Durban or better known to locals as ‘egagasin’ is about to party a storm as preparations for the inaugural Essence Festival unfolds.
It has been scheduled from November 8 to 13 2016.
A bevy of top notch musical stars such as Ne-Yo, Nigerians Whizkid and Burna Boy, Yolanda Adams, Kelly Price and Estelle will join comedian and television host Steve Harvey, whom some will be descending in ‘Motherland’ for the very first time.
They will share the platform with our own such as DJ Black Coffee, actress and singer Nondumiso Tembe, kwaito group Big Nuz, Wololo hitmaker Babes Wodumo, Fuse Academy co-founder DJ Zinhle and Afro-jazz musician Thandiswa Mazwai, among others.
The Durban festival, is the sister event to the annual Essence Festival held in New Orleans.
“This inaugural Essence Festival Durban will bring together voices of influence and power from the continent of Africa, the United States and around the globe to connect communities and empower women,” says Essence President Michelle Ebanks.
The fest will be held at the International Convention Center and the Moses Mabhida Stadium, respectively.
Durban’s mayor, Zandile Gumede, said the city’s excited to play host.
“The festival will provide an invaluable platform for businesses and artists to network and build relationships with international experts for locals to be globally competitive,” she said.
Apart from the festival, the organizers have included a line-up of celebrity Chefs such as New Orleans based Chef, Kenneth Temple and Sherwyn Weaich to interact with the likes of popular kasie joints Max Lifestyle and Tati Kasi Grill, that would be displaying what is called EssenceEATS.
Also expect to see Charles Danisa from Keys on Florida; “Cane Cutters’’ showcasing a traditional Sushi demonstration; celebrity Chef Asha Maharaj cooking her signature Curry Dish and some Nigerian Chefs.
To wash down all that a Cocktail Mixology drinks by Diageo will demonstrate some of Durban’s top cocktails.
Tickets to the music festival on November12 range from R450 Golden Circle, R325 to R275.
For further information on tickets, programme, speakers and artists, go to www.essence.com/festival
Yes, its playtime eThekweni folks!
