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!

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.

Useful Links

• South Africa events
• South Africa Hotels
• South Africa Accommodation

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.

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.

“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.”

Wines certified as a single vineyard wine, an estate produced wine or from a specific ward can participate, hence the term SA Terroir Wine Awards. Made from 60% Pinot Noir and 40% Chardonnay grapes all grown on the foothills of the mountain on La Motte, this wine once again confirms the Franschhoek valley’s expertise with these two traditional cultivars.

Passionate about terroir, La Motte is proud to be associated with the SA Terroir Awards and also wish to congratulate the other winning wineries.

For more information about La Motte Estate, call +27 (0)21 876 8000.

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. As Marcel Duchamp is today known as the twentieth-century father of con­cep­tu­al­ism, so Coetzee is the most import­ant innov­at­ive artist in South Africa.” The exhib­i­tion of Coetzee’s work will also fea­ture a col­lec­tion of pho­to­graphs by award-winning Cape pho­to­grapher Jean du Plessis, entitled: “Christo Coetzee – The Tulbagh Years”.

Vasek Matousek is our present mas­ter. Resident in Tulbagh since 1975, Vasek exhib­its from his extraordin­ary stu­dio in the Winterhoek and will be demon­strat­ing glaz­ing tech­niques and Raku kiln firings.

Tulbagh-born Jannie Du Toit is our future mas­ter – young and tal­en­ted. His early work reflects his Tulbagh roots, although he now lives and works in the city bowl of Cape Town.

For more information see Tulbagh Spring Arts Festival 2011

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)

Now in its second year and inspired by the famous Rio Carnival, the Cape Town Carnival 2011 is set to offer a glamorous procession of dancers, entertainers, floats and bikes which will parade down Long Street in the City Centre, after which, DJ Fresh gets the street party started. The Cape Town Carnival will take place on 19 March 2011 from 20h30. (www.capetowncarnival.com)

The annual Southern Suburbs Community Chest Carnival will take place between 2 – 5 March this year at Maynardville Park in Wynberg. This event is in its fifty ninth year and offers families a weekend of fun, international food and a spot of local entertainment.

Also in its twelfth year, the Cape Town International Jazz Festival will be held at the Cape Town International Convention Centre from 25 – 26 March 2011. Forty local and international jazz artists, including Grammy award-winning sensation Esperanza Spalding, are set to keep the crowds entertained on five different stages. In addition, there are ‘Gigs for Kids’ and numerous musical workshops available to adults. (www.capetownjazzfest.com)

CEO of Cape Town Tourism, Mariëtte du Toit-Helmbold, urges Capetonians to get into the festival spirit by actively participating in the fun; “The month ahead will be a celebration of all that our colourful, creative city has to offer. It’s going to be an exciting time for residents of the Mother City and much of the action is free, so join in and enjoy sharing your city (and its wealth of inspiring creative talent) with the world.”

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.

The new Freeworld Design Centre is in itself a testament to Cape Town’s creative and design status. Located in the old Cape Waters Building (along the Fan Walk) the building has been given a complete design overhaul and now serves as both a resource centre for the design trade and a place of inspiration for the public. It features a number of room-sized, themed décor exhibitions – designed by top South African creatives – that will change seasonally.

A key event at the Design Indaba Film Festival is a live cyber-workshop with design-for-change guru, Bruce Mau. The MASSIVE CHANGE NETWORK will unfold real plans for design’s role in future change. Other documentaries include stories about design duo, the Vignelli’s, and a study of Yves Saint Laurent, Valentino and Buckminster Fuller.

In addition, the Cape Town Design Route 2011 map will be launched at Design Indaba this year. This year sees the third edition of this popular design map – a creative partnership project between Cape Town Tourism and Design Indaba. The Cape Town Design Route comprises of Western Cape-based Design Indaba exhibitors, from fashion and shoes to dinnerware and toys, who have been approved by a curatorial panel of industry experts ensuring the best in creativity and quality along the route. Some examples of featured artists include: Inkheart Jewellery Design, a Cape Town based studio offering a selection of beautifully handmade pieces of jewellery inspired by childhood stories and memories; Township Patterns, a social enterprise which aims to create a sustainable vehicle for economic empowerment with handmade colourful fabrics inspired by South Africa’s informal settlements and Recreate, original furniture and lighting crafted from repurposed junk items.

Says Mariëtte du-Toit Helmbold, CEO of Cape Town Tourism; “Design is a pillar of our city’s unique identity, not only because we have inspiring and trend-setting creative industries but also because we are committed to using design as a guiding principle in the creation of a city that is future-fit. Often, the word design is associated with glamour, luxury and exclusivity. In fact, socially responsive design is the key to a more sustainable future. Our bid to become World Design Capital 2014 is just one of the ways that Cape Town is staking its claim on the global design landscape and evolving into a top world city to live, work, visit, study and invest in.”

World Design Capital (WDC) is a title awarded every two years to a city that is dedicated to using design for social, cultural and economic development. The award is presented by the International Council of Societies of Industrial Design (ICSID) based in Canada and focuses on developing a year-long programme of design-driven events. The 2010 recipient of the award was Seoul, with Helsinki to be WDC in 2012.

The City of Cape Town’s bid to be World Design Capital 2014 is being coordinated by Cape Town Partnership, and the City will hear whether its bid has been successful before the end of the year. To drive support for the bid, Cape Town Tourism will be sponsoring a “Cape Town for World Design Capital 2014” stand at the Design Indaba Expo.

Bulelwa Makalima-Ngewana, Managing Director of the Cape Town Partnership, believes that the bid will not only be important for Cape Town in 2014, but also in the lead up and well beyond. “The bid book is proving to be a valuable resource and we are looking for a way to turn it into a public working document for the creative industries post the bid. Also, irrespective of whether or not Cape Town is World Design Capital in 2014, the process of bidding and in particular the educational process that is going on towards exposing design in all its relevance to the public, will go a long way in driving Cape Town towards achieving its goal of becoming a Knowledge Economy.”

