My story starts in December 2011 when I was in Port Elizabeth on holiday. My family and I went to the Summer Stand Wimpy and all had a burger special that they had on at the time. Half way through my burger I bit into something hard. When I had a closer look, I noticed that there was a small stone (about 5mm) in my burger patty.

I called for the manager who reported the incident to the owner. The owner passed a message back to us saying sorry and took my details and said that he would report it to head office and that they would contact me.

After waiting for more than a month I followed up with head office only to find out that they never even knew about it. They got the owner of the Summer Strand Wimpy to contact me and apologise. Following that, Head office contacted me with an apology and a voucher to take my family out for another meal.

Then today (4 February I was in the Lakeside Mall in Benoni and thought that I would pop into Wimpy to grab a take away Wimpy Chicken Burger.  When I got home I opened the burger and noticed that the burger bun was mouldy underneath. Shocked once again and very disappointed! How can one person have two Hazardous encounters with one brand within two months of each other? Both of these incidents were dangerous.  First off, I would have broken a tooth from the stone in my burger and secondly I could have got food poisoning from old, off food.

I am utterly disappointed in Wimpy. View pics of my mouldy burger below.

AMERICAN ANTHEMS, produced by Essence Productions in association with Harley-Davidson UK, is the spectacular Rock Musical that tells the fictional tale of the search for a legendary rock star who disappeared in the early ‘90s at the height of his fame. Route 66 FM leads the search for the rock star, Rocky Rhodes, tracking him across America to bring him back for one last concert.

The show encapsulates the most iconic American music of the era, featuring hit-makers such as Bruce Springsteen, Bon Jovi, The Eagles, Elvis Presley, Bryan Adams, Michael Bolton, and including such favourites as Living on a Prayer, Sweet Child of Mine, Proud Mary, Walking in Memphis, We Built This City, Bat out of Hell, Born to Run, America, St Elmo’s Fire and many more.

Featuring a cast of 14, the vocalists, dancers and live band will take audiences on an unforgettable journey down rock’s memory lane, having them up on their feet as they recapture those moments of America’s most classic hits.

“Joburg Theatre programmes its stages with the intent of bringing a true variety of shows to its patrons throughout each year.  So I’m delighted that we have, after some amount of searching, found a classic show for rockers in AMERICAN ANTHEMS,” says CEO of Joburg Theatre, Bernard Jay.  “Bringing the show to South Africa for an exclusive season – in a break from its long UK tour – also opens the door for Joburg Theatre to an exciting new relationship with successful and prolific UK based Essence Productions.  We very much look forward to bringing our patrons more and more variety of programming in the future through the opportunities afforded to us in this business partnership.”

Says Ryan Mills of Essence Productions: “We are very excited to be coming to South Africa for the first time, bringing a production like AMERICAN ANTHEMS – which features some of our finest musicians, singers and dancers – to a country that enjoys its rock music.”

American Anthems is suitable for all ages: ideal for those “not-so-young” that remember the originals and the youngsters who remember the re-mixes!   TV Shows like GLEE and X FACTOR have brought many of these classic songs to people’s attention again.

Tickets are priced from R120 and are on sale now exclusively by visiting www.joburgtheatre.com and purchasing your print-at-home ticket on the internet, or by calling the theatre’s direct ticketing line on 0861 670 670.

Discounted rates for groups of ten or more are available by calling the theatre’s ticketing office on (011) 877 6853/4.

About Essence Productions

Essence Productions is one of the leading UK based production companies that has been responsible for the smash hit shows ESSENCE OF IRELAND and AMERICAN ANTHEMS. Essence Productions is run by John Mills, who was responsible for creating THAT’LL BE THE DAY, one of the UK’s most successful theatre shows and still touring successfully after 25 years. Visit www.essenceproductions.co.uk

FOR MORE INFORMATION

Collett Dawson

082 653 1338

collett@joburgtheatre.co.za

www.americananthems.co.uk

The Cosmopolitan Sexiest SA Men Calendar, sponsored by Brutal Fruit, was published with the January 2012 issue of Cosmopolitan magazine, giving readers the opportunity to vote for who they think is South Africa’s sexiest man. This year readers were in for a special treat: the desk calendar featured 14 guys instead of the usual 12. Some of the country’s hottest musicians, models, actors and sportsmen made the cut.

