Ziyawa Monday! Showcase Sessions @ moyo Melrose Arch

Every second Monday of the month, moyo Melrose Arch is HAPPENING showcasing talented new comer’s to the South African music scene.

 

Elements of Soul bared their soul to our moyo guests on 12 March.  An exciting trio - who I have no doubt will be making waves very soon locally!

 

The soothing croon from singer/composer Sibu Msesiwe exceeded my expectations, her skilled vocal control belying her youthful appearance.  Shades of Sade momentarily visible enhanced my perception of a world class set up. With Man-D Tengani on piano & DJ Palture mixing a backdrop of instrumental accoutrements there will be no stopping this skilled team. Produced through Beyonce Records in East London, Elements of Soul brings daily living circumstances & experiences to light, conveying inspirational messages.  A fusion of R&B, Soul and Deep House mixed with originality & creativity.

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This last Monday 9 April saw the Funky, Jazzy, Trip Hoppy Zetina  & her band take to the stage. WOW, I love this ladies sound. Delicious, rich, soulful, textured are but a few adjectives to describe her performance. Accompanied by guitarist - Ancienth, drummer - Papi & saxophonist – Bra Vusi, Zetina filled the space with her beautiful voice & original compositions, sung in English. Of exotic heritage with Ghanaian mom & Southern African dad of Sotho origin, Zetina will probably be adding influences from both these cultures in her future compositions. In fact on that note, I love the story behind Zetina’s stage name, a combination of both her parent’s names, honouring mom Faustina & dad Zet.

 

A definite to check out is her video of her song Lately on youtube

 

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Apt extract’s from Zetina’s biography - written by Thabiso Mohapeloa - perfectly describes her musical performance :

 

“Zetina Mosia is a 23 year old cutting edge jazz vocalist that experiments with combining Jazz and Trip-Hop to create a new genre of music South Africa has still yet to define. With her soon to be released debut album, interestingly titled “The Round About” she takes one on a complete circle of emotions.  Fusing traditional jazz with trip-hop and funk elements over conscious meditative lyrics her voice transports you into a world where the soul is sometimes too shy to enter.  She speaks of places we all know we have been but allow ourselves to deny for the convenience of protecting our hearts, although we understand that in order to arrive at a place of feeling good about being, we must enter certain corners of our lives.  From loving, hating, philosophizing about life in the universe to basically playing around and finding that child in ourselves, she helps us to enjoy that life is completely unimportant and irrelevant whilst being extremely serious and in need of protection from hurting.

Zetina studied jazz and classical music for 4 years at The National School of The Arts. At the age of 15 she was selected through the Yamaha Young Talent Competion to record and perform with Mpumi Dlamini.  She has now just completed her solo album with Kanif Sebright, who is well renowned for producing music for Simphiwe Dana, Thandiswa Mazwai, Tha Hymphatic Thabs, RudeBoy Paul amongst others.”  

“Zetina’s music carries the discipline required for jazz and its know-how while still challenging the boundaries of Hip-Hop, Trip-Hop, Drum ‘n Bass and Dub music.  It is interesting how, as a live-act Zetina Mosia brings together digital technology and live instruments to create a funky groove.”

” With every performance Zetina and her band always deliver a blend of musicology that is ground-breakingly different. It is one of those things that is difficult to explain in words and I find it doesn’t do the music any justice to even continue trying, one deserves the respect and trust that your ears will be able to judge for themselves.  I totally love the way I feel after listening to Zetina Mosia’s “The Round About” and watching her and her band perform.”

Check out the latest & greatest @ our next rocking Ziyawa Monday!

See you there

xxx

gh_moyo

 

 

 

moyo is “lekker by die see”

When thinking of summertime, one thinks of sea, sun, bikini’s and coconut oil and for some building sandcastles, but let me add a few new synonyms: pink drinks, surfboards, DJ action and breathtaking sunsets.

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There is nothing that spells out summertime like moyo, sipping on a cocktail (or an ice cold draught for the boys), sitting with your feet in the water at a surfboard table or lazing at the pool.

