Magic, miracles and an alien love affair revisited.

First published in Sunday Independent, March 2012 Elizabeth first made eye contact with Akon through the porthole of his spacecraft.  Selene, her white Arabian mare and constant companion, stood valiantly on the hill in front of the hovering ship. The propulsion forced the long dry grass down and up, like seamless waves against the soil. [...]

Cancellation of Your Child Kids Expo

Cancellation of Your Child Kids Expo First published in The Event May, 2010 The sudden cancellation of the Your Child Kids Expo early in March has left more than just a bad taste in the mouth of the Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC), and some exhibitors and suppliers.  The Expo, which was supposed to [...]

Inkosi Albert Luthuli Convention Centre gearing up for INDABA.

Inkosi Albert Luthuli Convention Centre gearing up for INDABA. First Published in The Event (www.theevent.co.za)  April 2010 From 8-11 May, tourism operators, exhibitors, local and international visitors, and media from across the world will descend on balmy Durban for the annual INDABA. The INDABA, which has won the award for Africa’s best travel and tourism [...]

Outrageous: The Making Of…

No ref. No rules. No cure for the common laughter. First published in the Callsheet – April 2010 www.thecallsheet.com Outrageous, a no holds barred film about a gang of renegade stand-up comedians, ready to offend the sensitive viewer, will be unleashed upon South African audiences during April. The film is hosted by John Vlismas and [...]

The magic of mixology: when booze and business meet

 The serious business of bartending. First published in The Event December ’09 Gone are the days of barman Larry leaning his elbows across a greasy bar to serve you a murky cocktail in a thick lipped glass decorated with pink sugar and a flimsy turquoise umbrella.  Bartenders now have sexy names like; mixologists and flairtenders, [...]

Battle over Mama Afrika’s legacy continues.

First Published in The Event newspaper:  December ’09 A long standing battle over the commemorative concert, which was to be held for one of greatest musical legends, Miriam Makeba, continues to rage between The Department of Arts and Culture, and Morris Roda Productions.  Makeba passed away on 9 November 2008 after she collapsed whilst performing [...]

FIFA Final draw event.

Preparations for the FIFA 2010 Final Draw reach fever pitch. First published in The Event – October ‘09 Astrid Stark A little more than 200 days remain before the first FIFA World Cup on the African continent kicks off. The FIFA Final Draw, which determines the group stages of the tournament, will take place on [...]

Loerie Awards; live events nominees go big!

First Published in The Event – September ‘09 By:  Astrid Stark  Holographs, a musical dual, time travel, opera singers and a death match all featured in the experiential exhibitions created by the 2009 Loerie Live Events finalists.   Campaigns were hosted as far away as London, Las Vegas, Paris, New York and Rome.  Strategies used by [...]

Cape Town gears up for Loerie Awards 2009!

By Astrid Stark First published in The Event , September 2009 The 31st Annual Loerie Awards weekend is upon us and it is not without a flurry of controversy over the choice of venue.   It is the first time in more than two decades that the event will be held in a major city.  The [...]

Females rattle funny bones (without the filth)

First published in The Weekender 2 August. The highly successful South African female stand-up comedian, with a long life span, is about as rare as a member of the fairer sex in Helen Zille’s cabinet.  A short list of celebrated male comedians includes Cape Town’s favourite son, Marc Lottering; everybody’s favourite Jew, Nik Rabinowitz; Riaad [...]