A life worth selling your soul

[Johann Smith] The word alternative has become misleading and common. Nowadays, if you want to be alternative, your choices are limited between becoming a farmer, a Christian fundamentalist or staying a virgin. If we could go back, to '69 or '76, before the word was coined - and perhaps even further, to a time, when rock 'n' roll came without sex and drugs, and paused at the second Chuck Berry discovered electricity, we would know why we're here. Yesterday's conservative society shouldn't have warned us about the devil, but of boredom instead. 22 Feb 2012 12:26

P.H.Fat EP, You are going to Die, available for download today

[Anna-Bet Bester] We recently broke the news that the newest offering from P.H.Fat, an EP entitled 'You are going to Die', will be made available for free download through their website www.phfat.co.za. Good news - the day has come and, as good as their word, the tunes are waiting to be downloaded right this second. 20 Feb 2012 15:00

You are not dead yet

[Ruth Cooper] P.H. Fat don't know much for sure, but they do know this: "You are going to die" and if you are reading this you are not dead yet, congratulations. Nothing to do with doomsday prophesies, the EP title "You Are Going to Die", off P.H. Fat's second musical offering ( hitting webs today) is rather an attempt at something truly honest and certain; a fact that we all know for sure. 20 Feb 2012 11:50

A taxing meander - but in a really good way

[Brian Berkman: contributing editor, travel] About four years ago while visiting Karoo lodge Samara we were encouraged to plant spekboom trees to counteract the carbon emissions we produced in getting there. That was the first time I'd consciously engaged in the impact of my life as a traveller and, rather than feel guilty about it, I was offered a neatly-packaged solution to deal with it. 20 Feb 2012 10:40

Is that Mabula?

[Brian Berkman: contributing editor, travel] "Where's Nana?" a Somerset West woman sitting behind us, in our game drive vehicle, at Thula Thula shouts, to our ranger over our shoulders. "Baby Mandla" her daughter chimes in, "is so big now." "Oh my God", the mother, close to tears, shrieks "is that Mabula over there, coming towards us now?" 15 Feb 2012 09:48

I'll go where Hugo

[Eugene Yiga] It's that time of the year again. No, I'm not talking about the surge of guilt over failed resolutions; I'm talking about the Oscars. The next several weeks will see a wave of great movies, somehow perfectly timed to coincide with the Academy Awards. Well, if Hugo is anything to go by, we're in for a grand time. 14 Feb 2012 17:07

Magnificent Madikwe

[Chris Moerdyk: @chrismoerdyk] There is no greater feeling of contentment than standing stark naked on your own private deck surveying an unbroken vista of pristine Africa, following an early morning skinny dip in your own private plunge pool and an invigorating outside shower. Well this is one place you might think of doing it... Madikwe Hills Private Game Lodge. 14 Feb 2012 12:44

Ode to Up The Creek

[Ruth Cooper] Up The Creek has been awarded a special place in my heart, perhaps because it coincides with my birthday, but even if this wasn't the case it would still garner the most love from me when compared to its younger music fest siblings. Anyone who has been lucky enough to venture the few hours' drive to Swellendam and floated down the Breede in a lilo's loving embrace will know what I mean. Free from pretention, corporate branding bombardments, hordes of teenage boys, howling gales and own-alcohol restriction areas, UTC blows all other CT fests out of their designated body of water, be it river, dam or creek. 13 Feb 2012 11:19

Bovim creates Queen At The Ballet

[Jana van Heerden] Queen At The Ballet is a tribute to Freddie Mercury created by choreographer Sean Bovim, whose dance company, Bovim Ballet, interprets the classic art form from a fresh point of view. By adding modern elements, such as rock music and even break dancing, the company succeeds in opening up ballet to a new audience. 13 Feb 2012 11:03

