News

This August, the heart of the Karoo will come alive with the sounds of music, the aromas of curated cuisine and the shared joy of community celebration, as the Kaleidoscope Festival 2025 takes over Prince Albert for a three-day musical and culinary experience. This year’s programme – which runs from August 22 to August 24 – will proudly celebrate South African music and musicians, with a focus on new commissions and world premieres that spotlight the country’s rich and diverse musical landscape.

Kaleidoscope is not just a festival - it’s a cultural journey that blends world-class classical and chamber music with food and wine inspired by the heritage of the Karoo. From intimate concerts in historic buildings to gourmet pairings under wide Karoo skies, each day has something exciting to offer. The lineup includes performances by renowned artists such as Hendrik Hofmeyr, Minette du Toit-Pearce, the ARCO Youth Orchestra and members of the Cape Town Philharmonic Youth Orchestra. In addition, the programme will also feature performances by celebrated musicians including Schalk Joubert, Nick Turner and Tony Alcock. Concerts will be held at iconic venues including The Swartberg Pass, The Yellow House and Gays Dairy, each offering a unique atmosphere that enhances the musical experience.”

Says Louise Lansdown, Kaleidoscope Festival creator: “Kaleidoscope is a celebration of artistic excellence born from collaboration with our local community, young musicians and world-class performers coming together in one of South Africa’s most inspiring landscapes. As both a Prince Albert resident and someone deeply rooted in international music education, I’m proud to see how this festival bridges worlds - local and global, professional and emerging talent - through shared passion, creativity and a deep love for music.”

NOW LET’S MEET THE ARTISTS

Hendrik Hofmeyr – piano

Described by the Musical Times as ‘perhaps South Africa’s most prolific composer’ Hofmeyr’s output is staggering in its breadth and inventiveness. With this comes multiple awards and commissions including the prestigious Queen Elisabeth Competition in Belgium. Two of his most intimate songs for this instrumentation will be included in this programme and he will accompany acclaimed singer Du Toit-Pearce Hofmeyr at the piano.

Minette Du Toit-Pearce – voice

One of South Africa’s most renowned singers Minette Du Toit-Pearce is headlining the Kaleidoscope Festival with a rarely heard lieder programme joining forces with long standing colleagues and friends Louise Lansdown and Hendrik Hofmeyr. Du Toit-Pearce is no stranger to the National and International stage with an enormous list of accolades to her name. She is currently Head of the Singing Division at Stellenbosch University. She features on August 22 in The Showroom at 19h30 singing music with viola and piano composed by Brahms, Bridge, Loeffler, Hofmeyr and Dale.

Louise Lansdown – viola

To complete the trio for the festival’s first evening concert, violist and Kaleidoscope Festival creator Louise Lansdown brings the voice of the viola to the fore, the instrument most akin to the human voice. Performer, teacher, philanthropist, researcher and recording artist Louise lives with her feet across two continents, based at the Royal Northern College of Music and the Yehudi Menuhin School in the UK, she is the founder of the newly merged Tertis and Aronowitz International Viola Competitions, Principal viola of the Mzansi National Philharmonic Orchestra, and founder of the ARCO Project now thriving in Prince Albert.

Nick Turner - voice, guitar

Nick Turner and his nimble-fingered musical compadre, Schalk Joubert, will be serving up a slew of infectious earworms drawn from Turner’s rich and eclectic oeuvre. Together, they will take you on a riveting musical journey, from the Mother City to the Big Apple, from England to Loeriesfontein and beyond. Turner and Joubert share a deep musical history, from Sons of Trout and Mikanic to countless award-winning productions. Turner was the founding member of Sons of Trout in the late 90s and later, one half of Mikanic with fellow Trout Mike Rennie. Turner’s music effortlessly spans genres ranging from rock, reggae, and Afro pop to ghoema, hip-hop and jazz. He writes in both English and Afrikaans with songs that are lyrically powerful, relevant, humorous and energetic.

Schalk Joubert - bass guitar

Schalk Joubert is a multi-award-winning bassist, producer, composer and musical director, specialising in a rich variety of South African traditional music, jazz, rock and pop. He has 25 years’ experience as a recording artist and has toured nationally and internationally with the likes of David Kramer, Anton Goosen, Hugh Masekela, the Crash Test Dummies, Robin Auld and Strawbs. Joubert has performed at elite venues such as Carnegie Hall, Byron Bay Blues and Cropredy Festival. You can hear Turner and Joubert in Concert 6: The Royal Venue at The Swartberg Hotel on August 23 at 20h00.

Tony Alcock - double bass

Hailing from the UK Tony Alcock has had an illustrious career as principal double bassist in the BBC Scottish, Scottish Opera, BBC National Orchestra of Wales, Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra and as guest leader of all of the London orchestras including the London Symphony Orchestra, the Philharmonia Orchestra, the London Philharmonic and the BBC Symphony Orchestras. Alcock is a founder of the Kaleidoscope Festival and ARCO Project now based in Prince Albert. Hear Alcock in world premieres specially commissioned for Kaleidoscope, composed by Arthur Feder and Jan-Hendrik Harley. Alcock travelled from the UK with his travel double bass (the neck magically comes off) specially to play in this festival.

Kaleidoscope will also feature brass and string players from the Cape Town Philharmonic Youth Orchestra who will play in Concert 1 at the ARCO Youth Orchestras, Concert 4 in Brass Tastic, Concert 5, The African String Quartet and Concert 7 in The New Apostolic Church.

