(Albert Frost)
Sunday (October 6) sees
the final evening of the increasingly popular Durban International Blues Festival
2012, which has, in its eight years, grown from strength to strength as it
pulls in more interest from top calibre artists not only in the region, but
nationally and most certainly internationally.
“This event has
become recognised on the internationally blues circuit and we remain amazed at
the contact we get from people all over, particularly blues artist wanting to
play this festival, who have heard either by word of mouth from those who have
been, or have picked up on our festival on the web,” says Tanya van Agthoven
Marais, spokesperson and publicity director for this event.
Eight years ago,
theatre director Themi Venturas had an idea and saw the gap – and went about
pulling in who he thought were the right people to set about creating a
festival which would not only have sustainability over the years, but which
would also bring tourists and visitors to Durban. Most of all, Themi recognized
the opportunity and aligned Durban as the intended “go to place” for the blues
–not only in South Africa but eventually, hopefully even Africa. Very much the
same way Cape Town is known for its jazz festival. And this seems to be gaining
momentum, but is hugely reliant on sponsorship and cash injection to make it
grow.
As the event has
gained undoubted credibility, the opportunities are slowly increasing to
improve on what is already a most successful event, and which is recognized by
eThekweni Municipality as one of its key events over the Celebrate Durban
period and to this end The DIBF has not only the City of Durban’s support but
the undoubted support of The Department of Arts and Culture and other in-
kind sponsors.
With a week’s long
event with varied artists daily as well as national and international guest performers,
The DIBF is the largest blues festival in South Africa, as intended.
“Tonight, at the
usual venue Wilson’s Wharf where Zacks Restaurant plays host to the event, The
SUMMIT is going to blow ones socks away and hair back, no doubt,” says proud
Programme Director Will Wallace, who has meticulously coordinated a top quality
line up of selected artists through the festival.” The Summit is the cherry on
the top and includes an acoustic set and an electric blues set featuring the
unbelievable talents of music masters like Alister Coakley, Keith Fordyce, John
Ellis, Barry Thomson, Anthon Cawthorn-Blazeby and relative newcomers Jonathan
Judge and Nick Pitman.
The grande finale
to this year’s Durban International Blues Festival offers Cape Town’s Albert
Frost, one of South Africa’s favourite Electric Blues sons who is fast gaining
popularity in Durban with a growing following.
Tickets R100 pp booked
directly through the Catalina Theatre Box Office on 031 305 6889 with seating
on a first -come- first seated basis. Meals and drinks are not included and patrons
need to order separately from Zacks when they are there. The evening also
includes the annual fun aspect of raffles, lucky draws and other prizes.
More information
from Tanya van Agthoven Marais, publicity director, on 082 747 9738 or
email: tva_pr@global.co.za or visit www.durbanbluesfestival.co.za
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