Legendary South African band Dr Victor and the Rasta Rebels will bring down the curtain on this year’s Nelson Mandela Bay Splash Festival at Hobie Beach in Port Elizabeth over the Easter weekend.
The “I love to truck” and “My number one” hit-makers will end the action-packed festival on a high note, following the closing ceremony on Monday, April 25, at 2pm.
Programme coordinator David Limbert said the group had been chosen for its wide and enduring appeal.
In another coup for the festival, Canadian singer Justin Hines will thrill fans with his only public performance in South Africa on Saturday.
Hines, whose moving single “Say What You Will” is currently receiving extensive airplay on Algoa FM, will lead a line-up of national and local artists who will be appearing on the Magnetic Storm main stage throughout the weekend.
The wheelchair-bound singer-songwriter said, as an artist and performer, it was his job to “let the music speak for itself”.
The entertainment programme kicks off on Friday with a blend of contemporary gospel and traditional rhythms from the Watoto Children’s Choir.
They will be followed in the evening by authentic South African flavour in the form of Afrikaans artists Jakkie Louw and Gerard Steyn in Bay FM’s Local is Lekker slot.
On the Saturday afternoon, Hines takes to the stage at 4pm, backed by PE’s very own New Afro Teens.
Following his performance, Pretoria rock band Wrestlerish will pump up the crowds ahead of the Algoa FM Fireworks at 8pm, with hometown hero Loyiso Bala keeping the vocal pyrotechnics going after that.
The Comedy Festival on the Sunday evening will feature funnymen Barry Hilton, Michael “The Fly” Arthur, Kurt Schoonraad, Roland Gaspar and comedienne Tumi Morake.
Another crowd-pleaser will be the semi-finals of the Bay FM Search for a DJ on Friday and Saturday night, with the final round on Sunday.
In addition, loads of local entertainment – from hip-hop to marimbas, Afrikaans and gospel – is lined up every day.
Puddles the clown, Rocket Man and Bellino the magician will keep children entertained, while Steff the hypnotist and mentalist Larry Soffer will be a treat for adults.
Youngsters can also look forward to Stageworld’s daily performance of Peter Pan and the Pirates.
Festivalgoers can meet their favourite Algoa FM presenters, who will be broadcasting live from Hobie Beach.
For more information, phone 041 393 4800, visit www.splashfestival.com or join the Facebook group.
Stand-up comedienne Tumi Morake will feature in the Comedy Festival that forms part of the Nelson Mandela Bay Splash Festival at Hobie Beach in Port Elizabeth this Easter weekend.
Issued by:
Full Stop Communications
Coetzee Gouws
082 575 7991
041 368 4992
coetzee@fullstopcom.com
www.fullstopcom.com
On behalf of:
Nelson Mandela Bay Splash Festival