Silver Mountain Music Festival 2023
Thu Jun 15, 19:00 - Sun Jun 18, 15:30
Grootvadersbosch Conservancy: Various locations between Swellendam, Barrydale and Heidelberg, WC
ABOUT
Between Heidelberg and Swellendam in the Western Cape
June 15 to 18 2023
Music, nature and the chance to experience country life: The Silver Mountain Music Festival is a glorious winter weekend of fun, entertainment and culture.
The festival brings some of South Africa’s most prominent musicians to this secretive – yet lush – valley, in the Overberg region in the Western Cape. It is organised by well-known musician and conductor, Richard Cock, and a host of partners (including the Grootvadersbosch Conservancy).
And this year, the line-up includes wonderful artists such as:
Classical marimbist Magdalena de Vries
Percussionist Bryan Clarke
Junayn Baatjies and the Heidelberg Empower Drumming Academy
Lungiswa Plaatjies and Ancient Voices
Violinist Pieter Joubert
Music therapist Renée van den Berg
Cellist Ashlin Grobbelaar and many more
Aside from the music, you can experience the nature and farm life of Grootvadersbosch:
Wine and brandy tasting
Pizza from R62 deli
Re-discover the lost craft of hand weaving
Experience life on a conservation focused grain farm
Become mindful again in a magical forest
Explore critically endangered Renosterveld
Join Struik Nature book experts to learn more about our natural world
This is the seventh annual Silver Mountain Music Festival.
The festival has its own Youth Foundation to enhance opportunities for rural youth. Linked to youth day, the festival includes workshops by visiting artists, educational and recreational activities in rural schools.
OVERVIEW
Date
15 to 18 June 2023
Location
Various unique venues in the Grootvadersbosch Conservancy between Heidelberg, Barrydale and Swellendam in the Western Cape
Cost
Full Adult Festival Pass is R2200
Individual events from R100 to R360
Individual events from R100 to R360
Contact
[email protected] or
Tel: 0793350269 (whatsapp or SMS if no connection)
Tel: 0716916463 (Business hours only)
Tel: 0793350269 (whatsapp or SMS if no connection)
Tel: 0716916463 (Business hours only)
Website
www.silvermountainmusic.co.za
Social Media
@SilverMtMusic
PROGRAMME
Play Your Troubles Away, Strawberry Hill Farm
Join Bryan Clarke and Junayne Baatjies in a workshop where they will share the secrets of playing marimbas and other percussion instruments. Forget all your troubles as you connect with your African roots and explore your inner rhythms. You will be able to master some basic tunes in a very short time and be inspired by what we can create if we all work together. Adults, R100. Children under 14, R50 (under 5 free).
Youth Day Celebration of Africa, Skeiding Guest Farm
Africa is a continent of percussion and this special event brings together two of South Africa’s leading percussionists, Magdalena de Vries and Bryan Clarke, with the Heidelberg Empower Drumming Academy, lead by Junayn Baatjies. They reveal the amazing talent we have just waiting to be awakened, and the potential of our continent! There will also be opportunities for all of us to be involved in an immersive experience and become the largest and most inventive percussion ensemble in the Southern Cape. Come and be a part of it and discover your percussion roots!!! Includes a farm picnic lunch. Adults R200. Children under 14 R100 (under 5 free).
Conservation and Agriculture in Harmony, Voorstekop Farm, Heidelberg
Visit an active commercial grain farm in the Heidelberg district and learn more about how commercial agriculture and conservation can work together. Discover more about the threat facing the critically endangered renosterveld and how the Overberg Renosterveld Conservation Trust (ORCT) is working closely with farmers like Dirk Papendorp to preserve this precious vegetation. The ORCT has also been instrumental in discovering several new species within this extraordinarily diverse landscape. Learn more about these and other species in the new “Field guide to Renosterveld of the Overberg". If weather allows, we will take a stroll in the veld. Includes a farm tea. R150 Voorstekop Farm outside Heidelberg. Adults R150. Children under 14 R100 (under 5 free).
Wine, Music and Nature in Harmony, Olivedale Private Vineyards, Buffeljags
Join us again for a unique concert at Olivedale Wines, located in the heart of the Overberg, where vineyards prosper, and you can find a wonderful boutique wine cellar. Following the success of last year’s wine-and-music-tasting, which was a sold-out event, come and see what you missed, or return for another fabulous evening. A new selection of wine and music will give another entertaining insight into the wine-maker’s world, and how they balance nature to make wine that awakens the senses and celebrates Africa. The SMM quartet joins in this very special evening which is complemented by Magdalena de Vries and her Marimba. Includes wine tasting and a finger supper. R320
Brandy Tasting and the Lost Art of Hand Weaving, Joseph Barry Distillery, Barrydale
Barrydale Hand Weavers was born from a conscious desire to slow down, and it’s this approach that gives them a uniquely considered approach to craftmanship. Join owner, Arran Bastable, as he explains the ethos of this product: process, and people. The product uses locally sourced South African cotton, intricately woven together using a flying shuttle. Each 10cm of fabric requires more than seventy throws of the shuttle. The result is a beautifully crafted South African product that celebrates a slower existence that we all yearn for. Following the tour, savour brandy from Joseph Barry Distillery. Adults R150, Children free.
