14th September 2007, Page 11 - Edition 198

The Midlands Herald

Enjoy “2007 Witness Hilton College Arts Festival” this weekend It’s just about that time of year again when the annual “Witness Hilton Arts Festival“ comes to the Hilton College from this Friday to Sunday 14th to 16th September with a dazzling line-up of cutting-edge drama, comedy, music and cabaret, as well as an enticing array of arts and crafts in a bumper programme that features a stellar mix of hot South African performers and artists mostly gleaned from the Grahamstown festival in July. Detailed information can be found on www.artslink.co.za/hilton. For more information or a full programme and booking kit, visit http://www.artslink.co.za/hilton / www.artslink.co.za/hilton or the Hilton Festival hotline, which can be found on [email protected], or telephone 033-383 0126. The festival once again will have strong focus on classical music with an eclectic mix of a dozen concerts hosted by Christopher Duigan’s “Music Revival Concerts” featuring a myriad of special guests and soloists. There are invited productions on the Main festival, and a huge selection of productions on the fringe. This year’s flagship production is the delicate and whimsical “The Travellers”, which

the festival has been trying to get for their programme for the past three years. It’s Sylvaine Strike’s enchanting miniature journey of astounding theatrical magnitude which was one of the hits of the National Arts Festival fringe 2005. It won the Naledi Theatre Award for Best Cutting Edge Play 2005 and features Toni Morkel, Shelley Meskin and Daniel Buckland. Shows to look out for on the main include Rob Murray’s “Gumbo” and Roy Sargaent’s “Beethoven in Raptures”. One of the most eagerly-awaited highlights is Mike van Graan’s new production, “Bafana Republic”. In the words of Cape Times reviewer Marianne Thamm: “Mike van Graan’s is a welcome new voice in the South African satirical landscape. Better known for his uncompromising and often hilarious newspaper columns and his provocative stage plays, this is his first foray in the satirical boxing ring.” The visually evocative and beautifully crafted “Jutro” — which means “Tomorrow” in Polish — is a play developed through a workshop collaboration between actors Keren Tahor (of etv’s “Scandal”), James Cunningham, musician Russ Nerwich and director Helen Iskander. It is a universal love story set in occupied Poland in the Second World War, and traces the discovery of hope and love in the midst of desolation and destruction. For the second year there will be a curated art exhibition at the festival, as well as the usual art which is so popular. This year there will be a focus on local arts and craft with regular arts workshops as part of the festival programme, and scrapbooking, breadmaking, flute-making and beading workshops. Above: The Michaelhouse Speech Day was held on Thursday August 16, at There will be a Michaelhouse. Seen here with guest of honour, Mr Dick Muir (centre) are (l to r) special focus on Glen Dowie (2nd prefect), Mr Bruce Dunlop (chairman of the Board), Rector Guy food and eating this Pearson and Ntsolo Setlaba (senior prefect). year with two food Michaelhouse School held its annual Speech Day in the schools’ areas — the usual amphitheatre on Thursday August 16. popular food tent Prior to the Speech Day ceremony, parents attended a musical which will have prelude, featuring the choir and the new Marimba Band, in the hearty meals on ofChapel, which was warmly received. fer throughout the Guest speaker was Mr Dick Muir, a former Springbok and cur- day, including late rent coach of the Sharks Rugby Team. night after-show Mr Muir, who specifically addressed the men of Michaelhouse, snacks and a smallcompared the running and coaching of the Sharks to that of running er separate coffee a school like Michaelhouse, and encouraged the boys to always strive and gateaux area for to be their best, at whatever it is they chose to do. those in need of a Rector Guy Pearson touched on the success of the school during sweet pick-me-up at the past year in all spheres: academic, sport and music. any time; and the Mr Bruce Dunlop, Chairman of the Board, highlighted the strong elegant fine dining spiritual ethos of the school, as well as many of the improvements area, the Courtyard made to the grounds and buildings during the year. Bistro and Bar, ofThe Senior Prefect, Ntsolo Setlaba, delivered a genuine and heart- fering a more sowarming speech in which he encouraged those staying at phisticated dining, Michaelhouse to take full advantage of the many wonderful oppor- cocktail and late tunities available to them, and to those leaving, every success in the night experience. future. Mr Muir presented the prizes to the proud recipients and the ceremony ended with a rousing performance from the Michaelhouse Jazz Band.

