Road to Hamptons Jazz Festival 2020
WeekendLife
After public outcry earlier this year, due to its one year break, the Hamptons Jazz Festival is back. In its 6th edition now, it is slated for 28 March 2020, at the top notch Royal Aria Stadium, in Tlokweng.
With a breath of fresh air, vibrant and refreshing lineup which include the likes of jazz icons; Lister Boleseng, Sereetsi and from home soil it will be none other than Amantle Brown. The MCs for the evening include the likes of Sethunya Maele, Resego Motlhokathari and Khumo Kgwaadira. The Hamptons are coming in full force to claim their stake as the premier jazz festival in Botswana and preparation have come full force for a comeback of the year. The theme is a first of its kind with a hashtag All Things Bright and Beautiful.
In an interview with WeekendLife, Patron and Organiser of the event, Debbie Smith hinted that there will be more incorporation of international acts that people can look forward to. “International artists are yet to be revealed, but there is much anticipation and vibe as three local artists and three MCs have been posted on Hampton’s social media platforms, and have received rave reviews,” she highlighted. Quizzed as to when more artists will be announced, Smith said “We are done with phase one of artists and MC announcement for now, phase 2 will be done in December,” she said.
The Hamptons is well renowned for staging iconic international artists. It was every jazz fanatic’s dream to see the last event being co- headlined by Billy Ocean and Salif Keita, two of the most recognized artists around the globe. This saw an influx of music tourists in Botswana with some hotels and accommodation houses being sold out courtesy of this event. It has also been promoting tourism and benefitting the country at large.
“Activations have also started taking place, as the Hamptons Team is up and about in Jwaneng this week on Thursday and Friday 22nd November, in a bid to sell tickets, market the event and engage with the public. The team will also be at The Jacaranda Bar from 5pm onwards,” she said. Hamptons 2020’s main aim according to Smith, is to take ‘Hamptonettes’ back to the good old days and conjure nostalgic memories.
“We are pleased to announce that we are bringing not just one but two bold champagne themes. One being Veuve Clicquot with its bright orange theme and another champagne being Moet Chandonice Imperial, which is just bright white and black with bold statement pieces for those sweet moments whilst sipping on a selection of exquisite beverages and enjoying the hurly burly of live Jazz at The Hamptons,” she said. She established that people should expect to be dazzled with over fifty sales consultants hired across the country, preparations are already underway, as she has alluded to this publication.
Early bird tickets are on sale for P399 in all Liquorama stores, The Mall stall Bear, Cresta Hotel, H20Water, Molapo Crossing and Acacia Mall in Phakalane and can be found online at www.howler.co.za .The tickets are also available for lay-bye options or cash sales via ewallet, or other banking or telephonic payment options. Early bird tickets come with free merchandise of a T-shirt or Veuve Clicquot acrylic glass. For more information and updates follow Hamptons Jazz Festival Gaborone on Facebook, @hamptonsjazzfestgaborone on Instagram and @hamptonsjazzbw1 on twitter or call 73612961
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BOTSWANA TO HOST MISS WORLD 2026
Even though Botswana has over the years been performing extremely poorly at the Miss World competition, the country has confirmed that it will be hosting the beauty festival in 2026. Initially, the country was to host Miss World next year, something it failed to confirm before deadline. Director at Miss Botswana, Benjamin Raletsatsi, says Botswana will be ready then to host all participants. Miss Botswana Top 25 finalists left the boot camp yesterday. Quite shocking though, Miss Botswana team is still failing basics as responding to media inquiries on time yet it is dangerously hoping to host an event of high status
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DJ Sway ‘saved’ the YAMAs
DJ Sway, the daring and ambitious on-air presenter of Yarona FM, played a crucial role in saving the radio station’s music awards, known as the YAMAs. The event was initially dry and disorganized, but DJ Sway, who co-hosted with Pearl Thusi, injected life into the show. However, things took a turn for the worse when Pearl Thusi abruptly left the stage, leaving DJ Sway to carry on alone. Despite the unexpected setback, DJ Sway rose to the occasion and captivated the audience, effectively putting an end to the drama caused by Pearl Thusi.
