DinsdagDeuntjies #FanClub

My beautiful friend Clarice Pieterse launched a new online initiative about 3 months ago called #DinsdagDeuntjie and it is so exciting to see how this seemingly 'small' seed and concept has grown and mushroomed into the ever-growing movement in music that's creating a platform for artists to showcase themselves and their work, particularly those who are 'up-and-comings' and new to the industry!

It all started with the idea to get musos and singers to upload their covers of Afrikaans songs accompanying themselves or accompanied by musician friends - just to celebrate their love for music and get their voices out there!

It has quickly evolved and every Tuesday we eagerly await all the brand new 'TuesdayTunes' for the week to be loaded to the DinsdagDeuntjie Facebook PAGE or artists using the #DinsdagDeuntjie hashtag on their own pages.

This is the story on the DinsdagDeuntjie Page about how it came about and how it works:
Dinsdae is die dag net na Maandag…en vir baie van die kreatiewes wat vassit in ń 9-5 werk …begin die week lekker ritme vang ...na n Blou Maandag…En dis hoekom Dinsdae MOOI moet wees!!!

#DinsdagDeuntjies gee enige persoon wat n Afrikaanse liedjie op die hart het die geleentheid om dit te leer speel…te record en met die wereld te deel!! Mens weet nooit wie sien jou video raak nie…
Jy mag dalk net ons Land se volgende groot ster wees!!!(=
Die trick is dat jy moet COLLABORATE…
As jy (nog)nie n instrument speel nie, kry n pel Of Pelle wat jou kan begelei…DAN IS DIT ń:
#DuoDinsdagdeuntjie. Daag jouself uit om n instrument te leer speel en saam te sing…DAN IS DIT ń:#DinsdagDeuntjie

Wees kreatief!!! Ons sien uit om julle videos te sien!!! 1 keer n week . Dinsdae. MakingMagic. Afrikaans. Akoesties!! PS. Geen Backtracks nie asseblief!!

Many of our crazy talented Mentorship Students at FADCreationS have climbed right onto that bandwagon and every Tuesday they post their Afrikaans covers or even original music to join in the DinsdagDeuntjie fun!



What is even better, is that the online phenomenon has now grown to a once monthly LIVE musical #TydOmTeSkyn event! Once a month on a Friday, Clarice invites a handful of DinsdagDeuntjie online participants to a live evening of music and showcasing of talent! These #TydOmTeSkyn events are hosted by the ProMusica (@ProSound_Studio) venue in the Hillfox Centre (Unit 39 right on the end) on Hendrik Porgieter Road, Weltevreden Park. 

It's such a fun event to attend (only R60 per person!) and we always have plenty of fellow FADlings supporting and attending the live event. *(There is really yummy coffee and snacks available as well, mmmmm!) Each live event enjoys the BEST sound & lighting services and equipment provided by ProSound Studios and their team of technicians.They really are cool, check out their website at this link.

And now they have even begun LIVE streaming the monthly events on a new app, download the ProSound Studio Radio App on iStore to listen in next time!!




















We were so proud to see three of our FADCreationS Mentorship Students debuting on the DinsdagDeuntjie stage at the recent TydOmTeSkyn #3 event and we're grateful to the entire DinsdagDeuntjie team who make it possible for them to perform live and showcase their talent on this platform, AND that alongside the likes of incredibly talented and popular Afrikaans musicians Joshua Na Die Reen.

Check out Kristen Raath Artist, Savannah Georgia Artist and Liila (only 12 years old!) and their Facebook links (click on their names) to follow their exciting young careers and new developments.

I really hope that you'll come and join us at the next live event or even post your very own rendition of a #DinsdagDeuntjie this week!

Komaan!!! Gaan groot en sing saam hierdie Dinsdag!!

Check out the #DinsdagDeuntjie website at this link and follow all their social media links below!!

Thanks for the support guys, and for supporting all the peeps I write my #FanClub posts about. If you have a cause or project or business you think I should check out and would like some support - leave me a comment or send me an email... I'd love to hear from all of you!


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Chat soon music-makers!

Strands of Love Hair Extensions #FanClub

My look has recently been completely transformed by Strands Of Love - the gorgeous hair extensions I can now sassily toss over my shoulder and the gorgeously vivid red colour that has me incapable of shopping incognito, courtesy of Goldwell Education Manager Craig Hopkins with Goldwell Elumen and the magical hands of stylists Cornel Moolman Nel and from Follicle Hair Atelier.

I'm thoroughly enjoying my new mane of mega femininity! I've never felt quite so close to passing for a mermaid! 

Although it's yet to be seen how my look will fair in castings and auditions this year? Not sure if I pass for your average #mommypart, but I certainly will be memorable! 

I've never sported extentions before and had to do a bit of reading up on the correct #haircare for my 'strands of love'!  

These are the major rules I've learned for myself: 

1. Don't overwash

This is my new look below for my hair's 'shower protection' - in order not to over wash and condition the hair. I can't for the life of me waste time in a bath every day (that's purely for when I can indulge with a glass of wine and a good book) so shower caps and creative water avoidance is at the order of the day. 

2. Do always dry

I use to be able to just allow my own hair to dry naturally but these babies prefer to be dried with some heat straight away, particularly close to the bonds and scalp. 

