Silver Mountain Music Programme 2023

7:00Pm THURSDAY 15 JUNE 2023
textures with magdalena de vries

7:00pm| TEXTURES, JOUBERT-TRADAUW VINEYARDS & CELLAR, TRADOUW VALLEY
Magdalena de Vries, South Africa’s foremost classical marimbist, explores the textural blends and contrasts between wood and metal by combining exotic percussion instruments (including tuned cowbells and terracotta pots) with her concert marimba. The programme titled Textures features works by South African composers Lise Morrison and Kayode Ibaiyo, as well as music by JS Bach and Mascagni. ​Includes a glass of award-winning Joubert-Tradauw Wine and a wood fired pizza from the renowned R62 Deli. Dress warmly and wear comfortable shoes. Adults, R300.
Book Here.

9:00Am Friday 16 June 2023
PERCUSSION Workshop With Bryan ClarkE and JunaynE Baatjies

9:00AM| 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). Book Here.

Cancelled: 10:00 AM Friday 16 June 2023
MUSIC, Mindfulness and MCc in a forest

10:00AM|MUSIC, MINDFULNESS AND MCC  
Unfortunately we have had to cancel this event. But why not take a stroll in the forest instead.
​Join us for a morning of mindfulness and music. Stop a while in the hurry of life and enjoy nature, the deep rumblings and woody notes of the marimba, and learn how to relax in our rather hectic world. Take a look inwards, focus your thoughts on your natural surroundings, while listening to the rhythm of your heartbeat. This will be a special exercise in relaxation and de-stressing….all in the comforting and non-threatening forest at the heart of Grootvadersbosch. With Magdalena de Vries (marimba), Bridget Rennie-Salonen & Renée van den Berg (wellbeing facilitators), joined by Wessel van den Berg (didgeridoo). The event includes an introduction to the forest with Prof Coert Geldenhuys. Dress warmly and wear comfortable shoes. Bring a blanket cushion and/or mat. Includes a glass of Lords MCC. Adults R200. ​​Not recommended for Children.​ 

12:30PM FRIDAY 16 jUNE 2023
yOUTH dAY cELEBrATION oF aFRICA

12:30PM| 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 rhythmic roots!!! Includes a farm picnic lunch and a tasting from Lord's Wines. Adults R200. Children under 14 R100 (under 5 free). ​Book Here.

3:00PM FRIDAY 16 JUNE 2023
Struik Nature presents Conservation and Agriculture in Harmony

3:00PM| 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. Learn more about the threat facing the critically endangered renosterveld and how the Overberg Renosterveld Conservation Trust (ORCT) is working closely with farmers like Dirk van Papendorp to preserve this precious vegetation. The ORCT has also been instrumental in discovering several new species within this extraordinarily diverse landscape. Join Dr Odtte Curtis and 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. Voorstekop Farm outside Heidelberg. Adults R150. Children under 14 R100 (under 5 free).  ​Book Here.

7:00PM FRIDAY 16 JUNE 2023
BACK BY POPULAR DEMANd: wine music and nature in harmony
7:00PM| WINE, MUSIC, AND NATURE IN HARMONY, OLIVEDALE VINEYARDS, BUFFELJAGS
Join us again for a unique concert at Olivedale Private Vineyards, 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 ensemble joins in this very special evening which is complemented by Magdalena de Vries and her marimba. Includes wine tasting and a finger supper. Adults R320. Not recommended for Children.​ ​Book Here.

9:00AM SATURDAY 17 June 2023
Brandy tasting and the lost art of hand weaving

9:00AM| 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. Book Here.

10:30AM SATURDAY 17 JUNE 2023
STRUIK NATURE PRESENTs: bringing new species to life
10:30AM| 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 Prof Mike Bruton, Prof Krystal Tolley and Johan 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). 
​Book Here.

3:30PM SATURDAY 17 JUNE 2023
RICHARD COCK and Friends in a farm shed

3:30PM| 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.

7:00PM SATURDAY 17 JUNE 2023
Conduct Unbecoming with Richard Cock

7:00PM| 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.

10:00AM SUNDAY 18 JUNE 2023
STRUIK NATURE PRESENTS: William Burchell-A Naturalist in Swellendam

10:00AM| 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.

12 NOON Sunday 18 JUNE 2023
 music under the trees at Grace and merci

12:00 NOON| 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. ​Book Here.

3:00PM SUNDAY 18 JUNE 2023
CLASSICAL ENSEMBLE, SWELLENDAM
3:00PM| 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 Silver Mountain Music 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. Not recommended for children. 
​Book Here.