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Rediscover your Zing at Ama-Zing Addo

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Ama-Zing Addo – counting down to a weekend of wine, food, music, gardens, arts and family fun
Agri – Art – Adventure | 29-31 October 2021

From songs and stories with a South African cultural icon to up-and-coming young musical talent from Gqeberha, wine tasting with leading estates and hands-on cooking demonstrations, to talks for nature lovers and garden tours, and a market bustling with local produce and crafts, the organisers of Ama-Zing Addo have made sure there is something to entertain everyone who visits the village on the weekend of 29 to 31 October.

Conscious of curbing transmission of Covid-19, events on the Ama-Zing Addo weekend are mostly outdoors and spread out across various venues in the famed citrus valley, and indoor events are in well-ventilated venues that allow space for physical distancing.
Koos Kombuis, a pioneer of Afrikaans counterculture in the ‘80s and known as “the coolest man in Afrikaans music”, is a much-loved musician, writer and artist across cultures and languages; heralded as a story-teller, raconteur and shrewd commentator on the times and places we live in. In his unplugged show at Ama-Zing Addo, he will perform songs old and new, share tales of his adventures into visual art, his latest novel and his take on the post-Covid mood, and reflect on 30 years since the Voëlvry tour “liberated” Afrikaans music.

The Creed are an all-male, a capella foursome from Gqeberha, who stun audiences with their vocal performance of moving, sophisticated harmonies, and regularly command standing ovations. Performing songs ranging from Bright Blue’s “Weeping” to Simon and Garfunkel’s “Bridge over Troubled Water”, with their show “Hope” at Ama-Zing Addo, they aim to do just that – encourage, inspire, refresh, entertain, warm the heart and offer hope.

For the wine fundi and the wine-curious, 20 leading producers of wines and bubbly will set up shop at the Vine Verandah at the elegant Elephant House guesthouse in Addo, offering informative tastings and the opportunity to buy wine at farm prices, along with a tapas restaurant and outdoor seating to enjoy the purchases. Entry tickets, for Saturday 30 or Sunday 31 October, or a discounted weekend pass, include a souvenir tasting glass.

Addo chef Gina Woolley, who has returned to her roots after cooking all over the world, including a stint as assistant chef to Jamie Oliver, will present Gina Cooks with Citrus, an interactive demonstration of innovative ways to use the bounty of citrus from the valley and currently in season.

For gardening enthusiasts and nature lovers, Lloyd Edwards – better known as a marine conservationist and owner of Raggy Charters – will share his passion for the land side of nature and in-depth knowledge of indigenous trees. Chairperson of the Eastern Cape Dendrological Society, Edwards will use the small indigenous forest at Gerald’s Gift guesthouse as his classroom for the informative and entertaining I Talk to the Trees workshops on the Saturday and Sunday morning.

The Ama-Zing Addo weekend also includes performances by cabaret star and food fundi Nataniël, and renowned classical pianist Charl du Plessis solo and with his jazz trio; classical music recitals and jazz and blues shows; tours of the area’s renowned lush gardens, and a Safari Dinner traversing Addo’s fine dining venues paired with wines from visiting producers and a fireside nightcap.

The Polo Fayre farmers’ and craft market at the Addo Polo Club runs all day Saturday and Sunday with local farm produce, homemade products and handmade arts and crafts, along with food and drinks vendors and a line-up of local musicians to enjoy while browsing the stalls and relaxing in ample outdoor seating.

Ama-Zing Addo event organiser Kobus Buys said: “Addo is ripe and ready to welcome the world to experience that our area is about much more than citrus and elephants, by showcasing local musical talent, local produce, locally-made products and arts and crafts, and the diversity of outdoor experiences for both adventurous and non-adventurous types who love being out in nature.

“And we are bringing the world to Addo in the form of world-class performers and leading South African wine estates for locals to experience on the doorstep of Gqeberha and the Eastern Cape.”

The Sarah Baartman District Municipality is a key sponsor of Ama-Zing Addo. Spar & The Co-op have further contributed to ensure Ama-Zing Addo can be held successfully. Other local and national supporters include Addo Tourism, Go.See.Do Eastern Cape, KykNet, PeriExpo, and Knittex.

Each of the events as well as entrance to the Polo Fayre and Vine Verandah are individually priced and ticketed. Find the full calendar of all the events and buy tickets at www.ama-zingaddo.co.za. Accommodation can be booked at www.addotourism.co.za.
Follow Ama-Zing Addo on Facebook for event updates: https://www.facebook.com/AmazingAddo /

Author: Sam Venter
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