Prepare for a jam-packed opening weekend starting with the Opening Concert on the Friday night with Camerata Tinta Barocca and violinst Avigail and pianist Ammiel Bushakevitz. The acclaimed sister and brother musicians will visit from Europe especially to open this year's festival. On the Saturday night, Richard Cock will present Sinatra and Friends (with an Italian twist) and on the Sunday, two performances of Last Night of the Proms.

Wine Plus: a Series of Tutored Tastings at The Marine Hotel kicks off with Showtime with local wineries ensuring that visitors appreciate the art of every wine. The Pop-up Kitchen at the Windsor Hotel starts its programme too, on the Saturday morning. Focus on Art along the FynArts Amble of sixteen exhibitions is where you will meet Joey the War Horse on the Sunday.

We are privileged to announce a one-off preview of ABRAHAM, the first film in three decades to be directed by celebrated South African screen writer, film director and producer, Jans Rautenbach. His other films include Die Kandidaat (1968) and Katrina (1969). Jans Rautenbach will introduce the film that has English sub-titles, and lead a discussion at its close.

Amongst others, a range of talks during Fynarts includes A Life in Books - a panel discussion with writer, Christopher Hope and Michele Magwood, editor-at-large for the Sunday Times and Duncan Minshull, senior producer at BBC Radio. In Calling the Shots, Mike Nicol, crime writer, will talk to forensic pathologist, David Klatzow. And while War Horse Joey visits, puppeteer Adrian Kohler will talk about the Making of War Horse.

New for 2015! In recognition of the diverse origin of immigrants to South Africa, this year and in the future, FynArts will reflect the 'connection' of one country to the arts as well as to the South African way of life. This year it is Italy with some events recognising this connection such as the Idiom Festival of Italian Opera; the Gourmet Dinner; a number of talks including new insights into Da Vinci's Mona Lisa; a Grappa tasting with Giorgio Dalla Cia and a dish with an Italian Connection on the menu of participating restaurants.

Calling all artists! Full details, prizes and entry form for the growing Tollman Bouchard Finlayson Tondo Competition are on the website. All artists are welcome to enter this competition that culminates in a unique exhibition in the working cellar at the Bouchard Finlayson wine farm. The tondi (circular artworks) that are selected as finalists by the three judges will be displayed on the heads of oak barrels. This year the exhibition will continue to run into the months following the FynArts festival.

Also new for 2015 … The Windsor Hotel will host a Pop-Up demonstration kitchen installed by Mac Brothers. Each day at 11:00 and 15:00 there will be demonstration presented by celebrity chefs or top chefs from the area. In addition there will be two floral art demonstrations and two of quilting. The programme of who, what and when at the Pop-up Kitchen was put together with the assistance of Garth Stroebel, Hospitality Consultant and Chef. The majority of presenters have already been signed up and full details will be released in two weeks time in our next newsletter. Early Bird tickets will cost R70 (full price is R80). Numbers will be limited.

Hermanus FynArts has reached a new milestone with the establishment of the Hermanus FynArts Fund. The long-term aim is to establish a School of the Arts for the Overstrand in Hermanus. In the shorter term the aim is to widen audiences at concerts and at workshops to include people who for socio-economic reasons, or because of disablity, are not able to take part in the festival. This fund will be used to heavily subsidise tickets for concerts, workshops and demonstrations, as well as to offer special arts educational events. For more information click here.

Hermanus FynArts would like to thank our sponsors for their continued support.

Hermanus Tourism and the FynArts Team look forward to welcoming you to the festival in June. For a list of Featured Accommodation, Restaurants and Activities, click here.

We look forward to welcoming you to Hermanus FynArts.

Mary Faure and the FynArts Team