DURBAN goes music crazy this week with concerts for the Mr Price Pro and Vodacom Durban July, as well as the Southern African Music Conference (SAMC) and Durban July after-parties everywhere. These will include the Mother of All Parties at Kings Park and Afrotainment’s after-party at the People’s Park at Moses Mabhida stadium.
The SAMC is now in its 10th year and this year it will be going to the townships.
It will begin at Lacoste Lounge in KwaMashu on Thursday from 9am to 4pm and move to Umlazi’s Eyadini Lounge the next day. Metro FM will broadcast live from both venues. Of course, seeing that the organisers are Greg Maloka, DJ Fresh, Oskido, Vinny da Vinci and DJ Christos, there have to be after-parties. These will happen at the venues from 5pm to 2am.
All five organisers will speak at the conference. Other speakers will include Ralf GUM, Rocco, Monique Bingham, Black Coffee and DJ Tira as well as representatives from the Southern African Music Rights Organisation and SABC radio.
This year the event is free due to sponsorship from the City of Durban and the Department of Arts and Culture. Interested parties can reserve their places by sending a confirmation e-mail to [email protected]. Space is limited.
On July 6 the conference moves to Tate’s Kasi Grill in Claremont for the demo sessions. Music producers who always attend the event will this year be divided into smaller numbers, with DJU members and some international guests offering individual takes on their demos.
On July 5 The Mother of All Parties will have two stages. One will feature Monique Bingham, Zakes Bantwini, DJ Sox and Ukhozi FM DJs.
The other stage is celebrating Kalawa Jazmee’s 20th anniversary with a magnificent line-up of acts from this stable. There will be performances by BOP, Mafikizolo, Bongo Maffin, Uhuru, Professor, Black Motion, Trompies, Dr Malinga, Vetkuk vs Mahoota, Heavy K, Character, Busiswa, DJ Zinhle, T’zozo, DJ Pepsi, Nokwazi and DJ Bobsta. Putting them all together like that, you realise what a great label Kalawa Jazmee is.
On the day of the July Metro FM will broadcast from the Afrotainment marquee, where people can enjoy themselves with the members of this wonderful Durban record company.
Afrotainment will launch its very first Fact Durban Rocks range with a fashion show. The entry options are a banquet ticket or a cocktail ticket. The Fact Durban Rocks after-party at the People’s Park includes Mi Casa, AKA, Black Coffee, Big Nuz, Da Les and Khuli Chana.
The Durban Pavilion hosted by the City of Durban is the most exclusive of the Vodacom July. The entire Royal Durban Golf Clubhouse has been hired. It is by invitation only and guests will include mayor, James Nxumalo, and celebrities like Sophie Ndaba, Lunga Shabalala and Somizi.
The Lifestyle Oasis will be hosted adjacent to the clubhouse with tickets starting from R250. There will be a fashion show by Durban designers as well as performances by Zahara and Zakes Bantwini.
“I think people are going to have a super-duper July,” said Afrotainment managing director DJ Tira.