If you enjoy wine, art and music, or simply want to get out into the country for a relaxing day by the river, then take a drive to Henley on Klip.

The Henley Wine, Arts, and Music Festival (WAM) will be held for the second time on September 7 and 8 in this tranquil little village by the Klip River approximately 50km south from Johannesburg on the R59 highway.

Eleven wine estates will be represented, setting up at nine restaurants and eateries around the village, many within walking distance of each other.

A R120 ticket and a leisurely tour will take the visitor to Ducks Country House by the river; The Hound Country Pub and Bistro, known for fine dining; the pleasant garden ambience of Molly’s Speakeasy; the welcoming Windmill Coffee Shop; the cosy intimacy of TwisTed ReaLm CreAtions; the friendly vibe of Montague’s Family Restaurant; the relaxed About Time Gift and Coffee Shop; the cheerful 1904 the original Henley restaurant across the road and the Merchant Business Class Hotel in Highbury.

Artists will be exhibiting at all the venues and some will also have crafters at work. Children’s art can be seen at Ducks. Both art and wine will be on sale. Wine tasting is from 11:00 to 16:30 on Saturday and 11:00 to 15:00 on Sunday. Tickets can be booked online at www.henley-wam.co.za, or bought at any of the WAM venues on the day. A branded wine glass and armband will be your passport to the nine wine-tasting experiences.

The wine farms represented this year are Alvis Drift and Durbanville Hills, Tall Horse, La Couronne, Stellenbosch Vineyards and Groenland, Welmoed, Almost Zero, Van Loveren and Nederberg, Glen Carlou, Bayede, De Krans.

The festival kicks off on Friday, September 6, with cocktails, canapes, a music quiz and performance by the Henley Performing Arts, entitled appropriately “The Wine Tasting”, at the O’Connor Hall on Pretorius Street at 18:30. Tickets are R80. Call Heather on 082 772 1187 to book.

The music component comes into play on Saturday night with a concert at the AOG Hall in Regatta Road at 18:30 for 19:00. The WRJazz and Rock Orchestra will perform music from popular film and television themes, musicals, pop and rock hits, and even gaming music. JazzKLLR will join the orchestra for a few numbers. Songs include Pink’s Try, The Black Parade by My Chemical Romance, Careless Whisper, Creep, Blue Skies and Basket Case. Popular film tunes will include Harry Potter, Star Wars, Forrest Gump, and many more.

On Sunday, the wine-tasting experience continues, but there will be a fun pet walk at Fraser Park from 09:00 to 11:00 with a demonstration by the K9 Impact Protection Dogs at 10:00. There will be prizes for the best dressed owner and dog, best behaved dog, worst behaved dog and amateur obedience skills, plus free nail clipping and de-worming. It’s all in aid of Balls an’ All and 50 Shades of Spay. Donations of cat and dog food gratefully accepted. For more information contact 083 5455 5925.

While the dogs get their outing, the classic car enthusiasts can admire Henley’s notable collection of classic cars, also at Fraser Park from 09:00 to 11:00.

Tickets to the Henley WAM Festival are available online from the website – www.henley-wam.co.za – and Facebook page. Alternatively, tickets can be bought from members of Henley Lions and Henley Rotary. Ticket prices are R120 for the wine tasting including branded wine glass, R80 for the HPA event and R150 for the concert including canapés.

The Henley WAM festival is sponsored by Midvaal local municipality, Lions International and Rotary. Proceeds will go to Lions and Rotary community projects.

For more information see www.henley.wam.co.za, or phone 082 447 9248.