Thursday, October 15, 2015
SOME of South Africa’s hottest and most exciting stars of entertainment will set Arniston, a small seaside village on the Cape South coast, on fire with music, comedy and much more during the inaugural Weekender Festival in November.
Starting on Friday, 6th November and continuing until Sunday 8th November, the three-day festival is the last major festival to be announced in the Western Cape this year. It will showcase the talents of musicians who’ve thrilled international audiences, as well as a comedian who has toured with Trevor Noah, and is literally a case of saving the best for last.
Among the mouth-watering attractions are:
- Bass player Jonathan Rubain, whose album ‘Happy People’ has been setting the local jazz scene alight will display the skills that has seen him playing with the likes of legends such as David Kramer, Mac McKenzie, Errol Dyers and Robbie Jansen. Raised in Hanover Park, Rubain has played at festivals in France. He plays gospel and jazz.
- Swaziland-born guitarist, songwriter, producer and the pioneer of African Gypsy Rock, Nancy G.
- The rising star of South African comedy, Schalk Bezuidenhout, who has toured the country with Trevor Noah. Bezuidenhout has appeared on Comedy Central in support of Barry Hilton. This year he won the Comics’ Choice Award – being recognized by his peers is no laughing matter! Afrikaans-speaking funnyman Bezuidenhout will have the Southern Cape Coast in stitches with his humour.
- Indie rock muso Majozi. Two years ago, Durban-based Majozi made it to Number 9 on the South Africa iTunes chart with his album Marvellous Light. The album took him to Number 1 in the singer-songwriter section. Majozi will bring what he calls Indie rock sound to the festival. As has been the case with most of his live performances, his catchy beat, which has earned him lots of radio airtime and had him playing at the iconic Oppi Koppi & Rocking the Daisies music fest, will be a highlight. Majozi, who names Jesus Christ and his mother as two of his biggest music influences, is currently charting across national radio stations with his hit “Fire”.
- Jazz Pianist Camillo Lombard, the principal of the Cape Music Institute based at Athlone Stadium, will also be there with his band Top Dog. This music maestro is pulling out all the stops as he musically directs the core elements of the weekender music experience. Camillo has musically directed the likes of Jonathan Butler, Tevin Campbell, Bebe Winans, Jimmy Dludlu and many more.
Hosted by the Kaggen Music and Film Trust in association with the Cape Agulhas Municipality, the three-day cultural festival, the first of its kind, aims to stimulate and encourage tourism. With this and a diverse audience in mind, music will range from indie rock, jazz, to gospel, to Afrikaans songs. But culture tastes will also be fed in the form of heritage tours and walks that will showcase the regions history.
Of course, no heritage tour will be complete without traditional coastal food, or an explanation of the values of this region.
Saturday and Sunday mornings will see the Weekender Farmers market showcasing artisanal product of this part of the Cape South Coast.
Because the festival will also focus on families, fun filled family activities including storytelling, building sand castles, stargazing, and more and will be laid on.
- The three-day festival, the premier event on the Cape South Coast, will be held in a safe and secure environment, where attendees will also be able to experience the outdoors by camping or utilizing the numerous accommodation options in the region. The organizers are optimistic that the festival will change the perception of tourism in the region, as well as focus on youth economic development.
Tickets available on Webtickets – Weekender Arniston
Facebook – Weekender Arniston
Twitter – weekender_fest
