SilvaSale's Portuguese Wine and Food (Review)

On Sunday the 10^th of September, SilvaSale, along with Wanderers, hosted hundreds of people for an afternoon on Portuguese themed entertainment, food and wine. I was unfortunately sick and couldn’t taste all the wine, but I had a sip here and there. The wine variety was vast, there were about 8 tables of exhibitors, and each one had about 10 or so bottles of different wine to choose from.

The only small negative was when we got there and got our table number, our table wasn’t there, but Costa, the entertainer for the evening said we could join him. The venue were trying to make a plan quickly for us, as some people had been changing the numbers around etc. We weren’t mad though, everything turned out fine, but they did everything they could to make a plan for us as quickly as possible, it just so happened that Costa saw the situation and offered for us to join him, which was so kind. But that wasn’t going to ruin our afternoon, it was so much fun, the weather was nice and warm, the delectable smells of the food were enough to make you hungry and the entertainment was fantastic.

The food was a spread fit for royalty. MY GOODNESS, there was Prawns, Clams, Mussels, Paella, SO much more Seafood, lamb, beef, Chinchada, rabbit, rice, veggies, delicious bread with cheese and butter melted onto it, and so much more that I cannot even remember because there was so much. It was absolutely fantastic. There was also pudding, so many different kinds as well, there was crème brule, churros, fruit and so much more. There was a variety of cheeses, crackers, and salads amongst other starter or snack type foods.

The staff are always so friendly, and I love attending events there, hosted by SilvaSale, because even if there is a problem, they sort it out with a smile and as efficiently as possible. Going to an event hosted by SilvaSale is a MUST, it is well worth the money to have the best experience, delectable food and great entertainment.

For more info on SilvaSale please go to http://www.silvasale.co.za/

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Grassy Spark Release Their Brand New Single ‘Love To Share’ Featuring Bonj Mpanza

‘Portal’ Debut Album OUT NOW – http://smarturl.it/grassysparkportal

Grassy Spark release their brand new single ‘Love To Share’ featuring Bonj Mpanza today. The single is the 5^th taken from Grassy Spark’s debut album ‘Portal’ released exactly a year ago.

Listen to ‘Grassy Spark – Love To Share (feat Bonj Mpanza)’ here - https://youtu.be/-EjCY_AVenI

‘Love To Share’ was launched across six of the top campus radio stations on Tuesday 22 August at 6pm, receiving play on UCT Radio in Cape Town, MFM in Stellenbosch, Kovsie Fm in Bloemfontein, PUK FM in Potchefstroom, TUKS FM in Pretoria and Radio DUT in Durban. The first collective launch of its kind across SA Campus Radio.

What is ‘Love To Share’ about? "‘Love To Share’ is a story about 2 people, a guy and a girl. They’re both nervous to see each other and the song captures those final fears before they come together. With ‘Love To Share’ we hope to inspire those who don’t have the confidence to follow through!” explains Grassy Spark front man Yanick Bathfield. 

Grassy Spark joined forces with Bonj Mpanza, the exceptionally talented front woman for local band TheCITY, creating a single which is one of the best releases from their debut album ‘Portal’. Yanick continues saying: “Working with Bonj Mpanza was an unforgettable experience! She had Josh and I dropping our jaws in studio. Amazing person and wow, what a singer. She really just had to take the female role!”

In support of the single launch, Grassy Spark have initiated a great competition for fans to enter. The band are currently running it on their social media and competition info is as follows:

It takes 2 to Tango & we wanna Tango with you! Grassy Spark will write music to your lyrics + you win a CASE of Jagermeister, Portal Album and Grassy Spark T-shirt.

How?

1. Write lyrics to a loved one inspired by “Love to Share” in the comments 

2. Tag your lovers in the comments below.

3. Share this post and #Love2Share

There will be one winner!

Fans can enter the competition on Facebook at http://bit.ly/2vkKR04 or Instagram on http://bit.ly/2veyuDn.

