The Pink-est Patsy of them All

The legendary MCQP party returns for its 18th year with the theme "Maid in China". This years patsy (party) plays on the house maid theme and pays homage to the plastic mass-produced items we've come to know so well combined with a dash of Chinese culture. Is this one only for the LGBTI? Nancy (No),so whether you're Mabel (gay), Lettie (lesbian) or Straight (straight) and need an excuse -or not - to own the night looking your best, MCQP 2011 is where it's at. Check out the promo for details :

Come Alive at the Cape Winelands Fest

It's the eve of the weekend and you're spending it in the Mother of all Cities- again. Enough of the idle talk of going on that road trip you and friends always plan when booze is abundant and dreams are big. Fill the tank, leave your baggage behind (but not your luggage) and mission to the 'Cape Winelands Comes Alive Fest' this Sunday,11 December at Nekkies Resort, Worcester. Fine wine to be sipped and great beats courtesy of DJ Kent, DJ Ganyana, DJ Mekjekhe, DJ Zwai and Sange.

Rocking it Hard at the Obs Fest

The legendary Observatory Arts Festival is just three sleeps away and according to Mark Bekker (festival music coordinator) ticket sales are selling like Christmas food stamps. He says in terms of planning, it's all systems go. Sadly though, indie band Scarlet Hill pulled out of their gig last minute due to unforeseen reasons.

This year 40 artists are lined up for the epic weekend. Just to name drop a few, Gazelle, Hot Water, Rudimentals, Claire Phillips, Mark Haze and Kombat Fudge.

I met up today with Zack Vincent (Guitar/Vocals) ,member of Kombat Fudge, to talk about the Funk n Roll Death Folk band who will be rocking it out Saturday night at Obs Fest.

Here’s an idea of what Kombat Fudge is all about, courtesy of Kombat Fudge:

kombat fudge [v, kom-bat, -fuhj;n] –verb (used with object)

1. to fight or contend against; oppose vigorously: to kombat crime.

–verb (used without object)

2. to battle; contend: to combat with disease. –noun

3. Military . active, armed fighting with enemy forces.

4. a fight, struggle, or controversy, as between two persons, teams, or ideas.

Fudge–noun

A soft candy made of sugar, milk and butter..hmmm.

Kombat Fudge is a three piece band with a surf rock attitude consisting of Zack Vincent (Guitar/Vocals), Peter Murray (Bass/Vocals) and the drummer. The drummer remains nameless for now.

The band,originally from P.E, has been in Kombat for fifteen years in Cape Town and abroad. The band has rocked out at Splashy Fen, Oppikoppi (both Northam and Worcester) and Woodstock - and that's just the first year.

Zack says the band’s sound is unpredictable which gives them their edge. He believes the lyrics along with the music is important therefore they write their music musically. What also sets the band apart from the rest is they perform two sets. If you were to see the Kombat Fudge live ,and in this case at Observatory Arts Festival, expect to hear nothing less than a loud rocking-it-out set. The second set is a more acoustic one, slightly mellower with bass riffs and melodic chorus lines.

Quizzed about the response of the South African audience to the bands music, Zack says they've “received a pretty mediocre response,” but they've maintained their positivity when it comes to their craft and plan to go back to the drawing board. According to Zack they’ve approached an excellent producer, Neil Snyman, to perfect their album's sound as well as choosing their clients wisely and strategically i.e. no more cheap clients and really just having more fun with what they do. "We endeavour, as always, to spread love, peace and funkin' rock to all corners of the globe..."

To get an idea of their funk n roll death folk sound click on the link:

 www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hnx8BzuE5IE

Also feel free to show Kombat Fudge some love on their social networking sites: www.twitter.com/kombatfudge  , www.facebook.com/kombatfudge  and their website http://www.kombatfudge.com/

Check out the artist line-up for the Observatory Arts Festival and purchase your tickets at http://www.webtickets.co.za/ or at the Spar in Observatory. Tickets will be sold on the day Fri - Sun

Going on Vacation?

