KKNK Festival in Oudtshoorn

Immerse yourself in a smorgasbord of stellar Afrikaans arts and culture at this week-long festival

Last Updated: 17 March 2017

The biggest Afrikaans cultural festival returns to the charming streets of Oudtshoorn for the 23rd time this year. The Klein Karoo Nasionale Kunstefees (KKNK) turns the sleepy town into a colourful and chaotic melting pot of performance, theatre, sound and visual art from Saturday, 8 to Saturday, 15 April 2017.

This seven-day multi-platform festival affair features cutting-edge theatrical productions, concerts, kids’ entertainment, dance performances and visual art installations that bolster appreciation for locally relevant and produced arts and culture in post-apartheid South Africa.

WHAT TO EXPECT AT 2017 KKNK FESTIVAL IN OUDTSHOORN

SHOWS, SHOWS & MORE SHOWS: Exploding on a myriad of stages across this small Karoo town, the event offers something for all ages. This year’s festival programme bursts at the seams with a smorgasbord of local productions, including the Uitkampteater, a campfire theatre experience where various theatre companies will present an array of short productions. Audiences can expect to see shows ranging from the thought-provoking and drama-filled to suspenseful thrillers and laugh-out-loud comedies.    

BELLY LAUGHS GALORE: Top local personalities like Casper de Vries (with his show 3-in-1 Met Casper, Schalk en Hannes featuring Schalk Bezuidenhout and Hannes Brümmer), Pierre van Pletzen (Oom Oubaas from 7de Laan starring in his first solo called Voël Innie Hand), Pieter Dirk Uys (Pasaanoffokof) and many more will be lightening the mood and will have you in stitches. With an ample amount of comedies on the programme, audience members are truly spoilt for choice.

MUSIC CONCERTS: Music is a common thread that binds South Africans together. This year, contemporary music reigns supreme and lovers of good tunes and great vibes can expect a range of exciting and surprising collaborations. Experience entertainment for the whole family at the Rivierbuurt, where you can select a variety of music between 12pm and 2pm daily, whatever you ear desires to hear the Rivierbuurt has got you sorted. At 4pm the music moves to the Huisgenoot Verhoog (Huisgenoot Stage) where the top acts will include the likes of Adam Tas, Emo Adams, Katlego Maboe, Elvis Blue, Bobby van Jaarsveld, Loukmaan Adams, Zolani Mahola and heaps more that will treat your eardrums to a delightful sound fest at this year’s event.

CHILDREN’S THEATRE: Parents, fear not! There will be plenty of activities and theatre for your energetic little ones. Watch an all-time favourite with kids when Die Prinses En Die Ertjie (The Princess And The Pea) takes to the stage, or take them to Crafty Kids where they can get creative. Your kids’ favourite character, Lollos, will also be making an appearance at the show for the ninth consecutive time. This is not the only things that your little ones will be limited to though, there’s a whole lot more!

ART EXHIBITIONS: Apart from taking in the striking landscape of the Karoo, festival-goers can also revel in amazing creations by South African artists at the many exhibitions on the bill. Explore in the best of the visual art industry curated by Paul Bayliss at this years’ event. See works by Mzansi’s finest creatives and perhaps be moved to purchase a piece or two.

AN OUTDOOR AFFAIR: For the second time in South African festival history, the Uitkampteater comes to the KKNK. Celebrate short stories and participate in intimate theatre pieces around a campfire. Another outdoor experience includes the ATKV-kampvuur (ATKV campfire) where we will bear witness to RSG presenter, Haidee Muller, and poet, Danie Marais, welcoming festival-goers to their campfire, this cannot be missed!

TICKETS FOR THE 2017 KKNK FESTIVAL IN OUDTSHOORN

Each act, concert, exhibition or activity at the 2017 Klein Karoo Nasionale Kunstefees is priced separately, and entry fees range depending on each event, so please consult Computicket and the festival programme for specific details. 

For more information, phone +27 (0)44 203 8600 or email info@kknk.co.za.

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