CAPE TOWN DIVA

Spontaneity...living life a little less scripted.

I’m becoming more spontaneous as I get older. Over-planning, schedules, routines, meetings - they're not as important to me as they used to be.

Last week Tuesday I discovered I had a gap to go to TBEX Asia, in Bangkok, happening the very next week. In 2 hours I’d booked flights, accommodation, tours and voila, here I sit typing from Akha Ama coffee shop in Chiang Mai, Northern Thailand.

I've figured out that spontaneity is my antidote against monotony. Spontaneity of course means different things to different people, but for me, a working woman with a dynamic career as a theatre publicist, it’s been the game changer.

My company, DIVA PR, recently turned ten. A decade of doing any job could end up being mundane right, but I’ve found a formula: I work on the move, at stylish places that serve an excellent cappuccino and a delish menu, because life is too short for bad decor, bleh coffee and mediocre food. Well designed spaces tend to attract interesting creatives and it's an opportunity to connect with others. New faces and a change of scenery is refreshing and invigorating. I'm all about chasing down inspiration.

This nomadic meandering happens in my ‘hood at home in Cape Town and further afield, anywhere on the planet. Have gadgets and 3G, and it becomes almost impossible to miss a trick..focus kicks in…you get things done faster, with satisfaction, because you’re mixing it up a little and enjoying it way more. Discipline and liberty, a winning combination.

Don’t get me wrong, I’ve done my time. I've spent the better part of 9 years in my orthopaedic office chair, firing up my pc as soon as the boys had been dropped at school, hammering away at campaigns until their pick-up time, and then working afterwards, often late at night and into the wee hours. There's a season for everything for sure, but now, I refuse to do any of that.

Everything changed after I hit my mid century last year. Friends already in the Kingdom of the Last Half warned me about it, about 'the shift' that would occur. Well, true story because suddenly I found that I resented being burdened by truly unimportant things and sweating the small stuff, and I started to find my way around tension by giving excessive routine and anxiety a slap in the face. I've become more flexible now, I have way more fun, at work and play, than ever before and being open to newness and opportunity has been rejuvenating. It's working for me.

"The essence of spontaneity is pleasure" ~ Germaine Greer.

Try it! Carpe Diem.

Labels: Creativity, Life, Lifestyle

West Side Story, in the rehearsal studio...

One of the best parts about being a theatre PR, is that I get to be a fly on the rehearsal room wall...to watch a musical unfold, see the process and the progress from the first studio day to the opening night. Behind the scenes is a great place to be, watching creatives at work and observing performers hone their skills as they drop into their roles and become other people, transporting audiences into other worlds.
West Side Story (WSS) is the Fugard Theatre's first out-of-house production at the Artscape Opera House, opening next week 23 July.
WSS is one of the world's most loved musicals, on the boards first in 1957 and then on the silver screen in '61 and it still speaks to audiences around the globe.
Sondheim, Bernstein, Laurents...Natalie Wood, Chita Rivera, Rita Moreno...winning 10 Oscars in its day.
Amazing! And now it's happening here in Cape Town. I recommend you book fast...this show is going to be a sellout.

Labels: Creativity, Theatre

Madame Zingara...a look behind the scenes, where the magic reallystarts...

This is the first time I'm doing the PR for Madame Zingara's Theatre of Dreams. As an entertainment publicity specialist my usual gigs are dramatic theatre, musicals, comedy & the like. Madame Zingara is a bit of all the above, coated in flair, flamboyance & magic. It's a unique offering of circus, food, and technical theatrics, showcased in a magnificent spiegelpaleis that literally takes this type of entertainment to another level.

2015 sees the Madame celebrating her 15th year & she is pulling out all the stops and going large. How, you ask? Well for starters, there's the gorgeous triple story palace that was handcrafted in Belgium, the land synonymous with beer & waffles. Well now it has another claim to fame. The beautiful venue, sometimes demeaningly called a 'tent', actually has a name, The Queen of Flanders, & once you've met her you'll hang your head in shame at ever referring to her loveliness in camping terms! Think 3200 mirrors, 1800m of velvet and 1200m of gold tassle... we are talking plush opulence people.

And then there's the performers...the best in SA & 11 other countries. The show is hosted by the tallest aviation goddess known to man, one Cathy Specific. Artists fly at dizzying new heights above your head, there's fire, amazing lighting, advanced digital sound that'll make you think you're on Ibiza, a hot air balloon, a helicopter bar, & food, glorious food....4 courses designed by a team of uber chefs for your gastronomic pleasure.

Here are a few images taken here & there behind the scenes... see you soon for an audience with the Queen!

Getting press in to photograph the palace in its first stage of development..catching Cape Town in the background...

Belgian tent master Rik Klessens

Canapé tastings...

The chefs....

Madame Zingara founder Richard Griffin being interviewed for CNN Africa Voices

Aerial strap artist Bethan Williams (UK) going her morning stretch onstage, as one does...

The Diabolo Girls from China getting ready for their SABC3 Afternoon Express TV debut

Aviation goddess Cathy Specific recording for SABC3 TV...

A lot of eye candy about...

A Diabolo Girl practices while Richard Griffin talks to Bethan & Murray onstage...

And the food that will be amazing...

And Cathy's bijoux...

So you see, so much awaits.

See you at the Palace~ I leave you with a #randomleghoist 😄

Labels: Creativity, Theatre

Parisian doors...

