8 time SAMA winner, ZAHARA GETS BACK TO NATURE

New South African singing sensation and winner of EIGHT South African Music Awards, Zahara, opens the popular OLD MUTUAL MUSIC IN THE GARDENS SERIES which kicks off at the Walter Sisulu Botanical Gardens in Roodepoort on the 27th of May.

It is somehow apt as the Afro-pop singer’s name means “budding flower” in Arabic and her rise to fame is something of a fairy tale.

Zahara’s debut album Loliwe sold out within 72 hours and went platinum 13 days after release. It has sold more than 800 000 copies and industry professionals now see her as the answer to the late great Miriam Makeba. Her music has been described as a mixture between styles that have been popularised by Tracy Chapman, India.Arie, Joan Armatrading and the Nigerian singer Aṣa.

Her songs – performed in English and Xhosa – are laden with hits; from the YouTube sensation Loliwe to spiritually uplifting ballads such as Destiny and Ndiza.

Zahara wants to touch people with her music: “All my songs reflect on what I believe in as a Christian. I really want my music to touch lives and inspire people,” she says.

The Old Mutual Music in the Gardens series presents live concerts every two weeks throughout the winter season at the Walter Sisulu Botanical Garden and is an extension of their sponsorship of the famous Kirstenbosch Music series in Cape Town.   

Following Zahara, other top SA acts will also be performing this season including

Ard Matthews, Flash Republic, Die Heuwels Fantasties and Black Coffee.

The Old Mutual Music in the Gardens performance takes place in the middle of the natural beauty of the botanical gardens and audience members are encouraged to come early, bring picnic chairs and blankets and spend the day in natural splendour. There is a restaurant situated in the gardens, alcohol is on sale and there is a supervised children’s area.

For more on the Old Mutual Music in the Gardens music series go to www.oldmutual.co.za/musicinthegardens

Ticketbreak: R80

Pre-sale at gardens: R90

On day sales at gardens and ticketbreak: R100

Children under 13 are free.

Gates open: 11h00

Opening act: 13h00

Main act: 15h00

Gates close: 18h00

Facilities available: Restaurant and Tea Garden available on site. Alcoholic beverages are for sale at the Restaurant and Tea Garden. Everyone is welcome to bring picnic baskets and blankets.

Kids Zone available 13h30 – 16h30

Issued by TOTAL EXPOSURE

Diane Chidrawi

Tebatso Bahula

tebatso@totalexposure.co.za

Kaylynn Smith

On Behalf of Old Mutual South Africa

Naledi Maphisa

Phone: +27 (0) 11 217 1594

The Old Mutual Music in the Gardens series was born out of Old Mutual’s desire to contribute to national biodiversity. This series was rolled out in partnership with SANBI (South African National Biodiversity Institute), in the Western Cape at Kirstenbosch, and has now been extended Walter Sisulu Botanical Garden in Johannesburg and Pretoria National Botanical Garden in Pretoria. All proceeds from the concerts are donated directly to SANBI. 

South Africa’s Biggest Afterparty – 16 DJs, 3 Dance Areas, 1 Massive Event.

One of the most prestigious events to hit South Africa’s social calendar will soon be underway, when the Who’s-Who of SA’s elite come together to party.

The build-up has already begun as G&G Productions once again pulls out all the stops to prepare for this year’s Official Vodacom Durban July Afterparty, to be held at the DLI Hall on the evening of the 7^th of July 2012. Powered by Vodacom 4U and Samsung, this event forms the climax of a weekend filled with pure entertainment for Durban and its visitors.

Each year, G&G Productions incorporates the latest trends, features and infrastructure to enhance the afterparty experience. Partygoers can expect three dance floors, with top headline DJs and performers on each. Whether you are on the supercharged main dance floor, the Enchanted Garden or in the VIP Deluxe area, you will experience something spectacular.  The latest in lighting, stage design, sound, and over 50 pre-produced on-screen displays and projections are just the beginning of the event’s highlights. An unrivalled line-up is guaranteed to keep the spirits high late into the night, as G&G Productions delivers on their promise of being Africa’s loudest brand.

The world of dance and electronic music is always changing, with a natural preference for large music festivals developing worldwide. Trance is becoming more and more prominent as a featured sound for any big dance floor. This year, G&G Productions takes these trends into account, ensuring an event that is bigger and better than ever before. The format of the event has been altered to follow a festival approach.  This means a long list of top DJs, a diversity of music styles playing on a variety of dance floors, unique décor elements and an all-round atmosphere of opulence and revelry.

The event is endorsed by Gold Circle and is the official afterparty sponsored by Vodacom 4U and Samsung. Samsung has a strong brand presence, and many of the creative and innovative aspects that the company provides in its technologies will be mirrored in this afterparty. The DLI main hall will be labelled the “Supercharged Dance Floor” - this floor will have a more commercial feel, with an electronic edge.  Another highlight this year is the “Enchanted Galaxy Dance Floor”, which will feature some of the country’s most talented trance DJs.

VIP Deluxe is a twofold offering: a cosy dance floor with top local artists and a relaxed indoor/outdoor chill environment. Patrons can lounge around low top tables, enjoying hubblies whilst watching the mystical enchanted floor in the background. All beers and ciders are free to VIP Deluxe ticket holders in this area.

Official Vodacom Durban July Afterparty Featured Artists:

On the Supercharged floor: DJ Fresh, Euphonik, Roger Goode, Martin McHale, the Sp!ndoctor and Gareth Devore.

DJs in the Enchanted Garden: Dean Fuel, Protoculture, The Commercial Hippies, Niskerone and Tomorrow’s Will.

For VIP Deluxe: Kyle Worde, Veranda Panda, DJ Kent, Royal K and Justin Miller.

Regular tickets will cost R250 and VIP Deluxe tickets will cost R550. Regular tickets include access to all areas excluding VIP areas. VIP Deluxe tickets include free beers and ciders at the VIP Deluxe bar. Tickets will be on sale through selected Vodacom 4U outlets as well as Computicket nationwide. Tickets bought through a Vodacom 4U store will offer a 15% discount off the ticket price (while stocks last).  A limited number of tickets will be reserved for sale at the door on the night at R300 for Regular and R700 for Deluxe VIP.  

The event also offers safe and secure parking at the DLI Hall, which is in walking distance from the races, within the Greyville racecourse. Parking tickets can be purchased for R40. Guests will be able to park in this area from 8am on Saturday with security provided until 4am on Sunday after the close of the afterparty. Parking tickets can also be purchased from selected Vodacom 4U stores and Computicket outlets nationwide.

Event Details:

Date - 7 July 2012

Venue - DLI Hall, Greyville, Durban

Time - Doors open at 19:00

Cost - Regular R250 presold; R300 at the door

VIP R550 presold

Ticket details:

Please note that entrance to The Official Vodacom Durban July Afterparty is not included with a Vodacom Durban July Ticket, and is not associated with the daytime party tents.

To get tickets delivered directly to your door contact: William 074 193 9896, Adam 072 599 4833, Jason 076 382 6454, Kevin 083 9793 822, Jordon 072 025 1116 or Devin 072 931 2713.

The following Vodacom 4U stores will stock tickets from 1 June and will offer the 15% discount:

 Sandton City

Gateway

Pavilion

Musgrave

Midlands Mall

Hillcrest

Information on Vodacom stores as well as a store locator please visit: www.vodacom4ulive.co.za/pages/storelocator

Event Enquiries: Gareth Devore – 082 899 0103

For more information:

Vanessa Holiday - 079 893 4571

Younique Concepts

vanessa@youniqueconcepts.co.za