October is regarded as the beautiful month with flowers in full bloom and everything looking sparkling new and fresh. The timing couldn’t be better to visit Franschhoek, which plays host to three intimate yet popular events.
View exquisite ceramic works by internationally acclaimed potter David Walters at this year’s Franschhoek Art in Clay, which takes place from 25 October until 30 November. Franschhoek Art in Clay has been accredited by the Cape Town World Design Capital 2014. Visitors to the festival, now in its third year, can also view works by other ceramic artists whose exhibits will be on display at La Motte, Grande Provence, EBONY, IS Art, the Gallery in the Yard, Kim Donaldson and the Ceramics Gallery in Dirkie Uys Street.
The Marriott Classic Music Festival takes place from 24 to 26 October and will keep fans of classical music enthralled for hours. The line up includes violinist Joanna Frankel, pianist Christopher Duigan and saxophonist David Salleras who will be performing as solo artists. Should you prefer something more festive Café Bon Bon at La Petite Dauphine will play host to a Spanish, Latin and Italian mix of popular music bringing a highly energetic and passionate soiree to the festival. A highlight this year will be the Rolling Openings, which is a new concept combining the music festival with the Art in Clay Festival, which takes place during the same weekend. Browse the exhibitions as spontaneous snippets of music add to the experience.
Browse at your leisure 10 of Fraschhoek’s most talked about private gardens at FranschhoekOpen Gardens from 31 October to 2 November. The gardens on display all have unique features. Montpellier, owned by well-known South African artist, Jacqueline Crewe-Brown has used an artist’s interpretation, using indigenous plant material on rocky, inhospitable soil and a sloping mountain as the backdrop. Whilst La Motte is home to the most beautiful classic, formal rose garden, which includes a rose named after Haneli Rupert, La Motte’s owner. Or stop in at La Bri to view their lush fruit and vegetable garden. Most of the gardens on display have been featured in some of South Africa’s prominent gardening magazines.
For more information and costs visit http://franschhoek.org.za/franschhoek-events.
