A cycling festival that really is EVERYTHING CYCLING!

For the first time ever, a new concept in cycling takes place in the form of a Bicycle Festival will be leaving it’s track marks on South African soil! Bike Fest SA [#BikeFestZA] will take place the weekend of 9-11 November 2018 in Cape Town. The festival grounds will be located at Contantia Sports Centre where there will be everything from expo, to cinema, to workshops, talks and even a test track!

Bike Fest will then gear up (pun intended) to host the same festival in Johannesburg, 19-21 April 2019. 

What is #BikeFestZA even all about?

Bike Fest South Africa is a bicycle and cycling orientated lifestyle festival to take place twice annually, with the first event taking place in November 2018 in Cape Town, and then during April 2019 in Johannesburg.All segments within the cycling and related lifestyle spheres are covered, with the Festival not only being a truly authentic cycling day out, but also ensuring that the full spectrum of events and ages are catered for. Cycling is a lifestyle for many, and this is who is the core audience for Bike Fest.

The heart of the Festival is anchored around two main areas, the Exhibition Village and the outdoor Cinema Presentation Space. The Expo focusses on bicycle brands displaying their latest bikes, and the brands have demo bikes available for festival guests to test ride on the specially prepared courses  And the outdoor cinema has talks during the day covering everything from cycle touring, nutrition, racing, training and new product launches, and on the Friday and Saturday night transforms into SA’s biggest outdoor cinema playing two cycling and mountain biking related films each evening.

Here are some key highlights of #BikeFestZA 2018:

All major cycling brands will be there and have demo bikes available to ride,

90+ Expo stands to cater to your cycling equipment needs,

 Family-inclusive – There is everything for every member of the family

Outdoor cinema & Talks by your favorite cycling brands, cyclist and industry-experts

We hope that’s enough to get your excited?

Get your tickets now!

Web tickets: https://bit.ly/2DNfHrt  

For more information, please call event manager, Seth O Dea on 084 679 6726   or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 

Johannesburg  - South Africa’s vibrant festival industry will convene for the first time during a series of provincial summits starting off with Gauteng on 26 November 2018 followed by the KZN edition on 30 November 2018 and the Western Cape version on 5 December 2018 respectively. 

Editions will also be held in all other provinces during February 2019 and all regional winners will be automatically entered in the African Festival Awards, which is part of the Festival African Summit, taking place in Cape Town from 27-30 March 2018 during “Africa’s Grandest Gathering”, the Cape Town International Jazz Festival. 

The Summits will feature highly interactive panel discussions with premier festival organisers, government officials and industry thought leaders on issues affecting the sustainability of the creative industries like festivals. 

Delegates will have ample time to network with their peers, government and service providers during both the Summit and the Awards ceremony, which will be held after lunch at each regional edition. 

More than 20 awards will be handed out at each regional edition with the scoring been done based on a simple questionnaire which each festival organiser must complete to stand a chance of walking away with the honours in their respective categories. 

Schedule

Gauteng: 26 November 2018

KZN: 30 November 2018

Western Cape: 5 December 2018

Eastern-Cape: 12 February 2019

Free State: 14 February 2019

Mpumalanga: 19 February 2019

Limpopo: 21 February 2019

Northern Cape: 26 February 2019

North West Province: 28 February 2019 

The full programme for each provincial edition will be published in due course.  

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For more details, contact: Gerrit Davids: (Executive Producer) Cell.082 496 1657 
E-mail:This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Website:www.thefestivalsummit.com 

Group of Creatives is proud to announce that EVERYTHING CYCLING is coming to Cape Town at the end of April 2018!

BIKE FEST SOUTH AFRICA, is a cycling orientated lifestyle event encompassing everything from mountain biking to road cycling, and aims to cater for all levels of rider from the weekend warriors to those who live and breathe the sport.  Featuring more than 100 exhibitors with a twist on the traditional expo, the BIKE FEST expo places an emphasis on the stands providing a touch, see, try and buy approach.   Featuring not only all the major bicycle, component and accessory brands under one roof, the exhibition also features everything related from insurance through to travel and nutrition ensuring that guests are able to get the maximum experience in the wide open expo marquees.  But for many guests, the draw card will be that they can test ride almost every single bike manufacturer in one space, back to back on a custom designed Mountain Bike trail around the grounds by TokaiMTB, or head out onto the road to see how the road bikes perform.    

