Cape Town

Cape Town Photos

28 Feb 2009

TextBoxWatermark Extender Functionality using ASP.NET and jQuery

I was trying to use the the jQuery textbox watermark as presented on Dotnetcurry( http://www.dotnetcurry.com/ShowArticle.aspx?ID=241 ) in an asp.net page. It had a bit of a flaw that once you do a submit the value in the textbox looses its value and does not perform as it should.

The developer community is such a helpful and lively bunch. I called on Arnold Matusz to see if he has a solution for this. Within an hour after emailing him, he came up with a solution.

Check out the User Feedback at http://www.dotnetcurry.com/ShowArticle.aspx?ID=241 and have a look at Arnold's solution. Thanks Arnold, It works.

26 Feb 2009

THE RETURN of LEARNER HUSBAND

THE RETURN of

‘Mad Max on the highways of matrimony ’

Back by popular demand after a sold out season

STUART TAYLOR
in
LEARNER HUSBAND

directed by HEINRICH REISENHOFER

2 - 14 March 2009 at 20:00

BAXTER THEATRE

If you missed it last time, do not despair - After a sold out season and rave reviews, LEARNER HUSBAND returns for a brief season at the Baxter Theatre from 2 to 14th March 2009. Comedian Stuart Taylor and director Heinrich Reisenhofer have teamed up and created a definitive relationship crash course for the modern South African man. Revealing tips and secrets from Stuart's soon-to-be-published book Learner Husband, this hysterically funny step-by-step programme prepares you to survive the most perilous of all driving tests … marriage!

Described by the Cape Times as ‘smooth, hilarious and an entertaining night for all'. Reviewer Terri-Dunbar Curran said ; '...this show is like that chilling moment when you are reading your horoscope and you discover its spot on!'.

Look out for Warning Signs they never tell you about (till it is too late), as well as Stuart's patented rescue formula, 'Sorry, honey, I was wrong!' Stuart also reveals the early chapters of his nappy-busting sequel, K53 for Learner Dads

Guys we are not messing around any more’, states Stuart, it's time to put that learner sticker back on, cause it's Mad Max out there on the highways of matrimony, and we are going to survive!’

Whether you are married, engaged or even thinking of getting married, you won't want to get behind the wheel or the pram until you have seen this show.

Ladies, drag your men, even if it's kicking and screaming, to this life-changing experience. You won’t want to miss it. As mentioned by Argus Tonight its 'Comedy ... in large, gratifying dollops'.

Performances are Monday to Saturday at 20.00. Tickets cost R80 and R60 for UCT staff, students, senior citizens and block bookings of 10 or more. Book at Computicket, the Baxter, Shoprite Checkers outlets and on line www.computicket.com. Call Sharon at the Baxter for block bookings and charities 021 685-7880.

If you could not get a ticket last time you had better book now as tickets are going fast !!

24 Feb 2009

On The Edge Of Wrong 2009 - Cape Town

Someone made the the comment -"If you are not living on the edge, you are taking up too much space"

Come get on the wrong side of the edge - improvised music beyond the known boundaries. On The Edge Of Wrong 2009 - Cape Town is happening Sat 28. February – Sun 1.March at The Intimate Theatre in Cape Town. 37 Orange Street, Gardens. Opposite the Labia.

More detail available here: http://edgeofwrong.com/capetown/

23 Feb 2009

G Spot Re-Union Party

Hey, do not get me wrong. The G stands for Generations - and the place is known as the Generations Cafe. We hope it is going to open soon again.

The G Spot is organising a Reunion Festival on 28 February 2009 at the Bevcan Sportsfield, Cnr Bofors Circle and Goodenough Ave. See map below. Gates open at 13:00 and the festival starts at 14:00.

The line up of performers include Richard Ceaser, Sammy Webber Band, Rendesvous Band, Take Note Band, Wayne McKay, Jonathan Rubain Band, Allou April, Just Us, Camillo Lombard, Alistair Izobell, Wilmot Fredericks, Celeste Williams Ensemble, Donveno Prins, Rene Prins,Carmen Xclusive, Afro-D-Siac, Frank Paco and more.

Note that there will be braai facilities available and a beer garden.

Tickets costs: R60 at the gate or R50 prepurchased.

