Head for a scenic Sunday afternoon drive to South Africa’s leading house of sparkling wines, when The House of J.C. Le Roux celebrates Spring with four sensational Sunday Music Concerts, sponsored by the Distell Foundation for the Performing Arts on 7, 14, 21 and 28 September.7 SeptemberJazz up with J.C. Le Roux when Cape Town’s famous quartet, Breakfast Included, takes centre stage with vibrant sounds from New Orleans. These four UCT music students are destined to set a standard for new directions in jazz boasting coveted titles such as Best Band in the Western Cape in the Old Mutual Jazz Encounters Programme which they scooped for two consecutive years in 2000 and 2001. Used to sharing the stage with the likes of British band Shakatak and the acclaimed Soweto String Quartet, Breakfast Included tunes any get-together into a soulful journey to America’s deep south with a plethora of timeless compositions. The band is made up of David Poole on saxophone, Jason Gien-Reolon on piano, Dominic Peters on acoustic bass and Shaun Michau on drums 14 SeptemberWomen Unite whip up the pulse of Africa as twilight falls, when this all-women group of dancers, singers and traditional Marimba instrumentalists joins guests for a homegrown celebration of local talent.This group of 8 talented young women was founded in April 1997 by Thandi Swaartbooi, who felt that women were not getting the recognition that they deserve, considering the hard work and commitment that they display in the field of Arts and Culture. 21 SeptemberLyric Trio, Elna van der Merwe and the husband and wife team Suzanne and Peter Martens bring on the classics with all-time masterpieces from composers Franz Schubert and Maurice Ravel.Pianist Van der Merwe obtained BMus cum laude in the US in 1982 and was named Organ Category Winner in the ATKV Forte Competition and semi-finalist in the SABC Music Prize Competition in 1985 (organ) and 1987 (piano) after which she claimed third prize in the Organ Category in 1990.Peter Martens started cello lessons at the age of seven and presently fills the hours as principle cello of the Cape Philharmonic Orchestra, a very active soloist, chamber musician and part time cello lecturer at the University of Cape Town. His wife Suzanne on violin is an active chamber musician in different ensembles and violin teacher, held the position as Associated Concertmaster in the New Arts Philharmonic Orchestra Pretoria until 2002 and was founder member of the Chamber Orchestra of South Africa. Career highlights include her part of the winning trio in the Oude Meester Chamber Music Competition in 1999. 28 SeptemberTap into the vocal talent of Emile Minnie, ex-member of duo band Vlam whose brand new solo show featuring original Afrikaans and English songs is one of Cape Town’s best kept secrets. Minnie gives a deep and intimate performance at the piano, impressing with poetic and strong yet quirky lyrics which has been described as this years Klein Karoo Nasionale Kunstefees (KKNK) as ‘brilliant and touching’. Throughout his somewhat theatrical show, Minnie paints the picture of love, lost and found, as well as other trials and tribulations that life often throws at one. Vlam was voted Best Cabaret at last year’s KKNK and their CD ‘Bevonk’ was nominated for Best Newcomer and Best Duo Album at the Geraas 2002 Awards. For R90 per person, including snacks and a zooty J.C. Le Roux sparkling wine and brandy cocktail, you can soak up the picturesque beauty of Devon Valley in full bloom and end your weekend on a high note. The concerts start at 17H00 for 17H30 and seats are limited.Issued by: Gudrun Clark Communications on behalf of The House of J.C. Le RouxContact: Nichola AckermannTel: +27 (0) 21 865-2590Email: nackermann@distell.co.za Gudrun Clark CommunicationsContact: Leanne LootsTel: +27 (0) 21 462-0520Email: medcom@mweb.co.za