Events This Week 27 May - 2 June

As Winter announces its arrival in the Western Cape, here are events to warm you up for this week...

Panic by Siv Ngesi will start its run from tonight through until 8 June at the Artscape, tickets are available through Computicket and Dial-a-seat.

The Big Band Jazz Festival is taking place at The Baxter Theatre from 29 May till 1 June, the monies raised by the festival will be going to good causes, tickets available through Computicket.

At the CTICC, The Sign Africa & Africa Print Roadshow is taking place on 29 and 30 May, entrance is free.

From 31 May to 2 June, the Greyton Genadendal Classics for All Festival is taking place in the charming Overberg towns of  Greyton and Genadendal, various events have been planned for the festival including concerts, poetry recitals as well as wine tastings and food to name but a few. At the same time in the Klein Karoo town of Ladismith, the Ladismith "Lekka" weekend is taking place, performances by well-known musicians have been planned as well as food stalls and an equestrian show. Also during this time in, Prince Alfred's Hamlet, near Ceres, is hosting the Karoo Cultural Festival, where old traditions and Karoo culture are to be highlighted.  

On 31 May at the Grand Arena at Grand West, US band, Chevelle will performing, tickets available through Computicket and The Kyle Shepherd Trio will be performing on 31 May and 1 June at the Mahogany Room, reservations can be done through the club. 

The Ballroom Bands Festival is taking place at the Grand Arena at Grand West on 1 June, put on those dancing shoes and waltz the night away. 

Hartenberg Wine Estate in Stellenbosch is hosting its Shiraz and Charcuterie Festival, the finest Syrahs from leading cellars will be paired with meaty delights sure to tantalize the taste buds on 1 June.

Being the 1st Saturday of the month of June, both the Riebeek West Funky Fresh Market as well as the Caledon Millstone Market are taking place and are sure to provide an array of delectable eats and goodies.

1 June is World Environment Day, in honour of this, Fish Hoek Yacht Club will be taking part in the world-wide Paddle for the Planet Initiative, see link for more information.

The Karoo Game Auction is taking place on 1 June as well as the Karoo Outdoor Festival near Beaufort West, see links for more info.

On 1-2 June, the Accessories Fair will be on at the Market on the Wharf at the V&A Waterfront, the Soup, Sip and Bread Winter Feast will be taking place in the Durbanville Wine Valley and the 1st Winter Trail Run will be taking place at Delvera Farm in Stellenbosch. 

On 2 June, the Kenilworth Race Course will host  Day 2 of the Winter Racing Series, kids entertainment as well as stalls will be available through the day.

For these and other events please see our events calendar.

Events 20 - 26 May

With trade shows, centenaries, good food, wine and music, cultural celebrations and sporting activities, this week is set to be a busy one...

The Chelsea Flower Show Exhibit is on at the Kirstenbosch National Botanical Gardens all this week until Saturday. The gardens will also be celebrating its Centenary and Biodiversity Day on Wednesday with free entry to the garden, a host of other activities are planned as well.

Wesgro will be taking a few companies over to Brazil for the Hospitalar 2013 Trade Exhibition from 21 - 24 May. The expo focuses on products, equipment, services and technology for the medical sector.

On Tuesday evening, internationally renowned rapper Snoop Dogg, A.K.A Snoop Lion, will be taking to the stage at the Grand Arena at Grand West, tickets are available through Computicket.

The annual Good Food and Wine Show is taking place at the CTICC from 23-26 May, headlining the event are internationally acclaimed chefs Gordon Ramsay and Eric Lanlard. More treats for gourmands is the Tops Gugulethu Wine Festival is taking place on 24 and 25 May at the Rooftop @ Gugulethu shopping Centre.

From 23 - 25 May the skies above Oudtshoorn will be filled with the sounds of the President's Trophy Air Race. Also in Oudtshoorn, the Wilderness Half Marathon and 10km is taking place on the 25th.

