Chillaz on Chapel in tune with youth
As it consistently has since premiering with a heated set by SA hip-hop DJ Speedsta on February 24 2017, the monthly Chillaz on Chapel returns to see Bay youth dance to the tunes of at least one national act at the Roof Garden Bar next Friday February 22.
To celebrate the second anniversary of Chillaz on Chapel, event founder Gift Hlahane has invited seasoned hip-hop DJs P H and Slique to spin the decks while famous Eastern Cape-born modern kwaito duo Darkie Fiction grace the stage.
Reflecting on the past two years, Hlahane said he was pleased with his brainchild’s consistency in successfully bringing national artists to Port Elizabeth every month.
“In my history of working in events, I’ve witnessed event series fail after a couple of [instalments] because sometimes artists do not pitch as advertised,” he said.
The inconsistency is what inspired the Chillaz on Chapel concept in the first place, Hlahane said.
He said he noticed the issue when he returned to Port Elizabeth in late 2016, after relocating to Johannesburg for a year.
“I noticed there weren’t many consistent entertainment events for the youth in PE, especially for the hip-hop community as there aren’t any hiphop clubs either.”
The event has brought some of the country’s biggest artists including DJ Fresh, Gemini Major, Lulo Café, Mo Flava and Moshe Ndiki to PE fans.
Predominantly hip-hop with a bit of deep house and minimal gqom, Chillaz on Chapel is held on the last Friday of every month from February to October at the Central venue, attracting students and young adults.
“Last year we booked about 100 local artists to share the stage with national artists and we try to include local artists that we have never booked before,” Hlahane said.
The event also fills a gap in the city’s economic discipline by outsourcing marketing servThe ices from third-year students or recent graduates of the Nelson Mandela University’s PR and marketing field, as well as hostess and bar service from local businesses.
In the past two years, the event grew to include VIP lounge and birthday celebration and student packages for guests.
Hlahane operates Chillaz on Chapel under Enterroot Marketing, a company he co-owns and hosts several events like Summer Life at Roof Garden Bar and Café Vinyl at Cubana.
This year, Enterroot are set to introduce the Chillaz Block Party – a bigger version of Chillaz on Chapel to be held in April and September at The Gallery on Produce Street.
“Our biggest plan for the year is to use The Gallery on Produce as a music warehouse and we’ll be hosting some [instalments] of Chillaz there,” Hlahane said.
Chillaz on Chapel starts at 4pm. Pre-sold tickets cost R70 and R100 at the door.
● For more information, contact Hlasane on 082-921-7769.