HIP-HOP, electro-music sensation,
Locnville *, will give their final public performance in the Mother City at the forthcoming Cape Town Carnival on
Saturday, March 20 at Greenmarket Square, before relocating to
Johannesburg .
The New York born and South African raised twins,
Andrew and Brian Chaplin, who are related to
Charlie Chaplin, rocked to fame with their hit single, Sun in my Pocket. They will form part of the free concert line-up, which precedes the
2 500-strong Cape Town Carnival parade.
Other big stars who will take part in the concert, include acclaimed performer and radio announcer, Soli Philander as the MC, You magazine’s most stylish male R&B singer, Loyiso, and the mesmerising Emo Adams.
After the parade in Long Street, DJ duo, Circuswing, dressed in carnival costumes, with jugglers and dancers, will keep the after-party on Greenmarket Square pumping until midnight.
According to Cape Town Carnival CEO, Isabel Meyer, the parade offers a unique experience. ”For the first time in Cape Town, the entire parade of about 2 500 artistes will perform six specially written carnival songs in unison. The songs will be broadcast over speakers along the 1km parade route from Shortmarket Street to Buitensingel.
Each song tells a different story about Cape Town. Acclaimed music producer, Gabi le Roux, wrote the carnival’s theme song, Rhythm, Roots and Boots. The other five songs The Sea, Postcards from Cape Town, The Streets of Cape Town, Puzzle Pieces, and Children of the Winds of Change were composed by 19 musicians in collaboration with the Cape Town School of Songwriting under the direction of Clive Ridgway.
“The carnival offers Capetonians and visitors a true taste of the Mother City’s unique, diverse and vibrant cultures, creativity and performing arts. Although presented in a spectacular format similar to other renowned world carnivals, this event will maintain a distinct Cape Town flavour,” she says.
The singers who recorded the songs include rising local stars such as Monique Hellenberg, Blaq Pearl and Lu Chase.
“We have distributed the CD with the songs to all the participating groups which include hundreds of minstrels, choirs, bands, ballet dancers, stiltwalkers, Xhosa artistes, oriental performers, and soccer players.
“Some 80 000 Capetonians also received a free CD with their You, Huisgenoot and Drum magazines. We hope that everyone is learning the songs to be able to sing along,” says Meyer.
Apart from the stage and huge screens at Greenmarket Square, several giant projection screens will be installed along Long Street to ensure that revellers can follow the kaleidoscope of colour and sound.
The carnival festivities kick off in Greenmarket Square at 18:00 with the pulsating concert, followed by the dazzling carnival parade from 20:00 to 22:00, and an after party until midnight on Greenmarket Square. Entrance is free.
Refreshments will be on sale at bars, pubs, restaurants and cafes along the parade route.
“The Cape Town Carnival offers an additional platform to distinguish Cape Town as the
‘party capital’ for the forthcoming
Fifa World Cup tournament. It will promote economic growth and development, boost tourism, as well as strengthen social cohesion,” says Alderman Felicity Purchase, City of Cape Town’s Mayoral Committee Member for Economic Development and Tourism.
*Pronounced ‘Locanville’
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