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Should the Atlantic Ocean not be your destination of choice, then how about the warmer Indian Ocean and a visit to the moyo Pier Bar situated 150m into the sea.  And with the sun setting over the Moses Mabhida Stadium, toast the summer with a glass of bubbly on the Pier or make the Beach Bar your watering hole.

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So if you are joining us for a meal, cocktail or to party with the DJ – moyo is “lekker by die see”

 

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Pink drink anyone?

“The Freelancer”

www.moyo.co.za

info@moyo.co.za

 

 

I REMEMBER ... When jam tasted like the fruit from which it was made.

It is this flavour that Tierhoek Organic captures in every jar of farm-made jam.  

Alison and Bruce Gilson use fresh, sun-ripened organic fruit from their certified organic orchards to make their range of jam and sulphur free dried fruit.  Tierhoek Organic jams use a generous 60% fruit for every jar made making them not only Extra Fruit jam, but also Reduced Sugar Jam. Tierhoek organics are situated in the beautiful Noree Valley, Robertson – Exit off R60 at Rooiberg Winery.

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Apricot, Plum, Quince and Peach…..the classic varieties that your grandmother grew in her garden. It is these fruits that form the Tierhoek Organic range.  With  refined, colour co-ordinated labelling and using re-cyclabe glass jars Tierhoek Organic jams are a great addition to your kitchen…..and not only for breakfast. Tierhoek Organic jam can be used for basting meat for the braai, in cakes and tarts, mixed into vinegarettes or warmed up and poured over ice-cream – a decadent indulgence 

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Tierhoek Organic Jam is exactly as you always remember jam should taste…..delicious! 

We have stocked our retail outlets with this amazing range – come visit and experience the taste of nature captured in this mouth watering products.

Organically yours
Carmen - carmen@moyo.co.za
www.moyo.co.za

 

For more info on Tierhoek organics visit www.tierhoekorganic.com

 

 

you're invited: HELP Maria in her fight against Cancer

Honey’s Golden Heart (with) CANSA TEEN

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Where: moyo Melrose Arch between 1 and 2pm and moyo Zoo Lake between 3 and 4pm

Contact: Sharonrose Chimhanda

Cell: 072 668 9619

Email: sharose.honey@gmail.com

CANSA: Fighting cancer in South Africa: http://www.cansa.org.za

 

For more information on the drive visit the Honey's Golden Heart Facebook Group: http://www.facebook.com/groups/honeygoldenheart/

movember .. putting the 'Mo' into 'Yo'

During November each year, Movember is responsible for the sprouting of moustaches on thousands of men’s faces around the world. The aim of which is to raise vital funds and awareness for men’s health, specifically prostate cancer and other cancers that affect men. With my  super human ability to pursued men to do .... almost anything J I convinced the moyo brand manager to start growing his mo. Of course Dries did not want to grow a mo alone and roped in some manly support by forcing the exec chef Rudi and the Operating director Mikael to join him in the mission to look like a serial killer. So below is the first shot that was taken – a week of growing a moustache.......

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at least the guys don’t have a problem of being too hairy as in week 2 you can hardly see their little mo’s

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Once again moyo shows soul J Thank you Dries, Mikael and Rudi for being walking, talking billboards for the 30 days of November. Through your actions you raise awareness by prompting private and public conversation around the often ignored issue of men’s health.

For more information on the programmes please visit the following:
Cancer Association of South Africa (CANSA)
Awareness & Education
Global Action Plan

Xxx

Queen B

 

moyo Models for Africa 2011, moyo Blouberg ( Eden on the Bay)

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Situated along one of South Africa's most beautiful coastlines, moyo Blouberg ( Eden on the Bay) played host to the third moyo Models for Africa event. This prestigious venue has long been associated with great causes, the first event in Stellenbosch having raised over half a million rand for this year's main beneficiary, SALT

The partnership between moyo and Models for Africa has grown strong over the last five years and it was with great enthusiasm and much planning that the teams from either side came together to honour the people of our nation through fashion, feasting, music and a special brand of fellowship that is beautifully and distinctly African.

