Bucket Scene: Vintage, Vogue & Velocity 2026

Yesterday we attended the media launch of Vintage, Vogue & Velocity, an event that is redefining what a traditional classic car show can be. Rather than simply showcasing beautifully preserved automobiles, the event seamlessly blends classic motoring with fashion, beauty, music and lifestyle, creating an experience that appeals to enthusiasts and families alike.

Set against the picturesque backdrop of Camp Orchards in Hillcrest, the venue provides the perfect setting for this unique celebration. With its sprawling gardens, open spaces and relaxed atmosphere, Camp Orchards complements the elegant aesthetic of the event, making it as much about the experience as it is about the attractions on display.

Taking place on 30 August 2026, Vintage, Vogue & Velocity promises a fun-filled day with something for everyone. Motoring enthusiasts can admire an impressive collection of classic and vintage vehicles, each with its own story and timeless appeal. Fashion lovers will be treated to stunning displays of exquisite garments as models showcase a range of elegant and contemporary designs throughout the day, while live music adds to the vibrant atmosphere.

Adding a touch of sophistication to the occasion, the KZN Philharmonic Orchestra will captivate attendees with a selection of beautiful melodies, creating a truly unique ambience that perfectly complements the elegance of the classic cars and fashion displays. It's not every day that visitors can experience the harmonious blend of orchestral music, timeless motoring and high fashion in such a picturesque setting.

The event has also been designed with families in mind. Visitors can enjoy the on-site café, or opt for a leisurely afternoon by purchasing one of the available picnic baskets and relaxing on the beautiful grounds while taking in the sights and sounds around them.

Whether you're passionate about classic cars, have an appreciation for fashion and beauty, or are simply looking for a memorable day out with family and friends, Vintage, Vogue & Velocity promises to deliver a unique lifestyle experience that brings together style, heritage and entertainment in one unforgettable event.

More details on tickets will be made available soon, stay tuned to their social media channels for more and a chance to win a picnic basket for the day!

Ultra South Africa 2024

Ultra South Africa, the country's premier electronic dance music festival, will return in 2024. Ultra South Africa 2023 broke attendance records and is now set to welcome back tens of thousands of electronic music lovers in March 2024 for two more events in Cape Town and Johannesburg. 

Ultra South Africa 2024 will take place on Friday 1 March in Cape Town at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth Racecourse, and on Saturday 2 March in Johannesburg at the Expo Centre at Nasrec. 

Ultra South Africa is anticipating a huge demand for tickets for its 2024 edition, and has unveiled a ticket registration prior to its official on-sale launch. With registration, fans will receive the chance to buy limited Tier 1 tickets at launch-phase pricing – the most affordable tickets available. Attendees can register for tickets at www.UltraSouthAfrica.com/Tickets before Tier 1 tickets officially go on sale on Tuesday 1 August.

General Access tickets are from R695.

VIP tickets are from R1,500.

VVIP (Johannesburg only) tickets are from R3,500.

Ticket prices are all-inclusive, with no additional or hidden fees. 

With nearly 500,000 attendees over Ultra South Africa’s eight-year history, the 2024 edition will sustain the festival’s storied legacy by bringing the event to new heights with elevated, top-shelf production and musical talent. 

Stay connected with ULTRA South Africa on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter for additional updates and lineup announcements.

Bucket Tech: Huawei Nova Y9a - First Impressions

Last night saw the launch of the latest in the HUAWEI Nova series to South Africa, the Nova Y9a, now I'm not all to familiar with the numbering convention of these devices but I'm sure the brand has a method to all of this, all I know is that the Nova series is here to offer the consumer a handset with premium features at an affordable price, and that is exactly what the Y9a will be doing. HUAWEI have always prided themselves on great build-quality and exceptional devices and its great to see this trend carried through to even its "lower end" models giving all customers nothing but the best to suit their budget. 

