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/