For more information on the Design Indaba visit www.designindaba.com.

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.

The evening programme launches at 6pm amid a vibrant carnival atmosphere complete with street parade, roving buskers, stilt-walkers, mimes, jugglers and loads of other amusement activities. This, juxtaposed with a bustling street market laden with exquisite arts, crafts, vintage collectables and organic market, will leave the whole family spoilt for choice. Food vendors catering to a variety of culinary preferences will provide quality catering service at the food court. Bar facilities will be dotted around the venue.

Powering up the Night Vision stage is High Voltage Collective. This dynamic Cape Town ensemble comprising EJ Von LYRIK, Teba Shumba and D.form blend their individual musical styles to put on a show of electrifying proportions.

A prolific and dynamic songwriter, music producer and performer, the vivacious EJ von Lyrik hails from Mitchells Plain on the Cape Flats and is known for her inspiring and uplifting lyrics fragranced with positive messages. She has been writing and performing her own material since 1997, with a distinct interest in music production. Her music is an eclectic mix of funk, rock, dancehall, hip hop and roots reggae. EJ feels “the reason for this cross-over of musical genres is to reach out to a more diverse audience because the music is message-orientated”. She has performed on various international stages as well as collaborated with some hefty names in the music industry. A former member of the legendary female hip hop group Godessa, EJ has traversed the globe with performances in the Netherlands, Belgium, France, Spain, Norway, Cuba, USA, UK, Ethiopia and Tanzania. Her confident energy, thought provoking lyrics and stirring melodies backed by a solid group of musicians, will be sure to captivate the Night Vision audience.

Teba Shumba is a ragga muffin artist born and raised in Gugulethu, Cape Town, and whose love for the arts started in community theatre. His music career started with the Kwaito band Skeem who were the proud recipients of the FNB Sama Award for ‘Best Township Pop’ for their debut hit song Waar Was Jy? in 1997. Since the release of his debut soul-afro-reggae-dancehall album 20-5-2-1 Manifesto in 2004, Teba performed at the 2005 Wurzburg Afrika Festival in Germany, sharing the stage with Julian Marley. He also performed at the 2006 Rototom in Italy alongside acclaimed artists like Andrew Tosh, Third World, Alpha Blond and Burning Spear. His dedication and perseverance has allowed him to travel to countries like France, Australia, New Zealand, South Pacific Islands, Solomon Islands, Finland, and closer to home – Namibia, Botswana, Swaziland and Lesotho. Championing the cause of the voiceless, Teba’s music deals with social justice, universal love and songs of inspiration. His performance is nothing short of exhilarating and massive.

The third party to High Voltage Collective is none other than D.form, a product of a family of eccentric entertainers raised on a strict diet of jazz, soul, funk, reggae, disco and goema. It is therefore no surprise that his passion for the arts was unleashed at the young age of 10 when he joined his first b.boy/break-dance crew and at age 15 was part of his first rap group. He entered many talent shows as a rapper and dancer and went on to join the African Hip Hop Movement in 1988. He formed one of the first graffiti crews in Cape Town known as the Bomb-Crazy Crew and found himself involved with many conscious organisations in the hip hop community involved with acting and speaking out against the crimes and injustice of the Apartheid regime. By starting one of Cape Town’s first monthly hip hop nights known as ‘geto3000’, D.form has been instrumental in bringing together rappers, deejays, b.boys and graffiti artists – the basic four elements of hip hop culture under one roof.

The programme then makes way for the hip hop, African and fusion outfit 340ml, a name taken from the ubiquitous measurement on beverage cans. The Mozambican dub-jazz foursome comprising of Pedro da Silva Pinto on vocals, Paulo Chibanga on drums, Rui Soeiro on bass and Tiago Paulo on guitar, displays an organic musical influence that is unquestionably Latin music subtly laced with traditional Mozambican folk music (Marrabenta), synonymous with the sounds of marimba and the acoustic guitar. Their unique musical style incorporates Dub, Jazz, Ska, Afro-jazz and Reggae. Their debut album Moving was released in 2004 to rave reviews and what follows was nothing short of mass airplay on national radio and television across South Africa. Four years later they released their second album Sorry for the Delay. Apart from South Africa and Mozambique, 340ml has performed in Tanzania, Zimbabwe, Swaziland, Reunion Island, England and France. Their music has been described by leading South African journalists as “an elaborate musical cocktail”, and certainly one that will go down especially well at this sizzling-hot show.

The fiendishly independent alt-indie-rock band The Dirty Skirts is based in Cape Town and is made up of Jess de Tolly on lead vocals and guitar, David Moffatt on guitar, Passion Paliaga on bass and Markie de Menezes on drums. Their sound has segued from rock electro to alt pop, and is steeped in an alternative rock tradition stretching back some forty odd years – think David Bowie, John Lennon, Talking Heads and The Cure. The band has toured the USA, UK, and the United Emirates. In South Africa they have shared festival stages with Oasis, Snow Patrol, Panic at the Disco, and Evanescence. They have independently recorded and released their eponymous debut mini-album in 2005. Singles such as Feeling the Pressure and Set Me Alight scorched up the local and student charts. The album Daddy Don’t Disco was released in June 2008 and enjoyed four radio play-listed singles. Daddy Don’t Disco was nominated in the ‘Best Rock Album’ category at the SAMA’s. Winners of the inaugural Red Bull Soundclash, this quirky group will be sure to live up to their reputation of captivating live audiences.

