South Africa Blog

Cadek Media will host its 3rd Picnic Festival at Dellrust Wine Farm in Somerset West on 23, 24 & 25 November 2007. The event follows two very successful festivals which were held at Bien Donné in Simondium. Visitors to the festival were so impressed that the organisers decided to host a second annual festival, and Helderberg offered the right demographics and location.

So… if you like spending quality time with family and friends, enjoy lazy summer days, great food, wine and relaxing music – this festival is a definite must for you!

The festival kicks off with a sunset concert by the original Mike McCullagh’s 60Something Show on Friday night 23 November (gates open from 17:00). The 60Something Show ran for 6 successive years at the Dock Road Theatre during the 1990’s. The group of 10 will entertain you with their impersonations of super stars from the 60’s like Elvis, Tina Turner, Roy Orbison and even Buddy Holly. Friday night is somewhat up-beat, but perfect to end the year on a high note. Buy R60 tickets for seating on the lawn or book a table in the big marquee at R1500 per table for 10 people.
 
On Saturday and Sunday the festivities continue and entertainment starts at 11:00. Visitors will enjoy the energetic sounds of Eclips, country girl Chereé and popular Afrikaans singer Wynand Strydom. There are loads of entertainment for the kids, quad rides in the vineyard, helicopter rides and picnic games for grown-ups and kids. Meet Barney, Pooh, Simba and bring your wish list to Santa under the candy tree on Sunday, the 25th (1-month before Christmas day).   

You’ll find a feast of delicacies at the festival and can purchase your picnic goodies from a range of food stalls. You may also bring your own picnic basket. No alcohol or pets will be allowed at the gate. A cash bar and local wine stalls will be available. Bring your basic picnic essentials (e.g. blanket, cutlery and umbrella).

CADEK Media also coordinates the very successful Stellenbosch Wine Festival (2003 – 2007). Buy tickets at the gate or pre-book at www.picnicfestival.co.za or phone CADEK Media on 0861 222 335.

Related Links:
Picnic Festival
More about Somerset West
Somerset West Accommodation

Next time you are in Cape Town, why not try a Horse-drawn Carriage tour through the streets of Cape Town? The Cape Town Carriage Company offers the experience of exploring Cape Towns Central Business District and the Company’s Garden in leisurely style and a more sedate way of viewing the historical landmarks in the City’s Centre.

The carriage tour is guided and your experienced guide will provide an interesting account of the history and occurrences that happened throughout Cape Towns wide and varied history. The Tour takes approximately 75 minutes (depending on the traffic of course) and the tour times are scheduled to allow visitors to the Castle of Good Hope to experience the free tours around the Castle prior to or after the carriage tour. This is a unique South African experience – even for locals it is an enjoyable way to spend an afternoon and take in some of our history!

Booking: Essential – at least 24 hours in advance.
Where: At Castle of Good Hope Carriage Tours.
When: Mondays to Saturdays from 09:30 to 17:00.
Telephone: 021 703-4396. 
Approximate Cost: Guided Carriage Tour from the Castle is R100.00 per adult. (Kids R50.00)

Related Links:
Cape Town accommodation
Cape Town City Bowl Attractions

View our videos (amateur – still learning!) of the tree-top canopy tour we did on a recent trip to Knysna. It was a fantastic experience, highly recommended! (Contact Stormsriver Adventures Tel: (042) 2811836). 

Canopy Tour in Knysna.

And another one!.

View additional info about Canopy Tours at:
Canopy Tours in South Africa
Outdoor Activities & Adventure

A few suggestions of things to do this coming Thursday, 9 August (Woman’s Day) Public Holiday in the Cape:

In Cape Town, Artscape’s Women’s Festival is set to empower women by giving us the legal edge while also enjoying performances by mother and daughter artists, showcasing a host of talented women from the Cape. Call 076 958 9593 for more information.

Cape Town Fashion Week: Africa’s largest gathering of fashion talent, will take place from 8th -11th August 2007. Now in its fifth year, the event has grown into one of the premiere “new world” fashion weeks providing an international platform for designers from across sub-Saharan Africa. For additional info see: http://www.capetownfashionweek.co.za/

Hout Bay: A new Festival on the Cape Town Event Calendar is the Hout Bay Seafood Festival & Snoek Derby. Head down to the Hout Bay Harbour. Snoek Derby, Seafood Route, Lifestyle Expo – food, boats, accessories, fishing, diving and more, Beer Garden, Fun Fair, Craft Fair, Live Entertainment, Snoek Flekking Competition, Chapman’s Peak Road Race, Under the Sea Party and much more!

Robertson: From 9 – 12 August 2007 time will go by exceptionally slowly in the beautiful Robertson Wine Valley when the inaugural Robertson Slow will take place. 19 Wineries from Ashton, Bonnievale, McGregor and Robertson will welcome visitors into their homes, to their dining tables and onto their farms to spend some time – Slowly!

Wilderness Festival on the Garden Route: The Wilderness festival showcases the outdoor lifestyle for which the area is well known. There will be a wide range of sporting activities, from the relaxed pace of bowls to the more adrenaline filled rush of paragliding. There will also be a craft market for the shoppers in the family.

Lots more to come …

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Send to editor (at) southafricablog.co.za

For more events and festivals taking place throughout South Africa see:
South Africa Festivals & Events

The mother city’s golden-voiced chanteuse, Amanda Tiffin, turns up the heat this winter when she appears in her sizzling new show Now You Has Jazz at the Theatre @ The Pavilion in August. Amanda and her Little Big Band will take you on an unforgettable trip down memory lane with a selection of the world’s best loved jazz standards, all delivered with a distinctly contemporary and stylish musical twist.

They will transport you from the elegance of the 1920’s Jazz Age to the infectious energy of the Swing Era, from the raw spirit of Latin jazz, to the infectious home-grown swing from Sophiatown. Expect to hear sumptuous music by some of the greatest jazz composers, including Duke Ellington, Gershwin, Cole Porter and Horace Silver.

Now You Has Jazz runs at the Theatre @ The Pavilion at the V&A Waterfront from August 16 – Sept 22 Thursdays to Saturdays. For bookings or for more information call the Theatre @ The Pavilion at 021-419-7661 or contact Computicket.

Related Links:
Theatre at The Pavilion
Cape Town Hotels
Cape Town Events

Next Week, don’t forget to visit “Embellishing Space” at Decorex Johannesburg. Themed ‘Embellishing Space’ Decorex 2007 marks the return of beautiful spaces. Rich in symbolism and meaning. Provocative spaces to touch, feel and experience. 

‘Things are pretty, graceful, rich, elegant, handsome, but, until they speak to the imagination, not yet beautiful. (Ralph Waldo Emerson, American writer and poet) . What are the forces driving design? Who are the new faces? What are the icons up to? Decorex 2007 will show and tell.  Celebrating its 14th year Decorex SA sparkles and shines with a new sense of glamour.

When? 8 – 12 August 2007
Where? Gallagher Estate, Midrand
How Much? Entry Fee: R50.00 per person
Times? 10hoo to 18hoo Daily.
See you there!

Related Links:
Johannesburg Accommodation
Johannesburg Festivals & Events