3. Brushing is the business 

So I'm yet to discover where in SA you can buy a 'looper' brush - had no clue what that was - see picture below. But the general rule is to use soft and gentle bristle brushes, to comb from the tip working your way up and to brush gently but often. 

4. Product protection 

It's important to wash with a good 'salon approved' shampoo and conditioner, but what has really been great advice from Julien Snyders of Strands of Love is to use Joico's Moisture Balm (love this product!). You can also use an argan oil to keep the hair hydrated and healthy. 

5. Don't freak out- they do fall out 

So when I lost my first strand I thought I had committed a crime and was wondering if I'm doing something wrong, but as stylist Shane from Follicle Hair Atelier explained, they do experience a certain amount of stress on the bonds and sometimes will release and come loose. Just hang onto your MIA pieces until you can get back to your salon and have them rebonded and attached. 

And I'm in good company, check out other lovers of Strands-of-Love! 

Here are some simple 'looks' I've tried since I have become an extensions-gal...

I'm having such fun with my new look! Hubby and I are pictured below at the TopModelSA event, shortly after gaining my gorgeous new Strands of Love.

So here's to happy 'hair days' for all my blog readers!! Go on, try something new - change is as good as a holiday! 

Chat soon,

Fiona 'Speakeasy' Ramsay #FanClub

I think it is safe to say that Fiona Ramsay is one of the actresses on my top list of acting icons, equal to the likes of Meryl and Judi.

Fiona's experience, credits and list of achievements is awe-inspiring and surely speaks for itself.
Only a few of her credits include...

On Screen: Homeland, Dominion, Black Sails, The Bang Bang Club, In My Country.

On Stage: Who's Afraid of Virginia Wolf, Thoroughly Modern Millie, Streets of Gold, Delirium, Sailing Somewhere, The Old and The Beautiful.

As a language, accent and dialogue coach, (her company is called Speakeasy Vocal Training) Fiona has been commissioned on several local and international film and stage productions. Notably she acted as dialogue or language coach for Stander, Hotel Rwanda, Winnie Mandela, Material and Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom coaching actor Idris Elba who portrayed Madiba in the feature. In 2014 she worked as dialogue and dialect coach on The Salvation and also did work on the Charlize Theron and Sean Penn feature The Last Face that filmed in Cape Town.
Check her out on IMDb.

In December last year a few of my FADCreationS Mentorship students and I watched Fiona Ramsay in the two-hander 'The Old and The Beautiful' at the POPArt Theatre in Maboneng.


It was so great to see Fi in an intimate theatrical piece like this alongside Tony Bentel, showcasing her phenomenal skill, incredible diversity and emotional depth engaging the audience from beginning to end. The outing with my students reminded me to remain in touch with my own student spirit and Fiona reminded me to stay inspired, to use what personally moves me in my work and projects and to keep learning from the greats. 
 

How lucky am I to have had the privilege to work with her in my career (Thoroughly Modern Millie 2006) and I honestly hope that I get to do so again in the future!

I know that she is planning to bring the production Doubt to the stage soon, and will keep you posted when I find out about upcoming production venue and dates! Also, soon I will be launching the first episode of the FAD Roundtables - The Actresses online, where Fiona is one of 5 other actresses in a one hour interview chatting about our industry and their career experiences in it. I can't wait to share it with you all!!!

Stay inspired peeps!

Jen's Birthday Flashmob Surprise #Fanclub

Last week I got to be part of the coolest birthday flash-mob ever! And for the coolest person too, my agent - Jennis Williamson!

And actually, it was the first flash-mob I've done that I honestly enjoyed, maybe because it wasn't for a corporate or a gig or a brand promo but for someone so special, who was totally surprised and overwhelmed. It meant so much to be involved in his special day of celebration.

At Talent-Etc Artist Management, Jen is a leader by example, a driven and passionate individual who's yes is his yes and he goes above and beyond for his artists, staff and clients.
HE is usually the one (together with his awesome team) arranging fun-runs and flash-mobs for charities and community building within the agency, so it was a real thrill to surprise him in this way!

We had one secret rehearsal on the Sunday before putting together all the steps and choreography with JC Snooke, Jen's friend and Life In A Bulb business partner. On the Tuesday morning we all convened at the office while JC had Jennis whisked away at a birthday breakfast so we could set up the secret surprise. Everyone dressed up in neon and outrageous outfits and hubby and I wore loud pink and black colours . The wait for him to arrive actually had me nervous with excitement, but his reaction and the look on his face was priceless.

The flash-mob was followed by cake, coffee and catch-ups. All his artists sent in electronic birthday messages which the Talent Etc girls, Boni and Julz compiled into a fabulous birthday 'book' for him and many of the artists who couldn't make the flash-mob came to join in after and wish him well.  It was super special and I'm so happy I could be there.
Jennis is such a big pillar to me in my career and always so incredibly encouraging, empowering and uplifting. To me he sets the bar of what it is to run a talent agency and also to be a creative and collaborative within the industry.
i.e I love my agent!

Here is an awesome video of the flash mob on the day:

So let me know, what flash-mobs you have witnessed or been part of?
Send me a message below!

Chat soon!