The Groot Drakenstein Six a Side Cricket Tournament

The Groot Drakenstein Games Club will be holding the 51st Annual Six a Side Cricket Tournament, at the Club on Sunday, 6st February.

The beautiful and historic Pickstone Oval, at Groot Drakenstein Games Club on the R45 between Boschendal and the Berg River is, once again, the venue of exciting and high-class cricket.

This tournament, a well attended fixture dating back to the early 1960's, has provided Drakenstein Valley spectators with the opportunity to see many of Western Province and Boland 's top players and such is the popularity of the competition amongst cricketers, that several well known players still manage to appear for their clubs in spite of heavy professional commitments.

This year all the teams appearing are previous winners, except newcomers Brackenfell, who are the Boland Club Champions and Coronations, who were runners-up in 2009.  Coronations have selected their strongest team available this year, could it be their turn? We are sure many members of the Pniel community hope so!

The four teams from the Boland are Coronation CC, Paarl East CC, Brackenfell CC and a Groot Drakenstein Invitation side. Western Province are represented by current holders of the trophy, Cape Town Cricket Club, Western Province Cricket Club, Claremont CC and Fish Hoek CC, who always bring a bus full of supporters.

Matches get underway by 10.00am and teams play for the Trophy and Plate whilst prizes are awarded for the best allrounder, fielder, bowler, batsman and biggest six.

Groot Drakenstein is a licensed club and all drinks are available at the clubhouse with no alcohol being allowed to be brought into the grounds and lots of food will be available.  There is a swimming pool and lots of interest for children as well as adults. Come and make a real family day of it!

R Bertram (Chairperson)

021 8851625 and 0836756161

bertram@iafrica.com

Celebrating the Franschhoek Church Piano

Christopher Duigan

Following the recent drive to raise funds for the purchase of the piano in the NG Church, Franschhoek, a special piano celebration concert marking the completion of this project and presentation of the piano to the wider public will take place at the NG Church on Friday 18 February at 7:00 pm.  With all of the 88 keys of the 7ft Kawai grand piano ‘sold’ to members of the local community the piano will remain in the NG Church and be used for concerts and other musical events that bring top-class performance to Franschhoek. In the last year local audiences have had the opportunity to hear the piano in number of concerts in both the Franschhoek Classic Music Festival and Franschhoek Literary Festival as well as a free concert by visiting pianist Anthony Spiri and other community events. A plaque listing the names of the donors will be mounted shortly.

To mark this special occasion pianist Christopher Duigan, the driving force behind this project, will be performing along with a number of musicians he has invited to join him in a special celebration concert.   These include London-based Joanne Rozario (clarinet) and Johannesburg-based baritone Federico Freschi, both of whom have won a popular following with local audiences. Other artists participating in this once-off event are to be confirmed. All the artists have generously agreed to perform for free, and no entrance fees will be charged, but donations toward artists’ travel expenses will be gratefully accepted after the performance.  True to the exceptionally high standard that Franschhoek audiences have come to expect from Steinway Artist Duigan, the concert will feature a varied and entertaining programme. This is not to be missed!

On the following evening, Saturday 19 February at 7:00 pm, Duigan highlights this wonderful instrument in a solo piano recital of music by Franz Liszt (born 1811).   Entitled ‘Liszt vs. Liszt’, this programme follows on Duigan’s ‘Celebrating Chopin’ performances last year commemorating the 200th anniversary of Chopin’s birth, which he presented in over 40 performances nationally including those in Franschhoek. Tickets for ‘Liszt vs. Liszt’ are R80 and will be available at the door. The programme includes the Hungarian Rhapsody No 2 and Liebestraume no 3, two of the composers most celebrated compositions.  Both performances are 60 minutes in duration.

With the piano now secure local audiences can look forward to more concerts in this wonderful venue. “This piano offers a wonderful performance opportunity for musicians and I am particularly thrilled that the Franschhoek community has contributed so generously to ensure the future of musical performance here” said Duigan. “I personally rank the piano and the venue as one of my favourite performance spaces in the country, a sentiment which been echoed by both artists and audiences alike. The piano is a pianist’s ‘voice’ and any pianist is totally reliant on what each piano is capable of.  This particular instrument is wonderfully flexible and responsive and its pure and even tone make for inspiring music making. In addition the exquisite environs of Franschhoek, the position of the NG Church as an historic landmark in the centre of the village, the superb acoustics, the intimate stage setting ‘in the round’, all contribute to make it an extraordinary musical experience for both performer and audience. It is an honest and real musical encounter.  I would like to express my sincere gratitude to all those who have invested in this project to secure this piano for the future enjoyment of the greater Franschhoek community.”

