HAROLD PORTER BOTANICAL GARDEN'S OPENING NIGHT ON SATURDAY IN SOUTH AFRICA

Opening the season on Saturday 20 December is the enormously popular Delft Big Band. In five short years this band has proved that when given a chance young people from disadvantaged communities can reach great heights. From never handling an instrument or reading music the achievements are nothing short of phenomenal. In the band toured France at the invitation of the French Government, and performed to standing ovations wherever they appeared. Since then two tours of Sweden, performances at the Liverpool Brouhaha Festival, Edinburgh Jazz and Blues Festival and for Prince Charles and Camilla, to whom they were personally introduced, has seen them embraced the world over. Under the dedicated tutelage of much loved professional musician and trumpeter, Ian Smith, this musical miracle has been achieved. In terms of musical excellence, the band is truly astounding. It is not just an enthusiastic bunch of youngsters playing well-known charts. It is a driving, pitch perfect big band, that can hold its own on any platform. This is proof positive of the enthusiasm and dedication of the band members. It is a story of success with several of the musicians taking up the profession as performers and teachers, scholarships to overseas institutions have been awarded and some have enrolled at the UCT College of Music to further their musical studies.  Go to www.delftbigband.co.za. Adults – R80 / Youth (age 6 to 18) – R40 / Children under 6 years enter for free Gates open to concert goers at 18h00, Concerts start at 19h00 – gates close at 21h30 How to book: Phone and bring ID for verification or buy tickets ahead of time at the Harold Porter National Botanical Garden entrance.