Highbrow business do turns eco and cowboys don’t sleep

TALK about going green. The business fraternity reduced the cost of its annual event by recycling paper for the invites to the Nelson Mandela Bay Chamber of Commerce gala. The chamber used its year-end banquet to drive the message home, from the decor to the food. The event was held at the Feather Market Centre, which was decked out in lime green and white.

The menu was a trip for the palate that featured free-range and organic products. But too many baby marrows in the main course meant it was just a little too green. The sponsored spritzers were warm and glasses were scarce for the arrival drink.

Skinnerbek thinks next year let the venue bar rather than serve sponsored drinks.

With the captains of industry in attendance, the room was rich in money and MC Niqui Cloete-Barrass was a hoot as well as perfect for the event. I cannot blame your husband for being in love with your sense of humour!

The event, wherein high fashion is usually a feature, had a few faux pas. There were summer dresses, which though black, do not equate to evening wear. Chuma Sipuka stole the show in traditional wear.

Kevin and Chantal Hustler were cutting a rug and, thanks to Michelle Brown for the flash-mob style dance with Lady Soul, the room swung into motion and we danced the night away.

Jonathan Butler, diminutive in stature but tall in sound, flew into town to launch his shows in the city next month. The enigmatic star, dressed casually, joked about his citizenship but promised he will never let go of his South African passport.

The Sunday after the launch, he gave jazz lovers at the Boardwalk Action Bar a surprise performance and was accompanied by the big voice of Lee-Ann Wales. The man may be short, but he has je ne se quois. He can sing to me any time! On Friday, your Skinnerbek was at – you guessed it – Liquid Lounge. Mmmm, I just can't stay away from that place – probably because yours truly loves classy things. As usual, the place was booming with ladies in mini dresses.

Famous DJ Pastor of Umhlobo Wenene kept every one on the dance floor, including the owner, Thando Manana. That dude can dance! Bumped into Mpumelelo Mbatyoti, aka M.Sk, of house group Point.5.

He had every right to celebrate as he has an album coming out at the end of this month. M.Sk was inseparable from Wendy Mahola, younger sis to the famous lead singer of Freshlyground, Zolani.

Wasn't she supposed to be sleeping like most of her peers? Oops – slip of the tongue. Anyway, the two were huddled together in some corner but still had the nerve to tell Skinnerbek they were just friends. Maybe friends with benefits! On Saturday, Skinnerbek went to Kwa Mdebs in Motherwell for the Castle Lite event. Socialite Thando Mduduma and the ever-present Purari did not look shabby in their designer jeans and sneakers. Question for Purari, who calls himself a cowboy who can't be tamed, do you ever sleep? Point.5, who are all over these days, also did not disappoint as they had the ladies screaming their lungs out.

Skinnerbek then decided to go and be irie with the Rastafarians at the first local reggae concert held at the Boardwalk Amphitheatre on Saturday. Reggae lovers were in their best gear and red, green and black were the order of the day.

Jamaican artist Iqulah told yours truly that they are on a mission and Port Elizabeth is their starting point.

Also bumped into Bay TV presenter Sisanda Myataza, who was wearing a beautiful blue summer dress.

In my next life, I definitely want a Rastafarian boyfriend. Music is definitely a universal language as whites and blacks all danced together.

I must say, I had to wash my hair heavily otherwise I could have woken up still flying high from the ganja fumes after attending the after party.

Ooh, nearly forgot – deep house DJ Vinny da Vinci will be at Diamonds this Friday, so put on your best gear as Skinnerbek will also be there. Ciao!