Margate Moves: Motorcycling and music for Margate

The time has arrived. South Africa’s biggest biking and musical festival descend on Margate this weekend – April 26 to 28. The dynamic Sunset Beach Party will introduce audiences to some of the country’s biggest names in the music industry from top deejays to amazing musicians and fantastic singers – the talented line-up includes Gagasi FM’s DJ Bruce, hip hop’s DJ Zee, Nasty C, Black Motion, Shekhinah, Sthandiwe, Mavelisto, Amabiz and Distruction Boyz. Also on the programme are legendary artists, Sjava and Shekinah, who will be performing on the South Coast for the first time.

ALSO READ : Margate Moves: It’s almost time to rev it up at South Coast Bike Fest™

Alongside the popular attractions that have made South Coast Bike Fest a must-be-at-event – visitors can look forward to even more high-fuelled action with a host of new activities planned for this year’s festival.

New attractions include the Margate Enduro which will form part of the fourth round of the KZN Enduro Championship. Riders will race along a specially-designed junior enduro track for 65cc and 85cc competitors, with the winner set to be crowned the Junior Margate Enduro Champion.

Biking enthusiasts will also get to witness the launch of the all-new Suzuki Katana at the festival venue which will boast six beachfront bars, three beach stages, a village market and expo zones as well as food courts. The Pals in Paradise Mass Parade (leaving from C-Bali Restaurant at St Michael’s Beach takes place this Sunday (29th) from 10am.Take note there will be a shuttle service running from the Hibiscus Mall shopping centre to the venue.

Restrictions in place

Motorists need to take note that as from today, Wednesday (24th) Panorama Parade in Margate will be closed to all vehicles except for event permit holders and motorcycles for the festival

And from 8am on Friday (26th) until 5pm on Sunday (28th) the road will be accessible to motorcycles only. Event permit holders will have access available from midnight to 8am and any unauthorised vehicles left unattended within the site venue outside of those hours will be towed at the owner’s risk and cost.

Panorama Parade will adopt a one-way only system (north to south) from April 23 to 29 the road can be exited via Post Office Lane.

Also, note that Remington Road will be closed to vehicles wanting to turn left into Panorama Parade. Vehicles will be diverted via Finnis Road.

Rocking the ridge

To welcome the biking fraternity, Ramsgate’s iconic music venue Rocky Ridge (up Fascadale Road), has a great line up of performers this weekend. Gary Thomas kicks off this Friday (26th) – the venue opens at 6pm.

And there are groups on stage this Sunday (28th) from midday. Catch Braxton Hicks, Common Ground and Mocking Mojays for an afternoon of good music.

Boot it

Kart Freaks in Margate is the venue for the popular Car Boot Market this Saturday (27th) from 8am to 1pm.On offer will be crafts, art, second-hand goods and great Indian cuisine and traditional fair fare – a pancake bar. For details phone Lorraine at 078 1755839.The next community eco-conscious pop-up market in Marine Drive Ramsgate takes place on May 4. If you are looking for or want to sell pre-loved clothing, organic, artisanal or plastic-free products contact Taryn at 076 0787189.

The market is held in front of the Artists’ Gallery from 9am to midday.

Let’s go classical

The Residents’ Activities Committee (Rac) is delighted to bring the Durban City Orchestra to Margate Retirement Village next month.

ALSO READ : Margate Moves: New market pops up

The date to diarise is May 18 when 50 musicians will take to the stage at the Azalea Hall from 6.30pm for their first concert in Margate. Tickets for the theatre-style concert go on sale at R85 per person from Monday, April 29. Phone 039 312 5000 for more information.

More entertainment

`Remember When’ is the title of a delightful sing-along show which will be staged at Margate Bowling Club on May 2 at 6.30pm. Directed by the talented Yvonne Bausek the show is a fund-raiser for South Coast Hospice. Tickets cost R40 per person and wors rolls will be on sale at R20 each. Take note booking is essential. For details phone `BT’ King at 082 7280233. The show is always a highlight of the annual Margate Week Bowling Tournament which rolls out from April 29.

Red carpet

This week’s welcome wagon is rolled out for the Foster family from Braunton in Devon, England. Mum Caryn (Booysen) is a former local who is back in the country with husband Alex and daughters Hannah and Lizzy.

While the girls visit their South Coast grandparents Yvonne and Klasi – Caryn and Alex will hop on their bikes and pedal from Johannesburg to Scottburgh in the Joburg to C race.

Weather woes

The torrential rain which has been battering the coast since Sunday has caused much suffering for those living in informal settlements. Do spare a thought for those families and help where possible. Imagine how difficult it has been for the residents of Tent City especially for families with young children and babies.

Good wishes

Celebrating birthdays this week are Warren Theron, Kimberleigh Hansmeyer, Jane Kritzinger and Gabi Hill (24th), Cal Rautenbach, Chance Porteous, Gordon Cooke, Brett Lazarus, Jade Horn and Berkley Gowland (25th), Luca Neaves, Janine Faraoni, Kevin Ross and John Evans (26th), Sandi Burger, Diane Duncan, Helga Burns and Jolene Emannuel (27th), Sian Eliot, Riley Terblanche, Kristen van Helsingen, Janine Cochrane and Christopher Haggard (28th), Storm Porteous, Louise Montanari, Ray Whitaker, Pat Adams, Hannelie Brauteseth, Darren King, Marco Faraoni and Vic Bard (29th) and Jude Mitchell, Bev Hooper and Corne Breytenbach (30th).

Happy wedding anniversary wishes go to Leon and Robyn Garbade (24th), Brett and Kelly Lazarus and Trevor and Sandy Stallbom (25th), Tanya and Richard Hielckert (28th) and Stephen and Veronique Stanley and Sylvia and Hugh D’Alton (30th).

HAVE YOUR SAY

Like our Facebook page, follow us on Twitter and Instagram