Almost a month ago, Smirnoff launched its latest project – the Smirnoff Nightlife Exchange Project – the most ambitious global initiative to discover and celebrate the best of nightlife from around the world. This bold attempt will see 14 countries work with respected nightlife figures to discover and celebrate the best elements of their country’s nightlife.

22 October at Cape Town’s Grand Cafe & Beach will see the unveiling of South Africa’s crate. DJ Fresh and Euphonik as curators of this project will shortlist the key elements of South Africa’s nightlife into a crate for one of the other countries to experience on 27 November when the world exchanges nights.

As part of this project, Smirnoff have offered an amazing opportunity for a lucky winner to win two tickets to travel with the crate to South Africa’s sister-city. Celebrate this once-in-a-lifetime experience with a friend and travel with the South African crate to the sister-city.

Go here to register for this Grand Prize. Only 6 days to go – competition entries for this grand prize close on 18 October 2010! Terms & conditions apply.

Smirnoff Experience brings the world’s leading club brand, GODSKITCHEN, back to South Africa with their massive Boombox production and the World’s 4^th most popular DJ act; Above & Beyond.  Above & Beyond will perform in Cape Town and Johannesburg in November this year. During the last two years, the monumental and globally revered show brought star DJ David Guetta and the world’s No.1 DJ Armin van Buuren to South Africa – both shows were sold out.

“South Africa is fast becoming a favourite destination for top international DJ’s, and Smirnoff will continue to support both local and international talent to ensure we set the benchmark in hosting world class events. GODSKITCHEN is an electrifying musical spectacle backed by Boombox production and brings together music with mind blowing stage visuals. The experience is a combination of uplifting sounds of trance and mind warping visuals” says Adrian Petersen, marketing manager of Smirnoff.

Pre-booking tickets to the Godskitchen shows is essential. Ticket pricing ranges from R180 – R400 and can be purchased from www.computicket.com.  Godskitchen Cape Town will be hosted on Friday, 19 November 2010 at Bellville Velodrome and Godskitchen Johannesburg will be hosted on Saturday, 20 November at MTN Expo Centre, Nasrec.

ABOVE & BEYOND

There are DJ’s who can rock a party, a club, a festival, and there are acts that can write songs that will bring out the goose bumps in you. But there’s only one group that can do both: Above & Beyond. Currently fourth in the DJ Magazine annual poll – the highest-placed Brits. In the last year alone, they have sound-tracked the unveiling of a new spaceship, performed an acoustic show in a hot air balloon, and entranced a crowd of 8,000 in Beirut with their first full live show.

For the world’s most famous trance trio, there are no limits. From remixing Madonna, to winning Essential Mix of the Year or playing to one million people on the beach in Rio de Janeiro, Above & Beyond’s career has been a constant upward curve since the British trio formed in 2000.

The shows on 19 and 20 November this year mark the trio’s first appearance in South Africa and fans across the country could not be more excited about the news. Above & Beyond’s website and trance forums have been inundated with requests to see them perform live in South Africa, and finally that time has arrived.

GODSKITCHEN BOOMBOX

The Godskitchen Boombox is an audio and visual marriage from heaven (excuse the pun), state of the art sound and lighting combine with 3D visuals to create one of the most innovative and immersive experiences in the world. The ‘Boombox’ has toured the globe since it’s inception in 2009 and has sold out stadiums in all continents, playing host to a plethora of artists from around the world. This is 21^stcentury technology at its finest and is truly something that has to be seen to be believed.

The Godskitchen Boombox is the brainchild of ‘1024’ the people behind Exyzt, the Parisian based design collective who are pioneers of structural projection and responsible for numerous art and cultural design installations across Europe. At over 16 metres wide, 8 metres high and 6 metres deep the structure combines next generation technology whilst marrying architecture with art.

For further information about Above & Beyond www.aboveandbeyond.nu and you can log onto www.godskitchen.com for the latest video and pictures of the Boombox.

This is a question the guys over at Black Label recently asked. The answer?…

A recent study by Space Doctors, a leading international research company, showed that masculine roles are increasingly under debate and expectations around work are shifting. A well-known external research company was commissioned to do the research to ensure that South African masculinity could be objectively analysed. The research, undertaken over a six-month period in South Africa at the end of 2009, confirmed that there is no longer one form of masculine expression but instead it is changing to multiple different masculinities.

The research shows that masculinity today is more diverse and fluid and is not just about physical assertion. The research found that wider social and economic forces are contributing to changes in manhood. He points out that the unsettled political context, legislation that changes how men see women and an emerging class of black and coloured people with disposable incomes have all contributed.

Men’s responses to these changes are reflected by taking on a greater variety of roles, tasks and identities as traditional expressions of masculinity have become destabilised and are evolving. The findings also indicate that the traditional avenues for expressing masculinity are being eroded. Men want to be looked up to in new ways and are taking active positions in the debate over what it means to be a man.

Another key insight from the study is that physical labour or traditional ‘man’s work’ no longer holds the same status and a new entrepreneurial class is emerging. Men are seeking fulfilment from work that goes beyond simply earning a wage – there is more emphasis on the right to self-expression through work.

