Janice Honeyman's Cinderella

It feels like only yesterday that I was sitting at Joburg Theatre watching Janice Honeyman's Pantomime - Jack & the Beanstalk last year! But the 2020 Panto is already lined up. With a star studded cast too!

This year, you can expect to see Cinderella on the stage of The Mandela at Joburg Theatre from October through to December. This is THE panto & is known at the fairy godmother of all pantomimes!

We all know the original story of Cinderella... But with Janice Honeyman at the helm, you know you are in for a treat with an abundance of comedy, incredible sets & hundreds of stunning costumes! The most anticipated moment in this show, is when Cinderella is transformed from rags to riches & whisked off to the ball. 

Desmond Dube is back again & alongside Ben Voss they will be starring at the two Ugly Sisters. Connie Chiume, making her panto debut as the Fairy Godmother. Kiruna-Lind Devar returns to the panto, fresh from the international stage, that saw her as Meg in The Phantom of the Opera. Kyle Grant is bound to charm audiences as Prince Charming. And what is the panto, without a bit of Graham Hopkins right?

And you can already get your tickets through www.joburgtheatre.com! Best you do that ASAP, as a few of the 72 performances are already sold out!

KISS - End of the Road Tour

World famous Rock n Roll Legends KISS are heading to SA later this year, as a part of their final tour! After a rather epic 45-year career, the End of the Road is set to be 21 July 2021.

Selling out shows across the globe during 2019 & with huge fan demand, KISS announced further dates in June & July of 2020. With a stop in South Africa being one of them!

Known for their trademark larger-than-life performances, KISS will be performing at the TicketPro Dome on 25 July for their South Africa KISS Army fans. 

Selling over 100 million albums worldwide, is proof enough that these Rock & Roll Hall of Famers are going to bring the heat & give ups one of the most iconic live rock n roll shows. 

From the lips of KISS - "This will be the ultimate celebration for those who've seen us & a last chance for those who haven't. KISS Army, we're saying goodbye on our final tour with our biggest show yet & we'll go out the same way we came in... Unapologetic & Unstoppable!"

Tickets for the one night only rock n roll show are available from Computicket. 

#DisneyOnIce back in 2020

Disney on Ice, is skating in to SA once again next year! And for the 1st time, we welcome: Mickey and Friends!

Paying tribute to Walt Disney & the True Original icon - Mickey Mouse! This Disney on Ice show is taking you back to where it all started - Steamboat Willie! Minnie, Donald & Goofy join Mickey in this modern take of the old classic & venture through meaningful Disney moments, spanning generations, to decide on their all time favourite memory!

Off on a high-seas adventure with Moana.

Into the crowd favourite wintry world of Arendelle with Anna & Elsa.

Get Emotional with Emotions from Inside Out.

Just keep swimming with Dory as she takes on the sea to find her family. 

Credit: Pixar

Adding an interactive element to the show, fans will have the opportunity to vote & pick outfits for Mickey & Minnie to wear during the final celebration!

Opening at the Ticketpro Dome in Joburg - Friday, 19 June to 28 June.

Then to GrandWest in Cape Town - Wednesday 1 July to 5 July.

And back to Sun Arena at Time Square in Pretoria - Thursday 9 July - 12 July.

Tickets go on sale - 4 November at 9:00 only at Computicket! (There is an added 15% on all full price tickets, if you buy between 4 & 30 November.)

Credit: Disney

"Each section of the show was carefully selected to immerse families in an array of beloved stories that they have grown to know & love."

This is going to be another spectacular run of one of my favourite shows! You don't want to miss out on the fun.

Credit: Disney

#SundaySociety at The Maslow

We all love a good glass of bubbly right? Well now is your chance to joing The Maslow Sandton for their Summer Social Sundays picnic. 

Languish on the lush lawns of The Maslow, under the trees whilst tucking into some indulgent treats under the summer sun. A picnic of the most lavish kind, on Sunday - 27 October 2019.

Partnering with Veuve Clicquot to create a sumptuous summer picnic experience. With the garden oasis backdrop, you'll be sipping on Champagne & enjoying the live band. Now that's one way to end off the weekend on a high note don't you think?

