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Top line-up for White Mountain Festival

Posted in Entertainment,Festivals,KwaZulu Natal by SA Blog Editor, 1 September 2011.

A number of top artists from around the country are set to perform at this year’s White Mountain Festival, which is coming up from September 29 to October 2 and once again promises a weekend of great live music in an awesome setting.

Included on the bill for this gem of a festival held at White Mountain Lodge near Giant’s Castle in the scenic Central Drakensberg are melodic rockers aKING, the platinum-selling Jesse Clegg Band, Plush frontman Rory Eliot and SAMA-nominated singer-songwriter Josie Field.

Other must-see acts include Habit To, Margaret’s Daughter, Allan John Band, Naming James, Shotgun Tori, Rooibaardt, The Hinds Brothers, Nate Maingard, Holly, Nosi and The Zulus, The Kickstands, Asleep in Transit, Kaiti Faul, as well as 2010 SA Idols finalist Jess Yallup, among others.

A special treat for guitar enthusiasts is that acoustic fingerstyle guru Guy Buttery and blues maestro Dan Patlansky will also join forces in a rare unplugged collaboration, combining their contrasting styles in what is sure to be a showcase of true guitar wizardry!

Also on offer are fun outdoor activities for the whole family, arts and crafts, assorted food outlets and a beer market featuring several local breweries.  Festival-goers can also make full use of the lodge’s facilities, including a restaurant, rustic 150-year-old pub, children’s playground, swimming pool and satellite TV.

Now in its sixth year, White Mountain is KwaZulu-Natal’s only acoustic music festival and is known for its relaxed, family-friendly atmosphere, plentiful amenities and beautiful surroundings.  Situated less than 200km from Durban, 400km from Johannesburg and only 25km off the N3 on tarred roads, it makes for the ideal weekend getaway and also provides easy access to a number of nearby tourist attractions, including the Midlands Meander.

Tickets cost R500 at Computicket and include camping for the entire festival.  For more information, visit http://www.whitemountain.co.za or contact 031 563 0824.

Need a place to stay? Find accommodation in the Drakensberg for this event!

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Oktober Bierfest launches in South Africa

Posted in Cape Town,Concerts Events,Gauteng by SA Blog Editor, 9 August 2011.

Bierfest launches in SA

For more than 200 years the annual Oktoberfest in Munich has been a defining part of Bavarian culture and has grown to become the world’s largest festival, attracting more than five million people from around the globe to Germany each year. Attending the Oktoberfest is on the ‘bucket list’ for many, but this year South Africans will not have to travel abroad for the experience, as Oktober Bierfest is coming to Cape Town and Johannesburg.

“Oktober Bierfest is a recreation of traditional Bavarian beer festivals,” says Andrew Douglas, Director of The Entertainment Group (TEG), producers of the event. “Halls will be draped in traditional style and guests can enjoy an array of Bavarian cuisine supplied by the finest local purveyors of German food, be served by Fraulein while listening to an entertainment lineup, including live Oompah bands.”

In order to bring the taste of Germany to Oktober Bierfest, founding partner The South African Breweries Ltd (SAB), will be brewing beers exclusively for the event. “We are committed to supporting the growth of the beer category as a whole and are looking forward to brewing three special limited edition Bavarian-styled beers. For the first time ever, South Africans can enjoy Royal Bavaria Oktoberfest Bier, King Ludwig’s Munich Dunkel and Protea Edelweiss Krystal Weiss,” says Diarmaid De Burca, General Manager of Newlands Brewery, the SAB’s flagship brewery.

With the added involvement of the South-African – German Chamber of Commerce and Industry in the event, the Oktober Bierfest promises to be an authentic Bavarian festival.

“We are delighted to have been chosen as the host venue for an event steeped with such rich history and tradition,” says Steve Howell, General Manager of Montecasino. “South Africa itself is a melting pot of cultures and traditions brought together by a common love of beer, and Montecasino’s Outdoor Events Area is the perfect venue to accommodate these beer-lovers of every demographic in large numbers. The inclusion of an authentic Bavarian Oktober Bierfest is a welcome addition to the annual Jozi social calendar.”

