpants! That's not something you see every day. Just twenty-five and trembling on the cusp of hottie or has-been. Going, going, gone. Already floating face up in Lake Consequence actually. But that's okay, she wasn't ever even nice.

Casting our malevolent gaze onto the big screen, my girlfriends and I also get a huge kick out of seeing a perfect ice sculpture like Nicole Kidman having a meltdown. She should have kept that fake nose she wore to win an Oscar in The Hours. Is it her nose or upper lip she's had done? Or both? Whatever, she's all blurry now.

Speaking of the Oscars, did you see Sophia Loren at the ceremony last year? Did you also think, "My god, I didn't know she'd been in a car crash?" Then did you do a double-take and think, "No, that looks a bit too structured to be an accident?" More like a jig-saw puzzle. The picture's there, but all those lines…! You'd think she'd be satisfied with her looks and status by now, but apparently not. No longer an icon. More of a cracked antique.

What was her name again? Riley Morgue? Wiley Coyote? No, Ima Gonna Rehab, no…?

Oh yes, Mylie Cyrus! How could we forget? Now Miley, don't get all achy-breaky when your balloon goes pop, as it always does, long before the party's over. Pop, pop, pop music! What would life be without light entertainment? You gotta love it, while it lasts.

THAT’S ENTERTAINMENT - MOVIES

On the Waterfront (1954)
Dr Jean-Philippe Wade

On the Waterfront (1954), directed by Elia Kazan (1909-2003), is one of the greatest of American films. It was the winner of no less than eight Oscars, but it will be remembered for the remarkable acting by its star, Marlon Brando.

The film takes place in Hoboken, New Jersey, whose dockworkers’ union is corruptly controlled by violent gangsters. The simpleton ex-boxer Terry Malloy (Marlon Brando), whose brother Charley (Rod Steiger) is the Mob’s lawyer, inadvertently assists in the murder of a longshoreman about to testify against the criminals before the Waterfront Crime Commission. Falling for the murdered man’s angry sister (Eva Marie Saint), and pressured by the brave local Catholic priest (Karl Malden) and the police who want him to testify, Terry becomes torn between his loyalty to his community (for whom ‘ratting’ leads to ostracization and even death) and his ever-pressing conscience which demands he expose the murderously crooked union bosses.

Beyond its attack on Mob unions, the film is about morality, atonement, betrayal and redemption, and these weighty human themes are powerfully captured in Brando’s astonishing performance. “If there is a better performance by a man in the history of film in America, I don't know what it is,'' wrote Kazan, and few would disagree. For film critic James Berardinelli, “nothing (Brando) did before or after rivals his depiction of Terry Malloy”.

Brando was launched into international stardom in 1951 for his Oscar-winning role in A Streetcar Named Desire, also directed by Kazan, and was the most well-known exponent of the ‘Method’ school of acting (also promoted by Kazan along with Lee Strasberg through the Actors Studio he co-founded), where the actor avoids theatrical mannerisms in favour of immersing himself in a character to attain new depths of psychological realism.

In On the Waterfront it is the sheer complexity of Brando’s portrayal of Terry Malloy that stands out. He is at once – often in the same shot - the hyper-masculine thuggish docker and the gentle (‘feminine’) soul moved to pity when encountering the insistent claims of his conscience. In one scene Eva Marie Saint drops a glove while walking and the suitor Brando, in an unscripted improvisation, picks it up and puts it on his boxer’s hand, capturing exactly this productive tension.

One of the most celebrated scenes in American cinema occurs in the back of a taxi when his Mob brother played powerfully by Rod Steiger tries to persuade Terry for the last time not to testify. What instead emerges is the painful betrayal of Terry by his corrupt older sibling, who had destroyed his promising boxing career by forcing him to throw a fight. ‘I coulda been a contender’, Terry famously declares. It is impossible not to be deeply moved by the wounded sorrow between the brothers and the (tragic) self-understandings that both achieve in this brief scene.

Brando wrote in his autobiography of Elia Kazan, “I have worked with many movie directors - some good, some fair, some terrible. Kazan was the best actors' director by far of any I've worked for”. Born of Greek parents in Turkey, Kazan’s family immigrated to New York when he was 4 years old. A top theatre director before moving to films, Kazan went on to direct such American classic films as A Streetcar Named Desire (1951) and East of Eden (1955). He was also responsible for discovering acting greats such as Brando, James Dean and Warren Beatty.

In 1952 Kazan (an ex-communist) notoriously agreed to name his colleagues associated with the Communist Party to the witch-hunting House Un-American Activities Committee, which followed him for the rest of his life. It is impossible not to notice this issue as central to On the Waterfront, where the film celebrates Terry’s ethically-charged decision to testify against the Mob, despite the enormous personal cost.

The Columbia Classics DVD comes with an interview with Elia Kazan, and a detailed analysis of the ‘I coulda be a contender’ scene, including an interview with Rod Steiger.

Jean-Philippe is a professor in the Media and Culture Studies department at the University of KwaZulu-Natal.

War and Peace: domestics at the Tolstoy dacha
Blaise Hopkinson

Somehow, movies set in Russia always seem to have a truly “big” quality about them. Big casts, big music, big sets, big landscapes, and big emotions. Epic, even. Think Nicholas and Alexandra, Reds, Doctor Zhivago.

The Last Station is in this class, and even seen for the first time on a minute screen deep in steerage on a flight from Singapore to Johannesburg, it was truly big. Worth watching twice on board (it’s a long flight!), and revisiting on terra firma in a proper cinema.

For Dame Helen Mirren converts, no further information is required about this flick. She can do no wrong, and the beauty first introduced to panting cinema audiences in The Long Good Friday three decades ago, is as arresting as ever. She won the Best Actress gong at the 2009 Rome International Film Festival for this role and received an Oscar nomination, as did co-star Christopher Plummer.

Even Michael Parkinson couldn’t take his eyes of her tits when she first appeared on his chat show three decades ago. He referred to them as her “assets”.
As Tolstoy’s wife, Countess Sofya, she is as convincing as she was when playing Betty Windsor in The Queen.

Set at the end of the great writer and philosopher’s life (he died in 1910), The Last Station is many-textured, with themes as diverse as love and marriage to the ownership of material goods and God himself. The dialogue is searing, and Mirren claims the bulk of the true scripted brilliance.

That said, Giamatti, he of Sideways “drinking and dialling” fame, brings the portals down with his character, a Tolstoy groupie called Vladimir Chertkov, who tells the recalcitrant Countess: “If I had a wife like you, I would have blown my brains out… or gone to America!” The irony throughout is bleak and black.

The exchange when she labels him Tolstoy’s “catamite” has to be the penultimate hissy. It is brilliant writing, and delivered with power and incandescent venom.

The early part of the film is set at Tolstoy’s gorgeous country dacha Yasnaya Polyana in the Tula region of Russia, while the final scenes play out at the dreary rural Astapovo station.
Central to the plot is the tussle for rights to Tolstoy’s work after his death.

The Countess believes it is her and her family’s right to inherit the copyright, to ensure material continuity and status. His “more Tolstoy than Tolstoy” acolytes, led by Chertkov, argue the work belongs to the nation and should not be for commercial gain but live in the public domain, which Tolstoy’s own philosophy subscribes to.

The soundtrack by Russian Sergey Yevtushenko is haunting yet unobtrusive. You can’t recall a single track, but it is like amniotic fluid throughout.

You don’t have to be a Tolstoy aficionado or even have a passing understanding or knowledge of War and Peace or Anna Karenina, but a sense of history and appreciation of a distant era helps. And being a Mirren sad guy.

James McAvoy plays Valentin Bulgakov, a new personal assistant to Tolstoy. He is foppish and annoying, but he is British. McAvoy’s actress wife Anne-Marie Duff, plays a Tolstoy daughter.
Tolstoy finally signs the new will, which gives his works to the people, but it was contested successfully after his death by the Countess. After signing the crucial paperwork he leaves on his final journey, as he attempts to contain his failing health and continue writing without the distractions of his wife, material possessions and a memory of a life of privilege.

He is followed on this trip by a cast of thousands, the media, his minders and his traumatised wife.

He succumbs to the lurgy and eventually holes up at the grim station complex, where his final moments play out, with sombre process and high emotion.

The Last Station is a surprisingly modern take on an old theme, and for media buffs it foretells how celebrity has evolved but isn’t much different from a century ago. Only now, we have iPhones and the net.

Oh, and did I mention Helen Mirren is a treat?

ART & ARTISTS

ART RESTORATION
Henry Taylor

Art restoration is a controversial topic as it is misunderstood by most.

Many of our clients have very valuable pieces that were handed down along generations and so, with the sentimental and economic value of such paintings, they are often resistant to the idea of changing frames, or cleaning, or varnishing the pieces as they believe that such measures would take away from the value and integrity of a painting.

Such decisions however, are often at a cost, for example refusing to change an original frame. Some original frames were placed directly onto the canvas and over the years have damaged the edges of the canvas as the wood aged. It is this canvas damage - regardless of how small, from small chips on a corner to distinctive swipes across the pieces - more than the changing of the frame that reduces the value of the painting and makes even the most valuable of pieces redundant.

