STELLENBOSCH WINE FESTIVAL
30 July - 2 August
An annual festival with highlights including comparative varietal tastings, exclusive meet-the-winemaker dinners, cabaret productions and fashion shows. There is also a Wine Connoisseurs evening on Thurs 30 July.
STELLENBOSCH CONCERT SERIES: TWOPIANISTS CD LAUNCH RECITAL
1 August
The talented duo, Nina Schumann and Luis Magalhaes, launch their second album.
MARTIAL ARTS: RAGE 2
1 August
Modern gladiators compete in a Pro-Am martial arts and contact freestyle fighting show.
OPERA TALK: THE ELIXIR OF LOVE
1 August
The conductor and director discuss the background of the romantic comedy opera, its plot, the main characters and Donizetti's style of music.
MUSIC: THE DIRTY SKIRTS
1 August
Rock 'n' roll with the popular local band and other rock bands including New Holland, Grave Danger and i-Can.
YIDDISH SONG FESTIVAL
2 August
A celebration of Jewish songs and humour from around the world.
KIRSTENBOSCH WINTER CONCERT SERIES: CODA
2 August
Described as one of the most exciting and ground-breaking new acts to grace local and international stages in recent years, Coda performs a mix between house, jazz and African rhythms.
KIRSTENBOSCH BREAKFAST CONCERT SERIES
2 August
Edward McLean (cello) and Valda Fuhr (piano) perform works by Brahms, Faure, Piazolla and Gershwin.
THEATRE: THE RAT PACK
3 August - 22 August
A recreation of the 1960s swing, jazz and rock'n'roll era made famous by Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin and Sammy Davis Junior.
TALK: LIVING FULLY IN A QUANTUM WORLD
5 August
Colin Hall leads a workshop aimed at uplifting human energy and creating engaged employees in the current economic environment.
ROBERTSON SLOW
7 August - 10 August
A celebration of enjoying the simple ways of life slowly... A chance to experience traditional farming life in intimate, personal settings with boat cruises, moonlit walks and farmhouse dinners.
CAPE TOWN CONCERT SERIES: EVGENIA GREKOVA
8 August
The acclaimed Russian soprano is accompanied by the noted Russian pianist Irina Puryshinskaja in a performance of works by Strauss, Bernstein, Rachmaninov and others.
MUSIC: CLAIRE PHILLIPS
8 August
The Cape Town based jazz, funk, soul and folk fusion artist performs material from her album Say My Name.
RUGBY: SOUTH AFRICA V AUSTRALIA
8 August
Tri-Nations match. The Springboks take on the Wallabies.
HERMANUS FOOD AND WINE FAIR
8 August - 9 August
An annual fair which not only celebrates wine but promotes the smaller 'garagiste' producers. It also includes a coffee and brandy tasting lounge and a gourmet food marquee.
BABA INDABA
8 August - 10 August
The annual baby show. Toys, accessories and advice as well a pram obstacle course, appearances from the Takalani Sesame characters and plenty of prizes to be won.
KIRSTENBOSCH WINTER CONCERT SERIES: CAPTAIN STU
9 August
The Cape Town-based band performs its afro-pop, jazzy, ska and reggae influenced material.
KIRSTENBOSCH BREAKFAST CONCERT SERIES
9 August
Terita Visser-Downie (piano), Anouk Espi (violin) and Cheryl de Havilland (cello) celebrate Womens Day by performing works by female composers including Fanny Mendelssohn and Clara Schummann.
SOCCER: AJAX CAPE TOWN V ORLANDO PIRATES
9 August
The local boys take on the Gauteng-based team.
SUNFLOWER FUND LUNCH
10 August
An inspirational Women's Day lunch with winemaker Nstiki Biyela sharing her life experiences. Prizes to be won and free champagne on arrival.
THEATRE: IAGO’S LAST DANCE
11 August - 22 August
Fresh from the National Arts Festival comes this powerful trilogy of short plays on the theme of betrayal.
THEATRE: TRAVELS WITH MY AUNT
12 August - 29 August
Adapted from Graham Greene's celebrated novel, this is the story of Henry Pulling's outrageous Aunt Augusta and her madcap antics across three continents.
CPO SYMPHONY SEASON: MA XIAOHUI
13 August
Conducted by Theodore Kuchar, the renowned Shanghai Er-hu musician and composer performs her own composition, Spirit of my Er-hu and other works including Liadov's The Enchanted Lake and Rachmaninov's Second Symphony.
MUSIC: WINKY D
15 August
Zimbabwe`s dance hall king and ambassador of Reggae performs in promotion of his current new albums Chatsva and Com 2 Tek Ova.
STELLENBOSCH CONCERT SERIES: CHAMBER MUSIC
15 August
A programme featuring Jill Richards performing solo piano etudes by Kevin Volans as well as music by Stefans Grove for cello, flute, soprano, viola and piano.
