Your Garden Route Event Guide - 15 October

Highlights this fortnight include the Topper Sailing Nationals on Santos Beach, the Bitou Birding Festival opening in Plett, Schalk Bezuidenhout's divorce comedy in Knysna and George, and Chicago's opening night at the George Arts Theatre.

Let's dive in!

Mossel Bay

Annual Wing Fling

The Garden Route Chapter of the Wing Riders SA Motorcycle Club brings its annual Wing Fling to town, with a mass ride of touring bikes from Langeberg Mall to The Point.

• Date: Wednesday, 14 October to Thursday, 15 October
• Time: 09:30
• Venue: Langeberg Mall, Mossel Bay

Live Music with Mot at Café Vintcent

Mot returns for an evening of blues, old-school rock and timeless favourites in a laid-back lounge setting to kick off the weekend.

• Date: Friday, 16 October
• Time: 18:00 to 21:00
• Venue: Café Vintcent, Prince Vintcent Hotel, Mossel Bay

Song Sung Blue at The Blue Shed

Open Plan Pictures screens Song Sung Blue, the story of two down-on-their-luck performers who form a Neil Diamond tribute act, as part of its spring film series. Tickets from R100.

• Date: Friday, 16 October
• Time: 19:00
• Venue: The Blue Shed, 33 Bland Street, Mossel Bay

Mysteries, Mayhem, Crimes and Ghosts of Mossel Bay

A guided evening walking tour through the town's darker side, from old crimes to local legends and ghost stories, run by South Cape Promotions. Runs on selected Friday and Saturday evenings; weather dependent.

• Date: Saturday, 17 October and Friday, 23 October
• Time: 18:00
• Venue: Starts at the Dias Museum, 1 Market Street, Mossel Bay

Topper Nationals

Mossel Bay Sailing Club and the Skipper Foundation host the national championship for the Topper dinghy class. Spectators are welcome on the beach to watch the young sailors race in the bay.

• Date: Saturday, 17 October to Sunday, 18 October
• Time: 10:00 to 17:00
• Venue: Santos Beach, Santos Road, Mossel Bay

Misty Valley Oktoberfest

The farm's Oktoberfest runs every Saturday in October with craft beer, food and live music. Free entry; the day is cashless.

• Date: Saturdays, 17 and 24 October
• Time: 09:00 to 18:00
• Venue: Misty Valley Farm, R328, Brandwacht, Mossel Bay

Oppi Pot

Veteran comedian Johnnie Campher, a familiar face at the KKNK, Woordfees and the National Arts Festival, performs his one-man character comedy show. Tickets R120 on Webtickets.

• Date: Sunday, 18 October
• Time: 18:00
• Venue: Mossel Bay Town Hall, Mossel Bay

Eden Triathlon League, Round One

The regional triathlon league opens its season on the river, with standard (1.5 km swim, 40 km bike, 10 km run), sprint and super sprint distances for every level.

• Date: Sunday, 25 October
• Time: 07:00
• Venue: Great Brak River, Mossel Bay

George

Fancourt Marathon

One of the Garden Route's most scenic road races, with a full marathon and a half marathon through Fancourt and the George hills. Entries from R120.

• Date: Saturday, 17 October
• Time: 06:00 (full marathon), 07:30 (half marathon)
• Venue: Fancourt, George

C2C Harvest Ultra

A lapped trail-running challenge on a 6.7 km loop: choose one, three, six or eight laps, or enter the kids into the 800 m Future Farmers Sprint.

• Date: Saturday, 17 October
• Time: 16:00
• Venue: The Cornerstone Lifestyle Centre, R404, George

Espectáculo

Marlise's School of Spanish Dance presents an evening of Spanish dance. Tickets R150 through Webtickets.

• Date: Saturday, 17 October
• Time: 18:30
• Venue: Market Community Theatre, George

Schalk Bezuidenhout: Hey! Hey Divorce

One of South Africa's sharpest comedians unpacks his own divorce in a raw, honest and very funny stand-up show. Adults only; tickets R250 on Quicket.

• Date: Wednesday, 21 to Friday, 23 October
• Time: 19:00
• Venue: George Arts Theatre, 125 York Street, George

Eerste vir Alles

Frank Opperman and Margit Meyer-Rödenbeck play Adam and Eve in this Afrikaans romantic comedy, a he-said, she-said look at the original power couple. Tickets on Webtickets.

• Date: Saturday, 24 October and Sunday, 25 October
• Time: 19:00 (Saturday), 15:00 (Sunday)
• Venue: George Arts Theatre, 125 York Street, George

Chicago

The George Society of Arts opens its new production of the Broadway classic, marking 30 years of the famous revival with Fosse-inspired choreography and a razor-sharp score. Runs until 7 November; tickets R200 on Webtickets.

• Date: Opens Wednesday, 28 October
• Time: 19:00
• Venue: George Arts Theatre, 125 York Street, George

Sedgefield

Pink Walk for Breast Cancer Awareness

A 4.5 km community walk in support of breast cancer awareness and Hospice Sedgefield. Dress in pink for a chance to win best-dressed prizes. Free to join.

