Party hopping around Bay's premium events
SPRING has sprung, the blooms are out and since it is the season of splendour, yours truly has been setting the social scene alight. On Friday I waltzed my sexy behind to the PE Opera House for a braai with artists who will take part in the Shukuma Dance Festival coming up later this month.
The entertainment was novel as it was by the choreographers and group managers themselves. It was good to see they still have it in them.
There's never a dull moment with Opera House general manager Monde Ngonyama. Remember the last time he had to use a loud-hailer so government would listen to the Opera House's grievances? This time, when he went up on stage for the thank yous, he insisted the audience clap for him – too funny!
Xoliswa Ncoko, arts development manager at Eastern Cape Provincial Arts and Culture Council, rocked an all-grey outfit but chose to hide in a corner.
The guests must have been famished from all that dancing as they polished off all the food. That was my cue to go as the smell of braai alone was not going to fill my stomach.
I next headed to the Radisson Blu's Tabu Lounge for the House Natives Gold Standard event. I probably should not have gone, as it was rather late. On top of that, upon ordering a glass of wine, I was told that unless my sidekicks and I ordered three bottles of wine, we couldn't be served since this was a Hennessy cognac event.
At least I did get to shake what my mama gave me.
Glam frocks, stylish peeps and proud parents gathered on Saturday night for the annual Sophisticate Models Red Carpet fashion extravaganza at Walmer West Primary. Bubbly model boss Gail Brown stole the show in her black, floor-length bias-cut designer dress from Heinz in Style. Honey, I would kill for those earrings. Fashion blogger Delon le Roux sported a casual black tuxedo look while model Stephen Daniels could wear a sack suit and make us all want to go out and buy it.
The fashions on the ramp, dreamed up by Jason Kieck, Gerhard Meiring and Andre Cloete, took my breath away.
On Saturday the who's who of the Bay attended Umhlobo Wenene FM presenter Putco Mafani's 50th surprise birthday party at the Summerstrand Hotel. It was a red-carpet event – yes, there was a red carpet – and guests were dressed to the nines. The theme was gold and black. The UDM's president Bantu Holomisa, who looked suave in an all-black suit with a white T-shirt, was there without a date. Putco, the man of the moment, looked dashing in a black suit, crisp white shirt and black bow-tie. His wife, Bongi, looked splendid in a gold dress with black lace on top.
Karen Jack, accompanied by hubby Khusta, looked young and gorgeous in a black and white outfit, while Lulu Nozewu also impressed in a little black dress. She was sans hubby, Umhlobo Wenene's Pastor Nozewu, who must have been spinning the vinyls elsewhere.
I won't bore you with the speeches (they did go on and on) but at least we learnt a lot about Putco that we didn't know before. As a result dinner was only served after midnight.
The Take Note jazz band kept everyone entertained and it was sweet to see the birthday boy and his wife stealing kisses every now and then.
Early on Monday morning, Algoa FM organised a spring dip at Hobie Beach. So many people descended on the beach to take part in what could become a beautiful annual ritual.
On Wednesday, I attended the launch of the South African buffet experience at the Bayside Pantry at the Boardwalk.
And would you know good old Putco and Bongi were there too – in matching traditional Xhosa outfits.
On that note, ciao darlings, keep smiling and put a spring in your step! - SKINNERBEK
