Castle Milk Stout towers over DBN July

As I reported a week before the Durban July, I couldn’t attend Jo’burg leg of Castle Milk Stout‘s Pause In The Sky event. When an opportunity presented itself for me to be part of the Durban edition of the event at the Durban July, I couldn’t contain my excitement.

Now, I haven’t been to the Durban July in about 4 years. And the last time I attended I was there with a late friend of mine who passed away a few months later, so the event has bitter-sweet memories for me. The premise of the Dinner In The Sky made me decide to make a return to the event more known for the fashion and entertainment than its stem, the horse racing.

When I rocked up at Greyville Racecourse, I quickly remembered the last time I was there with my friend Sbonelo Mthiyane (May your soul rest in heavenly peace). The sombre vibe that overtook me for a few moments turned into a jolly one as I feasted my eyes on the fashion creations people had donned, their own interpretations of this year’s theme, A Roral Affair. Needless to say, some of them were completely off the mark.

As I did my registration, I was immensely eager to experience the journey Castle Milk Stout had in store for me. Sitting in the pre-sky lounge, the nerves started. Although I can’t really say I have fear for heights, it was still anxiety-inducing as I had never done anything remotely close to this, except being on a commercial aeroplane.

When we were called to the rotating bar to experience Castle Milk Stout‘s Pour. Pause. Sip. process, the excitement had already begun. The barmen took us through each of the drinking ritual. We got to taste and enjoy Castle Milk Stout like never before.

After this exercise, we headed to the Table In The Sky that has become iconic for its unique dining experience. We were seated and strapped into the chairs. As the table lifted off to the sky, cheers were the order of the moment from all that were part of this historic experience. After reaching above the racecourse stands level, we were told we were only half way to our destination, up in the sky. Glancing all around us, we viewed Durban in a different light, one only birds are accustomed to. As we were lifted up, we were enjoying a fine and carefully prepared cuisine that included what they called Zulu sushi; oysters that tasted like I’ve never tasted oysters before; a mixture of sweet snacks; and dessert, in a form of dark chocolate. These courses were each followed by a sip, or gulp if you will, of Castle Milk Stout.

Upon reaching our highest point, at 60 metres, we enjoyed more of the view and conversations with some of the attendees. As the folk-lift brought us down, we were dancing to the smooth sounds of music played to us. It was truly a magical and breath taking experience, one I will never forget.

That was not the end of the evening. There was still more entertainment decked out for us at the Castle Milk Stout marquee at the Durban July. We got to enjoy the music of Zonke and Zakes as they performed live for all the guests. DJ Vinny Da Vinci played some soulful house in-between the performances.

Here are some more pictures from the Castle Milk Stout experience at Durban July. Again, I don’t usually publish my pictures here, but I’ve gotta give some love to HUMMER Apparel who knitted me for the day. I totally dig the yellow tee with a white (grey coated) HUMMER logo splashed across the chest; and black performance jacket with a bright metallic coil zipper, complemented by the HUMMER logo embroidered in grey metallic thread at the back, as well as below each shoulder, and on the left and right chest.

Showing my yellow HUMMER tee.

During the Pour. Pause. Sip. drinking ritual. Check out my HUMMER fleece jacket.

During the rotating bar, the ladies experiencing the Castle Milk Stout tasting experience. Who said ladies don’t drink Stout?

A couple enjoying the Castle Milk Stout tasting experience too.

Getting briefed before take-off.

Starting to lift up to the sky.

A couple dressed to the nines, lifting up with us.

Glancing at the racecourse stands as we lifted up.

Co-guests enjoying Dinner In the Sky.

Grooving to Maxwell‘s Sumthin Sumthin as we descended down.

The view of the racecourse, together with the hospitality villages, as we were up there in the sky.

Zonke serenading the guests with her powerful voice.

Zonke giving the band some shine too.

Zakes on stage, doing what he does best.

Zakes entertaining the crowd with his moves.

I like that Zakes also interacts with the crowd as part of his act.

Zakes encompasses a lot in his routine, from singing to dancing to acting.

Zakes‘ keyboardist is a very big part of the routine.

Zakes‘ drummer also doing his thing.

The crowd at the Castle Milk Stout marquee giving Zakes some love.

Vinny rocking the dance floor.

Vinny with some friends after his set.

Singer Bantu Soul with a friend, enjoying Zakes‘ performance.

Sindy Mtengwane with a friend.

Lungi Mposula (far left) with her friends, having fun at the Castle Milk Stout marquee.

Tshepo Tsotsotso (far right), the man who made us part of the amazing experience, with friends.

The Castle Milk Stout promo girls and boys who made sure we had everything we needed.

Thank you so much Tshepo and the Castle Milk Stout team for the awesome time I had. My Durban July experience was more than I could have imagined.

The Pause In The Sky promotion ends next week and the final event will be held on Wednesday, 13 July at the Pretoria Show Grounds in Pretoria. If you are anywhere near Pretoria next week, make sure you are part of it. You are guaranteed a wonderful time.

2 Comments

1. 

   Hummer

   July 11, 2011 at 1:40 pm

   Awesome shots from the Pause in the Sky event! And great to see our Hummer gear in show. For those who want to check out more, go to:

   http://www.facebook.com/hummer.southafrica
   http://twitter.com/#!/HummerZA

   Like nothing else!

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