But there's a lot more to BIKE FEST than the expo, there is also a huge outdoor cinema and stage, which not only has a full schedule of talks, presentations, workshops and classes during the day, but at night comes alive to offer two cycling films each evening on the Friday and Saturday.  Talks from cycling pros, nutrition, bike fitness, explorers and those who have done crazy things with bikes, the talks run throughout the three days and all guests can sit down and enjoy them.   Surrounding the field are the hospitality marquees and a great selection of food trucks, beer gardens and a lot for the kids and family to do, from kiddies bike park through to a pump track and relaxing zone.

BIKE FEST aims to entrench the culture of cycling in South Africa, by providing a great place for everyone who enjoys the sport of riding a bicycle, whether off road or on road, or even BMX'ing, to come together and enjoy the latest gear, films, talks and hanging out with friends and family.   The rise of cycling has seen South Africa take centre stage with events like the Cape Town Cycle Tour and Cape Epic putting the country on the map, and an amazing selection of trails and parks is continually growing, and BIKE FEST is uniquely positioned to cater to this growing market, connecting them with new experiences, and the industry.

BIKE FEST CAPE TOWN 2018 takes place at the Constantia Sports Centre, located in the picturesque Constantia valley, Cape Town from 27 through 29 April 2018, with the cinema evenings on the 27th and 28th.     There is a JOBURG event taking place in November 2018 at Innesfree Park in Sandton.   There are a variety of ticket options available online on www.webtickets.co.za 

For more information, please contact Group of Creatives on
(021) 788 9430
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
www.bikefest.co.za

#METAMORPHOSIS is UJ Arts & Culture’s 2018 programme of change.

“Looking at our creative programme through this thematic lens is the ideal stimulus for alignment with the University’s drive to participate meaningfully in decolonisation and transformation,” says Pieter Jacobs, Head of Arts & Culture (a division of the Faculty of Art, Design and Architecture) at the University of Johannesburg.

Drawing inspiration from the theme of #METAMORPHOSIS has seen UJ Arts & Culture plan to change more than its content. The 2018 programme features two brand new festivals as well as new partnerships that will increase opportunities for the university community, creative industries and the public to experience and participate in the arts. The programme is diverse, ranging from jazz, poetry and youth arts festivals to a music concert series, stand-up comedy shows, drama and dance seasons and an exhibitions programme.

"It is a great responsibility to play a role in shaping leaders of the future. And what better tool than the arts to develop the emotional and cultural intelligence to harness the knowledge and skills we acquire as we go through life,” says Jacobs. To this end, UJ Arts & Culture offers students and staff a robust programme to participate in the arts. Through the UJ Arts Academy, students, alumni and staff have access to a range of free dance and acting classes, poetry and drumming sessions or they could audition for theatre productions, the UJ Choir, UniJoh Chorale, jazz band, wind band or orchestra. Its student offering would not be complete without the hugely popular student talent competition presented annually and group tours to festivals and celebrations.

A key component of UJ Arts & Culture’s activities is its annual interdisciplinary collaborative FADA programme, launched in 2017 by the Dean of the Faculty, Professor Federico Freschi. Once again, this programme will see more than 300 students from departments across the faculty get involved in different design aspects of a UJ Arts & Culture-produced play as part of their course work.

“UJ Arts & Culture’s #METAMORPHOSIS programme is designed to advance the University’s vision of an international institution of choice, anchored in Africa, dynamically shaping the future. Bolstered by PhD residencies, local and international performing arts residencies, lectures, workshops and conferences, the Division strives to offer world-class opportunities to experience, participate in, and for empowerment through the arts,” concludes Jacobs.