Grassy Spark’s debut album ‘Portal’ is available now in Music Stores Nationwide and across all major digital platforms here: http://smarturl.it/grassysparkportal

ABOUT GRASSY SPARK & THEIR DEBUT ALBUM ‘PORTAL”

Grassy Spark are made up of Josh Riley and Yanick Bathfield sharing lead vocals and guitar, Simon Ackermann on Keys and Sax, Chad Hendricks on Trumpet, Murray Buitendag on Trombone, Kevin Kok on Bass, and Lawrence Jaeger on Drums, and have become the new kings of the live scene, so making sure their album mirrors their incredible live show was a big task.

Josh Riley and his six fellow band members felt the pressure to create a strong debut album. “Our Debut album 'Portal' was recorded in a room no bigger than a small storeroom with no windows and a broken door, in a dilapidated building in Kalk Bay, Cape Town. After tracking the drums with Dean Bailey at Cloud Studios, we decided it was time to put our heads down, go into that room as early as we could, and come out of it as late as we could - with some days not even leaving the room at all.” 

Bathfield and Riley are the key songwriters behind the catchy 11-track debut album and the song writing process alone took 7 months before the rest of the band could join in to add their vital parts. Bathfield took the reigns as the tracking engineer as well as head producer, with Riley assisting where he could as co-producer. The album was mixed by Vicente Espi at Songololo Studios and mastered by Pablo San Martin at Esoteric Sound Studio, both of whom graduated from Berklee College of Music in their respective fields - they took the variety and diversity of sound and added the cherry on top with flawless consistency!

The album also features a nice selection of local artists with Jeremy Loops, Khaos Cotterell, Bonj Mpanza, and Rudeboboboss each featuring on a song.

“It was an epic experience to work with such a diverse range of artists on the album. Our relationship with Jeremy Loops started in Zambia at Greenpop's festival of action in 2014, he took a keen interest in us as we bonded over a 2-week period, featured in each others sets at Earthfest and he has been an incredible mentor and friend to this day,” explains Riley. “Working with Khaos & Rudeboboboss has always been a dream, as we have always looked up to The Rudimentals as Ska/Reggae/Dance-hall icons and still do. The tracks we featured them on became more than what we imagined them to become once we had recorded them and they naturally blew us away in the process! We had to give a feminine touch to the album and only had one person in mind who could bring the fire the way we imagined and that was Bonj Mpanza. Her vocal range, power and diversity gave us the shivers while we were tracking her, so much that after every take either Yanick or I let out a little scream. There is no Diva attitude with this beautiful woman, only pure talent and a voice that can move mountains! Our reason for featuring these artists was because we wanted to make the making of 'Portal' a collaborative process and look forward to doing this more in the future with different, culturally diverse artists.’

A diverse album it is. Kicking off with the new single ‘Here I Am’, followed by ‘Living In a Paradise’ featuring Jeremy Loops, and then ‘Feel it’ with Khaos Cotterell, each song holds its own and has this 11-track album open up a portal to a care-free happy place where Grassy Spark found the magic sound for their album.

‘Portal’ Album Track Listing

1. Here I Am
2. Living In a Paradise (Feat. Jeremy Loops)
3. Feel It (Feat. Khaos Cotterell)
4. If I Could I Would
5. Love To Share (Feat. Bonj Mpanza)
6. In Disguise
7. Sonic Boy
8. Dancing In The Dark
9. Pyromaniac
10. Honey
11. Mona Lisa (Feat. Rudeboboboss)

Watch the Music Video for ‘Here I Am’ - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KwPhVgj56jk

Watch the live performance video for ‘Grassy Spark – Mona Lisa’ here: https://youtu.be/Yf5FE7YfLi8

Follow Grassy Spark online:

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/GrassySpark

Twitter - www.twitter.com/GrassySpark

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/user/grassyspark

SoundCloud - http://soundcloud.com/grassy-spark

Instagram - @grassyspark

Michael Flatley’s Lord of The Dance: Dangerous Games ( Review)

OH MY GOODNESS!!!! The loud tapping sound that filed the Teatro at Monte Casino last night was like non other. The sound of unison dancing was chilling with the dancers being remarkably on time with each other so much so that if there was one mistake it would have been heard. Lord of the Dance never seizes to amaze me.

