One crisp October evening, my friends and I find ourselves discussing how we were actually going make the leap from Spring to Summer mentality. We start to share our ideas of what epitomises summer for each of us and pretty soon words like picnic, sunset, concerts and chilled wine are flying around us like butterflies in a field of wild flowers. An epiphany follows. We all stare at one another, unblinking as the concept dawns upon us. The Old Mutual Summer Sunset Concert series at Kirstenbosch Gardens is only a week away!We quickly establish that it is in fact Johnny Clegg playing the first gig of the season. An appreciative roar erupts in unision and we agree. We simply must get in on the action! This year's headline act was not to be missed! Songs like 'Great Heart', 'Crocodile Love' and 'Cruel, Crazy, Beautiful World' were our childhood anthems. It was the tune 'Scatterlings of Africa' that we would (try to) do high kicks to as if imitating Zulu warriors as our hearts would swell with pride with our African-ness.
With a collaborative injection of enthusiasm, the event starts to take shape! Yes, it was time to wipe out the cooler box, pack an al fresco feast, shove the picnic blanket in a carrybag, remember the sunblock. Oh, not forgetting something warm to wear once the sun dips behind the craggy peaks...the weather in the Mother City can be rather fickle! Most importantly I take extra care to chill the drinks to perfection in anticipation of the event that will officially mark the beginning of summer!
The venue is the botanical garden of Kirstenbosch which is the verdant patch of paradise where music fans of the Mother City gather for a few precious hours every Sunday between 22 November 2009 and 10 April 2010!
As if the breathtakingly beautiful setting isn't enough of a drawcard, we are further spoilt with performances showcasing the very best local musical talent. Speaking of which, Johnny Clegg himself was coming to Kirstenbosch Gardens and it took one of our friends' mid-week dogged determination to elbow his way to the front of the Computicket queue and use his very calm disposition and his best "puppy dog" eyes to get the clerk to hand over the last five tickets which I think she had earmarked for her own enjoyment. Oh yes, our friend is good...very good!
The Facebook thread came through that Thursday informing us that the tickets were bought and that we were in business. Rubbing my palms together with glee, I spent all week-end planning what our moveable feast would entail. Personally, the contents of my picnic are very important to the overall experience of the event. I packed a variety of fresh seasonal fruit bursting with flavour, a perfectly ripe cambembert wheel to accompany crispy wholewheat crackers, freshly baked bread rolls stuffed with golden brown roast chicken, dressed with rocket and homemade organic chilli mayonaise. As a little extra, I packed Nacho chips with homemade guacamole to snack on. All this was washed down with a crisp, perfectly chilled locally sourced Graham Beck sparkling wine. I was satisfied that now we were most certainly in business!
For the spontaneous amongst us, you will also be releived to know that refreshments and picnic hampers are on sale at all concerts. So don't stay away because you don't have a picnic with you...Kirstenbosch has got it covered! These can be ordered from the Silvertree Restaurant (021) 762 9585; or from the Tea Room (021) 797 4883.
Suitably prepared, we arrived two hours before the concert started at 5:30PM as we wanted to get a great spot with a great view of the stage. The weather was great and we were all chatting animatedly as we stood in the queue waiting for access to the picnic area. It was a great feeling; the sun on our backs as we drank in the panoramic views. Our glowing faces upturned, we all marvelled at how good Table Mountain's backside was looking this summer. Our tickets checked, we were waved through the gate in an orderly fashion and we were in! Gazing upon the carpet of picnickers ahead of us we found a picnic spot at the top of the hill under a sturdy indigenous tree, plopped down and grinned at one another. We had done it! Getting settled, we tucked into our al fresco feast, as we were reminded by the organizers of the houserules. We listened between mouthfuls as they prepared us for the glorious performance that was about to begin.