#METAMORPHOSIS promises to appeal to art lovers with diverse interests:

VISUAL ART

Exhibitions Programme
For the fourth year in a row UJ Arts & Culture’s exhibitions programme will feature the PPC Imaginarium Awards. These awards, established by PPC Ltd, offer emerging designers and artists a platform to showcase their talent and creativity through the use of cement as a primary medium.

In May, the 300 Art Ornaments exhibition will showcase over 250 pieces collected by the UJ Jewellery Design and Manufacture Department over the past 10 years.
UJ Art Gallery in partnership with the Bag Factory will play host to Brazillian curator Daniella Géo, who delves into the Bag Factory’s alumni archives. TRANS will showcase the impact Bag Factory’s alumni have had on the art scene and the role it played in connecting the Johannesburg with the rest of Africa and the world.
UJ Arts & Culture, in collaboration with the MTN Foundation SA, presents Continuing Conversations, following the 2017 collaborative Shifting Conversations exhibition. The conversations continue in 2018, with works derived from both the MTN and UJ art collections as well as emerging artists with an addition of a mentorship and educational programme.
The 2018 UJ Arts Gallery calendar is set to close on a high with the celebration of 21 Years of The Ampersand Foundation, which rewards excellence in the visual arts by granting fellowships to young professional South African contemporary visual artists. Curator Gordon Froud brings works completed by such fellows together in this exhibition.

MUSIC

UJ Concert Series
Kicking off the UJ Concert Series is the re-launch of the University’s Steinway Concert Grand with Steinway artists Christopher Duigan, Charl du Plessis and Jill Richards featuring the rising star, Sulayman Human, in concert.

Presented in partnership with Pro Helvetia Johannesburg, Swiss group Hildegard Lernt Fliegen (Hildegard Learns to Fly) is a Swiss formation of avant-garde jazz, headlined by singer Andreas Schaerer. In 2014, the band received the BMW Welt Jazz Award, and subsequently toured Switzerland, Austria, Germany, Czech Republic, Slovenia, Estonia, Lithuania, Russia, Luxembourg, China, Italy, Finland, UK and France.

The programme will culminate in FADA’s major fundraising drive in support of the Dean’s Bursary Fund. Presented annually on the first Saturday of November, A Grand Night for Singing will feature familiar and new voices, the UJ Choir and the Johannesburg Youth Orchestra.

UJ Choir

In addition to performing at more than 20 graduation ceremonies and special events, the UJ Choir will perform alongside Hope College (USA) at the Rosebank Catholic Church and with Akustika Chamber Singers at SABC's M1 Studio in May. The highlight for UJ Choir's 2018 calendar includes, competing in the much-anticipated World Choir Games in early July.

UJ Choir, Tuks Camerata, and Puk-Koor will be performing in Koorkaleidoscope at the University of Pretoria's Musaion in August. UJ Choir's annual programme wraps up with its customary end year Celebration Concert at the end of October.

FESTIVALS

UJ Weekend of Jazz
Presented in celebration of Africa Day, the inaugural UJ Weekend of Jazz, is scheduled to take place at the UJ Art Centre from 24-26 May. This urban jazz experience, is set to cast a spotlight on exceptionally skilled emerging jazz musicians who are not afraid to experiment or disrupt the notion of jazz.

National Arts Festival
Keeping up the tradition, UJ Arts & Culture will present a substantive programme at the National Arts Festival with the translation of Reza de Wet’s iconic African Gothic (translation of Diepe Grond) headlining the UJ programme, which includes Choir Boy by Tarell Alvin McCraney, a music concert and STAGED, a new play development showcase.
UJ Youth Arts Festival
The new festival will cast a spotlight on some of the best new creative voices with students from other institutions, colleges and youth groups joining UJ Arts & Culture students in a showcase of acting, singing, dancing and making music. The festival will be hosted at the UJ Art Centre as well as at the Con Cowan Theatre in August.

