The approaching winter is swiftly roping in the last rays of the summer sun, and crisp mornings, cool evenings and longer nights are now hunkering down in our backyards. When we first moved to our beautiful Hermanus, someone told us that townsfolk roll up their pavements and shut the doors and windows to prepare for winter hibernation.
I often reflect upon those words and wonder what the winter vibe must have been like a couple of years ago. Is Hermanus still the quiet winter town of folklore? Or have things changed?
“It’s all relative,” I hear my philosopher-self say, ” …relative to the speed by which you drive through town.” Let’s face it. Whether yesterday, today, or tomorrow, guests get excited about visiting the Hemel and Aarde Valley’s finest wine farms and tasting some of the world’s best wines, regardless of season. Others want to relax chin deep in a wood fired hot tub overlooking majestic landscapes. Adventurers like to eye-ball Mr or Mrs Jaws in Gansbaai. And when you are a whale, every year Hermanus is the water birth destination of choice. Whatever our guests desire, Hermanus promises to surprise everyone with memorable experiences!
Remember to visit the Hermanus Fine Arts Festival from 9 – 18 June 2023 ‘with 10 days of performances, talks and presentations, readings, exhibitions, food and wine events, workshops, films and demonstrations to delight all culture palates.’
Francois and Farida will open the Russian two days of FynArts with a programme that includes Tchaikovsky, Prokofiev and Stravinsky. In 1992, Farida, then the youngest female concertmaster in Russia, was the soloist for more than forty performances of ballets such as The Nutcrackerand Swan Lakein Tokyo’s Metropolitan Hall. She has appeared as a soloist for ballets and as a symphonic soloist in many of the world’s major halls. Francois, an acclaimed concerto soloist, is acknowledged as one of South Africa’s finest pianists, chamber musicians and music educators.
Vaslav is a choreography of dialogue, music and movement that draws on the works of Stravinsky, Rachmaninov and Tchaikovsky. The show has earned Godfrey nominations for the Fleur du Cap Best Actor in a Musical, Best Performance in a One Person Show, and Best Composer. Vaslav draws from the diaries of Vaslav Njinsky, the elusive icon of both Imperial Russian ballet and the Western avant-garde. These diaries were kept over the six weeks during his six weeks of treatment in a mental asylum.
Magdalena was inspired to continue her studies in Japan by Keiko Abe, one of the pioneers in promoting the marimba to become a solo instrument. Developing her skills as an all-round percussionist, Magdalena furthered her studies with an ‘all-round’ teacher, Professor Atsushi Sugahara who inspired several composers to write music for him. Madgalena will perform at some of Keiko’s compositions during her performance.
This performance will include an introduction to the sitar and the tabla , The programme includes a classical sitar performance which develops into varying speeds and styles, accompanied by the tabla, followed with a few light folk compositions. Akash Srikewal has played the sitar for over 25 years and established a style of performing classical, semi-classical and modern music that is soothing and soulful. Ronan Skillen’s musical genres include classical, rock and folk, electro, jazz and hip-hop. He has performed internationally and featured on many recordings and film scores – including the Oscar-winning documentary, My Octopus Teacher.
Taare is an Indian dance troupe based in Cape Town that promotes the Indian arts through the creative use of Bollywood song and dance. Founded in 2012 by artistic director, Ahneesh Valodia, Taare provides a professional platform for aspiring dancers to pursue their passion while contributing to the enrichment of the greater community through dance. These performances will include a brief history of Indian dance, a demonstration and a fun “workshop”.
Please note that the performance, St Petersburg (1703 – 1917), by Edward Saunders, is already fully booked. If you would like to be added to the waiting list for this or any other event, please reply to this newsletter or contact Chantel on 060 957 5371 or admin@hermanusfynarts.co.za.
There are many Family Friendly Activities in Hermanus. Whether you’re here for a weekend, a month or more, it’s always a great idea to enjoy some quality family time together in the great outdoors. Hermanus offers a limitless supply of fun activities for the whole family to enjoy! From a few hours of adventure to day trips along the coast. Continue reading “Family friendly activities in Hermanus”
Every month Hermanus becomes a cultural buzz. Streets filled with locals and tourists appreciating the pieces on display, enjoying a glass of wine and catching up with each other. First Fridays’ in Hermanus is our part of a worldwide initiative. Making art and art galleries more accessible to the public. Eleven Hermanus art galleries participate in Frist Fridays. Galleries are open until 8pm.
Pick up a map at any gallery, stroll through the village, savour a glass of wine from one of our local vineyards and enjoy the astonishing range of art and fine craft on display.
The array of artworks available at the participating galleries ensures something for every palate. If you’re looking to spend R50 000 on an investment piece by a famous South African master, you’ll find it. If you’re searching for a delicate little porcelain bowl at R100, it’ll be waiting for you. Some of the galleries are the home studios of resident painters and sculptors. See the artists at work. Ceramics, bronzes, glassware, jewellery, watercolours, African artefacts. You will easily be able to fill up an hour or two with delight and indulgence.