This however, is not to say that every old frame should be changed, but rather it serves to explain the various misconceptions on adjusting paintings, and factors that actually deteriorate the value of a painting.

Changing the old frame on a painting to a modern one may not necessarily affect the value of the piece itself, but will definitely make it more aesthetically pleasing and bring out elements of a painting that are not visible with an unflattering frame. Cleaning the canvas also makes colours and effects, which have dulled out due to layers of dirt and age, more apparent and thus increases the appeal of the painting.

It is also important to remember that some of our Old Masters were very poor painters who did not have access to the best materials hence certain conservatory techniques may not have been applied. Evidence of this is when the paper or canvas forms shallow waves within the frame, or when the painting falls out of its original frame. It is to combat this that varnishing, block mounting and treating of canvases is advised to preserve the works for longer.

Art restoration however, is about more than just conserving the beauty of a piece. Accidents happen everywhere and all the time. Thanks to certain techniques of restoration, fire and water damage, which in the past meant the end of the painting, are now repairable (depending of course on the extent of the damage).

This, however, is where the controversy really begins. When a piece is restored in most instances additional work is done. For example when the Picasso hanging at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York was torn by a tourist stumbling into it, restoration required a seamless “re-gluing” for lack of a better word, and repainting over the seam to disguise the mishap. (The above is an over simplified description of a complex process). However, some argue the additional work dilutes the original quality of the painting, and if done in a way that is particularly sub-par, can take away from the talent of the original artist.

The key to understanding this argument is that art is not something to be repaired but something to be restored. When a child tears the knees of their trousers, a mother can repair these by sowing a smiley face on them to cover the tear using any materials and with very basic skill allowing the jeans to once again become functional. However, when a tear occurs on a designer dress cut to the bias, a skilled tailor with experience in the methods of the original designer is best for deciding which material, seam and stitching is best for returning the outfit to as close a look as that initially produced by the designer, such that there is no discernable difference to the dress after repair.

Hence most National galleries such as the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, The Tate Britain in London, and the Louvre in Paris have their own Art Conservation teams whose sole purpose is to examine, conserve and preserve valuable artefacts using their experience and science. Certain universal principals in their activities, which allow the pieces to be rendered valuable, guide art conservers and thus they do not distort the value of the works. And the above is what anyone with art pieces in need of restoration should seek out: a skilled artist or gallery with links to artists or scholars who are very knowledgeable in the techniques of our old masters.

For assistance on art restoration, or guaranteeing the credibility of potential art conservers, please do not hesitate to contact us on htaylor@mweb.co.za. We use credible Art Conservers for our restorations and are also very capable of referring you to some of the best within your area.

Henry Taylor Fine Art Investments are at Cedar Square, Fourways and can be contacted on 011 705 3194. Log onto www.henrytaylorgallery.co.za

NIROX FOUNDATION
Mark Wade

Dare I say that without art and artists, humanity has no soul? And, I’m not just talking about pretty pictures. There are sculptors, musicians, architects, photographers, actors and even engineers, people who make vast contributions to our appreciation of sensual reality, who have taken us way beyond the ordinary.

Yes, I do appreciate that we all need basics: food, shelter, clothing, education and healthcare, but even many of those have taken us to higher levels of understanding.

“Who goes to ballet anyway? It’s elitist and Eurocentric,” you may say, but without those graceful and agile performers, society would be greatly deprived.

And, the same can be said of illustrators, painters, filmmakers and writers. They enrich societies, add perspective to our vision, and bring new meanings to the drudgery of reality.

A chance meeting recently with David Krut and Anthea Pokroy – at his Art Resources premises on 140 Jan Smuts Avenue – progressed into discussions of collaboration (see more details about this later), and a mention of the Nirox Foundation in the Magaliesberg (incidentally, they’re also at Arts on Main), and I made every effort to visit them as soon as possible.

Situated near The Cradle of Mankind, the Nirox Foundation is part sculpture park, part artists retreat, with facilities as varied as ‘artist in residence’ accommodation for fine artists and musicians alike, indoor and outdoor galleries, and rolling lawns sprinkled with sculpture from as varied sources as Arnaldo Pomodoro, Edoardo Villa, Willem Boshoff, Jane Alexander, Jackson Hlungwani and Samson Mudzunga.

My tour guide for the day was Rachel Montshiwa, assistant curator at this awe-inspiring venue, who hand-held me through an experience of a lifetime.

Running simultaneously at Nirox’s gallery at Arts on Main is the ‘in-residence’ exhibition with, and of, renowned sculptor, illustrator, photographer and collector Willem Boshoff – he’s ‘living’ on the premises for a limited time - and ‘performing’ Big Druid Walks Main Reef Road.

Reputed to be more than 100kms long, the original Main Reef Road, commissioned as an artery across the Witwatersrand in the late 19th century, was originally cut by ox wagons traversing the mining towns from Boksburg to Roodepoort.

Now this route is the interest of Willem Boshoff who is recording whatever he sees in daily walks, be it graffiti, squatter camps or plants.

I was privileged to join him and assistant Juliet on a cold winter morning, and although his 1956 Chev DruidMobile could not be coaxed into action – there was a lot of heaving and pushing of this multi-tonne vehicle to get it off the road - his presence and inspiration fostered creative expression and dialogue.

For more information, log onto www.niroxarts.com or visit their galleries in the Magaliesberg or at Arts on Main.

MUSIC

Gauteng Jazz Orchestra steps into the spotlight with Sibongile Khumalo and Jason Yarde

Hot-on-the-heels of two performances at the National Arts Festival in Grahamstown, Sibongile Khumalo and UK saxophonist Jason Yarde bring their critically acclaimed show to Johannesburg – this time supported by the Gauteng Jazz Orchestra.

This once-off performance takes place at the Linder Auditorium on July 8th and gives the Gauteng Jazz Orchestra the opportunity to showcase its world-class talent with two of the international jazz world's most highly-regarded performers. And great news for jazz fans is that the concert is free, on a first-come, first-served basis.

Yarde, Khumalo and the Gauteng Jazz orchestra will perform extracts from the piece "Reflections in Reverence and Remembrance" - which was performed at the National Arts Festival - along with additional repertoire.

Yarde – whose impressive career has seen him work with the likes of McCoy Tyner, Roy Ayers, Hermeto Pascoal, Manu Dibango, Keziah Jones and Kronos Quartet – feels a deep connection with South Africa and the home-grown musicians he has encountered over the years. “Of all the places I've been fortunate enough to travel to, more than most, South Africa is somewhere I can say I have family," Yarde says.

Khumalo's reputation is a formidable one: since being named the Standard Bank Young Artist of the Year in 1993, Khumalo's “volcanic vocal talent” (as one reviewer described it) has seen her perform around the globe, and at some of SA's biggest events including President Nelson Mandela's 1994 inauguration. The chance to see this award-winner on stage in Gauteng is not to be missed.

The choice of the Gauteng Jazz Orchestra to play with Yarde and Khumalo in the Gauteng presentation of "Reflections in Reverence and Remembrance" confirms its standing as a truly world-class group.

Featuring a line-up of gifted players - Barney Rachabane, Jabu Mdluli, Stompie Manana, Jimmy Mngwadi, Nkanyezi Cele, Bheki Mbatha, Khaya Mahlangu, Andile Yenana, Prince Lengoasa and Sidney Mavundla – the Gauteng Jazz Orchestra is currently engaged in a series of live performances supported by the Gauteng Department of Sports, Arts, Culture and Recreation. This has recently included a brilliant performance at the Pale Ya Rona Carnival and a riveting live show to mark Africa Day in May.

Says orchestra leader, Johnny Mekoa, “We have always believed for the GJO to sustain itself, it must draw on Gauteng’s best musicians – players who are able to both be part of the GJO during standalone performances and able to collaborate with different artists on musical projects so this show is just up our street.”

The show was supported by Gauteng Provincial Government, the British Council and the Lotto.

VENUES
Daniel Friedman

Alexander Theatre, 36 Stiemens St Braamfontein. A large, warehouse-style party venue. Tel: 083 267 0239

Bassline, 10 Henry Nxumalo Street, Newtown Cultural Precinct. This large venue hosting jazz and other good music needs no introduction. Website: www.bassline.co.za. Tel: 011 838 9145.

back2basix, corner of Perth and Lancaster Roads, Westdene. Unpretentious, relaxed live music venue. Website: www.back2basix.co.za. Tel: 011 726 6857.

Black Dahlia, 192 Trichards Street, Boksburg. A big and popular East Rand venue for all kinds of rock, mostly of the alternative and heavy variety. Email: the_black_dahlia_venue@hotmail.com

Belavista Lounge, 3rd Floor And Rooftop, Grafik Centre, Spar Complex,
corner Bertrams Rd and Carnarvon St, Bertrams. An interesting, eclectic line-up of live music and a great view can be found here. http://www.belavista.co.za. Tel: 084 600 5069.

