Pencil it in — Food, Art and Jousting
Tags: Festival, Culture, Events

I love exploring. This passion has grown in me since I was a child; countless hours wandering coastlines, different tourist attractions or even going to the Kruger Park to get the ‘full African experience’ with the family. And then off-continent I went! This ‘bug’ is something I will instil in my children. But, as much I have done in life, I haven’t been able to do everything… yet! Here’s some of the must-do’s on my list. This month, Pencil It In is looking at some exciting festivals happening so you can build your world-wide travelling list. From music to the arts we try cater for all our readers — so let’s see whats happening across the planet this week.

Texas Renaissance Festival

Watching Cowboys (John Wayne — the baddest of them all!) and Indians when I was growing up made me want to visit Texas. This Texas festival isn’t quite the Wild West, but it’s definitely all about the old-school. Here’s something I never imaged ever happening in Texas, but something I know would be a ridiculously cool experience.

With over half a million attendees over the whole festival, The Texas Renaissance Festival has really tried to select the best weather periods to allow for the festival goers to really become a part of the festival — without suffering needlessly. You’re encouraged to dress us and get in character while witnessing the amazing theatrics, jousting, archery, juggling — even the old (and slightly non-PC) game of ‘Drench-a-Wench’. The organisers of this festival go so far as to plant actors all over the festival to really bring the renaissance vibe to life — just in case you start loosing your character.

I don’t know about you but I really feel like if you want to dress up and be someone else for the day then the cowboy of middle-ages England, the knight, would be a solid option. It might not be your cup of tea but why not be bold — like a knight -and do something new? If that doesn’t work, pull out your cowboy suit and run around shooting everyone. Everyone wins!

Melbourne Festival

I love Australia as a holiday destination, and next time I go I will be luckily enough to visit my family and my only brother. But now, after reading this, I’m considering going to the Melbourne festival instead… It’s an art festival like no other I have ever seen. It doesn’t focus on one genre (like the typical art fest) but rather on the arts as a whole. From dance to music, film, theatre and visual art Melbourne Festival has it all. For 2 and a half weeks Melbourne is transformed by local and international acts alike and is one of Australia’s most important cultural events on their yearly calendar. “Culture? Australia?”, you hear you wonder? Remember, this is the island that gave us Silverchair, Ruth Park and Simryn Gill — they have culture in spades — mate.

If you not sold on it, watch this:

https://youtu.be/WJDv6_xnkHY

Alba International White truffle fair

Even though I have never been to Italy it’s on my (and most other people’s) bucket list. As are truffles (if you can afford them or find them). Obviously this last event of the week is all over my radar. It’s the mother of all truffle festivals in Italy and its known that it’s not the most expensive which, with the current exchange rate situation, makes it perfect for any fine-dining aficionado. The pungent smell is everywhere while you stroll through the market looking at the various delicacies. However, it’s not just a market — there are cooking workshops, exhibitions, the ALBA truffle show and of course (my favourite), wine tastings. ‘If not, why not”, I always say, so why not go explore Italy with a little bit of a flavour?

There you have it, my top three events happening all over the world for this week. If I’m honest, I’m more of a music festival junkie — but, at the same time, it’s the cultural stuff that really rounds a man out (especially the food ones!). It’s all part my exploring nature and trying something different — why not make it a part of yours?

‘Till next time!