Oktober Bierfest will tour to Cape Town from 29 September to 1 October 2011 on the Village Green, Newlands Brewery and to Johannesburg from 27 to 29 October 2011 at Montecasino’s Outdoor Event Area. The event is open to both corporate functions and the public alike. For ticket sales or more information email bookings@oktoberbierfest.co.za or visit www.oktoberbierfest.co.za.

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Endler Concert Series presents concerts on 13 & 14 August

Posted in Concerts Events,Western Cape by SA Blog Editor, 7 August 2011.

The Endler Concert Series will continue its full 2011 programme with concerts on both 13 and 14 August. The first concert on 13 August takes place at 20:00 and features the South African born duo of Dawid Venter (flute) and Ben Schoeman (piano). Praised for his “colourful tone, brilliance and delicacy”, Venter, an alumni of Stellenbosch University, now lives in London and holds the position of Principal Flautist in the Band of Her Majesty’s Grenadier Guards. Schoeman, also living in London, won the UNISA International piano competition last year and has recently released his first solo piano CD internationally. The concert on 14 August is a violin and piano recital and takes place at 16:30. Well known South African violinist, Piet Koornhof will be accompanied by pianist Cara Kleynhans. Koornhof is a member of the Potch Trio, founder of South African Chamber Music Society and associate professor of violin at North West University. Kleynhans, a former student at Stellenbosch University has recently obtained her doctorate from the North West University in Potchefstroom.

The programme on 13 August will include the well known sonata in E minor for flute and keyboard, BWV 1034, by Bach. This will be followed by a sonata by Hendrik Hofmeyr, regarded by many to be South Africa’s finest living composer. These two sonatas will be complimented by other interesting works for flute and piano by Henri Dutilleux, Charles-Marie Widor (most well known for his famous organ toccata) and André Jolivet. On 14 August, Koonhof and Kleynhans will deliver a delightful programme of rareties for violin and piano. These will include Eduardo Toldra’s Six Sonnets, Three Nocturns Op. 16, by Nikolai Medtner and excerpts from Sergei Prokofieff’s powerful ballet, Romeo and Juliet.ay: R110 / R85, Sunday R99  / R75. Box office at the Endler Hall will open one hour before the concert for ticket sales. For further enquiries, please call the Endler Hall Concert Series on 021 808 2343 during office hours.

To find a place to stay for the duration of the concert see Stellenbosch accommodation or visit Cape Winelands accommodation for options in the region.

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Botriviera Spring Festival – Wineries of Bot River celebrate together!

Posted in Events,Festivals,Western Cape by SA Blog Editor, 2 August 2011.

Wineries of Bot River celebrate together from 9 to 11 September 2011:  A fabulous weekend celebrating the advent of Spring for wine lovers, nature lovers and families to get together for the good-time event of the year with gastronomy, tastings, entertaining activities , local artists and so much more. Our line up this year kicks off with the Winemakers Selection on the 9th September 2011 to be held at  Kol Kol Mountain Lodge, Botrivier, tranquil with sweeping views of fynbos. Winemakers will be showcasing their wines revealing unique perspective on vine-to-glass progression and the personality of Bot River terroir complemented by culinary delights.  (Tickets cost R100.00).

Throughout the weekend participating Wine Estates and restaurants will announce their involvement by placing pink barrels at their entrances. Entertainment varies from horse riding, fly fishing, wine and olive oil tastings and blending, sumptuous meals, live music, pottery and art exhibitions. Entry Free. Saturday 10:00 -18:00 / Sunday 10:00 -15:00

Partygoers can shunt their cabooses over to the Bot River Station on Saturday 10th September for the Botriviera Spectacle. The theme is ‘carnival’, an excuse for guests to puff up their feathers and pimp their style for an evening of other-worldly and downright surreal entertainment. The party will be fuelled by DJ Charl who returns this year to rock the rails and steam up the venue. The loco-motion starts at 7 pm and the party will go on till late.  Tickets cost R100 and includes entry to the lucky draw and amazing giveaways.

Tickets available at Shuntin’ Shed.  Bot River is only 1.15 hours from Cape Town so whether one is visiting for a day or spending the weekend on one of the participating estates the Botriviera Spring Weekend provides an opportunity to discover and explore this fascinating area, meet the merry winemakers and enjoy their wines!

Join us and explore something out of the ordinary!
Find a place to stay at Botrivier Accommodation or see Cape Overberg accommodation for lodges nearby.

