Your Garden Route Event Guide - 8 October

‎⁨Coney Glen Beach⁩, ⁨Knysna⁩

Highlights this week include Hemelruim's first desert disco in Oudtshoorn, the tenth Garden Route Kite Festival in Sedgefield, the Fancourt Marathon in George, the Topper Nationals in Mossel Bay and the Plett Games.

Mossel Bay

Tanja Storm: Ballads and Blues

Tanja Storm performs an evening of ballads and blues with guest Blackie Swart at this Little Brak River music venue.

Date: Wednesday 7 October
Time: 19:00
Venue: Blou Kombuis, 2nd Avenue, Little Brak River, Mossel Bay

Moss March

A community walk with purpose on the Hartenbos seafront, part of the Mossel Bay Sport and Recreation Festival. Entry is free; walkers are asked to bring tinned or non-perishable food and socks for those in need. Strongman and powerlifting competitions follow at the same venue.

Date: Saturday 10 October
Time: 07:00 to 09:00
Venue: Hartenbos Seefront, 156 Paardekraal Avenue, Hartenbos, Mossel Bay

Garden Route Armwrestling Tournament

A double-elimination showdown open to first-timers and seasoned pullers alike. Entry is R100 for one arm or R150 for both, and spectator tickets cost R100.

Date: Saturday 10 October
Time: Registration and weigh-ins from 08:30, tournament from 10:00
Venue: Mooiuitsig Restaurant, Brinkley's River Village, 1 Old George Road, Klein Brak River, Mossel Bay

Misty Valley Oktoberfest

The farm's second Oktoberfest runs every Saturday in October with craft beer, food and live music. Entrance is free and the day is cashless.

Date: Saturday 10 October and Saturday 17 October
Time: 09:00 to 18:00
Venue: Misty Valley Farm, R328, Brandwacht, Mossel Bay

Jo Black Live at ReedValley

An evening of Afrikaans music from Jo Black on the wine estate, with ReedValley wines and food on sale. Tickets start at R220.

Date: Saturday 10 October
Time: 20:00
Venue: ReedValley Farm, R327, Mossel Bay

Magnificent Movie Music

Carpe Musicam brings its programme of orchestral and choral film favourites to the Town Hall for a 90-minute Sunday afternoon concert, with violinist Marie-Jean Kotzé as soloist. Tickets cost R180 for adults and R60 for scholars from carpemusicam.co.za.

Date: Sunday 11 October
Time: 15:30
Venue: Mossel Bay Town Hall, 101 Marsh Street, 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 movie series. Tickets start at R100.

Date: Friday 16 October
Time: 19:00
Venue: The Blue Shed, 33 Bland 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 young sailors race in the bay.

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

George

Carpe Musicam: Magnificent Movie Music

The Carpe Musicam Concert Orchestra and Choir play a dozen film themes spanning eight decades, from The Sound of Music to The Mission and The Mask of Zorro, with violinist Marie-Jean Kotzé as soloist. Tickets cost R180 for adults and R60 for scholars, with limited sales at the door.

Date: Friday 9 October
Time: 19:00
Venue: Laerskool George-Suid, corner of Meade and Laing Streets, George

MRC Rugby Expo

Two days of senior men's club rugby, under-19 and under-13 schoolboy rugby, senior ladies' netball and chess, with food vendors, a cash bar and live entertainment. Entry is R50 for adults.

Date: Saturday 10 October and Sunday 11 October
Time: From 09:00
Venue: Pacaltsdorp Sportgronde, 66 Olympic Street, Pacaltsdorp, George

Espectáculo

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

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

Sedgefield

Country Sokkie Evening at La Bosca

Country music and sokkie dancing in the countryside, with a Best Dressed Country Couple competition. The restaurant serves Portuguese and Italian dishes from noon. Tickets cost R80 for adults and R40 for children aged 6 to 12.

Date: Saturday 10 October
Time: 19:00 to 23:00
Venue: La Bosca, Luna Verde Farm, Barrington Road, Sedgefield

Pink Walk for Breast Cancer Awareness

A free 4.5 km community walk in pink, with prizes for the best dressed. Donations go to Hospice Sedgefield.

Date: Saturday 17 October
Time: 08:30
Venue: Engen Garage, Sedgefield

Garden Route Kite Festival

The tenth RE/MAX Garden Route Kite Festival brings kite flyers and makers from nine countries to Sedgefield. Bring a kite, make one on the day or buy one there. Food stalls, coffee and family entertainment run all day, and entry is free.

