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May 9, 2012 by Stu Shapiro

Mother City nurtures its needy

 

By Jess Patlansky 2010


The streets of Cape Town are humming with an almost manic sense of opportunity. Everywhere you look people are making, creating and doing. There’s an energy here that you’ll struggle to find anywhere else.  Things are colourful and bright, big and loud, positive and confident… And if one should canvass these streets a little closer. Investigate things a little deeper; one would be pleasantly surprised at what is found at the heart of it.

Spotted throughout the city are young vibrant people who, with the help of their everyday businesses, are making a substantial impact on the cities underprivileged.  Twenty eight year old Stu Shapiro works in 3D animation, dealing with producing, visual effects, sculpting, modeling and compositing; a lifelong artist formerly making his mark as an exhibited painter and then a graphic designer in his younger years.  His 3D skills have been sought after both here and abroad. Shapiro is also an amazing photographer who is launching his own business right here in the Mother City.  3D photo reference.com, human textures, is a new rising company specializing in a photographic service for the film and gaming industry to create photo-real game and movie characters in conjunction with 3d sculpting software.

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April 8, 2012 by Stu Shapiro

Afrika Burn 2011

CREATE ART | BURNING STRUCTURES | COSTUME | PERFORMANCE | THEME CAMPS | MUSIC

IMG 10641 620x314 Afrika Burn 2011It’s been 6 days since I returned from Afrika Burns. Six days filled with mixed emotions, from euphoria to uncertainty and sadness. That’s why I’ve taken so long to blog about my experiences at Afrika Burns. I don’t want them to be influenced by the emotions I’ve been through. But now, back in the full swing of life, I feel I’m ready to share my experiences and thoughts on the temporary community which existed in the Tankwa Karoo.

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April 4, 2012 by Stu Shapiro

YAD GOLF DAY

The YAD Golf Day team is committed to lifting the event a notch higher each year. The question is always how we can make our day even more special than the previous year.

This annual challenge doesn’t find a clear solution until things start to unfold on their own, and somehow we are blessed, as the pieces of the puzzle fall into place.

This year YAD had some new angels join us and through their additional contacts and passions, linked with ours (the existing ever-dedicated, Golf Day volunteer team), we delivered YAD’s most remarkable golf event to date.

Notable highlights included Jake White’s address, which proved to be remarkably humorous and engaging. One could hear a pin drop in between the laughter, so rapt was the attention of all assembled. (www.rugbyxv.co.za)

The sponsors really went all out on many of the holes. Interactivity was the name of the game, with sushi,
Moët Champagne, strawberries and cream, massages, putter fitments, wine tastings from top wine estates, whisky l’chaims, roving chocolate temptations, drool-worthy vehicles and energy drinks — all competing for attention.

In addition to all of this, holes featured competitions for longest drives, straightest drives, nearest to the pins and lucky draws for incredible rewards.

Our comedian and MC, Rob Van Vuuren, had us in hysterics when he finally admitted that he now understands “what a Jewish wife would be like”, after his brief experience of direction by the YAD ladies during prizegiving.

The prizes were never so plentiful and abundant. Thank you to every sponsor who made this possible. (Our honour list is featured opposite). Our golfers were truly pampered and spoilt. Special thanks are due to our Key Sponsors, Stenham and Macsteel for their continued commitment and generosity.

Next year will our TENTH Golf Day and heaven alone knows how we are going to TOP this one!

http://www.cjc.org.za/?p=1119

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April 4, 2012 by Stu Shapiro

Diemersfontein PINOTAGE ON TAP

The REAL story behind Pinotage on Tap…

Thousands wish to come and celebrate its new vintage launched at our fun-filled annual party, Pinotage-on-Tap. It has been called the best party in the winelands calendar. It’s a young wine made to be drunk early. We bottle it each year in July or August – after an oaky immersion for just five months. It’s ready very soon thereafter – and we believe although it will last longer – it’s at its best in the first year or two. But generally its fans don’t wait that long. Each year we taste some vintage variation, and the fans argue about their favourites and the merits of each. But we will always maintain the essential features of the wine – the consistency that comes from using the highest quality grapes from the Wellington region and the same fermentation and oak maturation procedures each year.

Its had quite a reception across its now ten vintages – starting off immediately in the ABSA Top Ten – it has won Trophy at the Michelangelo International Wine Trophy for best Pinotage, silver at the Wine Style Asia, Silver in Nova Scotia, Michelangelo Gold for the 2006. But almost best of all – in April 2007, Neil Pendock christened it “The People’s Pinotage” after his consumer survey in the South African Sunday Times found that it was the “overwhelming favourite” of all pinotages. Since then, the people have spoken again by voting it “The Best Red Wine on Show” at Winex in Cape Town and Johannesburg in 2008/9/10.

Diemersfontein Pinotage is at present available in nineteen countries and in South Africa, it is available in many top outlets in each province. Please refer to our agents and stockists information.

Diemersfontein also sells delicious Pinotage Truffles which are made exclusively for the estate using the best of Belgian chocolate and (of course) the coffee chocolate Pinotage.

http://www.diemersfontein.co.za/index.php?option=com_k2&view=item&layout=item&id=46&Itemid=116

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April 3, 2012 by Stu Shapiro

CTEMF

In collaboration with the Red Bull Studio, the CTEMF presents a series of open info-sessions and workshops, which aim to illuminate the complex and fascinating South African music industry with a focus on the Electronic Music scene. The key speakers come from all corners of the diverse SA music world, from artists to those behind the scenes, and each carry with them a combination of unique expertise and unbridled knowledge. The sessions will be hosted by Red Bull Studio manager, Richard Rumney, at the Studio during the week leading up to the CTEMF and will be free for anyone to attend.

The sessions will also be a lead-up to the deadline for applications for the Red Bull Music Academy (RBMA), the Monday after CTEMF. The RBMA is a world-travelling series of music workshops and festivals: a platform for those who shape our musical future and key inspiration behind the CTEMF Workshop / Info-Sessions. Those attending the workshops and info session will be given more information about how to apply for the RBMA throughout the week.

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