With the Nova Y9a, HUAWEI have done everything in their power to make it a feature packed device starting of with a huge display measuring in at 6.63" with an Ultra Full-View display that has a 92% screen to body ratio, the only phone in this segment to offer such an immersive display.  If you take a look at the screen you will notice there is no notch for the front facing selfie camera, this is due to HUAWEI adding it as a pop-up camera, activating the front facing camera triggers the camera to pop-up in just 0.7 seconds, the camera is a 16MP lens which is cable of taking high-quality selfies, even in low light conditions. The camera has AI Beauty 5.1 which enhances your pictures to look more natural and none of those heavy edited filters that make you look like a wax model. The pop-up camera also has a built in safety feature, so when the phone detects it is falling, the camera automatically retracts in just as quick time. The camera has been put through some tough testing as HUAWEI say it can with-stand force of up to 15kg's!

The main camera is a quad-system camera which features a 64MP main lens, 8MP Ultra-wide camera, 2MP Macro and 2MP depth sensing camera. All of these combined give you high-resolution pictures with great detail. Low-light photography has been enhanced in the Y9a with the new algorithm for SuperNight Mode reducing "noise" from the pictures. Video recording with the Y9a is also great with it boasting high-res video capabilities, perfect for Vloggers and the likes. The device comes with a 4200mAh battery and features HUAWEI's 40W SuperCharge. This leaving you with plenty of battery life to do what you please but also the comfort in knowing your device can be charged up to 70% in just 30 minutes. The Y9a comes with 8GB RAM and 128GB Storage, giving you plenty of space to capture your hearts desire with it and not worrying about storage issues. 

The Y9a will be available locally from the 1st of February 2022 at a RRP of just R6,499, the device can be purchased via the HUAWEI online store, which if you pre-order before 31st January, you can get R999 voucher as well as a free Bluetooth speaker. 

Bucket Scene: Whisky & Gin Live Celebration 2019

The ever popular Whisky Live returns to the shores of Durban this winter and this time has a new partner with it, Gin! While Whisky remains an acquired taste for many, for some it doesn't quite suite their palate, hence the introduction of Gin to make everyone happy! The organisers say it is "Whisky Live with a whole new flavour! That's the all new gin flavours!". For the first time at Whisky Live, Gin will be making an appearance, it's a brand new look, layout and offering that will appeal to the whisky connoisseur, the new emerging whisky drinker and to the gin lover. There will also be live entertainment from various performers, trendy food trucks, social areas and with the event being helf at the new Suncoast Globe, it's a much more open layout that makes this new event refreshed and a must-experience for many.

Tickets are available from R250 and can be purchased from Ticket Pro or at the door for R290. Whisky & Gin Live kicks off on Thursday the 13th of June and runs till the 15th of June, running times are between 5pm and 9pm.

Tops at Spar Wine Show 2019

Wine lovers rejoice! As the most anticipated Wine event on the calendar is just a few weeks away. Yes, the Tops at Spar Wine Show returns to Durban's famed Golden mile from the 9 to 11 May, bringing a thirst-quenching three day ensemble of wine-created activities to an all new venue, The Globe at Suncoast. This massive, experiential venue arrived at the Tsogo Sun property near the end of last year, offering a dynamic indoor space, ideally suited to the size and scale of the wine extravaganza.

This years show is built around a fresh and flirty burlesque theme, with the show comprising a tannic troupe of full-bodied features with earthy undertones of fun. It will showcase a perfectly paired menu of attractions and exhibitors with something to whet the appetite of every level of wine fan. For those with a well trained nose and palette for wine, there are wine theaters offering interactive presentations on wine in all its glory as well the ever exciting South African Wine Tasting Championships where the 'Search for a Superstar' will be taking place where anyone can contend. Also at the show, is the esteemed Wine Label Design Awards which is presented by Rotobel. The show will give wine enthusiasts time to mingle with other wine fudi's who will share some of their valuable oenphile-knowledge about what makes a wine great. 