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La Motte MCC Sparkles at SA Terroir Wine Awards

Posted in Western Cape by SA Blog Editor, 1 August 2011.

The 2008 La Motte Méthode Cape Classique has just been acknowledged as one of the National Winners for cultivar wines by the 2011 Novare SA Terroir Wine Awards.

With the 2008 MCC Brut being only the second vintage of sparkling wine to have been released from La Motte, we are delighted by this performance”, says Hein Koegelenberg, CEO of La Motte. “Not only do we mature the wine on the lease for 29 months, but we also released just 3300 bottles, so we hold this sparkling wine very dear.” More…

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New Spring Festival in Tulbagh

Posted in Art and Culture,Events,Western Cape by SA Blog Editor, 28 July 2011.

The his­toric Cape Winelands town of Tulbagh is host­ing a Spring Arts Festival over the week­end of 26–28 August 2011, cel­eb­rat­ing the arts in all their var­ied forms. The fest­ival also coin­cides with the spring wild­flowers, which include sev­eral vari­et­ies of rare endemic bulbs that only flower in the Tulbagh val­ley. It is aimed at rais­ing funds for the Tulbagh Community Gardens and Galgeheuwel Reserve ini­ti­at­ive, which will cre­ate a pub­lic pleas­ure garden for the enjoy­ment of all in his­toric Church Street.

The Tulbagh Spring Arts Festival is head­lining with the open­ing of the Christo Coetzee House Museum and Gallery (post renov­a­tion of the dilap­id­ated barn, where Coetzee painted from 1973 until his death in 2000, and the Rhenish mis­sion­ary house where he lived behind the stu­dio.) For the dur­a­tion of the fest­ival the work of past, present and future mas­ters of the val­ley will be on display.

Christo Coetzee is obvi­ously our past mas­ter. The South African Encyclopedia says about Coetzee’s work: “He has broadened art in the sense that he con­trib­uted to the fad­ing of the tra­di­tional bound­ar­ies between paint­ing and sculp­ture and because he insisted on viewer par­ti­cip­a­tion in the cre­at­ive pro­cess. More…

It’s Festival Time in Cape Town

Posted in Art and Culture,Cape Town,Events,Festivals by SA Blog Editor, 22 February 2011.

Cape Town is gearing up for festival season with many carnivals, creative and music events coming up later this month and throughout March.

Infecting the City, an annual public arts initiative, presented by The Africa Centre, offers free performance art happenings in public spaces in the City that are relevant to the theme and significant for Cape Town. This year’s theme, Treasure, engages its audiences with free street experiences such as Xhosa stick-fighting, a Goema Symphony, Ratiep, and flash mobs by inspirational artists from 21 – 26 February 2011. (www.infectingthecity.com)

Cape Town Pride, the City’s next ‘pink’ festival is scheduled for 24 February – 6 March 2011 with an eleven day celebration incorporating events such as a Mr. and Ms. Cape Town Pride pageant, a Pink Ball and the Pride Parade. The different aspects of this combinative event will take place across the city from Cape Town Stadium and gay-friendly suburb, De Waterkant, to Mzoli’s in Khayelitsha. (http://capetownpride.org)

Amongst many community festivals presented by the ‘One City, Many Cultures Project’ during the month of March, the annual Cape Town Festival is set to take place from 19 – 21 March 2011 in the Company Gardens. The Cape Town Festival is in its twelfth year of celebrating National Human Rights Day with music performances by diverse local bands over the three-day period. (www.capetownfestival.co.za) More…

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Cape Town Gears Up For Design Inspiration

Posted in Cape Town,Exhibitions Shows by SA Blog Editor, 21 February 2011.

Cape Town is gearing up to be inspired by all genres of design and an abundance of creativity in the days to come. The Design Indaba Conference and Expo is recognised the world over as a top design and trend event. Drawing the likes of speakers such as Alberto Alessi, Mark Shuttleworth, and Michael Wolff, Design Indaba 2011 is set to add stimulating conversation and a fresh take on creativity and design. The conference runs from 23 – 25 February, with the Expo open to the public between 25 – 27 February at the Cape Town International Convention Centre.