MR AND MS FITNESS SA
15 August
A pageant for some of the top fitness, model and dance artists in the industry. Other entertainment includes pole dancing and sport fashion.
KIRSTENBOSCH BREAKFAST CONCERT SERIES
16 August
The Ixopo Piano Duo perform works by Bach, Mozart, Poulec and Percy Grainger.
KIRSTENBOSCH WINTER CONCERT SERIES: KOLO NOVO MOVIE BAND
16 August
A fusion of cultures and musical styles from the Middle East, the Mediterranean and the Balkans.
WHITE WINE & CAP CLASSIQUE REVIEW
19 August
50 of South Africa's best-performing white wine and Cap Classique producers show off their best white and /or sparkling wines.
THEATRE: A MIDSUMMER’S NIGHT RAIDERS
19 August - 5 September
A spoof look at Shakespeare's relationship with Elizabeth I and the lengths he goes to in order to avoid her clutches.
CPO SYMPHONY SEASON: SASHA ROZHDESTVENSKY
20 August
Conducted by Theodore Kuchar, the Russian violinist performs a programme including Beethoven's Violin Concerto, Mozart's Overture to "Il Seraglio" and Dvorák's Eighth Symphony.
STELLENBOSCH CONCERT SERIES: USSO CONCERTO FESTIVAL
22 August
The University of Stellenbosch Music Department's most talented music students perform concertos with the University of Stellenbosch Symphony Orchestra under the baton of Corvin Matei.
RUGBY: VODACOM WESTERN PROVINCE V XEROX LIONS
22 August
Absa Currie Cup match. The local boys take on the Gauteng Lions.
WESTERN CAPE YOUTH MUSIC FESTIVAL
22 August
The 38th annual opportunity for young singers and solo instrumentals to perform with a professional orchestra.
KIRSTENBOSCH BREAKFAST CONCERT SERIES
23 August
The Camerata Tinta Barocca accompanied by clarinet and violin soloists perform an all-Mozart programme.
KIRSTENBOSCH WINTER CONCERT SERIES: CLAIRE PHILLIPS
23 August
One of Cape Town's newest discoveries performs a repertoire of jazz, funk, soul and folk.
OPERA: THE ELIXIR OF LOVE
23 August - 29 August
Donizetti's high-spirited and intoxicating romantic comedy. Shy Nemorino is head-over-heels in love with the beautiful and popular yet unobtainable Adina. To win her affection he resorts to a dodgy love potion with amusing effect. Presented by the Cape Town Opera in collaboration with UCT Opera School. Sung in Italian with English surtitles.
THEATRE: BUTLERS AND BOTOX
25 August - 29 August
A murder-mystery comedy in follow up to last year's sold-out hit Butlers and Brandy. Featuring an award-winning cast each playing a variety of quirky characters.
SOCCER: AJAX CAPE TOWN V SANTOS
26 August
A league match between the two Cape Town-based teams.
PRESENTATION: BEETHOVEN IN THE BOARDROOM
27 August
Conductor Richard Cock leads a workshop exploring leadership lessons.
CPO SYMPHONY SEASON: NINA SCHUMANN
27 August
The multi-award winning South African pianist performs a programme including Beethoven's Piano Concerto No. 3, Rossini's La Gazza Ladra Overture and Tchaikovsky's Suite for Orchestra No. 3.
SALT RESTAURANT WINE & GOURMET EVENING
27 August
Dalla Cia Wines and George Dalla Cia himself host a relaxed evening at this restaurant renowned particularly for its enviable ocean views. A four course menu is on offer with four matching wines and a chance to win a case of wine from Dalla Cia.
CLANWILLIAM WILD FLOWER SHOW
27 August - 2 September
The gateway to South Africa’s finest floral region showcases indigenous flora. There will also be music performances, art competitions for children, hiking trails and trips.
AFRICAN HIP HOP INDABA
29 August
The African qualifier for the World Breakdance Championships which will see various forms of dance including Nu Skool, Popping, Krump and U13 b-boy battles.
BLISTERS FOR BREAD
30 August
An annual walk along the Atlantic Seabpard to raise funds for meals for 12 000 school children.
KIRSTENBOSCH WINTER CONCERT SERIES: VERITY
30 August
The popular singer-songwriter performs her soulful acoustic repertoire.
KIRSTENBOSCH BREAKFAST CONCERT SERIES
30 August
The Solid Brass Quintet perform a grand finale for the series.
MUSIC: ADAMSAPPEL
30 August - 31 August
The critically acclaimed Cape Town-based a cappella group has been described as South Africa's answer to Il Divo. Here they perform their original mix of classic and contemporary music.
BOOK PRESENTATION: DAVID GRIER
31 August
The inspirational speaker, celebrity chef and extreme adventurer introduces his book Hope in Thyme, a thrilling account of his journey and encounters around the coast of South Africa.
Rounding a precarious bend I hit an unexpected dip in the rough road and was thrown forward in the saddle.