THURSDAY 23 OCTOBER
Gordon’s Bay: Associate Professor Jacqueline Bishop of the Urban Caracal Project will present “Small Cats, Big City: What We’ve Learnt from a Decade of Caracal Research” at the GORDON’S BAY YACHT CLUB at 18:30. The talk explores 10 years of research on how Cape Town’s caracals have adapted to urban living. It also covers the threats they face and the importance of public engagement in caracal conservation. Tickets cost R125 and booking is essential. Bar and restaurant facilities are available. Reservations can be made online at smalltalx.info, via email on smalltalx.info@gmail.com, or via WhatsApp on 076 469 6485. Everyone is welcome to attend.
FRIDAY 24 OCTOBER
Somerset West: The 2025 HELDERBERG HOSPICE OPEN GARDENS FESTIVAL will showcase 10 beautiful gardens from Friday 24 to Sunday 26 October. The gardens will be open daily from 09:00 to 16:00. A full map and listing will be available on Friday. Weekend passes cost R120 (adults) and R90 (pensioners), while under-18s enter free when accompanied by a paying adult. For bookings, visit www.helderberghospice.org.za.
SATURDAY 25 OCTOBER
Strand: Purple Rose Collective presents entrepreneurship training programmes at Rusthof Secondary School. These programmes offer matriculants hope and practical alternatives when university or college isn’t accessible. To continue this work, the organisation hosts A Night in Song fundraising concert. It features Emo Adams, Don Vino, Mujahid George and a live band at STRAND TOWN HALL at 19:30. Tickets cost R150 via Webtickets and Pick n Pay. Support will directly impact young lives. The concert provides essential entrepreneurship skills for students who need alternatives to traditional education.
Somerset West: The COUNTRY CRAFT MARKET at Southey’s Vines in Main Road returns to the park-like surrounds from 09:00 to 14:00. The family-friendly market is renowned as the place to buy handcrafts of an exceptional quality. Well-behaved pooches on leashes are welcome and there is plenty of safe parking. For more information, contact Lesley on 083 590 9197 or info@countrycraftmarket.org.
The University of the Third Age (U3A) Helderberg hosts master horticulturalist Cherise Viljoen at its monthly meeting. It takes place at the Dutch Reformed Church Helderberg at 82 Firmount Road in Somerset West on Wednesday 5 November at 10:00. Viljoen, former senior nursery manager at Kirstenbosch with a Master’s in Horticulture from the Cape Peninsula University Technology (CPUT), will present “Kirstenbosch through the Ages.” She curates the world’s largest Streptocarpus collection. Viljoen has over two decades of experience in botanical gardens, indigenous plant conservation, and horticultural education. The meeting includes a brief AGM. It is free for members, R20 for visitors. For enquiries, call Denise Fourie on 072 211 1173.
FRIDAY 31 OCTOBER
Gordon’s Bay: The Daredevil Run/Walk, a 5 km men’s-health awareness event, takes place at 16:00. It starts at KRYSTAL BEACH HOTEL. Participants don purple Speedos to raise awareness for testicular and prostate cancer. This is in partnership with Cancer Association of South Africa (Cansa) and the Prostate Cancer Foundation. This local instalment is a satellite run of the main event at Zoo Lake in Johannesburg. It is hosted by invitation from Hollard and Creative Space Media. Tickets cost R180 and include a purple Speedo. A participant pack delivered by courier is also included, available through Ticket Pro. The event welcomes men of all ages, shapes, and sizes to “make your ballsiest move yet” while supporting men’s health causes. Spot prizes will be awarded to participants. Route maps and previous year’s photos are available on the discussion board. For more details, contact Taryn via WhatsApp on 082 647 7322.
Strand: Hotel California: The Ultimate Eagles Tribute will be staged at THE DRAMA FACTORY at 19:30, with doors opening at 18:00. The 80-minute tribute concert features a powerful six-piece band of local musicians. This includes Ant Kinsey (lead vocals and bass), Simon van Dugteren (guitar and vocals), Francois Hardy (vocals and percussion), Simon Kettleborough (keyboards), Greg Schoeman (electric guitar), and Malcolm Cassisa (drums). The show celebrates one of the greatest rock bands. It performs Eagles classics such as “Hotel California”, “Tequila Sunrise”, “Take It Easy”, “One of These Nights” and “Heartache Tonight”, plus solo hits from Don Henley and Glen Frey. The venue is located at 10 Comprop Square, Henry Vos Close, Asla Business Park. It promises an interactive experience with audiences singing along and dancing. Tickets are available at dramafactory.co.za.
SATURDAY 1 NOVEMBER
Somerset West: The SOMERSET WEST UNITARIAN FELLOWSHIP meets in the Vonke meeting room at Vonke House, located at 121 Lourensford Road, at 10:00 for a presentation entitled “Discover the Forgotten Free Thinker of South Africa’s Past”. The gathering will focus on Dr Pieter Carel Vintcent. He founded the Free Protestant Church in Graaff-Reinet more than 140 years ago and was known for challenging religious dogma. Vintcent advocated for a faith that liberates the human spirit. The event aims to rediscover this visionary figure and reflect on his relevance to contemporary times. Contact Reverend Roux Malan on 084 679 5466 or visit https://swunitarians.carrd.co.