The 2010 Design Indaba Conference and Expo events attracted approximately 37 300 international delegates, media, buyers and members of the public and reinforced Cape Town’s positioning as a design-focused, creatively inspired destination. As part of the annual Design Indaba series of events, the Design Indaba Filmfest 2011 runs from 18-27 February at the Freeworld Design Centre Auditorium. More…

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Cape Town powers up for Night Vision

Posted in Cape Town,Entertainment,Events by SA Blog Editor, 17 February 2011.

The Cape Town Festival’s (CTF) multi-dimensional street festival Night Vision is back by popular demand on Saturday, 12 March from 6pm till midnight.

It will take place at the newly revamped Cape Town Station Forecourt, extending festivities into Adderley Street between Strand Street and the fountain. The CTF, incorporating the One City, Many Cultures (1CMC) Project, is supported by the National Lottery Distribution Trust Fund (NLDTF).

After a three-year break, Cape Town’s nocturnal urban street festival, Night Vision, is back with a bang, only this time bigger and better than ever before! Night Vision promises to dominate the city night life with a party-thumping arts and entertainment extravaganza. The event will lead up to a climax of explosive live on-stage performances by iconic bands such as High Voltage Collective featuring EJ Von LYRIK, Theba Shumba and D.form; 340ml; The Dirty Skirts and headline act, 2010 SAMA Award Winners, Big NUZ who will take the party well into midnight. More…

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‘Hairies’ to be honoured at Splashy Fen

Posted in Uncategorized by SA Blog Editor, 10 February 2011.

Pietermaritzburg band, the Hairy Legged Lentil Eaters, has been confirmed as the featured act for this year’s Splashy Fen Music Festival, taking place near Underberg in KwaZulu-Natal from April 21-25. The festival coincides with the 20th year of the band’s existence, and is an opportunity to celebrate a shared history that dates back to Splashy Fen’s early beginnings in 1990.

Described as the most eclectic folk band this side of the Limpopo, the Hairy Legged Lentil Eaters have made an indelible mark on Splashy Fen over the years, never failing to win over audiences with performances that have ranged from the satirical to the bizarre.

Speaking on behalf of the band, vocalist and guitarist Brian Bedingfield said that it was exciting to be offered the featured act billing and to be paid tribute to in this way by a festival that is “in their blood”.

“Either individually or collectively, the Hairies have been at every single Splashy Fen – if not on the bill, then busking and generally spreading good humour. During the early years, our association with the then Pietermaritzburg Folk Club also saw us getting involved in other ways, either as sound engineers, stage managers, crew or MCs.”

Currently, the band plays an active role in the running of the Maritzburg Musicians’ Club, which meets every other Tuesday at The Red Door in Pietermaritzburg.

Catch the Hairy Legged Lentil Eaters on both stages and busking on the rocks at the 22nd Splashy Fen Music Festival this Easter! Supported by East Coast Radio, the four-day festival will also see performances by the likes of Karen Zoid, Ard Matthews, Dan Patlansky, Madala Kunene, The Rudimentals, Valiant Swart, Good Luck, Wrestlerish, Versus The Wolf, Isochronous, The La Els, City Bowl Mizers, Boulevard Blues, Holiday Murray, Margaret’s Daughter and The Aquarian Quartet, featuring guitar maestros Steve Newman, Syd Kitchen, Greg Georgiades and Tony Cox.

Tickets cost R500 at Computicket and selected Game stores. The price includes camping for the entire festival. For more information, visit www.splashyfen.co.za or contact 031 563 0824.

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The Grand Daddy Restaurant revived

Posted in Cape Town,Restaurant Reviews by SA Blog Editor, 2 February 2011.

Known for its creatively-inspired accommodation offering, The Grand Daddy Hotel in Cape Town recently redecorated its restaurant with the help of interior decorator, Tania Reddering. The result is a casual, easy-going eatery for hotel guests and Capetonians to enjoy.

King proteas, light wood and white surfaces, scatter cushions and cool turquoise touches give the open-plan space a re-energized feel that nods to the building’s colonial heritage. The clean, light-filled look is a match for the daytime-focus of the restaurant. The menu has also been revised to include easy-going classics and a lovingly crafted burger that is likely to draw rave reviews.

