Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden

March 16, 2008 I accompanied Ben Brown, (Loch Road RA extraordinaire), and Lara Edmonds together with her mom, Alice, and sister, Marisa, who were visiting from Connecticut, to Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden for a wonderful picnic and sunset concert. This following a day which included Palm Sunday Mass at St Patrick Church in Mowbray, breakfast at Greek http://www.dining-out.co.za/member_details-MemberID-2457.html, and shopping at Green Point Market http://www.uncoverthecape.co.za/shopping/markets/greenpoint-market/. with a stop to pick up crackers, cheese, fruit, soda, wine and dessert to enjoy at sunset, listening to a concert, in the shadow of Table Mountain, in what surely must be one of the most beautiful places in all the world

Below is some info from the website regarding the gardens and the summer concert series. Pictures taken by Lara's mom can be found at http://picasaweb.google.com/marita.mccomiskey/KirstenboschNationalBotanicalGarden?pli=1

Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden http://www.sanbi.org/frames/kirstfram.htm is "world-renowned for the beauty and diversity of the Cape flora it displays and for the magnificence of its setting against the eastern slopes of Table Mountain. 

Kirstenbosch grows only indigenous South African plants. The estate covers 528 hectares and supports a diverse fynbos flora and natural forest. The cultivated garden (36 hectares) displays collections of South African plants, particularly those from the winter rainfall region of the country. It was founded in 1913."

Kirstenbosch Summer Sunset Concerts http://www.uncoverthecape.co.za/event-calendar/kirstenbosch-concerts.htm are a fantastic way to spend a Sunday afternoon in Cape Town. The concert venue is within the botanical gardens with concerts every Sunday, from November to April. The Kirstenbosch Concerts have a special feel to them mainly due to the breathtaking setting. Part of the charm also lies in the warm, friendly and relaxed atmosphere, with concert goers picnicking on the soft grass banks that slope downwards towards the stage. An excellent way to enjoy the concert is to pack a delicious picnic basket, bring along friends and family and find a spot on the Kirstenbosch slopes. The concerts are very popular so get there early to ensure you get a good spot. While waiting for the concert to begin take in the beautiful surroundings of the world famous garden.

16 March Concert: Selaelo Selota & Karen Zoid
Selaelo Selota is one of South Africa’s foremost Afro-Jazz musicians. This multi-talented guitarist, singer, songwriter, composer and producer was the winner of the ‘Best Newcomer’ and ‘Best Contemporary Jazz Album’ categories at the 2001 SAMA awards. His first two albums ‘Painted Faces’ and ‘Enchanted Gardens’ both went gold and his latest offering 'The Azanian Songbook' has been released on his own label.

Multi award-winning singer-songwriter, composer, cultural icon and rock diva Karen Zoid started out as a busker on the street corners of Melville, Johannesburg. Since then she has gone on to win numerous awards, headline at most of the country’s major music festivals and be voted one of the ‘Top 6 Rising Stars of South Africa’ by the Sunday Times. She is a prolific songwriter and has written songs for several SA artists as well as a theme for a TV series. She recently released her fourth album ‘Postmodern World’.