South Africa Blog

The Fort Nottingham Highland Games and Festival to be held on the grounds of Fort Nottingham (8 km’s from the village) will encompass festival events, exhibitors, food stalls, highland dancing and athletic games typically found at a Scottish Gathering such as the Breamar Games will generate interest and enthusiasm in the Midlands (and beyond) communities of Scottish ancestry and the general public who enjoy the unique activities found at Highland Gatherings and in so doing create an event that will be held at the Fort annually.

DATE: 29 March 2008
TIMES: 09h00 to 18h00

LOCATION:
The Fort Nottingham fields and surrounding village nestles in the green wooded hills of the Midlands, which with some imagination, one could be mistaken for being in the Scottish Highlands.

Nottingham is close to the N3 highway (20 km) and a short drive from Pietermaritzburg and easily within a days drive from Durban and central to the famous Natal Midlands Arts and Crafts route and the largest residential concentration in the Midlands of working and retired residents.

The adjoining fields make the hosting of a Gathering ideal as it allows separate events on different fields and has the entire existing infrastructure to cope with large public events.

A majority of families in the region and of the target market can claim Scottish descendent and hence will be attracted to such an event which also offers great value and entertainment.

The surrounding village fields offer extensive safe parking for over 1000 motor vehicles and well signposted direction will guide the day visitor to the village.

The surrounding Midlands area has over 400 bed and breakfast establishments and hotels for visitors to the region coming from far a field. To find accommodation for this event we recommend the following web pages Natal Midlands accommodation (includes B&Bs, Hotels and Self catering options) or find additional info about the Midlands at Natal Midlands.

For additional info about this event please contact:
Victor Muhlenbeck
Organising Committee
Mobile: 082 451-5057

Looking for a special way to spend Valentines Day….. Look no further as Headset presents the stunning jazz singer Melanie Scholtz on Thursday 14th February 2008.

Melanie Scholtz has achieved numerous acclamations for such a young singer. In 2002 she won the ‘Old Mutual Jazz Encounters’ naming her best jazz vocalist. Her debut album ‘Zillion Miles’ was released in 2006 and received strong praise across the media. Music Industry Online stated ‘this album has an incredibly live feel to it. Melanie’s voice is silky and strong, a real pleasure to listen to’. Melanie has also achieved high profile performances when she sang in front of Nelson Mandela and millions of tv viewers for the Presidents Cup in George. She has also performed on SABC3 ‘Women of the Year Awards’.

As a singer Melanie has many influences. In 2001 she graduated from the Opera school at the University of Cape Town. While studying opera she also began to listen and sing jazz which has developed into her stunning sound today. Melanie will be joined on the night with some of Cape Town’s most talented jazz musicians featuring Gorm Helford on guitar, Bokani Macha on piano, Wesley Rustin on bass, Andre Schwartz on drums and special guest Buddy Wells on saxophone.

When? 14 February, 2008
What time? Doors open at 9.30 pm.
How much? Cost R30.
Where? Independent Armchair Theatre can be found at 135 Lower Main Road, Observatory, Cape Town.