27/12/2024
Dear Matinee Followers and Supporters,
I founded Matinee in 2020 with a simple yet ambitious vision: to host small, unique, and enriching events. Thanks to my incredible circle of talented friends, brimming with diverse knowledge and skills, I’ve never needed to look beyond this community for inspiration and expertise.
Our journey began in 2021, hosting events at my home in Colbyn. These intimate gatherings featured outstanding musicians like AmaFranx, Ronald Davey, Reets, Brendon Bezuidenhout, Al Clapper and Eaton Clapper. We also organized workshops with inspiring facilitators such as Lala Crafford, Jessica Montgomery Art, and Katja Wasserthal, who led a memorable spice workshop.
In 2022, we relocated to the charming Cafe Barcelona Gigs in Colbyn, which became the stage for more wonderful events.
Highlights included a herb workshop by Katja Wasserthal and Stephan Kruger, an art workshop by Lala Crafford, candle making with Anna Wasserthal, and pasta crafting with Stephan Kruger. We also took a meditative turn with a clay workshop at the botanical gardens, guided by Greta Van Rensburg and accompanied by music from Reets. Additionally, Alet Pretorius hosted an unforgettable pinhole photography workshop at my home, where we transformed a room into a darkroom to develop the photos. We capped off the year with a festive Christmas gift-making workshop.
In 2023, we explored even more creative horizons. Stephan Kruger’s "Let's Get Saucy" workshop taught us how to create Asian dipping sauces paired with Vietnamese rice paper rolls, while Kate Mathews led a delightful session on decorating cookies. Stephan returned for a Greek snacks workshop, and Alet once again hosted her inspiring pinhole photography session, this time at Through the Lens Collective in Johannesburg's Victoria Yards. The year culminated in Cherese de Gasperi's fascinating botanical ink-making workshop, leaving us inspired and eager for more.
In 2024, we hosted just one workshop—a sushi-making session with Stephan Kruger. This year was particularly challenging for me. In addition to my responsibilities as Head of Department at a music school and my commitment to furthering my music career, I experienced the profound loss of my father in May. With everything going on, I did not have the capacity to organize more events.
Looking ahead to 2025, my husband and I are thrilled to welcome our first baby into the world! As I embrace this new chapter of life, I will not be hosting events for the foreseeable future.
These events have been incredibly special to me. I’ve learned so much, met wonderful new people, and had the chance to engage deeply with my talented friends in new and meaningful ways. Event organizing has been a true passion of mine, and I hope to return to it someday.
I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude:
To Mzi from The Grind Radio—thank you for being an indispensable part of the team since 2022. Your energy and creativity made brainstorming sessions a joy, and I will deeply miss our collaborations.
To our resident photographers, Cherese and Dave de Gasperi from AM Studios and to Dominique du Toit, Jacinda Barker, and Susan van Tonder for their stunning photography and videography work. Your artistry brought our events to life.
To Cafe Barcelona — thank you to Chrisna, Joze, Natalie, Frieda, and the incredible kitchen staff for your support and for providing the perfect space for our workshops.
Finally, to everyone who attended and supported these events over the years, none of this would have been possible without you.
For now, I bid farewell. Hopefully, we’ll meet again for a few pop-up events. Thank you for being part of this beautiful journey.
With gratitude,
Cynthia