I watched the show when I was young on VHS, I would prounce around pretending to be one of the river dancers. In my mind I could be a part of this show. 2 years ago I saw the show for the first time, where I was fortunate enough to have not only see the show for the first time, but also to see Flatley’s last show ever. This was a very emotional experience for me, in the best way, as I was seeing an idol of mine live for the first and the last time. Fast forward 2 years, I had the opportunity to see the show again thanks to Big Concerts, and it was just as amazing, maybe even more so.( minus seeing Flatley of course).

The energy and timing was amazing. I could not keep up with the sped of their legs and feet. They moved so quickly. (Needless to say, my childhood dream will never be a reality as I will never be able to keep up) The dancers just never stopped and it was mesmerising.

The dancer’s costumes could have out a show on their own. The beautifully crafted costumes made the dancing that more amazing. There were many costume changes, and not just a few accessorises here and there, but a proper, full on costume change. The hair of the ladies would also sometimes change. It was astonishing!!!

This is a MUST see and the ticket prices are reasonable for such a world renown show.

Rating: 

5/5 BluBirds for PURE and UTTER enjoyment and entertainment

For more info about show tickets, keep reading:

Please note Michael Flatley is not performing in these shows

Cape Town: Grand Arena, Grandwest, 8^th August – 13^th August 2017

Johannesburg: Teatro at Montecasino. 15^th August – 3^rd September 2017

Presented by RSG, M-Net Channel 101 and Channel 24. Another Big Concerts Experience. Book your tickets at www.bigconcerts.co.za

Lord of the Dance Dangerous Games is excited to announce the “Pop-Up” Michael Flatley DANCE Academy Workshops in conjunction with the 2017 South African tour of Lord of the Dance: Dangerous Games, beginning in August.

The “Pop-up” workshops are for everyone to enjoy, whether you are a dancer, dance enthusiast or simply want to experience our world onstage. The hour-long workshops will include a welcome from our teachers followed by a chance to learn the Michael Flatley Dance steps onstage,sneak peek behind the scenes and finally with a Q&A with members of the cast.

The workshops will take place in select theatres in South Africa where the Lord of the Dance: Dangerous Games cast will be performing.

Book now for the following locations:

Grand Arena, Grand West, Cape Town: Saturday 12th August 2017

The Teatro at Montecasino, Johannesburg: Saturday 19th August 2017

For the South African tour information please visit http://michaelflatleydance.com/#workshops 

Michael Flatley’s Lord of the Dance: Dangerous Games is a spectacular new staging of the traditional master piece. With all the precision and thrills of the original, Lord of the Dance: Dangerous Games features new staging, new costumes and choreography. The show features cutting edge technology including a giant Radiant flat screen that spans the width of the stage, special effects lighting, dancing robots and world champion acrobats.

With some of the world’s most outstanding young performers directed by Michael Flatley and new music by composer Gerard Fahy, this latest iteration combines the best of tradition with all the excitement of new music and dance.

This will be the first time the show will tour to Cape Town and will be back in Johannesburg due to popular demand since it’s previous run in 2015 which received rave local reviews.

More events coming your way thanks to BIG CONCERTS:

GrandWest confirms legendary Bryan Adams for December 2017

On the back of the announcement that iconic rock band +LIVE+ will perform at the Grand Arena in November 2017, GrandWest has confirmed that another legendary artist, Bryan Adams, will be gracing its stage over the festive season. Adams will rock the Grand Arena on 14 December 2017 as part of his Get Up World Tour.

“We are thrilled to confirm that Adams will be performing at the Grand Arena in December 2017. His show is certain to be one of the highlights of the holiday lineup and we expect tickets to sell out fast,” says Elouise Matthys, the PR and Promotions Manager at GrandWest.