Today, we admire men who take on life and win. We respect men with values and ambition. We call them true men – men with guts and character. Now, winners who are brave, strong and true replace workers. The research identified key dominant and emergent South African men that are instrumental in defining the new masculinity.

They are suburban men who have made their way up the social ladder, are proud of their capacity to care for their immediate and extended family, and who are keen to act as role models for others. They are also visionary heroes espousing a more values-based, socially-conscious way of living. The visionary sees the potential for something new, he want to share his hopes and ideas about a better way.

On the 16th of September J&B will be hosting the first ever Start A Party Awards in Jo’burg as the finale to a series of online challenges set by the brand. Promising to be everything a normal awards night is not (they’re usually pretty dull), J&B will be presenting its own take on what an awards show should be. DJs Culoe De Song and Kenzhero will be ripping it up on the night alongside some mystery guests in a transformed Turbine Hall.

To get your hands on tickets to the J&B Awards, register on www.jbawards.co.za, click the RSVP button and if you’re one of the lucky few, you’ll crack the nod to this exclusive event.

Alternatively, if you’d like to go, simply go to our Facebook page, write “Start a party” on our wall and we could be sending you double tickets to this event. As easy as that (if you do it before Sunday the 12th, that is)!

As I’m sure you’re well aware we’re big fans of wine and beer at STM. In fact anything that has alcohol in it, short of methylated spirits (partly because having to fill in the meths register at Pick ‘n Pay brings on a certain type of guilt). It was therefore with great excitement that we saw you can now get wine in a 550ml beer bottle, which is great for when you feel like smashing two thirds of a bottle of wine in your face.

Seriously though, I think it’s more for the likes of picnics or other places where you typically want some wine without the mission of a cork. The idea comes from the guys at Boer & Brit, is called Bob’s Your Uncle and sells for 20 ZAR a bottle.

While I think it looks like a really cool product I can’t help but think it would’ve been better named, Jou ma se…

While I was on their site I came across this very cool looking bottle of Cap Classique Brut.

Ek wil jou he!

Feel like a lazy Sunday cycle? Then this probably isn’t one for you. The Karoo to Coast cycle race, held on the 19th of September, is a 100km cycle from Uniondale (famous for a ghost – google it) to Knysna, and as can be seen it has a couple of serious inclines involved.

It may be tough, but it really does go through some amazing natural beauty. At the end of the race there’ll be a lot more natural beauty waiting for the finishers. It comes in a glass. Preferably chilled. By now you should know what I’m talking about – good old Mitchell’s.

Belvedere Vodka has in recent years firmly established itself internationally as the premium Vodka of choice of the world’s most progressive and original creative talents, using photography and film, art and design, fashion and music to express their views of the world. Internationally, the Belvedere campaigns have been underpinned by some of the most creative photography, events, fashion and art. Belvedere Vodka South Africa is excited therefore to introduce their very own an Artistic Luxury campaign, themed around the term ‘This is Downtown’.

Belvedere artists, who are at the forefront of encapsulating the Belvedere philosophy, have been honorably inaugurated ‘Belvedere Evangelists’ and are tasked with creating their own luxury inspired creative masterpieces, whether it be in the form of photography, fashion design, graffiti art or music. Each creation will then be showcased at a number of exclusive events around the country and be utilized to communicate this new concept of luxury to its South African followers.

The first Belvedere Evangelist Belvedere presents, is talented new photographer, Natasja Fourie. Considered South Africa’s very own Marquis De Sade of artistic fashion photography and a highly coveted South African image maker, storyteller and artist, Natasja has been selected for her amazing creative eye, and her truly honest approach in documenting groups of individuals and their private lives, whilst mixing photojournalism and fashion photography at the same time. Somewhat risqué, her work is beautiful, edgy and soulful… very Belvedere indeed.

Stylist: Margot Robinson
Hair and Make-up: Marlinette Newman
Female Models: Nandi and Marike (main girl) @ M1 Management.
Male model: Andre Leo from the band ‘Pretty Blue Guns’

The only thing missing from that list is Mitchell’s. The good news is that there will be Mitchell’s, so if you want to relax in a garden with some good food and beer on the weekend, this is the place to be.

Find out more.

I did a search for “SAB” and got a bunch of results about doing it wrong when it comes to booze. Rather drink Mitchell’s.

It’s the best micro brewed beer Festival in the country and this year it’s the Gathering of the Clans: the Microbrewer’s clan, the Home Brewer’s Clan and the Musician’s Clan. Steve Gilroy is Chieftain of the Clans and all are going to celebrate the day with excellent beer from 12 breweries! Magnificent music and unrivaled revelry.

A day out Harties way with some great beers and chilled music sounds like a fine way to spend a Saturday. Check out the website for details.

And of course, there’ll be lots of Mitchell’s to be had.

While people drink for many reasons, and in varying states of mind (or to lose their mind), this is definitely the right kind of pub.

