The much anticipated Babyface concert has been cancelled sighting logistics, operation and contractual challenges. This was announced today by concert promoters Afropulse Entertainment. Kenny ‘Babyface’ Edmonds was scheduled to perform on December 5th at the Heartfelt Arena, City Of Tshwane, Bellville Veldrome Cape Town on the 7th of December, ICC Durban on the 9th of December and the 11th of December at the Coca-Cola dome, Johannesburg.
Pheliswa Jako Public Relations manager at Afropulse said; “Contractually Babyface’s management didn’t see it financially viable for him to come out and perform just three concerts. We then opted despite our finances to add Tshwane as a 4th performance venue. After endless negotiation with his management (Kenny Babyface Edmonds) we were unable to reach an agreement to suit both parties”
Kaya FM opted out of the media sponsorship last Friday (4th of December) following an assessment of the logistical and production elements around the show. Afropulse Entertainment was unsuccessful in meeting the radio station’s requirements with regard to detailed planning and project management of the tour. This includes the requirements of various other partner stakeholders such as the venue and key suppliers.
“We are deeply disappointed by this outcome however our listeners deserve the best experience possible and our responsibility is to ensure that what is promised is delivered and that there is value for money. Babyface has never performed in the country and fans have a history with his music, which makes it even more critical that his first experience is one that meets all expectations, including his (as the artist)” says Marketing Manager Mark Mdlela.
Afropulse management will continue to renegotiate with Babyface’s management company for a later date which will be announced by Afropulse.
All tickets will be refunded and for further details please contact
Pheliswa Jako on: 018 462 2207 philiswa.jako@afropulseent.co.za
Producer, song writer Kenny ‘Babyface’ Edmonds has released 11 solo albums with over 125 Top-10 R&B and Pop hits, 41 number one R&B hits, and 51 Top-10 Pop hits (including 16 number ones), which have produced single and album sales in excess of over 100 million units.
KENNY ‘BABYFACE’ EDMONDS ANNOUNCES HIS DEBUT CONCERT TOUR OF SOUTH AFRICA
American R&B singer, songwriter, producer, Multi Grammy Winner, & entrepreneur Kenny ‘Babyface’ Edmonds has announced his much anticipated official tour of South Africa, December 5th Heartfelt Arena, City Of Tshwane, Dec. 7 Bellville Veldrome, Cape Town, Dec. 9, ICC Durban, and Dec. 11 Coca Cola Dome, Johannesburg.
Tickets are available now at Computicket, and are priced R250 – R550.
This ‘Evening with’ concert will feature ‘Babyface’ performing a selection of his greatest hits including ‘Whip Appeal’, ‘Every Time I Close My Eyes’, ‘It's No Crime’, and ‘When Can I See You’; as well as a medley of the mega hits he wrote and produced for other artists.
If you were to examine the annals of modern pop music history, few creative forces have been more seminal or had more impact on the contemporary pop/urban genres as much as ‘Babyface’
More and more South Africans are choosing whisky as their tipple of choice, making this country one of the fastest growing markets in the world. The country is now regarded as the fifth leading Scotch whisky consumer in the world by volume and eighth in the world by value. Two years ago, South Africa did not register in the top ten. The profile of whisky drinker is changing to include more women, and younger, upwardly mobile adults.
This growth phenomenon can be attributed to many factors, one is the introduction of the FNB Whisky Live Festival, now in its seventh year. Its major cornerstone around which the Whisky Live Festival has been built is that of education, more specifically “demystifying the mystery of whisky”.
Visitors to this year’s FNB Whisky Live Festivals, which are taking place in Cape Town and Johannesburg, will be able to fulfill their curiosity and craving for whisky knowledge with a choice of eight fun & interactive workshops hosted by international master distillers, global brand ambassadors and whisky experts.
The workshops at this year’s festivals include a multitude of topics, from the exploration of regions, whiskies of the world and various whisky award winners, to the complexities of making the perfect whisky.
Visitors to the workshops will have access to some of the world’s finest independently-bottled whiskies.
Visit the Schweppes Art of Whisky Cocktail Making Zone
Visit the Schweppes Art of Whisky Cocktail Making Zone at this year’s FNB Whisky Live Festival from Wednesday, 4 November to Friday, 6 November at the Cape Town International Convention Centre and from Wednesday, 11 November to 14 November at the Sandton Convention Centre in Johannesburg and enjoy an interactive cocktail making experience, fit for the most royal of royals, led by master cocktail makers LiquidChefs.
The Schweppes Art of Whisky Cocktail Making workshops will take place each night and can accommodate 12 people per workshop. Guests will be taught how to make a variety of stylish and sophisticated whisky cocktails, in a fun, hands on workshop that is sure to impress. Workshops will be held at 18h30; 19h45 and 21h00 each night and will last for approximately 30 minutes each. Attendance is free and seats will be reserved on a first come, first serve basis.