The Waiting Room is taking you on Vacation, every Thursday night for eight weeks this sizzling summer. Billed as the “perfect holiday destination” with its balconies overlooking the devil's playground (if you will) aka that very Long Street, good people, great vibes and a well stocked bar brimming with the nectar of the god(esses)s. Travel light and take yo'self on that well deserved Vacation for just R20.

If you must know:

DRINK SPECIALS

-R11 Black Label & Castle till 10:30

-R12 Caramel & Chocolate vodka all night

-Vacation Cocktail specials

This one is most definitely getting the gre3nlight. See you on the 8^th, that's the day after next. Peace

Lunch with Dj Blanka

If you were thinking Blanka from the TV game Streetfighter, you would be right! What originally started out as a nickname (for obvious reasons) is now the name of up and coming Soulcandi DJ and producer DJ Blanka.

To find out more about Blanka Mazimela he took us for pizza  at his favourite spot to chill Bicccs at the Cape Quarter in Greenpoint.

Blanka Mazimela aka dj Blanka is not just a club dj. In fact he is the head dj lecturer at the Soulcandi Institute of Music, as well as a graduate in financial information systems.

At the tender age of 23 years old, dj Blanka is very ambitious and believes that in the next five years he'll be an icon in his field. How you ask? Blanka Mazimela wakes up in the morning, skips breakfast (not a breakfast eater) and goes straight to Soulcandi studios to teach and to be taught. He sleeps, eats, smells, smiles and cries music.  

Why house music? Blanka's answer is simple: “There is a sense of identity and personal connection to house music". Dj Blanka mentioned that even though his personal preference is house music, as a dj lecturer he has to be open to all types of music. He believes the knowledge he's acquired through his understanding of various music forms is what also sets him apart from other dj's/producers. He also does regular research regarding what people/the audience responds to as well as what is missing in the industry.

Now back to his name because I just had to understand why. Blanka is a streetfighter (tv game) character and one of his powers is shocking his opponents. To be clear, dj Blanka doesn’t necessarily play in clubs and electrically shock people to death- he surprises the audience with his music selection because he never plays the same set.

An interesting fact about dj Blanka is he actually doesn’t enjoy clubbing. I KNOW RIGHT! Don't get me or him wrong he loves playing in clubs and music producing, however if he isn’t working and had the choice he'd prefer doing outdoor activities.

Any truth to the rumours of the perks of being a dj? The very courteous Blanka Mazimela truthfully explained that "yes, women do throw themselves at dj's,some even wait at the dj booth and demand you take them home." Luckily dj Blanka knows why he is a dj and it's not for image but for the love of his craft.

Currently, dj Blanka is self managed and is contactable on http://www.blanka.co.za/  or mailto:bookings@blanka.co.za

Lastly Blanka Mazimela aka dj Blanka lives by the motto, "Everything has its own time to shine".

Also look out for Dj Blanka’s summer hits coming out soon, one of which is the remix to Cape Town’s Dj Sive Msolo’s ‘She’.

Fun in the sun with Lira and Old Mutual

When Cape Town sizzles it means business and it would be a shame if you spent your time indoors. The very fortunate characteristics of the mother city allows one to literally pick and choose there are tons to do.

Now one thing's for sure summertime in Cape Town equals the beach or the Kirstenbosch summer sunset concerts courtesy of Old Mutual. If you looking for a laidback fun-loving and united front you'll love the concerts. Allow me to explain.


Yesterday 4 December 2011 saw the likes of South Africa's pride, Lira performing for a packed crowd at Kirstenbosch. Always charming, funky, colourful and what -a-talent she took to the stage and tickled everyone's hearts. She mostly sang tracks from her new album, which is a given and although there were whispers from certain individuals in the crowd complaining they wanted more familiar songs, eventually we all surrendered and had too much fun. The best part has to be when she sang, "feel good". Everyone from old to young, left and right feett to two left feet all got up from their behinds and celebrated Lira, the lyrics and eachother.