Night Vision will draw to a monumental close with the headline act, 2010 SAMA Award-winning kwaito group, Big NUZ featuring Jojo aka Mampintsha, Mzi aka Danger and Sbu aka R Mashesha. Big because they are doing big things in the music world and NUZ being the vehicle registration prefix for the township of Umlazi next to Durban, from where the trio hails. The group was formed in 2002 when they moved from Durban to Jo’burg to hustle for a record deal. But years of perseverance ultimately paid off. In 2006 they released their debut album Zozo under Gallo Records working with the late Kid Mokoena from Why Not Entertainment. The rest is history. The trio, riding on the strength of its smash hit album, Umlilo, swept three awards – ‘Best Album of the Year’, ‘Best Kwaito Album’ and the prestigious ‘MTN Record of the Year’ – an accolade for which they were congratulated by President Jacob Zuma. The group also shared the stage with international acts including Rick Ross, T Pain and 2Face at the 2010 MTV African Music Awards and came home with ‘Best Performance Award’. They were also nominated in the category ‘Best Anglophone’. They have performed at a host of prestigious events including Mandela Day and the opening ceremony of the 2010 Soccer World Cup televised to millions of people the world over.

Night Vision is Cape Town’s premier free-to-the-public street festival, originally held on Long Street in the CBD and known for attracting over 30 000 reveling party-goers consisting of both locals and tourists. “With the jam-packed line-up on this year’s entertainment bill, we expect to host our largest audience yet,” said Cape Town Festival Founder and Executive Chairperson, Ryland Fisher, “we are happy to have secured the Cape Town Station Forecourt as the new home of the annual Night Vision in a bid to maximise the infrastructure legacies left behind by the 2010 Soccer World Cup,” he added.

Parking, public transport, road closures, etc. are among those logistical considerations that will be confirmed within the next week.

Night Vision forms part of the CTF’s year-long programme of events which also includes a 1CMC Discussion; Community Youth Workshop Programmes; Senior Citizens Day; Leadership Forum; Multimedia Exhibition; and Community Festivals. These interventions are strategically designed to engage publics at social, educational, business and creative level in the broader Cape Town society to showcase “a united city celebrated for its diversity and liveability.”

The 12th annual CTF kicks off on Friday, 18 March and culminates in the Human Rights Day celebrations on Monday, 21 March at the Company’s Garden in the CBD between 12pm and 8pm daily.

“Celebrating our Cultural Diversity to Connect and Unite Cape Town”
For more information, visit www.capetownfestival.co.za or e-mail info@capetownfestival.co.za

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.

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

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.

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.

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

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.

Cheese to choose
The Checkers Cheese Emporium houses the country’s largest selection of cheese under one air cooled 2 400 m2 roof. Strong and bold or familiar and mild – your choice of cheese will be there. The Checkers Food Theatre will come alive with Nataniël’s razor-sharp wit, while the Giggling Gourmet Jenny Morris and YOU magazine’s food editor Carmen Niehaus will captivate you with their imaginative cheese recipes. Free tickets to the Nataniël sessions can be obtained daily on a first-come-first-served basis from outside the Cheese Emporium.

Choose your cheese and top up your bag or basket with some sweet seducers such as handmade chocolate, Turkish delight, nougat, and sweet or sparkling wines, and you’re set for a taste celebration.

Cooking Pot action
Several of your favourite entertainment, food and other icons will be stirring up a storm in the Cooking Pot. Enjoy the antics of the uproariously funny Soli Philander, or let Sarie and Sarie Kos’s food fundis Herman Lensing and Barbara Joubert, who was recently lauded as the Galliova Food Writer of the Year, share with you the what’s hot of creating with cheese. The Pinotage icon, Beyers Truter, and Johan Badenhorst, presenter of the travel TV programme Voetspore, team up for an adventurous outdoor food and Pinotage demonstration. A combination of quirks and canapés brings RSG presenter Johan Rademan, TV presenter and comedian Nico Nel and outstanding chef Alet Erasmus together. Aperitivo dishes, paired with Peroni will be the speciality of chef Craig Hounsman. Whether you’re a gourmet guru or a closet cook you are sure to enjoy the energy of the Cooking Pot which is by now a legendary hotspot for cheese innovation.

Cool options for busy kids
Kids 12 years and younger enter for free and then the fun and games begin! Expert entertainers will encourage kids of all ages to safely shed some of their energy in the Wilde Fruit Juices Kiddies Corner run by the professional party people, Crazy Chameleon. Life-size cartoon characters of the Boomerang Channel will be sharing hugs and a magician and balloon artists will intrigue the young ones with their tricks. Also bring your kids for an experience of the udderly amazing journey of milk from the cow, goat or sheep to the table while they enjoy being near these peaceful big eyed, four-legged friends in the Renault & Kia Milk Factory.

Shop till you drop
Cheese on its own is a treat but with the right partners it provides for a feast. The new SA Olive Experience in The Mall will allow olive enthusiasts to enjoy this ancient fruit in surprisingly innovative ways – taste the purest olive oils and gleaming black and green table olives, tapenades and even olive jams. Some ten olive producers from as far as Beaufort West, Montagu and Porterville bring you their delicacies, by one producer described as the wonderful gifts of good earth and captured sunshine.

Wine is of course the other constant companion of cheese – taste your way through the many cultivars and then stock your home cellar with your favourites. Make sure you buy enough delectable goodies including nuts, homemade preserves, bread and pesto’s to cater for the rest of your autumn picnics or for chilly winter evenings.

Meet at the Market
Artisan cheese makers who craft superb cheeses using age old methods and lots of patience share this space with special deli products which bring new dimensions to tasting pleasure. Savour the flavours that abound in this laidback country market, do not miss the products in the snail trail and then make your choice: what will you take home? Or unpack your purchases there and then and enjoy them on the shady market square.

Do lunch in the Gourmet Lane
The marvellous variety of tastes and aroma’s emanating from the Gourmet Lane will entice you to settle down and enjoy a bite with the music from the band BRAWOU! accompanying your appetite on this exciting journey. Don’t forget to browse in the herb nursery and buy some to take home for your cheese cooking and pairing adventures.

