adminMelissa Mpofu Showbiz Editor
The resort town of Victoria Falls is a hive of activity with two major end of year events, Jameson Vic Falls Carnival and Fallin’ 2015 running concurrently.
While the carnival mainly attracts international visitors, the Fallin’ festival is being hosted at the Rest Camp with Vic Falls residents in mind.
Over the years, the carnival had been attracting more international visitors than locals, something Tourism Minister, Walter Mzembi said could not be changed as tourism was expensive.
“World over, tourism doesn’t come cheap so people can’t expect to pay less at an event of such magnitude,” Mzembi was quoted saying at last year’s carnival.
As a result, top Harare event promotions company, Davies Events which has successfully hosted international artistes James Blunt and Bryan Adams, this year partnered with the Vic Falls Rest Camp, Spencer’s Creek and Ilala lodge to host the Fallin’ 2015 event. The festival which began on Tuesday, ends today.
“We planned this festival in a short space of time as we wanted to do something for the Vic Falls community. Our line-up doesn’t have international artistes as we want to support locals by bringing together artistes from Vic Falls, Harare and Bulawayo,” Davies Events/D Productions spokesperson, Emma Dreyer said.
Compared to the carnival whose cheapest ticket costs at least $50, entrance to the Fallin’ festival is $5 as organisers want to enable locals from all walks of life to attend.
“We set a fee which we thought would be fair as we want everyone in Vic Falls to be part of this. On New Year’s Eve, we’ll be having a happy hour/s from 4PM to 7PM where beers will be sold at $1.50 each.”
In support of the carnival, carnival ticketholders were yesterday given free access into the Fallin’ Festival where Harare DJs Raydizz, Ray, TBass and V were on rotation.
“We’re only giving carnival goers access today as we’re supporting organiser’s initiative of having various outlets in town host a series of events. Tomorrow, everyone will have to pay.” Dreyer said.
Bulawayo’s tribal house group Djembe Monks and DJ Ray will usher revellers into 2016 with performances at the festival tonight.
Dreyer said the festival being sponsored by Pepsi would likely be held again next year.
Meanwhile, the ongoing carnival lights up tonight with a concert at the Vic Falls Primary School following a series of parties which were held across town last night. South Africa’s afro-pop band — Mango Groove, electro swing group — Good Luck, Ryan Koriya, DJ Diloxclusiv and Botswana’s Charma Girl of Culture Spears will lead the pack. Completing the line-up are internationally recognised afro-fusion group Mokoomba, ZiFM’s DJ Jason Le Roux, dub step musician Zyon Black, Judgment Yard, DJs Rax, Bahna and DJ Francis.
A train and bush party held to welcome carnivalists on Tuesday excited thousands of revellers who had thronged the bushy site of Jafuta though some expressed mixed feelings on the music selection. Like previous carnival editions, electronic dance music (EDM) was the order of the day at the party, something which did not go down well with some who preferred commercial music.
Zyon Black however saved the night as he played different types of music, from local, house to R&B which he fused with EDM. The DJ from Harare captivated revellers who had been tempted to board the second train back to Vic Falls after an EDM overdose.
Some did not seem to mind as they simply danced the night away, taking selfies and sipping on Jameson which was availed at an affordable price.
Online Reporter