Blou Hond, 67 Fourth Avenue, Linden. Renowned Afrikaans musos play here, and the ticket price, which is usually around R200, includes a four-course meal. Website: www.blouhond.co.za. Book at Tel: 011 782 9805.

Blues Room, Village Walk, Sandton. Glitzy live music venue at The Village Walk Mall. Website: www.bluesroom.co.za Tel: 011 784 5527.

The Bohemian, corner of Park and Menton Roads, Richmond. Regulars of the Bo know what to expect. Grungy but comfortable. A true Johannesburg stalwart. Website: www.thebo.co.za. Tel: 011 482 1725.

Café Barcelona, Elardus Park Centre, Pretoria. One of Pretoria’s stalwart live music venues. Cover is usually R50. Website: www.cafebarcelona.co.za. Tel: 012 345 3602.

Cantina Tequila, 4th Avenue, Linden. A noisy restaurant and bar that sometimes hosts live music. 082 448 9789.

CCHQ, corner Main and Violet Roads, Edenvale. A well-hidden but magical venue that caters mostly to the indie, goth and metal crowds, but to a host of others too. There is allegedly a “bondage room” somewhere in the club. Tel: 011 822 4271.

Cool Runnings, Benoni. Shop 1 Lakedene Centre, Lakefield Avenue, Lakefield, Benoni. Another rocking Cool Runnings, regularly hosting free live bands and comedy. Tel: 0833606514.

Cool Runnings Fourways, River Bed Junction, Fourways. Lots of up-and-coming SA rock showcased at this large and happening version of the franchise. Tel: 011 704 0987.

Cool Runnings Victory Park, corner 2nd and Rustenburg Rds, Victory Park Shopping Centre. This newest addition to the Cool Runnings chain offers comedy every Tuesday night and live bands every Saturday Night. Entrance is free. Website: http://www.facebook.com/RockfordMedia.

Espresso Jazz, 60, 4th Avenue, Linden. An intimate venue which often hosts jazz, folk and the occasional dub-step evening. Tel: 082 417 1938.

ESP, 84 Oxford Street, Ferndale, Randburg. Rave will never die at this Randburg club that opens every Saturday night. Cover is R50. Website: www.esp.co.za.

Groove Bar, Pond Value Centre, Old Pretoria Road (corner of James Crescent),
Midrand. Commercial house on a variety of dancefloors every weekend. Tel: 011 315 8377.

Kitchener’s Carvery Bar, corner of Juta and de Beer, Braamfontein. Once a musty old bar, now a hip nightspot. Expect an interesting line-up of DJs focusing on techno, indie, electro, minimal, dubstep and more. The venue also hosts the occasional acoustic artist. Email: andrewthedj@gmail.com

Latinova, 160 Jan Smuts Avenue (entrance on Tyrwhitt Avenue), Rosebank. Dress to impress at this stylish urban club, where R&B, house and hip-hop will always be on the menu. Tel: 082 458 0675.

Le Mix Room, Newtown Mall, 77 Harrison Street, Joburg CBD. Large new inner city club focusing on urban entertainment. Tel: 082 316 5261

Linder Auditorium, Wits Education Campus, 27 St Andrews Road, Parktown. A large auditorium featuring a range of classical, choral and operatic performances. Tel: 011 789 2733

The Loft, Shop 6, 7th Avenue, Melville. This relaxed restaurant and bar hosts live music on Friday nights from Thusi and friends. Tel: 011 482 8986.

Market Theatre, 56 Margaret Mcingana Street, Newtown. Tel: 011 832 1641.

Moloko, 160 Jan Smuts Avenue (entrance on Tyrwhitt Avenue), Rosebank. An upmarket urban bar beneath Latinova featuring smooth, soulful sounds. Tel: 082 458 0675.

Ninetysix, corner of Witkoppen and Main roads, Fourways. A stylish lounge/bar/restaurant. Website:www.ninetysix.co.za.Tel: 011 467 6696.

Radium, corner of Louis Botha Avenue and Ninth Street, Orange Grove. One of Joburg’s oldest pubs and a good place to go see jazz, folk and blues acts. Website: www.theradium.co.za. Tel: 011 728 3866.

Ramp Divas, near East Rand Mall (turn right at Hyundai in North Rand Road
when coming from highway), Boksburg. Joburg’s most happening gay club where cheesy music rules. Cover is R20. Tel: 082 680 3691.

Red Room, corner of Juice Street and Beyers Naude Drive, Laser Park. This mecca for Joburg metalheads, Goths and punks is still pumping. Website: www.redroom.co.za.

Roxy's, 20 Main Road, Melville. This large live music club will never die. It hosts loud rock and, on Mondays, even louder student nights. Tel: 011 726 6019.

Sutra, Wild Waters Complex, 1 Margaret Street, Bardene, Boksburg. A successful club hosting commercial house and electro on weekends. Website: www.sutra.co.za. Tel: 083 675 9006.

Taboo, 24 Central, corner Gwen Lane and Fredman Drive, Sandton, North Jhb. The epitome of upmarket Sandton clubbing. Website: www.beyondred.co.za.

Tanz Café, NOTE: This no-frills live music venue has moved to a new location. Website: www.tanzcafe.co.za. Tel: 011 463 3128.

Tokyo Star, 26 Gleneagles Ave Greenside. A more stylish, grown-up version of the original Melville venue. Hosts DJs and the occasional band. Tel: 072 478 2592.

The Woods, 66 Carr Street, Newtown. The venue of choice for the skinny jeans crowd – electro DJs and indie bands. Tel: 011 838 9277.

Zeplin's, 384 Pretorius Street, Pretoria. Pretoria’s huge club for metalheads, Goths and other alternative types. Website: www.zeplins.co.za.

2010-02-08T02:52:00.000-08:00

THE TEAM

Editor
Mark Wade
editor@jozilife.co.za
082 787 9251

Administrator
Deana Halfon
admin@jozilife.co.za
011 788 9255

Copy Editor
Dr Jean-Philippe Wade
Rona Marx

Designer
Dean Griffiths
design@jozilife.co.za
www.cobalt-online.com
082 452 5223

Advertising Sales
Linda Stock 083 630 8561
Bianca Butkow 074 437 9910
advertising@jozilife.co.za
011 788 9255

Contributors
Gregg Abell
Daniel Friedman
Sue Fuller-Good
Sharlene King
Rona Marx
Sandy Shoolman
Janice Scheckter
Dr Jean-Philippe Wade

Consultants
Dr Avron Urison (ORT/JET)
Gary Epstein (Quickbooks)
Daniel Roy (Bex Capital)

Distributor
Gopherit
084 614 8240

Contact Details
PO Box 72024
Parkview 2122
Telephone 011 788 9255
Fax 086 563 2482
Cell 082 787 9251

Due to a terminal glitch at Telkom, our landline has been down since the beginning of January. Please contact us on 082 787 9251. We apologise for the inconvenience.

Jozi Life is published weekly by Jozi Life Publishers CC Registration Number 2009/222092/23 and printed by The Newspaper Printing Company. 15,000 copies are distributed through shopping centres, supermarkets, convenience stores and restaurants in greater Johannesburg.

Copyright exists on all work published in Jozi Life. Any reproduction or adaptation, in whole or in part, without written permission of the publishers is strictly prohibited and is an act of copyright infringement which may constitute a criminal offence.

The content of Jozi Life does not reflect the opinions of either the editor or publisher.

MY WORDS

With love in the air, some of us seem to be much better at it than others - especially our promiscuous head of state (imagine the whip-around he’s got to do on that morning delivering cards, chocolates and naughty underwear) – I feel that we should try to live a Valentine’s Day every day of the year, and not just once every now and again!

In this issue we’ve tried to show a collection of ‘hearty’ things for the event – don’t you dare forget because your better half won’t – and our features lean in that direction too.

Rona Marx gives us words from the heart. YES, love does exist … and being a Life Coach, and directly connected to both the physical and metaphysical world, she’s determined to help people make it happen.

Sharlene King tells us to slow down a little, and “take responsibility for your physical, mental and emotional self.” Her column is again filled with wisdom, and she illustrates her points by suggesting that you don’t have to drag your sagging body off to the gym to attain a healthy mind and body.

Our new contributor, Lee Leibowitz is an Industrial Psychologist, and she talks about ‘Middlescence’, that “time of liberation, exploration and great adventure,” and “changing priorities and new blooming potential.” Just what we all need, so read it carefully!

Bruce Little introduces us to his starring role in Little Poof, which he describes as a “homofabulous” production. “It will delight you with an array of queens from every multicultural closet.” Sounds like great fun, but probably for adults only.

What has been described as the Best Music DVD of 2009, and was originally released as a film in 1970, the Rolling Stone’s Gimme Shelter is back. If you’re looking for a must-have DVD for your ‘old rocker’, this has to be it. Put on your tie-dye t-shirts, brush down the Afghan and put flowers in your hair. This film does delve into the dark side of the music industry during that era, but of course, the ‘Stones are magnificent.

We’ve included a few movies in the same vein, and two NuMetro releases in particular are featured; Crazy Heart, with Jeff Bridges whose character is described as ‘richly-comic, semi-tragic, and a romantic anti-hero’ with Maggie Gyllenhaal, and music track by T Bone Burnett, and Dear John where the complexities of love are explored through a young couple’s relationship. John Tyree and Savannah Curtis feature.

