This National Women’s Day, Sandton is set to shine a little brighter – quite literally – as the globally renowned Candlelight concert series by Fever brings its signature magic to the city with a heartfelt tribute to the power and artistry of women in music.
- On 9 August 2025, in celebration of South Africa’s National Women’s Day, Fever’s Candlelight will present a special edition performance at the NH Johannesburg Sandton.
- It’s an evening that promises not only musical brilliance but a celebration of the resilience, creativity, and talent of women – both on and off the stage.
- The event features the exceptional all-female ensemble, Serendipity Strings.
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Founded in 2015, Serendipity Strings is a Pretoria-based string quartet composed of four of South Africa’s most accomplished women musicians: Carli D’Alebout and Carmi Viljoen on violin, Friederike Scholtz on viola, and Mietze Dill on cello.
Their performances don’t just pay homage to the greats like Haydn and Shostakovich; they also shine a spotlight on female composers, breathing new life into the classical canon while also championing underrepresented voices in music. It’s this dual focus on heritage and progress that makes their selection as headliners for this Women’s Day performance so fitting.
The concert’s programme is as bold and brilliant as the women performing it. Titled Candlelight: Queen vs. ABBA, the show promises an unforgettable musical duel between two of the most iconic pop-rock groups of all time. Expect timeless classics from ABBA like Dancing Queen, Waterloo, and Mamma Mia, pitted delightfully against Queen’s Bohemian Rhapsody, Don’t Stop Me Now, and Somebody to Love, among others.
While the original bands were famous for their electrifying energy, Serendipity Strings re-imagines these anthems in a stripped-back, string-driven style – without losing a note of the drama or joy. It’s a journey through melody and memory, lit by thousands of flickering candles and performed with heartfelt precision.
Hosting this luminous event is NH Johannesburg Sandton, a venue known for its contemporary flair, central location, and warm ambiance. The hotel offers a fitting backdrop for Candlelight’s signature transformation, where ordinary spaces become ethereal concert halls aglow with candlelight. The blend of intimacy and grandeur creates the perfect setting for both reflection and celebration.
The Candlelight concert series, produced by Fever, has already taken the world by storm. With over 3-million attendees across more than 150 cities, the series has become synonymous with making classical and contemporary music accessible to broader audiences. From cathedrals to rooftops, the formula remains irresistible: awe-inspiring music performed live, under the gentle glow of countless candles.
Dates, Times & Details
While the 2025 Women’s Day concert is the highlight, music lovers will be pleased to know that the Queen vs. ABBA programme will return on several dates throughout the year:
• 9 August 2025 at 6pm and 8:30pm
• 16 August 2025 at 6pm
• 20 September 2025 at 8:30pm
• 13 December 2025 at 6pm
Each show runs for 60-minutes, with doors opening 45-minutes prior. Whether you’re a lifelong classical fan, a die-hard Queen or ABBA devotee, or simply looking for a unique way to honour Women’s Day, Candlelight: Queen vs. ABBA promises an evening that’s poignant, powerful, and absolutely unforgettable.
Tickets are now available through the Fever app and website. As always with Candlelight performances, seating is limited—and with a show this special, they’re expected to sell out fast.
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