Are you a South AfriCAN, or a South AfriCAN'T...

Up until a few minutes ago, I was the latter. And as a Capetonian, I've been driving past posters on lamposts in the last week which are counting down the days left to vote for Table Mountain as one of the New 7 Wonders of Nature - a global campaign to select seven symbols of heritage and nature! 

As is often the beauty, and bane, of deadlines, the pressure pushes us to do something at the last minute! Well, you have 11 days to make your vote count before 11/11/11 when voting closes! So if you are SA proud, and think Table Mountain is terrific, get voting (link below)! 

Whether you are from SA or not, many have visited the beloved and majestic Table Mountain, stood on its 1,086m platform of awesomeness, experienced its city bowl embrace, seen its overflowing wispy white table cloth and felt its presence, forever watching over a very special city.

The mountain the Dutch first saw when they neared the Cape. Imagine what they must have thought. Think of all the people who have lived under it. Known which way to drive because of it. Or walked it, admiring its viewpoint of the peninsula and out across the ocean. We all have our own memories and reasons of what Table Mountain means to us!

Today, I finally made my vote count.

Upon voting, it prompted me to vote for seven finalists - yip, you cannot just vote solely for the beloved Table Mountain. And in doing so, I learnt a few facts about our astounding earth, including some cool facts about Cape Town's coolest icon!

Did you know?

• Table Mountain is the only natural site on the planet to have a constellation of stars named after it - Mensa, meaning 'the table'
• Table Mountain boats numerous rare and endangered species and hosts the richest, yet smallest floral kingdom on earth with over 1,470 floral species

There are 28 finalists from which to select your top seven, and its quick to get voting, so head here to be wow'ed about our wonderful world...

In closing, I'll never forget sitting next to a foreigner on an international flight into Cape Town a few years back as he turned to me and asked in all sincerity, "is that the famous Table Top Mountain?"

It made me so proud to say yes and watch him turn back to the window to watch in awe.

Call it what you will, but vote for it!

Rock on rocking rock formations,
x

It's been a while...

IKHYSLSM or I Know How You Screamed Last Scary Movie... a new play by Vulture Productions. Even the production company sounds ominous. Yet it still took me a while to make the connection as to how perfectly timed this Cape Town play was...

On arrival at the Theatre in the District, my first time at this quaint Woodstock venue, I was distracted by the unique design features of the building. From the arched wooden roof to the immense Phantom-of-the-Opera-esque central chandelier, the space was delightfully engaging. The seating cascaded onto the stage making it look like we would literally be a part of the set ourselves! But I digress.

Only when I was standing in the bar queue (which was behind the stage, making it feel even more accessible, intimate and exciting), did I notice the overly pronounced display of American Halloween paraphernalia... a spider-web covered coffin, some bright orange pumpkins and a selection of Halloween masks and props to play with! And a photographer to capture your Halloween moment.

That's when I marvelled at the ultimate marketing power behind this play being put on this weekend, and next. It runs for six days on either side of Halloween. Have I been oblivious to all the orange items and witches hats displayed in windows across Cape Town of late? Now that I think of it, no I haven't. I just cannot believe that it is the end of October already.

But I digress again. I Know What I Did Last Night.

I watched the opening night of this locally-produced eight man play! Produced by Antoinette du Preez, and written and directed by Jeremeo Le Cordeur, a City Varsity graduate, this play is his third production! And he also acts in it!

Its ultimately a comedy, a spoof of the classic horror movies of years past. And the audience demographic confirmed this, with an average age of 28 years 8 months (on average)! It was indeed a tribute, and a test of the memory, to all the scary movies that this generation has been subjected too. Some scary, some more of the comical type...

Do you know your 'Scary Movie' and your 'Scream' from your 'I know what you did last summer'? Your 'Idle Hands' from your 'It', 'Saw' from 'The Shining', 'Poltergeist' from 'The Ring'? And an extra 10 points if you know the name of the guy who possessed Chucky in Child's Play. And then an added bonus if you can work out the scene were Grey's Anatomy is immortalised in SA theatre!

Oh, and how could I forget another key concept and theme trailed through this horror playground, the three South Africanised characters named, and cast with similar looks, from the Twilight saga. Brilliantly clever cross-overs and cross-references!

Jeremeo is clearly a child of the Movie Generation with his extensive knowledge to have scripted such a synergetic blend of classic scenes. In fact, I'm surprised no one had done it before! Or is there a movie of similar direction? It was a parody begging to be produced! And Jeremeo was quick off the mark to capitalise on our horror-inspired mindsets at this time of year!

For a night of horror movie reminiscing, laughter and quality acting (plus free popcorn and a yummy Lindt chocolate on arrival), click here!

Catch IKHYSLSM tonight, tomorrow and then 3-5 November as well!

Rock on reminiscing about scary movies,
x

Today I am so very proudly Capetonian...

Don't get me wrong, I am proudly Capetonian always... But as a recently returned Cape Town raised being, today I am doubly extra proud of the vision and hard work behind Cape Town for World Design Capital 2014 - a prestigious platform which we were awarded this morning!

Today I experienced Cape Town with fresh eyes and an excited sense of endless possibility as I looked around at the blend of people equally enlivened by the energy and future of Cape Town, of the power of design thinking as a transformational mindset shifter - and of the city itself as a living breathing functioning design being!

Today I woke at 4:45am.
Today I went to the Fringe before work.
Today I drank amazing free coffee from the Field Office.
Today I celebrated with fellow design enthusiasts at the crack of dawn.
Today I witnessed history, streamed live from the IDA Congress in Taiwan.
Today I was part of the celebration of Cape Town as World Design Capital 2014.

Today I spoke to the Cape Talk presenter Africa Melane.

Today I chatted to the film crew of SABC's Special Assignment.

Today I wrote my wish for Cape Town at the design collective, The Bank.

Today I shared the excitement with the bid committe and Cape Town Partnership.

Today I helped spread the news of this epic achievement putting Cape Town on the map.

Today I ate slup chips for breakfast, because I am Capetonian.
Today I walked through the parade market and felt connected to the city.
Today I strolled past the vibrant station flowersellers of Cape Town, and smiled.
Today I caught the MyCiti bus and marvelled at the clean, friendly and efficient service.
Today I celebrated and appreciated what it means to be part of the the City of Cape Town.

Rock on creative vision,
x

Na na na...

What do the three n's of Knysna, Nibs and November have in common? ...a fourth 'n' of course - a new album coming soon!

And the live Nibs magic will be unfolding even sooner at one of London's most special acoustic venues, the home away from home for most SA acoustic acts on a visit to the UK's capital city!

November sees the launch of a purely acoustic project from one of South Africa's most talented folk storytellers, entitled Morning Star, an acoustic album which was recorded in Knysna in one day!

He is a man who spends more of his time abroad where audiences bend over backwards to experience the Nibs van der Spuy magic... Over half of his year is overseas, mostly Europe, where the Kwa-Zulu Natal guitarist has a serious following. Particularly in Italy, France and Germany! Currently on one such tour, he is playing two UK gigs before heading back to home shores where he doesn't need a jersey, nor hat.

Ahead of his Halfmoon show in south west London tomorrow night, Heather Walker, editor of The South African newspaper, chatted to the musical magician about genres, influences, upbringing and career highlights! Read the story here...

His support act is someone I've not heard of before, a Dave McMillan, and at times like these, despite sitting in the centre of the mother city - with access to all sorts of SA music - I miss these little gems of SA music in the middle of London's over-saturated all-access options! Always a treat to catch a Nibs show!

Rock on as always the amazing Nibs van der Spuy, we look forward to the new album,
x