Net Prophet, South Africa’s biggest technology start-up event is taking place in Pinelands on Thursday 23 May. And at the Southern Sun Hotel at The V&A Waterfront, Unogwaja Challenge is kicking off the first leg to Franschhoek, as they take on the 10 day challenge to Pietermaritzburg.

On 24 and 25 May, Music Alla Kaap is taking place at the Grand Arena at Grand West, legendary US musician Percy Sledge will be on stage along with other well-known South African musicians.

The Eseltjiesrus Annual Book Fair  is taking place this weekend 24-26 May in McGregor in the Overberg Region. All proceeds from the annual book sale during the fair will go to a good cause.

Africa Day, a celebration in honour of the formation of the Organisation of African Unity (OAU), presently recognised as the African Union (AU), is on 25 May. Artscape will be hosting a celebration, see link for more information.

Footloose in Darling and the Darling Museum Open Day is taking place on 25 May in the charming West Coast town. Please see the links for more on the events.

On the sporting front, the Stormers vs Reds match takes place at Newlands Stadium on Saturday at 5pm and for mountain bikers the 100 Miler event is taking place in Malmesbury and the Hex River Autumn Splendour in De Doorns. In celebration of the full moon on Saturday night there will be a Full Moon Hike in Stellenbosch and the Moonlight Mass cycle event in Green Point. On Sunday the Voet of the Wine Route 10km Run/Walk is taking place in Stellenbosch. For more info on these events please see the links.

For these and more events, please visit our events calender.

Events 13-19 May

Wesgro's stand at Indaba 2013 has been awarded gold, well done and congratulations to the team! If you are in Durban, be sure to check it out at the Durban ICC until tomorrow. Visit the Cape Town Western Cape Facebook page for pics...

African Utility Week is taking place at the CTICC from 13-16 May, the event is aimed at Africa's power and water industries. The Clean Power Africa expo is running alongside this event on the 14th and 15th, also at the CTICC.

The comedy Twitch is starting its run at the Theatre on the Bay 15 May until 1 June.

The Table Bay Hotel is playing host the 2013 Marketing Indaba on 15 and 16 May. The Sales Summit will run alongside the event on the eve on the 15th at the Table Bay as well.

Wesgro's EDP programme is hosting a seminar specifically focused on agri-processing and the beverages industry and its prospects in the Russian market. The seminar will take place at the Wesgro offices, Doega Boardroom on the 15th of May.

From 16 to 18 May, legendary South African rockers Arno Carstens and Francois Van Coke are performing at the Boer in Durbanville.

Agulhas National Park is hosting a Southern Tip Day Talk and Meal at Suiderlig Dienssentrum in Struisbaai on Friday 17 May at 7pm.

The 2013 Student Expo is taking place at the CTICC on 17 and 18 May, the perfect platform for students to engage with prospective employers.

Wellington Stasie Fees, a festival in celebration of the Wellington Station's 150 year heritage is taking place on 17 and 18 May with lots of entertainment and eats scheduled.

The Franschhoek Literary Festival is taking place 17-19 May for a weekend filled with readers, writers, booksellers and publishers. At the same time, the 2nd weekend of the Greenpop Reforest Fest is taking place at Platbos Forest in the Overberg.

On 18 May, the 5 for Change Charity fundraiser is taking place at City Hall. The black tie affair is set to be an evening of fun with performances by Goldfish and The Rudimentals.

International Museum Day is on the 19th of May, in celebration, Iziko museums is granting free entrance to all Iziko museums, including the Planterium and Castle of Good Hope.

British celebrity chef, Eric Lanlard, is launching his new book "Chocolat" along with a book signing at Simonsig Wine Estate, ahead  of his appearance at the Good Food and Wine Show next week.

For these and more events please visit our events calender.

If you have anything to add please feel free to comment below.

Indaba 2013, Mothers’ Day and other highlights this weekend…

Indaba is one of the largest tourism marketing events in Africa and, according to indaba-southafrica.co.za, one of the top three events of its kind globally. The annual four day event (11-14 May) attracts a large number of visitors from the travel and tourism industry and showcases South Africa’s best tourism products, what better platform for Wesgro to illustrate our wonderful province to the world. Visit Cape Town and Western Cape Stand DEC1 F11, meet our team and experience what we have to offer.