And there he was! Johnny burst onto the stage in a flaming orange suit which matched his levels of energy and enthusiasm which seemed to know no bounds. The concert was a fantastical musical journey and an insight into this iconic South African's creative genius and cultural significance. The atmosphere was simply electric, with a relaxed crowd drinking it in; some with heads bopping, some with swaying hips and some with pogo-stick hopping on the spot. There we were, whooping and clapping; the common feature among the crowd being the mega-watt smiles on our faces. What an evening as thousands of fans showed appreciation for this homegrown legend and his long-term band that have given us the national treasures that are the Juluka jives that are as much a part of the fabric of South African society as the people themselves.
We were home by 8pm which made me feel like I had cheated the system! I had experienced an evening of great entertainment, great food, great wine and great company and to be home by before nine on 'school-night' seemed rather unreal.
I invite you to allow yourself to be dazzled by a variety of musical genres available on the Old Mutual Summer Sunset calendar. I challenge you to find something on the scene that does not tickle you pink! Look out for Jesse Clegg (Johnny Clegg's spirited and talented son), Carols by Candlelight, Freshlyground, Zebra and Giraffe, Goldfish, Cape Philharmonic Orchestra and many more!
Get your tickets and be part of an authentic Cape celebration of summer, scenery and talent!
There are three types of tickets : Adult, Scholars (6-17 years) and Botanical Society Members. Each concert has individual pricing structure. Best to enquire upon booking.
Adult prices range from R75 TO R95. Scholars from R40 to R70 per ticket. Botanical society members R55 to R85.
How to get your hands on some tickets:
At the Venue:
Tickets go on sale on the Tuesday preceding each concert, from the Visitors’ Centre Ticket Office only.
On the Sunday of the event, concert tickets can be purchased at all entrances, and includes entrance to the garden if arriving early (keep your ticket to gain entrance to the concert area later).
Concert tickets are limited, but garden entry tickets will still be available if the concert venue is sold out (visitors can picnic on the lawns outside the cordoned-off concert area).
Kirstenbosch is open from 08h00 to 19h00 (Sep – Mar), 08h00 to 18h00 (Apr – Aug).
Telephone Bookings:
Tickets can be booked via telephone from the Tuesday preceding the event – R10 per ticket administration fee applicable. Your tickets will be available for collection from the Visitors Centre.
Ticket Bookings: (021) 761 2866 / 799 8782.
Ticket Information: (021) 799 8783 / 8620 / 8773.
Online Bookings:
Online bookings can be made at Webtickets.
When you buy an e-ticket on-line your ticket will be delivered directly to your computer. Not only will you get your tickets right away, but you can print them out anytime before the event.
Each e-ticket has a unique bar-code on the top right of each ticket. This is used to identify the ticket and ensure only valid tickets are granted access into the event. It is important that the bar-code has been clearly printed on the ticket as this will prevent any delays when entering the event. Print your ticket(s) and bring to the event where the ticket(s) will be scanned.
Redeem your e-ticket(s) at the Kirstenbosch Ticket Office from the Tuesday before, or on the concert day.
General Information:
Telephone: (021) 799 8783 / 8620 / 8773.
Gates open at 15h30. Concerts are held between 17h30 and 18h45 and go ahead irrespective of the weather. Refunds are not issued.
No refunds will be issued for any of the concerts.
Free entry for all children under 6 years old.
Special parking is available for the physically disabled – enter at the Top Gate, also known as the Rycroft Gate or Gate 3, and proceed to the workshop area off Camphor Avenue for parking.
Refreshments are on sale at all concerts – picnic hampers can be ordered from the Silvertree Restaurant (021) 762 9585; or from the Tea Room (021) 797 4883.
There will be a Kids’ Zone at the top of the concert lawn with entertainment for your kids during the concert. This area will provide supervised activities for children to participate in, but is not a child-minding service.
I encourage you to get out there, follow your bliss and experience this home-grown Cape Town event of note. It is the perfect way to end a week-end and start your week!
Warm summer greetings
Amy
