World Cup Soccer 2006 kicked off in Germany yesterday and being the major soccer fan that I am (major in checking out the legs and butts, don't have a cooking clue about the game) I celebrated with some great friends in a rather unusual fashion. What I really am, is a major music fan (for real, ask any of my friends), so what better than to combine the "beautiful game" with my passion - music? So, we were invited to a musical launch party at the Bassline in Newtown (now I too, can boast that I have been there, supposed to be very trendy...mmm) and here's what they did:

They set up two big screens on stage onto which they projected the opening match - Germany versus Costa Rica. Under each screen stood a jazz quartet and the idea was for them to watch the game and interpret musically what was happening on the screen. Well.....well.... I'm sure you can only imagine. Basically to my untrained jazz ear (I'm a music fan but certainly not a jazz purist) it was a mess. Occassionally they would get it right and gel and it worked which was really interesting especially when a goal was scored. Mostly though it was pretty awful. This soiree was attended by the German Ambassador to South Africa (wonder what he made of it all?) and during half time they held an impromptu dancefloor soccer match in which the German Ambassador participated. Pretty cool I thought. See, see, see Germans can have fun!! Still trying to dispel that myth.

After the game, Tele, a Berlin based rock/fusion band took to the stage. They kind of reminded me of Maroon 5. All their lyrics are German and because I'm not familiar with them and their live sound, I battled to understand them. They were okay. During their final number called "Dillema" they pulled a bouncing African hip hop artist onto stage. He rapped in English and the lead singer rapped in German, and man - did they break it down! Enjoyed that and by the look on Tele's faces they loved it too. I'm told Tele is Germany's 2005 newcomer band of the year - hence the German Embassy bringing them to good old SA. They leave for Tanzania today - imagine that.

So - as corny as this may sound. I had a ball. Lots of lovely men to look at both on screen (has anyone checked out the German team, hot hot hot hot - eeeouuuccchh) and off (some yummy numbers on the stage and dancefloor. Ahhh nice.

In case you are interested. Germany won the game. Both the opening world cup match and the impromptu dancefloor match. I'm told the German team are not really good enough to win the world cup but I live in hope. You never know.....................