Included in your gourmet picnic basket is a Cape cheeseboard with fig preserve, a roast chicken & butternut salad, cheeseburger sliders, mini wors rolls & crispy jalapeño arancini. But that's not all. There is dessert too - strawberry & marshmallow skewers dipped in chocolate & blueberry cheesecake jars. So i can guarantee you won't be leaving hungry! For only R690 per couple, you get all of that & 2 glasses of Veuve Clicquot Yellow Label. 

For bookings contact The Maslow Sandton - 010 226 4600

Appetite Fest 2019

The Appetite Fest is back this year. And Time Square has promised that it is going to be BIGGER & BETTER than last year! You can head through to Menlyn Maine from 13 - 15 September to get in on the action.

One of my favourite experiences from last year, was the "I'm Cooking With..." workshop that I attended! This year, the same thing is back again, with a line up of local celeb chefs - Siba, Sarah Graham & Bertus Basson. But let's add some international names to the mix too. MasterChef Australia's Shannon Bennet & Shashi Chelia (winner of MasterChef Austrailia 2018) will also be hosting their own "I'm Cooking With..." workshops!

Last year I sat in on a "I'm Cooking with Chef Bertus Basson" workshop. What a thrill. To experience such a local culinary wonder & sit there watching him prep our meals & show us a few tricks & how we can apply them in our own kitchens at home. It is most definitely worth it!

You get the chance to sit up close & personal with your favourite celeb chef in the Appetite Fest Theatre Kitchen. Learning their tricks of their trade 1st hand. You'll then get the chance to sit down & share the meal with the chef to complete the experience. 

Tickets available from Computicket for R950 & will give you a dynamic 75 min long cooking experience with the chef, an Appetite Fest apron & access to the exhibition space & outdoor activities. It's here that you'll be able to watch other local & international celeb chefs cooking it up in 2 food theatres, or meet some food stars at book signings, or attend an exclusive Masterclass which include a line up of culinary stars Gary Mehigan, George Calombaris & Matt Preston from MasterChef Austrailia. 

#MonteBoktown is Back

Lets be honest. If you're not watching rugby live at a stadium, then the next best place is BOKTOWN! And not just any Boktown. But Boktown at Montecasino! You know, you just #GottaLuvMonte.

And guess what guys? Boktown is headed back to Montecasino this year to screen the Castle Rugby Championships games when the Springboks take on the Australian Wallabies on 20 July & the Argentinian Puma's on 17 August. 

The official Springbok supporters village will take over the Piazza providing a spot to relax & enjoy the game in an environment that is electric & where everyone is alive with that Proudly South African spirit. There will be live entertainment, DJ's, interactive activities for kids, food & drink aplenty to keep everyone busy the whole time. You'll also be able to spot & meet some SA Rugby legends & Bokkie - the official Springbok mascot. But that's not all! As always, Montecasino will have some great competitions with awesome prizes to giveaway.

So it's really not something that you want to miss out on. And for only R30, you should bring the whole family & all your friends! Grab your free drink for a pre-kick off party kick off with gates opening at 16:00 & kick off at 17:05.

Just a word to the wise. You do want to dress warm! It gets chilly out there once the sun has disappeared behind for the day.  

Book your tickets here today. 

#MONTEBOKTOWN

Friday Sunset Rouge Evenings

Popping in at Stellenbosch on a Friday evening? Well, then ALTO Wine Estate is where you need to head. Celebrating summer with a series of 'Friday Sunset Rouge Evenings.' 

It's a red affair with live entertainment, whilst lazing on the lawns in front of the estates's tasting lounge, gazing over the vine-covered valley & sunset views over Table Mountain. All of that whilst sipping on Alto's iconic red wines. 

Best of all... Entry is FREE of charge & you get a complimentary glass of the Alto Cabernet Rosé 2018 on arrival. 

So get there any time from 17:00, but you could also pop in just a bit earlier & have a quick wine tasting before the 1st set kicks off, then you can enjoy a cheese platter that's available too. 