For those that aren't seasoned veterans on the subject, not to worry because the show also has something for you! A highlight is the show will be the #SAWineShowcase theatre experience which will feature entertaining and informative sessions by the one and only Jon Meinking, brining you up to speed on the "(A)roma, (B)rut and (C)haptalizations" of the wine world. Learning how to make educated wine decisions, and the importance of the wine glass to drinking experience, are just some of the potential takeaways from this refined educational experience. 

Another great addition to the show is the "Sip & Ship" service that allows visitors to immediately purchase wine they've tasted, at cellar prices, with free and reliable delivery straight to your door.

Durban Show Information:

Dates:

• Thursday, 9th May: 17:00-21:00
• Friday, 10th May: 17:00-21:00
• Saturday. 11th May: 15:00-21:00

Venue: The Globe, at Suncoast

Ticket Prices:

• General Access: R185 per person (includes a tasting glass, show guide, access to wine theatres and unlimited tastings)
• Couples Combo: R385 per couple (includes two GA tickets, two tasting glasses, a show guide, access to the wine theatres, unlimited tastings and a six pack of Libbey wine glasses)
• VIP Lounge: R495 per person (includes a glass of premium MCC and amuse bouche on arrival, four elegant wine and food pairings, limited bar, including boutique wine selection, a glass of Noble Late Harvest dessert wine and dessert pairing, a corporate gift and a complimentary Platters Guide, plus all GA tickets benefits)

Tickets are available now, from the website: www.wineshow.co.za

Corona Sunsets Festival Guide - Durban 2018

With Durban's first Corona Sunsets Festival taking place tomorrow, we thought we'd bring you a quick guide on what to expect at the event, the do's and don'ts, the line-up, and some other FAQ's that could be bugging the minds of many whom purchased tickets for tomorrow. So first up, how do you get there? Well parking is limited and if you're planning on having a few Corona's while you're there, driving is a no no, hence the organisers have arranged shuttles with Zeelo, with pick up and drop off points in Umhlanga and Durban North, for more information on this, check the ticketing website to book your shuttle now.

Next up, the do's and don't and what to bring and what not to bring. The last thing we want is for you to bring a whole bunch of stuff that won't be allowed, so read up! Also there's a list of what you can bring with, so if you're not sure about something, you can check the list to see if its A-okay. 

At the festival, the organisers have tried to make things as easy as possible for you, so for payments they're using cashless transactions via your wrist band thanks to Howler. You will be able to load credit onto your bands, then whether you're buying drinks at one of the many bars, or some of the great food on offer at the food village, simply scan your band and you're good to go!

With a host of artists ready to perform, be sure not to miss your favourite by saving this set list with all the time slots of the various Dj's. That way you won't be standing around have a snack while your favourite DJ is doing their thing.

Lastly, we got a site map of the festival grounds, so you know exactly where everything is, another handy thing to save to your phone so you can navigate around on the day. Can't find your mates? Whip out the map, ask them where they are and go find them! Can't find the toilets? They're on the map too!

That is all you should need to know about tomorrows Corona Sunsets Festival taking place at the Shongweni Polo Club. If you are heading out there, be safe, be responsible and most importantly, have a blast! 

2017 Wartburger Spring Festival

Nestled just outside Pietermaritzburg, lies a quaint town of Wartburg, having passed there a few times, you might miss it if you blink but many don't know about this little wonder and the history it holds. When I tell people about it, many respond, "what burg?", so here's a quick history lesson for you. The town was settled in the 1850's by German families, and is named after the Wartburg Castles in Eisenach, Germany. To this day, the Wartburg area has had a large population of German speaking citizens who predominantly farm in the surrounding area around town. Okay, enough with the lessons, time to focus on the main reason of this post, the Festival! In it's second year running, the Wartburg Spring Festival is getting ready to host the masses coming in to enjoy all things German.  The event will build on the long-standing traditions of the Wartburg Lutheran Church Bazaar, one of the most anticipated events on the town's calendar with its sale of processed German meats, advents biscuits and other fresh produce. 

