Last night I attended Madame Zingara, a dinner show that recently re-opened in Joburg at a fantastical desert palace outside Melrose Arch. I have no idea how to explain, either in words or in photos, what Madame Zingara is, other than to say it’s the most fun I’ve had in a long time.
But before I get into the show itself, let me back up to last weekend, when I looked at the invitation I’d received and saw Madame Zingara’s dress code is “STRICTLY FABULOUS!” I panicked, realizing I had nothing remotely fabulous — let alone STRICTLY FABULOUS! — to wear to a desert palace in Melrose Arch on a chilly winter evening. Luckily, I knew just what to do: I got into my car and drove to the fabulous Wizards Vintage.
The fabulous Braam, proprietor at Wizards Vintage, at their new shop.
Wizards Vintage is one of Joburg’s oldest and best known vintage retailers (here’s a detailed review in Johannesburg In Your Pocket), and it recently moved to a beautiful new space at Manor House in Dunkeld. I love thrifting, as you all know, and I was excited for an excuse to go to Wizards.
Finding an Outfit at Wizards Vintage
I arrived at Wizards with my friend Julia, who was my plus-one for Madame Zingara. Braam Naudé, Wizards’ proprietor, and his colleagues immediately got to work hunting outfits for both of us.
I consider myself to be a pretty adventurous dresser, but Braam gave me some things to try on that I never would have considered in a million years. In the end, both Julia and I found exactly the right thing for a STRICTLY FABULOUS! dress code.
Julia found the perfect sequined number right away, complete with feather boa and sparkly bunny ears.
I tried this one first…
…then this one. There were a few others in between but these were the top contenders.
At first I thought I would wear the gold caftan. But after some consultation with my Instagram followers, I went for the super loud, colorful number.
Here’s the full ensemble — Thorsten and I did a photoshoot at home before the show.
I’m a very awkward fashion influencer. The dress is from an Italian fashion label called Julian. The necklace is from GAS French, the boots are from Kendall + Kyle, and the bag doesn’t have a brand but I love it. (Photo: Thorsten Deckler)
I like this photo even though I look like I’m missing a hand. (Photo: Thorsten Deckler)
I’m an influenza. Photo: Thorsten Deckler
An Evening at Madame Zingara
Again, I struggle to describe Madame Zingara…it’s part dinner theatre, part circus, part gourmet restaurant, part disco dance party, and part risqué fairy tale. There was a guy dressed as a rabbit, a very small person inside a very large Aperol spritz glass, a contortionist who seemingly didn’t have joints, and a well-oiled, nearly naked man with a bloody arrow sticking out of his chest. And that’s just the beginning.
One more awkward influencer portrait before leaving the house. (Photo: Jay Bouwer)
Outside the Zingara palace gates. I didn’t bring my camera with me (definitely the right move, as I was having too much fun to worry about photography) so I only have a few mediocre iPhone pictures.
“Watch out for my wing,” the well-oiled Cupid man with glitter-gold lipstick told me. His actual name is Tebogo Napoleon Monageng. (Photo: Julia Giddy)
I usually don’t do this but I’m going to share a few PR-supplied images of the show, because it was spectacular and these lovely pictures were taken by an old photojournalist friend of mine, Christiaan Kotze.
Our host for the evening, Andile Magxaki. (Photo: Christiaan Kotze)
The contortionist, Lunga Buthelezi, a.k.a. “the African Snake”. She made us all stop breathing. (Photo: Chistiaan Kotze)
Tebogo Napoleon in horns. He changed outfits several times throughout the night.
If you have something to celebrate over the next few months, or you just enjoy having a great time, Madame Zingara is what you should do. Trust me — it’s worth the price (R1350 for a four-course dinner and the show). Book online here, or click here for group bookings.
Thank you to Wizards Vintage for loaning me my fantastic outfit for the evening. Thank you to Madame Zingara for the media invitation. I want to do it all over again!
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I want that colourful dress if you’re taking it back!!!!! Can’t wait to get back and go to madam zingara
Let me know if you want me to buy it for you! You will LOVE Madame Zingara.
Gasp! I went to see Madame Zingara YEARS ago- (probably a decade) before I had even moved here (I was on a visit). It was so much fun. I’m glad to know this still exists and I might just have to revisit (in the summer)!
I also went about 10 years ago. But it was so much more fun this time than I remembered!
As soon as I saw your cover photo, I’m like, “What in the world is Heather up to?” 😆 You look simply fabulous, dahhhling. Fab-u-lous.
Hahaha, thanks. It was fun.
I can’t wait to go, my hubby loved the Monte Casino addition!
You’re going to love it!