Speech Day — Michaelhouse School August 16, 2007

Page 11 — 14th September 2007

Acorn to oak tree in six years Right: While parents relax over a pub lunch at Mole Hill, children are fully occupied on the mini-golf course !

The Temkin/ Baker family moved to Balgowan six years ago. Millgate Cottage’s only businesses then were The Glass Studio and two B&Bs. Now Millgate can accommodate up to 19 guests; has two retail outlets; a water bottling plant; a nine-hole mini-golf course and a pub which has become a favourite party venue. Experts in personalisation, the family produces personalised Mole Hill clothing; glassware; bottled water and organises personalised parties. As tourists became a rare breed on the Meander, the family switched its efforts towards the local market. The first non-tourist activity was using its natural underground stream water to produce bottled water bearing personalised labels. Initially customers were local businesses, but now include JSE listed companies. This personalise-bottled water acorn, which incorporates fruit drinks, has taken only 18 months to grow into a sturdy oak. The second acorn, with a gestation period of 10-months, has grown from a small pub and putt-putt course to a family enter-

tainment centre. While parents relax over a pub lunch and their favourite drink, children are fully occupied on the mini-golf course. Wednesday evenings have become “locals’ night” when neighbours meet up at The Mole and Pig for a family-type meal and drinks of their choice without having to worry about a long drive home. Solving many problems, Mole and Pig parties have become a hit. Rather than entertaining hoards of children in their own home, parents unwind while the youngsters eat their fill and entertain themselves on the Molehill Mini Golf course. Now able to seat 50 inside, and plenty more in the lovely garden, the cost of adult parties are kept in check by using The Mole and Pig’s cash bar and having party snacks prepared by extended family member, Rodney Baker. For further information telephone Nigel Baker at 082-851 5291.

Head off to White Mountain for a great musical getaway Below: Held in the foothills of the Giant’s Castle Nature Reserve, the White Mountain Folk Festival runs from 21-24 September and promises three days of great acoustic music in an idyllic setting.

The Heritage Day long weekend is coming up shortly, so why not get away from it all and head for the “White Mountain Folk Festival” in the foothills of the Giant’s Castle Nature Reserve from 21st to 24th September? Great festival line-up The music kicks off at 6pm on Friday, 21 September and features over 35 live acts. On Saturday, the programme starts at 12 noon and includes performances by the Newcastle Musician’s Club, Clock-Struck June, Arlyn Culwick, Somebody’s Child, Celtis, Dan Patlansky, Southern Gypsey Queen and English folk-rock legends Magna Carta, back in South Africa for the first time in 30 years. Remembered by many for classic albums like Lord of the Ages and Seasons, Magna Carta continues to tour extensively and have performed in over 60 countries and recorded 37 albums to date. Sunday will see Shannon Hope, The Ryan Calder Band, Rowan Stuart, Laurie Levine, Roly Struckmeyer, Margaret’s Daughter, Habit To, Josie Field, Farryl Purkiss and Rory Eliot and The Reason taking to the stage, with top Durban rock band Sitter ending the evening with an acoustic set of their

powerful pop rock songs. Activities for all Other attractions range from hiking, boating and bass fishing to arts and crafts, a beer market featuring several local breweries, assorted food stalls and fun kids’ activities. For the more adventurous, there’s abseiling down a 45m cliff face or a fuffi slide across a nearby 100m-wide gorge, with helicopter flips also available if the weather permits. Tickets and accommodation A limited number of discounted tickets are now on sale at Game stores throughout KwaZulu-Natal for just R250. If you miss out on this promotional offer or live outside KZN, then tickets are also available at Computicket (R300) or the festival gate (R350). Children under 12 R50. Although the chalets and caravan park are already fully booked, there is still plenty of space available in the festival camping ground, which overlooks the dam and has its own brand-new ablution facilities. For more information, day-tripper rates or to enquire about trading at the festival, visit www.whitemountain.co.za or contact Pedro at 082-892 6176.