Vusi Mahlasela to headline White Mountain Festival 2010

One of South Africa’s most celebrated musicians, Vusi Mahlasela is set to enthrall audiences at this year’s White Mountain Festival, coming up over the Heritage Day long weekend from 23-26 September at White Mountain Lodge near Giant’s Castle in the Central Drakensberg.

With a sound that is a hybrid of folk, world, blues and soul, Mahlasela is an accomplished singer-songwriter, guitarist, percussionist, composer and arranger, whose music has bridged generations both at home and abroad.  Renowned for his distinct, powerful voice and poetic, optimistic lyrics, he has performed alongside the likes of Alicia Keys, Dave Matthews, Josh Groban and Angelique Kidjo at shows that include Nelson Mandela’s 90th birthday celebration in London’s Hyde Park and, most recently, the 2010 FIFA World Cup Kick-off Concert in Soweto.

Right now though, Mahlasela is looking forward to joining a great line-up of top local artists at White Mountain, where the four-day programme includes guitar maestro, Nibs van der Spuy, John Ellis, the Cape Town-based Jack Mantis Band and a solo acoustic set by Just Jinjer frontman, Ard Matthews.  Also on the bill are Margaret’s Daughter, Barry Thomson, Machineri, Meri Kenaz, Joshua Grierson, Shomon, Jaspar Lepak, Shannon Kenny & Alan Judd, Redhand Blues Band, The Kickstands and Tresor, to name a few.

Aside from the music, other attractions range from abseiling, fishing, boating, hiking, paintball and a climbing tower, to arts and crafts, a variety of food stalls and a beer market featuring several local breweries.  Festival-goers can also make full use of the lodge’s facilities, including a restaurant, pub, games room, children’s playground, swimming pool and satellite TV.

KwaZulu-Natal’s only acoustic music festival, White Mountain is renowned for its relaxed, family-friendly atmosphere and idyllic setting.  Situated only 200km from Durban and 430km from Johannesburg on tarred roads, it makes for the ideal weekend getaway and also provides easy access to a number of other nearby tourist attractions, including the Midlands Meander.

Tickets cost R450 at Computicket or R550 at the gate.  The price includes camping for the entire festival and children under 12 years of age pay R100.  Gates open at 8am on Thursday, 23 September.

For more information, visit http://www.whitemountain.co.za/wmff/index.php or contact Pedro at 031 563 0824.