Dobbo returns - watch this space.

Dobbo is a great friend of both Barrydale and the Karoo Art hotel. We have a concept where now and again we put the hotel in the hands of a creative conductor for the weekend. John Dobson's weekends, being the renaissance man that he his, author, Chess player of note, theatre man, rugby supremo,  have evolved into a mix between a rugby  test match weekend, food, fun and left field entertainment. The 2025 date is set.

Call the hotel for bookings: 0661897457

Karoo Art Reception

Friday night. Francois Van Coke kicks off

If you're a fokofpolisiekar fan, this is their founder and leader in solo mode. In the Belanti, a lounge session of note. When do you ever get to hang out with a music legend ? Francois is a great friend of Dobbo's and he's in for the weekend. 

Sat morning chilled ride on the cycle loop via the rugby ground.

We'll set off at 7, go past the Smitsville Stadium to check where John Maytham and DHL's money went (playing field surface upgrade) then on we go onto the cycle loop  (many a bail option available). 

Cycle loop

Beers and a Braai with the hotels Chef Derek Louw.

Sat 3pm. Rugby immersion

John Maytham is an expert in many things but there's nothing he's more passionate about than Rugby. He's also a brilliant show host and conversationalist. He'll be leading a one hour deep dive into the game ahead - and everything that came from before, starting with William Web Ellis. Joining John Maytham will be recently retired Springbok legend Steven KItsoff and Mark Keohane of SA Rugby magazine and Keo & Zels fame plus Dobbo himself.

Sat 5pm. SA vs Georgia 5pm 

We've got the experts before the game, we've got them during and after. Then it all becomes a laugh.

Sat 7pm. Pieter G

We can count on Dobbo as a conductor of left field entertainment. Fokofpoliciekar friday, Pieter G, runs on after the rugby.  

Note re John Maytham and Mark Keohane

Last year  John Maytham and the hotel ran a Barrydale Rugby promotion on Cape Talk where the hotel gave  rooms away on his quiz show as he ran an on air fundraising campaign; In his personal capacity he donated one of his centre line season tickets for last season's epic Springbok / All Black test. Along with the support of DHL that initiative raised close on R40,000,00 which along with generous equipment support from the Smit family and other Barrydale farmers, went into the improvement of the playing surface of our local Smitsville rugby ground.

Mark Keohane of SA Rugby mag has also been a great supporter of both the hotel and Barrydale rugby via his SA Rugby platform and Cape Town etc.