Leading telecommunications provider MTN, together with Montecasino,
Gauteng’s Number one entertainment destination, today announced a partnership that brings Johannesburg a new and exciting entertainment property dubbed the Ayoba Festival – six weeks – 42 days of endless entertainment.
MTN in partnership with Montecasino and in association with media partners, Jacaranda 94.2, M-Net and ww.joburg.co.za; are hosting the Ayoba Festival from 24 October 2011 until 4 December 2011. From buskers to live performances by highly talented local and international artists to culinary delights, whiskey and wine tastings, the festival’s non-stop entertainment opportunities also include the latest movie releases, sporting events and children’s activities. The unique mix of theatre, comedy, lifestyle, music, sport, film, food and incredible gaming opportunities presents an unsurpassed kaleidoscope of events, performances and enjoyment, all in a safe, secure environment. The Ayoba Festival has something for everyone.
The fusion of unsurpassed entertainment options includes several major events. One of the Ayoba Festival highlights – The Black Tie Comedy Festival – brings the most explosive mix of international comedians to star in the funniest “all black cast” show to hit South Africa this year.
Catch the ultimate “Black Pack” of the comedy world in a show where everything goes – as long as it is a shade of black, on stage at The Teatro from 16 to 19 November 2011. The award-winning cast of stand-up heavy weights includes Aries Spears, Reese Waters, Godfrey, Wil Sylvince and Earthquake. You have seen them on TV; now don’t miss the chance to
catch them live.
The Ayoba Festival includes an authentic Bavarian Oktober Bierfest from 28 to 30 October 2011. Staged at Montecasino’s Outdoor Event Area, local purveyors of German food will serve traditional Bavarian cuisine while Fraulein in traditional dress will add to the joyous atmosphere created by live Oompah bands.
The ever-popular contemporary gospel group, MTN Joyous Celebration, has entertained fans nationally for many years. Now, as a key Ayoba Festival event, this gospel phenomenon will share their “joyous” sounds at The Teatro with two performances only on 5 and 6 November 2011. As the title sponsor of the gospel ensemble and of the Ayoba Festival, it was a natural choice for MTN to host this event at the Ayoba Festival. MTN and Classic FM 102.7 will bring Montecasino audiences a classical extension of the well-loved MTN Classic FM Soirees on Sunday, 30 October 2011 and 20 November in the Ballroom at Montecasino.
The Ayoba Festival will see the Montecasino Outdoor Piazza come alive with an explosion of flavours and aromas as it brings you two quality tasting events. First up is The Fine Life Wine, Art and Chocolate Exhibition from 3 to 5 November, where guests are invited to indulge in everything from the finest wines to the most decadent chocolate selections and alluring contemporary art pieces.
If that’s not enough to ignite the senses, the inaugural Wade Bales Wine and Malt Whiskey Affair taking place on 17 and 18 November invites connoisseurs to come and experience 100 of the most sought-after single malt whiskies and fine wines under one roof.
Back by popular demand, Cobra Day returns to Montecasino for their annual Concourse Day on 13 November. Boasting cool sporty lines, out of this world performance and extremely impressive V8 engines, there is no doubt that for many generations, the AC Cobra has represented sheer power in the automobile industry. It’s a veritable feast for the senses!
The concept behind the Ayoba Festival is to establish and grow an annual Johannesburg event that will become a major attraction year on year. MTN and Montecasino are committed to establishing the Ayoba Festival as a recognised and sought after annual experience on the Northern Johannesburg calendar that appeals to local residents, the broader Gauteng populace as
well as tourists and out of town visitors. The sponsors’ long-term vision is to position the Ayoba Festival with the likes of the Grahamstown Festival and internationally with the Spoletto Festival (Italy and USA) in terms of awareness, impact and scale.
“We were delighted when Montecasino approached MTN to partner them in their vision to host an entertainment festival that would cater for young and old across a variety of entertainment options,” explains Ryan Gould, GM: Brand and Communications at MTN SA.
“As a brand that loves engaging with its people, we saw the need for a lifestyle and entertainment property that would appeal to the northern Johannesburg market and all its stakeholders as a wonderful opportunity to promote our brand and to extend our support of the entertainment industry,” he says.
Montecasino General Manager Steve Howell commented; “Having been consistently voted as Gauteng’s number one entertainment destination by numerous readers’ choice awards; and with 9 million+ visitors to our property each year, Montecasino has become synonymous with providing diverse, world-class entertainment.
We are therefore thrilled to be in a partnership with a proudly local, yet global iconic brand like MTN. When you add to this three premier hotels, three theatres, indoor and outdoor event areas plus retail outlets including Skoobs Theatre of Books, Joe Parker’s comedy club, a host of restaurants and a Casino all on one precinct; it’s clear to see that the Ayoba Festival will fast become one of the most anticipated offerings on the Jozi entertainment calendar.”
The Ayoba Festival events run throughout the week but heighten from Thursdays to Sundays. There is no entry fee or central access to the Ayoba Festival but large events such as theatre shows (such as – take out), music concerts and food tastings require the purchase of tickets via either Computicket or iTicket. Some events may require bookings to be made direct with the vendor. Standard parking tariffs and entry fees to venues such as the Montecasino Bird Gardens apply.
Get your ears in tune, your taste buds tingling and your feet tapping for six weeks – 42 days of endless opportunities to be entertained. It’s here, it’s now, it’s the Ayoba Festival brought to you by MTN.
You’ll be spoilt for choice of the finest events, food, entertainment and so much more. Don’t miss it; it’s Ayoba Festival time. Do you need any more reasons to get out this summer?
MTN PRESENTS THE AYOBA FESTIVAL: MEDIA INFORMATION
1. DATES: 24 October 2011 – 4 December 2011
2. VENUE: Montecasino
3. PRICES: Per individual events. No Ayoba Festival entry fees.
4. BOOKINGS FOR INDIVIDUAL EVENTS:
– Computicket www.computicket.com or 0861 813 9000
– ITicket: www.iticket.co.za or 086 1000 291
5. WEBSITE: www.montecasino.co.za or www.mtn.co.za
6. SPONSORS: Joint partnership between Montecasino and MTN
7. MEDIA PARTNERS: Jacaranda 94.2, M-Net and www.joburg.co.za
8. EVENT INFORMATION
05 and 06 October 2011 – MTN Joyous Celebration, Teatro
28 – 30 October 2011 – Oktober Bierfest, Outdoor Event Area
29 October 2011 – Absa Boktown: Currie Cup Final, Outdoor Piazza
30 October 2011 and 20 November – MTN Classic FM Soiree, Ballroom
03 – 05 November – The Fine Life Wine, Art and Chocolate Exhibition,
Outdoor Piazza
13 November 2011 – Cobra Day, Outdoor Piazza
16 – 19 November 2011 – Black Tie Comedy Festival, Teatro
17 and 18 November 2011 – Wade Bales Wine and Malt Whiskey Affair PLUS…
much more festival entertainment, including:
– Latest movie releases
– Gaming promotions
– Sporting activation
– Children’s activities and entertainment
– Music concerts and performances
– Food and beverage tastings and promotions
– Theatre productions
