Wat is ʼn Januarie sonder die beroemde en geliefde The Rockets by die ikoniese Taalmonument op die Paarlberg? Ná ʼn erge onvoorspelbare jaar, is dit gerusstellend dat hulle weereens optree om die somer en nuwe jaar van 2021 behoorlik te vier. As jy nog nie dié energieke popgroep in lewende lywe aanskou het nie, is Vrydag, 29 Januarie 2021, ʼn aand wat jy nie kan misloop nie; as jy hulle reeds ken, is geen aanmoediging nodig nie. Hul konsert is boonop deels ten bate van die Laat ons Lees!-geletterheidsprojek vir kinders, dus besoekers word versoek om enige kinderboeke vir hierdie doel te skenk.
The Rockets is meer as net ‘n groep; dis inderdaad ‘n musikale instelling. Hulle het al meer as 3 miljoen kilometer gereis en voor miljoene aanhangers opgetree, en gaan voort om plaaslike sowel as internasionale verhoë aan die brand te sing met hul kleurryke, kompromislose en energieke optredes. Die groep is onlangs met ‘n Ghoema-toekenning vir Lewensbydrae vereer en hul uitverkoopte vertoning om hul 50ste verjaardag te vier het ‘n SAFTA-toekenning vir die Beste Musiekproduksie ontvang.
The Rockets het al die talle CD’s die lig laat sien en is ou bekendes op menige radiostasie – die liedjies van hul jongste Afrikaanse album, Sonskyn, word ook gereeld gehoor. Oud en jonk is mal oor Jerry Watt, Manuel Losper, Ryan Smith en Jano van der Berg se strelende stemme wat musiek van die verlede tot die hede tot harmonieuse lewe bring.
Die vertoning begin om 20:00 in die Tuinteater – net betyds vir ʼn pragtige sononder en maanopkoms – op die sagte grasperk aan die voet van die monument. Besoekers kan enige tyd tussen 17:00 en 22:00 kom piekniek hou en die monument, ʼn simboolgelaaide beeldhouwerk sonder weerga, besigtig. Gaste word aangemoedig om die omgewing te verken en het ook toegang tot veilige parkering, ʼn pendeldiens, buitelug-speletjies, kinderspeelparke asook ’n gedigte-uitstalling. Helaas word geen honde of vure toegelaat nie.
Besoekers is welkom om hul eie piekniekmandjies (geen glas) te bring of een vooraf by die Oppi Berg Mobile Café op 060 382 9938 (R250 per paartjie, R450 per gesin van vier) te bestel – die kiosk sal ook spys en drank op die aand verskaf. Onthou warm klere, ’n kombers of kussing, flits asook ʼn masker. Sien www.taalmuseum.co.za/covid-19/ vir die spesifieke protokolle.
Kaartjies, wat na verwagting snel gaan uitverkoop, is vooraf by Computicket en die Taalmonument teen R100 vir volwassenes en R50 vir kinders onder 13 jaar beskikbaar. As daar enige oor is, sal dit vanaf 17:00 by die hek self verkoop word. Vir verdere inligting oor hierdie en ander opwindende geleenthede (soos die volmaan- en sterrekykpieknieks), skakel 021 863 0543/4809 of besoek www.taalmonument.co.za en www.facebook.com/afrikaansetaalmonument. Meer oor The Rockets by www.rockets.co.za
It’s 3-2-1 for The Rockets at the Taalmonument
Celebrate the summer of 2021 with the sultans of song
What is January without the famous and beloved The Rockets at the iconic Taalmonument on Paarl Mountain? After an extremely unpredictable year, it is reassuring that they are performing once again to properly celebrate the summer and new year of 2021. If you have not yet witnessed this energetic pop group in person, then Friday, 29 January 2021, is not a night to be missed; if you already know them, no encouragement is needed. Furthermore, their concert is partly in aid of the Let’s Read! literacy project for children, and visitors are asked to bring and donate any children’s books for this purpose.
The Rockets are more than just a group; they’re indeed a musical institution. They have travelled in excess of 3 million kilometres performing before millions of fans, and they continue to set both local and international stages alight with their colourful, uncompromising and energetic performances.
Recently the group was honoured with a Ghoema Lifetime Achievement Award and their sold-out 50th Anniversary show received a SAFTA award for the Best Music Show Production.
The Rockets have many a CD under their belts and are old acquaintances on many radio stations – the songs of their latest Afrikaans album, Sonskyn, are also regularly heard. Old and young love Jerry Watt, Manuel Losper, Ryan Smith and Jano van der Berg’s soothing voices that bring music from the past to the present to harmonious life.
The show commences at 20:00 in the Garden Theatre – just in time for a stunning sunset and moonrise – on the soft lawn at the foot of the monument. Guests can come anytime between 17:00 and 22:00, and have a look at the monument which is an exceptional, symbol-laden sculpture. Visitors are welcome to explore the scenic surroundings via footpaths, and have access to secure parking, a shuttle service, outdoor games, children’s playgrounds as well as an outdoor poetry exhibition. Unfortunately, no dogs or fires are allowed.
Guests can bring their own picnic baskets (no glass) or pre-order one from the Oppi Berg Mobile Café on 060 382 9938 (R250 per couple, R450 per family of four) – the kiosk will also provide food and drinks on the evening. Dress warmly and bring a blanket or cushion, torch and a mask. See www.taalmuseum.co.za/covid-19/ for the specific protocols.
Tickets, which are expected to sell out quickly, are available at Computicket and the Taalmonument at R100 for adults R50 for children under 13. If there are any left, they will on sale at the gate from 17:00. For further information about these and other exciting events (such as the full moon and stargazing picnics), call 021 863 0543/4809 or visit www.taalmonument.co.za and www.facebook.com/afrikaansetaalmonument. More on The Rockets at www.rockets.co.za.
Jeffrey Pietersen
Assistent: Geleenthede en Kommunikasie
Assistant: Events and Communication
Die Afrikaanse Taalmuseum en -monument
T +27 (0)21 872 3441
F +27 (0)86 231 7324/+27 (0)21 872 3642
E bemarking2@taalmuseum.co.za
W www.taalmuseum.co.za | www.taalmonument.co.za
F www.facebook.com/afrikaansetaalmonument
T www.twitter.com/taalmonument
I www.instagram.com/taalmonument
Vier 2021 se somer met die sultans van sang by Afrikaanse Taalmonument.