Speaking on behalf of the NG Church Franschhoek, Karen Minnaar says:  “We are privileged to give a home to such a magnificent piano and to host many enjoyable concerts.  Thanks to Christopher Duigan for organizing these wonderful concerts, for all his effort to make a dream come true (keeping the piano in Franschhoek) and especially for all the heavenly music he produces on the piano. A big thanks to David Walters for his personal involvement and lending a big and generous hand in this project.  His continuous support is valued tremendously.  And then a huge thank you to the community of Franschhoek and especially to each and everyone who made a donation towards the piano fund.  In 15 months 88 keys and 3 pedals were “sold” – a total R159, 250.00.  We could even buy a piano stool!   We are proud to be part of this wonderful generous community of Franschhoek.  We hope to see every donor and all music lovers at the concert on Thursday 18 February!”

For more information on the concerts and the piano fund raising drive please call Karen Minnaar at the NGK Church 021 876 2431.

Valentine's fare at Mont Rochelle Hotel & Mountain Vineyards, Franschhoek

The 5-star Mont Rochelle Hotel & Mountain Vineyards in the heart of the Franschhoek Valley offers the perfect setting to celebrate your love this Valentine’s Day.  Located on a working wine farm far from the hustle and bustle of the city, its fine dining restaurant Mange Tout is dishing up a superb Valentine Weekend Dinner menu, courtesy of talented Executive Chef Leigh Trout who serves up traditional French cooking with a contemporary twist, showcasing his inimitable creative flair.

The Valentine’s Day Dinner Menu will be on offer here throughout ‘Valentine’s weekend’, from Friday 11 February until Monday 14 February (Valentine’s Day) affording couples an exceptionally romantic gourmet celebration in the Cape Winelands.

At R450 per person, savour seductive dishes from Chef Leigh Trout’s 3-Course menu, featuring time-honoured ‘foods of love’, and toast your future with a glass of one of Mont Rochelle’s own fine wines. 

With delectable main courses such as a creative ‘under the sea for 2’ seafood medley of Grilled west coast crayfish, abalone risotto, caramelized scallops, champagne velouté, Cajun style Kingklip, baby calamari salad and ginger and coconut milk steamed mussels; or succulent Sticky duck breast with baby carrots and white balsamic figs, your palate will be suitably seduced.  Rounding off this perfect evening of culinary ‘amour’ is a decadent Death by Chocolate dessert.

Known for its fine dining and impeccable service, Mange Tout offers a feast for all the senses with its tranquil ambience and wrap-around views of the valley.  It was voted among the Top 10 Best Hotel Restaurants in the Eat Out Magazine Awards 2010, and also among the Top 10 for its Tasting Menu. The restaurant is open for lunch on Saturdays and Sundays from 12:30 to 14:00 and for dinner from Wednesday to Sunday from 19:00 to 21:30.  A light Bar Menu is also available daily. Booking is essential.

Reservations: Tel + 27 21 876 2770

Or click here to book info@montrochelle.co.za

Indulge In A Decadent ‘High Tea’ @ Grande Provence

Set in the midst of the picturesque Franschhoek Valley, the award-winning Grande Provence Heritage Wine Estate invites guests to indulge in its newly introduced ‘High Tea’, created by international Executive Chef, Darren Roberts, served from 15h00 until 17h00 every Saturday and Sunday in the breathtaking Sculpture Garden or The Jonkershuis or The Restaurant.

Guests are invited to indulge in the Grande Provence High Tea Platter at the cost of R95.00 for two people consisting of decadent freshly baked scones, homemade plum preserve, whipped cream, chocolate mousse cake, carrot muffins and smoked salmon sandwiches.

Alternatively for something smaller, guests can enjoy scrumptious home baked scones which are available at the cost of R40.00 per person served with homemade plum preserve and whipped cream or enjoy a delectable chocolate mousse cake served with whipped cream at the cost of R30.00 per person.

 

www.grandeprovence.co.za 

Grande Provence Wine Estate - 021 876 8600 or email reservations@grandeprovence.co.za

2011 Franschhoek Literary Festival Bursting at its Seams

The 2011 Franschhoek Literary Festival (FLF) will again celebrate the magic of words from 13 to 15 May, with a gathering of over 90 authors, poets, editors, illustrators and chairpeople taking part in 70 events.

This is almost double the contributors and events of last year and promises to be a bursting, vibrant and engaging festival.

With a continuing focus on good accessible writing and diversity, the many Southern African writers on the programme range from renowned to little-known, and the topics vary from biography, history and politics to poetry, literary fiction and love stories.

FLF events are informal, often spirited discussions between several writers, with some one-on-one conversations. People in the news like Jonathan Jansen, Max du Preez, Karabo Kgoleng, Justice Malala, Jenny Crwys-Williams, Peter Harris and John Maytham will this year rub shoulders with academics, struggle stalwarts, poets, publishers, journalists and first-time novelists still hoping to make it big.