From the start, the 2011 function was promising to be something very special. Designers and clothing labels such as Cindy Bam, Nazir off the peg, House of Silk, Babette and Label Femme donated items for a fashion show as well as for auction. A runway was created that winded through the tables of the venue, where any of the 100 guests in attendance could get a closer view of each designer's range. To kick off the evening, there was entertainment on the balcony overlooking the ocean by local Jazz sensation Vuyo Sotashe. An incredible ambience began to build as various guests arrived and were treated to welcome canapés and cocktails. Once everyone was seated, the MC for the evening, Roxi Ingram, took to the stage and gracefully welcomed everyone. Pauline de Klerk, the head of SALT, proceeded to give a speech about the organisation and their work, giving testimony to the impact that caring for families has on our local communities.

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With the fashion show in full swing, dinner was served and each guest was treated to the delicious fare that moyo is famous for. Local musicians Evelyn Hart and Matt Roux provided entertainment in between each course as well as each designer's show, and by the time the auction began at the end of the night, people's appetites for supporting SALT were thoroughly whetted!  The auctioneer for the evening, Jade Mostert aka Dangerboy from 5fm, got on to a fabulous roll and all manner of items were auctioned off to the very generous crowd. From dresses to diamonds, each person was made to feel a part of the exciting atmosphere with the usual bustle of the restaurant downstairs adding to the feel of the room and the quality of each person's experience.

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With a beautifully emotive closing by Roxi and thundering applause for all involved, the evening gradually wound down and was brought to a close. With nearly R80 000 raised for SALT, one can honestly say that there was not a single person who attended who was not impacted deeply by the events of the night. There is something to be said for the flavour, enjoyment and humanity of African hospitality. It is something soulful and not surface-deep, colourful and textured with friendship and life, reaching each and every sense once has - from the ears through to the eyes and down to the heart. It is exciting to know that an event like this one can only grow and be a blessing to all, especially to those who are vulnerable and in need of a helping hand.

 

Bring on 2012!

A taste of moyo

"Morning Dan,the man,whats happening?"

-Dan frying the flat bread on the flat top-

"All good Reen"

Dan is the moyo Melrose arch early riser (aka baker),every type of bread eaten at moyo(prego,sweet potato and pumpkin,flat bread,Pullman boerie roll...)  and yes every piece of delectable moyo mojo,cinnamon chocolate mouse cake,baklava.....is baked at moyo by Dan!

For those moyo regulars you should be salivating around about now,but wait there's more....

Further down the page!

"howzit Jeza,how you doing?"

"Good my bebe"

"how's the oxtail today"

"aah the oxtail ,i make her just for you today,come taste"

Jeza is our Production chef,specialising in all our tagines,oxtail and springbok shank

"Aaah Mr Khuzwayo" (of fillet Khuzwayo fame ,yes the very one that is loved by Noelene)

"Whats for staff lunch today? Cause if you're cooking then i'm not ordering my salad"

(Which of course I should be! Its not easy working in a restuarant and trying to prepare a beach body,more like beached whale!) But who can resist one of Chef David's tasty isishebo!

And so the moyo kitchen conversations take place walking through the moyo Melrose arch kitchen in the mornings,in the afternoons ,anytime but always in the kitchen.

And it never ceases to inspire me"put the love in the food..."

So i'm walking through the kitchen on the way to a food tasting.

Did you know....Every moyo store in every city has a food tasting once a week,every week 52 weeks of the year,that's a lot of tasting and hence the not so ready beach body.

What happens at a moyo food tasting? A chef, a couple of hosts,a manger and whichever moyo person (or non) happens to be visiting the store sit down to taste selected menu items,a more critical bunch of would be master chefs and restaurant connoisseurs you will never find,especially me the self confessed non cook but recipe and taste bitch! (don't you just hate those people?)

So what are we tasting today?

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Springbok Shank- meat to bone ratio excellent ,meat is tender and flavourful, the apricot almond chutney enhances the exotic flavour.Served with lemon cous cous.Always a winner.

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Fish tagine - the trick with this dish is that it it must be served immediatly so that the suace doesn't seperate,the host should open the tagine lid and your sense of smell should be aroused by the aroma of spices and preserved lemon (Yes eating  should always be a sensual experience)Fish is firm and moist and the flavours from the sauce penetrate the fish!

