CREDO

This weekend I went to the premier of CREDO:A musical testament to the Freedom Charter, in Johannesburg, a ground-breaking multimedia oratorio, composed by award-winning Bongani Ndodana-Breen, and multimedia artist Andrew Black (my guy!) Together they have created a 67 minute production that explores the endurance of the human spirit over adversity, through South Africa's turbulent history. It was moving and beautiful and incredibly sad. I loved it, I hope you get to see it too. It's coming to Cape Town and then touring overseas.

things on your own: Going to the Theatre

One of the assignments from my writing course was to go and do something on my own, ie. take yourself on a 'writing date'. So I booked a ticket and watched London Road last night, at the Alexander Bar (76 Strand Street) What a special, well written play. It's about a Jewish 'mensch' who lives in a block of flats in London Road, Seapoint, and meets a Nigerian woman, and their unlikely friendship. Heartwarming and incredibly moving, it put life into perspective. Sad, funny, well executed, and amazingly acted, I cried ALOT. cathartic. 5/5 Here's the write-up, "The beau­ti­ful, poignant story of an unlikely friend­ship between two women, neigh­bours in a block of flats in Sea Point. Rosa is an elderly Jew­ish widow. Stella is a Niger­ian immi­grant cagey about the details of her import/export busi­ness. Their lives col­lide after an inci­dent of vio­lence, and grad­u­ally they dis­cover much in com­mon — fam­i­lies scat­tered around the world, old grudges, lost loves and a fiery verve for life. Funny and heart­break­ing with pow­er­ful, detailed performances."

For more information on the Alexander Bar and what's showing, go to www.http://alexanderbar.co.za

Writing course

I started a Creative writing course. It runs every Wednesday for 6 weeks. Already into our first session, I got so much out of it. I learnt: 1.) never to compare yourself to others (we do this all the time) and to 2.) just simply write, every day. And 3.) to find 3 things to be grateful every day. Simple no? Powerful yes. To get in touch you can go here - https://www.facebook.com/WriteOnSouthAfrica?fref=ts

Gig Night - Double Tree, Hilton

Tonight I'm gigging at the Double Tree, Hilton. They have a divine restaurant and bar. And I love their staff. I always look forward to playing here :) Great winter specials at Liberty's this week - Teriyaki roasted duck breast with Teriyaki jus, Pak choi, wild mushrooms and Dauphinoise potatoes R85! Call 021 4040570 to book a table.

7 months

Last week I did a photography shoot with my dearest friend who I've known for half my life. She is 7 months pregnant. I am feeling excited, and nervous, and happy for her. This is a precious time in our life. This year we have alot to celebrate xx

1 year & the Biggest Storm

This weekend we went away to Paternoster on the West coast. It's my favourite west coast getaway. We drank Gluwein, and Amarula and Life from Stone, and Chai, and ate exquisite meals around the fire. It was the biggest storm i've seen in a  while, and a very special time. This weekend we celebrate one year of being together. I waited a lifetime for you xx

The Lobby

I love this guy. he cuts hair. he is great. Enough said. The Lobby - is a unisex hairdresser, situated in Woodstock, With a Bar. yes i said Bar. you can sip Sauvignon Blanc, Champagne or Craft beer while you get your hair done. what a great idea. I think I'll go for a haircut now.

160 Albert Road, Woodstock. + 27 (0)21 447 9090

 

Empire Cafe

Last night I had the pleasure of dining at Empire Cafe. It's Muizenberg's cosy secret corner cafe. We arrived in torrential downpour, on Cape Town's coldest nights, to a glowing hub of warmth shining through the darkness. Once inside you are accosted with smiles and friendly faces. I had the great pleasure of meeting the owner, Dave (a divine painting of him adorned by knives hangs in the background) and he charmed me the whole night. I had one of their legendary burgers, paired beautifully by one of their knowledgeable waiters, with a good La Motte red wine, and their banana and whiskey milkshake for desert. (It normally comes with whiskey but we had a surfing local sitting next to us who had just returned from the Caribbean and gave us a generous dollop of fine 33 year old rum which we could hardly refuse.) What a divine experience, it was certainly a night to remember!

