The summer season is coming to an end, and besides an end to warm weather, shorts and flip-flops, we are going to see the end of the Sunday summer picnic concerts in and around the Mother City. So if you still wondering what to do on Sundays, why not take the time to revel in some of the most awesome live music acts in the country before it’s done and dusted. Here are some of the venues to enjoy live music on a Sunday afternoon.
Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens
Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens. Photo by Ramon MacMaster
This is the most well established Sunday concert venue and best known for Sunday picnics and music in Cape Town. Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens plays centre stage for South Africa’s most established artists. The event brings together musicians from every background, ranging from rock, jazz, and electro. This eclectic mix of musical genres guarantees a festival atmosphere.
The venue played host to some of the legends of the South African music scene: men like Hotstix Mabuse, Jimmy Dludlu, Arno Carstens and Hugh Masekela, have all braced the stage with their awe-inspiring and rip-roaring performances. Kirstenbosch is one of the few Sunday picnic concert venues that actually capture the atmosphere of an outdoor concert.
Visitors are allowed to bring their own refreshments including alcohol, and sit on the grass surrounded by the beautiful forest in the reserve. The event takes place weekly, and costs R110 per adult, and R80 for those between six and 21 (proof of ID is needed). Please note that pre-paid tickets are available, and it could be best to purchuse a ticket before-hand especially for the more popular acts.
Details
The shows start at about 17h30 on a Sunday. The remaining acts are Goldfish (03 March 2013), Jeremy Loops and Holiday Murray (10 March 2013), Ringo Madlingozi (17 March 2013), Shadowclub and Gangs of Ballet (24 March 2013), Mi Casa and Natasha Meister (31 March 2013), and Johnny Clegg (07 April 2013).
On the 21st of March 2013 Kirstenbosch will celebrate its centenary fundraiser and will feature performances by South African music legends Prime Circle, and guitarist extraordinaire Dan Patlansky.
Backsberg Picnic Concerts
Backsberg Picnic Concert, Photo by Sean Furlong
Backsberg Picnic Concerts also takes place on Sunday afternoons. The farm just outside of Stellenbosch is not as well-known as Kirstenbosch, but has been growing in numbers since its inception. The atmosphere is more chilled than Kirstenbosch, which gives its low profile an advantage if you are claustrophobic. The concert is also more intimate, the audience can engage with the performing artists, giving the musicians a more human appeal. However, unlike Kirstenbosch you are not allowed to bring your own liquor. Nonetheless there is a bar that sells their own brand of wine if you in need of a drink.
Details
Pre-sale tickets for the event cost R85, whilst it is R100 at the door and R60 with a student card. Children, accompanied with an adult, under the age of 12 gets free entry, and the music starts pumping at 17h00. The remaining acts are Robin Auld (3 March 2013), The Black Cat Bones (10 March 2013) and Koos Kombuis (17 March 2013).
Rhebokskloof Summer Concerts
Clint & Co. performing at the Rhebokskloof Wine Estate. Photo taken from Rhebokskloof Facebook page
This summer season Rhebokskloof opened the Sunday with South African Idols winner Elvis Blue, their last concert, which is this Sunday, will end off with South African Afrikaans rock veterens Die Heuwals Fantasties.
The small and intimate concert venue is situated about 60 km outside of Cape Town in the Wineland hills of the Paarl Valley. The stage is settled alongside a lake, concert-goers can sit on their blankets facing towards the lake looking towards the wineland’s hills. The farm has a picnic menu, as well as a restaurant so it is no crisis if you forget your picnic basket. Guests are not allowed to bring their own alcohol, but wine is available for purchase at the estate.
Details
A little more pricey than Kirstenbosch and Backsberg, tickets for these events will cost R130 at the gate, and children under the age of 15 pays half price. Pre-sold tickets are also available. The remaining act is Die Heuwals Fantasties which is the final act and takes place on the 3rd of March 2013.
De Waal Park Summer Concerts
Rudimentals perfomance at De Waal Park. Photo taken Friends of De Waal Park website
This concert is free, no entry fee! It takes place every second week and played host to some of South Africa’s biggest names. So if you are keen to see a live act without paying R110 at Kirstenbosh, De Waal Park is your best option. Pack a decent picnic lunch and sit on the foot of the mountain and enjoy a good picnic lunch with friends, family and random people.
The artists perform on the original round Edwardian bandstand stage which was presented to the city of Cape Town in 1904. The event organisers wanted to bring outdoor concerts back to the Cape Town CBD, and keep it happening on a regular basis.
Details
Visitors can bring their own picnic baskets and wine as well as their pets along unlike the other venues. The concerts happen every two weeks, and the remaining acts are Arno Carstens on the 3rd of March 2013, and Hot Water on the 17th of March 2013. The concerts start at 15h00.
Know of any other Sunday summer concerts still happening? Let us know in the comment box below.
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