The hunks featured in the 2012 Cosmopolitan Sexiest SA Men Calendar are:

• January: Jovan Jackson (Model) – Jovan is serious eye candy with his big baby blues, Greek-god hair and sleek physique but behind the model mojo this Cape Town boy is on his way to becoming a chartered accountant.
• February: Neil Powell and Chris Dry (Sevens rugby players) – Neil is from Stellenbosch and hopes to become a rugby coach while remaining a part of the SA Sevens team. He is a nature junkie, and absolutely loves his wife and baby son. Chris aspires to represent the Springboks in the 15-man format at the World Cup some day. He’s passionate about his beautiful lady and very creative with his hands….
• March: Victor Mathe (Model) – He’s been sizzling on the modelling circuit in SA and overseas since the age of 14 but he’ll be leaving the Mother City soon for London to finish his media and political-science degree.
• April: Tyrone Keogh (Actor) – Ty has learnt everything from acting to making the best coffee by working on film sets from the age of 15. He has acted in international feature films and TV series, and can currently be seen on M-Net soapie The Wild.
• May: Andrew Baptiste (Model) – Originally from Toronto, Canada, now in Cape Town and soon to move to the US , Andy of the fab abs has walked the fashion runways of the world.
• June: Bobby van Jaarsveld (Singer) – Bobby, who’s fondly known as Bobster and calls Pretoria home, is the only local artist to win 10 awards in 10 months, and has notched up gold and platinum statuses for his albums.
• July: Janez Vermeiren (TV personality and entrepreneur) – Mr Nice Guy of TV shows Top Billing and Top Travel, “Nessie” also owns a modelling agency in Cape Town. ’Nuff said.
• August: Lukhanyo Nontshinga (Rugby player) – Lukhanyo is a talented rugby player and has run on for some of SA’s top sides. This hottie was even a contestant on Survivor SA: Maldives. He loves everything about SA, especially the gorgeous ladies.
• September: Dylan Savage (Blogger) – He’s a qualified dentist, has travelled the world as a model and started the Lifeissavage.com blog, which has taken on a life of its own. Dylan, aka Daddy, is thrilled that a geek has made it to calendar-boy status.
• October: Lloyd Norris-Jones (Hockey player) – Lloyd has represented SA at hockey 58 times. Not only does he run his own hockey academy in Cape Town, he is also training for the 2012 Olympics and studying for a BCom degree.
• November: Warrick Stock (YFM DJ) – Born in Durban but now a confirmed Jo’burg boy, DJ Warras is into the fast-paced life of the pop-music world. Also known as Shady Lurker, this dynamo is fast becoming one of the hottest properties on the club scene.
• December: Sibusiso Mbula (Acrobat) – As a professional performer and trainer with the Zip Zap Circus in Cape Town, Sibusiso shows off that buff body by doing amazing acrobatics, using Chinese poles and … walking on his hands! He has six international tours under his belt plus a stint at the famous Cirque Phenix in France.
• January 2013: Ryan Sandes (Trail runner) – “Sandman” travels the globe, running in crazy places such as Antarctica and the Amazon, and winning the 4 Deserts series and the Leadville 100-miler in the US.

Exactly 25 years after the play was first performed in Grahamstown, André Odendaal’s production opened at the 2011 National Arts Festival. Leon van Nierop concluded his review on Artslink by saying, “the play performs an open heart surgery on the South African psyche. It is timely, finely acted and forcefully directed.

