PLETTENBERG BAY NEWS - The theme of Plett's annual winter arts extravaganza is "Expect the Unexpected", but organisers could not have anticipated that this year's Plett Arts Festival would have to be postponed just days ahead of the event because of South Africa's move to adjusted Level 4 Covid-19 regulations.

The festival was forced to go virtual last year as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic and related restrictions.

The festival, which celebrates the finer things in life, was set to take place between 10 and 20 July this year, but because gatherings are now no longer permitted, organisers have decided to postpone the event.

Plett Tourism's Cindy Wilson-Trollip said they will be announcing new dates in the near future, but that they hope to host the festival in September should the lockdown situation change for the better. She said that everything is in place and ready to go ahead when the time comes.

Plettenberg Bay Tourism chief executive Patty Butterworth said this year's festival was geared to put Plett attractions, restaurants and "secret gardens" centre stage. Organisers said performances and exhibitions would take place in unexpected places. 

"Opportunities to explore and [seek] adventure in the wild and at the same time [celebrate] the arts, are an exhilarating experimental aspect of the festival," Butterworth said.

She emphasised that while the venues would be interesting, the artists would still steal the spotlight on these "amazing stages".

Back on the programme is the Plett Winter School, which was first introduced in 2018. This involves teaching young and old about various art disciplines. "Bring your old dog and learn some new tricks," invited Butterworth.

The programme is also set to include an array of entertainment, food and drink as well as art exhibitions, street festivals, performances, film screenings and wine.

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