Now serving a hot breakfast from 6h30 till 12h00 (and a continental buffet until 10h00), The Restaurant has an accessible lunch time menu of crowd-pleasers and an early evening dinner seating on Friday nights. A selection of imported teas from Teabox (teabox.co.za) add intrigue to the teatime experience with the strong aromas of strawberries and rooibos, white peach – and spicy chai pervading the air as guests enjoy a tea ceremony with a personalised teapot that filters the tea directly into the cup.

Kids (ten years and under) will also be able to enjoy a menu especially created for them. Patrons will also be able to connect to the internet on their personal laptop with a free 20 MB voucher compliments of Skyrove. As Skyrove only requires the user to insert their cellphone number, no codes or permissions are required from a waiter.

The Restaurant is fully licensed and opens at 06h30 from Mondays to Sundays. It closes at 17h00 from Mondays to Thursdays, 21h30 on Fridays, Saturdays at 19h00 and at 14h00 on Sundays. As with the hotel’s other spaces (The Venue, Daddy Cool, The Airstream Trailer Rooftop), The Restaurant can be hired or incorporated into a total event package.

The Grand Daddy is proudly associated with Jaci’s Lodges in the Madikwe Game Reserve and Cheetah Plains Lodge in Sabi Sands

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Chinese New Year Celebration at Brightwater

Posted in Entertainment,Events,Festivals,Gauteng by SA Blog Editor, 1 February 2011.

The Brightwater Commons, in conjunction with the Chinese Embassy in South Africa will be hosting a celebration of the Chinese New Year on Saturday 12th February 2011. To start at 11am, this event will feature a variety of vibrant cultural performances as well as colourful exhibitions that will allow visitors to experience the beauty and diversity of the Chinese culture.

Whilst the exhibitions and stalls will open at 11am, the entertainment programme will begin at 1pm with an official opening ceremony. This will be followed by the ever popular and spectacular Lion and Dragon dances. Other performances that will dazzle and delight visitors will include an acrobatics, contortion and fire act; traditional Umbrella and Fan dancing, as well as demonstrations of martial arts.

The event’s highlight will be a set of acts by the talented Yunnan Arts Troupe originating from Yunnan, which is regarded as China’s most culturally diverse province. The professional 14 member troupe will reflect the colour and culture of the province through the dances of the region’s different ethnic minorities. They will also present a delightful magic show and Tibetan songs.

Visitors can also see a variety of cultural exhibitions, from arts and crafts all the way to clothing; and enjoy lunch on the commons as there will be numerous food stalls specializing in different kinds of delicious Chinese cuisine ranging from stir-fried dishes to sweet treats. The celebrations will close at 5pm.

According to the Chinese Zodiac calendar, 2011 is the Year of the Rabbit. To the Chinese people, speed, strength and kindness of heart are traits associated with the rabbit. They therefore believe that those born in the Year of the Rabbit are clever, romantic, modest and merciful. The rabbit is the 4th animal on the calendar, which dates back to more than 2000 years ago. There are 12 animals on the calendar which works in 12 year cycles. The Chinese believe that these animals appeared before Buddha or the Jade Emperor. The animals are listed on the calendar in their order of arrival, starting with the rat and followed by the ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, goat, monkey, rooster, dog and pig.

For more information on the Chinese New Year Celebrations at The Brightwater Commons contact Francois on 011 789 5052.

See Randburg Accommodation to find a place to stay for this event.

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Sensational New Home & Living Show for KwaZulu Natal

Posted in Events,Exhibitions Shows,KwaZulu Natal by SA Blog Editor, 1 February 2011.

It’s out with the old and in with the new in typical Decorex Durban style. And yet, this time around it’s with a sensational new twist!

From 18 – 21 March 2011, at the Durban Exhibition Centre, Decorex SA in collaboration with the KSA Kitchen & Bathroom Faire will play proud hosts to an all new and totally fabulous décor, design and lifestyle exhibition. With the launch of Trends & Tastes 2011 Durban’s décor and design fundis can look forward to a veritable feast of design trends, delightful décor and the very best in good living.

Expertly conceptualised and created to offer a fusion of the finest in everything about the home, living and lifestyle, Trends & Tastes 2011 will look to provide the answers to those in search of ultimate sophistication. Give insight into what defines uber-chic and open doors to preciously guarded, exquisite pieces. All within a sophisticated yet relaxed environment that gives you the time and space to indulge the senses and defy sensibility – even if for a moment.