Adams’ fans can brace for a spectacular concert featuring his top hits as well as songs from his thirteenth studio album Get Up! For the new album, he reunited with his original songwriting collaborator, Jim Vallance, who helped co-write many of the most memorable songs of his career. Amongst these were “Cuts Like a Knife”, “Somebody”, “Summer of 69”, “Heaven” and “Run To You”.

Adams has spent the last three decades making music history. He has sold over 65 million records, toured six continents and achieved number one status in over 40 countries with hits such as "Kids Wanna Rock", "Can't Stop This Thing We've Started", "(Everything I Do) I Do It For You", "Open Road" and "Thought I'd Seen Everything". Adams has received numerous awards during his career including a Grammy Award, 18 Juno Awards and an American Music Award. He has also been nominated for three Academy Awards and five Golden Globe Awards.

Adams’ outstanding live concerts have established him as one of the world's great rock singers, performing over 120 concerts a year. Tickets to the concert at GrandWest cost from R575 to R1020 per person and are available at Computicket and atwww.bigconcerts.co.za.

Like GrandWest on Facebook GrandWestCasinoAndEntertainmentWorld and follow us on Twitter @GrandWestSA.

Riana Nel to light up the stage at The Carousel

Riana Nel to light up the stage at The Carousel

The Carousel is proud to bring multi platinum selling pop songstress, Riana Nel, to its stage this

winter. Her local fans are in for a special treat as she will be performing songs from her various

top selling albums including her two most recent; Die Regte Tyd (2014) and Jy Sal Weet (2016).

Diarise 23 June 2017 for a spellbinding, intimate show at The Cheyenne Saloon. The family

friendly show will start at 19h00. Tickets cost R80 per person and children under three enter for

free. All under 18s will be required to sit upstairs.

With numerous number one radio hits, Riana is recognized as one of South Africa’s biggest

female artists. The young beauty, who started her career in 2001, first made a name for herself on

the gospel music scene, with her popular albums, Oopmond (2001), The Cure (2003), Someone

With Skin (2005), and Collection Set (2006), all produced by the Maranatha Record Company.

Since releasing her first commercial album in 2011 through Coleske Artists, she has become a

household name. Her 2014 album Die Regte Tyd reached gold status within 10 days of its release

and her latest release is also doing exceptionally well.

Renowned for her bubbly personality and enigmatic stage presence, the pop star, who is also the

sister of Nianell, is certain to blow her fans away with an energetic and interactive show.

Like Carousel on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/carouselcasino) and follow us on

Twitter (https://twitter.com/carouselcasino)

Pinterest Inspired Blue Eyed Diva Look

Listen! Trying to artistic eye makeup is not as easy as it may look. It is frustrating, time consuming and hard to execute. But... it is also fun, a challenge and super rewarding if you get it right or even close to right. For this look I really wanted to try something new, and different. It was absolutely that. This look took me over an hour and a half to perfect, and even that was not perfect. However I really did enjoy trying it out.

I was inspired by a makeup look I had seen and saved on Pinterest. It looked so beautiful and dangerous, so that is when I was like..."let's give it a whirl", and it didn’t turn out too badly.

The products I used were readily available products, for the foundation, contour and blush I used the same NYX products as in the first video, they are my new fav products for the base of my face. Then I used a combination of the Dischem House brand make up product that is a Swirl Eye Shadow Pallet, the NYX Blue Liquid Liner and Crystal Liner. To finish off I used the Benefit Cosmetics Roller Lash for my lashes, which is my absolute best mascara because it really extends my lashes.

The thing is, many girls, including myself until now, would not dream in a million years to try a look like this because they may be afraid to be too daring, too out there or to shy to be so bold with a look. Well I am here to tell you, you are beautiful, and don’t need make up to hide behind. However, make up is like art and is able to let someone show their emotions, artistic abilities and enables one to express who they are or even who they want to be. Never be afraid to let your light shine amongst the animosity of others. The only person you need to be is yourself, and if you want to try new things, DO IT. Don't ever let someone else define who you are or who you should be. Be you, because you are beautiful.