Festival goes green
The organisers of the Cheese Festival are also committed to the ‘greening’ of the event. To this purpose the contracted stand builders are strongly associated with the green movement in their industry and annually recycle their products. Furthermore a group from previously disadvantaged community in Franschhoek was invited to sort and recycle all waste from the festival and then benefit from the profits derived from the effort.

Buy your tickets now
A limited number of tickets are available from Computicket or Checkers stores (no tickets at the gate) at R110 for Saturday and Sunday, and R90 for Monday and Tuesday. Senior citizens pay R70 and children 12 years and younger enter for free. The festival runs each day from 10:00 to 18:00 and closes the last day at 17:00. For more information contact Agri-Expo on tel 021 975 4440 or cheese@agriexpo.co.za or visit www.cheesefestival.co.za.

If you plan to stay overnight for the festival check Paarl Accommodation and Franschhoek Accommodation to find the perfect place to stay.

Other articles about this event: South Africa’s Cheese Festivewl – its not just for turophiles.

“Most of us would agree that there’s nothing better than a weekend of adventure spent outdoors navigating your way through nature on foot or bicycle,” says Dreyer. “Now you can enjoy your outdoor pursuits and do something good for JAM while you’re getting wet and having fun in the process.”

In addition to supporting JAM through this initiative, athletes from Dreyer’s grassroots’ initiative ‘Change a Life’ will also participate in the Spur Adventure Charity Challenge.

According to Dreyer, the Adventure Challenge consists of a 20km mountain bike trail ride (two 10km loops) and 5km trail (two 2.5km loops) dash through nature with natural obstacles and water crossings. Teams can participate in the long or short courses and for the less energetically inclined there’s a scenic 6-7km circular route nature hike.

Dreyer, who recently became a first-time father, says there is also a bush baby trail that has been developed specifically for kids between the ages of 6-10years. “It kicks off with a ‘sak resies’ (bag race) and then children are guided along a marked trail on foot, negotiating a number of obstacles and surprises that include live demonstrations and discussions on birds, snakes and other flora and fauna.”

Spur Group Managing Director Pierre van Tonder says the Spur Adventure Charity Challenge is an outdoor experience for the whole family. “Spur Adventure is a celebration of all things South African’ an event that makes the most of our great weather, our scenic surrounds and the simple pleasure of spending time with family and friends.”

The Spur Adventure Challenges takes place on the following dates:
Cape Town (Lourensford) – 18 April 2010;
Pretoria (Groenkloof) – 24 April 2010;
Durban (Shongweni Dam) – 2 May 2010.

For training tips and more information contact Quantum Adventures on 021 789 0188.
See more events at South Africa Events

If spending a Sunday afternoon in the company of good friends, sipping fine wine and sampling dishes prepared by Constantia’s highly acclaimed Chefs’ then The Crush on Constantia is definitely an event for you!

Now in its third year, this grand garden party with live entertainment and a lifestyle market to browse through is truly a celebration of all things Constantia.

One of the highlights of the day will be the hotly contested competition for the best dressed couple title that will see the winners and runners-up walk away with sensational prizes. These prizes will only be awarded to those who have truly embraced the Grand Garden Glamour Theme!

TICKET PRICES: R130.00 PER PERSON (INCLUDES 8 WINE TASTINGS)
For more information:
Tel: 021 794 0542

Fresh juicy oysters, fine wines and a variety of mouthwatering oyster dishes await visitors to this year’s Oyster, Wine & Food Festival. This delicious celebration of food will take place at The Brightwater Commons (Johannesburg, South Africa) on Saturday 1st and Sunday 2nd May from 11am daily. Food lovers can also sample a variety scrumptious treats ranging from gourmet cheeses and olives all the way to nougat and confectionery.

This year’s event promises to be bigger and better. There’ll be more oyster stations to prevent long queues, and a greater number of participating wine estates will provide wine lovers with an even greater selection for sampling. Live musical performances on the Saturday and Sunday will add to the festive ambiance. Whilst entry into the festival will be FREE, there will be a nominal fee involved for the sampling of various oyster dishes.

For more information, contact The Brightwater Commons on 011 789 5052
For a place to stay see Johannesburg Accommodation.

Celebrated chefs from 19 of the Cape’s most renowned and awarded restaurants will join together to serve their fabulous, trend-setting signature dishes to an audience with a taste for unbelievable food. Taste of Cape Town is a fantastic opportunity to try new destinations, explore different cuisines and plan a whole year of dining out!

Justine Drake, Taste Festival Director, comments: “Taste of Cape Town is a much awaited highlight on the city’s social calendar. It’s a one-stop shop for the best food, wine and gourmet goodies the Cape has to offer.” With nine new restaurants, top chefs and exciting features, the reputation of Taste of Cape Town has grown into the most celebrated food festival the Mother City has ever experienced. “Each Taste festival is better than the last and this year will be no exception,” she says.

This year’s show has so much for you to taste and experience including:

The Pick ‘n Pay Fresh Living Chef’s Theatre
Fun, fabulous and informative, this is an opportunity to see the Cape’s top chefs showcased and in action on stage, featuring demos, culinary challenges, entertaining tutorials and enlightening Q&A sessions.

The Checkers Wine Route
Back by popular demand, this year’s Checkers Wine Route Taste Experience is set to rock Cape Town. Clive Torr, along with some of South Africa’s leading wine makers, will be hosting a selection of wines from more than 80 top wine estates in South Africa. The Checkers Wine Route will feature a daily programme of wine tastings, tutorials and advice on wine and food pairing.

The Grolsch Beer Academy
Featuring Beer Masterclasses by a renowned brew master followed by a quenching of the ‘thirst buds’ in the comfortable and stylish surrounds of the outdoor Grolsch Beer Experience area.

