IT’S going to be a festival to rival all festivals and will definitely give the ailing Arts Alive a run for its money. The Absa Joburg City Festival will take place across 10 venues in the Jozi city centre from October 2 to 5.
The intention is to show Joburg citizens how the inner city is developing positively. The festival will be held in the fashion district, Maboneng as well as venues in Braamfontein and Newtown Cultural Precinct.
On October 4, Kalawa Jazmee take over Bassline with the Kalawa Chikitas and Professor. That same night Jack Parow performs with Janie Bay at the Museum of African Design in Maboneng.
The festival launches at The Sheds @ 1 Fox, which is an abandoned warehouse that is being renovated to become a new venue in that area. The Starfish Greathearts Foundation fundraiser will take place there with a food market included. Music will be provided by Bye Beneco, Tailor and The Runaway Train Cult.
Then on Friday the Absa Art Gallery will unveil a new collection. The bank has the biggest collection of South African art in the world.
Marketing Director of Absa Barclays, David Wingfield, said: “Absa is very involved in the Johannesburg CBD. We have a huge campus here and it makes sense for us to get involved in this project. We want to bring people downtown so they can see the regeneration that is happening. We own many buildings here.”
Absa also has a money museum on the campus which houses the largest collection of South African money and the public are invited to visit the museum during the festival.
They will be closing off part of the area for a fan park, Boktown, for the sold-out Springbok versus New Zealand rugby match taking part at Ellis Park. Fans are invited to visit Boktown. There will be a fan mile all the way to Ellis Park for those going to the match.
Rea Vaya has also come on board and will be providing transport to all the venues during the festival. There are park-and-ride facilities from places like Constitution Hill, Milpark and Newtown Junction.
The Newtown Junction which comprises a mall, offices, a hotel, gym and 2 400 underground parking bays will be launched that weekend. It will provide venues for performances by various artists.
Other venues include Randlords which will host house artists Vimo and Friends, starring Whitey Divine, 2 Lani The Warrior, Nick Essential, Mbuso, Pimp Squad, Household Funk, Vimo and Roger D’Lux on Saturday night and Balcony Blues on Sunday, October 5.
South African films will be showcased at Afda and the Great Wits Hall hosts Johnny Clegg unplugged on Saturday night.
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