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

Knysna

Schalk Bezuidenhout: Hey Hey Divorce

Schalk Bezuidenhout's stand-up show about his own divorce, which he says is cheaper than therapy. Tickets cost R300 with unreserved seating, and doors open at 19:00.

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

Plettenberg Bay

Blithe Spirit

The Bitou Amateur Theatrical Society stages Noël Coward's ghost comedy, directed and designed by David Hall-Green. Tuesday is the gala opening, with doors at 18:30 and complimentary wine and cheese. Tickets cost R350 from Barney's Kiosk or Quicket.

Date: Tuesday 6 October to Saturday 10 October
Time: 19:30
Venue: St Peter's Church, Plettenberg Bay

Bekkersdal Bachelors and Blunders

A one-man evening of Herman Charles Bosman's Oom Schalk Lourens stories, told with dry Groot Marico humour. Tickets are sold through Quicket.

Date: Tuesday 6 October
Time: 19:30
Venue: The White House Theatre, 6 Crescent Street, Plettenberg Bay

Plett Games

A family festival hosted by Greenwood Bay College. Teams of three to five, or individuals, work through twelve challenges, from gumboot throwing and golf chipping to slow cycling and paper plane contests. The Bitou River Band plays live, with sourdough pizza, a beer garden, a tea garden and children's play areas. Tickets cost R30 to R150.

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

Oudtshoorn

Optimum Meiringspoort Half Marathon

The 32nd edition of this much-loved road race offers 21.1 km and 12.5 km distances. After flood damage, runners are now transported out on the Uniondale road (R341) for a run back into De Rust. Entries are sold out, and spectators can catch the finish at the church grounds.

Date: Saturday 10 October
Time: 12.5 km starts 07:00, 21.1 km starts 07:15
Venue: Finish at the NG Church grounds, De Rust, near Oudtshoorn

Hemelruim: Music Under the Stars

A new open-air concert from the KKNK, billed as a desert disco under the Klein Karoo sky. Spoegwolf, Tasché and Oudtshoorn's own Noemwoord share the stage. The concert has moved to a new venue, Surval Boutique Olive Estate. Tickets cost R295 through Computicket, and children aged 7 to 13 pay R100 at the gate.

Date: Saturday 10 October
Time: Gates open at 17:00, music from 18:00
Venue: Surval Boutique Olive Estate, R328, Oudtshoorn

Klein Karoo Dust 4 Glory Challenge

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

Date: Saturday 17 October
Time: Registration 06:00 to 08:00; Medium at 08:00, Pro at 09:00, junior races at 12:00
Venue: Wilgewandel Holiday Farm, 2 km from the Cango Caves, Oudtshoorn

That’s a wrap!

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Save The Date

Schalk Bezuidenhout: Hey Hey Divorce: Three nights of stand-up. The George Arts Theatre, George. 21 to 23 October.
Bitou Birding Festival: A week of guided bird walks, river and pelagic trips, talks and family activities. Kwendalo, Plettenberg Bay. 23 to 30 October.
Eden Meander Fun Run and Walk: Ten and five kilometre routes in support of Carpe Diem School. Eden Meander Shopping Centre, George. 24 October.
Night of 1000 Owls: Raptor Rescue's owl-inspired art exhibition and fundraiser, part of the birding festival. The Heath, Harkerville, Plettenberg Bay. 27 to 30 October.
Chicago: The Musical: The George Society of Arts stages the Broadway classic. The George Arts Theatre, George. 28 October to 7 November.
Rhodes Dryland Traverse: Multi-day trail run from the Cango Caves into the Swartberg. Oudtshoorn. 29 October to 1 November.
SA National Criterium Championships: The country's fastest road cycling comes to George. The Cornerstone Lifestyle Centre, George. 30 October to 1 November.
Henry Ate Live: The band's 30-year anniversary tour for 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.
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: A boutique jazz festival 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.
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. Plettenberg Bay. 27 November to 3 December.
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 brings its live show to the amphitheatre. ATKV Hartenbos Amphitheatre, Mossel Bay. 4 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 full 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: Arts festival shows including Steve Hofmeyr and Tillie / Mathilda. Mossel Bay Town Hall, Mossel Bay. 20 and 22 December.
TOWER2SEA Trail Run: A sunrise trail 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: A five-day New Year camping festival of music, art and workshops. Wild Spirit Lodge, The Crags, Nature's Valley. 28 December to 2 January.
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. 17 to 21 February.
KKNK: The Klein Karoo Nasionale Kunstefees. Oudtshoorn. 23 to 27 March.