Making an Entrance
Tonight’s venue at St Georges Hotel was a a perfect backdrop for the Red Carpet Violin Act. Gorgeous high-vaulted archways set the tone for the a glittering evening.
Birthday Broadcast
Chatting violins, orchestras and Stradivarius plus a surprise performance of happy birthday for the broadcast host Gareth Cliff at Cliff Central. You can catch the interview here:
http://cliffcentral.com/gcs/gcs-25-8-17-pt3/
The figure in the photos was actually the birthday cake made by Crystal Du Preez at Sensational Suga – and the head actually bobbled!
Music Makes a Difference
As a performer one doesn’t often hear the audience stories behind the scenes of a show. At a recent lunchtime regular performance this last week, the concert co-coordinator told me these two lovely stories about how music can make a difference to people’s lives:
‘Kristel, thank you so much for today. One of our regular guests said she had sunk into depression over the past few weeks, but after your performance today, felt uplifted and able to carry on. Another rather fragile guest comes to the lunchtime performances only when he knows you are performing. You bring light.’
More touching than the applause after a show and more sustaining than the fee for performing a show are words like this that show music can touch people’s lives for the better!
A Walk in the Forest
As autumn begins to turn the leaves and drop temperatures, wedding events begin to trail off, but recently I performed for a wedding at an enchanting venue called ‘In the Forest’.
Imagine being on set filming a movie like Robin Hood or something along those lines, that is what this venue looks like. The ceremony was held under the trees with guest seated on hay bales. The reception was also under the tree canopy with twinkling fairly lights strung up. Oh so romantic!
The Secret Room
Colourful floaty dresses in silk and chiffon were on display at the Secret Room’s launch of the new summer range at Bryanston’s Riverside Shopping Centre. Each dress has been thoughtfully designed and made. The fabrics are high quality and imported.
It was a feast for the eyes to perform violin at this launch event with ladies whirling around the shop in various dress options! I have my eye on a few too. Visit them online at http://www.thesecretroom.co.za/
A Humble Gift – Mercedes Benz Event
The Mercedes Benz Long Service Awards was a touching event to sing and perform violin for. One particular prize-winner told this story as the highlight of his career. As part of a manufacturing plant for Mercedes Benz back in 1993, he and the other workers were excited about the upcoming release from prison of Nelson Mandela. They decided as a group to build a red Mercedes Benz for him upon his release. Without extra pay the workers added an additional hour to their working day in which to complete the car. This man has since stayed on at Mercedes Benz and worked in much higher positions. I was struck by how much a difference one’s actions can make, no matter how humble your station may be.
Corporate Dinner Concert
As a violinist at a corporate dinner event, I try to keep my repertoire varied and engaging throughout the evening and as a singer-songwriter for my group Cherry Pill I try to include a few vocal numbers as well over the course of an evening to add a little something extra. So on this particular corporate dinner event on 11 August 2016 I decided to subtly slip in one of my original songs ‘The Call’ into the awards dinner line-up and was pleasantly surprised when this was the song that got the big applause.
A Dazzling Black Carpet Affair
A dazzling Black Carpet Affair at the picturesque Champagne Sports Resort in the Drakensberg for Aspen. Snow had recently fallen and capped off the mountains, creating a lovely backdrop to the surroundings. Mesmerizing violin and the featured carpet added that special touch.
Movida Bisquit Night
What a treat to play again with such a great band The Music Cartels at Movida , Industry Night 25 June. You guys ‘Rocked My World’!
The event was sponsored by Bisquit Cognac.
A Clear Vision
A long flowing white dress, chilled violin music and a bubble created the perfect backdrop for the Novartis product launch for a new clearer contact-lens.