Back to business for the Barnyard in Plett
THE Barnyard on the outskirts of Plettenberg Bay has been going for 20 years and this summer has one of the most rocking musical line-ups ever.
Owner Mel Botes – a singer, songwriter, guitarist, composer and producer – has performed at the venue when it was still known as the Barnyard Theatre, and will play again this summer.
Together with wife, Jeanne, he aims to restore the Barnyard to its vibey heyday when it attracted artists from around the country.
“We took over in January and had our first show here with Shawn Phillips and from there it’s been a fantastic experience, with a huge challenge to restore the venue to its former glory,” Jeanne said.
“It will take us at least another 12 months, but we’ve done well so far and people are really excited ‘to have the Barnyard back’.”
The festive season line-up at the rustic venue at the Crags stretches over more than a month and goes through to January 7.
So, if you are on the Garden Route this month, here is a taste of who and what you can catch for the rest of December and also into January:
Today: Don MacLean’s Zulu Skies BlueTour, with Mel Botes and the Sequence Band also on the bill;
Tomorrow: Robin Auld and Wendy Oldfield in concert;
Sunday: A four-in-one tribute show to Dire Straits, Bob Dylan, Pink Floyd, and Simon and Garfunkel by Marcato and Mel Botes; Monday:
Blues festival with Albert Frost, Ann Jangle, Crimson House and others;
Tuesday: The Best of Simon and Garfunkel by Marcato (1925 Band opening);
Wednesday: Tribute to ACDC: For Those About To Rock (1925 Band opening);
Thursday: Steve Hofmeyr: If You Could Read My Mind (Emma van Heyn opening);
Friday December 23: Jusin Serrao and CrashCarBurn; ý Monday December 26: Stef Bos in concert; ý Tuesday December 27: Oldies but Goldies: A Trip Down Memory Lane;
Wednesday December 28: Tribute to Neil Diamond by the Johan Liebenberg Band;
Thursday December 29: Tribute to Pink Floyd: Dark Side of the Moon by Mel Botes and a mystery guest artist;
Friday December 30: Tribute to Dire Straits: Sultans of Swing by Mel Botes;
Saturday December 31: New Year’s Eve bash featuring Michael Ferguson;
Friday January 6: Mark Haze and Avade on tour; ý Saturday January 7: Jesse Clegg. Guests are welcome to bring their own picnic baskets or buy food at the venue. Tickets are available via Computicket or any Shoprite/ Checkers kiosk and doors open at 6.30pm, with shows starting at 8pm.
There is also a Barnyard Bus that will take show-goers to and from Plettenberg Bay’s Market Square.
Further information from Jeanne Botes, 079-876-0406. For the Barnyard Bus, contact Dorothy on 081-270-0658.