Plett set to thaw out the winter chill
Plettenberg Bay will be sizzling over the cold months with a red hot winter programme on the cards for the town and its visitors.
Plett Tourism is hosting its fifth annual Plett Arts Festival between June 25 and 8 July with a variety of colourful events and activities – from international performances to unique cultural activities – to drive the winter gloom away.
African Renaissance theme
Tourism spokesperson Patty Butterworth said this year’s festival will largely revolve around an African Renaissance theme which is set give festivalgoers a glimpse into different cultures.
Tying into this new theme is AfriDocs in Plett, which will feature documentaries, special guests and a nightly afterparty with DJ Jazztrain.
AfriDocs is a platform exclusively for Africa, bringing top African and international documentaries to audiences anywhere on the continent.
Jazzing it up
Another new addition is Plett AfroJazz, which will draw jazz masters Pops Mohamed, Dave Reynolds, Ronan Skillen and Charlton Daniels to the stage and usher in the Afrobeat sounds of Femi Koya and his nine-piece band.
The festival will also include other live performances, fashion workshops and many more. Main Street will become a hive of activity with music, pop-up art exhibitions, street performances and street food during the Twilight Meander. This is aimed at the more adventurous who might be looking for something after sunset.
Food and film
A popular feature on the festival programme will be back yet again, with the Plett Food and Film Festival offering festinos a feast for the eyes and tastebuds. Another new addition will be the Plett Winter School, to educate people of all ages about the visual arts, music, viticulture, wine tasting, quilt making and more with workshops and short courses from printmaker John Moore, the Cape Wine Academy, African music authority Richard Nwamba and fashion designer David Tlale.
The Plett Fringe Festival will tickle the funny bones as it is set to bring comedian Daniel Richards to town.
Legends at sunset
On Fridays, the Plett Sunsets feature which will include musicians like Koos Kombuis and other yet-to-be-revealed legends.
Butterworth said Plett has become the place to be among tourists during the winter months over the past few years – a positive development as the town historically experienced a very a quiet period out of “season”.
“The winter season has definitely grown over the past few years, largely due to Plett Tourism’s offerings in terms of alternative out-of-season experiences, for example the Plett Winelands and the creation of the Plett Arts Festival,” Butterworth said.
Find out more
Info/tickets: www.pletttourism.com and Quicket.