This year the festival sees Orion Group's Wartbuger Hof Hotel joining in to host a fun family event in collaboration with the Wartburg Lutheran Church. The bigger and better festival will see stall holders and exhibitors from as far as Cape Town showcasing their artisanal items to the public. Some of the stallholders and craftsmen, include the top KwaZulu-Natal craft brewers, including Lion's River Brewery and Railroad Brewey. Nadia Gmeiner and Antoinette Kleyn, the event organisers, said that they were ecstatic to be involved in such an event. "The town of Wartburg is a beautiful gem and our hotel, the Wartburger Hof, owes a lot of its success and support to the people of this town. For us to be a part of the festivities and the camaraderie among the brilliant townsfolk is such an honor for us and we hope to increase the support and numbers to this years event."

The Wartburger Spring Festival promises to  delight the young and old alike. There will be a number of stalls which range from arts and crafts to artisanal food and beverages including traditional German cuisine that is sure to delight even the most discerning palette. The even will take place on Saturday, 21 October 2017, on the grounds of the Wartburger Hof Hotel. It is a nice excuse for many to explore the countryside and will be a great outing for the entire family. For those wanting to host a stall at the Festival, please contact Nadia Gmeiner on 011-718 6416 or email beerfest@wartburghotel.co.za. For more information, please visit www,wartburghotel.co.za or follow the event on Facebook. To buy tickets to the Festival, they are available online at NuTickets

Corona SunSets Festival 2017 - Cape Town

Following the success of last years event at the scenic shores of Clifton beach, Corona SunSets Festival is back to leave goers mesmerised by deep house sounds and one of the most picturesque sunsets you will see on the African continent. I can personally vouch for this Festival after attending last years and can definitely say it is one that is not to be missed. Even if you aren't the biggest fan of deep house, just the location and the vibe will have you in awe. Set just above the shores of the Atlantic, is the Bungalow in Clifton, with Lions head as your backdrop and the 12 Apostles behind you, it doesn't get better than this. Add to it some awesome decor as well and a line up of the hottest local and international DJ's, throw in some ice cold Corona's and you have one epic jol. The line up for the Festival has been announced and has Jonas Blue and Klingande as headliners with a variety of local support acts which include Timo ODV, MiCasa and Strange Loving. Tickets are on sale now, at NuTickets so get yours now to avoid disappointmend. 

Corona Sunsets - Sessions

It's all going down on the 1st of April at Muldersdrift where Johannesburg is set to host the first installment of the Corona Sunsets Festivals of 2017 in South Africa. Since the Corona SunSets Festivals are all about loving and sharing, Corona will be bringing Robin Schulz down to Cape Town the day after the Festival in Johannesburg for a one-day only beach party that will end the summer off in the beautiful groovy way it began, with a Corona beach party. It's all going down at the Grand Beach Cafe in Granger bay on the 2nd of April with a stellar line up that could rival any festival. Joining international act Robin Schulz on stage is a number of top locat acts, consisting off, Timo ODV, Shaun Duvet, Dean Fuel, Richard Marshall and Ivan Turanjanin. 

Tickets are limited and are selling at R450 from the website, (booking fee not included)

For tabe bookings, contact: celebrate@grandafrica.com. 

Share your experience with #CoronaSunSetsZA and #ThisIsLiving on social media. 

Bollywood on Box Office

Last night I attended the official launch for Multichoices announcement on bringing Bollywood onto their Box Office service. It was a glitzy affair held at Durban's award winning ICC with many local personalities and celebrities in attendance. Now although I come from an Indian background, I wouldn't say I am a fan of Bollywood movies, for one they're lengthy with 90% of them being 3 hours long and with the language barrier, I find myself reading subtitles more than watching the film but with that being said, the movies which are produced in India deserve major credit. It's one of, if not the largest movie industry in the world with new movies being released on a weekly basis. Bollywood has been making waves worldwide, with films being nominated for prestigious International Awards. Hollywood has also picked up at how large the industry is growing and started to adopt styles and actors in their productions. From Irrfan Khan in Jurassic World, the Big B (Amithab Bachan) in the Great Gatsby to Priyanka Chopra who is currently taking Hollywood by storm in her series blockbuster, Quantico, the influence Indian cinema is having across the globe is clear to see.

