22 Nov 2015

With the year coming to a close, the Hamptons Live Jazz Festival is already wrapping up preparations for their third show which is slated for Gaborone Club on February 27 next year.

Having hosted their second instalment on March 28, this year which boasted five international acts among them the renowned Stimela, next year will see the festival host seven international acts.

Organiser of the event, Debbie Smith indicated that the seven international acts for next year are Caiphus Semenya, Letta Mbulu, Stimela, Vusi Mahlasela, Oliver Mtukudzi, The Soil and Beatenburg.

“Stimela will be making their second appearance on the trot having made an impression on the fans when they were here,” she said.

She indicated that with regard to local acts, they have Sereetsi & The Natives, Women of Jazz, Sharon Sibonge, Trinity Mpho and Dj Stomps to name a few. Debbie further said they have been throwing around ideas of having the event twice a year and also looking to kick start Botswana’s 50^th Independence celebrations.

“Our growth has been amazing and we are still brainstorming on what to do.  We are thinking of having a bi-annual event and doing something completely different with the second event and not just do live jazz festival, but something different even though it will still be under The Hamptons,” she said.

She further said The Hamptons Live Jazz Festival is being talked about compared to shows like Cape Town Jazz Festival which is a good thing.

“We want to make a positive impact on Botswana’s music tourism and people from as far as the United Kingdom, Namibia, Zimbabwe and South Africa have already made enquiries and bought tickets to come to Botswana and enjoy our event,” said Debbie.

Speaking on the venue for the event, Debbie said they have acquired the necessary paperwork and people should not worry about them being shut down before time unlike some events that have experienced that before.

She further said they have decided to extend the deadline for early bird tickets as people said they were not aware that they are already on sale. “Early bird tickets go for P280 and after the deadline elapses we will sell them for P480. VIP tickets are P1500,” she said.

Debbie went on to say that some people may feel that the tickets are pricey, but they should note that The Hamptons spend so much money on the whole event.

“For instance, we had to pay P285 000 just to book Caiphus Semenya and Letta Mbulu and imagine that we have such a high calibre of international acts and we have not even spoken of logistics and other related issues,” she said.

Tickets are available at Grand Palm Hotel, Hamptons sales desk (open 7am till 10pm), Poise Boutique, Masa Centre. Press24 Coffee Shop at Molapo Crossing, WebTickets available at the Webtickets Kiosk at Riverwalk, Kgale spar, Broadhurst Spar, Airport Junction Spar, Village Spar, Mochudi Spar, Molepolole Spar, Maun Delta, Palapye Spar, Nzano Spar Francistown, Nswazi Spar, Online at www.webtickets.co.bw, Maitisong at Maruapula School, Press 24 Coffee Shop at Molapo Piazza and Sunrise Travel & Tours next to Trans. Loapi House Unit 17, 1st Floor. Ends