Activities this weekend

 In Stellenbosch, Wild Clover’s Hops Harvest Festival (10-12 May) is sure to entertain young and old with beer tasting for the adults and entertainment for the kiddies. The festival is in celebration of the close of a successful harvest and will showcase a variety of hand-crafted beers. Entry is R100, kids under 18 are free, and on Sunday entrance for moms is complimentary.

The first of the two weekend Greenpop Reforest Fest in Platbos Forest (10-12 May) is themed around families with “chilled” music and educational activities for all. There will of course be tree planting, the main focus of the festival, protecting and growing the ancient forest. Tickets cost R550 (R350 for children under 12) and includes camping, meals, entertainment, tools and trees.

The annual Nuy Valley Feast in Worcester (11-12 May) is set to keep you entertained with activities such as a mountain bike competition, vineyard trails as well as tractor and wagon rides. Top quality wines from the hosting wineries will be on offer as well as olive products. Entrance costs R40 and kids under 18 are free.

Organik Love Project, the final event on the trance festival calendar for the year is taking place at Utopia farm near Caledon (11-12 May). Tickets cost R220-R250.

On Saturday, the Ceres Chrysanthemum Association will be showcasing the works of local chrysanthemum growers. Entrance cost R10.

The Table of Peace and Unity is bringing together 700 celebrities, leaders and ordinary citizens from all walks of life to enjoy a delectable lunch on Table Mountain in aid of organisations that help against rape and abuse. Tickets available through Computicket and range between R400-R500.

For those that are more adventurous and sporty, the Red Stone Mountain Bike & Trail Running Family Weekend is taking place in Calitzdorp (10-11 May), there will be mountain biking trail running as well as other family activities on offer. The Willow Creek/Computer Mania MTB Challenge is taking place in Robertson on Saturday and if running is your thing, the Autumn Trail Run is taking place in Stellenbosch at Delvera Farm and Wheels and Runners, a race for able bodied as well as athletes in wheelchairs, is taking place in Hermanus. On Sunday, the Jive Slave Route Challenge will take runners through the historical sites of Cape Town such as the Castle, District Six and Bo Kaap.

For this and more events please visit our events calendar.

Mothers' Day

Sunday is Mother’s Day, and to celebrate, why not treat mom to some TLC at one of the world-class spas we have in the Western Cape. Why not pack a picnic, if the weather holds out, and visit one of the many idyllic picnic spots we have to offer. Many restaurants are offering specials for Mother’s Day, visit our Facebook for more details. 

Happy Mother’s Day to all the moms out there!

Some restaurant specials this Mothers' day:

Cape Town

The Vineyard Hotel and Spa in Newlands, Cape Town is offering  3 course lunch special at R225.

Mom and Me and The Grand Cafe and Beach, dinner and a show for R450.

Hermitage at Hazendal Wine Estate in Kuils River is offering buffet lunch for R280.

Overberg

Stormsvlei Farmstall and Restaurant in Swellendam are offering a lunch buffet at R195.

The Daily Bread in Hermanus will be serving up breakfast for R90 or a 3 course lunch special for R175.

Rivendell in Bot River is having a 4 course lunch special for R250.

De Hoop Nature Reserve is offering one nights free accommodation for mom (provided one of her children are with) this weekend as well as a lunch special at The Fig Tree Restaurant. 

West Coast

Slipway Waterfront Restaurant in Saldanha is serving up a delectable lunch for R120.

Geelbek Restaurant in the West Coast National Park is offering a lunch special at R175.

Hilda's Kitchen at Groote Post in Darling is having a 3 course lunch at R175.

Windtown Lagoon Hotel and Spa is offering an accommodation special, R1000 for a one nights stay which includes a day of pampering spa treatments.

