The Motor City meets the City of Gold

We're ready!

Scenes from WOWTOWN, ...

... an evening of Motown, Music and Motors ... all for a worthy cause.

light show @ the Fiat Jeep Chrysler Showroom in Bryanston

with the emcee and live auctioneer for the evening, Defending the Caveman's Tim Plewman!

Congratulations to Cathy & Sandy on a fabulous event!

a laser light show (photo by John Livanos)

"You make me feel like a natural woman" (photo by John Livanos)

Motown music & an inspirational short film featuring Oprah Winfrey and Michelle Obama
(photo by John Livanos)

It could not have happened without Trent, seen here introducing the Alfa Romeo 4C for live auction bidding

Motown gangsta style

Marguerite was SUPREME!

Ricki  strikes gold bling in the Silent Auction!

O what a night! (photo by Sue Huck)

last dance ... (photo by Donna Abbott-Hrenchir)

Get ready ... 'cause here I come!

 me and my ride (I wish!)  @ WOWTOWN

"Going To A Go Go!" 

The dress code for the Go Go was "Dress to impress." And it took an African village to get me ready to impress WOWTOWN, an American night of Motown, Music, And Motors, all for a worthy cause.


 

Thanks Linda!

First, a manicure and pedicure at Natural Expressions in Parkmore. (Thanks Marguerite for these great Motown decals!)

"So, fee-fi-fo-fum ...
Look out baby, 'cause here I come."

 

Next up, hair at Foil in Grayston Center!

"Get ready 'cause here I come. 
I'm on my way.

Get ready 'cause here I come."

Thanks Malcolm!

On to make-up at MAC in Sandton City.

"So, fiddley-dee, fiddley-dum.
Look out baby, 'cause here I come." 

Thanks Jessica!

Thanks Cookie at Carlton Hair Hyde Park too for the expert eyebrow threading earlier this week!

close-up of skirt

Finally, time to get dressed. My outfit for the party? Think "the Motor City meets the City of Gold."

My Joburg skyline skirt is from Big Blue in Rosebank; Shoes are from RUNWAY [SALE]; JHB tee shirt from Neighbourgoods Market and leather jacket from Vintage Zionist; My record purse is from Art Africa (a contributor to the WOWTOWN silent auction); Necklaces are from Big Blue in Rosebank and Nutcase ACTS (a contributor to the WOWTOWN lucky draw) in the Neighbourgoods Market; Ring by Tinsel (yet another contributor to the WOWTOWN silent auction.) Vintage Ray Bans.


"Get ready 'cause here I come. I'm on my way.

Get ready 'cause here I come.

Get ready 'cause here I come-a.

Get ready. "

close-up of jacket (photo by Sue Huck)

close-up of purse made from real records!

close-up of shoes

Vince eschewed wearing a tuxedo - a popular choice - and chose instead to wear a silk silver, gold and black leopard print Nelson Mandela Presidential Shirt, black trousers and velvet Belgian Shoes ... and of course, vintage Ray Bans!










 



We're ready! Here we come ...

(Thanks to The Temptations and The Miracles for the accompanying song lyrics!)

Dia de los Muertos @ Salsa

It seemed like there were dozens of Dia de los Muertos parties going on all over Joburg this year. See what happens when Mexican food catches on in South Africa? It becomes a fiesta!

Home altar dedicated to Africa's poached rhinos, ellies and lions

There were parties planned at the Stanley Beer Garden in Braamfontein, Mexicho in Melville and a whole Dia de los Muertos Street Festival at Carfax Newtown in the CBD.

Stanley Beer Garden

It seems everyone wants to go drinking with Saints!

Salsa Mexican Grill in Fourways

We chose to celebrate the dia at Salsa Mexican Grill in Fourways. The Day of the Dead, one of the most important Mexican holidays, is more a celebration of life than a sad and solemn memorial. And since we are in Africa, I used it to celebrate the lives of our rhinos, elephants and lions.

Social media madam Irene & Salsa restaurateur George

Salsa has great food, ...

... great margaritas and cervezas, ...

... and if you didn't paint your face before you came, there were artists on hand to do it for you!

We chose to paint some masks instead (photo courtesy of Irene & Salsa Mexican Grill)

Lou & Serge wore their skeleton costumes for a second night in a row!

Viva Yvonne!

nice ink!

nice wings!

number juan in your hearts!

she painted her face herself and won a prize for it!

viva el chef!

salsa dancing

Photo courtesy of Irene & Salsa Mexican Grill

And we won a prize for best costume!



















It was totally Lou & Serge's doing. They were a hit.

celebration shots!

Thanks Lou & Serge and Salsa!

tabletop altar for the poached animals of Africa

We got an E for Effort for mounting our tabletop altar. (I did transport the Oculto beer with me to SA from Texas for the occasion too. That was a bit of an effort.) 

Save the Rhinos! Save the Elephants! Save the Lions!

my sugar skull purse from Retrospective (Cape Town)

¡Feliz Día de los Muertos!