Gateway VDJ Preview Fashion Show & Concert 2018

It's the biggest pre-party in build up to Durban's prestigious horse racing event, the Gateway Vodacom Durban July Preview Fashion Show and Concert takes place this Saturday at the Wavepark in Gateway Theatre of Shopping! The main event being the fashion show starts at 7pm and offers local designers a chance to showcase their garments for the Vodacom Durban July, starting off owith the Timeless Collection which features pieces by Brenda Quin, Hanrie Lues, Katekani Moreku, Leona Magdelene Pillay, Madelain Clark, Martin Steenkamp, Racine Lyle, Meredith Denny, Sadie Bostworth Smith, Sibusiswe Msimang and Skye Pengelly. Following that will be an Invited Designers showcase with capsule pieces from Paledi Segapo, JJ Schoeman, Zama Mathe, Vino Moodley, Sandile Duke Mngadi, Kathrin Kidger, Casey Jeanne and Leigh Schubert, who is proud to be amongst African designers who aren't afraid to stand out or make a statement as they remain accessible and approachable. The Vodacom Durban July's Young Designers competition winners will also have the opportunity to showcase their collections as well as key Gateway retailers revealing their interpretation of this years theme, it's Time. The fashion show is brought you by Gateway and Vodacom RED. 

Once the fashion frenzy is over, it's time to let your hair down and party the night away to some of the best South African talent there is who take over the stage in the official concert. This years line-up includes award winning artists such as Kwesta, DJ Funky B, Deon G, Locnville, DJ Carly O and Okmalumkoolkat. If reputation has anything to do with it, you won't want to miss this one as the past years events have been nothing short of spectacular. 

Tickets for the concert are on sale via Webticket for R120, tickets can be purchased at the venue on the day for R140. Limited number of VIP Marquee tickets are on sale for R1000 per person. Seating for the Fashion Show is limited and on a first come, first serve basis. Doors open at 6pm and the event ends at 11h45pm. 

Jack Daniels Boomtown 2015

With less than a month to go to the countries biggest and best horse racing event, the Vodacom Durban July, people across the country would be searching frantically at which marquee they're going to be at but reality, there really is only one place to be and that's Jack Daniiels Boomtown!

Besides being the biggest marquee at the countries showcase horse racing event, this year organises have gone out of their way to secure the countries freshest and hottest talent to perform on stage. Previously the line up included the likes of hip-hop royalty Cassper Nyovest, AKA, Da L.E.S, KO, Riky Rik, Okmalumkoolkat and Dreamteam along with DJ Dimplez amd the Major League DJs, superstar DJs Fresh and Black Coffee, international exports Mafikizolo, Uhuru and Black Motion.

Thats a pretty stellar line up right there but now promoters Airy Scott have announced 13 additional acts, Durbans own WTF, Aewon Wolf, Gemini, Breeze, DJ Feel, Benny Maverick, Chynaman and Gagasi FM;s TP and Vumar. Hip hop fans will be glad to see that Jozi's DJ Speedsta has been included to the line up as well, along with up and coming rapper and Jack Daniels Music Scouts 2014 winner Gigi Lamayne who will perform her hit single Ice Cream.

Jack Daniels Boomtown will be powered by exclusive media partners Vuzu Amp, YFM and Gagasi FM. 

Ticket Information:

Tickets are available now from Computicket, group bookings can be made via Airey Scott office on 031 566 2720.

GENERAL TICKET - R490 per person

• Carpeted cocktail lounge
• 50 metre of bar
• Cafe restaurant 
• Plasma screens with racing feed
• Betting facilities

VIP TICKET - R1700 per person

• Exclusive decked VIP Lounge
• 40 metres of a bar
• Full complimentary bar* (11am-5pm)
• Buffet lunch (1pm-4pm)
• Light dinner (6pm - 8pm)
• Private toilet facilities
• Trackside viewing deck
• Plasma screens with racing feed
• Privte betting facilities

*Premium spirits, wines, beers and sof drinks are complimentary. Selected Super stock on sale. 

VVIP TICKET - R2750 per person

• Exclusive decked VVIP Lounge
• Premium decor
• Full complimentary bar* (11am-10pm)
• Upscale buffet lunch (1pm-4pm)
• Light Dinner (6pm-8pm)
• Trackside viewing deck
• Plasma screens with racing feed
• Private luxury toilets
• Private betting facilities
• Fully staffed facility, including dedicated waitresses, bar staff, hostess, security and senior management.

*Premium Spirits, wines, beers and soft drinks are complimentary. Select Super Premium stock on sale.

