Mystic India

Travel to the heart and soul of India on a wave of brilliant colours, signature sounds, sensual fragrances and explosive energy. Mystic India: The World Tour is a masterpiece that has left audiences worldwide in breathless awe. It’s a true dance spectacle complete with world-class dancers, renowned musicians, opulent costumes, extravagant sets, and mesmerising visual effects.

The internationally acclaimed Bollywood music and dance spectacular is based on the concept of ancient India’s transition into modern India. Your senses are joyously overwhelmed with everything that is India from Hindu gods and traditional festivals, to life in rural villages, and the evolution of Bollywood. Whether you have visited India or not, you will leave the theatre, feeling like you’ve known India your whole life.

Mystic India: The World Tour is directed and choreographed by the prominent choreographer and production master, Amit Shah, and produced by US-based AATMA Performing Arts, of which Shah is the founder and creative director.

Book your tickets now at Computicket to see Mystic India: The World Tour, in association with Zee TV, at the Teatro, Montecasino from 29 April to 1 May 2016. It's a must-see show of the year!

Review by Andrea Vermaak.

Let your feet speak for your heart

National Tekkie Tax Day has been part of the South African calendar for the last three years and this time around we're celebrating it on Friday 27 May. This campaign gives you the opportunity to show with your feet where your heart lies. Choose your sticker for a cause close to your heart, spunk up your tekkies with a funky pair of our Tekkie Tag shoelaces and you are ready for National Tekkie Tax Day!

The campaign started in 2013 when a few of South Africa’s biggest and most accountable welfare organisations joined forces. Marieta Kemp, Director Social Services from the SAVF says, “The large number of welfare organisations involved helps us to keep the costs structure low and this will ensure that the maximum of donations can be used by us to deliver our services on grass roots level.”

There are 11 National Beneficiaries and they represent more than 1000 local non-profit organisations.

·         Epilepsy SA

·         Child Welfare SA

·         SOS Children's Villages

·         CHOC (Childhood Cancer Foundation)

·         Special Olympics SA

·         CANSA

·         Imisebeyelanga Services

·         Meals on Wheels

·         VVA

·         NG Welsyn

·         SAVF

Tekkie Tax raised more than R13,7 million and the impact on ground level is remarkable. Gary Westwood, Director of Epilepsy SA in the Free State and North West provinces says,  “We used our Tekkie Tax donations in serving persons with epilepsy and other disabilities in our residential care facilities.” Imisebeyelanga Services used their Tekkie Tax donations to purchase tables and chairs for some of their Early Childhood Development centres. Samaritan's Feet SA bought shoes for the needy. The list is long and these are only a few examples of how the donations were utilised in the past. 

There is really no excuse not to participate in this year’s campaign. The stickers (R10 each) are available at all Toys R Us and Babies R Us stores. The Tekkie Tag shoelaces (R35) are available from all Clicks stores. There are also more than 250 participating non-profit organisations selling these items and together they aim to convince every South African to be part of the fun. Orders can also be placed online via the Tekkie Tax website: www.tekkietax.co.za.

The media, a whole bunch of celebrities, hundreds of companies and thousands of individuals have pledged their support to the campaign. I hope to add you to the list! 

Walk the extra mile for a welfare organisation close to your heart by wearing your sticker of choice on Friday 27 May and spunk up your tekkies with a pair of funky Tekkie Tag shoelaces. There is really no excuse – put your best foot forward and support National Tekkie Tax Day!

Press release by Tekkie Tax.

Only large talk Of Monsters and Men

Nanna Bryndís Hilmarsdóttir
Photo: Chelsea Ann Chalmers

Seed Experiences have organised some of the greatest, chilled out and super vibey events in South Africa, and they’re just getting better and better. The latest event that Andrea Vermaak, editor of Supernova, the mag for curious kids, could attend was the Sowing the Seeds Music and Lifestyle Festival, featuring Jungle, and the amazing Of Monsters and Men. The event took place at Emmarentia Dam on 2 April 2016. Supporting acts included local greats BCUC, December Streets, and the Matthew Mole.

Emmarentia Dam is the perfect venue for music festivals. You can take a picnic basket to enjoy with friends and family, while you to sit back and bask in the mesmerising sounds of the greatest local and international bands. If you forget to pack lunch, there are a variety of gourmet food stalls for even the most discernible tastes, including yummy gluten free pancakes!

Ragnar Thorhallsson
Photo: Chelsea Ann Chalmers

The music, however, is what makes each event so special. From The Lumineers to The Kooks, George Ezra, Ben Howard, Passenger, and many more, Seed Experiences makes sure that they know what SA music lovers want, and they deliver.

Of Monsters and Men was no exception. Hailing from Iceland, the indie folk band sounded as great live as on their albums. Vocalists and guitarists Nanna Bryndís Hilmarsdóttir and Ragnar Thorhallsson were simply…magical. They took us on a journey far away across the snow-topped mountains of their country with hit single favourites ‘Little Talks’, ‘Mountain Sound’ and ‘Dirty Paws’, among others. They were one of very few bands that also genuinely seemed to enjoy the crowd as much as the crowd enjoyed them.

Everyone left with songs in their hearts. We can’t wait to see what Seed Experiences has to offer next!

For more information:

Facebook: /SowingTheSeedsSA

Twitter: @SowingTheSeedSA

Instagram: @SowingTheSeedsOfficial

Review by Andrea Vermaak