Cairey Slater, Decorex SA General Manager Exhibitions & Events is confident and excited about the launch of this all new show for Durban, “Trends & Tastes 2011 is an original offering that will bring a fashionable mix of home, décor, design and living under one very glam roof. We are super-excited about the variety and uniqueness on offer and we’re aiming to rock Durban by creating a relaxed yet cosmopolitan and forward-thinking experience. The beauty of Trends & Tastes 2011 has to be that there will be something for everyone. It’s all about a great day out and an opportunity to find the way of creating the space and life that you love.”

Here’s a sneak peak into what Durbanites [and those wanting to visit SA’s newest and hottest show!] can expect from Trends & Tastes 2011:

Trendy Décor & Design: A showcase of top décor and design talent from Durban’s amazing gene-pool and the promise of impressive heavy weights’ is on the cards. If it’s décor you’re into this is one show you don’t want to miss! From decorators and designers, to inspiring room settings, furniture, stylish accessories and fabric houses we’ve got the trendiest décor and design line-up in town!

Kitchens & Bathrooms: Our range of kitchens will make even the novice want to whip out their wok and our bathrooms will provide pure inspiration! The KSA are back in full force and Trend’s & Tastes promises to showcase the country’s largest, leading collaboration of specialist spaces!

Tantalising Tastes: Enjoy our organic food market and all things delectable in District Delicious. For foodies and those that love to roll up their sleeves, keep an eye out for an awesome schedule of free sessions and be sure to make a date with our line-up of big name stars and international guests. We’ll also be featuring a range of Durban’s top restaurants and a feast of delish delights to savour while at the show, so make sure you come hungry!

Expert Advice: From Plascon’s launch of their ‘love’ inspired 2011 colour forecast to the Living Green House – where an entire home is created and everything from frames to flooring ease our environmental footprint make sure you get the most of out of the free consultation you need to get you on track with your interior project. Make a date to spend time in our DStv Theatre of Ideas or Ask the Experts area and come away with all the tools, insights and inspiration that you need for your very own home. Whether your creation is gourmet artwork on a plate or a tastefully recycled ‘Louis’, a paradise of demonstrations and interactive sessions awaits!

A Great Day Out: The Good Living Pavilion incorporating a range of attractive options for lifestyle estates as well as an invigorating wellness arena promise to make it an entertaining and fabulous day for the family. Live entertainment, with food and drinks from some of Durban’s best restaurateurs further add to this great day out. Keep an eye out for amazing prizes and competitions that we’ll be running during the show and stand a chance of winning thousands in trendy home décor, design and lifestyle items!

With a line-up of show-stopping fashionable ‘home-wear’, the best in design and décor talent, a twist of lifestyle enablers, all things trendy and tasteful and a splash of fabulous family entertainment, Durban’s new show Trends & Tastes 2011 is set to top even its predecessor is certainly one not to be missed! Visit www.decorex.co.za for more. Trends and Tastes is proudly sponsored by Plascon, with DStv as media partner.

Links: To find a place to stay see Durban Accommodation.

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WELLINGTON WINE HARVEST FESTIVAL – REAP THE FUN

Posted in Events,Festivals,Western Cape by SA Blog Editor, 19 January 2011.

From 19 – 21 March 2011 Wellington dons its festive costume when this quaint Boland town which was named 2010 SA Terroir Top Wine Area celebrates the bounty of the harvest at the 5th Wine Harvest Festival. Spend the day or make sure you don’t miss any of the action and book in for the weekend for an extraordinary array of fun-filled activities for the whole family.

Big names like Steve Hofmeyr, Adam Tas and the newly crowned Idols winner Elvis Blue will get your hands clapping, while opera lovers can experience a cultural evening around a piece of Wellington history, the Black Countess. Live music will follow you wherever you go throughout the day.

Treat your taste buds with the region’s premium wines, out of the box food parings such as vodka and sushi, and brandy and chocolate, or oysters and bubbly on a topless bus. Buy slow food from the country market; or show your prowess with the potjie in the international potjiekos competition.