http://www.empirecafe.co.za/

Photo: Fiona Hare

Afrika Burn 2013 - Wisdom

Afrika Burn is South Africa's version of Burning Man. You have to bring everything with you: - your water, your shade, your food, your camping, your bikes, your transport. And you have to take everything away/ leave no trace: The BEST TIP I am going to give you is this: do not exceed 65 km per hour on the gravel road when traveling to and from the party. There were so many punctures on the road (us included), the Karoo road eats tyres for breakfast. We got a puncture on the way up (we were exceeding 100 kms per hour) but an amazing local woman in a GoodYear tyre truck helped us and removed and fixed our tyre for us. She said no matter what you are driving, be it a Landy or 4x4 or a Audi sedan (in our case) you must drive at 65 km per hour. This wisdom really helped us. I urge everyone to do the same. 1 person had 5 punctures on the way, and that was because he was driving too fast. I left Cape Town at 1pm, and arrived there at 6pm, a 5 hour drive. That should give you an idea. About the Burn, there is not much too say, except that for once I have no words. It has to be experienced for yourself. There is a peace about the desert, that supersedes all understanding. The stars at night, the burning fires, it puts you in touch with the primordial unconscious, of how it used to be a long long time ago. And the huge creativity and sacrifice that goes into the Burn. Here are some of my pics for you, 1Love.

Photos: Fiona Hare

Ours Cafe

Another great restaurant we tried this weekend was OURS in Kalk Bay. What a place!! I'm not sure if it was the great company, amazing yellow tail, to die for chocloate pie or gorgeous wine that did it for us. The owner himself is a gem (David) he spent the whole night talking to us - he's so passionate about coffee it'd make your head spin and taught us some new things (being a Barrister) We sat outside under the stars and talked late into the night around the fire - True African style. *Love the simple things.

 

Blue Water Cafe

Where is your favourite restaurant? Mine is the Blue Water Cafe at the moment. Yesterday I had lunch with friends, and tried their scrumptious pizza for the first time. It was terrific - the thinnest base ever, very Italian and so generous with toppings. It was Out of this World. You walk out onto a lavender garden, that looks out onto the sea and mountains and 180 degree views. My breath always gets taken away for the first 5 minutes of sitting down. I had the  Pizza e Poire*caramelized pears, blue cheese, bacon and rocket  at R76.00

Bedouin Gypsy

I'm getting my outfit ready for Afrika Burn. This is my Top Hat I'm going to be wearing. This year's theme is ARCHETYPES. My archetype is definately Bedouin Gypsy, I'm going as a Fortune Teller. There is still ALOT of preperation to be done. (got to get enought water to last in the desert for 3 days, bikes, desert goggles, food, gear, shade etc) I can't wait to experience this year's Burn!!!

Album cover

Annemieke and I did a photo shoot on Saturday morning for my album cover. In a farm tucked away in the foothills of Table Mountain. In an ancient ammunition storage centre that was built 100's of years ago. It's HARD posing for the camera, I much rather prefer being behind the lens, as I'm SUPER CRITICAL of myself. but it was fun because Annemieke's relaxed and funny. Here are 2 of the images she sent me so far...i'm SUPER NERVOUS about the outcome..

 Blink Photography

What I've been up to.

Hey bloggers!, what have you been up to? I've been away. I went to Jo'burg. my new favourite place. The energy's HIGH and the people are FUN. It restored my faith in humanity and/or South Africans. It's the first time I met Tswana people. I can't quite believe it. Cape Town feels so small when you get back. the bubble that is the western cape. But I still love you Cape Town, you are my favourite child. I went the Pilanesburg Game Reserve and chilled out with some elephants (cool sentients) I visited Sun City and swam in the Valley of Waves (realizing my childhood dream, at last) I went up the West Coast to surfer's paradise. we SUP'd, while the boys surfed. the sunsets out there are incredible. and on the interim i guess i've been working and gigging and getting ready for Afrika Burn. Our team has got a pop up cinema, and we're going to be showing movies. So yeah, that's me in a nutshell. the short version. I hope your Easter was cool and you got to do some relaxing. Here are some pics from my travels. x

Photos: Fiona Hare

New kid

I got a rabbit!!! For realz. His name is Rodger the Dodger. He's a dwarf Angora Blue Steel (that's his breed, I'm not making it up) IF you could get any pet what would you get? I'd get a couple of Golden Retrievers and a farm. Definately a farm.