Too many 'VIPs' spoil choir broth
WOW, what a weekend it was! Mine included seeing the glorious MTN Joyous Celebration choir who were in Nelson Mandela Bay last Friday and Saturday as part of their 18th national tour – and what a treat I had expected it to be.
It was therefore a pity that the Friday show at NMMU's Missionvale Campus was not terrifically well attended. My own mood of excitement and anticipation also changed at the gate on Saturday, when security personnel refused to let me drive inside even though I had a VIP parking ticket. I finally managed to muscle my way in, only to find the VIP area chockful – c'mon, who the heck were those people?
The area was so crammed that even the food queue took on funeral proportions. I heard people complaining about not getting any dessert and I had to ask myself if they were there to feed their stomachs or their souls?
That was certainly my cue to go and enjoy the show.
Bay council speaker Maria Hermans looked beautiful in her cream-coloured outfit. But Tru Fm's Reggie Solani looked a little lost, almost as if he was forced to attend the concert. And he could have done better in the styling department than a T-shirt and jeans.
Socialite Thandile Mbukushe looked angelic in her white dress.
It was disappointing not to see some of the better-known faces of Joyous Celebration. And, much as I enjoyed the music, it did not really fill me spiritually.
I did love Sylvester Funani's energy though: I guess that's what happens when you perform on home ground.
Earlier on Saturday, I also had lunch with the MTN guys at Ginger restaurant on the PE beachfront. Umhlobo Wenene's Nomonde Vakalisa looked like a princess in her red dress.
I also managed to squeeze in a visit to Jeya's Jazz Club in New Brighton for their Ladies Night Pink Friday. I must say the MVP guys have breathed new life into the place.
The ladies were blessed with the presence of upcoming Jozi based DJ/producer Mobi Dickson, who came with DJ Slyso from Umhlobo Wenene. Soon we were all dancing non-stop.
Also this week, I was invited to din-dins at the Bayside Pantry restaurant at the Boardwalk Casino for the launch of their new Wednesday night Spanish buffet. The food was delicious and I take my hat off to the chefs for all their clever dishes, and the research that went into the menu.
It was good to see press photographer "Charlie" Charles Pullen having a great old time.
Instead of being the one to take photos he was only too happy to be photographed alongside his wife, Vanessa, in her white lace dress.
BayFm presenter Illana Ray Lai looked like a Spanish señorita in her black and red outfit.
It turned out to be an intimate evening filled with lots of fun.
Anyone who is in the mood for Spanish flavours can visit the Pantry on Wednesday nights for the duration of August.
Let's meet again next week for juicy goss from around the Bay!
- SKINNERBEK
