23 Feb 2016

With jazz lovers eagerly anticipating The Hamptons Jazz Festival billed for Saturday at Duma FM grounds, revellers have been urged to get tickets before the show, as there is a high possibility of them not being available on the day of the show.

Speaking in an interview, one of the organisers of the jazz festival, David Letshwiti said the VIP tickets had been sold out and that the other tickets were limited.

“I am urging people to buy tickets as soon as possible because there is a likelihood of them finishing before Friday, and those that are thinking of purchasing them at the gate will not get anything,” he said.

He further said everything was going accordingly and that the set-up for Saturday’s show has already started. “All of the artists have confirmed and those that are travelling from outside Botswana will arrive on Friday,” said Letshwiti.

Having hosted their second installment last year which boosted of five international acts among them the renowned Stimela, this year the festival will host seven international acts.

Debbie Smith, another organiser of the show, indicated that the seven international acts for this year are Caiphus Semenya, Letta Mbulu, Stimela, Vusi Mahlasela, Oliver Mtukudzi, The Soil and Beatenburg.

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

She said with regard to local artists, 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 50th 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 was being talked about and compared to shows such as the Cape Town Jazz Festival and that it was 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.

Debbie said some people may feel that the tickets were pricey, but that 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,” she said.

Tickets are available at Grand Palm Hotel, Hamptons sales desk (open 7am till 10pm), Poise Boutique, Masa Centre, Press 24 Coffee Shop at Molapo Piazza, 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 Maru-a-pula School, Sunrise Travel & Tours next to Trans and Loapi House Unit 17, 1st floor. Ends