Borwa Botlhaba Oldies Fiesta to revive live-performance
Goitsemodimo Kaelo | Sunday February 6, 2022 06:00
Two known local brands, Jazz Brew and Tashy’s Royal Gardens have collaborated to host the music festival specifically for the mature revellers or the oldies as they are often called.
The festival organisers announced recently during a press briefing that the concept of the festival revolves around giving the oldies an opportunity to dust off their dancing boots and resuscitate the fading live performance concerts.
One of the organisers, Phemelo ‘Fresh Les’ Lesokwane said jazz enthusiasts have not been catered for since the return of the music festivals. “We were looking at the state of entertainment in Botswana, and realised that most festivals have not catered for the mature patrons since the return of the festivals last year. As such, we believe that these group of people are also thirsty and hungry for an event that suits them, and the Oldies Fiesta is that festival,” Lesokwane said. Lesokwane, who is also an artist and owner of Jazz Brew, indicated that of late, live performance music is slowly fading away, with most festivals going for the backtrack performances.
As such, he said the festival is unique in that it will be an all-live performance. Legendary South African traditional soul music artist, Johnny Mokhali is expected to lead a group of known artists such as Lister Boleseng, Moroka Moreri, Punah Gabasiane-Molale, Anafiki, Ntirelang Berman, Kabelo Tiro, Mmaratwa, Dj Fondo Fire, Dj Shaboo who will perform at the festival. Although this is more of a Jazz festival, there will be performances from Frank ‘Franco’ Lesokwane, Culture Spears and Mmaratwa just to spice things up. Franco is among the few local artists who always performs with a live band. “Most festivals are backtrack events. We will have live performances.
Only DJs in the line-up will perform backtrack. We are still negotiating with other artists to beef up the line-up,” Leskowane said. Lesokwane said the Oldies Fiesta is expected to stimulate economic benefits for the people of South East District, indicating that 10% of the event proceeds will be donated to an Old Age home in Mogobane village.
Tashy Royal Garden’s director Tshepo Keakile said the collaboration between the two brands would deliver the most exciting festival ever. He said both brands have brought together their experiences and technical know how in event management. Keakile said patrons, especially those who buy VIP tickets will have the best of experience that has never been administered to VIPs before in the local event scene. Early bird tickets for the festival sell at P150 while standard tickets go for P250. There are also VIP tickets that sell for P750, VIP double P1,200 and foursome tickets at P1,800.