The Launch of Vision Music Records

Last week I went to two fantastic events in one night (adrenalin junkie much!?)

The first was the launch of a new recording label in Atlantis, Cape Town.

Laurenzo Davids – brother of our Idols Season 5 co-winner Sasha-Lee –  launched Vision Music Records or “VMR” for short.

Most of You know us as LOWAFFY PRODUCTIONS! We are an Independent Record Label, signing new upcoming artists and producing music. Music lessons are now available too! Contact us for further info!

- facebook.com

with Laurenzo

The venue was simply perfect!

There was champagne (my fav!) and soft drinks for everyone, as well as snacks going around during what must have been one of the most moving speeches I’ve heard in a while.

Laurenzo Davids has such a charm about him and speaks totally from the heart.

He highlighted his journey to this point; where his passion for singing has been met with his passion for people in this new venture.

Respect!

He thanked his family and, of course, certain friends who have been very much involved in the “vision” that is “Vision Music Records”.

Atlantis can certainly be proud of this beacon of hope and his talented family, who obviously have a gift for helping others and creating beautiful opportunities for their community in Atlantis.

With a few artists already signed to the label, I’m sure the new business will be extremely successful, rewarding and not to mention exciting for this group of entrepreneurs!

with Sasha

with Gio Davids

having my shmodel moment (we’re all allowed them!)

If you would like to get updates on the label’s ongoings in the music industry, or simply to support, join their facebook page HERE.

You can connect with them on Twitter HERE.

Thank you guys for a wonderful evening!

The second event was the Linkin Park Concert!

Held at the Cape Town stadium, it was absolutely incredible!

What an adrenalin rush!

I also have their new CD which I literally cannot stop listening to.

Go buy it now!

The concert, in my opinion, was fantastic.

Although that being said from someone who wasn’t standing in the crowd below, which I rate must be a huge turn-off.

I did it once before at Kings of Leon and it was awful.

Everyone’s pushing you, trying to see ……… you can’t see …….. you can’t move ……. it’s hot ……….. it’s loud ……… you can’t hear the music properly……. and getting out when it’s over is the biggest mission ever!

Being in general standing kind of spoils the experience.

Unless you have Golden Circle or are seated, I don’t think you could have a good experience.

I was in the Red Block and I was so pleased.

Nothing beats actually seeing the artist you love and being able to actually hear what they’re saying.

That’s my advice if you’re keen to go to the concerts coming through to Cape Town in the months ahead, which include:

Lady Gaga

The Parlotones

Red Hot Chilli Peppers

Chris Brown

and Justin Bieber!

Here is the music video for one of Linkin Parks’s latest songs, “Castle of Glass” :

I simply love it!

Cameron Van Der Burgh in The Bay!

Recently I had the honour of meeting South African Olympic gold medalist, Cameron Van Der Burgh.

He flew to Port Elizabeth to give a talk at a corporate breakfast at The Granary in Stanley Street.

What struck me most about him as he spoke us through his vigorous training routine leading up to the Olympics was his humility.

He seemed very down to earth as he explained his typical schedule for a day in preparation for his life-altering race.

Let me put it to you simply – a lot of training in the pool and in the gym, as well as meetings with his physios and a lot of studying towards his degree through UNISA each day.

He trains with Dirk Lange and is based in Pretoria.

Talking about his history, he elaborated on some of his highlights; he’s won numerous World Championship medals since his debut in 2007 when he took a bronze medal. His first world long-course record (27.06s) was obtained in the 50 m breaststroke in the semifinals at South African nationals in April 2009. He won the 50m breaststroke at the 2010 Commonwealth Games in a time of 27.18 seconds – a new games record – and the 100m world title at the 2010 short course world championships.

He’s represented South Africa at the 2008 Summer Olympics and, most recently, at the 2012 Summer Olympics where he won the gold medal at the 100 meter breaststroke in a new world record of 58.46 seconds!

He’s won the FINA overall World Cup twice.

He certainly seemed very chuffed with his successes but still had a nice sense of humour and was able to laugh at himself easily, which was great to see.

On Twitter he describes himself as “Olympic Champion and self proclaimed Fifa king ;) ” – Follow him at https://twitter.com/Cameronvdburgh

I didn’t know he was born in 1988, making him the same age as me!

Check out his website at: http://www.cameronvanderburgh.com

It was a fantastic morning with a continental breakfast buffet available to all the guests afterwards.

I was also very happy to see I got some coverage with him in the October issue of the ‘Sport Elizabeth’ sports publication!

Another thrilling experience I had recently was the release of a music video I am in!

It’s the video for the song ‘Hold On’ by popular South African band Mac Stanley, previously known as Flat Stanley.