Izimbongi Poetry Festival
UJ Arts & Culture’s grand finale after a year-long slam poetry programme with students, school learners and the public will take shape in the form of a week-long poetry festival featuring performances by professional and amateur spoken word artists, book launches, lectures, forum discussions and workshops.

THEATRE

Out the Box Comedy
Back by popular demand, UJ Arts & Culture will again team up with POPArt and Goliath & Goliath to present the Out the Box Comedy shows, culminating in a marathon of 20 comedians performing 5-minute sets each.

Choir Boy
Comprising a combination of student and professional actors, the play tells the story of a young man who wants nothing more than to take his rightful place as leader of the school's legendary gospel choir. Can he find his way inside the hallowed halls of this institution if he sings in his own key? After its premiere at the National Arts Festival, Choir Boy will be performed at the UJ Youth Arts Festival in August.

African Gothic
Set against the backdrop of a farm in desolate ruin, Reza de Wet’s, African Gothic (translation of Diepe Grond), tells the story of the complicated, passionate, and troubled relationship between two siblings. Presented in partnership with Joburg Theatres, the play will be presented at The Fringe following its run at the National Arts Festival in July.

Metamorphosis
As Gregor Samsa awoke one morning from uneasy dreams he found himself transformed in his bed into a gigantic insect. The staging of the play will be the culmination of a year-long process that involves more than 300 students and lecturers from different departments in the Faculty of Art, Design and Architecture (FADA) working on various design and development aspects of the work as part of their course work. Kafka’s Metamorphosis, adapted by Steven Berkoff will be tested in October with a view of undertaking full runs in 2019.

DANCE
MIDM’s 40th Anniversary Celebration Season proudly hosted by UJ Arts & Culture at the UJ Art Centre will comprise two programmes – the first will run from 14 to 16 September 2018 and the second in the following week from 20 to 22 September 2018.

SWAN, inspired by the famous ballet, Swan Lake, and the Japanese social phenomenon Hikikomori, the dance piece was built by Hannah Ma and Kesuke Mihara on Tchaikovsky’s music. SWAN will perform at the Con Cowan Theatre from 21 to 23 September 2018.

For more information visit UJ Arts & Culture’s new user-friendly website and booking system at www.uj.ac.za/arts

About UJ Arts & Culture

UJ Arts & Culture, a division of the Faculty of Art, Design & Architecture (FADA) produces and presents world-class student and professional arts programmes aligned to the UJ vision of an international university of choice, anchored in Africa, dynamically shaping the future. A robust range of arts platforms are offered on all four UJ campuses for students, staff, alumni and the general public to experience and engage with emerging and established Pan-African and international artists drawn from the full spectrum of the arts.

In addition to UJ Arts & Culture, FADA (www.uj.ac.za/fada) offers programmes in eight creative disciplines, in Art, Design and Architecture, as well as playing home to the NRF SARChI Chair in South African Art & Visual Culture, and the Visual Identities in Art & Design Research Centre. The Faculty has a strong focus on sustainability and relevance, and engages actively with the dynamism, creativity and diversity of Johannesburg in imagining new approaches to art and design education. 

STEP UP FOR HEALTH AT THE DURBAN WELLNESS FESTIVAL! 

Diabetes may be the second highest cause of death in South Africa after tuberculosis but people are still in denial. 

As most people only begin to look after their health when they have a scare and are forced to drastically stem their intake of fast food and begin exercising, the Durban Wellness Festival supported by SASA and Lilly has been created to show people that they can make positive, fun changes before it is too late. 

The strong message from Jenny Russell, branch manager for Diabetes SA Durban, a non-profit organisation that provides support and wellness education for both diabetics and communities at large, is that diabetes is both preventable and manageable. “Get tested at the Durban Wellness Festival so you can manage this silent killer or, better still, learn how to live a healthy life the fun way,” she suggests.  