Coming out on Tops in Absolucy

[Jordan Scott] Absolucy is performed by Lucy Tops, and Tops is definitely the appropriate surname. Lucy studied at the Waterfront Theatre School and not only is she an actress, but also a singer and recording artist (she has even sung in China at the Hilton hotel). She has performed in various productions, such as Glory Days, Dancing Queen, That 80s' Show and The Great Gatsby. 10 Feb 2012 11:49

Up The Creek, a different kind of festival

[Jana van Heerden] Every music festival has its little something that makes it unique. Up The Creek's USP is that it is awesome; it's like being on holiday. Only you can (legally) drink heavily alcohol-infused slushies on the beach and the entertainment is a real live act and not some obscure R'n'B act blaring from a cellphone speaker 10 metres away. 10 Feb 2012 10:00

Paul van Dyk, a disappointing event

[Jordan Scott] It is unfortunate that something I was so excited to see turned out to be, well, disappointing to be completely honest. The first thing that went wrong was the venue change; on the website and Computicket the venue was still D'Aria Wine Estate. However, when we arrived there we found out the venue had been changed to the Ostrich Ranch. (Oh, and now hosted by Good Hope FM?) 9 Feb 2012 10:22

PvD, impressive as always; Soundscape, not so much

[Francois Campbell] Festival organising is not for the faint of heart and should be approached with caution and great care. This past weekend an event took place which had many people very excited: Paul van Dyk (PvD) was returning to our shores - the man who pioneered electronic dance, a true power house of electronic dance. 7 Feb 2012 10:25

P.H.Fat 'You are going to die' tour to kick off soon

[Anna-Bet Bester] Ready or not, here they come - Smooth Mike, Disco Izrael and Narch just finished work on a highly anticipated second album and P.H.Fat fans can look forward to series of high octane live events over the next two months, starting with what is set to be a scorcher of a performance at tomorrow night's UCT RAG 7's Party. 6 Feb 2012 13:21

Room for improvement at Inn on the Square

[Sindy Peters] When staying over at a hotel you'd like to feel as if you're at a home away from home - minus the chores. Apart from the friendly hotel staff, the refurbished rooms, the perfect location and the view from the pool deck, there's nothing really inviting about the city-based Inn on the Square in Cape Town. 6 Feb 2012 08:44

Bittereinder: the mole-kangaroo that likes to bons

[Sindy Peters] They've only been gigging for a year and yet have managed to pick up a SAMA, play internationally, collab with one of Europe's finest rappers, and they've been nominated for three MK Awards this year, all in one fell swoop. And yet, they still all have day jobs! We caught up with Bittereinder to find out their secret to success, and what to expect in 2012, apart from space-age-Gregorian-monk-priest-DJs... 2 Feb 2012 08:30

P.H.Fat album 'You are going to Die' to be launched 20 Feb

[Anna-Bet Bester] Following the success of their debut album "Dinosaur Blood" on 11 February 2011 on acclaimed US label Muti Music, P.H.FAT has decided to break the traditional mould of a record label financed release; and will launch their 5 track EP for FREE and independently through their website www.phfat.co.za on 20 February 2012. 1 Feb 2012 13:44

Dealing with the ultimate problem child

[Eugene Yiga] It's tough being a parent. On the one hand, kids are incredibly expensive. (Local insurance companies recently estimated the cost of raising a child from birth to age 18 at R3.5 million.) On the other hand, they bring up all sorts of inner worries. Will I be a good parent? What if my child doesn't love me? While many parenting books already cover these issues, they tend to ignore one. What if my child turns out to be an absolute monster? What should I do then? 31 Jan 2012 11:35

From fake to fantasy; an art deco delight

[Brian Berkman: contributing editor, travel] Buildings with "stone" cladding made from plaster or other fake adornments disappoint often me. Yet, somehow, the designers and builders of The SunCoast Hotel and Towers have elevated fake to fantasy and created an art deco palace that is a delight. 30 Jan 2012 13:11

