Hogsback will host its fourth annual Music in the Snow this weekend, a festival which has gained popularity for combining the area’s mountainous beauty with some of SA’s best music.
Langa Mavuso, Nathi and Dumza Maswana are among the artists set to perform.
The festival will be hosted by radio presenters Hlumela Qabo and Mafa Bavuma, who both hail from the Eastern Cape.
“Everyone set to grace the stage this weekend is a big artist and has earned the right to be called that. We have a star-studded lineup which will give everyone attending the time of their lives,” festival founder Mlindi Ntloko said.
He added it was significant that most of the artists came from the Eastern Cape.
“Events like this festival ensure that local artists like Dumza and Nathi don’t need to find such platforms outside the province to showcase their talent — they can rather find them here.
“We want to show these local artists they are appreciated.
“We sold out all three previous years, and it seems we are in line to do the same this year, as accommodation in Hogsback is nearly sold out.
“We sold more than 500 tickets within the first few hours of the announcement date.”
An elated Maswana said he had always wanted to be part of the festival.
“It’s a huge honour to be invited to perform here, in my home province, with my Eziko Band,” he said.
“It couldn’t have come at a better time.
“We’ll be performing around the fire, doing storytelling and possibly reading and excerpting from one of my favourite books. It’s going to be beautiful, intimate, and powerful.
“I am excited about the full experience. This festival celebrates not just the music, but the natural beauty of this town and the Eastern Cape.
“I’m really looking forward to hiking just as much as performing, reconnecting with the land, breathing in that clean air and soaking up all that beauty.”
Both Maswana and Ntloko highlighted how events like the Music in the Snow festival went beyond the music, as locals benefited through accommodation, food and tourism, and audiences came from across the province and further afield.
Ntloko said some of the festival’s proceedings would go to the community as means of celebrating Mandela Day on Friday.
Hogsback’s annual Christmas in July returns from July 25 to 27, and while there is never any guarantee of snow, visitors will have plenty to see and do.
The three-day programme from Friday until Sunday is packed full of events running throughout the day and into the evening. Activities such as a Winter Quest — searching for clues on Hogsback’s digital map to find certain sites, submit photos of these sites and stand to win a range of prizes — through to pottery workshops, food markets and a variety of live music is on offer at venues throughout the town.
“We are hoping for a lot of fun! By focusing on family events we believe we have something for everyone — a smaller version of what visitors can expect on any trip to Hogsback — including hula-hooping, learning to poi and horse-riding,” Fiona Wallace, a member of the Hogsback Tourism Organisation, said.
For a detailed programme of events, visit: https://hogsbackadventures.co.za/winter-programme
Daily Dispatch
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