Contact Pedro to sign-up for the mailing list and receive updates on current and future events
News - White Mountain Festival 2007
Head to White Mountain for a great weekend getaway
The Heritage Day long weekend is coming up next month, so why not get away from it all and head for the White Mountain Festival in the Central Drakensberg for three days of great acoustic music in an awesome setting? Held at White Mountain Lodge in the foothills of the Giant’s Castle Nature Reserve, this intimate, family-friendly festival runs from 21 to 24 September and offers over 35 live acts and a host of other activities that promise to make this the ideal weekend escape.
Line-up
The music kicks off at 6pm on Friday, 21 September and first up in the festival marquee, situated literally a few metres from the water’s edge, are Tim Pepper, Baz Corden, Kathy Raven and the Hairy Legged Lentil Eaters.
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.
Festival-goers can also look forward to the introduction of live music in White Mountain Lodge’s restaurant and pub, which is housed in what used to be a flour mill that dates back to the 1840s.
“Not only will there be an even stronger focus on acoustic music this year, but we’ve also expanded the line-up to include a number of hugely talented up-and-coming bands and solo performers,” says event organiser, Pedro Carlo of C-Weed Entertainment Promotions, who also manages the very successful Splashy Fen Music Festival.
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. Alternatively you can simply relax outdoors and soak up the peaceful beauty of one of the most idyllic spots in the Berg.
Tickets and accommodation
A limited number of discounted tickets are now on sale at Game stores throughout KwaZulu-Natal for just R250, which is a saving of R100 on the gate price and includes camping facilities for the entire long weekend. 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 pay 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, or contact Pedro at 082 892 6176.