The Fantastic Grifizzi Brothers and their Carnival of Friends Roll Into Stellenbosch This August

It's carnival time in Stellenbosch! This August, The Fantastic Grifizzi Brothers and their Carnival of Friends will roll into town with a rad set up that includes everything from food trucks and bars to a double decker bus-cum-restaurant, a barber shop, fun rides and an animal-free circus in a Big Top tent. After a sold-out inaugural stint in Fish Hoek, the coolest gig in town has packed up its trailers, caravans and tents, and will be settling in at the Van Der Stel Sports Club.

Designed and produced by Richard Griffin and the uber talented team that brought South Africa Madame Zingara and a string of iconic eateries and bars, this dynamic and inclusive concept showcases a unique theatrical, food and outdoor experience for people of all ages. These industry stalwarts and vintage carnival producers have brought quirky Bohemian circus life to the fore by incorporating the visual wonderment of the performing arts, live music, vinyl vibes and a winter garden of delights, all in one festive space.

The Fantastic Grifizzi Brothers carnival experience has something for everyone. The food on offer, with vegetarian and Halaal options, is incredible and includes Khumalo's Meat House and Tavern's braai experience, a gourmet gypsy menu on the double decker Bohemian Bus, the Fish Shack and Café, and trucks selling delicious cuisine. With several late night bars like the cool Barber Shop mirror tent, this eclectic carnival is guaranteed to further enhance one of the Western Cape's most popular destination towns.

For the kids, there is THE STORY OF THE MOON, a charming tale about the moon and her quest to be happy like the circus folk she sees below her. Presented in an imported traditional Italian Big Top, it is a delight for the smallest of children to teens, parents, guardians and all who experience it. The show, directed by Marc Colli and Christine Chapman and conceptualised by Richard Griffin, is MC'd by Lilian Khumalo as Mama Circus, alongside singer Carmen Maarman. The star cast of performers hail from South Africa and abroad, showcasing acrobatics, drumming, Argentinian boladeros, contortion, slapstick comedy and a mesmerising quick change act.

The Fantastic Grifizzi Brothers and their Carnival of Friends is open at the Van der Stel Sports Club on Wednesdays through Sundays from 5 to 27 August 2017. Entry costs R30 per person, with the grounds opening at 14:00 on weekdays and at 11:00 on weekends. Student night is on Wednesday, with 2-for-1 specials on presentation of a student card. Between 16:00 and 18:00, there is R10 beer and wine.

THE STORY OF THE MOON runs on Thursdays at 16:00, Fridays at 15:00 and 19:00, and Saturdays and Sundays at 12:00, 15:00 and 19:00. Tickets cost from R120 for children to R160 for adults, available via the Grifizzi Brothers website and 0714002250. Group bookings and special package and party deals for THE STORY OF THE MOON are also available through the website and phone line. Costs for additional activities are R20-R60 for the big carnival rides, R40 per 5 minutes the for bungee trampoline which is only for children aged 3 to 12, and R30 per person for face painting.

Follow The Grifizzi Brothers on Facebook and Instagram, and post using the hashtag #FantasticGrifizziBrothers.

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