The Franschhoek Cap Classique & Champagne Festival makes a welcome return to the Western Cape after a two year absence due to COVID restrictions. The two-day event –presented by Sanlam Private Wealth – will take place at the Huguenot Monument in Franschhoek on Saturday, December 3 and Sunday, December 4 from 11h00 to 16h00.
Apart from the opportunity to taste Cap Classiques and Champagnes from 19 different producers, and enjoy a variety of foods from stalls and local restaurants, festivalgoers will also be treated to live music throughout both days.
One of the featured musicians is Shen Winberg, otherwise known as ShenFM, who has been wowing audiences both locally and internationally. Ahead of the festival, we asked him a few questions.
For those who don’t know you, who is Shen Winberg?
I spent my early childhood in Limpopo, where I absorbed the indigenous sounds in the rhythms of the province’s Shangaan villages and which is what gives that distinctive ethnic blend to my music. I have a degree in jazz from the University of Cape Town and, with a love for Afrohouse and pop music, my band ShenFM plays a fusion of contemporary and traditional sounds, creating a global, commercial yet ‘world music’ feel to my compositions.
I have played in the US, France, Ireland, Dubai, Sweden, Angola, Malawi, Senegal, Brazil and Argentina, performed with Jeff Bridges in Cape Town in 2012 and with Vusi Mahlasela in Sweden, opened for Lionel Richie in Dubai and have also played with Goldfish, Locnville and Freshlyground among others. I am a cultural ambassador for the World’s Children’s Prize Foundation for the Rights of the Child, patronised by Her Majesty Queen Silvia of Sweden and, in this capacity, I audition and direct a youth band with vulnerable children annually, followed by a tour to Scandinavia.
What can visitors to the Bubbly festival expect from your set?
It’ll be an eclectic mix of beats, up-tempo, yet still peaceful, danceable, but not overpowering.
What’s on your playlist right now?
I’ve created some really cool remixes and mashups never heard before, from Due Lipa mixing into tropical house remixes of Bob Marley, to hip hop versions of Wonderwall and African-infused mixes of John Mayer.
Where do you see yourself in four to five years?
I’d like to be continuing on this same route of sharing my music worldwide, touring and creating and producing music for young talented artists.
Who are your dream colabs?
Youngr from the UK and FKJ from France. Locally, I’d love to collaborate with Amy Faku and Sun-EL Musician!
In addition to the coo, sounds of ShenFM, festivalgoers will also get to enjoy music from award-winning songstress Amy Jones and the dynamic brother duo Too Tone, who “play Black Coffee and Zakes Bantwini type house music.”
Nineteen bubbly producers will provide tastings, including Cap Classiques from Anthonij Rupert Wyne, Black Elephant Vintners, Bon Courage, Boschendal, Domaine des Dieux, Graham Beck, Krone, La Motte, Laborie, Le Lude, Nanola Wines, Paul René, Pongracz, Rickety Bridge, Steenberg, Villiera and Woolworths as well as Champagne from Taittinger and sparkling wine from Veuve Du Vernay.
The dress code for the event is “Blue & White”, with prizes awarded to those voted the best dressed on both days.
Tickets for the Franschhoek Cap Classique & Champagne Festival are available from Webtickets, cost R450pp and include a souvenir glass and 10 tasting coupons. Picnic hampers for two are also available to pre-order from Webtickets but numbers are limited.