Wandering around Paris, I came across so many beautiful doors. All shapes and sizes, ornate and simple, some framed by with elaborate frescoes and others by street art and all with so much character. Here's a photomontage of what I captured in the various arrondissements of the city during my French walkabouts these last few days ...ouvre la porte s'il vous plait...

The Boot coffee shop, a former cobblers shop...best coffee I had in Paris FYI...

At the Picasso Museum in the Hotel Sale...love the colour of their doors...

Labels: Creativity, Paris, Travel

Le Labo, scentsory perfection... fragrant beauty without cruelty.

When a New Yorker friend kisses you hello in Cape Town and you catch a whiff of an exquisite fragrance. That. And when you discover that the perfume is by Le Labo, that you must have it, and that it isn’t tested on animals, even better. "We are proud to be living proof that there is no need to torture animals to compose high quality and creative perfumes". Consent-to-buy given to self with a clear conscience right there. Perfect.

The only setback was Le Labo isn't in Cape Town but, oh joie, I found myself in Paris a few months later avec Lateral Paul so a fragrant acquisition was imminent. After having a sublime coffee at Boot Cafe we slowly ambled around Le Marais and while LP stopped in at Acne, I opened up the Le Labo website to look for their outlets. I got distracted, forgot about it and then the weirdest thing happened. We were walking down a side street called Rue Froissart, I caught a whiff of that familiar scent, the one my friend wears and the one I can't forget. I stepped back from the storefront, saw no obvious signage so cupped my hands around my eyes and peered through the window. There, displayed in a row, I saw it - the Santal 33! I’d found Le Labo, without even trying. A sign right? Exactement, I also thought so. Inside, the charming Sarita talked us through the process of making up the fragrance from scratch, then created it while we observed, with the care and attention it, and I, deserved. I loved the way the bottle and box was then labelled with my nickname, ‘Diva'. Lateral Paul chose the Vetiver 46. That personal touch always goes such a long way.

I have discarded all my other fragrances. My Santal 33 is the only parfum I have ever worn where people notice it and compliment me constantly on how amazing it is and on how divine I smell. I now leave an aromatic trail behind me wherever I go. "A perfume is like a piece of clothing, a message, a way of presenting oneself.. a costume.. that differs according to the woman who wears it". - Paloma Picasso

Have a look at their website, ww.lelabofrances.com …there are no airs (only beautifully fragranced breezes) and graces with this team of artisanal masters. Read their ‘we believe’ ethos….Le Labo is a brand after my own heart.

Le Labo, an unassuming store on Rue Froissart, Paris

Good news!

Le Labo is vegan and cruelty-free. It means that none of our scents uses animal products nor products that are not animal cruelty free. Our entire collection is not tested on animals either. We are proud to be living proof that there is no need to torture animals to compose high-quality and creative perfumes. Beauty is even more beautiful when no one has to suffer in order to make it !

Labels: Beauty without Cruelty, Creativity, Design, Favourite Places, Inspiration, Lifestyle, Paris, Travel

City Walk, Cape Town...bring out your inner tourist...

Be a tourist in your own town and start with walking your city. Walking (and bicycle tours) are something I do in every new city I visit, always guided, but this particular Walk gives tourists and locals the opportunity to do an organised tour or go it on their own, at their own pace. I'm not a visitor mind you but lately I'm becoming more of a tourist in my town ~ it's amazing to discover what surrounds me in my hood and beyond.

The newly introduced City Walk, made possible by the City of Cape Town, the CCID and the Cape Town Partnership, is a fine way to explore Cape Town and to get people walking instead of driving everywhere. The route runs from the top of Government Avenue where it meets Orange Street (opposite the Mount Nelson), then all the way down to lower Wale Street, down St George's Mall, over Strand Street, into Waterkant Street, onto the Fan walk and over the bridge and as far as St Andrew's Square.

The oak tree lined Government Avenue and Company's Gardens are star attractions in the CBD. Aside from the wide open spaces of the Garden, there's no shortage of things to do and see. First up it's something of a tradition to feed the squirrels, pigeons and a more recent addition to the local wildlife, Egyptian Geese, with peanuts (vendors sell small bags for R5 each). For culture vultures there's the South African National Art Gallery, the National Museum and many historical statues all around the gardens. This past Saturday the theme was 'play' and throughout the route there were amazing things going on- giant scrabble, jumping castles, DIY chalking, frisbee games, book readings, face painting...and that was just for the little people.

The monthly City Walk adds to the Big 6 list - Cape Point, Robben Island, Groot Constantia, Table Mountain Cableway, Kirstenbosch and the V&A Waterfront- making it the Big 7, the attractions you really shouldn't miss on a visit to our fine city.

As the press release says, the City Walk "...is a spine....that connects significant places in the urban heart of Cape Town through storytelling, public art, walking tours and retail offerings... "

I had so much fun doing this walk- bumped into so many familiar faces like Jitsvinger and got caught up by innovative installation art, puppetry, dance and more. The vibe was festive and the atmosphere celebrated the cultural diversity that surrounds us. The next themed Walk and related activities is scheduled to take place 16 May.

The next City Walk Saturdays events take place on 16 May and 20 June – and every third Saturday of the month thereafter. Keep track of upcoming themes and events via http://www.capetown.travel/blog/entry/city-walk-to-fuel-cape-town-big-7.

Follow @capetownsoul on Instagram and use the hashtag #walkcapetown to see what you missed out on Saturday- it'll inspire you to participate in the next City Walk.

@allisonfoat (CapeTownDiva)

Readings all over the Company's Gardens...