If you’ve been looking for some good Cape Town jazz to listen to at home, then let me recommend the Jazz Potjie CDs. I’m sure you’ll agree that the Mother City has some very talented jazz musicians, each with their own unique style. And that’s why the Jazz Potjie Projects (JPP) started – to showcase the talents of Cape Town’s jazz musicians.

It all began at a birthday party for Andreas Wellman, a German Hammond organ player and the man behind the JPP idea. He invited some musicians to jam with him that night and because guests enjoyed it so much, it turned into something regular. Fans of the sessions eventually asked for coverage of the performances and this materialised with a recording at the legendary Cape Town venue, the Green Dolphin on 7 August 2007. The result was the first Jazz Potjie CD – Winter in Cape Town – Volume One.

There are now six Jazz Potjie CDs, each showcasing live performances from some of Cape Town’s best artists. The musical styles featured include Cape Samba, Goema, Marabi, jazz and pop standards, gospel, soul, Afro and some electronica/lounge. Some of the artists featured include Soi Soi Gqeza, Erin Clark, Dave Ferguson, Robbie Jansen and Hilton Schilder, to name but a few.

If you visit www.jpp.co.za, you’ll find track-listings and samples of the recordings which you can listen to. Choose from Winter in Cape Town – Volume One, Two and Three, Summer in Cape Town – Volume One and Two and also the latest release – Erika Lundi from Cape Town.

The CDs cost R120 each if ordering direct from Andreas or R150 if you buy from one of the shops. A portion of the proceeds goes to Rotary Club am Kap, the first and only German speaking Rotary Club in Africa and also IMAD, the umbrella organization that organizes the ‘Little Giants’, a community music project for kids which started about 10 years ago in Khayelitsha and Landsdowne. You’ll find songs recorded by the kids on the various Jazz Potjie CDs.

If you’d like to order a CD, give Andreas a call on 021 426 1093 or email aw@paso-partners.com. The CDs are also available at the African Music Store in Long Street (021 426 0857), Upbeat Records in Sea Point (021 434 1994), Martha’s Vineyard at the V&A Waterfront (021 421 5710), the German Bookshop in Burg Street (021 423 7832) and also at Cape Town Tourism.

The CDs really do feature some fantastic music, so check them out if you’re a jazz fan. If you’d like to get involved with the next Jazz Potjie release, then get in touch with Andreas and have a chat with him. Here’s to the Jazz Potjie – enjoy!

South Africa’s top ventriloquist Conrad Koch will have audiences in stitches at the Baxter Theatre later this month. He’s bringing his unique brand of humour and puppetry to the Baxter Golden Arrow Studio from 10 to 28 January 2012.

The ‘Puppet Asylum’ show features the notorious political analyst, Chester Missing who no longer wants to be a ventriloquists’ puppet and instead wants to go on and host his own TV show. The show also features characters like Hilary the ostrich, who’s tired of being in Chester’s shadow and also Ronnie the green monster, who Conrad just can’t keep under control. The hilarious show is directed by multi-award winning director Heinrich Reisenhofer and is produced by Podium… The Comedy Merchants.

Conrad Koch has performed at some of South Africa’s biggest comedy events including the Vodacom Comedy Festival, the Smirnoff Comedy Festival, King Size Comedy, the 94,7 Heavyweight Comedy Jam and the SA London Comedy Festival. He is also a winner of the Speakers Inc Entertainer of the Year Award for 2010 and he’s nominated for the 2011 award. The result is that Conrad is now one of South Africa’s most ‘in demand’ comedy acts, so expect to see a lot more of him in the near future.

Tickets for the shows at the Baxter are available from Computicket, with prices ranging from R50 to R90. If you’re looking for some laughs, then check this one out. Enjoy!

Legendary international DJ Paul Van Dyk will be headlining a stellar line-up of DJs and dance acts at the upcoming Gatecrasher Summer Festival. The two day electronic music festival takes place at the D’Aria Wine Estate in Durbanville, on 4 and 5 February 2012.