Garden Route and Klein Karoo

Henry White's at Fancourt in George is offering a 4 course lunch for R325.

Katrina's at the Kurland Hotel in Plettenberg Bay is serving up buffet lunch at R250.

Knysna Yatch Club is offering a delicious 3 course lunch, call to find out the cost. 

Buffelsdrift Game Lodge in Oudtshoorn is having a lunch buffet special for R195.

Winelands

Bodega Restuarant at Donier in Stellenbosch is offering a 3 course lunch ranging between R280-R360.

Die Tolhuis in Ceres is having a 3 course lunch special for R110.

Glen Carlou is Klapmuts is serving up a delectable 3 course lunch for R320.

*Most restaurants require bookings and offer reduced rates for children.

Events 7 – 12 May

Apologies, due to technical difficulties there have not been any posts over the past week.

National Archives Week is currently taking place until Friday. Scheduled activities include guided tours, presentations about the functions of the Archives Service, workshops and exhibitions and are conducted at the Western Cape Archives and Records Service.

APAS Fair, the largest Supermarket Fair in Latin America is taking place in Sao Paulo, Brazil. Our very own Wesgro representative has taken 10 companies along to the fair in order to create business opportunities. For more information on the services Wesgro provides please visit the website.

The Africa Investor CEO Infrastructure Investment Summitis taking place at the Table Bay Hotel today. See link for more information.

The WIE Africa Symposiumis taking place at the Lookout, V&A Waterfront until tomorrow. WIE Africa aims to showcase successful African Women.

This week is a busy one for Cape Town Stadium… tonight legendary rock band Bon Jovi will be performing and tomorrow evening, teen sensation, Justin Bieber will be serenading the city.

The CTICC is hosting the World Economic Forum on Africa 2013 from 8-10 May. WEF Africa aims to provide a platform to address the continents economic growth and development.

On Wednesday evening, Harvey’s at the Winchester Mansions Hotel will be hosting a Grapes, Gourmet and Gallery Evening showcasing wines from Muratie Wines and art from Ann Nosworthy.

Fine Brandy Fusion, SA’s premier brandy expo will be taking place on 9 and 10 May at the CTICC. The event is set to launch the new Urban Brandy Cocktail Route, which “takes the visitor from Clifton to the CBD in style.”

From 10 – 12 May, Wild Clover in Stellenbosch is hosting the Wild Clover’s Hops Harvest Festival, the festival’s focus will be on beer tastings and speciality brews. At the same time, at Platbos Forest in the Overberg, Greenpop is hosting the Reforest Fest. The aim of the festival is to protect and grow the ancient Platbos forest which houses trees that are over 1000 years old.

Red Stone Mountain Bike & Trail Running Family Weekend is taking place on 10 and 11 May is the Klein Karoo town of Calitzdorp. There will be lots to do for runners/bikers and spectators alike.

The Tourism Indaba will be taking place from Saturday 11 May until Tuesday 14 May, at the Durban ICC. The Wesgro marketing team will be hosting a stand at the event showcasing Cape Town and the Western Cape.

On 11 and 12 May, the Nuy Valley Feast will be taking place in Worcester, sporting as well as entertainment events have been planned as part of the festivities. The Organik Love Project, a psytrance festival, will also be taking place at the same time at Utopia Farm, near Caledon. 

On Saturday, 11 May, the annual Ceres Chrysanthemum Show is taking place in the charming Winleands town. Robertson is playing host to the Willow Creek/ Computer Mania MTB Challenge at Willow Creek Estate and Hermanus is hosting Wheels & Runners, a race that includes both people with disabilities in wheelchairs and able-bodied athletes. 

Sunday, 12 May is Mother’s Day, the Vineyard Hotel and Spa is hosting Delightful Deliciousness for Mums, a three course lunch in honour of mothers. 

Jive will be hosting the Slave Route Challenge on Sunday 12 May, the marathon is the first of its kind to take participants through the historical sites of Cape Town.

For these and other events please visit our Events Calender.