Book your tickets now and get them delivered straight to your doorstep. Send an e-mail to info@the-gspot.co.za with your name, contact details, amount of tickets and a delivery address.

14 Feb 2009

MARIMBA EXTRAVAGANZA - Back by popular demand

…. Back by popular demand ….

ARTSCAPE

presents

MARIMBA EXTRAVAGANZA

a celebration of the history of Marimbas in Cape Town
and the Legendary Musicians who represent
Amampondo, Phambili, Heshoo-Beshoo, Amajingqi, Women Unite
with
guest artists Latosi ‘Madosini” Mphahleni (Uhadi – Mouth Harp)
and Incredible Brass

directed by Bongani Sotshononda

21 – 28 February 2009

Back by popular demand Marimba Extravaganza opens for a new season in the Artscape Theatre from 21 to 28 Februray 2009. There are two previews on 19th and 20th at 19:30, a special performance on 23rd at 11:00 for Senior Citizens and on Saturday 28th there is a matinee at 14:30. All other performances are at 20:15.

Marimba Extravaganza celebrates the history of Marimbas in Cape Town and the legendary musicians who have for the past 29 years dedicated their time and passion, performing, teaching, composing and nurturing young players.

Artscape acknowledges these icons and their music through this unique production which brings together in collaboration and on stage at the same time representatives from five distinguished Marimba bands - Amampondo, Phambili, Heshoo-Beshoo, Amajingqi and Women Unite. All groups have travelled the world, won many awards and have acted as Ambassadors for South Africa wherever they have performed. Guest artists include the highly acclaimed Latosi 'Madosini' Mphahleni playing the Uhadi (mouth harp) and the Incredible Brass.

Bongani Sotshononda (Phambili) directs the production. He is an internationally acclaimed Chromatic Marimba / Marimba / Percussionist and composer and will also be seen on stage.

Marimba Extravaganza traces the history of the Marimba instrument in Cape Town during the late 70’s from the time Fr. Dave Dargie (later Prof Dargie, head of Music at Fort Hare University) set about introducing the instruments and creating new liturgical music for Marimba in Catholic churches and youth clubs, at first among Xhosa speakers in the Cape Province and later country wide.

Mzwandile Qotoyi (Amampondo) recalls when Andrew Tracey (Prof Emeritus, Rhodes University and the son of Hugh Tracey (1903-1977), a pioneer in African music research and African Musical Instruments Ltd, together with Fr Dargie, were introduced to church music at St. Anthony’s in Langa and invited to assist in adapting church hymns to be accompanied by Marimbas. Mziwandile mentions: ‘After choir rehearsals we would stay behind and introduce more traditional music. Amongst those who were at the church were 15 year old Simpiwe Matole, Dizu Plaatjies, Mandla Lande, Zandisile Mbizela and Michael Ludonga. Our Lives began to revolve around Marimbas and our music and that’s when Amampondo was born’.

Marimba Extravaganza is also an eclectic mix of indigenous to mainstream South African contemporary music and jazz accompanied by brass instruments, keyboard, Imbira, traditional instruments and dancers. It is narrated by Zwelilungile ‘Zorro’ Sidloyi who will tell the story of the Marimbas from the time they were introduced to the Catholic churches through to their contemporary commercial development of today.

Amongst the notable artists performing are; Luzuko Nqikashe (Phambili), Jongisizwe Monatsi (Phambili), Sindile Moya (Amajingqi), Mzwandile Qotoyi (Amampondo), Simphiwe Mathole (Amampondo), Mzumbanzi Charles Tema (Heshoo Beshoo), Vuyo Katsha (Ntsika ye-Afrika), Ronald Mvimbi (Phambili), Thandi Swartbooi (Women Unite) with her musicians and dancers, Nomonde Swartbooi (Women Unite), Fancy Galada (Heshoo Beshoo) and Ross Johnson from ama-Ambush will join the musicians.

Artscape continues to provide a platform for indigenous art forms previously excluded from performing on a professional stage; encourage creativity in script writing, musical composition and choreography; showcase and present diverse performing arts programmes that make all art forms accessible to the general public.

Marimba Extravaganza is a project of the Artscape Indigenous Arts Department.