Now if you've never been to a Kirstenbosch sunset concert its not to late for the rest of the December month concerts are lined up from parlotones to a christmas special in fact concerts are showcased until April 2012. Some might think it's too pricey I say not at all not at all. There are different rates and you can pay anything from R60 - R100 and you paying for a beautiful scenery, beautiful atmosphere of friendly people plus you can setup your own picnic and bring your own xyz and last but not least you get to be thrilled and entertained by South Africa's finest musicians and performers. Pricey? I think not.

For further information and ticket prices, please telephone 021 799 8783/8620 or visit the website http://www.sanbi.org/ or www.oldmutual.co.za/music

Tickets can be booked on http://www.webtickets.co.za/    

Heads Up Hip Hop Headz

Tumi and the Volume.DJ Ready D. Blaq Pearl .DJ Leo Large.DJ Kaunda Musical. All under blazing it up on stage at Zula, Long Street tomorrow night for Battle of the Arts. Battle of the Arts you ask? 12 MC’s stepping up to the mic in the hopes of clinching a year long deal with Entertainment Warehouse Records-associated with international label Xavier Inc. Dope live graf will be displayed too.

What else you need to know other than this is bound to be massive:

CC: R80 / R90 after 10PM

In the mood for a cypher? Register at 5PM for open mic between 6 and 8PM

Bring your hearts and support the Arts. Peace.

Benefits of staying-in ONCE IN A WHILE #justsaying

Does anyone ever promote the joys of staying in for a change? Life is stressful as it is and at times you need to give yourself a break, a rest. 

It seems we’re all on this quest to do it all. They say if you work hard you should play even harder. Personally, I’m not complaining and fully understand why that method is in existence but getting back to YOU is mandatory.

Million dollar question is, so where were you this weekend? At any of The Gre3nlight District mentioned gigs? The most talked about happenings? I feel people especially the youth are pressured and almost bullied into doing something, going out and drinking etc. We either chasing our youth or trying to keep it.

Hi my name is Denisia Adams and I am definitely one of those victims, victim of fun. Friday comes and the need to be out and about becomes this urge similarly to an addictive crave. If I just so happen to fail to meet that crave i.e. no invites, no calls, nowhere to go I feel defeated. I lost my mojo! This weekend was no different.

I ended up spring cleaning my room for crying out loud. Before you think it’s a complaint, think again NAY I SAY! Firstly let me just say, what I first thought was grey walls was actually the layer of dust. I “cleaned house” like you can not believe and I feel incredibly proud of my efforts thank you. I tell you, the inner peace that can come from a simple clean or declutter is, is therapeutic. So there I was 25, vibrant but indoors and loving it I mean for once I actually shared more than a, “morning” or “evening” to my family members. Also the joys of waking up fresh and early on a Saturday morning for once is something special. What’s more *i'm about to sidetrack* I can boldly say my goals and dreams are clearer now simply because I silenced myself to hear it singing.

In the words of India Arie, “when I asked to learn humility this is what I was thought”. It’s the little things. If you find yourself chasing the abyss, unfulfilled with your life the answers are truly in front of you. For me it took a spring clean and little family time for you it could be book, who knows. Sometimes we need to stop being busy and nurture the beauty of silence, it’s deafening as they say.

Staying at home, being alone and being with family ONCE-IN-A-WHILE gets the gre3nlight from me. But that’s just me.

By: Denisia Adams

Food for thought...

WTF!

What the fudge has happened to the way that we type a message to one another or the world?!

Why have we been reduced to using acronyms?

As if it was not bad enough to have ALL our computer programs and typing devices (cellular phones, iPads, etc.), equipped with a spell check and the dreaded auto correct (which in some cases, have lead to many landing in hot water due to the misunderstanding and assumption of a simple word) Was it not once said that assumptions are the mother of all #$%^ ups?

Don’t get me wrong, my grammar and spelling are just as questionable as any other person aged 40 years and below who have been weakened by technology. Heavens forbid I send this piece of work out without performing a spell check! In fact, as I sit and type this, ten red underlined words and sentences stare at me, illustrating my ‘inferiority to the all mighty super spelling computer.

So why are we being forced to dumb down? Are we becoming a lazy spelling nation?

