As the Winelands slowly starts waking up from its lockdown hibernation, weekends are beginning to offer more and more in terms of things to do, so we’ve rounded up a list of the best ways to spend your free days. Get your music fix with a live streaming concert from the Drostdy Theatre, head out for a nostalgic evening at the Galileo Open Air Cinema or have a delicious night in with Horizon House’s exciting initiative where you can order a gourmet dinner for two, made by four different top local chefs.
Music
Here Be Dragons presents “Folk 101” – 24 to 27 July 2020
Get the whole house together, it’s time to shake out the quarantine blues. The Folk Baroque ensemble ‘Here Be Dragons’ will explore the roots of baroque music, found in the folk music performed in and around the main cultural centres of Europe during the 15th and 16th Century. The selection includes music from both folk and high art styles, giving the audience a unique perspective on the evolution of the one into the other.
Clap along to these toe-tapping tunes at home by booking your ticket here.
My Miriam Makeba Story – 31 July to 3 August
The award-winning music production ‘My Miriam Makeba Story’ celebrates the life and songs of Miriam Makeba and introduces music lovers to the talents of featuring singer-songwriter Sima Mashazi and Cape Jazz pianist and composer Ramon Alexander.
Sima Mashazi performed the role of the young Miriam in the first musical about Mama Africa (touring US and SA). The experience deepened Sima’s admiration for Makeba’s music and the woman behind it. She shares the themes in Makeba’s music and life that touched her and bear similarities to her own journey.
Ticket link: R100 at Webtickets
Movies
The Galileo Outdoor Theatre returns – from 17 July onwards
The Galileo is bringing back the beloved drive-in with an array of cinematic favourites on the big screen. Movie style snacks will be available to order from the comfort of your vehicle.
With very stringent hygiene measures and Covid-friendly safety regulations in place, they are making sure to keep movie-goers safe while providing an opportunity to have some much-needed time out of the house.
Hiking
Go for a hike with CapeNature
Most CapeNature reserves have started offering walks as well as guided hikes again, allowing you to get out there and explore our region’s rich plant diversity and natural beauty. There are a variety of trails available in and around Stellenbosch, so you can choose the route that best suits you.
Jonkershoek, right on our doorstep, has a variety of wildlife to look out for: including leopard, honey badger, baboon, klipspringer and mongoose, but these mammals are generally shy and seldom seen. The reserve is also home to kingfishers, black eagles, fish eagles, spotted eagle owls, sugarbirds, orange-breasted sunbirds and protea seed-eaters.
Cape Nature requests that visitors wear face-masks, and to keep their hands disinfected. Please note that permits are not available at reserve gates. Pre-purchase them online here or contact 087 087 8250 (074 936 2139 or 062 318 4987 on weekends). For guided hikes, contact Heleen Roussouw at 0824456648.
Fitness
Bear Essentials Coaching
Bear Essentials offers a chance to get motivated and shake off the cobwebs with a guided running programme to get the spring back into your step.
There are three training groups available, based on runs per week and kilometres per week. A basic training program will be sent to each group every Sunday. There will be a very specific challenge to complete every week. A WhatsApp group and a Strava Club will be created for each group where runners can track, motivate and encourage one another to meet the goals and challenges of the group.
Dining
Celebrate Life with a dinner made by four top chefs – 31st July 2020
This year, Horizon House brings Celebrate Life to your home with the exciting Dine-in Box, expertly crafted by four different top local chefs.
The Celebrate Life Dine-in Box serves two and contains four courses, each individually prepared by one of their four chefs: Starters by Michael Deg, first course by Fabio Daniel, main course by Kayla-Ann Osborn, and dessert by Gregory Czarnecki, plus sourdough bread and four petit fours (one by each chef).
The box costs R1200 for two and will be delivered to your home on the 31st of July. Orders are available up to the 23rd of July. Deliveries in and around Stellenbosch and Somerset West are included in the price. Go to their website to place your order.
Wine
Srauss & Co Virtual Live Auction – 26 to 28 July 2020
This upcoming auction is one to bookmark for anyone who is a fan of our finest local wine producers including Kanonkop, Klein Constantia and Boekenhoutskloof. Expect both mature and young vintages from some of South Africa’s greatest producers.
There are eighteen vintages of Vin de Constance, one of the world’s greatest wines, including the legendary 1987 which was their first commercial release. The Boekenhoutskloof selection includes the 1997 Syrah, a modern-day legend, as well as five vintages of the extremely rare, The Journeyman. Kanonkop is represented by fine, mature vintages of all their flagship wines including 20 vintages of Paul Sauer. Lot 54 offers three decades of Paul Sauer Jeroboams which is not only truly unique, but also the highest value lot we have ever auctioned. All wines purchased on auction will be delivered post lockdown restrictions.
For more local lifestyle features and news from Stellenbosch and surrounds, subscribe to our newsletter.