Whether you celebrate the 24th of September 2012 as Heritage day or National Braai Day, one thing we can agree on is that it brings a welcome long weekend! Take advantage of the extra time off and attend one of these events around the country.
Earthdance
Release your inner hippie at the world’s largest synchronized music and dance festival for peace. Since its inception, Earthdance has been held annually in over 500 locations in 80 countries. This year’s theme is ‘Year of the Woman’, with the aim of increasing awareness for causes that work to promote gender equality and empower women. With events in Johannesburg, Durban and Cape Town, the whole country will be dancing its way to peace this weekend.
Johannesburg:
21 to 23 September, Arendsnes Caravan Park, Brits
Cost: R200
www.earthdancejhb.co.za
Durban:
22 to 23 September, Richmond Country Club, Pietermaritzburg
Cost:R140
Cape Town: 21 to 23 September, Nekkies, Worcester
Cost: R335
www.earthdancecapetown.co.za
Western Cape
Hermanus Flower and Eco Fair
20 to 23 September
Cost: R15 – R30 a person
A ‘Fynbos Secrets’ flower display created by landscape artist Riaan Maritz and the Botanical Society will be presented at the Fernkloof Nature Reserve. Tea on the lawns, picnics in the gardens, indigenous plant sales, fabulous mountain walks all promise a fun-filled family outing. There will also be a sustainable “one-planet” living exhibition to educate us on the importance of biodiversity preservation and our Fynbos habitat. There will be informative talks as well as practical demonstrations.
Tel: 028-313-0819
Website: www.fernkloof.com
Braai With Durbanville Hills On Heritage Day
24 September
Cost: R50 a person – includes a choice of burger and a glass of Durbanville Hills wine
There’s just something about standing around a fire while the food sizzles away that brings people together. Celebrate our country’s heritage with a braai, live music and award-winning wines at the Durbanville Hills Estate. Bring your own picnic blanket or make some new friends at one of the communal tables under the olive trees and enjoy a delicious selection of burgers fresh from the braai, all prepared by The Eatery and paired with a Durbanville Hills wine. Choose between the beef, caramelised onion and Dijon mustard burger served with the Durbanville Hills Bastion, chicken, spring onion, chilli and ginger burger with Durbanville Hills Chardonnay, the mushroom, thyme, smoked paprika and garlic butter paired with Durbanville Hills Pinotage or the lamb, fresh mint and roasted garlic burger with Durbanville Hills Merlot. Bookings essential.
Tel: 021-558-1300
Email: [email protected].
National Braai Day Celebration, Hamiltons Rugby Club
24 September
Cost: R80 a person – includes free Savanna and kameelhout boerewors roll
The National Braai Day initiative aims to “position National Braai Day as South Africa’s annual day of celebration. South Africans gathering around fires is the central theme of the celebration”. Join in on the celebration at this Braai Day event featuring live music from Heuwels Fantasties, Mi Casa and Jack Parow.
Website: www.braai.com
Open Book festival
20 to 24 September
The Open Book Cape Town Literary Festival, with 150 events over five days at different interesting venues throughout the City of Cape Town, promises to be the biggest “boekjol” Cape Town has ever seen. The festival features author dinners, readings from around 100 authors (including 25 top international writers) and writer sports, where the festival is turned into a new Olympic game. The events will run in several locations in Cape Town’s ‘Fringe’ district, with the Fugard Theatre acting as the base for all events. Other venues include The District 6 Museum, The Homecoming Centre, the Townhouse Hotel, The Slave Lodge, The Museum, The National Gallery, Central Library and Lobby Books.
Tel: Frankie Murrey – 082-358-7332 or Book Lounge – 021-462-2425
Website: openbookfestival.co.za
Gauteng
The Cradle Festival and Wine weekend
22 to 23 September
Cost: R120 an adult – includes free wine glass – children under 18 free
There is hardly a more suitable place to celebrate our heritage than the place where it all began – the Cradle of Humankind. Over 30 different winemakers will be showcasing their wines and a number of boutique beer manufacturers will be showing off their latest brew. There will also be a large variety of food stands to choose from as well as various arts and crafts and entertainment for the kids. Singing sensation Louise Carver will perform on the Saturday and Idols Winner, Elvis Blue on the Sunday. Maropeng’s resident astronomer, Vincent Nettman, will be hosting a Star Gazing Dinner, and the SMP Super Series will offer mountain biking and trail running events.
Tel: 014-577-9000
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.maropeng.co.za
Good food and wine show
21 to 24 September
Cost: R50 – R95 a person
Your taste buds are in for a treat this weekend at the Good Food and Wine Show. Top celebrity chefs are preparing to bring you mouth-watering, culinary masterpieces, showing off their skills in four state-of-the-art Kitchen-Theatres. You can look forward to wine tasting, beers and cocktails, gourmet shopping and wining and dining with friends. Make sure you come hungry!
Tel: 021-702-2280
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.goodfoodandwineshow.co.za
Africa Aerospace and Defence Expo, Pretoria
22 to 23 September
Cost: R50 a person
See Africa’s largest exhibition of air, sea and land capability at this expo at AFB Waterkloof. One of the highlights of the weekend will be the breath-taking aerobatic displays. Expect lots of entertainment for the whole family, including static displays of aircraft, trucks and armoured vehicles and an entertainment park for children. Apart from the air show, the open days will also feature vehicle demonstrations and a variety of interesting exhibitions. For aspiring learners, there will also be a youth development programme where they can experience the world of flight simulators, vehicle simulators and model building. Industry representatives will be on hand to provide more information about careers in the aerospace and defence industries.
Tel: 071-697-7824
Website: www.aadexpo.co.za
Durban
Stages Of The Path: Weekend Meditation Retreat
22 to 23 September
Cost: R120 a day for non-members, free for members
Leave the stress of everyday life behind and take time to unwind on this relaxing weekend retreat where everyone is welcome (even the most non-Zen city-slickers). Kelsang Phuntsog will share some valuable insights from the UK International Kadampa Buddhist Summer Festival and highlight the Teachings from the book ‘Modern Buddhism‘ by Geshe Kelsang Gyatso. The retreat will include practical advice and teachings from the book ‘Modern Buddhism’, guided meditations to take the teachings to heart and delicious vegetarian meals.
On Monday 24th Sept, there will be a special day of silent concentration practice for those who wish to take part.
Tel: 031-762-1709
Email: meditateinhillcrest.com
Website: www.meditateinhillcrest.org
White Mountain Festival, White Mountain Resort
21 to 24 September
Cost: R550 a person (includes camping)
Head to the idyllic valley at the base of the Giant’s Castle Nature Reserve for a weekend of laidback acoustic music sets at one of the best-kept secrets on the music festival circuit. Expect to catch live acts including Chris Chameleon, Jeremy Loops, The Nomadic Orchestra and Andrew James. With its spacious grounds, fishable dam, restaurant, charming old pub, children’s playground, swimming pool and convenience store, the lodge’s many amenities make this a more sophisticated experience than the usual grungy music festival. To keep your stomach as happy as your ears, there will be a beer market featuring several local breweries and a wide variety of food stalls. The area is also boasts a variety of fun activities for the whole family.
Tel: 031-563-0824
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.whitemountain.co.za
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