Plettenberg Bay, October 4, 2023
The 10th annual Plett ARTS Festival is set to finish with a flourish this weekend with two events that promise to be a feast for the senses: music to knock your socks off, delicious film, compelling food, dance, poetry, international performers, land art, and ancient musical instruments. The 2023 Plett ARTS Festival kicked off on September 29, and is schedule to end on October 8, 2023.
“I’m in love. I’m having a relationship with my pizza.” – Liz Gilbert, Eat. Pray. Lov
The 2023 Plett ARTS Festival is proving to be a feast for the senses and, with five days of performances, exhibitions, concerts, recitals, films, and workshops remaining, there is plenty of time to immerse yourself in the wonders of our creative culture.
Friday 6th October is set to be revealing in more ways than one: the popular pairing of cinema and cuisine, Plett Food & Film will screen the enchanting Cinema Paradiso at Plett’s newest restaurant Zoox Plett on Telluric Wine Estate paired with their signature pizza, Love Paninos with celebrity chef Karen Dudley and a persuasive performance by baritone, Mike Bhayibhile recently returned from the Berlin Opera academy – all perfectly paired with the film. An annual event not to be missed. Book Tickets
Plett ARTS Festival is proud to present Tshisa Talent’s African Waves Arts Festival for a one-day wonder on Saturday 7th October. The African Waves Arts Festival will culminate in a world-class performance on Saturday night at Piesang Valley Hall with celebrated percussionist, John Hassan who has performed and recorded with the likes of Miriam Makeba, Johnny Clegg, Toto, Simply Red, and Hugh Masekela to name a few. Hassan will perform an unforgettable concert of musical genius with his band, the Hassan’adas, with guest saxophonist Buddy Wells. Book Tickets
Leading up to the concert, the day will include workshops on classic Khoisan Rieldans – the age-old dance of the Khoisan hunters which later gained distinct Irish and Scottish folk music influences, all performed to the beat of boeremusiek – and Uhadi (a musical bow, a traditional Southern African Xhosa musical instrument) with award-winning duo Ancient Voices.
Drawing on the collaborative experience gained in the morning Uhadi and movement workshops, the vibrant music of the Ancient Voices duo, and the exuberance of the dance are showcased in a performance which is not to be missed. All take place at St Peter’s Anglican Church and booking is highly recommended for these as space is limited. Book Tickets
Plett ARTS Festival director, Cindy Wilson-Trollip is enthusiastic about the variety of events on the programme for the festival this year, “The diversity of Plett culture is centre stage during the Plett Arts Festival, celebrated with music, dance, art and performance. Artists have limited opportunities to stage their shows and we appeal to audiences to support all of the shows – these are dedicated performers who may just touch your life in unexpected ways.”
And that’s just peeling the first layer of the onion where the rest of the weekend is concerned… The 2023 Plett ARTS Festival SPARK Land Art Route, in collaboration with Daron Chatz Events, is beginning to take shape as the artists have surveyed their landscape and are beginning to compile artworks.
Lookout Beach, The Space Between and Fisanthoek Brewery are spaces that the land artists have identified and visitors are encouraged to visit Fisanthoek with a picnic basket and sample fantastic craft beers and enjoy the land art. On Saturday, the monthly New Horizons’ Market will launch complete with food court, Breez’n Band, arts, market and car audios park-off – it’s well worth a visit.
Additional workshops include a Fynbos ceramics workshop at Barrington’s which will include an informative presentation by Nature’s Valley Trust, a children’s Art Palace and Paint & Sip at Sky Villa Gallery, live sketching and a Paint & Sip at Kay & Monty vineyard. Shows and showing include a Dance with Locals evening at Afrocentric Night Club, a poetry and music performance by talented Was Lemuel at the Beacon Island, David Kantey’s WhaleTides concert experience, an intimate concert with Martin Wolfaart and friends, and Silver Creek Mountain Bank rocking MacFee family restaurant.
There’s something for everyone at the 2023 Plett ARTS Festival, so visitors are encouraged to come out and CONNECT at the Plett ARTS Festival.