FITTING TRIBUTE:
One of the unexpected highlights of this year’s Cape Town International Jazz Festival will be The Boy’s Doin’ It , a musical tribute to the legendary Bra Hugh Masekela. The tribute will be performed by Masekela’s 5-member band of the past 10 years, including singer Sibongile Khumalo.
THE ICONIC Cape Town International Jazz Festival (CTIJF) is expected to sell out again before the much-anticipated event returns to the Cape Town International Convention Centre next weekend.
The festival celebrates its 19th anniversary this year and is famous for its star-studded line up of local and international artists.
Audiences can catch a glimpse of the action at the free concert at Greenmarket Square on March 20 from 4.30pm.
Festival director Billy Domingo said they had begun setting up at the centre already.
“Loading in has begun – this means we are now on site and construction of the five stages and hospitality village, has begun.
“It’s always a hugely busy time for us, but it’s also exciting, as it means we are close to welcoming artists, festinos and fans to Cape Town,” Domingo said.
The annual festival has five stages with more than 40 artists. This year the line up includes Alistair Izobel, Amanda Black, Claire Phillips, international star Corinne Bailey-Rae, MiCasa, the Sekunjalo Edujazz band and The Soil.
As in previous years, there are some exceptional opportunities for people to get into an early jazz-spirit. Several free workshops and masterclasses are on offer, kicking off with the Wear SA Fashion Workshop on March 20 and the CTIJF Music Technology workshop, and the CTIJF Arts Journalism Public Debate – this year discussing jazz and the gender question.
Festival goers are encouraged to get a preview of the event by attending the free concert.
“(Next) Tuesday is topped out by what we believe will be the amazing community concert at Greenmarket Square. Given this free event will be staged on the day before the Human Rights Day public holiday, we are expecting a grand party atmosphere,” Domingo said.
Weekend pass tickets sold out quickly, as well as early bird tickets and they anticipate another sold-out event – as has been the case for the past 13 years, Domingo said.
“Weekend passes sold out very quickly, and day pass sales continue at a steady pace. However, because there is always a rush as we get closer to the actual event, we urge the public to buy sooner, rather than later.”
Day pass tickets are still available at Computicket outlets and Shoprite Checkers outlets at R750.