Unwind under the olive trees on November 11 as you enjoy Durbanville Hills’ award-winning wines whilst listening to the mellow sounds . . . → Read More Here: ROCK AND BLUES AT DURBANVILLE HILLS]]>

Unwind under the olive trees on November 11 as you enjoy Durbanville Hills’ award-winning wines whilst listening to the mellow sounds of indie rock musician Farryl Purkiss and blues artist Dan Patlansky.

Both musicians have been gaining national and international recognition and radio success for their unique sounds which can be enjoyed as the sun sets over Table Bay.

Enjoy gourmet burgers and traditional “boerie” rolls prepared by the Durbanville Hills Eatery chef and purchase hot chocolate, coffee, soft drinks and Durbanville Hills’ wines at the food and wine bar. No other alcoholic beverages will be permitted on the premises.

Chairs are not allowed and guests are advised to bring a blanket, snacks and glasses along.

Date:               Friday, 11 November

Time:               Gates open at 18h00 with the show starting at 19h00

Venue:             Durbanville Hills Wines, Tygerbergvalley Road (M13)

Tickets:            R100 per person available from www.webtickets.co.za (children under 12 free)

Picnic boxes can be pre-booked from the Durbanville Hills Eatery at R220 for 2 people.

Contact Juan at info@dheatery.co.za or 021 558 1337.

For more information contact Simone Brown at SIBrown@durbanvillehills.co.za or 021 558 1300.

Spring has sprung and is blowing new vigour onto the stages of the Artscape . . . → Read More Here: Artscape News (14 to 28 September 2011)]]> Spring brings new vigour to Artscape

Spring has sprung and is blowing new vigour onto the stages of the Artscape Theatre Centre. The programme for the next two weeks includes two musicals, contemplating tradition; contemporary dance, an art exhibition and drama.

Fiddler on the Roof – 10 September to 1 October 2011 (± 2,5 hrs)

THE Cape Town Gilbert and Sullivan Society presents a musical that is rich in historical ethnic detail. It has touched audiences around the world with its humour, warmth and honesty. Its universal theme of tradition cuts across barriers leaving audiences crying tears of laughter, joy and sadness. Fiddler of the Roof’s celebrated score features songs loved the world over. Tickets range from R90 to R200 at the Opera House.

• For media information, call Teddy Davies at 021 434 2064, 083 396 3132, e-mail: teddles@absamail.co.za

Waiting for Rain – 16 to 22 September 2011 (± 1,75 hrs)

ANNUALLY Jazzart’s performance company collaborates with some of South Africa’s most talented arts practitioners to develop a Spring Season Performance unlike any other. Every third year this season doubles as the final practical assessment, and performance showcase, for graduates of Jazzart’s Training Programme. This year will feature the graduating class of 2011, alongside the consummate professionals of Jazzart’s Performance Company. This season promises to offer the best of contemporary dance in its most innovative and entertaining form. Tickets cost R100 at the Theatre.

• For media information, call Jackie Maanyapelo at 087 722 1287, 072 210 9012, e-mail: jackie@jazzart.co.za

Paul Schöne Arts Exhibition – 20 September to 2 October 2011

THIS modern exhibition offers an exciting display of large original acrylic landscape and abstract paintings on stretched canvas. The collection of works is a superb sample of the vibrant and colourful style that has become the signature of popular artist, Paul Schöne. In the Marble Foyer.

• For media information, call Paul Schöne at 021 945 1931, 073 058 8969, e-mail: info@paulchone.co.za.

Ibhekil’ Evuzayo (Leaking Calabash) – 21 to 24 September 2011 (± 1 hr)

FOLLOWING a successful run at the 2011 Grahamstown National Arts Festival, this vibrant new musical presentation tells the story of a young Xhosa man’s traditional journey into manhood. It is an energetic performance that displays the richness of IsiXhosa culture. Featuring the Abavuki marimba band, Ezomthonyama traditional group and Buyel’ekhaya traditional dancers. Tickets cost R50 at the Arena.

• For media information, call Marc le Chat at 021 433 0347, 082 990 6910, e-mail: marc@celebsa.com.

Victor Ntoni Tribute Concert – 23 & 24 September 2011 (± 3 hrs)

A TRIBUTE to living jazz legend Victor Ntoni, one of South Africa’s most esteemed jazz artists, who was born in Langa, Cape Town’s oldest township. The performance offers a contemporary anthology, influenced by traditional South African sounds. Tickets cost R80 at the Theatre.

• For media information, call Marc le Chat at 021 433 0347, 082 990 6910, e-mail: marc@celebsa.com.