Fresh Producers Market
This new feature will showcase some of Cape Town’s local food heroes. From delicious, hand-made cheeses, biltong, sweets to exotic ingredients, herbs and chocolates – to name just a few – the Fresh Producers Market at the Taste of Cape Town is guaranteed to inspire and tantalise with real, wholesome, fresh foods and produce.

Johnnie Walker Whisky Theatre
This year at the Festival, The House of Johnnie Walker invites you on a journey to explore the flavours of the world’s greatest whisky house. Taste the bold, vibrant, Red Label, the deep and smoky Black Label, the flagship House of Johnnie Walker blend, and the enigmatic natural flavours of Green Label blended malt whisky.

Taste and Buy Experiential Exhibitors
You’ll discover a mouthwatering array of gourmet food suppliers at Taste of Cape Town. Browse the stalls and try delicious speciality food and ingredients to buy and enjoy at home.

Kidz Zone
We haven’t forgotten about kids at this year’s Festival. Clamber Club will ensure that the young ones are entertained with a host of activities for all ages. With professional entertainers keeping kiddies busy and happy, parents can relax and enjoy the festivities that Taste of Cape Town has to offer.

Make a date with Taste of Cape Town – a world-class event where visitors who are passionate about food and drinks can indulge in their passion in the company of like-minded individuals.

There are a limited number of tickets available and bookings are advised. Book through Computicket on 083 915 8000 or www.computicket.com. Entrance is free for children under 12.

R80 Standard ticket – Entrance and free access to P’nP Fresh Living Chef’s Theatre, Checkers Wine Route wine and cheese tastings, Grolsch Beer Academy and various other features at the Festival.
R170 Premium ticket – Including the above plus R100 worth of Taste of Cape Town CROWNS.

Festival times
Wed 24th March 2010: 18h30 – 22h30
Thur 25th March 2010: 18h30 – 22h30
Fri 26th March 2010: 18h30 – 22h30
Sat 27th March 2010: 13h00 – 17h00; 18h30 – 22h30
Sun 28th March 2010: 12h00 – 17h00

2010 Participating restaurants
Bistro Sixteen82
Cape Colony at The Mount Nelson Hotel
Ginja and Myoga
GOLD restaurant
The Restaurant at Grande Provence
Il Leone Mastrantonio
Jardine Restaurant
Le Quartier Francais and Bread and Wine
Maze by Gordon Ramsay
Nobu Cape Town
Overture
Signal at Cape Grace
Reuben’s and Reuben’s @ The Robertson Small Hotel
Societi Bistro
The Greenhouse
Wang Thai

“It’s business as usual for the Oyster Festival”, says festival manager Nicci Rousseau-Schmidt, “and we’re ready to show South Africans that Knysna is the perfect place to be during the long holidays that schools will enjoy this year. “Our sponsors are on board and we’ve already had our first Joint Operations Committee meeting. We have no doubt that this year’s festival is going to be a great one.”

Rousseau-Schmidt said that Knysna was very excited to be hosting both the French and Danish football teams during the World Cup, the final games of which will overlap with the festival. “We are planning to add some French and Danish cultural events to the festival programme. However, from the end of June the final World Cup games will be played in Port Elizabeth, Cape Town, Durban and Johannesburg and if the French and Danes qualify, that’s where they’ll have to be. So the Oyster Festival will be a great opportunity to escape from the soccer madness to Knysna.”

Rousseau-Schmidt said that Knysna Tourism has been working with its members to ensure that there will be accommodation available at reasonable rates over the period of the Oyster Festival. “Most establishments have undertaken not to hike rates over this period”.

The festival has grown considerably in the last few years, specifically since 2004 when Pick n Pay signed a five-year partnership agreement with Knysna Tourism, which is the custodian of the festival. This agreement was renewed in 2009 for a further five years until 2013.

Today the festival programme has over 100 events and attracts more than 13,000 cyclists and runners who participate in the two main sporting events, the Pick n Pay Weekend Argus Rotary Knysna Cycle Tour and the Pick n Pay Cape Times Knysna Marathon and Half Marathon. Last year the festival raised a record R1, 189,957 for local charities.

To find a place to stay visit Knysna accommodation and for more information about the festival visit www.oysterfestival.co.za.

The Adventure Challenge consists of a 20km mountain bike trail ride (two 10km loops) and 5km trail (two 2.5km loops) dash through nature with natural obstacles and water crossings. Teams can participate in the long or short courses and for the less energetically inclined there’s a scenic 6-7km circular route nature hike.

A bush baby trail has been developed specifically for kids between the ages of 6-10years and kicks off with a ‘sak resies’ (bag race). Children are then guided along a marked trail on foot, negotiating a number of obstacles and surprises along the way that include live demonstrations and chats on birds, snakes and other flora and fauna.

Spur Adventure ambassador and seven-time Dusi Marathon winner, Martin Dreyer is also participating in the event and encouraging everyone to join him as all proceeds from the challenge go to Joint Aid Management (JAM), a charity that works to feed less fortunate children across South Africa.

According Group Managing Director Pierre van Tonder the Spur Adventure Charity Challenge is an outdoor experience for the whole family. “Spur Adventure is a celebration of all things South African, an event that makes the most of our great weather, our scenic surrounds and the simple pleasure of spending time with family and friends.”

Dates & Venues:
The Spur Adventure Challenges takes place on the following dates:
Cape Town (Lourensford) – 18 April 2010;
Pretoria (Groenkloof) – 24 April 2010;
Durban (Shongweni Dam) – 2 May 2010.

For more information contact Quantum Adventures on 021 789 0188 or 082 658 3078.

