St John’s College’s annual fireworks display and live music event, On the Night, has become a fixture on the Johannesburg calendar. This year’s event was once again successful, as a vast crowd flocked to the school’s rugby fields, armed with picnics and blankets, to mark the start of summer under the crackle and flare of a breathtaking array of fireworks.
Gates opened mid-afternoon and picnickers enjoyed the soothing sounds of jazz under the sun, before cheering on the Springboks who played against Australia. A number of musical acts followed, including performances by the St John’s College Symphony Orchestra, and renowned musicians and Old Johannians Nic Nicolaidis, Ed Jordan, Adrian Galliard and Adéle Strombeck.
For many, however, the much-anticipated highlight of the evening arrived as darkness fell and the Fireworks Spectacular began. Accompanied by soaringly dramatic classical music, the pyrotechnic display lit up the sky above the roofs of the college’s historic Herbert Baker buildings, drawing gasps and applause from an enthralled crowd.
As the last of the sparks faded into the night sky, families dispersed, while the younger portion of the crowd lingered to hear the infectious, feel-good sounds of electro-pop band, Goldfish, and dance the remainder of the night away.
