It’s the time of the year when your social media accounts are flooded with RSVP requests for concerts and events; when the common attraction is the sunny outdoor experience, live music, food, liquor and the interaction with happy people.
Pack your picnic basket and blanket, food and your preferred drink and head to one of these outdoor music events.
V&A Waterfront
The V&A Waterfront’s Take the Stage free concerts showcase local talent over December and January, including performances by UK-based acoustic duo, Tom James Duo, on Saturday December 10, Lana Crowster on December 17, Jonathan Rubain on December 22 and BP Pro on December 26.
On January 7, Black South Easter ends the event with a medley of reggae songs, funk, blue jazz and world dance.
All live shows start at either 7pm or 8pm. For more information, contact the V&A info Centre at 021 408 7600 or [email protected]
Cape Town Philharmonic Orchestra
The Cape Town Philharmonic Orchestra returns at the Green Point Track on December 18. The orchestra, led by resident conductor Brandon Phillips, will cool you and your family down at this picnic with music from singers Brandon October, pictured right, Janelle Visagie, Siphamandla Yakupa and Lukhanyo Moyake. Sterling EQ, who have an international following, will also bless the audience with some tunes. The concert is supported by the City of Cape Town.
Adults pay R75 a head and children under 12 enter free. The concert starts at 8pm, but gates open at 6pm. Food stalls will be at the venue. Book now at Computicket or Artscape Dial-A-Seat at 021 421 7695.
Kirstenbosch Summer Sunset
The Kirstenbosch Summer Sunset concerts attract big acts such as local wonder kid Jimmy Nevis, who performed there a fortnight ago. The Parlotones, Zonke and Beatenberg, among others, are set to grace the stage of the enthralling Kirstenbosch garden – a top city attraction – which enlivens the overarching mountain.
The concerts, which started on November 20, closes on April 2 next year. Some special offers will be available to concert-goers this year in celebration of 25 years of the concert series, according to the organisers.
Alternative musicians Beatenberg and Opposite The Other rocked yesterday, but don’t despair if you missed it as they will be followed by 2016 The Voice winner Richard Stirton and Khan, a member of internationally acclaimed band The Parlotones on Sunday, December 11.
Carol singers will occupy the stage from December 14-17. Prime Circle hops on stage on December 26, while Johnny Clegg and Slow Jack entertain the crowd on New Year’s Eve.
Mango Groove and Zonke will mesmerise the audience into new year on January 1 and January 8, respectively.
The concert runs from November 20 to April 16 at Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden, Rhodes Drive, Newlands in Cape Town.
Ticket prices range between R125 and R190 for adults. The special Youth Ticket (6-21 yrs) ranges from R90 to R150.
For further information and ticket prices, contact 021 799 8783 or www.sanbi.org.za and book tickets online on www.webtickets.co.za.
Ticket office sales at Kirstenbosch start from the Tuesday before each concert if tickets are still available.
Follow the concert on Twitter: @KirstenboschNBG #KBRocks.
Facebook: Kirstenbosch Summer Sunset Concerts.
Paul Cluver
At the Forest Ampitheatre, Paul Cluver Wines, rock queen Karen Zoid leads the “turn up” and The Parlotones will perform their hits on January 7 at the Paul Cluver Summer Festival in Grabouw. Tickets for both shows are R300. Gates open at 5pm. All proceeds go to charity. Visit http://www.hope.org.za/hopepaulcluver for details.
Open Source
Feel like a trance jam? The Open Source Vortex Trance Party, from December 8-12, is a psychedelic music outdoor festival that takes place at the Circle of Dreams in Caledon. Tickets range from R480 to R650. E-mail [email protected] or visit www.facebook.com/vortex.trance.adventures for details.
Rezonance New Year’s Eve Fest
There are 150 musicians, including six international acts, on the line-up for the 2016/2017 Rezonance New Year’s Eve Festival in Robertson. The line-up has not yet been released but some of the confirmed electronic musicians include Dickster, Arjuna, Daydin and Broken Toy. The show starts on December 30 and ends on January 2 at the Pat Busch Mountain Reserve. E-mail [email protected] for more information.