Splashy’s line-up this year is set to raise the bar in its breadth and variety, with the likes of all-girl vamp-rock band Cortina Whiplash, the show-stealing progressive Celtic fusion outfit Haggis and Bong (bagpipes and all), and Joburg rockers The Shadowclub performing on the Grant Erskine Marquee stage. Other acts to look out for are Straatligkinders, the multi-award winning rock powerhouse from Potchefstroom, as well as Indie pop sensations New Holland, ska-punk veterans Hog Hoggidy Hog and fellow Capetonian skankers, Captain Stu.

A must-see is one of Splashy’s favourite sons, world-renowned folk guitarist Syd Kitchen, who was honoured last year for performing at every Splashy since the fest’s inception in 1990. In contrast, Afrikaans comedic rapper Jack Parow, the moustached godfather of zef from Bellville in the Cape whose hit single “Cooler as Ekke” has taken YouTube by storm, will be making his much-anticipated Splashy debut. Also hailing from Bellville and pushing the boundaries of Afrikaans music to new limits are the notorious Fokofpolisiekar and electro-rock outfit Die Heuwels Fantasties, both of which are sure to make their mark on this year’s festival.

For fans of African-influenced roots music, there is plenty on offer as revered Jozi reggae-rock stalwarts Tidal Waves stir it up, and Capetonians Hot Water bring their cross-cultural fusion of funky, bluesy Afro-rock and a dynamic stage show. David Jenkins, hailing from Empangeni in KwaZulu-Natal, plays a fusion of maskandi and bluegrass, and Bongeziwe and The Fridge offers urban folk music diversely influenced by soul, hip hop and mbaqanga. Splashy also presents the Underberg Community Showcase, featuring local choirs and dancers from the Kwa Sani area.

Tree Houses On The Sea (T.H.O.T.S.) from Durban will also be making an appearance with their engaging experimental hip hop, while acclaimed singer/songwriter Ard Matthews will perform a rare solo set. Also not to be missed are heavyweights Prime Circle, melodic rockers Plush, featuring the talents of front man Rory Eliot and the boys, as well as the wildly popular dance trio Goodluck, who will debut their fusion of sounds at Splashy in a late-night set.

For those who love a bit of blues in their rock, get ready: the Redhand Blues Band, PE’s Jack Rabbit Slims, the Albert Frost Trio and Dan Patlansky will be on hand with some smoking blues to get you grooving. There won’t be any rest for the wicked though, because Southern Gypsy Queen, one of the hardest-working bands in the country, will also be treating the audience to their signature style of rock.

An exciting development at this year’s festival is the expansion of the second stage, dubbed the Splashy Fen Stage, which will now also be covered with a marquee and offer more space for bands and fans. In addition to hosting a selection of musicians’ clubs from around the country during the day, the evenings will offer a blistering line-up that includes Zoe, Sheep Down, funk ‘n soul monsters Voodoo Child, the hard rocking Catlike Thieves, Dimeshift, and pop-punkers Holly and The Woods.

Definitely not to be missed is California-based rock outfit, Horse the Band, performing on Sunday, 4 April as part of their upcoming Reigns in Africa tour. Other bands to watch out for are Dead Cat Bounce, Kissed by Katie, True To Adopted, Nonchalant, Outbreak, and Joburg indie-pop stars The Sick Leaves, hot on the heels of the release of their new album.

Held on a farm near Underberg in KZN, Splashy Fen is geared up to present one of its strongest and most diverse line-ups to date. In addition to awesome music, a wide variety of food and drink outlets, arts and crafts, and a range of outdoor activities for the whole family, it will also feature an Eco Village powered by the elements – all in the midst of the breathtaking natural beauty which makes Splashy Fen so unique. To find a place to stay why not see Drakensberg Accommodation, for those of you who are not into camping.

Tickets cost R425 at Computicket and selected Game stores or R550 at the gate. The price includes camping for the entire festival. For more information, visit www.splashyfen.co.za or contact 031 563 0824.

The prize includes:
3 consecutive nights accommodation for 2 people sharing at the exclusive Baroness Luxury Safari Lodge
breakfast and dinner daily
a game drive OR (for an “up close and personal” experience) a horse safari each day

Plettenberg Bay Private Game Reserve is home to Africa’s Big 4 (rhino, buffalo, lion and leopard). The reserve is situated on over 2,000 hectares of indigenous beauty and is malaria free. There are over 150 different species of game and birdlife. Join us on a horseback safari to interact closely with the wildlife, or simply relax and enjoy a 2 hour game drive in an open landrover with our experienced and well-informed guides and see our large variety of wildlife up close. Then retreat to the 10-suite Baroness Luxury Safari Lodge – reminiscent of the romantic colonial era of an “age gone by” – where you can relax and unwind, enjoying true African hospitality.

While antelope and Zebra roam carefree around the lodge, guests are often distracted by the rolling views which capture their eyes, drawing them down across the rolling lawns towards the indigenous forests. Then up over the tree tops of Giant Yellowwoods, to the craggy foothills of the region, and up into the magestic Tsitsikamma mountains in the distance beyond. It’s no wonder guests are reluctant to leave!

See full details about this competition and to enter click here.

Stanford is an hour and a half up from Cape Town, it lies on the beautiful Kleinrivier just past Hermanus

For a truly special non-commercial country experience, you have just got to make it the heart of historical Stanford’s Village Green for the Great Earth Hour switch-off. 28th March 6pm. Pack in a picnic and a blanket and head to the central village green to await the moment when all the old stone church’s ring their bells across the valley in count-down to the great global Earth Hour lights switch off moment. It’s truly incredible! The Green and all the picnickers are suddenly plunged into magnificent star light, galaxies and milky ways. Its safe, peaceful and sociable and just the thing for city dwellers missing some astronomical astronomy and the awesomeness of raw nature for the sheer enjoyment.