It was a huge honour for me to do this video – I play ‘Sleeping Beauty’ and I come in toward the end of the video when my prince charming finds me after searching through a forest and we share a very long on-screen kiss! :P

I absolutely love the song and its message is very beautiful!

The video has already had close to 1000 views on YouTube after being out for just 2 weeks!

Watch this space – This band is going places!!

Check out the band’s website: http://www.macstanley.com/

What I’ve Been Doing With My Time Lately :)

Well it’s been an age since I’ve blogged about my personal life away from Skybok – so here goes……

I went to the Cape Town Good Food & Wine Fest a few weeks back and it was great!

My best was the Vrede en Lust wine stall…. by far.

I bought their flagship wine for myself – The Boet Erasmus 2009.

We shot their video profile for Skybok recently as a result!

I made a new friend in The Pillsbury man while we walked around -

and I entered a competition to win this car -

Oh yeah! :)

The wine tasting was way too much fun..

I laughed as I overheard the organizer tell one of the wine stalls to stop giving out such large portions in the ‘tastings’ because people were getting frisky..

Haha!

I went with my good friend Candice and we had a fabulous time sampling this new champagne vodka that’s out.

Oh yes, and some shots of I can’t remember what.

and some cocktails..

and some new Bubblegum flavoured liqueur by a company called Smooch Beverages

- Ok ok, I honestly can’t remember much, but I know I got this green scarf and a photo on a wall as a prize.

Haha!

All in the name of good fun.

For more photos click HERE

I did attend the Cape Town Book Fair last weekend, but honestly it wasn’t great at all.

It was actually pretty horrific!

In other news, I had an interview with the popular local TV show Top Billing.

Hottie presenter Janez Vermeiren interviewed me!

I’ll be appearing on the Expresso breakfast show and Top Billing on the 3rd of July, so tune in if you like! :)

Recently I shot the new music video for a band called Mac Stanley (previously known as Flat Stanley) and their song ‘Hold On’.

It was very cool!

I had to be a graceful sleeping beauty and smooch my prince :)

I’ve also been pleased with two interviews I did for very popular local blogs -

http://shebuiltthiscity.com/2012/06/13/tamikadoubell/

http://amg133.blogspot.com/2012/05/bucket-babe-tamika-doubell.html

Check them out!

Sometime not too long ago I went to watch Alan Committie’s show called ‘Funny Business’ at Theatre on the Bay.

It was honestly one of – if not the best – comedy shows I’ve ever seen in my life.

I went with my friend Nella and we didn’t stop laughing all the way through.

The man is brilliant I watched him perform again last night as MC at the Vodacom Funny Festival at The Baxter Theatre here in Cape Town.

The rest of the show was utterly horrendous (exception is Kurt Schoonraad) so if you haven’t bought a ticket yet – don’t. Waste of time.

Until next time

Xxxx

 

>> Update on my Work! <<

The past few weeks have seen me very busy here in the film & entertainment industries in Cape Town!

Something I am very proud of is the recording of a few radio adverts for the main radio station where I am from – the Eastern Cape – Algoa FM.

A couple were for companies situated in Port Elizabeth (my hometown), including Greenacres Hospital and also my family’s business Doubell Machines & Equipment. And then one for a new business venture, Skybok, which I have started with my brother. It’s an online video profiling website which goes live at the end of March.

Here is a snap of me in studio:

I attended some cool events last month, including the Red Carpet Fashion Show at the The Bay Hotel in Camps Bay here in Cape Town:

You can view the rest of the photos by clicking HERE.

I also attended the Xtraordinary Women’s Success in High Heels event at The Cape Royale Luxury Hotel & Spa:

You can view all the photos from the event by clicking HERE.

Here is me with my goodie bag (i love goodie bags!):

I MC’d the SKYYVODKA Pool Party held at The Cape Milner Hotel:

You can view more photos by clicking HERE.

And I recorded some voice over work for in-store promotions at Shoprite & Checkers!

I filmed a commercial for Thorpe Park Theme Park in The U.K:

And I was asked to cover an event for the couture label FCM, who held a Fashion Party at Club 169 in Longstreet here in Cape Town:

See my article HERE.

Lo and behold- I got yet another goodie bag! (YESSSS!)

I am off to London tomorrow for Top Model Worldwide (here are articles where I have written about it in the past if you want to know more):

http://tamikadoubell.wordpress.com/2011/09/09/top-model-worldwide/

http://tamikadoubell.wordpress.com/2011/12/30/a-sleigh-ride-through-my-latest-adventures-in-the-industry/

And I thank The Herald’s Weekend Post for the lovely write-up I received this past weekend about it:

When I get back to South Africa on March 20th, I am looking forward to seeing my uncle David Aldo, who is flying in from Los Angeles to do a tour of South Africa.