The Durban Wellness Festival takes place on Saturday, November 11, 2017. It is a true celebration of all things healthy with live music and an expo that not only aims to raise awareness about the scourge of diabetes in South Africa but also to encourage people to look after the one thing that money cannot buy – their health. “Join us for either a 5km Run or Walk, a variety of entertaining activities, and a live performance by Durban singer and songwriter, Holly Wasserfall who also happens to be a type 1 diabetic.

This is a family affair, so everyone is welcome – even your pet dog. But on a leash, of course,” says Russell. Taking place at the Durban Amphitheatre at the Bay of Plenty, the Durban Wellness Festival will open for registration at 10am.

The Durban Wellness Festival officially kicks off at 2pm with the 5km walk and run starting at 4pm with the entire event finishing at 6pm with lucky draw spot prizes. 

Russell adds that despite the light mood of the day, Diabetes SA will not be pulling any punches when it comes to driving home the reality of the diabetes pandemic.  “Diabetes has become known as the Tsunami of the 21st century, killing more people worldwide than AIDS and cancer combined. Our main objective is to bring diabetes into the spotlight, in the hope that it gains the recognition it deserves, instead of remaining in the shadow of HIV, AIDS and Cancer.” To bring the message even closer to home, Russell states that the latest statistics received from a podiatrist doing her Master’s degree are absolutely shocking. “In 2014, 1,288,973 diabetic patients were registered in state health facilities alone in KwaZulu-Natal. 

An unacceptable total of 2323 diabetic lower limb amputations were carried out between 2013 and 2014 in KZN. This amounts to six per day!” she points out. When you have diabetes, your body is either unable to make enough insulin, or it is unable to correctly use the insulin it does make.

As a result, the glucose in your bloodstream cannot move into your cells to be used as energy and thus creates a build-up, resulting in high glucose levels.Damage caused by elevated blood glucose levels is irreversible. Diabetes has been linked to cardiovascular disease, stroke, eye disease, kidney disease, nerve damage, lower limb amputations, sexual dysfunction as well as high blood pressure and high cholesterol.2016 Statistics from the International Diabetes Federation, the World Health Organisation and the Centre for Disease Control paint an extremely depressing picture.

Worldwide, 415 million people were diagnosed as diabetic as opposed to 35 million patients with HIV and 14 million with cancer. Every six seconds a person dies from diabetes-related causes. Every 10 seconds two people develop diabetes and every 30 seconds, a lower limb is amputated due to diabetes related complications.What is most startling, according to Russell is that statistics show that at least 50 percent of those with diabetes are unaware of their condition. “That means that those numbers are, in reality far higher. In some countries this figure may reach 80%. We have between 3 and 3.5 million diagnosed diabetics in South Africa. We also have an estimated 1.5 undiagnosed diabetics and approximately 1.5 to 2 million pre-diabetics in South Africa.” Children are also not immune. Worldwide, every year, 70000 children under the age of 15 develop Type 1 diabetes. Type 2 diabetes in children is becoming a global public health issue with potentially serious outcomes.

Thirty percent of children born since the year 2000 are expected to become diabetic if lifestyle changes are not made.95 percent of all diabetics are type 2 with 90 percent of all complications experienced by type 2 diabetics. “What is so frustrating is that this is preventable if people eat healthy foods and exercise. Hence, it is important to get the message out there and to continually try to educate people to make good lifestyle choices for both themselves and their families,” she concludes.

Supporters of the 2017 Durban Wellness Festival are SASA who are committed to the prevention and treatment of non-communicable diseases in South Africa, as well as Lilly Diabetes, who have been a global leader in diabetes care since 1923 when they introduced the world‘s first commercial insulin. Ninety years later, they remain committed to meeting the needs of people with diabetes from medicines to support programs and more.A major emphasis of Lilly’s work is to understand that people with diabetes should first be seen as individuals. Many of their programs and solutions are designed based on feedback from people who live with the illness every day.

The 5km Walk or the 5km Run costs just R60 per person with all proceeds going towards Diabetes SA Durban.

Please note that this organisation is a self funding organisation and does not receive any form of government funding and all proceeds raised go back into the education of this dreaded disease within KZN.

