African Palace News | African Palace Takes Players to the Stars

African Palace Takes Players to the Stars
by Kiara Miller

Celine Dion’s performance for the Taking Chances World Tour was eagerly awaited at all major cities in South Africa. African Palace put together spectacular packages for our players that included VIP seating, food and drinks as well as fantastic memorabilia to take back home as a reminder of an evening out with Celine Dion and African Palace. Players got to attend shows in Durban, Cape Town, Johannesburg and Port Elizabeth and one lucky player Petronella B got the once in a life time chance to meet the Diva herself One on One!

Once they received their invitations from African Palace to attend the Celine Dion Taking Chances concert, players had their fingers crossed, wondering if they would be chosen to meet the talented singer live and in reality. Petronella B from Johannesburg was enjoying a wonderful evening at the Celine Dion Platinum VIP Dinner at the Monte Casino and couldn’t believe her luck when the African Palace team revealed that she had just won the competition and would be on her way to meet Celine. “I never dreamt I would be the lucky winner,” admits Petronella, “ It was a big surprise!”

The next few minutes that followed were almost unreal for Petronella. “I was very nervous as I was walking towards her and standing in line to meet her,” she recalls.

Petronella had the chance of getting upclose with the Diva and even has a picture with the celebrity taken. “I’m extremely proud of the photo I took with Celine Dion. I am going to enlarge it and hang it in my lounge where I can always brag, as I am one out of a million that has had the chance to meet Celine Dion!”

While Petronella may have had all the fun and excitement of meeting Celine in person, the other lucky players had there share of excitement while singing along with Celine Dion.

PICTURES OF PLAYERS AT THE CONCERTS
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African Palace players in Durban had the first chance to catch the show on the 20th February at the ABSA Stadium. The Diva put on an excellent performance and not even the rain could damper the spirits of her fans!

For lucky player Mark H, the concert certainly turned out to be a life-changing one! “I haven't stopped raving about the Celine Dion Taking Chances Live Concert. Not being a Celine Dion fan, I was a bit skeptical about watching her live. I was BLOWN AWAY! Thank you so much for the opportunity of being right up close and for changing my mind about her. She is a consummate performer with the most incredible voice. The sound and lighting for her concert was unbelievable (the best sound I have heard at a live event of this scale!). Her dancers were stunning and the choreography, the best I have seen in a very long time. It was also great to meet the African Palace Events team after the performance and all I can say is Thank you, Thank you and Thank you. It was a fantastic evening and hope there will be many more!!!”

Belinda L admits that she could get used to being treated like royalty by African Palace! “Yes, Yes my husband and I really enjoyed the concert tremendously and your team treated us like royalty. I could fly high up in the sky just like Celine. Thanks for a wonderful evening,” says Belinda when asked about her night out with African Palace.

Karen M was delighted with her invitation. “Thank you staff of African Palace Casino for giving us the opportunity to share a night with Celine Dion and your wonderful staff. I can only describe the evening as Awesome. Other than an absolutely fantastic concert you guys were amazing. There every step of the way to ensure we had a night to remember.”

Sheree C had a blast at the concert and especially loved the goodies that African Palace gave her to take home. Sheree says, “Thank you so very much to the team for the wonderful evening we had tonight with Celine. Thank you for the amazing [Taking Chances] CD/DVD, which will give me absolute pleasure driving in traffic, so if you see this crazy female driving in a grey Audi singing away it's me!!!” warns Sheree. “Oh yes and thanks also for the stunning shirt and cap… so many people wanted to buy it off me!” she adds.

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Next up the African Palace team jetted off to Cape Town to treat fans to the show at Vergelegen Wine Estate. A four hour wait in traffic to the venue gave new meaning to Celine’s opening song, “I Drove All Night.”

Christina V says, “We enjoyed ourselves very much. The food and the company made up for the long travelling time. The show was also stunning”

Keith W was excited when he was chosen to attend the show as it has always been his daughter Hayle’s dream to see Celine perform. The father and daughter had a wonderful time watching Celine sing their favourite songs. Keith says, “Thank you for a great evening on Saturday night. I know there were lots of problems, but none caused by African Palace. The way you guys handled the situation and were always concerned about our welfare, was great. I think Celine's song "I drove All Night" summed up the evening. To African Palace, once again thank you.”

Gerhard H had a fantastic time at the PE concert held at the EPRU Stadium. When asked what he thought of the show Gerhard says, “Outstanding, marvelous! We enjoyed ourselves and the concert was way beyond my imagination!”

Ramona K had just as much fun, “Thank you for an amazing night, I enjoyed it tremendously and I do appreciate it from the bottom of my heart that you made it happen for us. Celine was fantastic, and the show was excellent, as well as the tasty food and drinks we had when we got there. Thank you very much again. Thank you for the T shirt, cap and CD/DVD as well. You are great!!!!!”

The Monte Casino provided an idyllic romantic backdrop to Celine’s soulful serenades. Yolandi VW who received her invitation from African Palace, shares the same sentiments. “I am actually speechless! I got tears in my eyes when she appeared on stage, let alone started to sing. It just hit me that me and my husband will never in our lifetime experience something like it and we have you to thank for that,” says Yolandi.

Marieta VDW agrees, “What more can one say… It was absolutely WONDERFULL! Thank you again for inviting me to come along, the whole evening was great fun and entertainment. "My heart will definitely go on..." and... I'll just have to keep on "Taking chances" at African Palace to make sure I don't miss out on the next event, right?!!”

Celine Dion may have left South Africa, but she has definitely left behind some wonderful memories for her fans!

PICTURES OF CONCERT
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