Cape Town, 1 November 2009: From deep colours, soulful sounds and explosive flavours, 10 of the world’s best loved whisky brands will be brought together at the unique Sensory Zone during the forthcoming FNB Whisky Live Festival, a meeting ground for both aficionados and whisky novices alike.
The sounds of inviting music, provocative aromas and vivid colours will bring together ten exceptional whiskies that will be showcased at the Sensory Zone, taking visitors on a journey that arouses the five senses.
“To give the consumers a truly unique experience at the FNB Whisky Live Festival this year, we have created the Sensory Zone,” says Mike Minkley, Marketing Director at The Really Great Brand Company (RGBC). “A balance between brand emersion, education and sensory indulgence, the Sensory Zone is a contemporary and modern space that reflects the premium and luxurious nature of a few of the finest whisky brands represented by RGBC.”
South Africa’s first single grain whisky will be showcased on the forthcoming FNB Whisky Live Festival from the 4-6 November 2009 at the Cape Town International Convention Centre and from 11 – 14 November 2009 at the Sandton Convention Centre in Johannesburg.
The growing thirst for specialist whisky in South Africa has prompted the creation of the first local single grain whisky to be made in the country. Bain’s Cape Mountain Whisky, crafted by Master Distiller Andy Watts at the James Sedgwick Distillery in Wellington, is being classified as a Cape Mountain Whisky and is made from the finest quality South African grain.
This distinctive whisky is double-matured in specially selected oak casks. After the initial three years’ maturation period, it is released from the wood and then once again re-vatted into oak casks for a further two years’ maturation to continue the extraction of flavours.
Spoil your clients at the FNB Whisky Live Festival
The Lexus Whisky Lifestyle Lounge at this year’s FNB Whisky Live Festival, the largest and most exciting whisky festival in the world, is the ideal corporate hospitality venue – especially as the year starts coming to an end and companies look for interesting venues to entertain their employees and customers at.
According to Sian Neubert, FNB Whisky Live Festival co-organiser, the Lounge provides the perfect exclusive forum for client entertainment or simply networking with like-minded whisky-lovers.
“Our past customers have found it to be a very effective and easy way to entertain clients as the lounge provides an exclusive meeting point where clients can enjoy private whisky tastings, whisky cocktails, great food and yet still be entertained in the main tasting hall.
“Have fun, but please be responsible.” This is the message from the organisers of the FNB Whisky Live Festival, the world’s largest whisky event of its kind, which is taking place at the Cape Town International Convention from 4 – 6 November and at the Sandton Convention Centre from 11 – 14 November.
According to Sian Neubert, FNB Whisky Live Festival organiser, responsible drinking has always been a huge emphasis for the organisers of the event.
“The festival is not open to people under the age of 18 and we promote responsible drinking wherever we can.
“But we’ve taken it a step further this year,” she points out, “with the introduction of dedicated driver tickets, which allow you to include all your friends in the fun of the festival (even those who don’t drink) and still have a safe way of getting home .”
This ticket gives you entry to the festival and a R30 discounted food and soft drink voucher. A new feature of this year’s festival is the fact that every single Tasting Hall ticket purchased will include a food voucher redeemable at the Food Deli.
The FNB Whisky Live Festival has also partnered with professional chauffeur service, Road Trip, and Corporate Cabs, both of which will be on hand to ensure that festival-goers have a safe a reliable way to get home if they do happen to overindulge a bit.
“It’s a reality we have to face, where alcohol is involved. There’s bound to be a situation where one dram too many pushes you over the limit.
“In this situation, whether you feel it or not, it’s always wise to avoid getting behind the steering wheel,” Neubert says.
“We suggest that you make up a party of likeminded friends share a cab. Alternately, one of your party may elect to be the dedicated driver,” says Neubert.
With partners such as Corporate Cabs and Road Trip on-hand to help getting festival-goers home safely, friends and whisky lovers are free to let lose, explore the FNB Whisky Live Festival and sample whatever takes their fancy – without having to worry about the consequences of driving with elevated blood alcohol levels.
Discounted food vouchers and a bottle of Valpre mineral water are included in both the Tasting Hall & the Dedicated Driver ticket price, and there will also be lots of Valpre water available at the event to keep visitors hydrated and happy.
Kaya FM announced today Kgomotso Matsunyane as its new breakfast show host scheduled to take the helm on the 21st of October. Kgomotso is no stranger to Kaya FM and worked at the radio station as an executive producer between 1997 and 1998.
Matsunyane is an International Relations Graduate from Carleton College, Minnesota, U.S.A. She is also a former editor of the Oprah Magazine following which she started her TV & Film Company T.O.M. Pictures in 2003 with her friends Robbie Thorpe and Akin Omotoso.
Kgomotso will be joined on the show for special content features by Ndumiso Ngcobo - author of the best selling “Some of My Best Friends Are White” and “Is It Coz I’m Black?” Ndumiso is also the witty blogger (of the Silwane Files) on Mail & Guardian Online’s “Thought Leader”.
