If you were in South Africa in the late 80s and early 90s you probably had Mango-fever; it was characterised by an addiction to the country’s newest music sensation: Mango Groove. The band thumbed its collective nose at South Africa’s dubious political policies by comprising black and white musical artists. In fact, one of its founders was the iconic Aaron “Big Voice” Jack Lerole. From 1988 to 1992 Mango Groove dominated the South African airwaves and then they seemed to fade away. Now they’re back to prove their staying power with a brand new live DVD, Mango Groove Live in Concert; their first live DVD concert ever.

There’s nothing like a bit of friendly competition among friends and when it comes to Action Cricket it’s the best kind. Getting together a couple of teams to take one another on at Claremont’s Action Cricket facility at Stadium on Main was a great success.

The boys organised their teams and the girls sat on the sideline to support. I was impressed though that a number of the other courts were full of girls playing netball. They cater to all your action cricket, netball and soccer needs.

Chris Chameleon is one of South Africa’s more colourful music artists, which is perhaps apt considering his name. Even though he sings primarily in Afrikaans, he has great crossover appeal and is popular with all audiences in South Africa. It’s a point of pride for him to release an album once a year and this year he has something special up his sleeve. As Jy Weer Skryf is a follow up to his enormously popular debut solo album Ek Herhaal Jou, which was a collection of Ingrid Jonker’s poems set to music.

Ek Herhaal Jou was Chameleon’s first solo album after his band, Boo!, split up in 2004. It was an instant hit with critics and music lovers. It reached gold status in South Africa within a year and just over a year after that it went platinum.

Saturday night at The Assembly in Cape Town was set to be a big event with some talented local bands on the bill and two popular DJs to finish off the night. I arrived just after She Man Lion began their set. They recently enlisted the help of a new lead singer, Pete O’ Donoghue, who was to supposedly help them develop a new sound. I’ve heard them a couple of times before and save one or two songs couldn’t really tell if there was much of a difference. I really enjoy their tracks though and theirs has been an impressive rise so far. The band began in 2006 and won the Redbull Radar competition in 2009. Since then they haven’t looked back.

It’s another busy month in sunny South Africa and all around the country locals and visitors can enjoy a medley of entertainment options. Here are a few things happening around the country to help you decide what to do with your spare time.

Cape Town:

The incredible Circque du Soleil is in town and blowing the mind of many a Cape Tonian. It started on 23 March and only runs until 3 April so if you’re thinking about checking this show out you better hurry. It’s an exemplary showcase of the amazing talent and hard work that goes into circus-inspired performance. Tickets cost between R272 and R476 per person and the show is being performed at the Grand Arena, Grand West Casino. Call 021 422 3500 for more information or email Big Concerts on info@bigconcerts.co.za.

Infiltrating IDOLS

‘Singing pop is not selling out, not doing music is selling out’

So I decided to audition for Idols. Not Pop Idols… that would be the classier, original, money-fueled version. No. I entered Idols SA from the gorgeous and talent-laden mother-city, held at the Cape Town International Convention Centre.

Anyway, it started as an adventure on a whim. Dani heads off at 4 in the morning in a tiny rokkie and my (security-blanket) cowboy boots only to find a place in a queue behind the REALLY keen hundreds that had the idea before me.

CAPE TOWN: Nekkies Holiday Resort, Worcester: 4 – 6 March

“The healthy being craves an occasional wildness, a jolt from normality, a sharpening of the edge of appetite, his own little festival of Saturnalia, a brief excursion from his way of life.”
Robert Maclver quotes

A weekend of REAL ALTERNATE MUSIC! The CT leg of Ramfest V was a monster winner!

Pre-sale people kicked off the killer weekend on Thursday already surrounded by masses of tents, foodstalls, plenty booze, band merch and the lush river-side views and drunk people!

The Toffie Pop Culture Festival and Design Conference begins today and will see hundreds of avid designers and illustrators flocking to the decadently-decorated Cape Town City Hall for their fix of doodles, designs and unbelievable talent.

Over the next three days the festival offers its visitors some intensive workshops, 16 conference speakers, 24 inspiring table exhibitions, a fashion show, conversation, an interactive exhibition, more than 30 You, Me & Everyone We Know market vendors, a first-time collaboration between some hot local acts, great food and drinks stalls and even a few boxing matches. Visitors will also get to watch Spanish graffiti artists BoaMistura painting live, amble though five exhibition rooms, watch one short film and two award-winners from the Norient Musik Film Festival in Switzerland and basically just receive an inspiration overload.

Order a cold beer and enjoy the warmth around you

Joburg is the South African city that never sleeps. During the day the highways are chock-a-block full with lines of motorcars waiting to get their passengers to work. At night the streets come alive as trendy clubs blast beatsy dance-music while locals sip on colourful cocktails. But if you’re in the city and are looking for a bit of the old and traditional the Radium Beer Hall offers visitors a unique experience.

What’s On! lists it as the oldest surviving bar and grill in Joburg. The cosy venue oozes tradition and history from the very cracks in the walls. You can sit on one of the familiar bar-stools, order a drink and watch as the comfortable relationship between the regulars and the bar-owners play out in front of you.

The very first Passion Play performed in Durban took place in 1952, almost 60 years ago.The first show was a celebration of the centennial arrival of the Oblate missionary priests in 1852. Durban hosts the performance every five years and this show marks its 13th run. From 1 to 24 April residents will get a chance to see it in its 13^th production at the Playhouse Theatre.

Years ago Father Noel Coughlan  traveled to Bavaria to gain permission from the mayor of Oberammergau to put the play on in Durban.  This year the Playhouse Drama Theatre teams up with the players guild for the first time.