Shakespeare Schools Festival – 25 September 2011 (± 6 hrs)

THE internationally acclaimed Shakespeare Schools Festival that has been running for ten years in the United Kingdom (UK) is launching its first pilot festivals in South Africa in Cape Town and Johannesburg. Each year in the UK the festival encourages five hundred schools and up to 4 000 high school learners, to perform abridged ‘thirty minute’ versions of the Bard’s plays in their local theatres throughout the country. In Cape Town six groups of high school learners will perform 30-minute versions of the most well known Shakespearian plays. Tickets cost R60 at the Arena.

• For media information, call Kseniya Fillinova at 021 674 5968, 072 233 2074, e-mail: kseniya@educape.co.za.

Mary and the Conqueror – 29 September to 15 October 2011 (± 1,5 hrs)

ON a deserted beach somewhere in history, Mary Renault is drinking a beer, when Alexander the Great washes up in front of her. In the ensuing meeting between the writer and her most famous subject, we travel through history and swim across time to see where these two people came from and how they’ve ended up here. In the process we meet Alexander’s life-long lover, Hephaistion and Renault’s lover, Mullard. Tickets range from R60 to R80 at the Arena.

• For media information, call Aileen Berry at 082 892 5877, e-mail: abcomm@global.co.za.

Coming soon

*Never too Late – Theatre, 30 September 2011

*Onderweg – Opera House, 1 October 2011

*Sizodanisa Genée Community Project – Theatre, 3 to 5 October 2011

*Genée Ballet Competition Semis – Theatre, 6 & 7 October 2011

*Genée Dance Challenge – Theatre, 8 October 2011

*Genée Ballet Competition Final – Opera House, 9 October 2011

*Artscape National Youth Music Competition – Theatre, 11 to 15 October 2011

*La Traviata – Opera House, 11 to 22 October 2011

Bookings:        Artscape Dial-A-Seat at Tel: 021 421-7695

                        Computicket at Tel: 083 915-8000 or http://www.computicket.com

It has become fashionable for South Africa’s wine routes to hold festival weekends, . . . → Read More Here: The Santam Swartland wine & Olive route is coming to Kirstenbosch]]> The Santam Swartland wine & Olive route is coming to Kirstenbosch

It has become fashionable for South Africa’s wine routes to hold festival weekends, but what do you do when you are part of the country’s largest wine district, where the close to 25 members are scattered across an area of over 10 000 square kilometres.

For the Santam Swartland wine &Olive route, which stretches from Malmesbury to Porterville, the answer was clear.

“We decided to take the Swartland to town, so on Saturday October 8, Kirstenbosch Stone Cottages will become an honorary part of the Swartland,” said Jolene Janse van Rensburg, Santam Swartland Wine and Olive Route Manager.

The region’s extraordinary soils, little irrigation and some of the oldest wine stock in the country have produced some exceptional wines, and the winemakers themselves will be in Kirstenbosch to show off their wares.

The 50 or more stalls will include:

• The innovative young winemakers behind the Swartland Revolution, (Mullineux, AA Badenhorst);
• The affable Danie Malan whose family has been producing remarkable wines at Allesverloren 1872;
• Piketberg’s finest – organic wines from the elegant Org De Rac and the top class Cap Classique from Nieuwedrift;
• The quality wines from Swartland Winery, the gateway to the Route; and
• The new kids on the block: Franki’s Vineyards (featuring vintage cars), Nuweland, Nassau, and many more wines that underline the quality of this route.

The winemakers will be joined by exhibitors selling a large range of products and produce, including jams and preserves, olives, cordials and fresh-baked Swartland breads.

Included in the mix will be some top class potjies and other gastronomic delights for which the Swartland is justly famous.

“We will also be displaying some of the Swartland’s best art and crafts, she said.

The Riebeek children’s steel band, a community project, will provide some of the entertainment on the day, together with other local musicians.

“We want Capetonians to realise that some of the country’s best wines are just around the corner. We are only 78km away, and we are sure that once people realise what we have on offer they will take the short drive up the N7 more often,” Van Rensburg said.

To find out more, and to keep up to date with the happenings in the Swartland, visit the Facebook page at http://on.fb.me/nrGbJL or the website http://www.swartlandwineroute.co.za/

The Make Way . . . → Read More Here: MAKE WAY FOR NODDY]]> Everybody’s favourite little friend, Noddy, is back!  Yes, Noddy and his Toyland friends will be at Artscape during the June/July holidays.

The Make Way for Noddy performance includes several different Noddy stories. Everyone has a family and a family tree except Noddy.  Big Ears explains that anyone who loves and cares for you is your family, so Noddy has a huge family!

The naughty goblins, Sly and Gobbo are up to their tricks again.  They find a stopwatch and make everyone “freeze” while they play pranks.