Tickets cost R40. Block bookings, students and pensioners R30. Previews are R25. Book through Computicket, Artscape Dial-a-Seat 021 421 7695, Shoprite/Checkers outlets and on line www.computicket.com

ARTSCAPE’S YOUTH JAZZ FESTIVAL 2009- AUDITION NOTICE

AUDITION NOTICE

ARTSCAPE’S YOUTH JAZZ FESTIVAL
NOW IN ITS 6th YEAR

BANDS ARE INVITED TO PARTICIPATE IN THE 2009 MENTORING PROGRAMME

Since 2003 when Artscape initiated the Youth Jazz Festival the project has grown extensively to accommodate the enormous interest and exceptional talent of young jazz musicians participating in the annual mentorship programme. It culminates in an extraordinary festival of jazz in the Artscape Theatre and will be held this year on Saturday 6 June 2008 from 15h00 to 18h00.

With the focus firmly on development and the education of young jazz aspirants, bands are invited to register for auditions with the Artscape Audience Development and Education Department by contacting the project leader Tarnia van Zitters on Tel 021 410-9803, Fax 021 410 9845 or e-mail tarniav@artscape.co.za. The closing date is 23 February 2009.

Prospective bands need to be young up and coming Jazz musicians – non professional, actively performing at clubs or schools in their areas. They must be playing gigs as an entity and remain an entity for the duration and time period of the Artscape Youth Jazz Festival programme.

Standard bands must be not have more than 6 people, consisting roughly of what represents a jazz combo, ie drums, bass (double or electric), guitar, piano, sax or trumpet or singer. If a band specializes in e.g. brass, then the brass component should not exceed 6 members. This would exclude the rhythm section.

Entrants will be expected to perform any of the Standard Jazz Repertoire eg. Summertime, Autumn Leaves, The Girl from Ipanema, or similar. Showing a strong understanding of the jazz style and the improvisatory nature of the jazz idiom, the bands are to play these standards in either the swing or bossa nova styles.

Although not a prerequisite, demonstration tapes, CDs, video or DVD material will be welcomed.

After the first round of auditions, four of the most promising groups will receive on site master class tutoring by members of the panel whose names will be revealed after all the auditions have taken place.

Bands who have entered the project for 2 consecutive years/or twice before, will not be eligible for audition.

Once again Melanie Scholtz, the highly acclaimed and respected jazz vocalist is advisor to Artscape on the project.

Marlene le Roux director of Artscape Audience Development and Education highlights Artscape’s recognition of the importance of nurturing young talent as this project enables them to become empowered musicians, builds on their already skilled base and provides a platform to demonstrate their art in a professional public environment.

Booking for the Artscape Youth Jazz Music opens on 4 May 2009. Tickets cost R50 and will be available from Computicket www.computicket.com or Artscape Dial-a-Seat 021 421-7695.

Don’t miss this opportunity - register now and find out more about this year’s exciting developments and the eight week mentorship programme.

The Monday Night Jazz Jam - Photos

Please check out Dex's photos on the Monday Night Jazz Jam at http://whatsonsa.co.za/portal/index.php/articles/swingers-jazz-club-jam-every-monday.html

While here, check out Dex's events around South Africa. He has one of the most up to date events websites in SA. Good work here Dex!
http://whatsonsa.co.za


Other links for the Monday Night Jam:
http://capetownnatural.blogspot.com/2006/06/monday-night-jazz-jam.html

Freak Country

Thank you for the response on the ticket give away. I had some good positive responses about the show. Oh yes, it is very funny! I enjoyed it myself.

Remember, Freak Country, is running until 28 February at the Baxter Theatre.

04 Feb 2009

Ticket Give Away to FREAK COUNTRY by PAUL SLABOLEPSZY

Giving away five double tickets to Freak Country by Paul Slabolepszy at the Baxter Theatre.

To stand a chance for a double ticket, mail your name, telephone number and email address to capetownnatural@gmail.com. Also indicate which date you would like to go. Note you can select 10 (Tuesday), 11 (Wednesday) or 12 February 2009.

