festival – Notes from the Cape

Published December 27, 2019

An African festival in Berlin

One of the places you have to visit is Alexanderplatz. It is the site of so much history, in particular the Alexanderplatz demonstration on 1989, just before the wall came down. Over 1.5 million protesters gathered in what was the biggest protest ever in East Germany, so of course it was somewhere we had to visit.

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But we were somewhat startled to find that we had stepped into a very large African market. We (purely by chance) selected Africa week to visit Alex, so the square was fulled with African goods for sale (think Greenmarket square or Long Street in Cape Town), and African bands playing on the stages. It was fun and entertaining, but not quote what we expected in the middle of Germany.

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africa Alexanderplatz berlin festival german germany market music

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Published August 30, 2017

More of the Viennese harvest festival

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One thing we noticed at the festival is how proud the locals are of the heritage. Many people were dressed in traditional lederhosen, and they were not people in one of the events, they were just regular visitors to the festival. I think its great. We need to be proud of both our culture and our heritage.
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culture festival vienna

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Published August 25, 2017

Viennese harvest festival

We were lucky to be in Vienna during the annual harvest festival – a big celebration of local food and culture. The best part is that it was largely attended by Viennese locals, and we were one of the few tourists there.

The beer hall (of course there was a beer hall) had traditional singing and dancing throughout the day – although I find the Viennese folk dancing very different from the waltz for which the city is so famous. Most of the dances seem to require you to either stamp your feed, slap your knees, or slap your partner. But it was entertaining to watch.

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Slap your knees

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Dancing with your partner

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The musician

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Inside the beerhall

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dancing festival vienna

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Published May 8, 2015

Beer festival

In March it was the annual Southyeasters home-brew festival, and as usual they had a fantastic selection of beer to try (my favourite was a beer made with smoked grain – something I will be trying soon).

I was there to take a few photos, and of course to try the beer.

It amazes me how big the home-brew and craft beer has become in Cape Town. When I started brewing a few years ago I knew of only 1 other homebrewer, and now there are so many people making their own beer. I think it’s fantastic and is only going to result in better beer all around.

So, what to make for my next brew…?

Cape Town

beer black and white cape town festival food and drink

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Published April 10, 2014

Beer festival

On Sunday I visited the Southyeasters home-brew festival. It was (somewhat strangely) hosted at SAB in Newlands (SAB is the second biggest commercial brewery in the world). But back to the home-brew, there were some amazing beers to try. Many of the stands had a simple “help yourself” policy, and the rest were generous with their tastings.

Being a home-brewer myself I was amazed at how big the local home-brew scene is, and also at the quality. Of all the beers I tried there was only 1 that I did not enjoy. The rest were fantastic.

You will be seeing me there next year, maybe even at my own stand. Find out more about home-brewing in Cape Town.

On tap

This “bar” was a wooden crate turned on its side with a beer tap installed

Help youself

Cape Town

beer black and white cape town festival

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Published April 2, 2014

Beer festival time

The South Yeasters Beer Club (of which I am a member) are hosting a beer festival this Sunday, at the SAB brewery in Newlands. There will be over 40 home-made beers available to sample. So if you want to check out the home-brew scene, or just try some amazing beers pop over for an hour or two. Tickets are R100 (that’s about what you will pay retail for 3 craft beers – you will get to try over 40).

To get you in the mood, here are a few pics from my brewery.

Food and Drink News

beer festival food and drink

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Published January 2, 2013

Cape Minstrels

Cape Minstrels, 2nd new year’s parade. They are a noisy and colourful spectacle to watch, but the organization is poor. You can stand around for hours and see a few groups come past. Then there is nothing for a while, and then another group.

Cape Minstrels, 2nd new year's parade
Painted face

And here is #2 from the carnival in Cape Town
Painted face

And here is #3 from the carnival in Cape Town
Dancing in the street

Cape Town

cape town festival street

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Published October 23, 2011

Cape Town Kite Festival

Rainbow Kite

Today is the Cape Town International Kite Festival in Lakeside. I shot through this morning to take a few shots. There are some amazing kites on display, from simple kites you can fly in your back garden, to huge cartoon characters. Entrance is only R15, and proceeds go to Cape Mental Health.

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The festival finishes tonight at 7pm, so there is still plenty of time to get down there and have a look at the kites. It is a great outing for children, and small kites are for sale for the little people to fly themselves.

Even the SA flag was (literally) flying

Cape Town South Africa

cape town festival flag lakeside

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