Rocking the Gardens promotes greener living

Although the music was definitely a prominent feature, much was happening on the sidelines to spread awareness for greener living.

The Green Market offered craft market stalls with a lot of handmade goods, such as pillows, jewellery, and handbags, many made out of recycled materials. Sunfire Solutions displayed a range of solar cookers, and B-Earth promoted its eco-friendly paint. There was an area dedicated to green-living initiatives, including WWF, Greenpeace, PETCO and FLOW. Vuka Shumba Organics promoted the dynamics of perma-culture.

Safe disposal of cellphones

Sponsor Nokia gave away free hemp T-shirts at its stand, which was made out of recycled materials. It also encouraged festival-goers to "donate" their old cellphones, chargers and other cellular accessories at the stand, so that Nokia could ensure their safe disposal. Nokia also offered a cellphone-charging station that made use of solar-heating panels.

Old Mutual highlighted its Indigenous Trees Programme, as well as its Wildlands Conservation Trust (www.wildlands.co.za).

The Gourmet Food Village provided a choice of hamburgers, vegetarian cuisine, baked goods, and Chinese food.

Newtown

Bling make-up

Levi's Daisy Den provided ladies only with private bathroom facilities while promoting its new Levi's Curve ID fit jeans. Exclusive ladies brand Ava was there with artists on hand to apply henna tattoos, rhinestone and bling make-up and other funky designs.

On Saturday, the Main Stage rocked with the likes of Rambling Bones, Newtown, The Jack Mantis Band, Wrestlerish, Napalma, Tidal Waves, The Dirty Skirts, Jesse Clegg, Prime Circle, Zebra & Giraffe, and the New Young Pony Club.

Stand-up comedy

The Willow Tree Theatre, hosted by Deep Fried Man, showcased a lot of stand-up comedy, musical comedy and improvisation.

Over two days, Rocking the Gardens focused on spreading the message of living a greener life and preserving our beautiful land for future generations. And what better place to promote its importance than at one of the country's most beautiful botanical gardens?

Photography by Jon Pentreath

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