The Gatecrasher Summer Festival will feature four areas, each focusing on a style of music – choose from Electro, Trance, House and Dubstep. Some of the acts performing at the festival include Dean Fuel, Headroom, Haezer, Niskerone, Broken Toy, Jason47, Digital Divas, Grimehouse and Marvin.

The main act is undoubtedly Paul Van Dyk. The German DJ has been named World’s Number One DJ twice in his career. He has headlined festivals all over the world and has a string of hit singles, including ‘Another Way’, ‘Beautiful Place’, ‘For an Angel’, ‘Words’ and ‘Forbidden Fruit’.

In addition to the music, you’ll find safe and secure camping, jet skis, paintball, cocktail and martini bars, a food market, on site ATMs, quad biking and loads more.

Tickets are available from Computicket and prices range from R195 to R350 each. You’ll find the D’Aria Wine Estate on the M13 (Racecourse Road) in Durbanville, just 15 minutes from the N1.

The Maynardville Open-Air Theatre will once again be the place to be for Shakespeare fans early in the new year. The play of choice for 2012 is The Comedy of Errors and it’s widely regarded as one of Shakespeare’s funniest. Fans can look forward to something a little different though, as this particular production will be inspired by 1970s Kung Fu cinema – so expect the unexpected. The play will be staged at Maynardville from 10 January 2012 through to 18 February 2012.

The story sees two pairs of twins who were separated at birth, finding themselves in the same city years later without knowing it. Of course, this leads to all sorts of hilarious situations and misunderstandings which you’ll get to see. Well known actor and comedian Rob van Vuuren stars in the play, along with James Cairns and a stellar cast. The production team is led by the award-winning director-designer duo of Matthew Wild and Angela Nemov.

Tickets are available from Computicket or Artscape Dial-a-Seat on 021 421 7695. Prices range from R100 to R150, with discounts available for pensioners, students and PANSA members. There are also a number of school performances as well, with discounted prices. For more information visit www.maynardville.co.za.

The Maynardville Open-Air Theatre is set in a 500m² wooded park which is perfect for pre-show picnics and drinks. The shows take place in the unique wooded theatre, which seats 720 people.

Patrons are welcome to bring picnic baskets and blankets to enjoy before the show. There’s also an option to pre-book picnic hampers from the Picnic Company. You can phone them on 021 706 8470 or email info@picnics.co.za for more information.

Fans of The Eagles can look forward to a massive South African tour in April 2012. The legendary band will be performing at the Cape Town Stadium on Wednesday 4 April 2012, before moving on to the Sun City Superbowl on 7 April 2012 and then Soccer City in Johannesburg on 8 April 2012. The Eagles are rock ‘n roll royalty, so this is some very exciting news.

The Eagles are well known for their break-ups… and reunions. Thankfully, members Glenn Frey, Don Henley, Joe Walsh and Timothy B. Schmit have put all that behind them and they’re still touring today after 40 years of rock ‘n roll history. That history includes sales of over 120 million albums, multiple Grammy awards and an awesome catalogue of music which includes classics like ‘Take It Easy’, ‘Life In The Fast Lane’, ‘Tequila Sunrise’, ‘ Desperado’, ‘One Of These Nights’, ‘New Kid In Town’ and of course the epic ‘Hotel California’ – I can just hear that guitar solo right now

Over the years, the band has fused rock music with country and folk to produce a distinctive sound in the world of music. They have influenced countless newer bands and artists. The band members are also some of the most versatile musicians around, sharing vocal duties and being masters of their instruments.

The Eagles SA tour is brought to you by Heart 104.9 FM, Jacaranda 94.2 and M-Net, together with Big Concerts – who are on a roll at the moment and bringing us loads of awesome bands. Tickets will go on sale at Computicket on Thursday 15 December 2011, from 09h00. Ticket prices for the Cape Town Stadium concert range from R320 to a whopping R1070.

It’s going to be an amazing concert, so don’t miss out. Enjoy!