Daniel Friedman also brings us in touch with our romantic side. He talks about Club Salsa – where you can tango, waltz and cha-cha the whole night through – there’s the Valentine’s Day Massacre featuring rock, metal and Goth ‘tunes’, and if you love them, the Parlotones at the Barnyard Theatre in Broadacres.

The just when you thought there could not be any more lovin’, Janice Scheckter talks about a great rump and a bold Shiraz, and Gregg Abell about one of his favourites, The Chocolate Block - and what to do on the lounge floor.

So, happy reading, lots of love, and cheers to our third issue.

PS please don’t forget to advertise in Jozi Life!

Mark Wade
Editor

Love
Rona Marx

For the longest time I was under the illusion that Love does not exist as an entity, but then I saw it.

I was sitting under a tree in a rose garden, trying to understand what the lesson is when our hearts get broken, when it showed up - dazzling in its Light of the softest shade of barely-pink.

To see it, one has to be in a day-dreamy state with eyes staring out of focus into that blurry world of other-realms. Much like spotting Fairies and Angels.

Love showing up and sitting down on the grassy shade next to me scared me a little bit and I didn’t have the faintest idea what to say… So I invited it to speak to me.

In my personal search for the true meaning of Love, I have always looked for it in my heart, assuming that to be the place where it lives and shows itself to us in our emotions and obsessions.

But then Love guides me to look at the roses, the grass and the trees, insects and birds around me. I am aware that quantum physics has proven in scientific experiments that the spaces in-between atoms are vastly bigger than the atoms themselves and so everything in the universe is actually not much more than a huge big nothingness. But that space in-between the atoms is where everything happens. Life, growth and existence all live in this intelligence that is space. And there is more – it connects everything to everything else so that the entirety of the cosmos is one living, breathing, intelligent, connected being. There are no parts. It is all one.

In fact, Love then teaches me that the space in-between things is where it lives. This space in-between matter is where Love makes itself known through growth, through intelligence of life and through connecting everything that exists to each other. It is an energy that is constantly flowing and, like all energy, it cannot be created, destroyed or manipulated in its essence.

We can experience Love through our emotions but this experience is tainted by our perceptions; our belief-systems; our culture; our concepts about religion, people; our experiences; and it is marred by our wounding. Experiencing Love through our emotions is simply not the real thing.

The truth about Love is that we all have it. We carry it like beautiful balls of light inside of us and we only truly experience it when we connect with the divinity within ourselves. And so our only true understanding of Love begins when we experience Love for ourselves. Unconditionally. With all of our flaws and our smallness and our greatness that is our human-ness, we can simply accept that this is whom we are and let the Love of that flow through us.

It is only once we have done this that we can then experience how our Love flows through to others. We get to share it with them and the world around us, and then we even get to experience the Love of the bees and the plants and the oceans and the other beings that share this earth with us.

When we open our eyes to this Love within, we become Love and then we get to understand that only Love is real. It is the living energy that supports the cosmos and the stars. It makes raindrops fall and it keeps the sun and the moon in their spheres.

Once we start looking at the world through this Love, we see the beauty of ugliness, we grasp the transformative power of pain; we experience the liberation of loss; and we understand that everything in the Universe is exactly how it is supposed to be - right here, right now.

Through understanding that Love is unconditional, we can enter a state of being where we do not need to control nor own anything or anyone. We get to understand that we are all here for a reason and we all have a purpose. We comprehend that the same Love that provides shelter, food and water for the tiniest insects will support us on our journeys. It will guide us to understanding and peace in a harmony of living.

Love is our comfort and our support and our guidance and our protection. We simply need to answer its gentle knock on the doors of our souls, and invite it in.

Rona Marx is a seeker of truth and spiritual wisdom. Her journey has taken her into some perplexing and enchanting realms and she shares what she has learnt in her writing, as well as through workshops and spiritual counselling. She can be contacted at 082 561 6038 or rona.marx@mweb.co.za

HEALTH & FITNESS

Break your stress cycle now!
Sharlene King
How long can you keep up that crippling pace of life before it harms your health and looks? How often have we heard the term ‘RUNNING AROUND LIKE A CHICKEN WITHOUT A HEAD' ?
Take responsibility for your physical, mental and emotional self. Acknowledge where you are right now in your work and home environment, and become aware of the stress we as individuals carry with us. Stop and look at your future in terms of your health and fitness and empower yourself to learn how to deal with bad stress effectively, short and long term.
Move your body and learn to breathe. Exercise sparks the release of brain chemicals like Serotonin and Beta-endorphin, which improve your mood. NOT the gym type? - Then get walking. 15 minutes or more of daily brisk walking reduces anxiety, stress and depression in women.
Are you taking in more than 12 breaths per minute? It doesn’t sound like much but you could be in fact increasing your anxiety levels. The best approach is to breathe in to a count of 3 seconds then, hold your breath for 3 seconds and finally breathe out over a count of 3 seconds; this will help slow things down to a manageable level.
Nourish your skin by drinking up to two litres of water each day and eat plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables. Avoid sugar, salt, alcohol, caffeine and smoking, which can all dehydrate the body and skin.
So take 10 minutes to breathe, stretch, refocus, play some soothing music, become aware of your body. Meditate, it calms your nervous system and lowers your blood pressure, boosts your immunity and reduces the impact of negative thoughts.
Managing stress is vital. To be alert, effective and productive in your job and life in general.
Mark Twain remarked; "A habit is a habit, and not to be flung out of the window by any man, but coaxed downstairs a step at a time". Sing, dance, live your best life!
Sharlene King is a certified Pilates Instructor & Personal Trainer. Contact her on 082 600 8944

THAT’S LIFE
Negotiating your way through the mid career
Lee Leibowitz

Although mid- career is often synonymous with crisis and general decline it can represent an opportunity to harness all of one’s life experience and soar to greater heights. In light of the fact that market forces and demographic trends are changing it has become accepted that people should aim to keep adaptable throughout their careers and in charge of their own futures. People are simply having to work longer and are often required to reinvent themselves in order to survive.

‘Middlescence’ is the term used to describe the new mid- career- a time of liberation, exploration and great adventure. Like adolescence, which can be ugly, confusing and alienating, it is filled with possibilities and fresh beginnings. It is not a time of decline and coming to terms with the end. Modern research indicates that it is a time to determine how to transfer old preferences and values to new and different contexts and how to integrate these with changing priorities and new blooming potential.
When negotiating your mid-career path the following may be of assistance to you:

• Approach your career from a strengths-based perspective and explore your natural interests and abilities. Ensure that your work provides moments where these come to the fore.
• Accept that you can assume many identities. Don’t wait for a lightening bolt to reveal an inner truth confirming that you have only one mission in life .Our identities change in practice as we start doing new things and interacting with new people.
• Explore different possibilities. Change is synonymous with careers and the underlying message is to see what fits best at the time.
• Use moments that cause you to question your existence as an ally. These often lead us to the realisation that we are evolving beings and that our needs and desires change.
• Understand what ascribes meaning to your life as this enables you to stay grounded in times of chaos.
• Accept that life requires choices and trade-offs. There will be times that you feel awkward and unhappy in your transition.
Carl Jung said that midlife is a time to listen deeply to your heart. You owe it to yourself to reflect on your life and harness the energy to enjoy a positive mid-career experience.

Lee Leibowitz is a Registered Industrial Psychologist. She consults to private individuals and business on career and workplace related issues. Contact her on 082-6130742 or lee@leibowitz.co.za.

THAT’S ENTERTAINMENT

THEATRE

Little Poof
Get a “Little” intimate this romantic month of February. Aiko productions is proud to announce a new one hour show starring Bruce J. Little, directed by Neels Clasen and musical direction and piano accompaniment by Cathrine Hopkins at Elzabe Zietsman’s intimate and beautiful cabaret venue “Zietsies” at the bottom of Beverly Road in Brixton. It promises to be “Homofabulous!”

If you are gay, bi, curious or even insufferably straight this comic compilation of storytelling and song will delight you with an array of queens from every multicultural closet. Come and see some of your favourite flamboyant characters (and some unlikely ones) telling their story. The show runs from the 10th of February until the 28th of February and booking is essential as the venue can only accommodate 30 people or less at a time (intimate).

Come to eat, drink, “gil” and sing along. Tickets cost R110-00 and for an additional R100-00 you can have a delicious meal. To book call: 0827744902 or email:
elzabe@elzabezietsman.co.za, or andre@elzabezietsman.co.za

MOVIES

Gimme Shelter (1970)
Dr Jean-Philippe Wade

British magazine Uncut voted Gimme Shelter the best music DVD of 2009, which is surprising since the film was first released in 1970. But the release of a deluxe DVD last year has reminded us how good this documentary of the final ten days of the Rolling Stones’ 1969 American tour is. Film critic Godfrey Chesire called it ‘the best rock film’, and, in a world where there are now thousands of such movies, that is a large claim. But he is probably right. And it is all to do with a notorious free concert at Altamont Speedway outside San Fransisco where a member of the crowd was murdered by a Hell’s Angel in front of the stage and captured on camera.