Coming from America this year are Zakes Mda, Peter Godwin and Douglas Rogers. Barbara Trapido will come from Oxford, to be joined by Anna Trapido, the first FLF mother and daughter team. Arriving from Scotland, courtesy of the British Council, are top Scottish writer Janice Galloway and Jamaican poet and novelist Kei Miller of Glasgow University. Making his way from Doha will be satirical blogger Azad Essa. From Nairobi will come prizewinning author Doreen Baingana, courtesy of the African Arts Initiative. The French Institute will be bringing out a French writer (details will be announced soon).

The FLF was started in 2007 by a committee of six volunteers who aimed to create a festival of mostly English-speaking local writers, with a few coming from overseas. The ultimate goal was to raise funds for a new community library where it is most needed. In four years, attendance has more than quadrupled, and it is now one of the leading literary events on the South African calendar.

Thanks to the people who buy tickets and generous funding from sponsors, the FLF Library Fund has also swelled to the point where a new library is being discussed with the local municipality. FLF associates and sponsors Porcupine Ridge Wines and the Sunday Times continue to emphasise that their involvement is specifically to promote reading and encourage writing.

FLF 2011 will pay tribute to the King James Bible on its 400th anniversary in a special language event that will celebrate its magnificent English. Other events of special interest to writers will be On Being Edited with Ivan Vladislaviæ and Tim Couzens, Mindfields, The Write Honourables, Men of Letters, and Do I Give up the Day Job?

Madiba fans will enjoy Writing Mandela, and more of South Africa’s favourite topics will be addressed by Jonathan Jansen and others in Leadership And Innovation, How To Fix Our Schools, and Healing Our Nation. Controversies may erupt in the following panel discussions, 1994 And All That, Conspiracy Theories, Mzansi, Outcasts, and Zimbos. Doctors who write will feature in Blood, Guts, Sweat and Tears.

Friday 13 May will be of special interest to new-generation readers, with events about graphic novels, speculative and cellphone fiction, satirical blogs (notably, Holy Cows to Beefburgers) and works-in-progress. Half-price tickets will be available to those with student cards.

Publishers will again do book launches and hold dinners, and aspiring poets will bring their work to a rousing open mic session. As usual, there will also be performances by Youth Affair, a group of talented youngsters directed by a local rising star of TV soaps, Jeremy Davids, now working on a PhD in Drama.

This year book lovers will once more flock to Franschhoek in the third weekend of May and hurry from venue to venue through village streets which buzz with book talk. All the destinations are within a few minutes walk, including the bookshop and booking facilities in the Town Hall and a great range of cafés and restaurants, small hotels, guest houses, interesting shops and more bookshops.

The full programme will be available on www.flf.co.za towards the end of February. Follow the FLF on Twitter: FranLitFest, and join the Facebook group for regular updates.

The FLF is presented in association with Porcupine Ridge Wines and the Sunday Times, and is further made possible through the generosity of Franschhoek guest house owners and voluntary workers who give their time and energy to make it an event to remember. Ticket proceeds and other donations go towards the FLF Library Fund.

ACCLAIMED INTERNATIONAL PIANIST INGO DANNHORN TO PERFORM AT MONT ROCHELLE HOTEL & MOUNTAIN VINEYARDS (FRANSCHHOEK)

The Mont Rochelle Hotel in Franschhoek has accomplished somewhat of a ‘tour de force’, securing visiting international pianist Ingo Dannhorn for an intimate music recital at Mange Tout, the fining dining restaurant here. The concert will take place on Wednesday, 9 February from 19:00 onwards.  Tickets are available at R150 per person, and include canapès served with selected Mont Rochelle wines.  

Cited as one of the ‘most remarkable pianists of his generation, with fabulous manual skills and a perfect combination of intelligence and a strong sensitivity to sound Valeurs’, Dannhorn is known for his passionate and rousing performances. Classical music enthusiasts will delight in his repertoire for this concert which features the music of Franz Liszt and Frederic Chopin, including a fitting tribute to the 200 year commemoration of Liszt with a rendition of his Sonata in b-minor.  Other pieces included in the repertoire are the Grande Valse brillante opus 18 and Grand Valse brillante opus 34/2 of Frederic Chopin, and Andrzeij Schulz-Evler’s Arabesques of the Blue Danube.

The idyllic setting and tranquil ambience of Mange Tout restaurant on this working wine farm lends itself perfectly to this performance, and guests may inhale breathtaking views of the Franschhoek Valley together with the resonances of the piano keys. 

Bookings: Marika at Mont Rochelle: Tel + 27 21 876 2770

Or email sales@montrochelle.co.za

Franschhoek Health Club Spinathon in aid of Hospice