Smirnoff, the number No.1 vodka brand in the world, announces today that SA’s hottest indie band, BLK JKS – named ‘Africa’s best new band’  by Rolling Stone magazine  – will be collaborating with the world’s biggest DJ, Tiësto, on an exclusive track which will be premiered live at Smirnoff Experience™ Mashup Street in Johannesburg on 15 May

This unique collaboration between the two musically diverse acts began just a little over a month ago. Through a process of back and forth musical swaps, headliner Tiësto and BLK JKS have been busy working away on an exclusive track, as part of the Smirnoff Experience™ Mashup Street. The track will be available to Smirnoff fans in April.

Following the success of Tiësto’s recent genre-bending collaborations with Nelly Furtado, Three 6 Mafia, Calvin Harris, Tegan & Sara as well as remixes of MUSE, Bloc Party and Editors, the outcome of his sessions with BLK JKS will surely break new musical grounds for both acts.

Tickets to Smirnoff Experience™ can only be won, not bought, so visit www.smirnoffexperience.co.za to find out how to win.  Tickets are limited to the 18-and-over market.

To find out how to win, visit:

Website:           www.smirnoffexperience.co.za

Twitter:              SmirnoffSA

Facebook:        Facebook.com/SmirnoffSA

I really don’t like eating pigs. They’re a little too smart, make great pets and are kept in appalling conditions. Having said that I do guiltily go against this rule for bacon. The kind you eat that is. You may ask what other kind there is and be as surprised as I was when I came across bacon infused vodka.

Inspired by a new take on meat and potatoes Bakon Vodka is a superior quality potato vodka with a savory bacon flavor. It’s clean, crisp, and delicious. This is the only vodka you’ll ever want to use to make a Bloody Mary, and it’s a complementary element of both sweet and savory drinks.

And then, if that wasn’t unappealing enough I’ve just seen this. Bacon beer. I’m not going to go into much too much detail as it’s hard typing with bits of vomit stuck in the keyboard, but check out the step by step how to guide if you’re interested.

Certainly NOT a Mitchell’s!

It’s been to New York, Moscow, Paris and London, and now Smirnoff, the number one spirit brand in the world, is bringing Smirnoff Experience, MashUp Street to Johannesburg on 15 May 2010. Tickets can only be won, not bought, so visit www.smirnoffexperience.co.za on Wednesday to find out how to win.

Smirnoff Experience is fast becoming the world’s top collaboration platform. The MashUp Street theme created for South Africa celebrates collaboration between South African street cultures and popular music genres to create a one-of-a-kind music experience. The popular theme also extends to collaboration between fashion, food, art and even drinks. Smirnoff Experience MashUp Street is a place where Kwaito vibes with Preppy, Afro funk hangs with Goth and Pop chills with House.

To cement the importance of collaboration, DJ Tiësto, voted the world’s number one DJ three years in a row, will be headlining the event and will collaborating with the very best of South African musical talent, all of which will be named closer to the time. Tiësto is no stranger to combining different genres of music to create unique sounds; he has collaborated with artists as varied as Nelly Furtado, Sean Kingston and Flo-Rida.

“I feel deeply inspired by this year’s theme for the Smirnoff Experience because it evokes creativity and promotes relationships between genres that would not normally meet on stage. I can guarantee that, like this year’s theme, people will experience something out of the ordinary. I am very excited to play for a South African audience at Smirnoff Experience MashUp Street,” says Tiësto.

South Africa won the honour of hosting the Smirnoff Experience in a closely contested international campaign that involved 140 countries.

“We are really proud that South Africa was chosen to host Smirnoff Experience 2010. Our unique Mash-Up Street theme is focused on creating platforms that inspire South Africans to push the boundaries to create new experiences and we believe that it was the uniqueness of this theme that placed us ahead of the other 140 countries that competed. If you asked me what the one thing is that South African’s can expect from Smirnoff Experience 2010, I would say that it is going to be clearly original,” says Adrian Petersen, marketing manager for Smirnoff South Africa.

Besides the best international and local talent, concert goers will be treated to a sensory journey that showcases MashUp Street culture in its very finest form. From the moment ticket holders enter MashUp Street, it will be clear that they are attending an international event that is truly one-of-a-kind.

Tickets are limited to the 18-and-over market.

Not for Sale to Persons Under the Age of 18. Drink Responsibly

While there’s always been some antagonism between the Poms and the Frogs, the British have still been partial to buying the odd bottle of French wine. 73 596 000 odd bottles annually to be more precise. But that’s 24 000 less than the number of South African wines sold in the UK in the past year.

According to Talking Retail, the latest figures from market analysts Nielsen show sales of South African wines have overtaken French for the first time in the UK wine market in volume terms in the year to January 23.

South African wine sales grew 20% by volume to 12,270,000 cases, compared to a decline in French wine sales of 12% percent to 12,266,000 cases. South Africa is now the fourth largest selling country for wine in the UK.

On this wine note, I must say that I’m enjoying seeing summer out with the occasional bottle of Paradyskloof Rose. It’s most delicious…

Thanks Kyle