GREAT FOR MUSIC
VERGENOEGD Wine Estate in Stellenbosch (Vergenoegd means “satisfaction has been achieved”) and Cape Talk will play host to the Vergenoegd Summer Concert Series where you can see some of your favourite music acts on the first Sunday of each month.
Vergenoegd is an idyllic venue off the N2 and the perfect setting for music, market, wine and picnic and has had some of South Africa’s top musicians on the bill including Ard Matthews, Goodluck and Monark who have performed over the last few months.
However, Sunday will see pop act Jimmy Nevis on stage.
Nevis is a young alternative pop singer/songwriter and producer.
He has been nominated for many awards including Sama and Channel O Africa music video awards.
Nevis’s debut album, Subliminal, was so in demand it exceeded his record company’s expectations by almost 100:1.
Nevis says, “I’m trying to get South Africa back into pop music. I think it’s so neglected and undermined and I love the fact that I can be a part of someone’s memory.”
Nevis has enjoyed South African airplay on various radio stations, with a number of hit singles including Elephant Shoes, Heartboxing, In Love With You and Balloon.
At the beginning of 2013 the Heartboxing music video reached the No. 1 spot on the Trace Urban African Charts. Nevis has also collaborated with the likes of Mi Casa, Pascal & Pearce and Kwesta, and features on their albums.
One of the support acts for Sunday’s event is Gemma Griffiths who spent most of her life in Harare, Zimbabwe.
She studied towards a song-writing degree in the US and her achievements in music include winning the national Eistedfodd vocal cup in Zimbabwe.
Griffiths also plays trumpet and piano, in which she was classically trained, as well as guitar, and has also performed at HIFA (Harare International Festival of Arts) twice, Miombo Magic twice and played on the Main Stage of ZimFest London in 2015.
Griffiths’s soulful folk/pop sound is complemented by chirpy acoustic tunes and unique vocals which will captivate and enthral the audience.
You can visit her website at www.gemmazim.com where you can check out her songs, photo gallery and videos.
Another act not to miss out on is Cape Town-based Mazula, the original music writings of Vusa & Zoe Mazula.
They were the hearts and minds behind Zula Sound Bar in Long Street for nine years, but after staging local acts, they are now set to make big waves in the local scene this year with the release of their music.
Husband and wife duo Mazula are originally from London but in their 12 years in South Africa they have continued their music by writing and performing their own genre of Hip, funky, blues, African folk-hop.
Zoe Mazula’s vocals complement Vusa’s vocal harmonies and rhythms on acoustic guitar.
They are aiming to collaborate with musicians locally and globally.
Built in 1696, Vergenoegd Wine Estate is famous for its Indian runner ducks which look after the vineyard.
The eco-friendly “waddling workforce” rids the vines of a huge amount of pests like snails and other bugs so the ducks are a big part of why Vergenoegd proudly carries WWF (World Wildlife Fund) biodiversity certification.
You can see the duck parade as they get ushered out at 10am, 12.30pm and 3.30pm.
Now you can understand why Vergenoegd ranked 20th on TripAdvisor out of 138 things to do in Stellenbosch.
The gates open at 11am where you can rent a hay bale for R10 if you prefer the rural-style seating arrangements.
The stage is set up on the lawn where the family can enjoy a chilled afternoon.
If the adults want to take a breather, there is a kids village area with a jumping castle run by child minders.
The music starts at 12 noon and runs until 6pm.
Tickets are R120 for adults and R50 for kids under 12.
If you prefer doing it in style, there is the Live@Vergenoegd VIP package which comprises two concert tickets, VIP parking, a separate area with a fantastic view of the stage along with comfortable seating.
The VIP package, which costs R1 100, also includes two bottles of Vergenoegd Runner Duck red, white or rosé, a selection of food, a 750ml bottle of water and an exclusive Vergenoegd blending experience voucher.
There will be Vergenoegd wine, food and drinks on sale from various vendors (please note you may not bring you own food or drinks to the concert).
Where: Vergenoegd Estate, Baden Powell Stellenbosch. When: Sunday from 11am-6pm Tickets: Online at Webtickets: R120 per adult and R50 for under 12’s. VIP package: R1100.
You can also book online and pay at any Pick n Pay store or BP Express shop. You can check out the www.webtickets.co.za site to find the listed stores.
I’m trying to get South Africa back into pop music. I think it’s so neglected and undermined
Wine Drive,