Judges have their work cut out for them as they whittle down the more than 100 singers and dancers, from across Cape Town, who auditioned to perform at the 2018 DStv Mitchell’s Plain Festival later this year.
Only 20 artists, entertainers, vocal groups, dance groups and rappers will know this week whether their three-minute performance at Westgate Mall on Saturday September 22 was good enough for the main stage later this year.
The festival, of which the Plainsman is the official print media partner, takes place at Westridge Gardens from Friday November 30 until Sunday December 2. This year the festival celebrates its tenth anniversary and will host international artists Sybil and Judy Boucher on the Sunday.
Last year more than 40 000 attended.
Judge DJ Ron X Petersen said there was greater interest in the auditions this year and that the talent was growing, especially in Mitchell’s Plain.
“Mitchell’s Plain has a lot of talent but it is not being seen,” he said.
“A lot of these kids are just performing for small things or just rapping at home. They don’t know they have a really good talent, they don’t know they can take it far or even what the future may hold for them,” he said.
The successful candidates will perform on the main stage for about ten minutes, while about 20 other artists will entertain an audience at a smaller stage.
Other judges included judging co-ordinator Wayde Damones, Laa’iqah Anthony representing festival exhibitor Pam Golding Properties, DA member of the provincial legislature Ricardo MacKenzie and Junaid Robertson, festival entertainment co-ordinator.
Founder and director of the festival, Rozario Brown, urged the public to book their tickets early, to avoid inconveniences at the gate and to take advantage of special concessions, especially for Sunday, when international artists Sybil and Judy Boucher take to the stage.
Gates open at 3pm on Friday November 30, 10am on Saturday December 1 and on Sunday December 2.
On Friday and Saturday, entry is R50 for adults, aged 13 to 59, and R30 for children, aged between 6 and 12.
Pensioners, children younger than 6 and the disabled enter for free.
Tickets for Sunday December 2 are R150 and R200 as international artists Sybil and Judy Boucher will be on stage. There will also be performances by The Rockets, Salome, Camillo Lombard and Top Dawg Band. On the Sunday, pensioners and children aged between 6 and 12, pay R60 if they buy tickets ahead of the festival and R100 at the gate.
Tickets are available from Computicket.
For more information visit mitchellsplainfestival.com or call the festival office on 021 391 0140 / 1.