06/09/2016
WIN a custom designed Allen Levitt guitar worth R15000.
(Details in post below)
When the Durban International Blues Festival began, the intention was to make Durban the “blues city “of South Africa- eventually Africa! Now some twelve years later, albeit not without blood, sweat, tears and eternal belief, this unique festival has outgrown its previous home at Wilson’s Wharf and will now open its doors at a bigger venue , The Plant, Station Drive Precinct (off Umgeni Road) on Friday 9th September and run through until Sunday 11th September – all shows commencing at 19h30 nightly .
“Our Program Director Will Wallace has kept the nightly line up tight and we have concentrated on a three night run as it happens the world over,” says Tanya van Agthoven Marais – PR director for the event.
“There are some familiar names in the line-up – including our international guest artist from USA/Canada, Mr Jimmy D Lane who is back by “popular demand” as the saying goes, as is Raoul and Red Hand Blues Band from Gauteng. But we also have some fresh new local artists on our billing like Duncan Park who will perform an acoustic set and The Sinners, also a Durban group who will surprise many as they are not known for this genre of music and yet they so totally play “the blues.”
The Sinners are inspired by Tarantino films, counting cards and hangovers. They are all gritty, hillbilly rock n roll with a blues heart. Yes! They’ve been called Sleeze Rock before and they kind of liked that. Front man Dave Campbell admits that The Sinners have proclaimed themselves Durban’s finest rock and rollers and look forward to lovers of blues to come down and see them as they perform on the final night of the festival –just before the traditional highlight of this three day festival – The Muddy Waters Blues Summit will close off the years event as it celebrates the music of the late, great Muddy Waters .His music influenced and inspired The Rolling Stones (who named their band after one of his songs), Eric Clapton, Jimmy Hendrix, Led Zeppelin, Stevie Ray Vaughn and a host of other musical giants..
The Sunday performance is when perennial and consummate performers The Reals, pay tribute to the legendary Muddy Waters (incidentally –Jimmy D Lane’s father Jimmy Rogers performed in the Muddy Water band so there is a link as Jimmy D Lane joins The Reals on stage too as will other blues musicians like Jerry Kunene on sax, Thando Nyameni, Clinton Philander, Arnie Field and Bev Heath on vocals, Keith Fordyce on guitar and Vlado Sipcic on the Blues harp.
Devised and directed by Themi Venturas and with visuals by Wired Media, this show promises to delight fans of great music and Muddy Waters classics like Hoochie Coochie Man, Mannish Man, Baby please don’t go! Got my Mojo Working and many others will be featured.
The Station Drive Precinct lends itself to a whole fresh “blues festival vibe” as the precinct is quite unique. It is safe and home to many of Durban’s up and coming traders, crafter and artistic and creative genius folk. There is the opportunity to not only watch the festival but to make an outing of this experience. Come down a little earlier and browse through the area from home and décor stores, jewellery and eye wear, laser etching and leatherwear. There is even the change to enrol in a leather wallet course at Savior Brands or join a Pilate’s class! There are coffee shops, eateries and corners where craft beer and distilled gin can be enjoyed.
There will be fast food outlets in and around The Plant specifically if you don’t have time to have dinner before at one of the eateries: Renegade Kitchen ,Roti and Chai, Falafel Fundi are ready to serve delicious food on the spot while there will be a cash bar and Mantra will serve refreshing coconut waters. Buy your drinking mug for R10 as you arrive and when you leave- you can either take it home with you or be reimbursed.
Parking is available and will be looked over by car guards but you also have an Uber service which has been arranged and if you use the code bluesfest, not only do you get your first Uber experience discounted by R150 but you are assured of a safe trip home.
There will also be a Merchandizing Table and you will be able to purchase a memento DIBF Tee shirt, performing artist’s CD’s and purchase tickets for the Guitar Raffle (R100 per raffle ticket) where you stand to win a custom designed Allen Levitt guitar worth R15000.
Tickets for this year’s event are R150 per person or R330 if you buy a season ticket which will cover all three nights – through Computicket.
SUNDAY NIGHT SPECIAL - All Catalina Subscribers can purchase a ticket at half price.
In commemoration and in honour of the 9/11 tragedy, The Catalina UnLtd offers subscribers a special opportunity to see the MUDDY WATERS BLUES SUMMIT on Sunday 11 September at THE PLANT , Station Drive Precinct (off Umgeni Road Durban )
In order to benefit from this special deal, Catalina UnLtd subscribers will have to go online to Computicket and quote the special promotion code. (CATALINA UNLTD)
Ends/
Submitted by Tanya van Agthoven Marais
Publicity Director Durban International Blues Festival
Phone +27 (0)827479738
e mail [email protected]
