More than 200 local performing acts grabbed the opportunity to audition for slots in this Easter’s MTN Nelson Mandela Bay Splash Festival programme.
“The auditions at each of the five venues around the metro went off extremely well,” said coordinator David Limbert. “This means we were able to reach all sectors of the community, which was one of our primary goals.”
He said the demand was so high that the organisers were forced to schedule a sixth audition. “All in all, we had about 500 people aged between five and 70 auditioning.”
Participants were judged by a panel of experts from various entertainment genres, according to Limbert. Through the auditions they were hoping to find new or underexposed acts, whether they were solo artists or part of a group.
A huge mix of performing acts made use of the opportunity. “We had seasoned performers, right through to those who have never auditioned nor performed.”
Limbert said one of the main things to come out of the auditions, was that there was a “level of act” out there that was ready to perform. “Through the process we were able to identify a number that will definitely feature at the festival, which means employment.”
He said the Splash Festival – which will feature 72 hours of live entertainment to a collective audience of more than 500 000 – was one of the major opportunities for performers in the Eastern Cape to showcase their talent.
The full entertainment programme, said Limbert, would be available in the next few weeks. The schedule will include national headline and specialty acts.
The process was overseen by the Department of Arts & Culture and other regional associations and was, as far as the organisers knew, the first of its kind to take place in the province. “It has given the department a perspective on what talent is available and how to develop it,” said Limbert.
“It is part of the festival’s mandate to provide opportunities for the local community wherever possible and the auditions highlighted another way in which this objective was being achieved,” said festival director Glenn van Eck.
This year’s event will take place from April 2 to 5 at Hobie Beach.
For more information, contact the festival office on 041 393 4844 or visit www.splashfestival.com.
Issued by:
Full Stop Communications
Coetzee Gouws
041 368 4992
082 575 7991
coetzee@fullstopcom.com
www.fullstopcom.com
On behalf of:
MTN Nelson Mandela Bay Splash Festival