The V&A Waterfront have an extensive programme of entertainment to add a little warmth to the Cape Town chill.
Seek refuge from Cape Town’s bleary, blustery winter at the V&A Waterfront. The V&A Waterfront has planned a variety of entertainment and activities to ensure that we need not stay bundled up at home all winter. From general entertainment for adults both young and older, to a busy schedule of children’s activities for the school holidays, the eclectic mix of activities will add a little cosiness and excitement to the coming months.
Street Stage
From 12.30 to 1.30pm every Wednesday and Friday from the beginning of June to the end of July, a variety of artists will perform at the Pierhead Deck in a series of performances called ‘Street Stage’, to give visitors a little musical respite on their lunch-hour journeys outside the office. Scheduled artists include Dave Knowles, Wild Lettuce, Fruit Vendor, Nick Turner, Paige Mac, Dave Ferguson, Bronwen Clacherty, Gerald Clark, and many more.
Friday Jazz Evenings
Unwind and cosy up at the V&A Waterfront Amphitheatre after a busy week with laidback Friday jazz concerts. Covered in a Bedouin tent for winter warmth, the Amphitheatre will play host to a variety of local jazz artists on select Fridays at 6.30pm from 19 June, who will entertain the audience with free live performances.
Dress warmly and enjoy performances from the likes of the Gavin Minter Septet, Rukma Vimana, Allou April, Judith Sephuma, Top Dog, Kesivan and the Lights, Zoe Modiga, Lana Crowster and a host more. Each evening is a celebration of all things jazz and audiences can expect to hear a range of different jazz styles.
Youth Day Concert
Feel the spirit of Youth Day as the V&A Waterfront brings you a tailored Youth Day performance from two up-and-coming youth bands. The Kiffness and The City will perform at the V&A Amphitheatre on Tuesday, 16 June, from 4 to 7pm, with RJ and the Move as a supporting act.
The Kiffness has been listed as a band to watch on iTunes’ ‘New Artists of 2014’ list, their debut album, KIFF, was listed at #5 on the SA iTunes album chart, and six of their singles have made it into the top 10 of the 5FM music charts. Mixed music band The City has recently been booked for the Cape Town International Jazz Festival, which is well-recognised for the quality of its performers.
Whisky Live Show Room
Warm up this winter as you savour the finest local and international whiskies under the guidance of industry masters, there to introduce connoisseurs and newcomers alike to the warm art of whisky enjoyment.
The Whisky Live Show Room returns to the V&A Waterfront this year (albeit in a larger venue) from Thursday, 18 June to Saturday, 20 June, showcasing favourites such as Chivas Regal and The Glenvliet, as well as a flavour selection from Brandhouse’s whisky portfolio, and some up-and-coming brands yet to be announced to the market. The Whisky Live Show Room will be open from 6 to 10pm.
Good Night Market
Already well known as a home for African craft and design, the Watershed has recently added a new event to Cape Town’s monthly schedule. The Good Night Market, launched in April, is a monthly event celebrating local and continental arts and creativity by bringing a creative showcase to the Watershed for visitors to enjoy. From photography exhibitions and art displays to live music and performance art, visitors are in for a surprise each month as a different showcase is highlighted at the market.
From 6 to 9pm on the last Wednesday of each month, food trucks, a drinks bar and live music will entertain visitors while they browse the Watershed’s offerings and the month’s creative showcase. Don’t miss winter’s Good Night Markets, scheduled for 24 June, 29 July, and 26 August, which will be warm and cosy despite the winter bluster.
Steelband Showcase
The Steelband Project Western Cape will perform at the V&A Amphitheatre on Thursday, 25 June from 10.30am to 3.30pm, as the first of four quarterly performances scheduled this year. Formed in 1997, the project focuses on providing quality music education to Western Cape youth, with a particular emphasis on under-resourced communities and ‘youth-at-risk’. Pop down to the Amphitheatre for an entertaining, different musical performance by this group of talented youngsters.
Watershed Play Pad: Petting Zoo, Shows and much more
Jubilee Hall at the Watershed will be transformed into a kid’s wintery dream these school holidays, with a full programme of entertaining, stimulating and creative activities for children from ages 0 through 14 years. From Saturday, 27 June to Friday 17 July parents can take their children to The Watershed between 10am and 5pm to run and play off some of their energy during the holidays. A once-off fee of R40 per child (no charge for parents) will cover children’s access to most of these activities for the day.
The Watershed Play Pad will include a tractor and push-bike park where children can delight in riding racing and chasing, a soft-play and ball pond aimed at children aged 0 to 3 years, and crafts and sand art activities, made possible by various craft kits available to purchase, to get the creative juices flowing.
The fun continues with mega slides, a jumping castle, and a toddlers’ mini roller coaster for the adventurous kiddies. Children will be treated to daily shows ranging from magic and juggling to kids’ drumming. Face painters, balloon sculptors, and carnival games will also sprinkle Jubilee Hall, making for a colourful, creative kids winter.
Teens will not be left out in the cold with a special Teen Pad set up for socialising around a hoop ball machine, table tennis, pool and foosball tables, and a giant Connect 4 and Twister game. Candy and cold drink stands will be available in the space.
Finally the ever-popular Petting Zoo also returns to the Watershed as part of the winter programme. For an additional R20 per person, children and adults alike will delight in seeing some of their favourite furry friends and farm animals, including Guinea pigs, puppies, piglets, goats, and much more.
No need to hibernate this winter!