The Wellness Expo is free to the public.

For further information about this event, please contact Pat Bonini on 082 499 5222 during office hours or via email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Set to take place from 22-25 September 2017, the Land Rover Waterford Festival 2017 will give Land Rover enthusiasts the chance to put the All New Discovery through its 4x4 paces.

They will also experience exclusive exhibits, a brand new 4x4 course, demonstrations and more. All the funds from the event are being donated to the Pittrack K9 conservation unit, a canine anti-poaching non-profit organisation protecting rhino and lion from being hunted and killed by well-armed and well-equipped poachers.“Land Rover Waterford is extremely excited to be involved with Pittrack and supporting the important work that they do,” says Darryl Harper, Dealer Principal, Land Rover Waterford.

“Their fresh approach is making a much-needed impact on poaching and their commitment reflects our own – to make South Africa a better place in the future by protecting our wildlife.

The Land Rover Waterford Festival 2017 is an important opportunity for us all to make a stand against poaching and, of course, to showcase our Land Rover’s capabilities.

”The event will see Plumari Private Reserve (home to Askari Game Lodge) reveal their brand new 4x4 course designed by the Land Rover Owner’s Club to challenge even the most advanced drivers. The perfect opportunity for the 4x4 enthusiast to test their mettle and be the first to break stony ground.

The Land Rover aficionado will also appreciate an exhibit of Land Rovers from 1948 to today and, for those who want to show off their own customised Land Rovers, there will be prizes and accolades for the serious collectors. Among the exhibitions will be the Land Rover Experience Terrapod, the Askari beer garden and two anti-poaching demonstrations a day.

The demonstrations will be hosted by Pittrack and will showcase the extraordinary poacher hunting abilities of these dogs.

“The Plumari Private Reserve and Askari Game Lodge are grateful to the men and women of Pittrack for their selfless contribution and sacrifice for the protection of our rhinos,” says Daniela McCormick, Plumari Group.

The Land Rover Waterford Festival 2017 will include plenty of exhibits, demonstrations, 4x4 expertise, food and entertainment. The cost is only R100 per vehicle and R25 per person per day, and there will be merchandise on sale on both the website and at the event. The goal is to raise funds for Pittrack while ensuring that everyone has the ultimate 4x4 weekend.

The Land Rover Waterford Festival will run an annual basis to support the anti-poaching unit. To find out more information about the exhibitors, event, location and accommodation visit http://www.waterfordlandroverfestival.com. To find out more about the Pittrack K9 conservation unit visit http://www.pittrack.co.za.

FUN EVENT FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY – DARLING BREW BEER FESTIVAL

The Darling Brewery is hosting its first ever joint Micro Brewery Beer Festival on Saturday 2nd July, 2016 from 10 am - 6 pm in there wonderful home town called Darling on the West Coast.  

Come experience their great range of beers and six guests brands in their state-of-the-art working brewery.

Our guest Breweries:   Flagship Brew Berg River Brewery Garagista Mountain Brewing Co. Riot D'Cider  

FUN FOR ALL THE FAMILY OF ALL AGES – KIDDIES PLAY AREA  

Live music all day Local and CT line up

Food stalls All seating undercover and on a first come first serve basis, unless you have pre booked a table of 8

ATM on site

Kiddies play area  

To list only a few of our band line up:  

• Brother Brother
• The Stone Jets
• Glyn Lewis
• Kashmir Live  
• Fun, music, eating, dancing, drinking, tasting, laughing, mingling  

ENTRANCE COSTS: R 75.00 per person, includes a branded DB beer glass  (seating will be on a first come first serve basis)  

or PRE BOOKING R 500.00 for a table of 8 people plus branded DB beer glass (pre Booked) (Tables will be reserved in your name pre event)  

If you would like to pre book so you get a good spot you can do this via telephone at our Brewery with the Manager on 021 286 1099 or email us on This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.  

Don't miss out, come and have some fun with us on Saturday 2nd July 2016   More information can be found on our website:  www.darlingbrew.co.za