The long weekend might be over, but the social calendar is heating up in the Winelands! The South African Cheese Festival turns 18 this weekend, discover some new gems in a familiar place at Ryneveld Plaza, explore fresh soundscapes with Jimm Harrison Project at De Akker or go for a refreshing sunset walk in the Helderberg. Kick back and take a scroll through our bumper list of things to do this weekend.
FESTIVALS
SA Cheese Festival 2019 @ Sandringham- 26 to 29 April 2019
The South African Cheese Festival is considered one of the most popular agri-expos of the region, showcasing a selection of local cheese makers and their wares. It is annually hosted by Sandringham Farm, in Stellenbosch, and the this year’s instalment takes place from 26 – 28 April 2019.
Not only is the festival the ultimate cheese-tasting experience for festival-goers, but has a far-reaching impact for the local economy. With 40% of visitors coming from outside of the Western Cape perimeters, the tourism industry has come to rely upon their presence at the festival. Taste a dazzling variety of cheeses, pair your favourites with wine and the finest local produce, and relax with family and friends. Entertainment includes outstanding music, presentations by celebrity chefs and artisan cheese makers, as well as fun activities for kids and teens such as a cheese carving competition. This festival is a great outing for the whole family and a must for cheese lovers.
Room for learning from experts
Food lovers who like adventurous pairing experiences will enjoy a feast of six daily demonstrations in the Tasting Room, at no extra cost. Well-known foodies such as The Food Alchemist Pete Goffe-Wood, The Kate Tin Katelyn Allegra, The Food Fox Ilse van der Merwe and the Italian La Terra dei Cuochi winner Lapo Magni will share their pairing secrets – combining cheese with wine, beer and other complementary products. Come discover the story behind Afrikoa chocolate from Tanzania and what makes Prosecco different to Champagne.
Wine & Country Food Festival @ Elgin – 27 to 28 April 2019
The much-loved Elgin Cool Wine & Country Food Festival will be back and even better than before on 27 & 28 April 2019.
For wine lovers and those in need of a revitalising day or two, the festival offers a chance to indulge in South Africa’s best cool climate wines accompanied by some delicious food offerings, as well as a host of live music and entertainment options set amongst the natural beauty of the Elgin Valley.
Entertainment includes performances by live bands, art exhibitions, nature walks, vertical tastings and cellar tours. Each venue will offer different dishes, along with their signature wines, to tantalise your taste buds and keep those bellies filled. These include a la carte menus, farm style picnics, food trucks and much more.
Plenty of the wine farms will have child-friendly activities on offer to keep your tots and tweens safe and entertained. Children under the age of 18, and accompanied by an adult, enter for free and many of the farms are also dog-friendly!
Tickets are available via Quicket South Africa. Weekend passes are just R200 per person, while day passes – a new offering this year – are R150 per person.
DISCOVER
Tedx Stellenbosch Live @ Ou Hoofgebou – 27 April 2019
In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. At a TEDx event, TEDTalks video and live speakers combine to spark deep discussion and connection in a small group. These local, self-organized events are branded TEDx, where x = independently organized TED event. The TED Conference provides general guidance for the TEDx program, but individual TEDx events are self-organized (subject to certain rules and regulations).
TEDxStellenboschLive will be showing talks directly from the TED2019 stage, around the theme “Bigger than US”. Join them for a day of thought-provoking discussions, workshops as well as an idea pitch session, where you and your idea could be selected for the next TEDxStellenbosch event.
If you like to network over some drinks and snacks, engage in “Ideas worth sharing” and be at the forefront of change, TEDxStellenboschLive is the place to be.
CONCERT
Eva Tamassy Tribute Concert @ Endler Hall – 28 April 2019
OUTDOORS
Sunset Walk @ Helderberg Nature Reserve – 27 April 2019
Guided by Andreas Groenewald. A gradual climb up to the bench at the top of the Caracal Trail. Moderate level of fitness needed.
