A NEW local music festival, Unity On The Square, aims to promote a sense of unity, hope and love this holiday season, when it takes centre stage in the Mother City on Thursday, December 16 – Reconciliation Day. Taking place at Greenmarket Square, the festival will feature a stellar line-up of popular local and emerging artists performing after a two-year hiatus during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Musicians who are set to dazzle audiences include Jimmy Nevis, Chad Saaiman, Craig Lucas, Jarrad Ricketts, Alistair Izobell, Nur Abrahams, Robin Pieters, Salome, Karin Kortje, RJ & Lkay, Don Vino, Paxton Fielies, Garth Taylor, Loukmaan Adams, Acoustic Element, Carl Webber, Mel Jones, Sasha-Lee Davids, Kurt Langeveldt and The Pedestrians.
The event will also see legendary musician and producer David Kramer perform alongside all these top SA artists, while langarm bands, Malay choirs and a marimba band are set to also keep audiences on their feet throughout the event.
Unity On The Square, powered by the City of Cape Town as well as The Western Cape Government, is the brainchild of renowned musician and entertainer Loukmaan Adams, who promises the festival environment will be “welcoming and safe for families”.
Adams says it is the first event under his new company, Loukmaan Adams Productions Ltd, which was formed earlier this year due to the minimal events and gigs being made available to musicians.
“My colleagues and I in the entertainment industry suffered financially over the past two years and we were not able to perform on stage like we always have done. I saw an opportunity to create productions and showcases that will help us bring joy to our hearts and also to those of fellow music enthusiasts. As Covid 19 has divided us all, all artists are looking forward to being united on stage after enduring the life-changing pandemic. We are all excited to sing our hearts out and provide spectacular entertainment to all music lovers in the Mother City,” he says.
“The 16th of December holds a special place in the festivities of the residents of Bo-Kaap and it’s in line with the switching of the lights in the city. I realised these annual celebrations were not planned to take place this year, so I wanted to showcase a celebration where Capetonians acknowledge artists, while maintaining good health and their safety too. I also know that many artists suffered during the pandemic and Unity On The Square affords a number of them to be on one stage together and will allow the healing touch of music to unite us during these crazy and trying times we find ourselves in – while also spreading some festive season cheer.”
Unity On The Square will host a number of markets and vendors throughout the day including Halaal food trucks, local traders, a coffee bar, mobile data giveaways as well as event and artist merchandise for sale.
Adams says the festival will implement strict Covid-19 protocols, to ensure music enthusiasts enjoy the festivities while also being safe. “The safety of patrons, crew and participants remains a priority for all events hosted in Cape Town. Event organisers will screen attendees, enforce the wearing of masks, ensure physical distancing at the venue and insist on attendees to sanitise their hands at all times during the event.”
Loukmaan says the festival is the first of many planned events and productions he hopes to bring to life in the future. “My aim is to achieve many goals within a production space, Unity On The Square being one of them, and to eventually have artists from an international calibre joining forces with Cape Town artists and sharing one united stage every 16th December.”
Where: Greenmarket Square, Burg & Longmarket streets, Cape Town City Centre
When: Thursday 16 December 2021
Time: 1pm to 9pm
Tickets for this spectacular comedy experience can be purchased via Quicket, ranging from for R75-R350 each. For those interested in having a store at the Unity on The Square, please email [email protected]
Instagram #unityonthesquare
