Johannesburg, October 2023 — After a spectacular sold-out performance in 2022, Melrose Arch is thrilled to announce the return of the renowned Drakensberg Boys Choir, bringing their special brand of festive cheer to Johannesburg on Saturday, 25 November. This magical musical extravaganza – Carols on the Piazza – is set to kick off Melrose Arch's highly anticipated Destination Christmas festive season with a musical bang and proceeds benefitting SA Harvest and the Drakensberg Boys Choir.

'Carols on the Piazza' is the epitome of Christmas spirit – a harmonious fusion of much-loved Christmas carols performed by the iconic Drakensberg Boys Choir under African skies, and a magical atmosphere that can only be found at Melrose Arch, all brought together in the spirit of giving.

Khanyi Moyo, Marketing Manager of Melrose Arch, shares her excitement about the event, "Carols on the Piazza is a heartwarming event that brings our community together to embrace the joy of the season and the true spirit of Christmas – giving. We are honoured to be able to donate 100% of the proceeds from the concert to food rescue and hunger relief organisation SA Harvest and the Drakensberg Boys Choir. Christmas is a time to create cherished memories with loved ones, and we can't wait to welcome everyone to Carols on the Piazza."

Vaughan van Zyl, Artistic Director and Conductor of Drakensberg Boys Choir, says, "We are very excited to be part of the 2023 edition of Destination Christmas - Carols on the Piazza at Melrose Arch. This is a wonderful venue, and we enjoyed bringing our special Drakie Christmas magic to the Melrose Arch patrons last year. This year, we are presenting a new Noël repertoire of traditional Christmas classics, well-known favourites and some original Drakensberg Boys Choir numbers. At the special request of Melrose Arch for only this performance in Gauteng, we will also be performing our top-rated and vibrant Afro-Pop programme in the second half, which will surely have the audience on its feet dancing and singing along with us."

Event details:

Date: Saturday, November 25, 2023
Doors open: 18h00

Concert starts: 18h30
Concert ends: 20h00

Duration: 90 minutes (First half - Noël Repertoire; Second half - Afro Pop Repertoire)
Ticket price: R200/adult, R100/child
Seating: Unreserved
Capacity: 700

Booking link: https://bit.ly/CarolsPiazza23

Alan Browde, CEO, and founder of SA Harvest, which recently celebrated its fourth anniversary and the milestone of 48 million meals delivered to hungry people, expressed his gratitude, saying, "We are deeply appreciative of this partnership with Melrose Arch and the generous support from the public through the Carols on the Piazza event. Every meal makes a difference, and we are grateful for the impact this donation will have on our ongoing mission to rescue food and fight hunger – and ultimately to end hunger through our campaigns for systemic intervention to address its root causes."

This annual event is just one of the highlights of Melrose Arch's Destination Christmas. The festivities lined up throughout the season include the exclusive Johnny Walker Blue Label Umami pop-up, the Pringles x Fanta Playground, a festive market along the High Street, the Jeppe Pipe Band, a magical Christmas market, the Melrose Arch Market, and visits from Santa and his elves. Extended retail hours from 1 to 23 December offer shoppers the opportunity to get all their Christmas shopping done in the magical atmosphere of Destination Christmas. The Christmas lights on the High Street and Crescent Drive will officially be illuminated from 19h00 on Friday, November 24th, marking the beginning of the festive celebrations.

Let's celebrate the most wonderful time of the year in style at Melrose Arch. Join us for 'Carols on the Piazza' and immerse yourself in the magic of Destination Christmas! Seats are limited to 700 so book early to avoid disappointments Tickets are available at Computicket on https://bit.ly/CarolsPiazza23. Don't miss out on this unforgettable start to the festive season!

For more information on Melrose Arch, and the Destination Christmas festive activity programme, including Carols on the Piazza, please visit www.melrosearch.co.za.

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Media enquiries:
Vanessa Naude, Strategic PR
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Cell: 083 271 6000

Notes to the editor:

About Melrose Arch:

Melrose Arch is Gauteng's premier lifestyle destination, offering a world of enchantment and wonder year-round. The precinct transforms into a glittering wonderland during the festive season, capturing the hearts of all who visit. Destination Christmas at Melrose Arch is an annual tradition filled with Christmas lights, exciting events, activities, and much more.

About SA Harvest:

SA Harvest is a leading food rescue and hunger relief organisation dedicated to rescuing perfectly good, nutritious food and delivering it to those in need. With a commitment to reducing food waste and promoting sustainability, SA Harvest has made a remarkable impact in just four years, delivering 48,8 million meals and rescuing 14,7 million kilograms of food. For more information, visit www.saharvest.org.

About the Drakensberg Boys Choir:

The Drakensberg Boys Choir, an iconic South African ensemble, has delighted audiences worldwide with its harmonious performances for over 50 years.

Click here to get a taste of our phenomenal Afro-Pop arrangements that had audiences on their feet at the recent Mauritius Tour; https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=1709992439440723 and our heart-warming latest music video at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6RWLLNWor1U.
 
Audiences can book tickets and experience the versatility and uniqueness of these boys' voices live via www.webtickets.co.za or the website: http://www.dbchoir.com.

Drakies has been shortlisted for the SAMA 2023 awards in the category SAMA 2023 Best Adult Contemporary Song – see more at https://share.stone.consulting/Drakies_SAMA2023_nomination