• Date: Saturday, 17 October
• Time: 08:30
• Venue: Starts at the Engen Garage, Sedgefield

Garden Route Kite Festival

The festival celebrates its 10th edition with kite flyers and makers from nine countries filling the sky with giant artistic and handcrafted kites. Expect kite making, food stalls, barista coffee and family entertainment. Free entry; dogs welcome.

• Date: Sunday, 18 October
• Time: 09:30 to 15:30
• Venue: Scarab Village, Sedgefield

Knysna

Schalk Bezuidenhout: Hey! Hey Divorce

Schalk brings his brutally honest stand-up show about surviving divorce to Knysna for one night only. Adults only; tickets R300 with unreserved seating, doors open at 19:00.

• Date: Tuesday, 20 October
• Time: 20:00
• Venue: Simola Hotel, Country Club and Spa, Knysna

Forest Cycle, Walk and Run for ILoveBoobies

Cycle 11 or 21 km, or walk or run 5 or 10 km, in support of breast cancer charity ILoveBoobies. Wear a touch of pink; helmets are compulsory for cyclists. Entry R50.

• Date: Sunday, 25 October
• Time: Registration 08:00; start 08:30
• Venue: Top of Simola, Knysna

Plettenberg Bay

Seeff Tour de Plett

The annual mountain bike race has a new home in The Crags, with fresh plantation routes and views over Robberg and the Keurbooms Valley. Choose 55 km, 40 km or the 25 km fun ride; online entries close Thursday, 15 October at 18:00.

• Date: Saturday, 17 October
• Time: E-bikes 08:10, 55 km 08:30, 40 km 08:45, 25 km 09:00
• Venue: Tafika Farm, Redford Road, The Crags, Plettenberg Bay

Plett Games

A high-energy, family-friendly community challenge hosted by Greenwood Bay College. Teams of three to five, or individuals, tackle twelve challenges from gumboot throwing to paper plane contests, with the Bitou River Band playing live, a beer garden and play areas for the kids. Tickets R30 to R150.

• Date: Saturday, 17 October
• Time: 10:00 to 17:00
• Venue: Greenwood Bay College, Piesang Valley Road, Plettenberg Bay

Bitou Birding Festival

Now in its third year, this week-long festival explores forest, fynbos, wetland, estuary and ocean habitats through guided bird walks, canoe and boat trips, a pelagic seabird expedition, conservation talks and workshops. Tickets from R150 on Quicket.

• Date: Friday, 23 October to Friday, 30 October
• Time: Opens 15:00; daily programme varies
• Venue: Kwendalo festival hub and venues around Plettenberg Bay

Birding Festival Opening Dinner and Fundraiser

The festival opens with welcome drinks in the boma, a garden birding stroll and wildlife author Ian Thomas telling the story of tracking the lion known as Big Black. Profits support avian conservation. Tickets R660.

• Date: Friday, 23 October
• Time: 15:00 for 16:00; talk at 18:00
• Venue: Belle Balance, Plettenberg Bay

Bird Quiz Night

Test your bird knowledge in teams of four to six over pizza beside the Bitou River. Tickets R280.

• Date: Wednesday, 28 October
• Time: 17:30 for 18:00
• Venue: Down to Earth Restaurant, Plettenberg Bay

Nature's Valley

Mindful Birding with Pierre Joubert

A slow, sensory morning walk through indigenous forest, part of the Bitou Birding Festival. Limited to eight people; R220 through Quicket.

• Date: Monday, 26 October
• Time: 06:30 for 07:00
• Venue: Hebron Private Nature Reserve, Nature's Valley

Guided Forest Birding Walk at Hebron

Nature's Valley Trust guides lead a two-hour walk through forest and fynbos in search of the valley's endemic birds. R150 through Quicket.

• Date: Tuesday, 27 October
• Time: 06:30 for 07:00
• Venue: Hebron Private Nature Reserve, Nature's Valley

Universal Access Birding Walk on the Groot River Boardwalk

An accessible guided walk through Afromontane forest, hosted by Nature's Valley Trust with Prof. Hendri Coetzee. R150 through Quicket.

• Date: Wednesday, 28 October
• Time: 06:30 for 07:00
• Venue: Groot River Boardwalk, SANParks, Nature's Valley

Oudtshoorn

Klein Karoo Dust 4 Glory Challenge

An obstacle course race of climbing, crawling, water and mud, part of the OFSA National Series. Courses run from a 1 to 2 km Mini for ages 3 to 10 up to the 12 km Pro with more than 20 obstacles. Entries R150 to R550.

