The much anticipated annual theatrical showcase – the Voorkamerfest – once again sees the participation of top South African artists, both well established and emerging. From stand up comedy and cabaret by the likes of Angel Campey, Emile Minnie and Irit Noble, to poets and rappers such as Blaq Pearl, Lara Kirsten, and Jitsvinger, opera by Xolani Maarman, drama by Graham Weir, dance and physical theatre by Jazzart, Dance for All and Nylon Theatre, and to magic by Stuart Lightbody, there is something to suit all tastes. Music lovers will be delighted with the vast range of genres and styles on the line-up with blues, folk, jazz, marimba, sonic art, punk, piano, flute and percussion presented by bands, ensembles and musicians including Buckfever Underground, D’s Choice, Crallan Ray Vega, Jeremiah Brimstone Band, the David Wickham Steelband, Magda de Vries, Owen Britz and Tertia Visser.

The Voorkamerfest, presented for the first time in association with the Fugard Theatre, is one of South Africa’s most unique cross-cultural events and after a two year break, it returns to the quaint West Coast town of Darling over the first official weekend of spring from Friday 31 August to Sunday 2 September 2018.

The Voorkamerfest was founded in 2004 by Inge Bos and Wim Visser with the help of Pieter-Dirk Uys and the residents of darling and invaluable support from local businesses. What sets it apart is that audiences don’t know exactly which shows they’ll be seeing until they are seated in the front rooms (voorkamers) of homes spread throughout the community.  There are seven colour-coded routes each with three shows presented in three houses. Minibus taxis ferry patrons from Evita se Perron to venues that range from grand old Cape Dutch manors to RDP houses, where local hosts receive visitors with a warm Darling welcome.

Evita se Perron forms the festival hub with a daily outdoor market offering local crafts and refreshments.

Voorkamerfest Lineup

One weekend, 21 shows, 60 performers – this is a festival not to be missed. Tickets are selling fast and advance booking is essential.  Routes are scheduled for 5pm on Friday, 12pm and 5pm on Saturday and 12pm on Sunday. Tickets must be on the day at the box office in the piazza atEvita se Perron and guests are advised to arrive an hour before taxis depart for the shows. Tickets cost R200pp on Friday and R250pp on Saturday and Sunday and are available through Quicket,  www.voorkamerfest-darling.co.za or [email protected] and 079 1903218. R5 from each ticket sold will be donated to The Darling Trust NGO (www.thedarlingtrust.org).

West Coast Way Is South Africa’s Road Trip With The Most Twists

Explore the Cape West Coast by planning a self-drive trip or book a guided tour for a nature and adventure-filled Cape West Coast holiday.

Find a 101+ things to see and do on the West Coast Way: Enjoy wine, craft beer, olives and Rooibos tea tastings, Weskus cuisine and braaivleis (barbecue), swing into Citrusdal with a zipline, go Cederberg bouldering, jump into natural (warm) pools, step onto cruises of lagoons and rivers, trek through nature reserves and a National Park, hop onto game drives, try the skill of archery and angling, get your adrenaline pumping with sand-boarding and quad-biking, go horse riding, learn about the San culture and Riel-dancing, do kite- and windsurfing, chill in your flip flops and do surfing, book a kayaking trip, go beach hopping, learn about bees, whales and listen to our birds in a twitcher’s paradise – all in South Africa’s wildflower reserve. For more information on the West Coast’s top places to go, road tripping, hikes, tours and trails, explore westcoastway.co.za or call West Coast Way on 0861 321 777.  Follow us on @WestCoastWaySA on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.

West Coast Way is South Africa’s road trip with the most twists. South Africans and visitors can explore a unique collection of themed routes to do adventure-filled Cape West Coast self-drive trips or a West Coast Holiday. The new West Coast Way “basket” of free routes on offer include the West Coast Way Scenic Route, the West Coast Way Berg Route, the West Coast Way Foodie Route, the West Coast Way Cultural Route – as well as the newly launched West Coast Way Wild Route, all of which are designed to showcase the many attractions and activities that are already on offer on the Cape West Coast and inland areas – but may be unknown to many. For more information on West Coast Way’s #WestCoastTwist and the list of 101 Things to Do on the West Coast visit www.westcoastway.co.za or call West Coast Way on 0861 321 777. Connect with West Coast Way on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter at WestCoastWaySA.