How refreshing that this event is noise and coca-cola free! But after 10:30pm, delicious Jazz will start up in the local restaurants and pubs all in strolling distance from the Green. They will be open late hosting jazz artists in aid of fund-raising towards the Overberg Conservation Foundation’s Eco schools project. Rumour has it that Abdullah Abrahim ( Dollor Brand) was so taken by the ethos of the event that he donated a performance, sadly his German agent had other plans… so the town is waiting excitedly to hear if another big jazz name can donate his time. There is a great local line-up but you might just find yourself in a cozy intimate little spot having hit ‘once in a life-time’ Jazz gold..with the Cape Town jazz fest kicking off three days later, everything’s possible. And its for a great cause too.

But jazz lover or not, just coming to hear the all the church bells ringing togethor across the valley, having a glass of wine with the locals and the night sky is magical on its own. And it being Valentines today and all, I should add, certainly the most romantic, happening and unforgettable surprise outing there is. So facebook a friend with a holiday home in Hermanus or book a holiday cottage in Stanford under the Willow trees, pack a picnic blanket and whisk your loved one away for one of those truly awesome and unforgettable experiences. Chances are you will leave with a lighter soul after having made new friends and viewing the enormity of the cosmos.

SEE … natural beauty of the countryside, breathtaking views of the ocean and rolling hills

HEAR …you are spoilt for choice with stirring rhythms and soulful jazz as well as Jakkie Louw’s biggest festival hit “Drie pikkewyne”

TOUCH …get your hands dirty and join in the grape picking and traditional stomping of grapes

TASTE …the finest regional produce, grape inspired dishes, grape must and award winning wines

SMELL …the wonderful aromas and flavours wafting from the various food stalls, to nose the concentrated aromas of the magnificent range of intense, fruit driven yet elegant wines as different from each other as the slopes that create them.

From the vineyards to the Altydgedacht Cellar. Bring friends and the whole family along for a fun-filled day on this historic working farm in the green heart of Durbanville. Go on a vineyard tour, taste grape must (a rare treat only available at harvest time); enjoy wine tastings and indulge in delicious vintner’s picnic baskets available to order or harvest platters served from the restaurant.

Bloemendal Wine Estate once again shows its legendary knack for hosting fun-filled festivities under the famed poplar trees and calming lily pond. Join in the grape picking, traditional stomping of the grapes and making of wine in the cellar. Then linger for the wine tastings and fabulous lunch.

Toast the turn of the seasons with the world’s nr. 1 celebratory drink at De Grendel Estate. Join their festive harvest table for a decadent bubbly brunch. And have you ever wondered why they call their De Grendel Pinot Noir OP DIE BERG? Experience a vertical tasting with 4 De Grendel Pinot Noir vintages, paired with a Burgundy inspired dish. Boules can be played on their lawns around the cellar and platters will be available.

Diemersdal Estate is an idyllic spot for the whole family to get together and celebrate the wine valley’s harvest heritage. Bring your own picnic basket, blanket and enjoy a leisurely day under the shade trees of the farm. Drink in the natural beauty of the countryside; take a stroll through the vineyards, enjoy wine tastings or stomp grapes.

Catch the glorious aromas of a Sunday lunch spitbraai at D’Aria; enjoy the exhilarating experience of grape stomping, followed by a taste of wines from D’Aria Winery.Bookings are essential as space is limited and in high demand. Price includes lunch and grape stomping, but wines are excluded.

Celebrate the harvest at Durbanville Hills with its breathtaking views on the ocean and rolling hills. Moms, Dads, Grandma and Grandpa will be delighted with the amazing entertainment for the kids, from a jumping castle and water slide to sand art, piñatas and more. Drink in the fiesta atmosphere and flavours wafting from the various food stalls where delicious food can be bought. All this to the rhythms and sounds of the dj.

Be carried away by the live music on the sprawling lawns in our stunning quarry at Hillcrest Estate Suitable for the whole family with grape stomping, winemaking kits to take home, wine tasting and Jakkie Louw to end the day’s festivities. Concert goers can bring their picnic blankets and baskets along for an epic afternoon of Hillcrest Wines, Music and Dance. Wine and food will be on sale.

Meerendal is looking forward to spoil 50 energetic amateur wine makers with a fun day of grape picking, grape stomping – like in the old days by feet – and learning all the secrets of wine making with their cellar master Liza Goodwin. Included in the package is a sumptuous breakfast (you cannot work on an empty stomach!), all the grape picking and wine making activities and a vintner’s lunch platter with lots of Meerendal wine to enjoy! This activity is ideal for the whole family or a group of friends.

Spend the day in the company of the Vellers – owners of Nitida Cellars & enjoy award winning wines & carnival style foods. You pick & pay for what you feel like eating!

Deatails:
No entrance fee – plenty to do for the little’ies…sand art, candle making & a jumping castle. Rene van Reenen will entertain you with her repertoire of jazz & many other styles of live music. This will add the special touch to a relaxing day in our company.

Durbanville Wine Valley’s Feast of the Grape will be held at participating wine farms on Sunday, 21March 2010.

Bookings are essential! Contact the following participating farms directly: Altydgedacht, Bloemendal, D’Aria, De Grendel, Diemersdal, Durbanville Hills, Hillcrest, Meerendal and Nitida.

Contact details:
Altydgedacht: 021 975 7815
Bloemendal: 021 976 2682
D’Aria: 021 801 6772
De Grendel: 021 558 6280
Diemersdal: 021 976 3361
Durbanville Hills: 021 558 1300
Hillcrest: 021 975 2346 / 021 976 1110
Meerendal: 021 975 1655
Nitida: 021 976 1110

Mwenya Kabwe, a member of the curatorial team, says; “There was an enormous amount of art. Making the selection entailed endless hours of debate between our team members. Whilst we were enriched by our journey through South Africa’s creative landscape, it was exhausting!”

