Dancing to an African beat
Isn’t it frustrating when untimely cold fronts come our way just when we’re ready to rock our spring dresses and bury the trench coats until next winter?
Of course we do always welcome good rains in the Bay – and the best part is that good gossip knows no seasons.
Best you sit back, relax and warm up as your favourite gossip gal dishes it while it’s hot.
Your Skinnerbek cannot race to save her life, so when I mention Ironman I hope you aren’t expecting more from me than a mere spectator’s take.
The only running I’m likely to do is from one social gathering to the next.
However, your girl did watch all the superwomen who aren’t as unfit as her do their thing in the Ironman 70.3 World Champs in Port Elizabeth last weekend.
As well as the inspirational quadriplegic athlete in the men’s race on Sunday, on the Saturday we spotted a woman triathlete with one arm and another who looked about 80 – it quite put me to shame. We also saw The Bold and the Beautiful’s Brooke – actress Kelly Lang – in action and it’s hard to believe she is 57 this year. I want whatever she is taking.
Ironman athletes and supporters owned the Bay last week. One of Skinnerbek’s minions rubbed shoulders with quite a few at the launch of African Drumbeat’s A Taste of Africa Xhosa Cultural Experience at the Boma last Wednesday.
The visitors had a great time trying out authentic SA cuisine and learning how to dance and drum Africa style.
Other goss worth sharing comes from another minion, who reports that dashing Dutch businessman Frank van der Burg’s spare-no-expense housewarming bash at his rather palatial new pad in Providentia, overlooking Sardinia Bay, was a shindig of note.
Mellas did the food and Simonsig bubbly flowed liberally as guests danced the night away at “Huijze Gezellig”.
It seems charming Frank is now one of the Bay’s most eligible bachelors.
Other highlights from my week of social shenanigans included checking out talent at Galerie Noko on Tuesday, with jazz musician Sizwe Yaze hosting a pre-order session for his upcoming album, Bahlekazi.
Skinner has never heard of a pre-order session before, but did have a good time – and felt quite moved when the singer said nothing made him happier than having the event in his hometown.
I’m an advocate for Bay talent staying in the Bay instead of sprinting off to Jozi, where dreams don’t always come true.
Spotted there were album producer Lawrence Matshiza, Yolanda Zantsi and Unathi Ngqolombe, of Unathi Creations, along with other Bay musicians.