Your Garden Route Event Guide - 22 October

The next two weeks bring Chicago to the George Arts Theatre, the Bitou Birding Festival to Plett, a string of pink walks and rides for breast cancer awareness, and a lively Halloween weekend from Wilderness to Old Nick.

Let's dive in!

Mossel Bay

Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young Tribute

Three voices and acoustic guitars recreate the harmonies of Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young in an intimate evening of folk-rock classics. Tickets are R280.

• Date: Wednesday 28 October
• Time: 19:30
• Venue: Pinnacle Point Estate, 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. Weather dependent.

• Date: Every Friday and Saturday (availability and weather dependent)
• Time: 18:00 to 22:00
• Venue: Starts at the Dias Museum, 1 Market Street, Mossel Bay

Hamnet at The Blue Shed

Open Plan Pictures brings its pop-up cinema to the coffee roastery for a screening of Hamnet, the acclaimed film adaptation of Maggie O'Farrell's novel. Tickets are R120.

• Date: Friday 23 October
• Time: 19:15
• Venue: The Blue Shed Coffee Roastery, 33 Bland Street, Mossel Bay

Misty Valley Oktoberfest

The farm's Saturday Oktoberfest runs to the end of the month with craft beer, food and live music. Entry is free and the day is cashless.

• Date: Saturday 24 and Saturday 31 October
• Time: 09:00 to 18:00
• Venue: Misty Valley Farm, R328, Brandwacht, Mossel Bay

Eden Triathlon League: Round 1

The opening round of the Eden Triathlon League offers standard, sprint and super sprint distances, so first-timers and seasoned athletes can race on the same morning.

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

Steps of Courage Charity Walk

The first edition of this relaxed, family-friendly 4.1km walk raises support for local patients affected by cancer.

• Date: Saturday 31 October
• Time: 08:00
• Venue: Milkwood Primary School sports ground, Mossel Bay

Gerty Vertel op Toer

The Afrikaans comedy character Gerty Vertel brings her touring stand-up show to Mossel Bay for one night only. Adults only.

• Date: Saturday 31 October
• Time: 19:00
• Venue: Bahia Bleu, Diaz Hotel, Mossel Bay

George

Schalk Bezuidenhout: Hey Hey Divorcé

One of South Africa's sharpest comedians turns his own divorce into raw, honest stand-up. Tickets are R250, and the show is not suitable for under-16s.

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

Pollocks Oktoberfest

Live music, free beer, wine, liqueur and cider tastings and a snack table, with a prize for the best lederhosen or dirndl. Entry is free and the evening is for adults only.

• Date: Saturday 24 October
• Time: 18:00 to 21:00
• Venue: Pollocks Pizza Café, 6 Montagu Street, Blanco, George

Eerste vir Alles

Frank Opperman and Margit Meyer-Rödenbeck play Adam and Eve in this Afrikaans romantic comedy about the original power couple. Tickets on Webtickets.

• Date: Saturday 24 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 stages the Fosse-inspired musical to mark 30 years of the Broadway revival, complete with Roxie Hart, Velma Kelly and a razor-sharp score. Tickets are R200; recommended for ages 16 and up.

• Date: Wednesday 28 October to Saturday 7 November (Wednesday to Saturday)
• Time: 19:00
• Venue: George Arts Theatre, 125 York Street, George

Indigenous Plant Fair

The Garden Route Botanical Garden's biggest fundraiser returns for its fourth year, with three days of indigenous plants, gardening inspiration, local crafts, food, workshops and family activities.

• Date: Friday 30 October to Sunday 1 November
• Time: From 09:00
• Venue: Garden Route Botanical Garden, George

The 70s vs 80s Tribute Show

James Marais and Monique Cassells deliver hits by ABBA, Queen, Tina Turner, Neil Diamond, Billy Joel and Elton John, with big duets and plenty of costume changes. Book through the Market Community Theatre.