 

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Artist Feature: TIMA REECE

Sultry Songstress

TIMA REECE RETURNS!

Comeback album “9” drops 2 December

The fans have demanded and she has listened…..

 

The name TIMA REECE will soon be back on music lovers’ lips when she launches her eagerly anticipated brand new comeback album “9” on 2^nd December 2016.

 

Tima along with her team have been hard at work in studio over the past few months fine-tuning an album that she is proud of. 

 

“9” is a fusion of R&B, Soul, Pop and Trap with the nine-track album exploring relationship dynamics including love, loss and most importantly, the resurrection of hope.

This is all close to Tima’s heart, having stepped away from a budding solo career nine years ago after the pressures, constant demands and disappointments of the industry took hold, and depression followed.

 

Not leaving the industry entirely, Tima decided to “take a step back” and perform in shows, corporate events and the like under her birth name, Tia Herman, after having married the equally talented Kurt Herman; now also her business partner on a number of projects.  She has since been one of the most sought after vocalists and vocal coaches since then, working on projects such Idols, The Voice SA and many others whilst also being a reputable show producer along with Kurt, in her own right.

 

Tima literally exploded onto the SA Music Scene at a young age, having been discovered at 15 in the television series Shell Road to Fame. Her first hit single Crazy ‘Bout You was released at just 16 years of age, garnering her a SAMA Best Dance Single Nomination in 2001. The industry and public alike sat up and took notice! A new star was born.

 

She was quickly snapped up by a New York based recording company and at 18, she was on a plane and starting her international recording career. Whilst based in New York Tima had the unforgettable experience of writing with many influential names in the industry, such as Calvin Gaines, Mark Wilson, Mike Mason, and Marc Dorsey – people who have written and produced albums for stars such as Whitney Houston and Mariah Carey. 

 

Shortly after Tima’s return to South Africa from the United States, her debut album was released, with its well-deserved success earning her a SAMA Award nomination in the Best R&B Category in 2004.

 

Hits such as You Should Know and My Body’s Crying further established her as a popular R&B artist and these hits still enjoy high rotation on local radio stations more than a decade later….

 

Says Tima of her return to the solo spotlight; “My desire to create music has always been a huge part of who I am. I’ve been writing songs since the age of 11 and I have a whole lot more to say now at the age of 33. I’ve been through a whole lot over the last 9 years, it’s time to pour it out into what I know best; music.”

 

She continues; “My greatest influence is my children. I had a look at my past and realised that if I don’t pursue my dreams and give it my all, when the time comes for me to push my sons towards their destiny, I would have no leg to stand on. I want to be a positive role model for them. A go-getter.”

Tima’s latest offering shows off her silky vocals while a cameo of ProVerb on the trap ballad “Nguwe” brings about the crème of rap innovators. The sultry songstress uses dark and sensual beats that explore a multitude of genres that will appeal to mass audiences.

 

Tima has always enjoyed a close affinity with her fans even during this 9-year hiatus and the excitement from them with the expectations of this new release is undeniable. She looks forward to being on a stage performing for them, soon. For her, it’s one of the best experiences in the world!

 

The album will be released at an exclusive industry event on 29 November and thereafter will be available for public download on iTunes as from 2^nd December and other regular music channels.

 

The first single “9” will be released to all radio stations on 2 December so listen out for it and request it with your favourite station.

 

 

#TheAlbum9

 

Follow Tima Reece on: 

Twitter: @timareece

Facebook: www.facebook.com/timareece/

Instagram: tima.reece

Website: www.timareece.com

 

 

For bookings, contact info@timareece.com

 

For media enquiries and interview requests, contact Collett Dawson from The CoLab Network on collett@thecolabnetwork.com

For radio and music video submission requests, contact Melissa Conradie on mel@melissaconradie.co.za

 

Album Credits:

Executive Producer/s: Tima Reece; Kurt Herman; Llewellyn George

Producer/s: Kurt Herman; Llewellyn George

Recorded at: BluBerry Studios

Mixed and Mastered: Kurt Herman