“The Summer of Love” is about the music and the rebellion that changed our lives forever – so be sure to wear flowers in your hair because this is going to be one big party!

The Summer of Love took place during the summer of 1967. It started with the release of The Beatles album Sgt. Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band on June the 1st 1967 and closed with Woodstock in the summer of 1969. The Barnyard Theatre proudly presents a musical tribute that will relive the days of The Beatles, Woodstock, swinging London and the west coast sound of San Francisco and California. The Summer of Love was a defining moment in the 1960’s and this will be highlighted in this rocking show at The Barnyard Theatre.

Featured is music from The Beatles, The Mammas and The Pappas, Jimi Hendrix, The Byrds, Janis Joplin, Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young and many more. The diversity of the music from this golden era is mind blowing as we take you on a long and winding road from Swinging London with the music of The Beatles with songs like Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds, Penny Lane, Back in the USSR, Get Back, Come Together and of course the all time classic All You Need is Love. The song San Francisco (be sure to wear flowers in your hair) became a signature tune of this era, followed by the west coast sound with songs like Monday Monday, California Dreaming and let’s not forget the musical Hair! Also featured in the show is a tribute to The Woodstock Music Festival of August 1969 when three hundred thousand people gathered for 3 days of peace, love and music. Highlights of this infamous festival include Joe Cocker’s With a Little Help from my Friends performed by the talented SK Motubatsi and Jimi Hendrix’s Star Spangled Banner (which closed off the Festival) performed by Jason Guile.

The Summer of Love is about the music and the rebellion that changed our lives forever – so be sure to wear flowers in your hair because this is going to be one big party!

So don’t miss this special musical extravaganza and make sure you get the chance to squeeze it in between your day on the golf course and night on the tables.  If you are looking for a great place to stay then there are some iconic hotels to choose from The Sun City, The Palace of the Lost City or The Cascades.

The Cape Town Lodge Hotel, located in the heart of the city bowl on Buitengracht Street, has just completed a small refurbishment in time for the festive summer season. Even though the hotel is privately owned and always kept in pristine condition I’ve been told that management decided to update the look of this intimate hotel. The rooms are now even warmer and more luxurious. The beds are adorned with NEW bed throws and scatter cushions in an ochre and burnt orange floral design. The bed and table lamps have also been replaced. The new rectangular and oval shapes of the lamps give the rooms a very modern edge.

Guests can now also enjoy watching satellite television on 32 inch Flat screen televisions – that’s when you are not enjoying a movie on the 5^th floor cinema style. Cape Town Lodge Hotel converts one of their conference rooms into a cinema every Wednesday, Friday & Saturday night.

The bathroom amenities have also been upgraded and are now displayed on a sleek, clear Perspex stand.

The in-house restaurant “The Famous Butchers Grill” was upgraded earlier this year. This 94 seat steakhouse specialises in South African “A” grade steaks matured to perfection. The walls have been decorated with beautiful wallpaper in cream, black & gold, and the seating has been refurbished in plush fabrics of similar colours.

Cape Town Lodge Hotel is looking even more inviting than ever before, and the staff are looking forward to dazzling both their regular guests as well as new ones with the NEW look.

Nestled on the foothills of the majestic Langeberg Mountain range in the heart of Montagu on the popular Route 62 is Mimosa Lodge. Only a 2 hour drive from Cape Town, Montagu is the perfect stop between Cape Town and the Garden Route.

Better known for their fine hospitality and superb cuisine, Mimosa is a must visit. Mimosa’s multiple award-winning restaurant is a culinary experience par excellence. Mimosa has received the ”American Express Platinum Fine Dining Award” for the fourth year running. Other awards include “Eat Out’s top 15 People’s Choice Award” in 2008, “Blaison from Confrérie de la Chaîne des Rôtisseurs” & “The AA Traveller Fabulous Food Award” 2007 & 2008

Beautifully appointed en-suite rooms open up onto a rambling garden littered with myriad facilities including a sparkling swimming pool and deck, Bernard’s herb and vegetable garden, croquet lawn and boules pitch.

The garden makes the ideal spot for a tasting of Bernhard’s handcrafted Mimosa wine label. These exceptional wines are handcrafted by award winning Swiss chef, Bernhard Hess & boutique winemaker, Lourens van der Westhuizen. On the foothills of the majestic Langeberg Mountains at the gateway to the arid Karoo, they create a fitting tribute to this collection comprising a Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon and a heady Shiraz. Complexity meets balance to create elegance in a bottle, seduction for the tongue and sunshine for the soul.

It is not only the Lodge and the restaurant reaping in the awards, but also the wines. The Mimosa Shiraz 2008 and the Mimosa Chardonnay 2009 both received 4 stars in the “John Platter Guide” and and the Mimosa Chardonnay 2009 also picked up 3½ stars from “Wine Magazine”, which is often considered to be an even higher accolade.

Why not explore the Robertson Valley for a more intimate wine route experience or visit the neighbouring towns and villages of Robertson, Bonnievale, McGregor, Ashton, Barrydale and Swellendam. Alternatively, enjoy local sites and relax at the hot springs, lumber along the numerous nature trails or try some rock climbing.

With sweeping views of the majestic mountains, blue skies, excellent conference facilities, idyllic Wedding venue and innumerable culinary delights, Mimosa Lodge is an ideal spot to refresh, revive and rejuvenate.

If you are anything like me, and as always I pray to God that you are not, you will have struggled through this weekend with a bad case of sleep deprivation and woken a little earlier over the last couple of days to race downstairs and check channel 401 for the latest updates from South Australia.

And in this joyous moment of a one nil Ashes lead it is easy to forget that England and Australia are just two nations who enjoy a passion for Cricket.  Once this Ashes series is over thoughts will turn to the ICC Cricket World Cup in India which will take place from 19^th February to 2^nd April and where both South Africa and the hosts will be highly fancied to take the title.

The Protea Hotel Waterfront in Centurion is offering cricket fans a fantastic opportunity to see the Proteas take on India in the first test between 16^th – 20^th December to see the top two ranked Test sides in the world.  This package includes overnight accommodation on a bed and breakfast basis, a welcome drink on arrival the hotel, complimentary transfers to the match and 2 tickets to see the days play. 

The two teams will meet again in a ODI match on back at Supersport Park Cricket Stadium on the 23^rd January and this package will be available then as well.

Centurion is located midway between Johannesburg and Pretoria so and makes an ideal choice of destination from which to explore both of these cities from. There is plenty to do for the whole family in the area. Visit the De Wildt Cheetah Conservation Centre and the Lion and Rhino Parks for some up close encounters with wildlife. The Lion and Rhino Park is situated in the Cradle of Humankind, one of South Africa’s premier archaeology sites and a World Heritage Site.  The Tswaing Crater was formed some 220,000 years ago by a meteorite slamming into the earth’s crust. It is one of the best–preserved terrestrial meteorite impact craters in the world.

The elegant yet affordable 4-star Protea Hotel Waterfront Centurion is located on the safe and tranquil Centurion Waterfront. The Hotel is situated adjacent to the Centurion Mall shopping complex with its variety of restaurants, bars, boutiques, cinemas and banks.  A great choice for an event such as the cricket as it is just 5 minutes door to door. Located on the water’s edge is Protea Hotel Waterfront Centurion’s a la carte restaurant, Emanzini, with its contemporary African atmosphere. The trendy bar and lounge area is the ideal place to come and enjoy a drink and I can highly recommend a plate of sandwiches at the bar if you are looking for a filling snack.