So raise your glass & join in the cheer as Alto Wine Estate toast to 'Friday Sunset Rouge Evenings.' A celebration of great wine & company which gives you just another great reason to visit the estate.

Space is also limited, so drop them a mail to reserve your spot now - info@alto.co.za

Night Out For 2 @ Silverstar Casino

We all love a good bargain now don't we? Well a Night Out For 2 at the Price of less than 1, sure is a bargain in my opinion. 

Silverstar Casino has brought back their Night Out For 2 package, which offers serious savings.

- 2 Meal Voucher
- 2 Movies@ Silverstar Tickets, OR
  a game of Ten Pin Bowling for 2, OR
  a round of Laser Tag for 2.
- 2 Drink Vouchers
- A Bingo Entry
- A Parking Voucher

All of this for only R290. (You're technically saving over R250)

The offer is available Monday to Thursday & is running from now until 26 March 2019.

Check it (and the fine print) out here for more details. 

Restaurant options:
- Publicity
- Vigour and Verve (My 1st Choice)
- Billy G
- Col'Cacchio
- Silver Arrow Spur

Share your experience online & remember to use #LoveSilverstar, #SilverstarNOF2, #CelebrateSummer

Starters to Share - Sticky Crumbed Chicken Wings (add a touch of Tabasco for extra burn)

Main - The Asian Pork Belly. YUM... Soft & Tender meat with a nice crispy skin. Served with Potato Fondant.

So I opted to watch the new mind twisting 'Glass' with James McAvoy, Bruce Willis & Samuel L Jackson. It's going to leave you confused & unsure. A brilliant movie to add to your must see list. 

Get your tickets from Computicket, or the Box Office at Silverstar. 

LUSH Festival is back in Clarens!

Life is all about experiences. Savouring beauty. Finding hidden treasures. Creating memories. And this year Lush Festival will be showcasing some of the most amazing experiences imaginable, leaving your soul spellbound as they would say. 

It's a festival that has quickly made name & will be returning to Clarens again this year over the Easter Weekend (18-21 April). But this year, it will be moving to a bigger & better location. We welcome Noah's Cheese on the farm Node, to the Lush Family. 

The new home is rich in heritage & Lush Festival will start moulding a lot of permanent elements, that will be used for many more years to come. Nestled between the Sandstone mountains in Clarens, Noah's Cheese gives Lush Festival a beautiful new home with a scenic experience. 

The new home, brings with it new layouts. No more walking for ages to the camping grounds. There is now enough space so that you will now be able to camp with/next to your car. The new site is also on top of the hill & not in the valley anymore & with the different soil type, helping with water & drainage.

But wait, there is more. Permanent structures are going up with showers. Tented sites for those keen to go 'glamping' are soon to be added for the individuals to choose between a few different alternatives. Let's be honest, as they say: 'variety is the spice of life.'

Now on to the music. What an incredible line up so far. 

Wheatus. Yes. Remember singing along to "Teenage Dirtbag" back in 2000? Well now you'll be singing along to them live at the Lush Festival main stage. Other international names include Youngr, Kim Churchill & Juzzie Smith. 

And of our local big names we have Goodluck, Jeremy Loops, TiMO ODV, Shortstraw, Desmond & The Tutus and Spoegwolf!

One great thing about the Clarens area is that there is so much more to do in the area & you won't be stuck at the festival if your soul craves more of an adventure. There are multiple trail running spots. Or you could find yourself going white water rafting, abseiling, mountain biking or even horseback riding in the majestic countryside. 

It's bound to be the festival where memories will be made with a fun escape for locals & international visitors alike. So lets make memories!

More info at www.lushfestival.com

Presented by KykNET & Sunday Times.

18, 19 & 20 April - Noah's Cheese Farm, Clarens.

Tickets available here.

Please do note. No under 18's will be allowed to camp, but are welcome to attend daily with adult supervision. 

#LushFestival

The World's Most Beloved Tenor

JUST ANNOUNCED: Andrea Bocelli is coming to SA this April & will be performing with a full 140-piece symphony orchestra & choir. 

