The MTN Festival offers a world of entertainment

Brian Gouldie, chief marketing officer of MTN SA said: "MTN is big on creating unforgettable experiences for our customers. The MTN Festival offers various entertainment options to experience and is an illustration of our passion about creating platforms which enhance our consumer's lives."

"We have included a variety of unique, diverse and world-class entertainment that appeals to all visitors across all demographics - giving everyone the opportunity to create their own festival and go big," said Montecasino's GM, Glenn Joseph.

Revved Up gaming promotion

Visitors stand the chance to win a share of over R8 million in cash and one of 12 Audis in Montecasino's Revved Up gaming promotion. Simply sign up to the Montecasino Rewards Programme and play any slots machine and/or table game to earn points into the monthly draws. Full details on draw dates and times, and the number of points required per draw can be found at www.montecasino.co.za.

The beautiful and immensely talented Welsh songstress Kathrine Jenkins will grace the stage in concert as she returns to South Africa for two shows as part of the MTN Festival on 18 and 19 September. Best known for her unique interpretations of popular songs and operatic arias and hymns, Jenkins, who has performed with operatic legends like Andrea Bocelli, Plácido Domingo, Jose Carreras and Dame Kiri Te Kanawa, will be accompanied by a 24-piece orchestra.Tickets from R300 on www.montecasino.co.za or through Computicket.

From Wales to Italy as Italian singing sensation, and one of the world`s most exciting baritone crooners, Patrizio Buanne sets the stage alight with two concerts on 21 and 22 September. Buanne will charm and entertain in his usual inimitable style, performing all his best-loved songs. Tickets start from R250 at Computicket.

The contemporary gospel group, MTN Joyous Celebration has entertained fans nationally for many years. Now, as a key MTN Festival event, this gospel group will share its joyful sounds at two performances only on 27 and 28 September.

Sunset Boulevard

For classical music lovers, Andrew Lloyd Webber's musical Sunset Boulevard takes to the stage at the Pieter Toerien Main Theatre for the duration of the MTN Festival: 18 September to 13 October. Starring Angela Killian and Jonathan Roxmouth, Sunset Boulevard - set in the Hollywood of the early 1950s and based on Billy Wilder's classic film - is a story of faded glory and unfulfilled ambition that has won seven prestigious Tony Awards. Tickets through Computicket.

The Montecasino Kids Playground at the Montecasino Bird Gardens and surrounding area is the place to be from Saturday, 21 to Tuesday, 24 September from 10am to 4pm daily. The playground will offer a world of excitement, from family-friendly favourites to a number of exciting attractions, including sand art, face painting, stilt walkers, magicians, ceramic painting, a number of games, giveaways and more. Entry into the Montecasino Bird Gardens over the long weekend will be R20 for kids, R35 for adults and R20 for pensioners.

Live Court TV

The Big Bad Musical in the enchanted Montecasino Ballroom will give you the chance to experience live Court TV, where you will decide the outcome of the biggest trial ever in the fairytale world - against the notorious Big Bad Wolf. Little Red Riding Hood, The Three Little Pigs and everyone else the Big Bad Wolf has wronged will be there. Will you? Date show and times: Friday, 11 October at 1pm and 3pm, Saturday, 12 and Sunday, 13 October at 10am, 12 noon and 2pm. Tickets, R50.

For the very best in family entertainment, Movies on the Piazza will be on 21 September and again on 4 October. Come along for a free outdoor screening of Rio and Mamma Mia! (Saturday, 21 September) and Despicable Me and Grease (Friday, 4 October) on Montecasino's huge screen and enjoy star-studded movies under the stars. Snacks and drinks will be available to purchase.

Trevor Noah returns to take to the Teatro at Montecasino stage as part of the MTN Festival from 30 September to 13 October. With all-new material in his new show It's My Culture, allow Noah to take you with him on his travels from New Zealand to Zambia, New York and London, before returning to his favourite place - home.Tickets from R120.