International visiting artists include cellist and double bassist Elliot Tingley, as well as Welsh, Swiss and South African violists Emma Farnsworth, Klara Rüttimann and Rory Africa, respectively.

Tickets for the Kaleidoscope Classical Music and Food Festival are on sale now via Quicket. Early booking is highly recommended as seating is limited, and demand is high. For more information, bookings, programme updates and venues, visit kaleidoscopefestival.co.za or contact info@kaleidoscopefestival.co.za. 

Kaleidoscope is thrilled to announce two major partnerships with Wesgro and the Prince Albert Community Trust (PACT). Wesgro is the official Tourism, Trade and Investment Promotion Agency for Cape Town and the Western Cape and is now a destination partner and sponsor of the Kaleidoscope Festival. Kaleidoscope’s partnership with PACT is born of a shared vision to empower the community of Prince Albert by “creating platforms, programmes and opportunities for previously disadvantaged people through education, upliftment and cultural enterprises.” The partnership began in 2023 with a dream to create a string of teaching outreach projects based permanently within and for the community of Prince Albert. With the indispensable and ongoing support of PACT, the ARCO Project began its work in January 2025, teaching 80 young learners - aged 4 to 13 - the violin, viola, cello and double bass. Kaleidoscope was initiated to support and help grow the ARCO Project within the community in Prince Albert. It is the first all-South African Classical Music Festival and is proud to work alongside PACT, transforming and empowering young lives through music.

The Kaleidoscope Festival 2025: Programme Guide

Friday, August 22 at 12h30

Venue: The POP Centre
Programme: The ARCO Project
String orchestras from Blink Begin, Prince Albert Primary School, Kweekvallei and Albert College play an enchanting programme of South African and children’s music! Dis Heerlik Lente, Vat jou goed en trek, Shosholoza and much more. Support Prince Albert’s budding young musicians and get your coffee and crumpets from the Hope Warriors Coffee Shop!

Friday, August 22 at 19h30

Venue: The Showroom
Programme: Songs from near and far 
Artists: Minette Du Toit-Pearce - mezzo soprano; Louise Lansdown – viola; Hendrik Hofmeyr - piano
Join us for an unforgettable evening of songs by Loeffler, Dale, Hofmeyr, Bridge and Brahms. Don’t forget to book your pizza and wine beforehand at The Langhuis!
Saturday, August 23 at 10h00
Venue: The Dance Floor, Eerste Water, Swartberg Pass
Programme: Round the World with Four Violas
Artists: Rory Africa, Louise Lansdown, Emma Farnsworth and Klara Rüttimann - violas
A concert with music by Bach, Reed, Florence Price, Bokwe, Hofmeyr, Sibelius and the Beatles! The Lazy Lizard will provide a sumptuous warm breakfast and drinks.

Saturday, August 23 at 12h00

Venue: The Yellow House
Programme: Brass Tastic.
Artists: Cape Town Philharmonic Youth Orchestra Brass Quintet; Louise Loeb van Zuilenburg (French horn); Rebecca Abraham and Keano Solomons (trumpet); Wilmar Niehaus (trombone); Kaleb Adams (tuba)
This feel-good concert will have you smiling and tapping your feet. Enjoy a drink and work up an appetite for a sensational lunch at the Yellow House.

Saturday, August 23 at 17h00

Venue: The Old Barn, Gays Guernsey Dairy
Artists: The African String Quartet with the Cape Town Philharmonic Youth Orchestra String Quartet. Corban Beukes – violin; Loren Ehlers (violin/accordion); Jason Oppelt – viola; John Minnaar – cello; Tony Alcock - double bass

The gifted string players from the CPYO present a uniquely African string quartet programme packed with music from Nigeria and South Africa. Ehlers will perform on the accordion in one of his own works. All this while you sip on a glass of wine and nibble on delicious cheeses.

Saturday, August 23 at 20h00

Venue: The Swartberg Hotel
Programme: Breakfast in Cape Town, Lunch in New York, Dinner in Prince Albert
Artists: Nick Turner - singer, song writer, guitarist; Schalk Joubert - bass guitar
Turner and his nimble-fingered musical compadre Joubert serve up a slew of infectious ear worms from Turner’s rich and eclectic oeuvre. Together they will take you on a riveting musical journey! The Swartberg Hotel has created a Karoo-inspired dinner that will start at 18h00. One not to be missed. Check the website for more details.

Sunday, August 24 at 09h00

Venue: New Apostolic Church
Artists: The Cape Town Philharmonic Youth Orchestra String Quartet and Brass Quintet

The Cape Town Philharmonic Youth Orchestra String Quartet and Brass Quintet will play in the church service at the New Apostolic Church, located on the corner of Middelweg/Buitekant Street in North End.

Sunday, August 24 at 11h00

Venue: Garfield’s Place, 57 Church Street
Programme: Long Walk to Freedom
Artists: Louise Lansdown and Emma Farnsworth – violas; Elliot Tingley – cello; Tony Alcock - double bass

The concert remembers the struggle and highlights the Rivonia Trial with Monthati Masebe’s Trials that Trail. Two world premieres by South African composers Arthur Feder and Jan-Hendrik Harley, both inspired by the Karoo, and the concert closes with three Argentinian and Uruguayan tangos! Not to be missed! The concert will be followed by a specially curated menu at Jeremy’s, inspired by Madiba’s love of simplicity and generosity!