The film was directed by the Maysles brothers David and Albert, and Charlotte Zwerin. The Maysles brothers made a series of brilliant documentaries in the ‘Direct Cinema’ style. The hand-held camera had to be as unobtrusive as possible – no interviews were even allowed – to capture the reality of the event. The filmmakers didn’t invent situations, but scrupulously ‘reacted’ to real events. Their type of filmmaking was made possible by the emergence of new light cameras and portable sound equipment that freed filmmakers to encounter reality wherever it could be found, instead of being confined to a studio. In the film, we follow the Stones in recording studios, hotels and helicopters. We become entranced by Keith Richards’ golden snakeskin boots.

The first half of Gimme Shelter contains remarkable footage of the Stones in their youthful prime performing famous songs such as Honky Tonk Woman at Madison Square Garden in New York, with Mick Jagger at his mesmerizing best as rock’s answer to Rudolph Nureyev. In those days, Mick Taylor was the lead guitarist and we forget how great a blues guitarist he was, streets ahead of his later replacement Ronnie Wood. There is also footage of support act Tina Turner doing naughty things with her microphone.

Then the film focuses on the difficult planning for and performance of the Altamont concert, which would end the Stones’ tour. The Oakland Hell’s Angels were invited to police the event – the very same bunch of outlaw thugs Hunter Thompson wrote about in his remarkable book, Hell's Angels (1965). Six months before the Stones had used the British Angels to protect the stage in a Hyde Park concert, and there everything went peacefully. They should have known better. Oakland Angels’ leader Sonny Barger – to this day the most famous Angel of them all – called the Stones ‘a bunch of sissy, marble-mouthed prima donnas’.

The Altamont concert is haunted by violence. Seconds after alighting from a helicopter, Jagger is punched to the ground by a ‘fan’. Support act Jefferson Airplane’s Marty Balin is knocked out by an Angel in the middle of a song. Fights break out throughout the concert in front of the stage, often caused by Angels wielding billiard cues trying to protect their beloved motorbikes parked there. The film shows many people having very bad drug trips.

By the time the Stones come on the mood is palpably nasty, and song after song is interrupted by scuffles. Then, during Under My Thumb, an 18 year-old man is stabbed to death by an Angel right in front of Jagger. A slow-motion replay shows him drawing a gun before being stabbed in the back.

The great irony of Gimme Shelter is that the greatest documentary film of 1960s peace and love – Woodstock – was shot in the same year. In 1960s mythology, Gimme Shelter has come to represent that generation’s dark side, or even the tragic end to those Aquarian days. In retrospect, each of these films can only be fully understood by referencing the other.

But what a great film. The Criterion Collection DVD comes with many extras, and a 43-page booklet full of valuable essays on the event.

Jean-Philippe Wade

Crazy Heart
NuMetro

Four-time Academy Award nominee JEFF BRIDGES stars as the richly comic, semi-tragic romantic anti-hero Bad Blake in the debut feature film CRAZY HEART from writer-director Scott Cooper. Bad Blake is a broken-down, hard-living country music singer who's had way too many marriages, far too many years on the road and one too many drinks way too many times. And yet, Bad can’t help but reach for salvation with the help of Jean (Maggie Gyllenhaal), a journalist who discovers the real man behind the musician. As he struggles down the road of redemption, Bad learns the hard way just how tough life can be on one man’s crazy heart.

At the age of 57, Bad still lives his life out on the road, playing long-ago No. 1 hits in third-rate beer joints and bowling alleys to aging crowds as drunk and yearning as he is, while his fleeting fame slides into obscurity. The most he can hope for these days is to open a big concert for his young protégé, Tommy Sweet, who learned everything he knows from Bad - except Tommy, unlike Bad, managed to become rich and famous from it.

One gig blurs into the next until one night in Santa Fe when Bad meets a local journalist Jean Craddock and falls for her harder than usual. Bad promises nothing to Jean and, as a single mom with plenty of regrets, Jean knows she’d be a fool to believe even in that. Still, they continue winding up in each other’s arms.

But can Bad, who can barely keep his own head above badly troubled waters, really take care of anyone else? His attempt becomes a gritty and witty portrait of a man coming to terms with his own starkly human limitations and a last chance for a sweet drop of redemption.

Fueled by country rock, CRAZY HEART features original songs from Grammy-winning and Academy Award-nominated composer and producer T Bone Burnett (WALK THE LINE, O BROTHER WHERE ART THOU?) along with the late Texas songwriter Stephen Bruton.

Dear John
NuMetro

“What does it mean to truly love another?” The complexities of love are explored as the strength of a young couple’s relationship and their devotion to one another is tested by forces beyond their control in the dramatic romance DEAR JOHN, directed by three-time Oscar nominee Lasse Hallström (Best Director, The Cider House Rules, 1999 and Best Director and Best Adapted Screenplay, My Life as a Dog, 1985) and based on the bestselling novel by Nicholas Sparks.

John Tyree (Channing Tatum) is a handsome, soft-spoken Special Forces soldier visiting his father in South Carolina while on leave. Savannah Curtis (Amanda Seyfried) is a beautiful, idealistic college student from a wealthy Southern family, home for spring break. John and Savannah are from different worlds, but through a chance encounter at the beach, the two meet and are immediately attracted to each other. Their meeting turns into a whirlwind two-week courtship, and their feelings quickly deepen into an all-consuming, passionate love. Each finds in the other something they’d never known they were missing. When John is forced to return to his deployment and Savannah heads back to college, the couple promises to write one another. Through a continuous stream of letters, their love continues to blossom and a deeply romantic love story unfolds.

As time passes, John and Savannah are only able to see one another sporadically. John’s deployment overseas is extended, and Savannah’s life back home continues on. As the world becomes a more complicated place, Savannah is constantly worried about John’s safety, and John is torn between his dedication to his work and his desire for a life at home with Savannah. Against steadily increasing tension between their desires and their responsibilities, the couple struggles to keep their commitment firm. But when unexpected tragedy strikes back home, John’s return provokes an emotional confrontation, and the couple is forced to discover whether their love can truly survive.

MUSIC
Daniel Friedman

Several different forms of musical love
While it is dismissed by the cynical as a chance for a host of companies to cash in, Valentines Day is, at very least, a decent reason for injecting some romance into one’s life. It’s a good opportunity to spoil and be spoilt by your partner, and if you don’t have one, it’s a good excuse to try to find one. There are a few Valentines events on offer over the weekend that will give those with a variety of musical tastes a chance to do just that.

For those wanting a stylish dinner dance experience, and who ideally live near the West Rand, Club Salsa is offering a Latin dinner-dance affair on Saturday 13, where those in attendance will get the chance to Tango, Waltz and Cha-cha to a band called the Hotshots. Or, on the day itself, Sunday February 14, lovers of Afrikaans music can enjoy a decadent Valentines meal at lunchtime with Philip Moolman and Frank Opperman. There will be exotic cocktails on offer. And, if you like your music a bit heavier and have a penchant for wearing black, Classic Corners Headquarters (CCHQ) boasts two separate events, on Friday 12 and Saturday 14, providing an alternative Valentines experience. The first is dubbed the Valentines Day Massacre and promises rock, metal and Goth tunes, the second is a Franken-tines party which will attempt to give Valentines Day a Haloween-ish twist with a dress up theme and an eclectic blend of musical styles.

Meanwhile, the Parlotones, without a doubt South Africa’s biggest rock act, who recently became the first local rock act to prove that it is possible to full a local stadium without the help of an international act, are playing one of their more intimate sets at the Barnyard Theatre in Broadacres on Friday February 12. Tickets are a pricey R150, but perhaps fans would maintain that they are worth it. While the gig does not specifically have a Valentines theme, if you throw your panties at them they may just serenade you with a love song.

