After disappointing multitudes of jazz fans by cancelling the long anticipated star-studded event, the Hamptons Promoters have set a new date for the festival.
It was scheduled to be one of the biggest jazz festivals Gaborone had ever hosted with a line-up that included South Africa’s Hugh Masekela, Tsepo Tshola and Freshly Ground as well as all the biggest local jazz artists.
“The Hamptons Festival was postponed this morning due to heavy rainfall causing problems for logistics and the ground being very soggy, making it less appealing to sit on the grounds or walk on them,” read a statement from the promoters. ?“We have now had a meeting with Hugh Masekela and Tsepo Tshola and a new confirmation for our Hamptons Jazz Festival is now on the 15th March 2014. Only two weeks away. Whilst this is very good news, we can only apologise for this inconvenience, but rest assured the event will be a huge Botswana success.”
Speaking to Arts & Society Debbie Smith of Hamptons Promoters said there were other factors that contributed to the postponement but could not be drawn into discussing the details. Suffice it to say rain was the major contributor.
She however admitted they had experienced problems getting Freshly Ground to fly in from Cape Town as there was no direct flight to Gaborone on Saturday morning.
“They would have made it in time for the show had we not cancelled,” she said.
Smith said as far as sold tickets were concerned they had only a handful of people asking for refunds.
“Most of them have chosen to keep their tickets for the 15th.”
She said although postponing the event has already proved a costly affair it could have been worse had the artists not “been so understanding.”
She said Tsepo Tshola had extended his stay to help promote the festival.
“Hugh Masekela has also changed his schedule to accommodate the changes.”
Onn Monday, Smith said that they were yet to hear from Freshly Ground if the band would be available for the show on March 15.
