Whisky, Whales and Jazz Festival in Plettenberg Bay

True jazz lovers will have the opportunity to see some of the country’s greatest jazz talents in action during the annual Whiskey, Whales & Jazz Festival in Plettenberg Bay from 19-28 September. The festival has been expanded this year to a week-long celebration featuring whiskey tastings, superb jazz performances and spectacular whale safaris as well as loads of sporting opportunities.

The festival officially kicks off on Friday, 19 September, with the welcoming of the whales and the opening concert at The Whitehouse featuring Offshore, Ben Badenhorst, Haydn Gardner and Xolani Faku. Golfing enthusiasts can get their weekend off to a great start with the Whisky, Whales & Jazz Golf Day on 19 September at the immaculate Goose Valley Golf Course. More adventurous visitors can gear up for the adrenaline rush of the challenging Robberg Express multi-sport event, which co-incides with the spring solstice this year on Sunday, 21 September. The Robberg Express includes a 40 km mountain biking course through the Harkerville Forest on gravel roads and single tracks through sections of indigenous forest, a 10 km trail run traversing million year-old rock formations on the Robberg Peninsula and a 10 km ocean paddle in the beautiful Plettenberg Bay. Participants can enter as individuals or relay teams of two or three persons. Athletes can also participate in individual disciplines. Event organisers have also added a shorter version the Robberg Raggie with half distances in each discipline.

Blue note events are staged throughout the week with artists of international calibre appearing at fu.shi fusion cuisine, Gilly’s Grill, Surf Cafè and Bramon Wine Estate. The Heritage Day Jazz concert at Simunye promises a celebration of true music.

The highlight of the weeklong festivities will most definitely be the Jazz Fusion Concert on Saturday. Don’t miss top talent fresh off international jazz stages for an electric combination of eclectic classic and contemporary jazz intertwined with the unmistakable rhythms of Africa. Well-known performers such as Xolani Faku and friends, Sangam, Tucan Tucan, Offshore, Ben Badenhorst and Haydn Gardner will entertain the crowds.

For the youngster, the Lunchbox Theatre is bringing their ever-popular production The Whale Show to Plettenberg Bay to add to the festivities. This multi-lingual, interactive show promises to have audiences spell-bound with catchy story-telling, mimes, puppets and scintillating music. Bitou Tourism will also be sponsoring shows at The Crags Primary, Phakamisani Primary in Kwanokuthula, Formasa Primary in New Horizons and Kranshoek Primary School.

The festival draws to a close with a spectacular street party on Saturday.

Contact: Bitou Tourism offices on 044-533 4065.
Please Note: Dates for this event to be confirmed.