PINK Ribbon month has kicked off with style and grace, and yours truly tries to stay at the epicentre of such beautiful vibes. Another weekend, another event at the Boardwalk Convention Centre.
This time I was shouting for homegirl Unathi Msengana, who set the stage alight at the launch of her new CD, Alive – and darn, did I feel exactly that.
First it was skinner galore over pre-drinks at Tshawe Bar with my peeps. Lauren Mungur wore a striking white nautical-inspired boob tube dress with navy stripes, in the company of beau Neil Barker and her Algoa FM co-host, Wayne Hart. At the convention centre I was impressed by Siya Seya, who was the opening act for the show. This dude is really funny and he is a proudly Port Elizabeth comedian.
With KCI of Umhlobo Wenene as host for the evening, I knew we were in good hands. He sported his usual designer threads of black pants and a royal blue jacket. Anyone who tries to steal KCI's look will only appear ridiculous as he has just the knack.
But what is with the sunglasses at night? It's not like you're going to get moon-burn. Thomas Msengana and Vusi pulled off their Indian-inspired outfits (not too sure what you call the male sari). The brothers even dragged me into a competition of who wore it best. Sorry Vusi, Thomas takes the prize.
Koliswa Boltina wore her trademark All Stars with black pants and denim shirt. Buyiswa Yaya looked casually ab-fab in a pair of denims paired with crisp white shirt and a scarf in blue and white tones.
Suli Sihlwayi was gorgeous in a mint green floor-length dress. She must be one of the few women who can rock the bald head. Unathi, the star of the night, appeared on stage resplendent in a black and white dress, which she later changed for a pair of black pants with a bling corset.
This girl is a tomboy who knows how to rock fashion and enchant her audience in song. As the song goes, Sagida kwaNolali ("We danced the night away at the village").
October is breast cancer awareness month, and so a highlight this past week was Michelle Brown's annual breast cancer dinner in aid of the Look Good Feel Better Foundation. Michelle hosts this dinner in memory of her mother, and she always pulls out all the stops to make it an evening – and a cause – to remember.
With biscuit-coloured tablecloths and the most exquisite floral arrangements by the Sundays River ladies, the tables, with their hint of pink, were a vision to behold.
This year Michelle invited the handsome and delightful Maps Maponyane as speaker. He looked cool in his grey suit and delivered a beautiful speech. Hlubi Hewitt-Coleman looked amazing in a deep-blue cocktail dress with sparkles.
And, of course, the evening would not be complete without Michelle's signature dance, the bus stop!
Also this week, your gossip girl popped by Dash Nite Club in Parliament Street, the premium dancehall home in Port Elizabeth. It turned out to be one of my most memorable nights out in ages. On the decks were the usual gold-teeth DJs who did a good job to warm up the scene. But as midnight struck their star guest, Jackie B of Silverstone Sound, swept me away.
The Zimbabwean selector wasted no time in getting the 200-strong crowd in a frenzy with reggae and dancehall hits from the '90s to new stuff, which he played for the first time at the show. He sampled hits from Jamaican artists like Popcaan, Movado and Busy Signal.
And when he dropped Bou Yah by Busy Signal – an adaptation of the popular Mafikizolo tune Khona – he had the crowd eating out of his hands. I am definitely spending more Saturdays at Dash in future. It looks quiet until about 10pm, but if you linger 'until midnight you are in for a real Jamaican treat.
Also at the weekend, I went to Eyethu in Zwide, where DJ Sonic from Soweto was spinning the vinyls. On that note, cheers darlings, and let's catch up again next week!
- SKINNERBEK