Five-star hospitality destination Asara Wine Estate and Hotel in Stellenbosch recently launched Glenfiddich Whisky Sundays. It is a monthly event hosted at Asara’s whisky and cigar lounge, Sansibar. Until the end of August, guests can enjoy a Sunday lunch which includes a dram of that week’s featured whisky, music and a whisky professional to guide you through the tasting process. A grand finale event in September will offer a formal dinner paired with all of the whiskies featured until then. The next dates to diarise are 3 and 31 July and 28 August. For more information visit www.asara.co.za/hotel/promotions-and-specials

Some of the Western Cape’s finest restaurants will be offering special menus at affordable prices from 18 – 24 July in honour of the StreetSmart Winter Restaurant Week. Some 57 restaurants that are part of StreetSmart SA, an organisation dedicated to helping street children rebuild their lives, will help the NGO raises funds through a voluntary five rand donation with each table’s bill. StreetSmart Winter Restaurant Week is aimed at creating awareness for effective fundraising for street children. Visit www.streetsmartsa.org.za

Witness the talents of SA’s finest young artists at Africa’s top annual art competition, the Absa L’Atelier Art Awards, which enters its 26^th year in 2011 – making it the longest running and most prestigious art contest on the continent. The overall winner from the regional judging will be announced at the gala exhibition on 20 July. The exhibition of the top 100 works will be on show to the public from 21 July 2011 at Absa Gallery in Joburg. Contact (011) 350 5793 or visit http://latelier.you2me.co.za/main.html

Wine lovers will be flocking to Stellenbosch Wine Festival from 28 to 31 July. The Celebration of the Vine is one of the oldest country food and wine festivals in the Cape and will be happening at the Paul Roos Centre, showcasing culinary creations, music, the arts and of course wine. Guests will be treated to selections from over 500 wines, delights from top chefs, workshops and entertainment. Tickets to the wine festival range from R120 per day to a R350 Golden Pass for the whole festival. For information and bookings visit www.wineroute.co.za.

Wish the Springboks luck for the World Cup, while supporting a good cause, at the 14^th annual Chris Burger Petro Jackson Players’ Fund banquet, the Bell’s Night of the Stars Rugby Extravaganza in Durban on 9^th August, to be held at the Durban ICC. The fund assists players who have suffered catastrophic injuries. The event offers live entertainment, an auction of rugby memorabilia and sought-after items and a raffle. Contact Alison Williams: (021) 659 5617, events@playersfund.org.za or visit www.playersfund.org.za

The international dance sensation, Burn The Floor, comes directly from its record-breaking run on Broadway exclusively to Joburg Theatre. From 14 July to 14 August you can witness this dazzling ensemble of 20 champion dancers in a true theatrical experience. From Harlem’s hot nights at the Savoy where dances such as the Lindy, Foxtrot and Charleston were born, to the Latin Quarter where the sassy Cha-Cha, sensual Rumba and fiery Salsa steamed up the stage, Burn The Floor will take you on a journey through the passionate drama of dance. Ticket prices range from R195 – R365 and can be booked online at www.joburgtheatre.com

Salt aficionado Chef Craig Cormack will host salt and wine pairing dinners at Die Bergkelder in Stellenbosch on the last Thursday of every month. Be of the first to experience Fleur du Cap unfiltered wines paired with an impressive collection of rare salts from around the globe. Cormack designs dishes to achieve a particular flavour as a perfect taste partner to individual wines. These five-course dinners cost R400pp. Call (021) 809 8025 or visit www.bergkelder.co.za

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Travelling to five continents, five cities, with five of the hottest nights on the 2011 calendar, a month long tour from 19 March – 18 April 2011 will include stops in South Africa, Europe, USA, South America and Australia.
Armin van Buuren’s ‘A State of Trance 500 Tour’ has seen enormous success in the eight years since it was launched, reaching an estimated 10-million listeners in 26 countries and over 30 radio stations and via satellite and internet radio stations. Fans worldwide will be able to tune into this epic milestone as ‘A State of Trance’ celebrates its 500th episode.

Adrian Petersen of Smirnoff South Africa says, “It’s been an incredible year [2010] for Smirnoff, and to be alongside the world’s number one DJ, Armin van Buuren, for his celebration of ‘A State of Trance 500 Tour’ we are excited to bring yet another once-in-a-lifetime experience to South Africa. We have recently hosted the Smirnoff Nightlife Exchange Project, which was a phenomenal success and once again resetting the benchmark for Smirnoff globally. South Africa can expect an outstanding performance from Armin and other world-class DJ’s.  In addition to the music, the venue itself will be supported by a mind-blowing Smirnoff production.”

Armin van Buuren, who has been ranked as the world’s number one DJ for four years running in the leading DJ Mag top 100 poll, will be the fifth top international talent brought to South Africa by Smirnoff SA in the last year. Smirnoff brought South Africa the likes of Tiësto for the Smirnoff Experience Mashup Street, DJ Sasha for Smirnoff Experience, Above & Beyond as Smirnoff presented Godskitchen and Monika Kruse, ATB and Markus Schulz who recently brought Berlin’s nightlife alive for the ambitious Smirnoff Nightlife Exchange Project.

Having recently won various awards as Best Global DJ (2010), Best International DJ (2010), Best progressive House / Trance Track (2009) Best Music video (2009) and Best European DJ (2009), it is evident that Armin’s passion in trance music is beyond a hobby, it is essential to his way of life. “What makes trance work so well is that it doesn’t stick to one style. It can incorporate electro, minimal, whatever it likes,” says Armin.