• Date: Friday 30 October
• Time: 19:00
• Venue: Market Community Theatre, George

Algoa FM Big Walk for Cancer

The region's best-loved charity walk returns for its 28th year, with George as one of the start cities. This year's beneficiaries are the Prostate Cancer Foundation of South Africa and CHOC Childhood Cancer Foundation. Entries range from R80 to R450.

• Date: Saturday 31 October
• Time: 08:00 start in previous years; confirm on algoafm.co.za
• Venue: George Golf Club, CJ Langenhoven Road, George

Wilderness

Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young Tribute

Matt Catto, Nick Catto and Jono Tait bring their acclaimed Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young tribute to the hotel for an intimate acoustic evening of the songs that shaped a generation. Book on Quicket.

• Date: Thursday 29 October
• Time: 19:30 to 21:00
• Venue: Fairy Knowe Hotel, Wilderness

Seven Passes Initiative High Tea

An enchanted spring garden high tea with live entertainment from Joshua na die Reën and saxophonist Audrey Kritzinger, raising funds for children and families in rural communities. Tickets are R350.

• Date: Saturday 31 October
• Time: 11:00
• Venue: Fairy Knowe Hotel, Wilderness

The Bassline Society: Trick or Treat

A Halloween night of vinyl house music with Wendy, Stereo Fiction, Matthew David and Craig Horn, plus prizes for the best costumes. Tickets are R100, advance sales only, and the party is strictly 18 and over.

• Date: Saturday 31 October
• Time: 17:00 to 01:30
• Venue: Backline Lounge Bar, Wilderness

Knysna

Henry Ate Live

The South African rock band celebrates 30 years of its debut album, Slap in the Face, on a nationwide anniversary tour. Tickets are R220.

• Date: Wednesday 4 November
• Time: 19:30 (gates open 18:00)
• Venue: Blend Country Restaurant and Pub, Knysna

Forest Cycle and Walk for ILoveBoobies

Choose an 11km or 21km cycle, or a 5km or 10km walk or run, on the forest trails above Simola in support of breast cancer awareness. Entry is R50, wear a touch of pink, and the first 50 entrants get a goody bag. No helmet, no ride.

• Date: Sunday 25 October
• Time: Registration 08:00; start 08:30
• Venue: MTO Trails trailhead, Old Cape Road (top of Simola), Knysna

Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young Tribute

Fresh from 18 sold-out months in Cape Town, Matt Catto, Nick Catto and Jono Tait bring the harmonies of Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young to Knysna in a stripped-back acoustic set, from Our House to Teach Your Children.

• Date: Friday 30 October
• Time: 21:00
• Venue: Simola Hotel, Country Club and Spa, Knysna

SAM Fashion Show

Sedgefield Animal Matters, which rescues and rehomes abused and abandoned animals, stages its annual fundraising fashion show with legendary outfits and local models.

• Date: Saturday 31 October
• Time: 15:00
• Venue: Belvedere Estates, Knysna

Deep Intentions Halloween

A Halloween night of soulful, groove-filled house music inspired by 1950s and 60s cult horror and sci-fi films, with T.O.M, Daddy's House and Sunelle on the decks. Come dressed up. Tickets are R150.

• Date: Saturday 31 October
• Time: 19:00 to 02:00
• Venue: 34 Waenhout Live Venue, Knysna Industrial, Knysna

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 outings, a pelagic seabird trip, conservation talks and workshops. Tickets start at R150 on Quicket.

• Date: Friday 23 to Friday 30 October
• Time: Daily sessions; see the festival programme
• Venue: Kwendalo festival hub and venues around Plettenberg Bay

Birding Festival Opening Dinner and Fundraiser

The festival opens with 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 bird conservation. Tickets are R660.

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

Expert Birding Talks

Dr Anton Wolfaardt speaks on the Mouse-Free Marion project, followed by John Kinghorn on the surprising life lessons we can learn from birds, from honeyguides to oxpeckers.