Written by Anthony Akerman

Directed by André Odendaal

With Glen Biderman-Pam, Charles Bouguenon, Dylan Horley, Luan Jacobs, André Lötter, Kaz McFadden, Ndino Ndilula

Show dates and times:

The Market Theatre

Tue-Sat @ 8pm & Sun @ 3pm until the 12 February 2012. Bookings through Computicket.

Also showing at the Baxter from 21 Feb – 17 Mar 2012.

Sponsored by Brutal Fruit, the lavish event saw a great mixture of some of South Africa’s most well know TV presenters, celebs and of course, eager Cosmo fans, just waiting to oogle over the topless talent. 

The new Editor at Cosmopolitan SA, Sbu Mpungose made sure that the full house of guests were  not kept waiting too long to find out who the Cosmo SA Sexiest Man for 2012 was.

My vote went to Janez Vermeiren, Mr. July, but it was Bobby van Jaarsveld, Mr June who was handed over the title of Cosmo Sexiest Man, 2012 and the R10 000 prize. The South African singer, husband and father is certainly a deserving winner and not too shabby on the eye. Ok, I lie, Bobby van Jaarsveld is incredibly ripped and gawgus, to say the least!

Once the big announcement was over and Bobby van Jaarsveld left the stage, R10 000 richer, South African Rock band, Evolver One was just one of the acts to get us up on our feet. The after party was an absolute blast and best of all, the Cosmo Sexist Men finalists were walking around, mingling and taking photos with the guests. I’m sure it boosted their bruised egos, knowing that although Bobby van Jaarsveld stole the title of Cosmo Sexiest Man, women were still adoring their attentions and hot bods!

Well done Bobby van Jaarsveld! You weren’t our first pick but you certainly do live up to the entire Cosmo Sexiest Man package. Follow Cosmo SA  on Twitter or “Like” them on Facebook

She had prepared a cold meal, as requested in the Master Chef South Africa guidelines and presented it to the judge. She claims that he was rude and didn’t even speak to her. Instead of tasting the food, he nibbled on the small piece and then pointed towards the door of shame. I wonder if she has watch Gordon Ramsey on Master Chef US. He’s not the sweetest chocolate in the box. Perhaps our Master Chef South African judges are warming the contestants up for the high standards that they expect.

I must admit that even though I adore food (who doesn’t really) I wouldn’t be up for tasting food that numerous Joe Soaps, waiting to be South Africa’s first Master Chef, had made. I mean, if they are as bad at cooking that half the SA Idols contestants are at singing, I’m sure there was a lot of nose pulling from the judges.  

I’m just hoping that Master Chef South Africa is worth the watch. Knowing the strong personalities that we South African’s have, I predict a lot of pan throwing, P’s and Q’s and general shenanigans. Looking forward to it! Make sure you catch the first episode of Maser Chef South Africa on March 20 2012.

Let us know about your Master Chef South Africa auditioning experience, below.

This radio station is not your traditional radio station as you cannot access the station on your car radio or any other radio. You can only access it through the internet. The internet has various platforms that allows you to access a link to WorldTunes.net such as, your pc, cell phone or iPod. Simply log onto www.worldtunes.net and click on “Click here to listen live”.

The station currently has three DJ’s, Kevin Savage, Paul Rotherham and Gavin Buckle all of which have many years of radio experience.

WorldTunes.net  has its slogan as “All Hit Radio”. They only play Hit Music from the 80’s to current day.

I listen to the WorlTunes.net today for the first time and was very impressed. Well done to WorldTunes and we wish you all the best and great online radio success.