18 April at the Ticketpro Dome

22 April at Val de Vie Estate, Paarl

Andrea Bocelli is proud to return to South Africa where he will be performing with a full 140-piece symphony orchestra & choir. 

In Joburg, he will perform with the Johannesburg Festival Orchestra & the Symphony Choir of Johannesburg & in Cape Town with the Cape Town Philharmonic Orchestra & Choir. 

The concert will be split into 2 parts. For the 1st part, fans will get to experience Andrea Bocelli perform some of the most famous opera arias. The second part will be dedicated to his most popular hits & crossover songs for a once in a lifetime evening.

And in a special moment, Matteo Bocelli will also be joining his father on stage to perform the duet 'Fall On Me.'

Tickets on sale: Friday 25 Jan at 9am from www.bigconcerts.co.za

It's time to see the 'Free Electric Band'

A solo singer in his own right, Hammond will be returning to South Africa in March for five shows in four different cities.

Image: Rubén Martín

Hammond is a regular visitor of our beautiful country, and over the last decade, has frequented different cities in South Africa to serenade audiences with classic hits like It Never Rains in Southern California, Free Electric Band, I’m a Train and Peacemaker.

Singer, songwriter & record producer, Albert Hammond is a prolific music industry giant, who has written commercially successful songs for some of the biggest names in the Music Industry.

“Hammond is one of the greatest song-writers of our time. Audiences love him and it is time for Stellenbosch, Pretoria, Bloemfontein and P.E. to experience this music heavy weight”, says Producer Charl Van Heyningen.

Albert Hammond will be performing on the following dates in the following cities:

3 & 4 March: Spier Amphitheatre, Stellenbosch. 

6 March 2019: Feather Market Hall, Port Elizabeth. 

8 March 2019: Kopanong Kovsiekerk, Bloemfontein. 

10 March 2019: Sun Arena @ Time Square, Pretoria. 

Tickets available at Computicket.

#AlbertHammondSA

Queen - It's a Kind of Magic

Growing up, at home I got to listen to some really great music that my parents listened to & the one that I grew to love the most is definitely Queen! And now, Johannesburg, are you ready? Queen: It's a Kinda Magic, the world's premier Freddie Mercury & Queen tribute show is set to have Emperors Palace audiences singing along to the greatest hits. 

From 30 November until 31 December at the Theatre of Marcellus, Queen: It's a Kinda Magic is set to recreate Queen's historically famous 1986 World Tour concert on stage in SA. Are you ready for 4 weeks of  the band's greatest hits, such as 'We Will Rock You', Bohemian Rhapsody', 'We Are The Champions' & 'Fat-Bottomed Girls'.

The global success of the show is linked to the attention-to-detail of the costumes, instruments & lighting cues that have all been designed as to replicate the real deal from the concerts back in the day. With Giles Taylor taking the ropes as the role of Freddie Mercury, and is the only tribute performer in the world who sings & plays both the piano & guitar live on stage. 

Tickets are available from Computicket, starting from only R180.

Check out www.queenitsakindamagic.com of Queen It's A Kinda Magic for more info. 

Right... Tickets up for grabs! 10 sets of double tickets to see Queen It's A Kinda Magic on the opening night - 30 November at Emperors Palace. 

How to enter:

1. Like As Seen By Lloyd & Queen It's a Kinda Magic on Facebook or Follow @Lloydi_Boy on Twitter.

2. Repost the Competition Post on Facebook or Retweet the Competition Tweet on Twitter. Remember to include the #QueenItsAKindaMagic  in your post/tweet.

3. Tag a friend in your post who you'd be bringing with to the show. 

NB. Remember, you have to include the #QueenItsAKindaMagic, otherwise your entry is not valid & can not be counted.

Good Luck!

James Morrison in SA

"I'm super excited to be heading to South Africa for a few shows next year! It'll be my first time playing there & my first gigs in a little while, can't wait to play in Johannesburg & then with the mountains as the backdrop in Cape Town's Botanical Garden" - James Morrison.

