Over the last weekend of October, The Luxurious Marble Circus welcomed over 8000 glorious guests to a festival like no other.
Sprawled over 75000 square meters at Ground The Venue in Muldersdrift were magnificent moments that surprised and delighted at every turn, giving guests the opportunity to experience luxurious fun in a multitude of ways throughout the day.
With wonder, whimsy, and high-end hospitality at its core, The Luxurious Marble Circus, in a grand collaboration with Investec, was unlike any festival that has come before it. Each and every detail was meticulously designed to offer an elevated experience. From the colour treatment of the Pantry-inspired Tasting Station to the array of al-fresco seating options, from the theatrical serving of food to the way in which partner brands each owned an enchanting and individual space, and so much more.
“Usually at a festival there is one standout thing,” says Greg Walsh, Owner of G&G Productions, one of the curators of The Luxurious Marble Circus. “At this festival reimagined, every single detail was considered to ensure that the brand concept and experience was carried through at each touchpoint.”
That being said, it would be remiss not to highlight the incredible Luxurious Marble Circus stage that hosted an array of local talent and performers from midday to midnight on Saturday and Sunday.
Requiring over 600 hours of design time and seven full days to build the exceptional three-story set, The Luxurious Marble stage was a sensational sight to behold. Full of colour and spectacle, the stage (a performance in and of itself) amplified the artists that played to crowds of ecstatic admirers. Sound, lighting, pyrotechnics, and projection mapping were just a few of the ways in which the stage was brought to life, and combined with the myriad of performances from the likes of the Ndlovu Youth Choir, Zakes Bantwini, Major League DJz, and even The Luxurious Circus Marching Band, it left guests blown away by hours and hours of performances like no other.
Atypical of traditional festival food were the delicacies on offer over the weekend. With David Higgs and The Marble Hospitality Group at the helm, guests were treated to perfectly playful pizzas, prego’s, sushi, and more in the Pantry-inspired Tasting Station. For those in the Royal Lounge, prawns, pasta, and woodfired eats were shared in the spectacular standards of Saint, with a menu crafted by Higgs and local artist and chef, J’Something, who not only made his mark on the cuisine but in the spotlight with Mi Casa as well.
Guests in the Grand Dining Room were treated to fine dining with a magnificent menu crafted by Higgs and special guest Reuben Riffel, all while enjoying the vivacious vibe of the festival and the views of the stage. In addition, both the Royal Lounge and Grand Dining Room were beautifully brought to life by decorated designer Anne Manne. “Fantastical feasting is a perfect way to describe the food experience of The Luxurious Marble Circus,” says Gary Kyriacou, Founder and Partner of The Marble Hospitality Group, curators of the festival. “Feeding 4000 people a day in fine dining is no small task. It was only through creative collaboration and having the best people on the ground that we were able to extend our offering into a festival environment, and it was incredible to see it all come to life.”
“Speaking of collaborations, a special mention must be given to the brand partners and talent who truly showed up in the most exquisite ways,” comments Adam Byars, Joint CEO and Partner of Grid Worldwide, curators of The Luxurious Marble Circus. “When we designed the brand for The Luxurious Marble Circus, we knew exactly what it needed to look, sound and feel like. We intentionally pushed the boundaries of a festival reimagined, and each partner, collaborator, and artist on stage went above and beyond.”
From the moment guests arrived, an array of sensational stations awaited. Each with its own brand experience that not only spoke to individual brands but the entirety of the festival as well. Entertainment, seating, savouring of the moments, and all-round fun were showcased in each and every area from the Windhoek World of Wonder in the Tasting Station, The Vista Veranda by Veuve Clicquot, the dreamy Don Julio design, the ability to experience the magnificence of Mercedes, particularly their sensory Maybach savoir-faire, and even Chargify’s radiant and relaxed recharge station.
The Uncaged Carousel, in collaboration with Schweppes, was central to the event and offered an elaborate exhibition inspired by Zioux, the Johnny Walker Express housed a train-like station of delight, and the Savanna SpeakEasy thrilled guests with not one but two bars, live performances and a foray into an in-built house of comedic fortune telling.
“It’s not every day that you get to be part of something that is bigger than what anyone could have imagined, “says Itumeleng Merafe, Head: Private Bank South Africa, Investec, title sponsor of The Luxurious Marble Circus. “The experience of the entire event was overwhelmingly Out of the Ordinary and we can’t wait for next year!”
About The Luxurious Marble Circus partners
The Luxurious Marble Circus is a grand collaboration between The Marble Group, Grid Worldwide, G&G Productions, and Investec. Straying from all that is usually expected at a festival, this two-day event fuses fine dining with an elaborate outdoor experience, entertainment, and theatrics.
Partner brands adding flair to the fantastical affair include Mercedes-Benz, DStv, Windhoek, Savanna, Hennesy, Don Julio, Johnnie Walker, Moët & Chandon, Schweppes, Valpré and Chargify.
ALSO SEE: Experience culinary magic and exquisite entertainment at The Luxurious Marble Circus
Experience culinary magic and exquisite entertainment at The Luxurious Marble Circus
Images: Supplied
