Line-up for Bushfire Festival announced

Jamaican-Canadian dub poet D'Bi.Young will also appear, as will: Habib Koité (Mali), The Yale Concert Band (US), Mime Decol (France) and SA-based French DJ Ben Montrésor. Also on the programme are Swazi acts Spirits Indigenous, Nomzamo and Bholoja, and South African musicians Gazelle, Pedro the Music Man, Tsha Tsha Boys and Hot Water, as well as SA-Swazi collaboration Kathy Raven and Karibu.

The live music menu will set the tone for a chilled weekend at the House of Fire performance venue that will also pulse with theatre, dance DJs, film, interactive workshops, a crafts and design fair-trade market, a global food fair and more.

In addition, Swazi poetry group Rooted Soulz will be performing at Bushfire 2011. Rooted Soulz is a gathering of poets who wish to grow the culture of poetry, both written and spoken, and aspiring wordsmiths attending the festival may also get the opportunity to test their skills during the regular poetry sessions.

Bringing cultures together

Founded by Swazi-born entrepreneur and artist Jiggs Thorne, this year the festival's theme is "Mixing the Point", and the focus will be on bringing cultures together through collaboration and generating musical magic through creative synergies.

Visitors are encouraged to "mix it up" and dress according to the theme on Bushfire Saturday to celebrate these diverse cultural and artistic influences, with prizes up for grabs for those who really go to town with their outfits.

As part of Bushfire and House on Fire's ongoing development programme, the 100% Seriously Swazi programme is set to launch at Bushfire 2011 as a platform for local talent. SNAC (Swaziland National Council for Arts and Culture) will identify six groups to perform on the 100% Stage, along with groups to perform informally throughout the festival grounds.

Outreach and arts-development projects

The 2011 Bushfire Festival will extend into a whole week of outreach and arts-development projects alongside festival activities. The Swazi Design Week will bridge the gap between design activities and to stimulate development on all levels in partnership with SWIFT (Swaziland Fair Trade).

This will include a workshop for fair-trade producers and artisans, facilitated by South African designer Heath Nash, a Bushfire marketplace featuring SWIFT and promoting local handcraft and design, and several other workshops, showcases and exhibitions.

The Bushfire Festival is held on Malandela's Farm in Swaziland's Malkerns Valley. Festival-goers can camp at the venue or stay at one of a number of establishments - ranging from backpackers and guesthouses to hotels - in the area.

To book<>/b

Pre-booking is essential, as only a limited number of tickets are available. Discounted early-bird tickets are available online at www.computicket.com at R400 for a full festival pass, or R650 for a full festival VIP pass, which includes access to a raised, comfortable seating area in the new "Top Deck", with a private bar and waiter service and VIP parking.

One-day tickets range in price from R150 to R200, and one-day VIP tickets vary from R350 to R400. Children enjoy discounted rates, with free admission for under-fives.

Tickets are also available internationally at www.swazi.travel. The website includes information on where to stay during the festival, from backpackers and campsites to chalets and hotels. Go to www.bush-fire.com for more information and updates on the festival's artist line-up.