The adrenalin junkies will be spoilt for choice with the quad bike trail, the Bain’s trail run or even just a messy round of grape stomping. Take it a bit slower while still breathing the fresh autumn air – join the Wine-on-foot@Blouvlei 5km long vineyard walk in the Bovlei area. Make sure to bring the kids for the tractor and pony rides, and an endless supply of ice-cream.

Only R60 (kids under 13 enter free) promises a full weekend of fun and laughter and lip-smacking taste experiences for the whole family. Festival armbands, your entry ticket, are available from all participating farms and the Wellington Information Office. Special Monday armbands are available at R30 per person.

For more information, the full programme and a list of participating farms contact Emma at tel 021 873 4604, email info@wellington.co.za or visit www.harvestfestival.co.za

Emma Follett-Botha
Tourism Officer
Wellington Tourism
(021) 873 4604

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RAMFEST V – CAPE TOWN, JOHANNESBURG, DURBAN – MARCH 2011

Posted in Events by SA Blog Editor, 19 January 2011.

As the summer season hits it`s peak so does the festival circuit. RAMfest is upon us once more.

This year, RAMfest, boasts 3 venues in 3 cities, over 5 days, across 6 stages. That’s right! RAMfest will be visiting 3 major cities in 2011. This helps to cement the event`s reputation as one of South Africa’s Ultimate Rock Festivals.

We are happy to announce that this year`s line up includes two international bands: Alkaline Trio (USA) and Funeral for a Friend. (UK) Biographies and photos attached. Die Antwoord, Van Coke Kartel and Zebra and Giraffe are the local acts that will be performing at all three RAMfest events. For the rest of the regional line ups, see listing below.

John Vlismas will be the host for RAMfest all round in all three the provinces. Here are the dates:

CPT: Nekkies Holiday Resort, Worcester: 4 – 6 March.
DBN: WaveHouse: Wed 9 March.
JHB: Riversands Farm, Fourways: Sat 12 March.

RAMfest has left a permanent footprint on the live music scene……Celebrating 5 years of Rock n Roll, the festival is set to raise the bar yet again. Not only are we going to deliver the music that you all love, we’re also breaking into some new genres that we feel deserve showcasing. If you thought the festival was good, great, fun, mind-blowing or any other positive adjective that you might want to use, then how do we prepare you for what’s about to come?

We’re adding a bigger Dance stage, more and better camping facilities and we have a couple of surprises up our sleeve. Fasten your seatbelts for the thrills that are about jolt you right out of your seat and into the most super-rad party mood.

Calling all fearless warriors, emotionally stunted, corporate sucks, internet tycoons, recently single ready to mingle, goody-two-shoes, rebels with and without a cause, black sheep, white sheep; this means YOU!! Hell we’re even calling the little green men out in space if they can hear us.

Come to Ramfest with us!

LINE UP CAPE TOWN:
MAIN STAGE:
Alkaline Trio (USA), Funeral for a Friend (UK), Die Antwoord, Gazelle, Zebra and Giraffe, Van Coke Kartel, The Revelators, Blk Jks, Ashtray Electric, Desmond & The Tutu’s, Mr Cat & The Jackal,Stepdog, Pretty Blue Guns, The Great Apes, Tumi, Ree-Burth, Dance! You’re on Fire, The Sleepers, Isochronous, Not My Dog, Lonely Dave Ferguson, Wrestlerish, 7th Son, Bittereinder, Mix n Blend.

ALTERNATIVE STAGE:
Down on the first, Moment of Clarity, Knave, Mind Assault, Contrast The Water, The Broken Result, Infanteria, Haggis & Bong, Symphonic Schizophrenia, Juggernaught, Sabertooth, Enmity, Theatre Runs Red, a Walk with the Wicked, The Dead Will Tell, Axxon.

ELECTRONIC STAGE:
Jam Jar, Psydstep, Bruce Willis?, P.H Fat, Niskerone, Counterstrike, Hyphen, SFR, Mr Bong, Fletcher, Sedge Warbler, Toby2Shoes, Kennedy, Battle Beyond The Stars, Ill Tastic, El Gordo, Enough Weapons, Haezer, TOM DELUXX (FRA), Double Adapter, Liver, B-Team and more.

BEACH PARTY:
Haasbroek, Tommygun, FunaFuji, Mr. Sakitumi.

