HEADED FOR THE HILLS
I love Bad Boys. Will Smith and Martin Lawrence are possibly my favourite comedic actors of all time. Other favourites are Bad Boys 2, Forrest Gump, Terminator 2, the whole Police Academy series, all the X-Men movies, The Dark Knight, Weekend at Bernie’s, Pineapple Express and Don John.
The Transformers movies. Let’s be honest, the storylines are always thin. But action from start to finish is always a win.
I also cannot stand The Break Up, wiith Jennifer Aniston and Vince Vaughn.
I am an undercover romcom fan and The Break Up reminds me that sometimes things don’t work out.
It was The Neverending Story – and I remember the giant, white flying creature, then looking at my maltese poodle and thinking: “Wow, Benji, what an underachiever!”
I so badly wanted a dog that could fly under the clouds. I often sing the theme song in the shower to this day. I think most people my age do.
Wall-E, because the robot creeps into your heart. Also Ice Age – come on, who doesn’t love Ice Age? And Cars, which I started watching with my nephew, who left 10 minutes in, to leave me watching alone until the very end.
12 Years a Slave. I know it will break my heart and make me angry at the same time.
The Neverending Story. Imagine Falkor ,the flying dog, with today’s CGI! Peter Pan … because growing up is a choice.
The car chase in Ronan, because as a car-guy, I rate it as the best car chase sequence in history.
Most romantic comedies make me cry … and I don’t want to talk about it.
Scarlett Johanssen is so hot. And among guys, it has to be Brad Pitt.
Dwayne (The Rock) Johnson is definitely not the best actor around, but it’s also impossible not to like him. Also, Jennifer Aniston is a bit soft, but we all remember she hated wearing bras in Friends. Titanic. Any film needing an interval should be made for TV. Those in Transformers and The Avengers. I have seen Bad Boys more than 20 times. It is the best.
It would be directed by local director John Barker, and I would be played by Jonah Hill.
EVERYTHING from bluegrass to folk, rock, blues and traditional Celtic and African rhythms has been packaged for this year’s White Mountain Music Festival, to be held outdoors at the KwaZulu-Natal lodge of the same name from September 29 to October 2.
Among the line-up of some of the best acoustic acts in the country will be the winner of the recent first season of M-Net’s The Voice, Cape Town’s Richard Stirton, as well as his fellow contestants, singer-songwriters Mbijana Sibisi and Jeremy Olivier.
Also sure to draw music fans to the hills are the likes of Bad Peter, Georgetown, Lunatic Wolf, Simpl3 Stori3s, Chico Muya, Jenny & The Jameses, Heather Waters, Hoot n Anny, plus a stripped-down acoustic set from The Black Cat Bones.
Known for its intimate, relaxed atmosphere and idyllic setting, the festival is held at White Mountain Lodge near Giant’s Castle, 185km from Durban and 25km off the N3 on tarred roads.
The event is now in its 11th year, explains the organiser of the event, Durban’s Pedro Carlo of C-Weed Entertainment Promotions.
“The festival is a collaboration between White Mountain Lodge and C-Weed Entertainment Promotions. It came about after I spent a weekend at the lodge some years ago and realised how perfect the location would be for a music festival.
“We approached the owners, Richard and Jenny Osborne, who loved the idea. So we worked together to make it happen, and the first festival was held in 2006.”
Aside from the music, festivalgoers can look forward to a wide variety of food and drink outlets, local craft beer, vibrant arts and crafts, plus loads of outdoor activities for the family, including a trail run.
Also, aside from the festival campsite (included in the ticket price), visitors have the option of chalet accommodation and a caravan park.
People who don’t have camping gear, or don’t relish the thought of putting up and dismantling their own tents, will be pleased to know there is a new “tent hotel” planned this year.
“Called Rush Village, this stylish, hassle-free tented accommodation option offers spacious walk-in tents complete with comfy beds, linen, chairs, tables and daily hot showers,” explains Carlo, pointing out that more details are available at www.c-weed.com/wmf.
The lodge’s spacious grounds, swimming pool and charming old pub (with satellite TV and late-night live music) also add to the festival experience.
“From the start, the plan was to create an event where people could genuinely get away from it all, to relax and enjoy great live music in a beautiful natural setting,” says Carlo.
“We also opted for a predominantly acoustic lineup, which is a big part of White Mountain’s appeal. Even the more mainstream rock acts (like The Black Cat Bones) perform acoustic sets, so audiences get to hear their softer, stripped-down sides.
“In the end, it’s the festival’s intimate, relaxed vibe that keeps people coming back, year after year. For us, it’s not about chasing numbers, and we’ve capped attendance at 2 000 to ensure White Mountain stays as special as it always has been.”
Carlo, who was also for many years the organiser of KwaZuluNatal’s Splashy Fen Music Festival, says the White Mountain Music Festival has always been close to his heart.
“Over the years I’ve realised that, as much as people like to see well-known acts, they also like to be surprised by lesserknown artists, who often make the biggest impression and become the ‘finds’ of the festival.
“For me, putting together a successful line-up is always the biggest challenge, and greatest highlight. Audiences are exposed to new music, and artists are exposed to new fans,”explains Carlo.
Early-bird tickets for the White Mountain Music Festival are now available at Computicket outlets.
If you requite any further information about the event, visit www.c-weed.com/wmf or phone 031 563 0824.