My opinion; I say yes.  Our technological growth is dependent on speed and efficiency which is the enemy of accuracy. An example, we all know speed typing in a job interview will earn us a huge shiny badge and even the job itself..

The catch-22 of it is your typing needs to be accurate; therefore you need those darn squiggly lines to help you.

So in essence, you are trading your spelling and grammar skills for speed, and you’re blissfully unaware of it. 

Has everybody in the world signed a contract agreeing to this trade off and more importantly, why have I not received this memo?

I might be exaggerating due to the fact that I am not as cool or “hip” as I would hope to be but I am surely not the ONLY one struggling to decipher the acronyms used on the internet and text messages.

By no means am I a bitter dinosaur but when it takes a week to figure out what ‘SMH’ stands for, then I know it is definitely time for a refresher course on street lingo or in this case geek lingo. I use the term geek with the utmost respect as geeks seem to be the forerunner or force in world domination (case in point, Mark Zuckerberg). Could the ‘geeks’ be the root of this grammatical evil? Maybe this is their way of avenging all those years of being victims of ruthless bullies. Maybe their plan is to dumb the world down to a standstill and only the geeks will have passwords for living! A geek-pocolpyse! LOL!
Not likely.

I, for one,  am extremely grateful for spell check. I was never really the best at spelling or grammatically correct, so this rant is a bit contradictive. As I take another glimpse at this document, I see an increased number of red lines than stated earlier. However, if it was not for the ever impressive auto correct, there would have been more. All I want is the ability to NOT need spell check this much. Yes reading helps but what happens if I’m not that fond of reading? This is a fact by the way, I happen to not be a friend of literature. I want to be able to write a letter and have the confidence to write it with the most primitive tools; My hands! Oh well. A man can dream can’t he?

Oh and for those who are wondering, ‘SMH’ stands for shaking my head and ‘LOL’ stands for laugh out loud.

Well I’m off to try to save my youth! TGIW!

Figure that one out ;)

By: Shiraaz "Shaz" Ismail

Mr Pickwicks Karaoke night via phone cam

The Gre3n on Mr Pickwicks Karaoke night (wednesday)

I consider myself the girl in-between in EVERYTHING and in this case I like getting dressed up scope the swanky happenings now and then, on the other side I like to be the laid back-kickback-with-my-brew kind of girl.

With that in mind - so off I trek to Long Street on a Wednesday night to see what this karaoke night at Mr Pickwicks is all about. Get there and first thing I spot is the décor, again. Ok so I’m not exactly a stranger to Mr Pickwicks yet not a regular (girl in-between) but nonetheless the décor is pretty awesome - urban and arty. Including the people.

“You drinking or eating?” I respond, “uh, both”. At this point I hear what seem to be the sounds of a typical karaoke, “upstairs”, she hola’s and up I go. Now just so that you know, “she” is the hostess at the door. Upstairs first thing I noticed, emptiness, approximately 7 people, still open-minded I get comfortable.

Before you think, “ok so what you experienced was a typical pub-style karaoke and???” But wait just when I thought 20-30mins would probably be the estimated time I’ll be staying something happens. I start seeing the potential. I started loving it. Mr Pickwicks karaoke night had everyone from Whitney Houston- on crack, the divalicious Amy Winehouse, the ‘I can rap like Eminem’ dude, Bob Marley and Coldplay lovebirds, Vanilla Ice and not the Castle Light one, the milkshake drinking one. I looked around and realized, flip, I can totally do this and DUDE where are my peoples (friends) they would love this. The Karaoke master made sure all music lovers would be pleased. Plus, you can get a three-course meal/feast of: soup or salad starter, burger meal (beef or veggie), pasta or chicken livers and dessert options are brownies or malva pudding FOR R55.

Eventually more fun loving individuals took their seats and warmed their vocal chords.

Everyone in the building last night was friendly even the waiter who walked all the way to a store to buy me cigs because their vending machine gave in.

