You may ask where in the world Riebeeck East is. Hopefully the residents won’t take umbrage, it is quite rural, but once you get there, you may never want to leave.
You may ask where in the world Riebeeck East is. Hopefully the residents won’t take umbrage, it is quite rural, but once you get there, you may never want to leave.
Situated 40km from Grahamstown, the town is host to The Riebeeck East Sessions with evenings of supper and song at the Mooimeisies Guest House.
A variety of artists, from Dave Goldblum, who wrote the song “Say Africa” for the Soccer World Cup, to Grahamstown’s own David Knowles, will have guests jamming to soft core rock and to laid back reggae.
Organiser Cary Clark said there have been two successful, fully booked sessions so far on Friday and Saturday night.
“The artists were great and were really received quite well,” she said. The evening sessions have enjoyed greater attendance than the afternoon sessions.
“People generally spend more time at the Festival during the day,” said Clark, “the artists have been jamming in the afternoon.”
The artists who performed this weekend were Dave Goldblum, John Dickin, Tim Hopwood and William Pinnock. Goldblum’s Say Africa was performed at the opening of the World Cup by Vusi Mahlasela.
Dickin “has gained a following among fans of acoustic guitar music for his exceptional playing ability and smooth mellow sound”, according to the Riebeeck East website.
Hopwood is an acclaimed photographer and sings about love, loss and death and Pinnock was the front man of the Port Elizabeth band, Special Agents.
If live music isn’t your thing, the food is sure to attract people in their numbers. To find out more about the sessions visit the website www.riebeeckeast.co.za or contact Cary Clark at 074 618 8747.