Make Way for Noddy is adapted by director Cheryl Abromowitz from the Enid Blyton (a Chorion Company) stories.  This entertaining story is performed by a versatile group of young and older actors.  Come and help Noddy to get out of all his troubles.

Make Way for Noddy opens at Artscape Theatre Foyer on Saturday, June 25 at 10:30 for a two week season.    A low-priced preview (R40 per ticket) is scheduled for Friday, June 24 at 14:30.  Avoid disappointment and book at Computicket or Artscape Dial-a-Seat 021 421 7695 because there are limited tickets available on the day at the door.

Viengsay Valdés, the Principal Ballerina of the . . . → Read More Here: INTERNATIONAL BALLET GALA]]> TOP CUBAN BALLERINA JOINS INTERNATIONAL BALLET GALA LINEUP AND A STUNNING DUET IS ADDED TO THE REPERTOIRE

Viengsay Valdés, the Principal Ballerina of the National Ballet of Cuba, will join the illustrious line up of dancers for the forthcoming International Ballet Gala (IBG) to be held at the GrandWest Arena in Cape Town on 29 June and at the Teatro at Montecasino from 7-10 July 2011. Ms. Valdés will perform two show stopping pas de deux from Don Quixote and Swan Lake (the famous ‘Black Swan’ pas de deux), in Johannesburg only.

Dirk Badenhorst, the presenter of the forthcoming International Ballet Gala seasons, saw Ms. Valdés perform at the recent Youth America Grand Prix gala event in New York.  She trained at the National Ballet School of Cuba and is the star of that country’s national ballet company, directed by Alicia Alonso. Ms. Valdés is acknowledged to be as one of the world’s finest ballerinas and, with the superb cast of performers already secured for the IBG, her participation takes the event to an even higher dimension.

Mr. Badenhorst has announced another outstanding addition to the performance repertoire to be presented in both cities. Le Bananier, a duet for two male dancers from the ballet Great Galloping Gottscalk, will be danced by Johannesburg-born Andile Ndlovu and the American Brooklyn Mack, both members of the prestigious Washington Ballet and winners of the silver and bronze medals respectively in the Boston International Ballet Competition held in May, 2011.

Great Galloping Gottschalk was created by choreographer Lynn Taylor-Corbett and first performed in Miami in 1982. Top ballet companies including American Ballet Theatre, BalletMet, Pennsylvania Ballet and Pittsburgh Ballet have since staged it.  The duet’s tongue-in-cheek humour in the onstage rivalry between the two soloists, as well as its spectacular technical demands and the debonair ease with which they are performed, make it a showpiece for male dancers.  Says Mr. Badenhorst,  ”I am delighted to be able to present this duet and am so grateful to Ms. Taylor-Corbett for her generous goodwill gesture towards the advancement of ballet and dance in this country”.

Cape Town and Johannesburg are abuzz in anticipation of the International Ballet Gala that promises breathtaking ballet, the calibre of which is seldom seen on local South African stages.  Audiences will see classical ballet of the highest standard for the first time ever at the Grand Arena and Teatro at Montecasino, hugely popular venues that have hosted many of the World’s best acts. People who appreciate world class entertainment and who supported the recent Andre Rieu and Riverdance concerts will be equally impressed and captivated by exquisite dancing set to beautiful music by composers such as Tchaikovsky.

In the International Ballet Gala, dancers from cities around the globe such as New York, Havana, Zurich, Seoul and Tokyo will present excerpts from legendary ballets such as The Sleeping Beauty, Le Corsaire and Giselle. Aside from Viengsay Valdés, Brooklyn Mack and Andile Ndlovu, the stars featured in the line-up, some of whom are winners from previous the Cape Town International Ballet Competitions, are Alys Shee, Elza Leimane, Hyo Jung Jun, Nathan Chaney,  Oscar Carmenates, Raimond Martinov, Tamako Miyazaki, Hy Seon Park and Aaron Smyth. South African-based dancers include Irish-born Michael Revie, Thoriso Magongwa and Kitty Phetla.

Presented jointly by the Cape Town International Ballet Competition  (funded in part by the City of Cape Town) and Mzansi Productions (funded by the National Lottery Distribution Trust Fund) that are both directed by Dirk Badenhorst, the International Ballet Gala will showcase some  of the most dazzling ballet talent to visit South Africa, setting the stage  alight with powerful dancing and generating an excitement sure to heat up SA’s  wintery months.

After a single performance in Cape Town’s Grand Arena on 29 June at 8pm, the International Ballet Gala will be presented in Johannesburg at the Teatro at Montecasino in Fourways from 7-10 July with  tickets costing from R80 to R350 at both venues and all booking via Computicket or  0861 9158000. Advance booking is recommended.