Below is WorldTunes.net’s daily line up

Weekday Breakfast 7am – 10am
Kevin “The Sav” Savage – Live From Cape Town

Weekday Brunch 10am – 2pm
Paul Rotherham – Live From Johannesburg
 
Weekday Drive 2pm – 6pm
Gavin Buckle – Live From Johannesburg

Weekend Breakfast 7am – 10am
The Best Of Weekday Breakfast  

Weekend Brunch 10am – 2pm
The Best Of Weekday Brunch
  
Weekend Afternoon Chill 2pm – 6pm
The Best Of Weekday Drive

Saturday night features UK-based DJ/producer Jonny Miller who has spent the last 21 years immersed in London’s underground electronic music scene. His roots lie in the early 90s hardcore/jungle scene but over the years his studio sound and Djing have moved with ease between broken beat, disco, dubstep and house music.  He has had remixes and releases on a host of cutting edge labels including WahWah45s, Twisted Funk, Phuture Lounge, Fascinating Rhythms, West Side, Eye4Eye and Soul Candi to name a just a few.  Jonny fills his days teaching music production at the world famous Point Blank Music School, running the well respected Sonarpilot Audio label, producing various radio shows and still finds the time to get into the studio and keep the fresh productions coming.

The venue, Kitchener’s Carvery is a small pub and bar that’s been running for over a century.  It’s transformation from forgotten drinking hole into hip party spot is attributed to Andrew Clements, who saw potential in its quirky, antiquated decor and excellent acoustics.  

All things considered, ‘Two Sides of the Beat’ promises some interesting musical excursions in 2012.2 Sides of the Beat – Kitcheners Carvery, Corner Juta & De Beer Street, Braamfontein.

Saturday, 4 February features Jonny Miller alongside Kid Fonque and DJ Dexterity
Doors open at 9pm. R50 gets you in.

Info: 0845040183.
www.kidfonque.co.za

A couple weeks ago, a few of us at work decided to order Chikin Tyme for lunch. I called them from our office to place the order and was told that it would be ready to collect in 30 minutes. I arrived at Chikin Tyme 45 minutes later and walked straight to the till to pay. The lady assisting me was extremely rude and had a very unpleasant attitude. After I paid she told me that the food was not yet ready. Irritated, I sat down and waited. 10 minutes later, the manager apologised to me and gave me the food. I didn’t look inside the packets because I trusted that the manager would have done his job and managed the process properly.

When I arrived back at the office to some very hungry colleagues, I discovered that Chikin Tyme had given me the completely incorrect order all together. Nothing that we ordered was in the packet. I called them back and was apologised to once again by the Chikin Tyme manager who told me that he would send someone to deliver the correct order. Mistakes happen so at this stage, I was forgiving. Starving but forgiving.

1 hour later the food had not yet arrived. I called Chikin Tyme back and was told that the delivery guy was on his way. Our offices are 5km from Chikin Tyme, not far at all. 30 minutes later, the delivery guy called me from Chikin Tyme, to tell me that he could not find our offices. The manager then grabbed the phone from him and asked me for directions. Why he didn’t do this during the first phone call is beyond me. I assumed that Chikin Tyme would ensure that their delivery guys have GPS. Isn’t that the norm?

After 2 hours of waiting and 4 phone calls later, the delivery guy arrived with our cold food. Cold chips and cold burgers are just unacceptable. We also ordered a chicken salad that was wilted and certainly a much smaller portion to what was shown on the menu.

From the rude cashiers to the bad service and cold food, Chikin Tyme have certainly lost us as customers. This “fast food” restaurant is everything but…

The two elderly gentlemen were talking, and one said, “Last night we went out to a new restaurant, and it was really great. I would recommend it very highly.”

The other man said, “What’s the name of the restaurant?”

The first man knits his brow in obvious concentration, and finally said to his companion, “Aahh, What is the name of that red flower you give to someone you love?

His friends replies, “A Carnation??”

“No. No. The other one” the man says.

His friend offers another suggestion, “The Poppy?”

“Nahhhh, growls the man. You know the one that is red and has thorns.”

His friend said, “Do you mean a rose?”

“Yes, Yes that’s it. Thank you!” the first man says.

He then turns toward the kitchen and yells, “Rose, what’s the name of that restaurant we went to last night?”