Whisky, Whales and All that Jazz Festival (This event has passed)

Description

What’s hip and happening in Plett this September? True jazz lovers will have the opportunity to see some of the country’s greatest jazz talents in action. The annual Whiskey, Whales & Jazz Festival has been expanded this year to a sizzling week-long celebration featuring whiskey tastings, superb jazz performances, spectacular whale safaris and loads of action for the energetic.

Welcome to the citizens of the deep. The festival officially kicks off on Friday with the welcoming of the whales and the opening concert at The Whitehouse featuring Offshore, Ben Badenhorst, Haydn Gardner and Xolani Faku. Golfing enthusiasts can get their weekend off to a great start with the Whisky, Whales & Jazz Golf Day on the 19th September at the stunning Goose Valley Golf Course. More adventurous visitors can gear up for the adrenaline rush of the challenging Robberg Express multi-sport event, which coincides with the spring solstice this year on Sunday, 21 September. The Robberg Express includes a 40 km mountain biking course through the Harkerville Forest on gravel roads and single tracks through sections of indigenous forest, a 10 km trail run traversing million year-old rock formations on the Robberg Peninsula and a 10 km ocean paddle in the beautiful Plettenberg Bay. Participants can enter as individuals or relay teams of two or three persons. Athletes can also participate in individual disciplines. Event organisers have also added a shorter version the Robberg Raggie with half distances in each discipline.

Blue note events are staged throughout the week with artists of international calibre appearing at fu.shi fusion cuisine (Friday, 19 & 26 September), Gilly’s Grill (Saturday, 20 Sept), Surf Café (Sunday, 21 Sept) and Bramon Wine Estate (Wednesday, 24 Sept). The Heritage Day Jazz concert at Simunye promises a celebration of true music.

The highlight of the weeklong festivities will most definitely be the Jazz Fusion Concert on Saturday, 27 September. Don’t miss top talent fresh off international jazz stages for an electric combination of eclectic classic and contemporary jazz intertwined with the unmistakable rhythms of Africa. Well-known performers such as Xolani Faku and friends, Sangam, Tucan Tucan, Offshore, Ben Badenhorst and Haydn Gardner will entertain the crowds.

Especially for pipsqueaks - The Lunchbox Theatre is bringing their ever-popular production The Whale Show to Plettenberg Bay to add to the festivities. This multi-lingual, interactive show promises to have audiences spell-bound with catchy story-telling, mimes, puppets and scintillating music. Explore the magic of these magic ocean mammals during this fun adventure at the Simunye Centre on Wednesday, 24 September, and The Whitehouse Theatre on Sunday, 28 September. Bitou Tourism will also be sponsoring shows at The Crags Primary, Phakamisani Primary in Kwanokuthula, Formasa Primary in New Horizons and Kranshoek Primary School.

The Festival draws to a close with a spectacular street party on Sunday, 28 September 2008.