Enjoy the sunset while enjoying your picnic and slowly walk down during the full moon observing nature and animals. Wear hiking boots, bring your own picnic and hand torch.
To book, email the Friends of the Helderberg with all the details: helderbergfriends@telkomsa.net. Bookings close at 12 noon on the Friday before.
Members: Adults R30, Scholars R15
Non Members: Adults R50, Scholars R25
Trail Run @ Uitkyk Wine Estate – 27 April 2019
Autumn time in the winelands brings about beautiful colours in the winelands. This special event will take runners on more challenging routes against the slopes of the Simonsberg mountains with magnificent views of the winelands and Table Mountain in the distance. Beautiful single-track to look forward to and fully stocked waterpoints. You could be the lucky winner of vouchers from title sponsor Sportsmans Warehouse. Prize money to the top male and female runner in the 25km.
Date: Saturday, 27 April 2019
Venue: Uitkyk Wine Estate, on R44 about 12 km from Stellenbosch
Registration: From 07h15 at the venue
Cost: Pre-entries (closing date: 25 April)
10km – R130, 15km – R180 & 25km – R260
Late entries taken on event day, if available. Additional late entry fees will apply
MUSIC
Tribal Echo Trio @ Marianne Wine Estate – 28 April 2019
Make sure you don’t miss this #SundayWineSet on this last Sunday of April 2019. Marriane Wine Estate is hosting the authentic & original Tribal Echo Band.
The #TribalEchoTrio will be performing from 3-6pm, Tickets cost R80 and includes delicious tapas.
Bookings are essential: 021 875 5040 or mail taste@mariannewinefarm.co.za.
Tribal Echo Band is an acclaimed and lively South African band with their own Afrikaans music style which they like to call KlipKopRock.
The band has performed at SA’s biggest festivals and also toured and performed in the Netherlands. They enjoy to create truly South African stories and weave these stories into their music. The stories they tell are easy to relate to and audience members are easily drawn in by the bands’ energetic performances and colourful melodies.
StoepSessions: Jimm Harisson Project @ De Akker Pub – 26 April 2019
You thought you heard it all, and then you heard Jimm Harisson Project. Bellville based rock group, Jimm Harisson Project is a well rounded African/Afrikaans trio with a repertoire filled with mind-blowing original music and a variety of bohemian styled covers. Jimm Harisson Project has traveled throughout South Africa and blown their audiences away with incredible vocals, guitar techniques and a atmosphere like no other. They have shared stages with legendary artist including Francois Van Coke, Monark, Heuwels Fantasties, Theuns Jordaan, Manouche, Albert Frost, Hatchetman, Gian Groen, Herman Kleinhans, Jo Black, Sunset Sweatshop, Jackal and the Wind and many more. Great line up. Be sure to see one or all of them!!
THEATRE
The good, the bad and the fugly @The Drama Factory 26 – 27 April 2019
After two sold-out seasons in Cape Town, The Good, The Bad and The Fugly is headed for their first ever performances in Somerset West. Inspired by true South African stories that seem too ridiculous to be true, The Good, The Bad and The Fugly is a musical comedy which explores social interactions behind the safety of our screens. Three women, three social media accounts and three times the drama. A tongue-in-cheek musical comedy exposing all the hilarious consequences of online personas, strong opinions and bad behaviour. This production showcases the good, the bad and the downright ugly and gives us all an opportunity to laugh at ourselves. The Good, The Bad and The Fugly sets out to embody the complexities of being a South African in today’s social networking fiasco. #nofilter Times: 26 April: 7:30 PM – 8:30 PM 27 April: 4 PM – 5 PM and 7:30 PM – 8:30 PM
EXPLORE
Rediscover the alleyway inside Ryneveld Plaza
Discover all manner of loveliness inside the little alleyway past the Stellenbosch Art Gallery on your right and All things Good Cafe on your left, where you’ll find quite a few new hidden gems.