Paul Slabolepszy’s FREAK COUNTRY

Paul Slabolepszy’s
FREAK COUNTRY
10 - 28 February Baxter Theatre

Directed by Charmaine Weir-Smith
Design by Sarah Roberts
Lighting by Wesley France

Starring Antony Coleman, Jerry Mofokeng and Peter Mashigo

When does a free country become exactly the opposite? How long does it take for those in power to turn paranoid? What if you pushed your luck with these people in just such a place? Freedom‘s just another word…”

Well-known South African playwright Paul Slabolepszy’s dark comedy and thriller, Freak Country, directed by Charmaine Weir-Smith starring Antony Coleman, Jerry Mofokeng and Peter Mashingo, comes to Cape Town at the Baxter Theatre from 10 to 28 February 2009.

Widely regarded as one of South Africa’s most prolific and popular playwrights, Slabolepszy has written 33 plays in the last 30 years. Freak Country is his first thriller. It is presented by Baxter Theatre Centre by arrangement with Daphne Kuhn from the Old Mutual Theatre on the Square in Sandton, where the production premièred last year. This pertinent and electric new work has been described as contemporary, edgy, entertaining and brutally honest.

“Travel is not getting any easier, says Slabolepszy. “Freaky experiences in the customs offices of countries all around the globe are becoming the norm rather than the exception. These encounters are even more unsettling when the exotic places we visit are run by dictators. This is a ‘what if’ story. It could happen to anyone.”

Award-winning director, actress and writer Weir-Smith explains, “It is a piece that pushes psychological and physical boundaries and raises many issues, particularly the issue of freedom. In Paul’s inimitable way, he has taken the characters of this piece on a rather unexpected ride. It’s a journey that is filled with humour, pathos and riveting moments of truth.” Sarah Roberts is responsible for design with lighting by Lesley France.

Antony Coleman plays Aaron Blakely, a young South African actor traveling to the Comores to play a bit-part in an international war film who finds himself in a potentially highly dangerous situation when the plane on which he is traveling stops over in an unnamed African country, somewhere to the North.

His biggest mistake is that he ends up drinking too much on the flight and in this spirit he completes his official “in-transit” forms with great comic relief which ultimately lead to devastating consequences. He is held captive in a dingy office by a single guard named Ndlovu (played by Peter Mashingo). His dangerously not-so-funny jokes invokes deep suspicion as matters take a turn for the worse with the arrival of Colonel Moyanga (Jerry Mofokeng), a Special Forces customs official with a seriously bad attitude

The fact that Aaron has a pseudonym (his stage name); the fact that he has documentation outlining planned attacks of sabotage (his film script); plus the fact that his ancestral links with the country are strong (he was born there), have placed the actor in a potentially highly dangerous situation. Tensions run high and speculation is rife - is he a spy, or possibly a mercenary or perhaps a lone assassin?

Throughout his interrogation – during which time Aaron’s initial flight has continued on its journey – the actor finds himself getting deeper and deeper into a hole from which he may never emerge. ‘Operation Wildfire’ is not at all the action-adventure Aaron Blakely expected in his wildest imaginings.

Who needs the movies when real life becomes a roller coaster ride to hell and back in this three-hander which is loaded and injected with a healthy dose of intrigue and dark humor.

Sunday Independent reviewer Arja Salafranca said; ‘Paul Slabolepszy's latest play, Freak Country, is easily my choice for play of the decade. It delivers a punch to the solar plexus. It leaves you reeling, thinking and reeling some more. We rarely see such theatre.’


Ticket prices range: Previews on 10 and 11 February cost R80, Monday to Thursday R110, Fridays and Saturdays R120.

Booking is through Computicket on 083 915 8000, on-line at www.computicket.co.za or at any Shoprite Checkers outlet. For discounted block, corporate or school bookings, charities or fundraisers, contact Sharon on 021 680 3962, Sakhiwo on 021 680 3991 or Tarryn on 021 680 3993.


"Jazz and freedom go hand in hand. That explains it. There isn't any more to add to it. If I do add to it, it gets complicated. That's something for you to think about. You think about it and dig it. You dig it..." Thelonious Monk
"Jazz and freedom go hand in hand. That explains it. There isn't any more to add to it. If I do add to it, it gets complicated. That's something for you to think about. You think about it and dig it. You dig it..." Thelonious Monk

Hamba Kahle Winston Mankunku Ngozi - Tributes

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