Honestly, I definitely give it the GRE3NLIGHT! I’m not kissing ass or playing it safe literally I dig it. If you looking to have fun, meet fun-loving people and want to feel at home - ON A BUDGET Mr PickWicks in Long Street Cape Town Karaoke session on Wednesday or Saturday is the way to go…. But that’s just me J

By: Denisia Adams

Mr Pickwicks

158 Long Street  Cape Town 8001
021 423 3710

to gre3nlight or NOT to gre3nlight...

DENISIA:

What I give the gre3nlight to is the mature crowd, WELL; I did have an encounter with two not so mature individuals but the rest of the crowd made up for that. The dj’s definitely did their best to please the crowd and what’s more the party definitely had support from their fellow South African’s.

What I would’ve loved to hear more of is Angolan and Latin beats.

Would I encourage others to attend DJ Lau production events? If you looking for a new scene - yes, new people – yes, music with a twist – yes.

Overall it gets the gre3nlight from me. TICK ;p

KHANYISA:
Never mind how expensive Zar is, it actually ridiculous however people turned out to attend the 36th Angolan Independence celebration hosted by Dj Lau Productions on Friday 11th of November.

The Gre3light District was in attendance to see who is who of the zoo and the event didn’t disappoint except for the theme, people didn’t stick with the Yellow, Black and red theme as was requested in the invite.

The event was also attended by the co-owners of the Zar Gayton Mckenzie seated in front of the club with some friends of his.

All in all the event was a success. Out of 10 I will give 8/10 the two points missed are for the theme being missed and for being expensive but is Zar.

Dj Lau Production
0714061333 | BBM:2707D02F

Where to catch the Gre3nlight team tonight

Will it get the gre3nlight??? We'll keep you posted

What's happening....



Wednesday, November 16 · 8:00pm - 11:00pm OPEN MIC every wednesday
It claims to be one legendary OPEN MIC of comedy, poetry and music

Venue: 15 Church Road Muizenberg. off Palmer Road, close to Surfers Corner

entry is FREE!

What's happening...

Thursday, November 17 · 8:30pm - 11:30pm

Acoustic Sessions @:

Mojos

96 Station Road, Observatory

Cape Town, South Africa

Entrance is Free
Spread the love

Its acoustic sessions from some of Cape Town's finest acts. It happens at Mojos every Thursday and this week we have acoustic sessions from:
NIC GAUD (from 7th Son)
STUART BRINK
TIM BURNZ
ZAK VINCENT
SCOTT LOVE

The Return of Zula Fest

Big tings a'gwan under the watchful eye of your Mother (City) this weekend. You now know about the massive Angolan party (see previous post) this Friday, what's more is the return of   Zula Fest presented by Zula Sound Bar. Zula Fest II features an eclectic line-up of some of the dope-est muso's shining both locally and internationally.

FRIDAY, 11 November

UPSTAGE:

Plush
Captain Stu
Nomfusi & The Lucky Charms
Machineri
Josie Field

DOWNSTAGE:

Hog Hoggidy Hog
Napalma
Bed on Bricks
3rd World Spectator
The Little Kings
Samson

SATURDAY, 12 November

UPSTAGE:

340ML
EJ Von Lyrik
Wolftown
Sons of Selassie
The Limenals

DOWNSTAGE:

Taxi Violence
The Plastics
Reburn
Lonesome Dave Ferguson
St Fearless
The Matt Samson Project

Tickets: R75 (steal:one day pass)

R150 (splurge:weekend pass)

'Nuff said. Come as you are and paint the town gre3n with the gre3nlight district.

Angola takes over Cape Town for the night

DJ LAU productions presents what promises to be a not to be missed celebration of Angolan Independence Day this Friday, 11November 2011 at swanky club ZAR in Green Point, featuring headliner DJ Kapiro JR, jetting in all the way from the land of red, black and yellow (that's Angola if you missed it) .Also spinning the best of Angolan/Latin tunes are Chrome resident DJ’s Lau, Waspa and Chocolate to keep you on your feet 'til the am.

 

Now for the details

Dress Code: RED, BLACK AND YELLOW

Damage: /CoverCharge: R100

So swing by, show some love for our fellow African brothers and sister’s, and let's do this thing.