In the heart of theSwartland wine district, lies Darling, 55 kms north of Cape Town, known for a gorgeous spectacle of spring, wild flowers, superior wine producers, and famed first citizen, Evita Bezuidenhout. Happening from Friday 4th September to Sunday 6th September, will be Africa’s most unique cultural festival, Voorkamerfest (Living room festival).
Voorkamerfest, Darling
How this works is that visitors buy tickets for one of seven routes and get transported by local mini-bus taxis to three different homes, ranging from small township abodes to one of Darling’s grand Cape Dutch houses, where three different performances are presented. On this magical, mystery tour visitors never know who they will see performing until they arrive at the house and the home owners introduce the performers.
This year’s performers include saxophonist Dan Shout with The Onion Project and Tyrone Apollis’ Geroeste Music; Amanda Strydom’s Afrikaans cabaret; comedy theatre with Rafiek Mammon; Garry Naidoo’s Let’s Mix It 2.8GLX and The Fieke and Willie Show starring Riana Alfreds and Charles Tertiens. The Theatre Sports team headed by Megan Choritz will present on the spot improvisation and La Rosa Sapanish Dance Theatre’s Peter Agulhas will perform Solo Flamenco accompanied by musician and vocalist, Lorean Swartz. Writer, poet and photographer Philip De Vos will present his award-winning poetry and songs accompanied by classical painist Tertia Visser-Downie.
Amanda Strydom, Afrikaans caberet artist
International performers include, Willem Vermandere from Belgium and Thijsmoussefay and Room Eleven from the Netherlands.
Make time to stop by Cloof Wines and sample the intense, powerful, shiraz-based blends from the hardy bush vines. Or GrootePost, to try the acclaimed chardonnays which gave birth to my love of unwooded chardonnay.
Voorkamerfest takes place on Friday 4th September at 5pm, Saturday 5th September at 12pm and at 5pm and on Sunday 6th September at 12pm.
Tickets cost R99 per route with R1 from each ticket sold donated to the Darling Trust.
For info and bookings contact Tasha on 082-3217542 or 022-4923427.
bookings@voorkamerfest-darling.co.za
Judging by the photos on the website, the event is a rollicking, riotous affair and who knows, you may just bump into Evita Bezuidenhout.