Digital art and photography emerged very clearly as popular mediums for this year’s competition, which also includes strong sculptural and performance arts dimensions. Says, Jay Pather, from the curatorial team; “Contemporary art is a measure of our society. A lot of the work reflects the search for identity – it suggests that we are a nation in crisis. Themes of cynicism, fear and a lack of faith in our leadership are definitely present. We did not seek to narrate or shape this reflection. It is what it is and often art speaks to us because it echoes our truth.”

Within the soul-searching, there are however many moments of wry humour, playfulness and some extraordinary musings on human nature. Soccer commentary also emerged as a strong theme, with many artists questioning the hype and absence of real community benefits surrounding the forthcoming 2010 FIFA World Cup.

Work has begun on the Cape Town City Hall setting, where the first stop of the exhibition will be shown. Commissioned architect, Nabeel Essa, will be designing the exhibition within the crumbling grandeur of the Edwardian building to create an interpretive space quite unlike the white cube. A total prize money of R1.2 million and six artist in residency programmes (to places as far afield as South Korea and Brazil) will be awarded to the finalists and winning artists. Winners will be announced on the 13 March 2010.

The Africa Centre presents the Spier Contemporary 2010 with the generous support of Spier.

Dates & Details:
The Spier Contemporary 2010 Exhibition at The Cape Town City Hall
14 March – 14 May 2010
Daily 10am till 6pm
Entrance is FREE

To arrange interviews with members of the curatorial team, project managers, qualifying artists and Spier Contemporary’s producer, The Africa Centre – please call Brenda on + 27 21 447 3198

ABOUT SPIER CONTEMPORARY 2010:
The Spier Contemporary has been conceived to provide a platform for visual and performance artists to show their work, uncompromised by the limitations of technology, space and access. Artists in South Africa work under extremely varied conditions and see from radically different perspectives. These differences are what define our collective identity and unique social and cultural landscape. The Spier Contemporary provides a platform for exploring our diversity, giving audiences insights into our complexity and thus contributing to our understanding of difference.

ABOUT THE AFRICA CENTRE
The Africa Centre is a not-for-profit organisation dedicated to the promotion and development of contemporary African arts and cultural practices. In addition to the Spier Contemporary, the Africa Centre conducts three annual festivals in Cape Town: Infecting the City (performance art), Badilisha Poetry X-change (poetry) and the Pan-African Space Station (music); as well as an artist-in-residency programme based in Senegal, Nigeria, Democratic Republic of Congo and South Africa – SPARCK – Space for Pan-African Research, Creation and Knowledge.

Powered solely by wind, water and solar energy, the village will offer zero-waste, eco-friendly camping, product displays, an environmental film festival, as well as the cool cuisine and fabulous coffee of the Corner Café eco-restaurant.

All food prepared by the Corner Café will be purchased from farmers in the community and eaten using 100% biodegradable utensils. Organic waste will be fed into a giant worm farm, while other recyclable matter will be disposed of by YES (Your Environment Spotless), a waste collection and recycling company that aims to create a culture of environmentally responsible South Africans.

“We’re very excited at the prospect of having an eco village at Splashy, where people can either camp or come in as day visitors to experience practical, everyday ways of protecting the environment,” says Andrew Payne of The Green Depot.

“We’re also fortunate to have the support of suppliers and sponsors like Freight Max, which has kindly provided an 8-ton truck to transport the wind turbines and other equipment to the festival in one load, as opposed to many smaller vehicles doing multiple trips. This will help reduce our carbon footprint.”

Payne is quick to point out that while environmental issues are serious business, the eco village promises to be hip and happening, with live music, a wine bar and a host of other activities. For those willing to try something a little different, there’ll even be daily scuba workshops down at the river, presented by UKZN Underwater Club.

People wishing to camp in the eco village (situated on the riverbank, below the main festival site) can contact sales@thegreendepot.co.za or buy their tickets directly from the Corner Café at 197 Brand Road, Glenwood. The cost is R425 per person, which includes your Splashy Fen entrance ticket.

Alternatively, day visitor tickets will be available at the festival for only R10, which also secures you entry into a daily draw to win a range of great prizes like free coffee for a year and trips to eco-friendly holiday destinations. For more information about the eco village or if you’d like to get involved in the project, contact Andrew Payne at 083 263 3382.

Supported by Tourism KwaZulu-Natal, the Splashy Fen Music Festival is held on a farm near Underberg in the southern Drakensberg and runs from April 1-5. It offers a four-day line-up of some of the country’s hottest acts, as well as fun outdoor activities for the whole family, arts and crafts, a wide variety of food and drink outlets and various camping and accommodation options. Artists confirmed so far include the likes of Prime Circle, Hot Water, Fokofpolisiekar, Plush, Tidal Waves, Ard Matthews, the Albert Frost Trio, Haggis and Bong, New Holland and Syd Kitchen.

More details at www.splashyfen.co.za.
Find a place to stay at Drakensberg accommodation.

Dates: 20, 21, 22 March 2010
Entry for the 3-day festival is R60.
Armbands will be available at the information office for participating farms.
Kids under 12 are free.
Contact Wellington Tourism on Tel: 021 873 4604
To find a place to stay see Wellington Accommodation

Valued at R10003, the prize includes:
* accommodation for 2 people sharing for 3 consecutive mid-week nights
* breakfast, lunch and dinners daily (excluding drinks)
* 2 x full body massages
* 2 rounds of golf including golf carts

Designed with a serious commitment to the preservation of the indigenous fauna and flora, it is the combination of golf and the unsurpassed beauty of the Waterberg landscape that makes Euphoria such a unique experience.

The Euphoria Bush Villas are nestled in the bushveld close to the magnificent club house. The Villas follow the theme of contemporary African chic, built with the signature sandstone rock from the surrounding Waterberg mountain. Each villa has a room, en-suite bathroom and a balcony.

Click here for more info and to enter: Euphoria Golf Estate Competition