(Mango Groove)
South Africa’s oldest music festival takes place over the
traditional Easter weekend from March 29 to April 2, 2018.
This Easter, the rolling foothills of the Southern
Drakensberg mountains are coming alive with the sounds of 7,000 happy campers,
a host of musical talent from across South Africa and activities for the whole
family to enjoy.
In its continuous efforts to not only be South Africa’s
friendliest festival, but one which encourages participation and interaction,
Splashy Fen is proud of its long list of family-themed activities and
entertainment for fans over the Easter long weekend this year. From yoga to
belly dancing, drumming workshops, trail running, river frolicking, face
painting, fashion shows, art and music from all genres, there really is
something for every kind of fan, of every age, race, culture and gender.
ART
2017 saw the introduction of the festivals first art
installation, The Rising Earth Pod, a wondrous creation by KwaZulu-Natal artist
and sculptor Kim Goodwin. Goodwin created an impressive towering structure on
the banks of the Splashy Fen river by weaving and manipulating wattle, an
invader plant material found in nature. “I challenged myself with this
concept,” says Goodwin. “I wanted to create something that looked like
something you would see in a microscope or through a telescope. Something we
don’t necessarily recognise. It creates a sense of wonder and I’m drawn to
that. As are others.”
Having conceptualised and built structures at the well-known
Afrika Burn Festival in the Karoo, Goodwin says that this year, fans can look
forward to something a little more interactive. “We are building a slightly
scaled down version of a piece we did in the Karoo recently. Because there is
so much work and time and effort that goes into creating one of these
structures, when we recreate it as a smaller version of itself, we really get
an opportunity to focus on perfecting it.”
By no means a small installation, the three-metre look-out
temple on the Splashy Fen Farm, will offer Fenners a new perspective. Made in
nature, using only nature as a primary building material, the temple showcases
the beauty of the festival and its magical surroundings.
Splashy Fen isn’t simply a showcase of acclaimed musicians
and artists, but a platform for everyone and anyone to share their passion,
learn new skills or simply enjoy watching others do so. The Treehouse stage is
another of Goodwin’s creations made out of wattle and has become an area
synonymous with creative freedom and hippy-style happiness. It’s an area that
attracts more and more fans with its offering of activities that encourage
creativity and participation. Not to mention décor that is out of this world.
Art-Go-Round, a
creative art concept, will give fans the chance to add their creative mark to a
four-metre canvas throughout the festival. In addition, Yoga sessions take
place every morning at 9am. Hulla-hooping, fire breathing and day and night
time Poi displays can be seen throughout the festival, as well as face and UV
body painting, henna, hair wrapping and other activities. Drumming sessions
take place every morning and evening, belly dancing and Digeridoo workshops,
fire breathing and dancing around the Acoustic Stage bonfire, a competition for
the most creative camp site flag and not to forget, the ever-popular Splashion
Show with the amazing prize to the Seychelles, courtesy of Air Seychelles and
Eden Island.
KID ZONE
A group of qualified professionals head up the Splashy Fen
Kid Zone. To ensure the utmost safety of the children, the area will be
cordoned off and parents will sign their children in and out. Children of all
ages can enjoy sensory, educational and fun activities such as reading,
colouring, face painting, construction areas filled with building blocks, a
game zone filled with play equipment like hula hoops, beanbags and balls and of
course, a traditional Easter egg hunt.
ARTISTS
Over 300 acts across five unique stages, and patrons are
bound to discover new favourites, enjoy old classics and get to know the great
musical talent that South Africa has to offer. The Steezies are an example of
such talent, as a product of South Africa's multicultural musical paradigm.
Their songs boast isiZulu hip hop and South African style guitar alongside funk
melodies; and European trumpet lines within Afro song structures. Fans can
catch The Steezies at 12 noon tomorrow (Saturday March 31) at the Corona River
Stage.
Other acts to appear on The Corona River Stage include Jerry
and the Bandits, Mali Zulu, Georgetown and Easy Freaks on March 30, Charlie
Finch, Gus Brown Band and a surprise set on the March 31 and 4AM, Stone Jets,
Josh Wantie and Monark on Easter Sunday, April 1.
The Budweiser Main Stage commences today (March 30) and will
showcase the likes of Abaqgobi, Rubber DUC, Hot Water, Mango Groove, Napalma,
Stone Palace, Perez, Prime Circle, Bowling for Soup, Veranda Panda, Ard
Matthews, Matthew Mole, Pierce Brothers, Desmond and the Tutus and festival
favourites, GoodLuck.
The Acoustic Stage will see Chico Muya, FREDDY-L, Crimson
House, The Kickstands, Alex Cavan, Lindo M, Mike Wagner, Hayden Hack, Seb
Goldswain, Qadasi, Jessica Martins and many more take to the stage, which started
yesterday (Thursday) afternoon and will continue through to late Sunday
evening.
The Treehouse Stage has a jam-packed line-up that includes
Gemma Early, Chadwick Jubber, Rusty Red, Martin Gill, Werner Bekker, Dawn
Morey, Nish Pillay, Shannon Connolly, Zacas and more.
The Red Square Electric Boma is a music and dance treat for
those who love to party. Catch Ty Stoltz, Knott, I am Rogue, Ryan Murgatroyd,
Bhashkar and Royal Love on March 30. Hendrik Joerges, Amigo & Tim Lewis,
Craig Rude, G-Major, Asante and Ph Fat on March 21, and Sennora & Kritik,
Slim Beats, Groove Two Us, Huckleberry, Jayy Jabs and Chunda Munki on April 1.
Tickets are limited and still available at
www.splashyfen.co.za
For more information go to www.splashyfen.co.za
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