LINE UP JOHANNESBURG:
MAIN STAGE:
Alkaline Trio (USA), Funeral For A Friend (UK), Not My Dog, Die Antwoord, Zebra & Giraffe, Van Coke Kartel, Pestroy, Dance Your’re on Fire, Isochronous, Knave, Pity The Fool, Blk Jks, Desmond & The Tutu’s, The Shadowclub.

DANCE STAGE:
RudeOne, Deeziak, CutKeyLow,Tasha Baxter, Ambush, Bittereinder, Benson

LINE UP DURBAN:
Alkaline Trio (USA), Funeral For A Friend (UK), Die Antwoord, Zebra & Giraffe, Van Coke Kartel.

FACILITIES:

ENTERTAINMENT AREA
Stages, bars and stalls will be inside a fenced off entertainment area.

BEER GARDEN
LARGE TENTED bar areas, with tables, benches and parasols = BEER GARDEN.

PARKING
first come first served, you may camp at your cars. Gate opening times: See at www.ramfest.co.za

ATM’s
…will be placed around the entertainment area.

MARKET
We strive to bring you the best in festival foods, affordable yet healthy and delicious. Catering for everybody’s needs, clothing and other festival paraphernalia also.
a Merchandise stand with credit/debit card facilities will be there again.

To book stalls please contact:
Cape Town: mari@ramfest.co.za
Johannesburg: ingeborg@hilltoplive.co.za

MEDICS
We have professional medics on site, with all necessary emergency equipment, bring your own headache tablets and please PARTY SAFE!

GREEN
Please help to keep us as environmentally friendly as possible. Bring rubbish bags to keep your area clean. All rubbish bags will be collected by our cleaners and sorted into the relevant recycling bins. PLEASE LEAVE GLASS AT HOME!!

SNOW CAFE – MULTIMEDIA CITY – Cape Town only.
Snow Café is a multimedia tented area offering various forms of entertainment. Drop in, relax and blow off some steam. Our friendly staff will make you feel right at home and will ensure you are energized for that next round.

What is on offer:
* Lost & Found
* Information centre
* Phone charging
* Slush & Snack Bar

CAMPING and SWIMMING – Cape Town only.
RAM is a full weekend camping outing, bring your tents caravan’s and camping gear. It is HOT that time of the year so bring extra shade i.e. Gazebo’s stretch tents, sun hats, umbrellas. There is a river and Swimmingpool for cooling off, don’t forget your inflatables. NO open fires will be tolerated.

KREEF HOTEL (Cape Town only) is happy to announce that they will be setting up their point five star festival tent hotel at the RAMfest 2011. Pre-pitched bow tents with mattresses & locks. Secure parking, lighting & 24-hour security. Luggage porters (to help you rest your case), daily breakfast, coffee on tap, cell-phone (cameras, laptops) charging facilities and even a private little bar just for you. Clean toilets (a ply within) & our famous hot showers, exclusively for Kreef guests. All this and more super service crawling distance from the RAMfest stages, at a price to fit your pocket. Rock Hard, Sleep Soft… KREEF HOTEL …the calm thing is to remain important… BOOK NOW

Cape Town only: There are daily trains leaving from CPT to Worcester. Once at Worcester catch a taxi ride to the festival.

TICKETS:
Tickets available from Ticketbreak.co.za

Cape Town:
3 day wk/end pass: R450 presales. R500 at gate.
Sat/Sun pass: R450 presales. R500 at gate.
1 day Sunday pass: R100 gate only (entry from 08:00)

Johannesburg:
Presales: R250.00 and R300 at gate.

Durban:
Presales: R200 and R250 at gate.

STRICTLY NO:Under16′s. Children must be accompanied by a responsible adult over 21, Glass bottles (please decant your drinks into plastic bottles), Littering (Leave No Trace, remove your camping litter!), Fireworks, Domestic animals, Graffiti, Bad attitudes, Weapons, Independent sound systems, illegal substances, Don’t drink & drive; P:L:U:R.

RIGHT OF ADMISSION RESERVED. Entry is entirely at your own risk. The promoters accept no responsibility whatsoever for injury, death, loss or damage of any nature to persons, vehicles & belongings. This applies even to negligence of any kind by the promoters, venue and contractors. All rights reserved.

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