Social Program
IGARSS by Night - Tuesday 14 July
Join us as we taste the secrets of the many cosmopolitan food choices that Cape Town offers.
Five Flies This award winning restaurant, located in the financial and legal district of Cape Town, offers fine dining in a national monument, proclaiming a history of significance and positioning. Five Flies exudes character in its 11 separate, yet interlinking dining areas, many with secrets of bygone eras. The evening’s menu may include local favorites such as snoek (a perch-like fish) or springbok (antelope – much like venison) loin, with unique flavours and exquisite presentation.
Africa Café Nourish your soul with a little African warmth! The Africa Café features a feast of local cuisine served in a historic 18th century former home, with African décor (Xhosa and Zulu, to name a few) and city views. Dinner is presented as a communal feast, with a tasty series of appetizer and entrée items. Join in the entertainment, as the staff introduce you to the rhythms and beat of Africa.
Marcos African Place Experience true African hospitality, indigenous African and Cape cuisine and live local music at Marco’s African Place, a popular venue for both local and international patrons. Perhaps you’ll sample Umngqusho (a vegetarian dish featuring hominy – dried corn – and black-eyed peas or beans) or Ulwimi (steamed ox tongue with mustard sauce), and for the adventurous, why not try the mopani worms (a favored snack of South African natives).
Gold Restaurant Gold offers an opportunity to sample cuisine from their Cape Malay kitchen, as well as some well-loved, traditional African inspired dishes. This blend of regional cuisines features a variety of herbs and spices providing delicate flavours to meat, vegetables and fish. You may try bobotie, a South African dish consisting of spiced, minced meat baked with an egg-based topping, or side dishes such as blatjang (Malay for “chutney”) or atchar (also a chutney, with mangoes and peppers or solely vegetable ) . Perhaps you’ll end your meal with a koeksister (a doughnut-like, sweet pastry dessert). You’ll enjoy the entertainment, too, as the tall, graceful Mali puppets welcome you in a truly unique display of singing, dancing and vibrant drumming.
Jonkershuis - Groot Constantia Wine Estate With its traditional Cape Dutch architecture, the historic Groot Constantia has been producing wines for 350 years and Emperor Napolean rated Groot Constantia wines amongst his favourites! Sample a glass or two while dining on a selection of South African food.
Steenberg Steenberg is the original wine estate in the Cape, nestled in the Constantia Valley. Catharina's Restaurant, in one of the the original buildings, is named in honour of the founder of the estate, a coulorful character who was outlived by the last of her five husbands. The estate is renknowned for some its special varieties.
Nyoni's Kraal Experience the warmth, vibrancy and multi-cultural influences of modern South Africa at Nyoni's Kraal. Mix traditional African, Eastern and European flavours, recipes and cultures together and you have the South African flavour.
Technical Committee and Chapter Chairs Luncheon - Wednesday 15 July
In a departure from tradition, the IEEE GRSS Technical Chairs and Chapter Chairs meeting will be held as a luncheon rather than as a dinner. The luncheon will take place in Smuts Hall dining room, on Wednesday, July 15. Chairs, Co-chairs, members and intending members of these society sub-committees and interested delegates are invited to attend.
The venue for the luncheon is Smuts Hall, one of the original residences of the University of Cape Town, a convenient stroll of ~200 m from Jamieson Hall and the conference venue.
Pre-booking is requested. Price for the luncheon has been set at a modest US$20.00 to enable a larger pool of members to attend and benefit from participation in the running of the GRSS technical committees and chapters.
Date and Time: Wednesday 15 July, Noon to 14:30
Price: US$20.00
Dress: As you are.
Young Professionals / GOLD Luncheon - Tuesday 14 July
Luncheon for recent graduates and young professionals to introduce them to the vision and mission of GRSS, to meet senior members of the Society and to meet each other as future leaders in the RS profession. Additional tickets available at the registrations desk. New members of this informal network welcome.
Wine Tasting Evening - Wednesday 15 July
Join us for an evening of wine tasting at The Castle of Good Hope, South Africa’s oldest building.
With a wine industry dating back to 1659, South Africa is ranked tenth in terms of world wine production and is fast gaining a reputation as a quality producer of new world wines. Taste a selection of Cape Wines, mix with friends and colleagues at this historic venue. An expert wine connoisseur will be in attendance to guide guests on the characteristics of the selected wines and the subtleties of wine tasting.
Suitable for both the wine connoisseur and the sociable quaffer. Snacks will be served and a cash bar will be available.
Dress: Smart casual
Cost: USD45.00 (includes transport from the designated hotels to the Cape Town Castle - 10 minutes from the Waterfront).
N.B. This event is simultaneous with the soccer match. Please select one or the other.
IGARSS 2009 Conference Banquet - Thursday 16 July
The IGARSS Conference Banquet will be held in the Ballroom of the Mount Nelson Hotel on Thursday evening, July 16. This formal banquet will be the highlight of the social calendar for IGARSS'09. At this event the GRSS Society awards will be presented.
Tickets for this gala evening are $75.00 per person. The price includes admission to the banquet, table wine and transport to and from the venue (only 10 minutes from the Waterfront hotels).
The Mount Nelson Hotel, with its distinctive pink exterior is quite possibly the most famous hotel in Cape Town. Its distinctive colonial quality endures today and many travelers enjoy the Mount Nelson's unique air of quiet sophistication and formality of a bygone era. This beautiful hotel is situated on nine acres of tranquil gardens at the foot of Table Mountain.
Tickets to this event are limited and will be allocated on a first come, first serve basis.