For more info and updates, follow

Twitter:  @AireyScott

Facebook: Airey Scott

Instagram: aireyscott

website: www.boomtown.za.com

Vodacom Durban July 2014

There's only one place to be this weekend and that's Durban as the city prepares for its biggest occasion on the calendar. The Greyville Race Course place host to the Vodacom Durban July and this years seems to be bigger and better than ever with over 55,000 people expected to attend this years event. The masses from around the country have already begun their voyage for South Africa's most prestigious and glamorous horse racing event. 

Besides the horse racing, the other main focus will be the fashion, the who's who of SA already have their designer garments and are ready to party the night away on the 5th of July. There's many tents and marquee's for you to choose from and if you have purchased tickets to one of them, please check if it includes race course entry as most of the time it doesn't.

There will be a lot of alcohol consumed so please, if you are drinking, don't drive as police will not be lenient on offenders. The guys at uber have increased their services for tomorrow night so make use of it and arrive in style. To all those attending, have fun and enjoy the weather that Durban is offering for the weekend, its sure to be a blast!

Time for the races!

Winter is the one season that most people hate, bitterly cold mornings, freezing evenings, dry weather and it makes one feel lethargic in general. In Durban however, we have a different approach. You see unlike the rest of the country, Durban's winter is perfect, lovely warm days, hardly any rain and while it might get cold in the evenings and early hours of the morning it is still manageable for many. Hence the city is a hive of activity during this period with loads of events on the go, none bigger that the Vodacom Durban July. 

It is Africa's biggest, most prestigious and glamorous horse racing event and Durban pulls out all the stops. It generates a heck of a lot of income for the province with the thousands that descend from across the country to party the night away at the Greyville Racecourse. Many have already bought tickets to the one of the many marquees that will be erected for race day. The most popular ones being the Miller Boom Town marquee which I attended last year, its massive and with the huge dance floor and designated areas, its sure to be a hit again this year. Other notable ones are the G&G Live marquee as well as the Fish Eagle MTV "Eagle Air" tent. 

Apart from all the parties, and horse racing, fashion is always a major talking point at the races. This years theme being "Posh, oh my gosh!" you can be sure to see some exquisite outfits on display. Coming back to the racing, this years field for the final race has never been this open before. There isn't a clear favourite and as most pundits and bookies are saying, there is a number of horses that could win the running. Here's hope lady luck is shinning on you when you place that bet!

Now over the past few weeks, the country has been monitoring the health of former President Nelson Mandela. There was talks that if anything tragic had to happen, the race will be held at an alternative day, that being the 27th of July 2013. However, on the official website, organizer now stated that they have been given the go ahead to host the even this Saturday and as a gesture towards our former leader, heart shaped emblems will be handed out to everyone at the course and 67 seconds silence will be observed as a tribute to Madiba. 

That being said, it looks like its all systems go for Saturday and personally I cannot wait as it one of the highlights of the the year!

Durban July 2012

Dubbed "Africa's greatest horseracing event", there's no wonder why the Vodacom Durban July is one of the most anticipating social event of the year. Apart from the horse racing, there is many other things that draw people to to Greyville, from fashion shows, to the various marquee's that has been set up in the race course and not forgetting the parties! Each year a theme is chosen so fashion designers have something to work with, this years being "Material World", focusing on the environment. The fashion shows take place at the main scored board across the grandstand and the winning design gets a pretty handy cash prize.

Each year various brands have marquee's and they just seem to get bigger and better each year, so it leaves one with a tough choice to decide on which one to chose as most boast an excellent selection of hospitality and entertainment. This years prices are quite steep as well but it all depends on the tent and ticket you have, and location of it on the course. Most of the marquee's are equipped with their own tote station so you don't have to go to the main grand stand to place a bet. The weather normally plays it part for the event, with most of the past years being glorious sunshine, so walking around could get tiresome with the blazing sun as even in winter it holds no mercy to us in Durban. 

This year will be only my second time attending, after attending last years I wondered why I haven't been before! The day is filled with lots of fun, socialising and partying... oh yes, not forgetting lots of walking too! So if theres any tips I could give you, is to wear comfy shoes! Being the countries biggest horse racing event, many celebs will be spotted amongst the crowd and even our President is a regular, so keep that camera handy as you never know who you could bump into! 

After the racing is done, its party time. Each marquee have DJ's to help you party the night away .... well until 12am that is. The race course has a strict closing time which everyone has to adhere to but if you still in the mood to party more, there are various after parties that will be happening around the city. The official one being the 5fm after party at the DLI hall which can be found in the centre of the race course where you'll find the likes of DJ Fresh, Euphonik, Roger Goode and Protoculture to name a few doing their thing on the decks.

If you are in Durban this weekend, be sure to join in on some of the fun as the city practically comes to a stand still because of this event and there will be numerous of other things to do as the city puts out to show its best to its visitors.