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moyo Medallions - Springbok fillet,wrapped in a brandy marinated chicken breast,served on a bed of mash with a sherry cream sauce _ OMG _ the springbok is rare (which is how game meat is best served) and the chicken perfectly cooked without being dry.This is a difficult dish to balance but when its done right it's heavenly and the segments of grapefruit and orange compliment it to perfection.

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Flame grilled fillet and chips - ordered meduim to test the quality of meat (as every true meat lover knows,meat is best ordered rare and no other way! If you are going to order a steak well done #smh (shaking my head)

and the verdict is...the fillet has still maintained its flavour and tenderness :) despite being served medium.

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Honey/cumin spiced roasted carrots and green beans with sesame seeds- this is one of my favourite moyo veggie dishes.The carrots are sweet yet spicey and the green beans are crunchy and bursting with flavour.

Need a say more?

So this is what I do once a week,anyone care to join?

Ren

In Conversation with......CODA

It’s 06:30am. Eye’s still full of sleep and weird images from dreams, head swirling with scattered thoughts. About to give birth to our latest moyo baby…..the entertainment blogspot!…what to do???

 

Hmmm, part personal, part newsletter, part debate, what’s new, what’s not………???.............

Although not really my style, maybe the easy way out for today. So….think WOW, think SEXY, think SOPHISTICATED and you have one word CODA!.....the next best thing since moyo’s notorious 3 cheese samoosas…..and then…… (long pause full of suspense)…….. think CODA with DJ Cleo (triple exclamation marks!)….now there is something worthy of discussion at this sunrise hour!

 

(short deviation: Question to our superhero blog designer guru Jannie! Please can you insert the proper logo for CODA in place of my mocked up version’s? Many thanks and humble backward bowing….and…..apologies in advance to CODA in case our superhero does not get my request in time!)

 

Photograph break #1………

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Ok, so now you SEE what I mean….this group of muso superwoman goddesses are something to be reckoned with!

 

 Photograph break #2………………need I say more????  Check out the good looking dude in the middle, a little eye candy for tired 06:30am eyes…….

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(I had a little aside in this position with an arrow pointing at the delicious dude in the middle, confirming that he was indeed DJ Cleo, but unfortunately am not practised enough with blog graphic’s to get it sorted in this time round)

 

It’s time for the informative bit…lifted straight from CODA’s official website I might add….thinking no harm in a little plagiarism at this time of the day neh?

 

Coda (Say ko-da) noun

Music: section of a movement added at the end to clinch matters or where all significant themes come together

One of the country’s best-loved and busiest bands, CODA combines Classical electric strings and Afro-jazz sax with exhilarating beats and sumptuous vocals. Their music reflects the multiplicity and allure of South Africa. An irresistible combination of Classical, Kwaito, House and Afro-Jazz as well as the more ambient sounds associated with Buddha Bar & Café Del Mar (sorry CODA, I spliced in this last sentence from a previous plagiarized review of your music!)

 

CODA is Zami Mdingi (vocals), Galina Juritz (electric violin), Carol Thorns (electric cello), Judy Brown (sax), Erefaan Pearce (DJ) and various other featured DJ’s (ok I added this last bit too….).

 

For more info visit www.codamusic.co.za

AND NOW for my DID YOU KNOW??? section (making this up of course as I go along!)

CODA created our new ‘unofficial national anthem’ Blow Your Vuvuzela for that momentous South African occasion in 2010….the SA Soccer World Cup.

Actually what I would really like to know is who design’s CODA’s stunning clothes….Carol maybe you can answer that one if you ever read this blog!

Jannie can we please have a question answer section on my blog?

And finally the REALLY IMPORTANT BIT……..

CODA will be performing at our very own moyo Melrose Arch on Sat 5 Nov from 21h30-22h30.

This once off occasion feature’s DJ Cleo (quick shiver down my spine) so if you plan to have an evening of great drinking, dining & dancing best you book a table with a view of the band NOW!

 

 

Well that’s it then. My first born blog. I hope that guru Jannie doesn’t add one of those dreaded face book type like/dislike features on my blog...….until next time then……

 

Signed: gh