EVENTS
Friday, February 12

Alternative/Goth/rock - St Valentines Day Massacre
Where: Classic Corner Headquarters (CCHQ), 1 Main Rd, corner Main and Violet, Fischer's Hill, Primrose, Johannesburg. When: From 8pm What: The first of two Valentines themed parties at this venue on this weekend, this one is a combined birthday party for CCHQ, which has been open for a year, and Valentines party, focussing on the darker side of Valentines day with a mix of alternative music and rock with a touch of Goth. How much: R20 presale or R40 at the door. Contact: 011 822 4271

Rock - The Parlotones Live
Where: Barnyard Theatre, Broadacres, Shop 40, Broadacres Shopping Centre, Cnr Cedar Avenue and Valley Road, Broadacres, Fourways. When: From 8pm
What: South Africa's most successful rock band by far, The Parlotones, play an understandably pricey show at this musical theatre venue. How much: R150
Contact: www.barnyardtheatre.co.za/

Afrikaans Rock - Andries Bezuidenhout album launch
Where: The Steak and Ale, 66 Botha Avenue, Lyttelton. Pretoria. When: From 8pm.
What: This Afrikaans rocker launches his new album, Bleek Berus, at Pretoria’s best-kept secret. How much: R60. Contact: www.onefmusic.com

Chinese - Chinese New Years
Where: Emperor's Palace, Centre Court (64 Jones Road, Kempton Park JHB)
When: From 7pm What: Celebrate the year of the Tiger with live bands and DJs as well as a Chinese dinner buffet, the Lion and Dragon Dance, New Year gifts, lucky draws including 2 x return Cathay Pacific Business Class Tickets and more. How much: R480 per couple including food. Contact: 084 625 1005

Rock/folk - Mugshot and Naming James live
Where: Espresso Jazz, 4th Avenue Linden (next to Mama Temba’s). When: From 8pm What: Acoustic folk from Naming James followed by pop-rock from Mugshot.
How much: R30 Contact: 082 490 0246

Saturday, February 13

Latin - Valentine’s Ball at Club Salsa
Where: Club Salsa, Industria Centre, corner Maraisburg and Commando roads, West Rand Industria. When: From 8pm What: A Valentines Ball giving you a chance to do the Tango, Foxtrot, Waltz and Cha-Cha at this dance venue with help from dance band The Hotshots. The club boasts secure parking, snacks and a cash bar. The dress code is strictly smart. How much: R75 Contact: 083 395 2390

Ska/punk/swing/dub - Punk does beer with Red Five Point Star, Hog Hoggidy Hog and more
Where: Back2basix, corner of Perth and Lancaster roads, Westdene. When: From 2pm What: A massive all day punk and ska festival with a line-up including Slovenian ska/swing band Red Five Point Star, Cape Town ska favourites Hog Hoggidy Hog, Joburg’s Gross Misconduct, Submachine and TV for Dogs and DJ Mel G and friends spinning dub, ska and punk tunes. As if that’s not enough, there are also beer drinking competitions, tattoo give-aways and more. How much: R80 Contact: 011 726 6857

Rock/pop/indie/eclectic - Frankentines Party
Where: Classic Corner Headquarters (CCHQ), 1 Main Rd, corner Main and Violet, Fischer's Hill, Primrose, Johannesburg. When: From 8pm What: This venue hosts the second Valentines party of the weekend, this one is hosted by Strawberry Tik productions, who bring you this Franken-tines event, a bizarre cross between Valentines Day and Halloween. DJs will play requests from the Facebook page (go there to request a song). How much: R20 presale or R40 at the door. Contact: www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=236546354225

House/electro/techno - Emerson Todd live
Where: The Woods, 66 Carr Street, Newtown. When: From 9pm What: Highly-rated Australian DJ and Producer Emerson Todd plays alongside local DJs Karmi, Rob Toca, Jimmy Chronic, Rob Sloan and Nick Lumb. How much: R60 Contact: zayn@creativ.co.za

Tuesday, February 16

Experimental/Electronica - Jacob Israel and MtKidu album launch
Where: Tings ‘n Times, 1066 Arcadia Street, Hatfield Galleries, Hatfield, Pretoria. When: From 8pm What: A double bill of electronica. First experimental electronic composer Jacob Israel launches his new album, ‘This Too Will Pass’, with help from guests Jean-Louise Nel on Violin, Lani van der Merwe on Cello and Robin Mcdonald on Drums. Then multimedia electro duo MtKidu launch their latest, Shaka Won. DJ Dirtyolddisco will provide tunes to wrap up the evening. How much: R30 Contact: www.prosound.co.za

VENUES
Bassline, 10 Henry Nxumalo Street, Newtown Cultural Precinct. This large venue hosting jazz and other good music needs no introduction. Website: www.bassline.co.za. Tel: 011 838 9145.
back2basix, corner of Perth and Lancaster roads, Westdene. Unpretentious, relaxed live music venue. Website: www.back2basix.co.za. Tel: 011 726 6857.
• Fri 12: Voodoo Child and The Christian Heath Band. R40
• Sat 13: The Punk Does Beer Festival. See listings.
• Wed 17: Fourteen 40 and friends. R40.
Belavista Lounge, 3rd Floor And Rooftop, Grafik Centre, Spar Complex,
corner Bertrams road and Carnarvon st, Bertrams. An interesting, eclectic line-up of live music and a great view can be found here. http://www.belavista.co.za. Tel: 084 600 5069
Blou Hond, 67 Fourth Avenue, Linden. Renowned Afrikaans musos play here, and the ticket price, which is usually around R200, includes a four-course meal. Website: www.blouhond.co.za. Book at Tel: 011 782 9805.
• Fri 12: Mathys Roets
• Sat 13: Philip Moolman presents a pre-Valentine’s show
• Sun 14: ‘Die Pink en Rooi Valentynsonday Midagete’ with Philip Moolman, Frank Opperman and more. Exotic cocktails will be available.
• Thur 18: Dozi live
Blues Room, Village Walk, Sandton. Glitzy live music venue at The Village Walk Mall. Website: www.bluesroom.co.za. Tel: 011 784 5527.
• Tues 16: The weekly uptown comedy experience.
The Bohemian, corner of Park and Menton roads, Richmond. Regulars of the Bo know what to expect. Grungy but comfortable. A true Johannesburg stalwart. Website: www.thebo.co.za. Tel: 011 482 1725.
• Thur 18: Civilised Thursdays hosts rock and folk acts. R30.
Café Barcelona, Elardus Park Centre, Pretoria. One of Pretoria’s stalwart live music venues. Cover is usually R50. Website: www.cafebarcelona.co.za. Tel: 012 345 3602.
• Fri 12: Die Kaalkat Waarheid
• Sat 13: Andre Swiegers
• Wed 17: Sobrius
• Thur 18: The Flowing Water Band
Cantina Tequila, 4th Avenue, Linden. An eclectic line-up of live music happens every Sunday. 082 448 9789.

Cool Runnings Victory Park, corner 2nd and Rustenburg Rd, Victory Park Shopping Centre. This newest addition to the Cool Runnings chain offers comedy every Tuesday night and live bands every Saturday Night. Entrance is free. Website: http://www.facebook.com/RockfordMedia
Espresso Jazz, 60, 4th Avenue, Linden. An intimate venue which often hosts jazz, folk and the occasional dub-step evening. Tel: 082 417 1938.
ESP, 84 Oxford Street, Ferndale, Randburg. Rave will never die at this Randburg club. Cover is R50. Website: www.esp.co.za.
Groove Bar, Pond Value Centre, Old Pretoria Road (corner of James Crescent),
Midrand. Commercial house on a variety of dancefloors every weekend. Tel: 011 315 8377.
House of Nsako, 101 High Street, Brixton. One of Joburg’s best urban live music venues hosts an eclectic line-up and serves great curries. Tel: 072 2232 648.

• Fri 12: Sankofa live. R50.
• Sat 13: Steve Newman, Hilton Schilder and Errol Dyers. R70.
• Tues 16: Eichoozedaze digital evening. From 7pm, R70.
• Wed 17: 100% Bantu-boere jol with Bongeziwe and the Fridge. R40.
Latinova, 160 Jan Smuts Avenue (entrance on Tyrwhitt Avenue), Rosebank. Dress to impress at this stylish urban club, where R&B, house and hip-hop will always be on the menu. Tel: 082 458 0675.
The Loft, Shop 6, 7th Avenue, Melville. This relaxed restaurant and bar hosts live music on Saturdays from Thusi and friends. Tel: 011 4828986
Moloko, 160 Jan Smuts Avenue (entrance on Tyrwhitt Avenue), Rosebank. An upmarket urban bar beneath Latinova featuring smooth, soulful sounds. Tel: 082 458 0675.
Ninetysix, corner of Witkoppen and Main roads, Fourways. A stylish
lounge/bar/restaurant. Website:www.ninetysix.co.za.Tel: 011 467 6696.
Radium, corner of Louis Botha Avenue and Ninth Street, Orange Grove. One of Joburg’s oldest pubs and a good place to go see jazz, folk and blues acts. Website: www.theradium.co.za. Tel: 011 728 3866.
• Fri 6: Neil Soloman live. R60 cover.
Ramp Divas, near East Rand Mall (turn right at Hyundai in North Rand Road
when coming from highway), Boksburg. Joburg’s most happening gay club where cheesy music rules. Cover is R20. Tel: 082 680 3691.
Red Room, corner of Juice Street and Beyers Naude Drive, Laser Park. This mecca for Joburg metalheads, Goths and punks is still pumping. Website: www.redroom.co.za.
Roxy's, 20 Main Road, Melville. This large live music club will never die. It hosts loud rock and, on Mondays, even louder student nights. Tel: 011 726 6019.
Sutra, Wild Waters Complex, 1 Margaret Street, Bardene, Boksburg. A successful clun hosting commercial house and electro on weekends. Website: www.sutra.co.za. Tel: 083 675 9006.
Taboo, 24 Central, corner Gwen Lane and Fredman Drive, Sandton, North Jhb. The epitome of upmarket Sandton clubbing. Website: www.beyondred.co.za.
Tanz Café, Riverside Centre, corner of Bryanston Drive and River Road. A no-frills live music venue. Sat 6: Just Jinjer. From 8pm. R300 Website: www.tanzcafe.co.za. Tel: 011 463 3128.
• Fri 12: Josie Field and Lonehill Estate. R60.
• Sat 13: White Rabbit. R50.
• Tue 16: Cameroon Bruce. R50.
• Wed 17: Peter Hoven. R50.
• Thur 18: fourteen40. R50.
Tokyo Star, 26 Gleneagles Ave Greenside. A more stylish, grown-up version of the original Melville venue. Hosts DJs and the occasional band. Tel: 072 478 2592.
The Woods, 66 Carr Street, Newtown. The venue of choice for the skinny jeans crowd – electro DJs and indie bands. Tel: 011 838 9277
Zeplin's, 384 Pretorius Street, Pretoria. Pretoria’s huge club for metalheads, Goths and other alternative types. Website: www.zeplins.co.za.