For music lovers, Music on the Piazza features six of SA's finest local-music sensations performing live on the Montecasino Outdoor Piazza stage every Sunday throughout the festival. Catch Elvis Blue and Dan Patlansky (22 September at 12.30pm), Louise Carver and Mi Casa (29 September at 1pm), Watershed (6 October at 12.30pm), and Good Luck (13 October at 12.30pm). Entrance is free, but space is limited, so be sure to get there early. Snacks and drinks will be available to purchase.

Live music concert

Piazza Rocks is a live music concert featuring Prime Circle, Lloyd Cele and the Soweto String Quartet on Saturday, 12 October. For R100 you can enjoy unique collaborations of rock, pop and classical jazz at this exclusive MTN Festival spectacular. Ticket includes a free drink (Ts and Cs apply). Gates open at 6pm and food and beverage will be available to purchase.

The Pick 'n Pay Taste of Joburg, in association with Orbit Sugarfree Chewing Gum, returns to the Montecasino Outdoor Event Area for the MTN Festival from 26 to 29 September. Enjoy a feast for the senses as 12 of Joburg's top restaurants create special menus of starter-sized dishes for the occasion, including signature dishes created by featured chefs designed to reflect their philosophy and showcase seasonal and premium ingredients. Featuring boutique exhibitors, artisan producers, gourmet street food, premium drink brands and award-winning wineries. Tickets range from R80 and are available now at www.itickets.co.za

Don't forget to purchase your Crowns once you have your ticket. This is the festival currency used at Taste Festivals to purchase food and drinks from the restaurants, bars and exhibitors. Crowns can be pre-purchased with Premium or Taste Club House tickets or at the event using cash or credit card from the Taste Bank or from roaming Crown sellers dressed in green. Each Crown is worth R5 and prices range from 4 to 8 Crowns per dish. Change is offered in Crowns only. For more information, go to www.tasteofjoburg.com.

The best restaurant and bar specials

The festival's non-stop entertainment also includes the best restaurant specials:
• Thursdays: 200gr sirloin or rump with chips or veggies for R60 at Coco Bongo, Montexo Spur, Donatella's, Verdicchio, Cantare, Gourmet Garage, Beira Alt, La Scala, Cobblestone Pub and Ciao Baby (terms and conditions apply).
• Tuesdays: 30cm pizza with three toppings (two vegetable and one meat, no seafood) for R60 lunch and dinner at Donatella's, Debonairs, Col'Cacchio and Mio Col'Cacchio (terms and conditions apply).
• Wednesdays: R10 for Big Shots at 3SIXTY° Liquid Lounge, @Monte Restaurant and Cobblestone Pub on selected shooters only.

On 28 September and 5 October Absa Boktown at Montecasino will once again be the only place to be if you can't be at the game! Join thousands of other die-hard Springboks fans as our boys bring out all the big hits on the huge Montecasino Outdoor Piazza screen. R30 gets you entrance and one free beverage (local beer, cider, soft drink or mineral water), plus access to all the live entertainment, a merchandise stall, giveaways and more. Gates open at 4pm, kick-off is at 5pm.

Tops at Spar Bierfest

For the third year in a row the MTN Festival will feature the Tops at Spar Bierfest. Bringing the best of Bavaria to the Montecasino Outdoor Event Area from 10 to 13 October, the Tops at Spar Bierfest will feature a recreation of the Bavarian beer festivals of old, complete with beer halls, wooden beer benches, fräuleins, mouth-watering Bavarian treats, Bavarian accessories to add to the fun, plus world-class entertainment, including a live Oompah band. Ticket prices start at R100 at www.bierfest.co.za. Hospitality packages are available.

Events and entertainment run throughout the week but heighten from Thursdays to Sundays. There is no entry or general access fee into the festival; however, for more information on bookings and cost for select ticketed events, go to www.montecasino.co.za www.computicket.co.za www.itickets.co.za or www.bierfest.co.za. Standard parking tariffs and entry fees to Montecasino venues apply.