• Date: Saturday, 17 October
• Time: Registration 06:00 to 08:00; Medium 08:00, Pro 09:00, junior races 12:00
• Venue: Wilgewandel Holiday Farm, near the Cango Caves, Oudtshoorn

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Save The Date

• Rhodes Dryland Traverse: Multi-day trail run from the Cango Caves into the Swartberg. Oudtshoorn. 29 October to 1 November.
• Sarie Nation Music Festival: Two evenings of live music. Outeniqua Park Rugby Stadium, George. 30 to 31 October.
• SA National Criterium Championships: The country's fastest road cycling. The Cornerstone Lifestyle Centre, George. 30 October to 1 November.
• Garden Route Indigenous Plant Fair: The fourth annual fair of locally indigenous plants for waterwise gardens. Garden Route Botanical Garden, George. 30 October to 1 November.
• Henry Ate Live: The 30-year anniversary tour of Slap in the Face. Blend Country Restaurant, Knysna. 4 November.
• Louvain Burn Music and Arts Festival: Four days of music, art and camping in a hidden forest valley. Louvain Guest Farm, near Oudtshoorn. 6 to 9 November.
• Frank Opperman: Reünie: Dana Snyman's award-winning one-man comedy, with Opperman playing a whole matric class at their school reunion. Two shows in Plettenberg Bay: St Peter's Anglican Church on 6 November at 19:00, and Asado Restaurant on 7 November at 11:00 (childcare available). R280; tickets from Monique on 074 309 5795. 6 to 7 November.
• Knysna Extreme Triathlon: Full and half-distance extreme triathlon. Knysna. 7 November.
• Man in Black: A Tribute to Johnny Cash: The Johnny Cash story told through his songs. Knysna Gin, Knysna. 7 November.
• Forest Jazz: Boutique jazz with the Ramon Alexander Trio and local acts. 34 Waenhout, Knysna. 7 November.
• Leisure Isle Festival: The 21st charity festival of stalls, food and family fun. Leisure Isle, Knysna. 7 to 8 November.
• Holistic Expo: Wellness practitioners, healers and makers under one roof. Plettenberg Bay. 7 to 8 November.
• Plett Mermaid Ball: An under-the-sea charity ball raising funds for the Plett Shark Spotters. The Lookout, Plettenberg Bay. 13 November.
• Spoilt Knysna Gift Fair: Summer gift fair with new brands and foodie stalls. Villa Castollini, Knysna. 20 to 21 November.
• Rest and Restore: A three-day women's retreat on a sustainability farm. Good Earth Farm, The Crags, Plettenberg Bay. 20 to 22 November.
• Woodstock and Beyond: 1965–1975: A nostalgic tour through folk, psychedelia and protest song. Simola Hotel, Knysna. 21 November.
• Isuzu Ironman 70.3 Mossel Bay: Half-distance triathlon. Santos Beach, Mossel Bay. 22 November.
• MosJazz: Four days of seaside jazz. Santos Beach, Mossel Bay. 26 to 29 November.
• Plett Rage: The annual matric summer festival. Central Beach and Cairnbrogie Farm, Plettenberg Bay. Late November to early December, dates to be confirmed.
• Matriekbaai: A week of beach parties and live entertainment for school-leavers. Diaz Hotel and Resort, Mossel Bay. 27 November to 5 December.
• Spoegwolf: The band's live show. ATKV Hartenbos Amphitheatre, Mossel Bay. 4 December.
• George Festival: Five days of culture, sport and art. George. 9 to 13 December.
• Kevin Fraser: Decadance: Ten years of characters and accents on stage. 34 Waenhout, Knysna. 12 December.
• Garden Route Rare Plant Festival: The third annual gathering for collectors of rare and unusual plants. Garden Route Botanical Garden, George. 12 to 13 December.
• Float Fest SA: A day of river floating, live music and DJs. Suiderkruis Beach, Great Brak River. 18 December.
• Hartenbos GrootFees: Summer concerts including AiG-Buitelug, Alternatief is Groot and the GrootJol New Year's Eve party. ATKV Hartenbos Amphitheatre, Mossel Bay. 19, 29 and 31 December.
• Punt in die Wind Kunstefees: Festival shows including Steve Hofmeyr and Tillie / Mathilda. Mossel Bay Town Hall, Mossel Bay. 20 to 24 December.
• TOWER2SEA Trail Run: A sunrise run from the Buffelsnek Fire Tower down to the sea. Knysna. 20 December.
• Paradisco: On The Island: A summer island party. Stanley Island, Plettenberg Bay. 27 December.
• Sabrina Love Summer Challenge: Charity multi-sport challenge with trail running, mountain biking, open-water swimming and paddling. Central Beach, Plettenberg Bay, and Kurland Estate, The Crags. 27 to 30 December.
• Wild Spirit Festival: Five days of New Year music, art and camping. Wild Spirit Lodge, The Crags, Nature's Valley. 28 December to 2 January.
• Bundu Bashers: An underground New Year psytrance party. Tsitsikamma, Storms River. 30 December.
• Wanderbay NYE: Plett's big end-of-year party. Cairnbrogie, Plettenberg Bay. 31 December.
• Attakwas Extreme: One-day extreme mountain bike race from the Klein Karoo to the coast. Oudtshoorn. 16 January.
• PE Plett: Four-stage mountain bike race from St Francis Bay to Nature's Valley Rest Camp. 18 to 21 February.
• KKNK: The Klein Karoo Nasionale Kunstefees. Oudtshoorn. 23 to 27 March.
• Rootsong: A five-day reforesting festival of music, workshops and camping. Well-Being Sanctuary, Knysna. 25 to 29 March.