What do The Parlotones, Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Johnny Clegg, FreshlyGround, an 18-piece Big Band Jazz Group, Swan Lake Ballet and ABBA have in common? I’ll tell you what they have in common – they’re all a part of the latest, most unique, globally recognised festival Cape Town has ever seen. I give you, AQUA FESTIVAL!

And that’s before I tell you about the AquaCircus, which features juggling penguins and dolphins doing flick-flacks.

A CELEBRATION OF MUSIC, MOVEMENT AND SUMMERTIME

This festive season the V&A Waterfront and Hunta Live will take entertainment to a whole new level with the introduction of AquaFestival, a brand new V&A Waterfront Signature Event. The three-week long music and entertainment festival comprises a multi-disciplined series of world-class local and international performances. This unique celebration of music and movement is set to change the face of the entertainment scene in Cape Town over the festive season.

Set on a floating aquatic stage in a working harbour, with Table Mountain providing the most exquisite backdrop imaginable, AquaFestival will showcase contemporary opera, ballet, jazz, rock, pop, tribute shows and a daily circus from the 15th of December till the 6th of January 2010.

[visit www.aquafestival.com for more info]

Entourage fans will be disappointed that AquaMan won’t be making making it, but there is “Aqua” everything else! AquABBA, AquaCarols, AquaJazz, AquaBallet and AquaCircus – lest we forget the H2Opera, featuring the Cape Philharmonic (53 piece) as they accompany four world-class soloists!

I did some snooping around last night during rehearsals and I can tell you RIGHT NOW that this is not to be missed. Mark my words, Cape Town has NEVER seen anything like this and you will kick yourself if you don’t go to at least one show. It’s an absolute mind fuck!

Check this out:

Aqua Festival’s floating stage, with Table Mountain behind..
Cape Town has never seen anything like this!

Come on! That’s pretty impressive? That thing is FLOATING!

I gathered some interesting facts:

– The floating stage will be 28 x 18m for the festival.

– The modular barge is made up of over 1000 interlocking floating modules/blocks.

– The system used to build the floating platform has a maximum weight-bearing capacity of 150 tons.

– Gearhouse equipment weighs 65 tons. Bearing in mind a cow weighs 600 kilograms.

– The event uses only recycled catering equipment.

– My favourite fact : This is the only stage production in South Africa that employs naval architects.

– While I have you, I would like to point out that a bassoon is a woodwind, not a brass instrument!

Pretty wild hey? Here’s a bit more..

The AquaFestival will be a magical escape into a watery world of music, song and dance within a breathtaking and inimitable setting. It offers something for everyone, from cultural enthusiasts to families. Look forward to spine-tingling experiences and lasting memories. AquaFestival is simply the first of a number of V&A Waterfront Signature Events – a series of extraordinary experiences that could be held nowhere else other than the V&A Waterfront.

Executive producer for SA’s leading comedy company (Hunta Live), Sam Hendrikse said: “We have always loved taking audiences on comedic journeys at our comedy festivals and other arena presentations, now we get the chance to bring together the very best of local and international performances on a purpose-made, floating arena on the ocean. Technology and Engineering meet Music and Movement – Cape Town’s Summer Season will never be the same again.”

[visit www.aquafestival.com for more info]

Johnny Clegg – going for it!

SHOW DATES:

H2Opera – 15, 16 & 17 December
AquaCircus by Zip –Zap – Family Entertainment 16 – 31 December (daily)
The Parlotones – Rock 18 December
FreshlyGround – Afro Fusion 19 December
Miriam Makeba Homage – Jazz 20 & 21 December
AquaCarols – Onstage Family Entertainment 22 – 24 December
Johnny Clegg – Traditional/ Folk / World 26 – 28 December
AquAbba – 29 – 31 December AquaJazz – 1 January
AquaBallet – 2 & 3 January
Ladysmith Black Mambazo – Traditional / Folk / World 4 – 6 January
Princess of Pop – Pop 2 to 6 January (daily)

For detailed description of each event, visit www.aquafestival.com

THEN book at Computicket www.computicket.co.za

Mark my words, this will be sold out in DAYS.

BUY NOW, THINK LATER!