Words: Sheldon Reddy | Photos: Sheldon Reddy & The Galileo Open Air Cinema
Nestled on the sloped banks of the pristine Makaranga Botanical Gardens, in Kloof, The Galileo Open Air Cinema extends a warm invitation to the beautiful people of Durban, to indulge in a night of film under a glistening evening sky.
This beautiful venue is hosting this unique cinema on Wednesday evenings, from 7 August to 25 September 2013, and every show promises a rewarding and social experience.
The Galileo Cinema is the epitome of uniqueness as it not only provides visitors with a ceiling laden with sparkly stars but movie-goers of all ages will be able to enjoy a range of old block-buster films each week, as well as a variety of classics, such as Pretty Woman, Top Gun and Love Actually, aimed to stimulate feelings of nostalgia and romance.
Founded by Huenu Solsona and Thomas Brauer, the concept for The Galileo was born from a love of film, along with the need for a different type of experience for film fans. The duo kicked off the concept in Cape Town in November 2012 and ran movies for the summer season at Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens until April 2013. Co-founder Thomas Brauer says, "We were both surprised by the huge popularity of the movies. Some shows sold out in just a few days! It was pretty much a box-smashing hit from the first show to the last."
The duo’s success in Cape Town prompted them to expand to other areas of South Africa, and Durban, with its mild, drier winters, was next on the list.
Scrumptious, healthy snacks and drinks are available before the show, providing visitors with the chance to spend the evening watching their all-time favourites whilst divulging in a feast for the senses. Pillows and blankets are a must, as once the sun sets over the beautiful town of Durban, a chilled winter evening takes over. To help fight the chill, fire pits are placed at several points on the banks to provide warmth to the hundreds of visitors expected during the 7 weeks of the open-air experience.
The glowing fire pits and soft lighting create a romantic, warm, and enchanting open-air atmosphere, allowing an evening of socialising with friends, family or the love of your life.
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Shows will run every Wednesday for the months of August and September. Movies start at 18h30 and entry to the movie area will open at 16h00, giving movie-goers ample time to get a bite to eat from a variety of delicious food on location.
Tickets are available online through The Galileo’s website or directly through Webtickets and cost R70.
For more information and ticket sales, visit www.thegalileo.co.za. Bookings are now open online.
