September is a wonderful month in South Africa as we all enjoy the start of spring and the thoughts of the many months of summer ahead. It's no surprise then that there is a plethora of festivals around the country in this month.
We have already mentioned the Hermanus Whale Festival, the Hogsback Spring Festival, the Greyton Children's Festival and the Outeniqua Hop and Strawberry Festival - and here are some more you don't want to miss:
Plett Festival
18 September 2010
See some of the South Africa’s greatest jazz acts live at the 2010 Plett Festival (previously Whiskey, Whales & Jazz Festival)
In addition to jazz, you can enjoy whiskey tastings, and whale safaris or take part in one of the sporting events held through the week long festival. These include a Golf Day and the Robberg Express mulit-sport event (mountain biking, ocean paddling etc)
Jazz events include The Heritage Day Jazz concert at Simunye and the Jazz Fusion Concert on Saturday.
Kids will enjoy the Lunchbox Theatre's production The Whale Show to Plettenberg Bay to add to the festivities. This is a multi-lingual, interactive show comprising story-telling, mimes, puppets music.
The festival ends with a spectacular street party on Saturday.
Need to Know
Fugard Festival
23 September 2010
This is the second annual Fugard Festival which is held in honour of one of the worlds greatest playwrights, Althol Fugard. The festiv
Born in Middleburg and growing up in Port Elizabeth, Fugard started writing plays and producing them with the help of his wife, Sheila Meiring, and gained international recognition.
The Festival is to be held over 4 days at the iconic town of Nieu-Bethesda in the Eastern Cape.
The Fugard Festival line-up will include:
- plays by Fugard and other SA laywrights
- extracts from Road to Mecca
- Fugard films
- art exhibitions
- a special evening event at the Owl House
- childrend plays
- local choirs.
Need to Know
White Mountain Music Festival
23 September 2010
Planned for Heritage Day long weekend, this festival offers 4 days of live acoustic music and plenty of fun besides, ina stunning setting near Giant's Castle in the Central Drakensberg.
This year's performing artists include:
- Ard Matthews (og Just Jinjer)
- Jack Mantis Band
- Margaret's Daughter
- Jasper Lepak
- Machineri
You can also enjoy:
- abseiling
- fishing
- paintballing
- arts and crafts
- a beer market
- boating and more
Need to Know
- Dates: 23 - 26 September 2010
- Venue: 200 km (on tarred roads) from Durban near Giant's Castle
- Ticketing: R450 per person from Computicket or R550 at the gate (includes camping)
- Contact: Pedro - 082 892 6176
- Website: www.whitemountain.co.za
Paarl Cultivaria Arts Festival
23 September 2010
An amulgamation of food, wine, family fun and live entertainment all crammed into one Winelands weekend.
Enjoy:
- A black tie dinner on the Thursday Night
- Children's Theatre
- World class wines
- Local delicacies
- Celebrity chef demos
- Live comedy and jazz
Need to Know
Jeffreys Bay Shell Festival
24 September 2010
Celebrate the beauty of these gifts from the sea in SA's surfing Mecca at the 2010 effreys Bay Shell Festival.
Held in 'downtown' J-Bay, the Shell Festival offers craft and food stalls, sporting events, expos, entertainment and activities, competitions, culture, music, dancing and more.
Need to Know
Dates: 24 - 25 September 2010
Venue: J-Bay CBD
Contact: Marie Du Toit 082 633-3693
Witsand Baby Whale Festival
24 September 2010
Witsand has the largest concentration of Southern Right Whales between June and November each year, making Witsand the 'whale nursery' of South Africa.
Money raised fron the Baby Whale Festival is put towards local child welfare organisations.
The festival includes
- a historical walk
- a fun walk
- a marine eco walk
- concerts and performances
- craft stalls
- children and teens entertainment
Need to Know
