Winter Warmer entertainment options at the V&A Waterfront

So yes, it’s winter and our Capetonian instinct is to hide away with only our noses sticking out from underneath the covers.

But as we all know, this gets very boring very quickly.  Not to mention the fact that your body will soon start resembling that of an actual sloth.

The cure?  Be brave & get out there people…

I recently joined the team from the V&A Waterfront for lunch at Mondiall to learn all about the various entertainment items they’ve added to this year’s winter lineup.

They’re referring to these as their “Cures for cabin fever“, and I think there will be at least one activity on this list that’ll sound tempting enough to lure you out of the house.

Let’s take a look:

• 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’.  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
  Covered in a Bedouin tent for winter warmth, the Amphitheatre will play host to a variety of local jazz artists doing free live performances on select Fridays at 6.30pm from 19 June.  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
  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
  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
  The very cool Watershed market now also does a monthly Good Night Market on the last Wednesday of each month.  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 – food trucks, a drinks bar and live music will entertain visitors while they browse the Watershed’s offerings and the month’s creative showcase.  Catch it on 24 June, 29 July, and 26 August.
• 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, rides, games, crafts and 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, 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.  There will also be mega slides, a jumping castle AND a toddlers’ mini roller coaster.  Children will also be treated to daily shows ranging from magic and juggling to kids’ drumming.  Face painters, balloon sculptors, and carnival games will be on the scene as well.  For the teens – there will be 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.  Finally, for an additional R20 per person, kids can also get up close and personal with some furry creatures at the Petting Zoo.

For a full schedule of events – hop on over to their Events Calendar over here.   Also have a look through their winter restaurant specials over here.

And then another exciting winter addition:  The Oranjezicht City Farm Market has found a new winter home at the V&A Waterfront:

• Market Day is every Saturday from 09h00 – 14h00
• On the Granger Bay side (by the Lookout)
• FREE entry & plenty of parking available
• It’s under cover, so you don’t have to worry if it’s raining
• Get directions & other details over here

Yup, lots to see & do… So you better be prepared to put on your winter best and get to it.

xxx