He is a singer in Los Angeles who started out singing at the Polo Lounge in Beverley Hills. He has been blessed to have performed at such events as Demi Moore & Ashton Kutcher’s wedding, Rod Stewart’s birthday and other private events for stars Jennifer Lopez, Demi Moore, Michael Douglas, Robbie Williams and Janet Jackson amongst others.

He was last in South Africa when he opened for Lionel Ritchie on his tour.

I personally flew up to Durban to watch the concert and was a VERY proud niece!

Here is one of his music videos:

And here are snaps I took at the Lionel Ritchie concert:

His producer is the well-known Benjy Mudie, who was recently a guest judge on Idols SA – Click HERE to watch Benjy’s interview.

Before I fly off, I have to finish up work for the new SKYYVODKA ‘Mix-a-cocktail’ iPad application.

I recorded the voice-over for the app’s tutorial yesterday and today I shoot the tutorial itself (my hands guiding you through the app).

So a madhouse before I pack and board the plane, haha! But it’s all worth it at the end of the day ;)

Wish me luck for my trip and please think of me on the 17th March at the Top Model runway show at The Hilton Metropole, London!!

Xxxx

Guet Going!

Tonight multi-Grammy Award winning David Guetta is rocking Cape Town, South Africa.

I am playing his tunes in my earphones all day today – can’t get enough of him!


Many people will tell you he is one their favourite House DJs, as he has some of the best beats of the year.

He is always teaming up with the hottest artists and puts out incredible pump up and dance songs.

For a night on the jol, he is your guy!


He’s playing at the St Yves Music Festival. And well-known 5FM DJ Poppy is driving all the stage action – lucky girl!

Guetta will be live on stage along with AKON who was in part responsible for one of my favourite songs, “Sexy Bitch”.

Guetta’s brand new album is called ‘Nothing But The Beat’.

There are supporting acts which include two renowned US DJs who are always ranked amongst the Top 25 American DJs – Joe Bermudez and DJ Jenny LaFemme.

Jax Panik is also in the line-up tonight as the openers along with the talented DJ Dean Fuel :)

R5 from every ticket that was sold will be donated to The Trust – which represents various charitable organizations in Southern Africa.

Some of his best songs ever include:

1. Sexy Bitch

2. When Love Takes Over

3. Gettin’ Over You

4. Memories

5.On The Dancefloor

6. Love is Gone

7. World Is Mine

8. I Wanna Go Crazy

9. Club Can’t Handle Me

10. One Love

Here is the video of my best :)

Xxxx

Countess for a Day!

Today I am off to a place called Muizenberg for a ‘French Composers’ concert

Muizenberg is a beach-side suburb and is situated on the shores of the Cape Peninsula (on the coast)

Again, the venue I am going to is an old building that has been restored

It was built in 1929 and aims to reflect the spirit of Venice – glorious!

It is the former residence of Count and Countess Natale Labia

It is a building rich with history that is now a national monument and serves as a multi-functional cultural centre

There is a contemporary South African art gallery, a boutique and also an Italian Café

The afternoon is about exploring French music traditions from the 1600s to the 1900s including Debussy and Ravel, performed by Vicente Espi, Alliz Nicholas and Martin Jacoby

I’m sure it will be very elegant and inspirational!

The mansion is called ‘Casa Labia’ … here are some photos of it…


See some pics below:)

Xxxx

Ard Matthews & Friends Benefit Concert

Wow… so glad I bought a ticket! What an awesome night for R150 — and it’s going to charity!

The benefit concert was in aid of the My Life Foundation, for people with special needs.

The concert featured a key South African musician who has served as lead vocalist and founder of the band Just Jinjer, Ard Matthews, along with other equally inspiring artists including D7, Zolani from Freshly Ground, Louise Day, Jack Parow, and Laudo from aKing

The Upper East Side Hotel in Woodstock was the venue …and the verdict? — very chic!

The Wings Group were giving away Riesen chocolate for a small donation and I must say, despite my tight leopard print dress I made a bee-line for the choccies before anything else!

I started with a glass of Sauvignon Blanc and by the end of the evening I was very merry indeed… at some point breakdancers from the foundation hit the floor and things only got more festive from there

There were DJ’s there from a local radio station called “2OceansVibe”…. They were awesome guys and gave me a chance to take-over the mic live on air!

I used to be a Radio DJ at my university’s radio station – the University of Cape Town’s  “UCT RADIO”- so I wasn’t too shabby as I spoke about the event on air

They were very impressed!:)

The evening was organised by the Little Black Book PR & Events Group – and wow their events always seem have a powerful impact… love them!

I was so excited that Michael Burt, of sassy Michiko London fashion boutique in Cavendish Square, gave me one of his dresses to wear for the night:)

Check out some of the pics below!

Xxxx