The evening kicked off with a live performance by a local dance academy who team up with an Indian choreographer who mesmerized the crowd with stunning dances throughout the evening and taking us through the various phases Bollywood went through with their productions, with the first movie to be produced just being a musical with no words being spoken, as they went through the years it brought back memories of my family and I going to various movie houses in the CBD to watch them as Bollywood movies were not available at the mainstream movie houses. All of those memories were good and I was surprised that I remembered words to certain songs as my mum used to listen to the various movie soundtracks at home quite often. The thing with Bollywood movies, all if not most are the feel good type of movies. Yes many will send you through an emotional roller-coaster but the end result is always a sense of satisfaction after watching them. 

Maybe now that DStv are launching them on Box Office I might start watching more of them. Bollywood on Box Office is available from the 12th of October 2016 and unlike previously where Box Office was only available for Premium, Extra and Catch up customers, Multichoice has opened the service to all. At just R35 you can rent the hottest movies whenever you want them to watch at your leisure from the comfort of your home. "BoxOffice is the most convenient way for our customers to access the latest blockbusters and we're thrilled that all our customers can now experience this service. No doubt, the addition of Bollywood movies will bring extra excitement to our customers' summer" - Mark Rayner, CEO of Multichoice South Africa. 

With the constant increase in movie ticket prices and not to mention the price of popcorn and coke at the the various movie houses, it's a simple decision to make. Also with the various payment methods BoxOffice has, it's so simple to rent your movie of choice. From next month customers will also be able to pay via WeChat! With DStv giving customers R35 back into their WeChat wallet when renting up to 4 movies, which is all part of their crazy deals campaign. 

For more information on this, visit the DStv website on www.dstv.com

Black Bottle Whisky - Launch

Although I don't mind the odd glass of craft beer now and then, I never was a fan of the drink derived from hops and barley. Many find this strange for a man but I just prefer the smooth, rich, textures of a good whisky. It's not the cheapest drink to buy at a bar but it satisfy's me, I don't have a preference when it comes to whiskies, whether it be Irish or Scottish, single malt or mixed blend, it all depends on taste and tones for me. 

Last week I was invited to the launch, well re-launch of Black Bottle Whisky at the Dutch in Umhlanga. Having never tasted this whisky before, one could tell that it wasn't an ordinary whisky by choice of venue. Black Bottle has been on sale in South Africa for a little over 10 years now but it never was quite promonent, also it should come in a green bottle as apposed to the name. You see when a group of brothers who were originally tea blenders decided to make their own whisky, they wanted theirs to be unique so they imported black glass from Germany, this however stopped at the start of World War 1 and they had to use  local sourced green glass.

Now after many decades they decided to revert back to black. After meeting "Mr Black" as they called him, we learned the methods of how the whisky is distilled and left to mature in used wine casks which add extra flavour and dimentions to it. The whisky itself is quite pungent, smooth on the tongue and pallete with a rich spicey after taste that follows the warmth from the whisky. This along with the decadent finger snacks supplied by the Dutch on the evening, made for a delightful Monday night.

Mr Black with Chia Kougianos from The Socialite

I normally have my whisky neat on the rocks, with the ice mainly there to chill the whisky than to dilute it, but I learnt that the ice has an effect on the whisky and sends it into a state of "shock" but as explained by the brand ambassodor, it all depends on the preference of the drinker. Black Bottle even encourages cocktails to be made from it. I tried a few on the evening and got to say, I really did enjoy them, even though I don't like cocktails very much. 

Myself and Chia, captured on Polaroid

It was a great evening of whisk, food and entertainment, but I got to learn and appreaciate whisky a whole lot more. The average selling price of Black bottle should be in the R200 range which slots right in with the popular ones that people tend to buy, next time you're out at the bottle store, be sure to try it out and remember, its back in Black!