Aqua Festival review

There are many options for entertainment in Cape Town this season. Kirstenbosch concerts, Cats and Vaudeville are just some of the many options. The Aqua Festival at the V&A Waterfront definitely needs to make the list as well. I went attended the carols and the Johhny Clegg concert and they were both fun evening, especially with a bit of dinner in the Waterfront before (I ate at Sevruga).

They have built a huge floating stage in the Yacht basin by the Two Oceans Aquarium, and the tiered seating is on the quay (2000 seats). The stage I had pictured in my mind was nothing compared to what they have actually built, I was blown away when I saw it. I found the seats a little hard and short, but not as uncomfortable as I thought they might be. Your ticket gives you access to the ‘festival area’ of the Two Oceans Aquarium up to two hours before the start of the show and afterwards as well. I know you have access to the bar and food stations but I’m not sure if you get access to the actual aquarium although some friends of mine went and said they were allowed to walk around the aquarium (check out the Japanese Fighting Crabs). I arrived slighly late for both shows so didn’t get a chance to look around and then afterwards we actually popped next door and had drinks at the Vista Bar at the One and Only Hotel which is awesome.

The first concert I attended (carols) was not well attended, so it lacked atmosphere, but the second concert (Johhny Clegg) was packed and there was a great vibe. It started raining so they handed out plastic ponchos to everyone and the rain didn’t seem to have much of an impact as very few people left. By half way through the concert people were up and dancing (see the pics below). It was a great concert. They really made us work for the encore though. Normally bands wait in the wings and if they hear one person clap too long they rush back on. We had to clap and shout and stamp our feet for about 5 minutes before they finally came back, we almost lost hope, but Johnny didn’t let the fans down.

Tickets are R120 and can be booked at Computicket.

The remaining schedule is as follows, details at www.aquafestival.co.za

2nd – 3rd Jan, AquaBallet
4th – 6th Jan, Ladysmith Black Mambazo

If you have kids, they have Princess of Pop at 3pm everyday (until 6th Jan) which is a ‘teen music show’