DELICIOUS

When restaurants get it right – the wine tastes so much better
Janice Scheckter

I have never been to a restaurant where the wine steward has asked whether I’d like to choose my meal and then take a look at the wine list and for the life of me, I just can’t understand why. I’m not the world’s fussiest when it comes to matching food and wine and as you’ll see as you continue reading my column (if you continue reading it that is!) I believe that you should drink what you enjoy and enjoy it with what you love to eat. BUT...at the same time I also know that there are certain food/wine matches that just make huge taste sense and there are many that don’t.

A great rump steak accompanied by a big bold Shiraz or a Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot blend, for example, makes for great taste bud harmony, while the same steak with a Sauvignon Blanc just wouldn’t have the same result. So why are restaurants, who boast great wine lists, not briefing their wine stewards a little better. I have to ask?

My next wine gripe goes to how the wines are poured. If I’m paying in excess of R140 for a main course and over R300 for a bottle of wine, I’d like to think that the wine service is up to scratch. Some experiences however include the wine steward immediately handing the wine list to what he/she perceives to be the dominant male at the table. For goodness sake ask who is selecting the wine. It’s not that hard!

So the wine’s ordered and the bottle arrives for tasting. The tasting sample is poured. If correct protocol is followed, the first glass should be the person to the right of the one who tested and approved the wine. This again is often not the case and the wine is poured into the taster’s glass. Making things worse is the level to which each glass is filled. I have to wonder whether the instruction is to get the first bottle finished as quickly as possible and get the table ordering another?

In a country that produces great wines, has great restaurants with exceptional food and a wine list to match – surely we can get the simple stuff right.

Janice’s wine of the week

• The Chocolate Block
• Boekenhoutskloof
• Franschhoek
Janice is the founder of The Wine School. www.thewineschool.co.za, and follow her on twitter @ www.twitter.com/wineschoolsa. The Wine School 011 809 5588 082 552 1153 Janice@thewineschool.co.za

FOOD GLORIOUS FOOD

The Chocolate Box
Gregg Abell

The Chocolate Block has always been a firm favourite of mine. I served it on Friday night with a venison dish from a New Zealand wine lands cookbook. I used kudu which was served with a blackberry puree, on an apple and sweet potato rosti with cream and nutmeg spinach on the side. Although the recipe recommends a New Zealand Syrah, The Chocolate Block provided perfect pairing. I recently read an article in my wine magazine which talks about The Chocolate Block and ‘iconic’ in the same “breath”. I couldn’t agree more.

The 2008 Chocolate Block is a blend of Syrah (69%); Grenache noir (12%); Cabernet Sauvignon (10%); Cinsault (7%) and Viognier (2%). The wine matures in 2nd and 3rd filled French oak barrels for 15 months. The wine retails at around R150.00 per bottle.

Let’s skip mains and head straight for dessert this Valentines Day

You want to make your girl feel like a princess? Clear the lounge of all furniture, place a large blanket on the floor, light as many candles as you can get your hands on, and scatter a few rose petals around the room. On big white platters place a selection of the following desserts. If you don’t get the desired effect she is made of ice and you should move on….

Dark chocolate & Turkish delight tower

Base
100 g dark chocolate (70% coco)
1 Tbs unsalted butter
Orange zest from one orange
Turkish delight

1lt water
900g sugar
285g corn flour
225g icing sugar
1½ tbsp rosewater
2 tsp lemon juice
1 tsp cream of Tartar
Red food colouring (optional)

Garnish
Caster sugar for dusting
Pink rose petals

Base
Melt the butter and chocolate in a double boiler then add the orange zest. Put into a piping bag and pipe onto greaseproof paper into 10cm round discs and leave to set.

Turkish delight
Place the sugar, 285ml (½ pint) water, and lemon juice in a heavy saucepan over medium heat. Stir until the sugar dissolves and the mixture boils. Reduce the heat and simmer gently, without stirring, until the mixture reaches the soft-ball stage 114 - 118°C (238 - 245°F).

See
The sugar mixture will form a soft ball which can be squashed flat. Remove the saucepan from the heat. In a second large heavy saucepan over medium heat, stir together 225g (8oz) cornflour and the cream of tartar. Gradually stir in the remaining water until no lumps remain. Stir constantly, until the mixture boils and forms a thick, gluey paste. Slowly pour the hot sugar syrup into the cornstarch mixture, stirring constantly. Reduce the heat and simmer, stirring often, to prevent sticking, for about 1 hour, or until the mixture has become a pale golden colour.

Stir in the rosewater and add food colouring (if used). Pour the mixture into the prepared baking tin and spread evenly. Cool to room temperature, uncovered; allow to stand overnight to set. Sift the icing sugar and a little cornflour onto a large cutting board. Turn out and cut into 1-inch squares with an oiled knife.

Roll pieces in the icing sugar mixture to coat well. Store in an airtight container with sheets of waxed paper, dusted with the sugar mixture, separating every layer. Makes approx.80 pieces.

Plating
Place the chocolate discs in the middle of a plate, then put Turkish delight on top and repeat, stand the last disc into the Turkish delight straight up. Scatter rose petals around then dust with caster sugar.

Dipped Strawberries
20 Large Strawberries
100 g Dark Chocolate pellets

Place a large metal bowl over a pot of hot water and place the chocolate in the bowl. Once melted dip the strawberries in the chocolate half way, place on a try and place in the fridge.

Deluxe Pink fairy cakes:

• 2 cups all purpose flour
• 1 1/2 cups sugar
• 3 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 4 egg whites from large eggs
• 1/2 cup shortening
• 1 cup 2% milk
• 2 large eggs
• 1 1/2 teaspoon vanilla

Vanilla Cupcake Recipe Directions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line cupcake pans with paper liners.

Combine flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, shortening, milk and vanilla in a large mixing bowl. Mix at low speed for 2 minutes. Scrape bowl. Add egg whites and mix at high speed until fluffy and smooth, approximately 2 minutes.

Fill liners 1/2 to 2/3 full of batter. Do not overfill. Bake 20 to 25 minutes or until toothpick inserted in centre comes out clean.

Cool 10 minutes in pans then remove from pan, and place on wire racks to cool completely.

RESTAURANT REVUES

BAMBANANI
85 4th Avenue, Melville, (011) 482 2900.

Josie Palmer-Tinkerton

Oh Darlings, I am always exuberantly pleased when the Jo-Jo Sisters find an excuse for celebrating! Life is far too precious for weekends without cocktails, hmm? So, there we were - all tarted up, plucked and painted this past weekend, celebrating the fact that Joanne finally got her man (Gerald) to change his facebook status to “In a Relationship”.

One can hardly blame the man for being hesitant… they did meet when Joanne spitefully rammed her full trolley into his ankles in the queue at Woolies Foods. However, all of our collective scheming, insights, suggestions, preaching and advising on when to see him, when to make excuses, when to shag him and when not to stay over has worked! After just 4 months together, she now has her own key to his apartment.

We didn’t dwell too much on the dresser table in the corner of the spare bedroom that always remains locked and we defiantly rejected Jonathan’s camp suggestions that it most probably contains naughty magazines and DVD’s. Besides, you know we will find a way to break in and prove it to him once and for all and, in the unlikely event of him being correct, we will need enough time to peruse the items thoroughly in order to establish whether it may be deemed as acceptably juicy.

Nevertheless, Joanne has a Valentine’s surprise up her sleeve – she has booked a table at Bambanani for her, Gerald and her 8-year-old son. Situated in trendy Melville, Bambanani is quite a hip and happening restaurant, offering great food, a rather romantic ambience and, to top it all, a fabulous indoor play area for children, child-minders on duty and all!

The play area offers a rough-and-tumble climbing-and-slide tube, as well as a play room full of board-games and computer games. The designers had the presence of mind to place the children’s area well away from the main dining area, but with a few childminders employed to keep an eye on their little charges, as well as a sound security system. It is fun, safe and supervised, which should give Joanne and her new beau enough quality romantic time together, without having to exclude her little tyke.

Their menu is fabulously Greek with tapas fare for all sorts of Mediterranean tastes. We all agree that Bambanani is a blessing to parents who have not yet lost the will to live it up.

