26 Mar 2017

The Music for Mums event that was scheduled to take place at BotswanaCraft on April 4 has been postponed to April 11.
Speaking in an interview, managing director of BotswanaCraft Oliver Groth said the postponement comes after realising that the event would be clashing with the Maitisong Festival.
“We did not want to conflict with Maitisong Festival and want to people to enjoy all the events that Maitisong Festival has lined–up,” he said.
The Music for Mums event is a live classical programme, which would be directed by none other than David Slater of Maruapula School and would include various musical pieces by Purcell, Bernstein, Chopin and many others.
With regards to Maitisong Festival 2017, the event is scheduled for April 3-8 at various venues around Gaborone.
Gao Lemmenyane, Maitisong director, said as usual, there would be a varied and exciting line-up of events and the festival would celebrate brilliant local and international shows to provide an unforgettable experience for all.
“There will be both free and paid shows to ensure that everyone gets a piece of the action,” he said.
In its 30th year running, Lemmenyane said Maitisong Festival is undoubtedly the biggest arts festival in Botswana.
“International and local artists will bring theatre, music, dance, poetry and comedy to fee-paying audiences in several venues around Gaborone as well as non-stop music to thousands of revellers in under-privileged areas free of charge. We look forward to celebrating three decades of arts promotion, raising the professional bar in the arts, launching careers and connecting Botswana artists with their international counterparts,” he said.
He noted that the 2017 theme: ‘Enrich’ extends the previous year’s themes of ‘Elevate’, which reflected the need to professionalise the arts by pushing the envelope and setting the bar even higher, and ‘Engage,’ which compelled all those involved in the festival to maintain the standard that was set in 2015, and form collaborations to entertain and critically challenge arts consumers while shifting negative perceptions.
Lemmenyane further said this year’s theme is a call for artists to familiarise themselves with the business side of the arts industry.
“As Botswana’s arts industry grows, Maitisong implores the arts community to create wealth for themselves by providing work of value to consumers,” said Lemmenyane.
Speaking on venues, he indicated that as usual, the shows would take place at multiple venues across Gaborone.
“Maru-a-Pula School and Maitisong remain the home of the festival and will host the opening and closing nights.
Old Naledi is another exciting venue, where we host a concert for Old Naledi residents and everyone who is looking for great entertainment. We want to shift perceptions about Old Naledi and encourage everyone to join the festival to experience the warmth of Old Naledi residents,” he continued.
He said they offer packages to suit everyone’s pocket.
“Students with valid student cards, young professionals and mature art lovers have a chance to save with special venue packages. Additionally, any block bookings will receive discounted rates.” For more information people can contact 3912953, 391259, 71 355 929, or info@maitisong.org,” he he said. ENDS