“>Armin van Buuren’s ‘State of Trance 500 Tour’ is one experience not to be missed.

The tour will start in Johannesburg on 19 March 2011.  Tickets can be bought from Computicket from Monday, 6 December 2010.

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For more information log on to www.facebook.com/SmirnoffSA

Not for Sale to Persons under the Age of 18. Drink Responsibly.

Baron in Sandton, who came onboard as the venue of choice, played host to the hundred of participants and didn’t shy away for rewarding all with a fantastic after-party. Vodacom, together with their partner company, Afrigis, designing the amazing mobile application to track all the teams around Joburg. Play Energy Drink as well as RMB also came onboard for this event. A special thanks to all…. because of their involvement this could all take place and raise valuable funds for SOS Children’s Villages.

The Chris Burger Petro Jackson Players’ Fund is commemorating its 30th anniversary this year by hosting its popular annual fundraising banquet in Johannesburg.

Table bookings are now open for the Bell’s Night of the Stars Rugby Extravaganza, one of the most popular events on the South African social calendar. It takes place at the Ballroom at Montecasino on 17 August – four days ahead of the Springbok-All Black Tri-Nations clash at Coca-Cola Park – and the Boks will once again be on hand to man the phones in a live telethon that helped raise over R1-million last year for the victims of serious rugby injuries.

World Cup hero Joel Stransky will be the keynote speaker with Dan Nicholl acting as master of ceremonies on an evening where ordinary fans can enjoy an unforgettable night by socialising with their past and present Springbok rugby heroes. In keeping with tradition, the banquet dinner will styled as an extravagant event with a host of exciting line-ups including live entertainment, an interactive rugby trivia game show, and an auction of popular rugby memorabilia and other sought-after lifestyle items.

The Fund was established in 1980 by former Bok captain Morné du Plessis after his teammate Chris Burger broke his neck and later died playing for WP. “The Fund is something very close to my heart and I am happy that so many past and present Springboks will be at our banquet,” said Du Plessis, who is chairman of the Fund. “This event really can make a difference to the players of all ages and levels who have to spend the rest of their lives in a wheelchair.

“What started out as a tribute to a fallen team-mate has grown into something special, of which the entire South African rugby fraternity can be truly proud.” The telethon will be televised live on SuperSport 1 from 8-10pm. The public are encouraged to call in to 082 235 0420 and speak to a Springbok. During the telethon, there will be live television crossovers to the banquet, allowing the viewer at home to feel part of the evening’s fun and activities.

“The Bell’s Old Scotch Whisky Team is extremely proud of their association with the Chris Burger Petro Jackson Players’ Fund and the Bell’s Night of the Stars,” said Dominic Malan, marketing manager of Bell’s Extra Special Old Scotch Whisky. “We have been involved in raising funds for this charity for the past decade and the Night of the Stars is an event that not only aids the raising of these all-important funds but is a celebration of all the hard work that the Chris Burger Petro Jackson Players’ Fund does to enrich communities through their charitable efforts.”

Tables cost R10,000.00 with Gauteng based ex-Springboks filling one of the 10 seats. To book or for more information, visit www.playersfund.org.za, phone Gail or Alison on (021) 659 5615 or email events@playersfund.org.za.

The cost is R50 per event or R500 for a Dirt Pass and this includes a t-shirt, camping and events for the entire three-day weekend. The weekend will be jam-packed with activities including skills clinics, free ride challenge, fun rides, bicycle polo tournament and many more. For more information and pre-entries, visit www.dirtopia.co.za, email theteam@dirtopia.co.za or call the Dirtopia Trail Centre on (021) 884 4752.

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There will be loads of wine, mouth-watering food, diverse country stalls and live music from local artists including Waldo Lotz and Hugo Nieuwoudt. Wine lovers will sample wines from Allesverloren, Tukulu, Theuniskraal, Le Bonheur and Org de Racq. Festivalgoers can visit the farm on Friday and Saturday from 09:00 – 19:00, and on Sunday from 09:00 – 16:00. Entrance is free. For more information, contact Allesverloren on (022) 461 2320.

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The Great Moscow Circus will offer families in South Africa the best in thrills, action, comedy and excitement. Performances take place from 26 March to 11 April at Carnival City’s Big Top Arena and from 16 to 27 April at the GrandWest’s Grand Arena. There are various pricing structures depending on the show and seats but children are given special prices. Tickets are priced from R30 to R260.

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Visit www.computicket.com for bookings

Since breaking out on Broadway in 1972, this musical has been firmly established in the cultural Hall of Fame. The show will feature an all South African cast who will dazzle the audiences with unforgettable songs from the movie. Grease has maintained its everlasting popularity, proving that teenage angst and love’s young dream remain timeless and universal themes. Tickets are priced from R100 to R350 and are available at the theatre and Computicket.

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The course will give participants in the 18km and 40km mountain bike races as well as the 15km trail race a chance to compete on the ‘wild side’ through the rugged and picturesque Gwahumbe Reserve Game & Spa. Those who do not want to take on this gruelling challenge, newcomers and children can enjoy the 5km and 10km fun rides. A toddler’s race is included in the day’s events. Race entry fees range from R40 to R120. For more information visit www.juicylucy.co.za or call Brett Austen Smith on 082 572 4522.

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