Now in its eighth year, the Voorkamerfest once again offers a unique, multi-cultural experience in an exciting and unconventional format.

The festival continues to draw top local and international artists as well as phenomenal support from local and international communities. It has been hailed as an exciting mix of community spirit and world-class entertainment. Part of the appeal is the adventure. Punters purchase a theatre ticket, which will take them on a mystery route through Darling in an authentic South African taxi.

Taking place on 2, 3 and 4 September 2011, this is the time of year when residents of Darling open up their homes to host professional performances by local and international artists. Music, drama, mime, comedy and cabaret are performed in the lounges or “voorkamers” (literally: front rooms) of 21 Darling homes throughout the village.

Darling taxi drivers take festival visitors from home to home on a number of set routes – each route features three homes and three performances. The beauty of this format is the surprise element: Visitors don’t know beforehand which performances they will see on their route, nor which theatre homes they will visit. It’s an exciting and unpredictable cultural experience with a difference!

Each venue accommodates only a maximum of 25 people, so intimacy is guaranteed. So too is the genuine hospitality of the homeowners. The theatre homes are sponsored by local business and wine farms, as well as a select few theatres in South Africa, Europe or the USA. And at each one, the resident family will act as chaperone managers for the performances in their houses.

The atmosphere of the Voorkamer weekend will be enhanced by outside entertainment and arts, crafts and food stalls at Evita se Perron, where each route will depart and end. Evita’s restaurant and bar will be serving light meals and drinks. The village of Darling also boasts a fine range of restaurants, which will be open for the duration of the festival. The artist line-up will be announced in the press and on the website soon.

In the mean time, tickets can be booked online at http://www.voorkamerfest-darling.co.za or by emailing [email protected]. Tickets cost R190 per person/per route, which includes three different performances.  There will one route on Friday, 2 September at 17h00, two on Saturday, 3 September at 12h00 and 17h00, and one on Sunday 4 September at 12h00.