This year is the Eldos Arts and Jazz Festival‘s fifth year in existence. This year’s festival will be divided into different phases and the first phase is a week-long activation which includes a number of art forms.

A complete package of theatre, fashion shows, stand-up comedy, cultural langarm, colour run, dance competition and the Eldos Jazz Cook Out. The Arts Festival will be taking place from September 5 to September 10.

This year one of the many programmes that the Arts Festival has in store is a theatre piece penned by Keshia Maconi and directed by Raeez Jacobs, titled Time Travel.

This musical tragedy that tells the story of one girl’s quest for the truth as she tries to understand her past. Set against the backdrop of a violent society and a generation obsessed with music and dance, Time Travel is a cultural masterpiece that will have many feeling nostalgic.

Cast members Cassandra Benjamin, Kelvin Malatsi and Elizabeth Ross will be starring in this musical.

The fashion show will consist of 10 local designers and 30 models with each designer showcasing 10 garments. It will be divided into two sessions, where the first session will have 50 garments from five designers and in the second session, the same process will apply.

The art team will also infuse hair styling into the mix by having 10 hair stylists represented by 10 salons. A panel will be chosen which will consist of professionals in the industry who will determine the winner. A number of live performances by various artists will keep festival-goers entertained.

The Eldos Arts Festival will be introducing the first ever comedy contest to Eldorado Park, in the form of the humorously titled, ‘So You Think You Can Gwara’, where the winner will be crowned Gwara King or Queen.

The production will see 12 finalists go head to head as they bring their best gwaras. The two best comedians will battle it out in the final to be crowned Eldos’ first official ‘Gwara’ Champion.

The amateur contest will be followed by performances from veteran comedians The Goliaths as they take to the stage to do what they do best.

This year’s ‘Langarm Toasties Live’ event is another cultural celebration of the Langarm tradition with a twist! Audiences will be treated to the sounds of Take 5 and the talented Mr Keyz, and Battle of The Bands winner, Oom Jiggas and much more, as well as the contemporary sounds of DJs Eddie and Levis.

The Colour Run Dance Explosion is a combo event that features a box cart race, a kaleidoscopic marathon, and fully-fledged dance battle that will see approximately 24 crews from across the city battle it out for prizes worth R10 000.

The fun-packed event is slated to feature a host of celebrity guests and other amazing entertainment not to be missed.

A fun-filled family affair, that brings together food, live entertainment, and people together for social cohesion.

This flagship event will see some of the community’s most renowned culinary connoisseurs come together to create delicious treats for the whole family.

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