More cocktails are ordered in celebration of such a good find and then Janie proceeds to update us on George the pool-maintenance-man-who-keeps-her-entertained-while-her-husband-works-in-Dubai’s progress in personally demonstrating the positions of the Kama Sutra to her.

See Josie’s blogspot on: http://jojosisters.blogspot.com/

FUN FOR KIDS

It’s easy to think there's nothing for kids to do in Johannesburg, but the city has a range of fun, interesting and instructive activities for them to get hooked on. Here are some suggestions to get you going.

The Johannesburg Zoo
A favourite place for children is the Joburg Zoo in Parkview, an animal paradise with lions and elephants, monkeys and gorillas, seals and polar bears. The farmyard section, designed for under-sixes, also has cuddly animals, which can be picked and patted. Kids can also ride on the tractor ferry, do an organised trot around the zoo, or catch a moonlight tour. There's also a programme of educational events and a safe environment with green lawns and picnicking areas ensures plenty of space for running around. The zoo is open from 8.30am to 5.30pm, seven days a week and secure parking is available at the entrance on Upper Park Drive in Saxonwold.

Zoo Lake
Ducks and geese are just waiting for small people to feed them at Zoo Lake, Emmarentia Dam and Gillooly's Farm. Adult supervision is essential to stop them falling in the water. All three venues also provide plenty of lawn space for children to play, fly kites or roller blade, and for parents to picnic. Parking for Zoo Lake is from Westwold Way, and parking for Emmarentia Dam is just over the bridge off Olifants Road. Gillooly's Farm is in Boeing Road, Morninghill (take the Linksfield off ramp from the N3). Other green spaces in the city include Wemmer Pan, Thokoza Park (Ntuli Street, Moroka), and the Walter Sisulu National Botanical Garden (Malcolm Road, Poortview, Roodepoort).

Montecasino
Get really close to some exotic birds at the Montecasino Bird Gardens in Fourways, where the kids can walk along elevated wooden walkways inside a large aviary. There are over 100 exotic species of birds, including spectacular Scarlet Ibises. Bird shows twice a day feature owls, cranes, pelicans and vultures, and children can feed the interesting collection of small animals, including iguanas, marmasets, tamarins, snakes and colourful frogs. The gardens, accessible from William Nicol Drive in Fourways, are open Tuesdays to Sundays, 8am to 5pm. Phone 011 511 1864.

Lifestyle Family Garden Centre
There are plenty of animals - monkeys, sheep, goats, ducks, rabbits, birds - and horse rides at the Lifestyle Family Garden Centre at the corner of Beyers Naude and Ysterhout Drive, Randpark Ridge. The centre is open from 8am to 5pm, seven days a week. Phone 011 792 5616.

Drake’s Party Farmyard
A fun place is Drake's Party Farmyard, where they can pat cows, bunnies and sheep, and have rides on ponies while parents enjoy tea under thatched lapas. There's supervised play for parties, which have to be booked in advance. Drake's is at 30 Beacon Avenue (entrance in Reid Road), Linbro Park. Open days are Mondays and Wednesdays when you'll pay R15 per head and get free tea and coffee. Other days are reserved for birthday parties. Phone 011 608 2703.

Animal & Reptile Park Zoo
Although you can't touch the animals, there are plenty of them at the Animal and Reptile Park Zoo in Muldersdrift where you book tours to see monkeys, lions, pumas, wolves, jackals, warthogs and many others. Once you've had your fill, relax in a tea garden next door. It's open seven days a week, 10am to 5pm and children under 2 years get in free. Phone Stella on 082 646 8792 to make a booking. The address is Plot 70, Nooitgedacht Road, Muldersdrift. Look out for the Mabulani Party Farm signboards.

Exciting rides
Any kid who's anybody in Johannesburg would recommend the Gold Reef City theme park with its great, often scary rides - all 31 of them. Try out the anaconda, earthquake tunnel, miner's revenge, the tower of terror and the river rapids, for starters. There's also a funfair for under-10s with gentle rides on horses, shells, small wheel and Flintstones cars. Children over 6 can do an underground tour down a mine. Gold Reef City, 6km south of the city in Ormonde off the M1 South freeway, is open from 9.30am to 5pm every day. Kids under 1,2m get in free.

Art fun
For rainy days, try some arts and crafts fun. At the Colour Café in Hyde Square in Hyde Park, 011 341 0734, kids can paint fairies, moneyboxes, mugs and vases. Tea and coffee is available, plus cakes and muffins. On Tuesdays and Thursdays they're open from 10am to 10pm, on other days from 10am to 5pm. Or check out what fun the Paintbox at 44 Stanley Road, Milpark, 011 482 2795, offers: fabric painting, decoupage and ceramic painting, from Tuesdays to Saturdays. There's a kiddies hour from 3-4pm on Fridays, when everything is half-price.

Unicorns and fairies
Take them to a fantasy world of fairies, gnomes and unicorns at Unicorn Wish in Sun Valley. There's a fairy garden, a restaurant, and a shop for littlies to spend their pocket money wisely, and one for adults. Pony rides, candle making, fabric and bisque painting will keep them busy, or they can enjoy the llamas, camels, and an owl. Parties for 2- to 14-year-olds can be booked. It's open 8am to 5pm weekends, and 10am to 5pm weekdays but closed on Wednesdays. It's in Partridge Road but phone for directions: 011 464 2424 or 084 546 4701.

Adventure zone
If your kids can't contain their energy, take them to the Adventure Zone at the Norwood Shopping Centre, corner 6th and Grant Avenues. Phone 011 483 3833. There's stacks of stuff to keep them busy: from jumping castles, jungle gyms, trampolines, soccer fields to lego and chicco toys. It's open 10am to 5.30pm seven days a week, and admits kids from 3 to 10 years.

Ice skating
Try something more skilful at the Northgate Ice Arena in the Northgate Shopping Centre, entrance 6, Olievenhout and Northumberland avenues, Northriding. Phone 011 794 8706. It's open seven days a week, 10am to 5pm, and 7.30pm to 10.30pm. If they can't skate, the arena runs a skating academy with 8-week courses held on Wednesday evenings and Saturday mornings. Phone Colleen or Mike on 011463 4239.

Theatre freaks
Let them learn theatre skills at the Johannesburg Youth Theatre, at 3 Junction Avenue in Parktown. Phone 011 484 1584. There are classes every Saturday morning from 9.30am to 12 where they'll have instruction in music, movement and drama and may be selected to perform in one of the four annual productions.

Star gazing
Take them star-gazing at the Johannesburg Planetarium, 011 717 1392, in Yale Road in Braamfontein. Every Saturday morning at 10.30am there's a space travel show for 4- to 8-year-olds. Otherwise, there are shows on Fridays (8pm), Saturdays (3pm) and Sundays (4pm). Check out the details on the website.

Quad bikes
If the kids feel like some noisy motorised action, try the quad bikes at Daytona Adventure Park in Fourways. There are 18 quad bikes of various sizes, catering for children of 4 years and upwards. For older kids there's a guided outride into the bush and across rivers. You can book for birthday parties too. The park is open from 9am till dark, and is at Plot 12, R511 Riversands, Fourways. Phone 011 795 1091.

Miniature Johannesburg
Look down on the miniature town of Johannesburg at Santarama Miniland at Wemmer Pan. There are mini trains, jumping castles and fairy boats, plus an indoor play centre. It's open 9am to 5pm 7 days a week, and is at 183 Rosettenville Road, Pioneer Park. Phone 011 435 0543.

Lions and cubs
Go on a lion-spotting drive around the 300-hectare Lion Park in Lanseria, 30km north west of Johannesburg, then play with the cubs. There's also a restaurant in the park which is open from 8.30am to 5pm, seven days a week. The park is on the corner of Hans Strydom and Old Pretoria Roads, Lanseria. Phone 011 460 1490.

Water fun and sun
For the best fun ever, go to Sun City, where the sun always shines. Here the kids can spend days playing in the water: from the Valley of the Waves, with its 2m waves that splash onto a simulated beach to rides on a 17m high chute. More outdoor fun includes horse riding, quad biking, riding an elephant, archery and flying in a Tiger Moth. Indoor fun includes a games arcade for all ages. Get to Sun City via William Nicol Drive, after the Fourways Mall follow the signs. Phone 014 557 1000 or visit the website.

Back-to-nature walks
For back to nature walks through indigenous grasses and shrubs, visit Melville Koppies. It's open three Sundays a month, for three hours, and kids and parents can take a guided tour along the many paths, or just find their own way around, enjoying the wonderful views of the city and suburbs. Stop at the Iron Age furnace, or admire the 400-year-old Tswana stone walls nearby. Secure parking is available at Marks Park on Judith Road. Click here for the open days. Phone 011 482 4797 for more details.

Sci Bono Discovery Centre
Science doesn't always have to be about chemicals and formulas worked out in stuffy classrooms. It can be a truly exciting learning experience at Newtown's Sci Bono Discovery Centre. For more information call 011 832 3363 or log on to www.sci-bono.co.za.

For more information contact the Johannesburg Tourism Company on 011 214 0700 or fax: 011 214 0715 or e-mail: info@joburgtourism.com