GALLERY: Time Square’s Sun Arena unveiled in style
“The Sun Arena is a construction and engineering feat of note."
Pretoria’s newest entertainment attraction opened to song and dance at the weekend amid much fanfare and praise.
The Unison celebration saw a string of South African artists and bands perform before 8 000 concertgoers to mark the opening of the Sun Arena at Sun International’s Times Square.
The event, dubbed “history in the making” by owners, was described as a “start of a new era in entertainment for Tshwane”.
ALSO READ: INFOGRAPHIC: Interesting Sun Arena facts
Revellers watched the veterans Ladysmith Black Mambazo, PJ Powers, Sipho Hotstix Mabuse, princess of Africa Yvonne Chaka-Chaka and many more perform in the impressive arena.
Best selling artists Zonke, Lady Zamar, Jimmy Nevis and Vusi Nova performed some of their best songs, which the crowd danced and sang along to.
Backstage with @Lady_Zamar at the opening of the #SunArena. What an amazing artist. Loved her performance last night. #UnisonCelebration pic.twitter.com/Ygz5aBpK4q
— Timothy Moloi (@TimothyMoloi) November 5, 2017
The engine room! Last night would not have been possible without these incredible musicians and vocalists #UnisonCelebration pic.twitter.com/5an28WQC17
— Timothy Moloi (@TimothyMoloi) November 5, 2017
South African artists perform AFRICA ARISE#UnisonCelebration @timesquareza@PJPowers1 @Miss_LIRA @jeremy_olivier @Lady_Zamar @CJMangoGroove https://t.co/qchRmlS4wr
— Carrie Carlsson (@CarrieCarlsson) November 6, 2017
“The Sun Arena is a construction and engineering feat of note. There is quite simply nothing else like it in South Africa. Tick tock, the wait is over; the Sun Arena is here,” said Time Square’s general manager, Brett Hoppé.
The Sun Arena spans over 6 300m² of combined seating and mixed-use performance space on two levels. With capacity to host 8 500 guests at a seated event and 10 000 for a standing concert, the Sun Arena provides an unprecedented platform for staging grand scale events.
ALSO READ: GALLERY: Sun Arena: Biggest entertainment site in Pta opening preview
@siphohotstix #UnisonCelebration #sunarena @timesquareza pic.twitter.com/4MVyy6qgA9
— Pieter (@Pieterkhn) November 5, 2017
For artists and organisers, the Sun Arena provides unmatched capacity to bring their wildest ambitions for shows and events to life with state-of-the-art technology and features such as the roof structure, which allows for a total of 615 dedicated rigging or hang points that boast a combined maximum weight loading capacity of 299.1 tonnes.
Concertgoers are promised the ultimate experience at the Sun Arena at Time Square. The venue boasts an international award-winning digital audio system for spectacular sound and acoustics, as well as a high definition, audiovisual system complete with large format LED screens.
What a beautiful evening @dstvza #UnisonCelebration #SunArena with the flawless @i_am_lumosue #LadysmithBlackMambazo
📷:@sayphotography1 #ATouchOfGold pic.twitter.com/e6og9VUgoA— #PresidenteYadiVarbz🏳️🌈 (@TeekayGoldfish) November 5, 2017
Access to the Sun Arena is via 16 entrances; eight on the lower level and a similar number on the upper tier. There are four sets of public restrooms on each tier, with each offering dedicated paraplegic facilities and child changing stations. The four VIP hospitality suites can accommodate 26 people each.
ALSO READ: Sun Arena: the biggest entertainment site in city set for grand opening
The launch of the Sun Arena represents the conclusion of another milestone in the ambitious, multibillion rand Time Square development – Sun International’s largest investment in a casino development in 15 years.
@Miss_LIRA #UnisonCelebration #sunarena @timesquareza pic.twitter.com/Ixj75TiWvv
— Pieter (@Pieterkhn) November 5, 2017
The first phase of the project, the casino and restaurant hub, opened in April this year. The third phase, The Maslow Time Square hotel, will be completed in April 2018.
Delivering on its promise to bring some of the most celebrated local and international artists to the city, Time Square has also confirmed a spectacular line-up of shows over the festive season.
“On the bill are LIVE (10 and 11 November), Bryan Adams (10 December), Legends of RnB: Brian McKnight and Brandy (9 December), and the wildly popular Afrikaans is Groot series (24, 25 and 26 November and 1 and 2 December) which has already been sold out,” said the casino.
ALSO READ: GALLERY: Sun Arena on its way
Ladysmith Black Mambazo was inducted into the Sun International’s hall of fame for their achievements and contribution to the arts, especially in the music industry.
@teephori27 see we should always skeem each other and take blurry pics #UnisonCelebration pic.twitter.com/8p1S0ZLcTk
— Lali (@LeratoPhadi1) November 4, 2017
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