In an exclusive interview after the YAMAs, DJ Sway revealed the behind-the-scenes chaos that unfolded during the event. He acknowledged the script editors, Phalana and Hope, who worked tirelessly to reedit the script and adapt it to a one-host format. Despite the last-minute changes, DJ Sway remained composed and focused, thanks to the support of his colleagues, such as Owen Rampha, Katlego Rakola, Tshepang Motsisi (DJ Easy), and LB.
When asked about his initial reaction to the unexpected turn of events, DJ Sway admitted to feeling saddened by how things ended. However, he credited Pearl Thusi for giving him a much-needed confidence boost during his moment of doubt. She reminded him that he was destined for greatness and that he didn’t need big stars to succeed. With her words of encouragement, DJ Sway regained his composure and approached the rest of the show with the same professionalism and charisma he displays on the radio.
To overcome the challenges he faced, DJ Sway relied on his radio skills and calm personality. He engaged with the audience as if he were speaking to a single person, pointing out individuals in the crowd to create a more intimate connection. He also expressed gratitude for his backstage team, who provided support and ensured the smooth running of the show.
DJ Sway expressed satisfaction in being seen as the saving grace of the YAMAs. He believed that he fulfilled his role as a host and brought joy to the Yarona FM board, his family, and his fans. Despite his success, DJ Sway’s journey has not been without hardships. He has experienced the loss of his mother and sister, which has left a lasting impact on him. While he continues to grieve, he seeks solace in therapy sessions and relies on his father for emotional support.
DJ Sway’s dedication to his craft and ability to overcome adversity make him a remarkable figure in the radio industry. His vibrant personality and deep knowledge of music have made him a perfect fit for Yarona FM. Despite the challenges he has faced, DJ Sway remains determined to make a positive impact and bring joy to his listeners. With his talent and resilience, there is no doubt that DJ Sway will continue to thrive in his career and leave a lasting legacy in the world of radio.
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Chef Gustos walk of shame
Chef Gustos, the renowned hitmaker, recently experienced what can only be described as a walk of shame at the 8th edition of the Yarona FM Music Awards (YAMAs). Despite being nominated a whopping seven times, he failed to secure a single win. Ouch!
The night was filled with surprises, drama, and controversy, but the biggest winner of the evening was Han C, who walked away with three awards, including Best Pop and Best Male Single for his hit song, “Sebinki.” Han C graciously announced that he would be donating P10,000 from his winnings to his fellow nominees, promoting a spirit of togetherness among artists. What a noble gesture!
Meanwhile, Chef Gustos found himself on the losing end of several categories, including People’s Choice Artist of the Year, which he had won in the past. He seemed unfazed by the loss, stating, “People know that ‘Away’ was big, but they won’t stop me.” It’s clear that Chef Gustos is determined to continue making music, regardless of the awards he receives.
However, he did express his frustration with the outcome, suggesting that the awards may be corrupt. He declined to comment further, citing the need to protect his brand and maintain good relationships with corporate clients. It’s understandable that he wants to avoid any potential damage to his future prospects.
In fact, Chef Gustos went so far as to request that Yarona FM not nominate him for future YAMAs. It seems he wants to distance himself from the disappointment and focus on his music without the pressure of awards. Perhaps this decision will allow him to create freely and without the burden of expectations.
While Chef Gustos may have experienced a walk of shame at the YAMAs, it’s important to remember that awards do not define an artist’s talent or success. His fans still appreciate his music, and he continues to have gigs with corporate clients. So, despite the disappointment, Chef Gustos remains optimistic about his future in the industry.
In the end, the YAMAs may have been a letdown for Chef Gustos, but he’s determined to keep moving forward. He won’t let a lack of awards dampen his spirits or hinder his creativity. And who knows, maybe next time he’ll come back stronger and prove that he’s deserving of recognition. After all, the true measure of an artist’s success lies in the hearts of their fans, not in shiny trophies.