Decking the walls with tattoo-inspired art

[Sindy Peters] People adorned with tattoos are usually fascinating to those who are not. To some it's frivolous fun, a means of rebellion, a challenge to your pain threshold, a need to stand out from the crowd, or a way to express who you are. For some, however, it's an art form; some people like to hang art on the walls of their home, some like to carry their art with them, wherever they go. 27 Jan 2012 10:34

A midsummer ice dream

[Eugene Yiga] What would it be like if the world was covered in ice and we skated around without car troubles or traffic jams? Well, until climate change takes inspiration from Michael Bay, we'll have to leave that question to our imaginations. And nowhere is it more wonderfully imagined than in The Nutcracker On Ice, showing at the Artscape, Cape Town until 12 February, 2012, after playing to sold-out audiences in Joburg last year. 26 Jan 2012 10:51

The Parlotones live at D'Aria on Sunday 12 February 2012

[Anna-Bet Bester] With Valentines' Day around the corner it is probably a good idea to start looking around for a nice venue to celebrate this highly controversial greeting card holiday. 25 Jan 2012 13:05

Man, I feel like a woman!

[Sindy Peters] My sister and I recently hit the N1 heading for some downtime at the Pearl Valley Golf Estate Breathe Spa in Franschhoek; the two-and-a-half-hour session was well worth the hour's drive. After the exfoliation, hydrotherapy bath and the Swedish massage, we left feeling like new women! 25 Jan 2012 11:08

Glamp and float your way to awesome prizes at Up the Creek 2012

[Anna-Bet Bester] Good news would-be Creekers - if you are one of those people who plan ahead for festivals you may stand a chance to win yourself some very cool prize hampers at this year's Up the Creek together with Bacardi festival. 24 Jan 2012 13:39

Probing beneath the surface

[Eugene Yiga] The word "disturbing" doesn't even being to describe The Skin I Live In, a new movie by Pedro Almodóvar. While the legendary Spanish director has been known to push cinematic boundaries (previous works like Bad Education and Volver come to mind), his latest creation is something else entirely. Enter at your own risk. 24 Jan 2012 11:15

Let's Go Large on The Lawn

[Duan Wanty] 2012 seems to be off to a great start with loads of promised fun for the rest of the summer season. Yes, don't deny it; summer isn't over until we are pulling out those scarfs. 24 Jan 2012 10:12

Single-file running order announced for Up The Creek 2012

[Anna-Bet Bester] Excellent news for all chronic FOMO-sufferers: there will be no need to run around between stages at the 2012 Up The Creek together with Bacardi festival. The organisers have once again decided to do away with the conventional anxiety-inducing multiple stage festival lineup in favour of a single-file approach that allows revellers to enjoy one performance without fear of losing out on another. Joy! 23 Jan 2012 15:11

Whatever your preference, Red Carnation will see to it

[Brian Berkman: contributing editor, travel] Red Carnation Hotels take their Guest Preference Forms seriously. Would you like foam or feather pillows; neck and back support pillows; an ironing board; a bed board; extra hangers or an extra bed? Would you like a yoga map and an instructive DVD or a fax/copier/printer? Then there's the menu of extras available at the tick of a box and the swipe of a credit card - rose petals and chocolate dipped strawberries? Check... 23 Jan 2012 12:21

Glitz, glam and disco balls with The Abba Show

[Duan Wanty] I have the idea that whenever people of different ages, races and genders gather in a certain space, and ABBA's songs start playing, you will have a party. I am yet to be proven wrong. 23 Jan 2012 10:05

We are Beautiful Losers: when art meets music

[Sindy Peters] Art and music collided in Woodstock recently at We Are Beautiful Losers #2, hosted at /A Word of Art in Woodstock. Derelict Woodstock is still coined as "up and coming"; I'd like to think she's just about ready to be crowned a fully fledged member of the Cape Town creativity club; well, that's if Ricky-Lee Gordon, aka Freddy Sam, has anything to do with it. 23 Jan 2012 09:09