Bringing New Species to Life, Joseph Barry Distillery, Barrydale
Struik Nature presents an incredible line up of leading South African naturalists who will tell remarkable stories of fish snakes and chameleons that showcase the true diversity of our continent. From Coelacanths, to Barrydale Redfins, to the elusive Grootvadersbosch Chameleon and other reptiles... this series of talks is not to be missed. You will leave inspired by the wonderful diversity of Africa and the remarkable scientists that seek to understand and share their knowledge. Join Mike Bruton, Krystal Tolley and Jan Marais as they celebrate Africa's natural wonders. A range of field guides will be on sale that can be signed by the author. Adults R150, Children under 14, R100 (under 5 free).
Richard Cock and Friends in a Farm Shed, Strawberry Hill Farm
This concert is the heart of the Silver Mountain Music Festival. It always provides an explosive combination of talents which inspire and move us, audience and performers alike, to realise what a rich cultural heritage we have in South Africa. A SMM Ensemble, authentic indigenous African instruments, Ancient Voices, Concert Marimba, local drumming academy and lively minds all combine to explore unimagined musical corners, and in the process to widen our horizons and fill us with energy for the days ahead of us. Forget your cares, forget load-shedding, forget foreign conflicts, forget politics, and come for an afternoon of sheer joy in the company of some of SA’s most versatile musicians, as we celebrate life. The afternoon includes a tasting of award-winning, Sijnn wine, and a light meal provided at the Shed by Skeiding Guest house. During the event, a collection of art will be displayed, inspired by water creatures and reptiles. The display is curated by the Gouritz Cluster Biosphere Reserve and includes local talented artist, such as Ferdo Voigt, Niki Saunders, Nakita Joubert, Nadine Hansen and Merryn Carver. More information here. A portion of all art sales will be donated to support the Grootvadersbosch Conservancy and the Empower Drumming Academy. Dress warmly and wear comfortable shoes. Adults R360, Children under 14, R200 (under 5 free). ?Book Here.
Conduct Unbecoming, Strawberry Hill Farm
Fill your glasses with a fine liqueur from Kaapse Liqueurs and join Richard Cock as he presents this entertaining and anecdote-filled talk on conductors. According to Richard, “Orchestral conductors work by an amalgam of psychology, magic and a storehouse of knowledge about music, people and how to get the best out of a collection of highly trained, highly individualistic, and highly strung people, all thrown together in a powder-keg that is the orchestra.” In his entertaining talk, Richard explores the world of the orchestral conductor, the good, the bad and the ugly, and debunks a few myths along the way. This hour of fun and laughter will provide fascinating insights about the mystical art of conducting! It is not a talk for the faint hearted – probably best ADULTS ONLY! Includes a tasting of fine liqueur from Kaapse Liqueurs. Adults R150. ?Book Here.
William Burchell- A Naturalist in Swellendam, Bokmakiri Books, Swellendam
Struik Nature presents a talk by Roger Stewart as he recounts the fascinating journey of the English naturalist William Burchell who arrived in Cape Town in June 1811 to explore the flora and fauna of the vast southern African interior. Over a four-year period, he amassed an astonishing 63 000 specimens of plants, bulbs, insects, reptiles and mammals – many not previously documented for science – as well as over 500 paintings and illustrations. The illustrated talk will include the context of his visit to Swellendam, the drawings, letters, the old wagon road routes, natural history & exploration of the mountains & area between Grootvdersbosch & Genadendal. Roger will share some never-before presented/published drawings by Burchell that are specific to his travels in the greater Swellendam area. Includes a cup of Clock Peaks Cofee. Adults R150. Not recommended for children. Book Here.
African Voices Under the Trees, Grace + Merci, Swellendam
A chance to hear an outstanding ensemble by Lungiswa Plaatjies. Richard Cock will introduce this incredible ensemble of voice, African instruments, violin, viola and double bass which will enthral you for an hour at Grace + Merci. They play a wide variety of music , all of which is closely connected to Africa. Ancient Voices is just that- Voices of Africa talking to us in way you have never experienced before. Join us for this amazing concert of the "The colour of Music." Adults R180. Children under 14, R120 (under 5 free). After the concert, enjoy lunch at Grace + Merci or one of the many lovely Swellendam restaurants.
Classical Ensemble, Christ Church, Swellendam
The final concert of the SMM Festival features two outstanding young artists, Pieter Joubert (violin) and Ashlin Grobbelaar (cello), who are joined by the SMM ensemble to perform music by Tartini…the famous Devil’s Trill Sonata, a cello concerto by CPE Bach and a double concerto by Antonio Vivaldi. South Africa continues to produce excellent performers, and these two are on the cusp of their careers. Come and enjoy this final concert before you go back to your other life, renewed, inspired and invigorated. Adults R180
GALLERY
FESTIVAL NEWS
DIRECTIONS
Silver Mountain Music Festival 2023
Grootvadersbosch Conservancy: Various locations between Swellendam, Barrydale and Heidelberg, WC
Heidelberg, South Africa
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