Jozi’s biggest festival is back! From food to movies to live music, theatre, gaming, street entertainment, comedy, children’s activities and more, the MTN Festival at Montecasino is bigger and better.
The MTN Festival runs from September 18 to October 13 and gives you every reason to play big, applaud big, laugh big, sing big, eat big, rock big, shout big and party big, with a huge variety of events and entertainment options for everyone.
“We have included a variety of unique and world-class entertainment that appeals to all visitors across all demographics – giving everyone the opportunity to create their own festival and go big,” says Montecasino general manager Glenn Joseph.
WIN BIG
Get in the fast lane and stand the chance to win your share of more than R8 million in cash and one of 12 Audis in Montecasino’s Revved Up gaming promotion. Simply sign up to the Montecasino Rewards Programme and play any slot machine and/or table game to earn points towards the monthly draws. Full details on draw dates, times, and the number of points required for a draw can be found at montecasino.co.za.
APPLAUD BIG
World-class performances await you at the MTN Festival, giving you every reason to applaud. The beautiful and immensely talented Katherine Jenkins, who has performed with operatic legends like Andrea Bocelli, Plácido Domingo, José Carreras and Dame Kiri Te Kanawa will be accompanied by a 24-piece orchestra in two not-to-be-missed shows on September 18 and 19. Tickets from R300.
One of the world’s most exciting baritone crooners, Patrizio Buanne, sets the Teatro at Montecasino stage alight with two concerts, on September 21 and 22. Certain to sell out, ticket prices start from R250 at Computicket. Get yours now.
The ever-popular contemporary gospel group Joyous Celebration has entertained fans for many years. Now, as a key MTN Festival event, this gospel phenomenon will share their joyful sounds on September 27 and 28.
For classical music lovers, Andrew Lloyd Webber’s magnificent musical Sunset Boulevard takes to the stage at the Pieter Toerien Main Theatre for the duration of the festival.
Starring Angela Killian and Jonathan Roxmouth, Sunset Boulevard – set in the Hollywood of the early 1950s and based on Billy Wilder’s classic film – is a compelling story of faded glory and unfulfilled ambition and has won seven prestigious Tony Awards. With one of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s most memorable and haunting scores, Sunset Boulevard has played to standing ovations and won critical acclaim across the globe – and it’s waiting for you to enjoy it.
PLAY BIG
Giving the kiddies their chance to play big, the Montecasino Kids Playground at the Montecasino Bird Gardens and the surrounding area are the places to be from Saturday to Tuesday, September 21-24, 10am to 4pm daily.
The “playground” will offer a world of excitement, from family-friendly favourites to a number of exciting attractions, including sand art, face-painting, stilt-walkers, magicians, ceramic painting, a number of games, giveaways and more – all providing hours of entertainment.
Admission to the Montecasino Bird Gardens over the long weekend will be R20 for kids, R35 for adults and R20 for pensioners.
For more “play big” fun, Montecasino and the MTN Festival present The Big Band Musical. Join other fairytale lovers in the enchanted Montecasino Ballroom and be part of live Court TV, where you will decide the outcome of the biggest trial yet in the fairytale world – that of the notorious Big Bad Wolf.
Little Red Riding Hood, The Three Little Pigs and everyone else the Big Bad Wolf has wronged will be there. Will you? Dates and show times: Friday, October 11, at 1pm and 3pm, Saturday and Sunday, October 12 and 13, at 10am, 12pm and 2pm. Tickets, R50.
BIG STARS
For the very best in family entertainment, the MTN Festival brings you Movies on the Piazza on September 21 and again on October 4.
Come along for a free outdoor screening of Rio and Mamma Mia! (Saturday) and Despicable Me and Grease (Friday) on Montecasino’s huge screen and enjoy star-studded movies under the stars. Snacks and drinks will be available to purchase.
LAUGH BIG
Trevor Noah, who has been through six countries since his last wildly successful tour of South Africa, returns to the Teatro at Montecasino stage from September 30 to October 13.
With all new material in his new show It’s My Culture, Trevor takes you with him on his travels from New Zealand to Zambia, New York and London, before returning to his favourite place – home – where you will definitely laugh big! Tickets from R120.
SING BIG
For music lovers, the MTN Festival brings you Music on the Piazza featuring six of South Africa’s finest local music sensations performing live on the Montecasino Outdoor Piazza stage every Sunday throughout the festival. Catch Elvis Blue and Dan Patlansky (September 22 at 12.30pm), Louise Carver and Mi Casa (September 29 at 1pm), Watershed (October 6 at 12.30pm), and Good Luck (October 13 at 12.30pm). Entrance is free.
ROCK BIG
Piazza Rocks – a live music concert featuring Prime Circle, Lloyd Cele and the Soweto String Quartet, will have MTN Festival visitors rocking on Saturday, October 12. For R100 you can enjoy unique collaborations of rock, pop and classical jazz at this exclusive spec- tacular. Ticket includes a free drink (Ts and Cs apply). Gates open at 6pm.
EAT BIG
The Pick n Pay Taste of Joburg in association with Orbit Sugarfree Chewing Gum returns to the Montecasino Outdoor Event Area from September 26 to 29. Enjoy a feast for the senses as 12 of Joburg’s top restaurants fashion special menus of starter-sized dishes for the occasion.
Featuring boutique exhibitors, artisan producers, premium drink brands and award-winning wineries, the Pick n Pay Taste of Joburg is your chance to eat big. Tickets range from R80 and are available at itickets.co.za. For more information visit tasteofjoburg.com.
SHOUT BIG
On September 28 and October 5, Absa Boktown at Montecasino will once again be the place to be if you can’t be at the game. Join thousands of other die-hard Springbok fans and shout big as our boys bring out all the big hits on the Montecasino Outdoor Piazza screen. For R30, you get admission, one free beverage (local beer, cider, soft drink or mineral water), and access to all the live entertainment, a merchandise stall, giveaways and more! Gates open at 4pm, kick-off is at 5pm.
PARTY BIG
For the third year in a row the MTN Festival will feature the Tops at Spar Bierfest. Bringing the best of Bavaria on October 10-13, Tops at Spar Bierfest will be a recreation of the Bavarian beer festivals of old, complete with beer halls, wooden beer benches, fräuleins, mouth-watering Bavarian treats, Bavarian accessories to add to the fun and entertainment, including an oompah band. Party big for the cost of only R100 for a general admission ticket from bierfest.co.za. Hospitality packages are available.
• Events and entertainment run throughout the week, but are heightened from Thursday to Sunday. There is no general access fee for the festival. For more info on bookings and costs for select ticketed events, visit montecasino.co.za, computicket.co.za, itickets.co.za or bierfest.co.za. Standard parking tariffs and entry fees for Montecasino venues apply.
WIN!
Montecasino in association with MTN is giving you the opportunity to GO BIG with the MTN Festival at Montecasino. Four lucky Star Tonight and four Pretoria News Tonight readers will each win a R800 Montecasino gift card to use towards any MTN Festival experience of their choice.
To enter, simply answer the following question: Name one of the acts forming part of the MTN Festival |at Montecasino.
Submit your entry, along with your full name, contact number and e-mail address, to [email protected]
Terms and conditions:
• Closing date for entries is noon on Friday, August 23.
• Winners will be randomly selected and notified telephonically by Friday, August 30.
• No under-18s may enter.
• The prize is not transferable.
• The Montecasino Gift Card must be collected from Montecasino.
• The Montecasino Gift Card must be redeemed at Montecasino, Computicket or other participating outlets.