30 Nov Festive ‘gift of light’ brightens up Menlyn Maine skies
Talented youngsters wow families at the celebration at Menlyn Maine’s Central Square, officially heralding the beginning of the festive season.
Strains of Christmas favourites filled the air on Friday night as the twinkling lights of the light tree sculpture in the piazza at Central Square Menlyn Maine were switched on for the first time.
Sought-after crooner, On-Que, treated the audience to his sublime renditions of well-known festive songs.
Residents from around the centre turned up in their droves to participate in the evening, entitled Gift of Light.
The light tree sculpture will become the focal point for many of the activities on the schedule and will create an awareness of Menlyn Maine’s green credentials.
The massive tree has been fashioned out of a ton of steel and festooned with hundreds of tiny LED lights.
Designed to enthral and delight visitors, the tree changes colour to create a magical ambience.
Diners in the restaurants around the Piazza of Central Square had front row seats to a flashmob of 20 young violinists, six snare drummers and a team of acrobatic dancers.
Many of them were vulnerable children from the Kingdom Life Children Centre and Leamogetswe Safety Home and Child and Youth Care Centre, both of Atteridgeville).
The lights flickered and pulsated to carols Silent Night, Little Drummer Boy and A Child is Born.
As the evening reached a crescendo, the acrobatic dancers swayed and leaped to the sounds of All I want for Christmas, prompting members of the public to join in the dancing. This memorable performance was produced by well-loved choreographer Willie Venter.
After delighting the audience, the young entertainers put down their instruments to enjoy their surprise – a session at the Bounce trampoline arena.
“Giving to the community is our way of getting into the festive spirit. We will be launching campaigns to promote an engagement with our customers. Central Square is certainly the place to be this Christmas as we celebrate the traditions we hold dear in a brand new shopping centre that showcases the best of what South Africa has to offer in design and lifestyle,” says marketing manager Celeste Vinassa.