There you have it guys. Straight from the British singer-songwriter & guitarist, James Morrison. He is coming to SA early next year, for the very 1st time!

2 Nights at Montecasino - 22 & 23 January 2018

1 Night in Cape Town - 26 January 2018

Get your tickets now on Computicket (JHB) & Webtickets (CPT).

A guy with a great soulful voice & a guitar. The likes of  Sam Smith, Ed Sheeran, George Ezra & James Bay have all cited him as an influence. So you know the show is going to be one memorable night out. 

Stay in touch on social media using #JamesMorrisonSA.

Calum Scott - Only Human SA Tour

Ladies & Gents... New news just in!

Calum Scott is coming! To South Africa... The Britain's Got Talent finalist will embark on his 'Only Human' SA tour in November. Having his hit 'Dancing On My Own' reach 3 X Platinum in South Africa, I think it's about time that we get a piece of him. 

The first show in Durban is at the Durban Botanic Gardens on 9 Nov. The show was added after local fans had social media buzzing with requests to add a Durban date. Joining him on state will be Cape Town trio; Opposite The Other.

Cape Town on 10 Nov, where Ben Dey & The Concrete Lions are the local support acts to join him on stage at the ICC. 

Finally he ends the tour in Johannesburg on 11 Nov at Marks Park in Emmarentia, where Majozi, Opposite The Other, & Ben Dey & The Concrete Lions are joining him to entertain local fans. 

Get your tickets here. 

Ed Sheeran in SA

Whoop... Finally Ed Sheeran is heading to SA in March of next year. 

Probably one of the most successful & talented musicians in the world, this man is still selling out stadiums all over the world. Recently finishing up what was his biggest tour to date in the UK, he is ready to take on SA in his next trip.

Johannesburg - FNB Stadium

 - 23 March 2019

Cape Town Stadium

 - 27 March 2019 

Get your tickets from Computicket or Big Concerts. 

Katy Perry heads to Joburg

Image: Kevin Mazur - Getty

Well now... Look who's calling guys! Fresh off the line & this news just in. Katy Perry has finally announced that she will be performing in SA for the very first time. Johannesburg is set to be wowed on the 18th & 20th of July 2018, when Katy Perry hits the stage at the Ticketpro Dome as part of her WITNESS: The Tour.

Tickets will be on sale as from 9 AM on 26th of January via www.bigconcerts.co.za.

So a bit about this tour. Katy finds liberation. Not only in the changes in her own life, but also in the world around her. All by performing songs that have inspired thought & movement alike. Get ready for an imaginative trip from outer-space to inner-space. From the planets to the bottom of our oceans. This is set to be a musical journey through all her biggest milestones & mega-hits. A little birdy dropped a note to say that there isn't a bad seat in the house. With the dramatically original staging & the entire band & dancers, we are in for a show with all the bells & whistles.

Image: Kevin Mazur - Getty

So, from just that, I already can't wait! Best you get your tickets now, before they sell out. (Which I have a feeling they will!)

Ticket prices: R575 - R1,535 (Plus there are a few VIP & Hospitality Packages available that can be booked through Computicket.)

Image: Kevin Mazur - Getty

Just a note regarding the Golden Circle & some restrictions.

No under 12's & no person under 1,2m.

If you are one or both of the above, you will not be allowed into the Golden Circle area & you may not be lucky enough to be reallocated or reseated. (So, don't try your luck on this one, I know that they are very strict.)

Image: Kevin Mazur - Getty

UPDATE: 27/02/2018

I told you guys that these tickets were going to fly like hotcakes. Due to the exceptional demand, additional seated tickets have been added for the show on 18th of July! And the 20th of July show is officially SOLD OUT! So, what are you waiting for? Head on over to www.bigconcerts.co.za to get your tickets now.

UPDATE: 14/03/2018

Oh, you guys are lucky! Due to the crazy demand to see Katy Perry live in concert in Johannesburg, a third & final date has been added to the WITNESS: The Tour schedule for July 21st! So, really, if you haven't gotten your tickets yet, best you go & get one now to avoid any disappointment. 

Image: Rony Alwin