• Date: Saturday 24 October
• Time: 11:00 and 13:30
• Venue: Kwendalo, Plettenberg Bay

Pelagic Birding Trips

Head out to sea with Conserve Eden, guided by CapeNature senior marine ranger Chanel Visser and ornithologist Dr Mark Brown. Proceeds support the Plett Stranding Network, and each trip takes only 12 people.

• Date: Tuesday 27 and Friday 30 October
• Time: 07:30 for 08:00
• Venue: Ski Boat Club, Central Beach, Plettenberg Bay

Bird Quiz Night

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

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

A Parliament of Owls

Raptor Rescue hosts a flight demonstration, the Night of 1000 Owls art exhibition, a talk on the secret lives of owls, a braai under the stars with live music and a silent evening owl walk. All ticket proceeds go to raptor rehabilitation. Tickets are R650.

• Date: Friday 30 October
• Time: 16:30
• Venue: Raptor Rescue at The Heath, Plettenberg Bay

Pink Walk

Pink Plett's annual CANSA breast cancer awareness walk follows an easy 5km route that suits the whole family, and dogs on leads are welcome. Register online or pay on the day.

• Date: Friday 30 October
• Time: 17:00
• Venue: Longstone Park, 14 Great Basses Street, Plettenberg Bay

Bubbles, Bones and Boobies

The Golden Thread and VitalRay Health Centre host a ladies' morning of bubbles and practical insight from Dr Michelle Hutton on breast cancer screening, osteoporosis, hormones and menopause. Tickets are R190.

• Date: Saturday 31 October
• Time: 10:00 to 13:30 (programme starts 10:30)
• Venue: Ouland Royale, Robberg Road, Plettenberg Bay

Halloween at Old Nick

The sixth annual family Halloween features a screening of Encanto (PG), trick-or-treating around the village, a best-dressed competition for all ages, a pop-up food market and a cash bar. Tickets are R100 online or R120 at the door.

• Date: Saturday 31 October
• Time: Doors open 16:00
• Venue: Old Nick Village, 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 on 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 forest birds. R150 on Quicket.

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

Universal Access Birding Walk

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

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

Oudtshoorn

Rhodes Dryland Traverse

A four-day trail-running stage race of about 73km that starts underground with a prologue in the Cango Caves, then crosses the Swartberg range and climbs the World Heritage-listed Swartberg Pass.

• Date: Thursday 29 October to Sunday 1 November
• Time: Daily stages; see drylandtraverse.co.za
• Venue: De Hoek Mountain Resort, Oudtshoorn

That’s a wrap!

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The ONTHEROUTE Team

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Save The Date

• Louvain Burn Music and Arts Festival: Four days of music, art and camping in a hidden forest valley. Louvain Guest Farm, Langkloof, between George and Uniondale. 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. St Peter's Anglican Church (6 November, 19:00) and Asado Restaurant (7 November, 11:00), Plettenberg Bay. 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.
• Outeniqua by Coffee and Cars SA: Cars, motorcycles, music and food on the seafront. ATKV Hartenbos, Mossel Bay. 14 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.
• Matriekbaai: A week of beach parties and live entertainment for school-leavers. Diaz Hotel and Resort, Mossel Bay. 27 November to 5 December.
• Plett Rage: The annual matric summer festival. Central Beach and Cairnbrogie Farm, Plettenberg Bay. Late November to early December, dates to be confirmed.
• 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.
• Matthew Mole Live: A family-friendly afternoon show. Blend Country Restaurant, Knysna. 22 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.
• The Billy Joel Experience: Alexander Broussard and The Lords of Longstreet's award-winning tribute. Piesang Valley, Plettenberg Bay. 28 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 to Great Brak River. 16 January.
• SA Road, Time Trial and Para-cycling Championships: The country's top road cyclists race for national titles. George. 3 to 7 February.
• George Old Car Show: Classic and vintage vehicles on display. Eden Technical High School, George. 13 February.
• PE Plett: Four-day mountain bike stage race through the Tsitsikamma. Eastern Cape to Plettenberg Bay. 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.