Experience the Oude Libertas

A picnic while enjoying a feast of music and dance under the stars is not to be missed

IN ANCIENT Rome, amphitheatres were major public venues, circular or oval in plan, with perimeter seating tiers. They were used for events such as gladiator combats, chariot races, venationes (animal hunts) and executions.

Today we’re less bloodthirsty. We attended a show at Oude Libertas last weekend – the incredible James Grace playing Spanish guitar, with the amazing dancers from Carli Spanish Dance Productions and complemented by Ilse Moore’s underwater photography, played out on a screen behind the performers – and it was quite magical.

We love the package deal of a picnic followed by (or during) an open air concert under the stars, and we got ours from Goose Roasters, which packed us a basket filled with delicious goodies which were accompanied by some excellent Fleur de Cap wines.

The amphitheatre was built in 1977, and the semi-circle of seating is concrete. Worry not; your comfort is taken care of with seat padding which is quite effective.

Tonight’s performance is by Karoo Suite, a collaboration between Coenie de Villiers and Deon Meyer. Structurally based on Vivaldi’s it’s not these but the people, stories and personality of the Karoo that Meyer highlights.

De Villiers composed the music, showing a different side of his talents – with not only the non-crime novel words but photography and visual material which provides the backdrop to the performance.

The Stellenbosch University Jazz Band will present a performance of Jazz Bon Bons tomorrow, and have invited, as their curtain raiser, the Steenberg High School Wind Band with a 20-minute programme to showcase local talent. The jazz band is popular at the US Woordfees (taking place this year from March 1-10 in Stellenbosch) and has appeared alongside artists such as Sibongile Khumalo, Judith Sephuma, Gloria Bosman, Timothy Moloi, Jannie Moolman, Louis Loock, PJ Powers, Corlea Botha, Amanda Strydom and Tete Mbambisa.

On February 28, The Brückner University Big Band from Linz, Austria, will showcase the versatility and showmanship of this talented group of young musicians by merging traditional jazz and swing favourites. The Brückner University Big Band was founded in 2016 as part of the music programme of the Jazz Department at the Bruckner University in Linz, Austria.

Laurika Rauch will take to the stage with her heart-warming and mesmerising performances on March 1 and 2, and the final concert of the season, on March 3, will be the Cape Town Philharmonic Orchestra, with The Heavenly Quartez singers, directed by the legendary Aviva Pelham.

Heavenly Quartez is a group of singers – Nkumbuzo Nkonyana, Mawande Mxunyelwa, Melikhaya (Melly) Ndabeni and Sihle Mtitshana – who have great cross-over appeal with a combination of different languages, including Afrikaans, English, Italian and Xhosa. They will be joined by tenor Sipho Fubesi and guest artist Lynelle Kenned.

Book at Computicket, or take a chance and get your tickets from the box office at the venue. The picnic area opens at 4pm. Shows are at 8.15pm. The Oude Libertas Amphitheatre is on Adam Tas Road in Stellenbosch. For more information, call 021 809 7474 or go to http://oudelibertas.co.za/ amphitheatre/

COLEMAN, SUPPLIED BIANCA TIME is running out for you to experience a concert at the Oude Libertas Amphitheatre this season, which ends on March 3.