The stage is set for the renowned Innibos National Arts Festival, which this year incorporates not-to-be-missed English productions and events. As always, the four-day music, creative and visual art extravaganza unfolds in the spectacular Lowveld.
While Innibos festivities were downsized as a result of Covid-19, this year’s festival is back in full force! A full programme of events will be offered from 29 June to 2 July at Bergvlam High School and other venues in Mbombela.
In addition to the highly anticipated Afrikaans drama, comedy, lifestyle, music, art and book programmes, this year’s programme sees various English productions and events, including Poetry Slam, Opera Extravaganza and The Ultimate Kasi Experience, all of which will be held at specially selected venues around town.
Get fresh with Innibos
‘Fresh’, this year’s Innibos theme, says it all, says Sandra Jacobs, the media and marketing manager of Innibos.
“Innibos 2023 offers jam-packed entertainment, with something enticing for all festival-goers, and we are excited to bring these experiences to the Lowveld,” she adds.
New to the festival this year is the Vineyard Festival Garden at the Art Park on the main festival grounds, where visitors can taste (and purchase) wines from various estates while enjoying some deli snacks from nearby stalls, with easy-listening stage music.
Festival ground events
“Music has always been one of Innibos’ highlights and will be again this year, with our main stage concerts offering prime entertainment every night,” says Jacobs.
The cream of Afrikaans musicians – from Appel and Bok van Blerk to Francois van Coke, Spoegwolf, Bernice West, Elandré, Demi Lee Moore, Droomsindroom, Sunset Sweatshop and Elvis Blue – will rock the main stage each night. The Alternative concert on Saturday night offers a show for those young at heart, with Rubber Duc, Loufi, Zaan Sonnekus and the band Vrede performing. All these concerts are included in the gate entry for the day.
For those who enjoy theatre, various short productions and talks will take place at the Lowvelder Boma Theatre; while the children’s theatre and exciting activities at Spar Woelwaters will keep the kids entertained.
Bosmôl, at the festival grounds, will again be jam-packed with stalls offering a range of goodies, products and scrumptious food, while the popular funfair is bound to draw the crowds.
Innibos festival director Andy Lubbe says that while times are tough and people are feeling the pinch, Innibos offers exceptional value for money. “The festival terrain entrance fee includes a full day’s entertainment at the grounds and three-hour, top-quality concerts in the evening. People need their spirits lifted, and we aim to do just that.”
Entrance fee to the festival grounds is charged per person, per day (kids 12 years and younger enter at no charge) as follows: Thursday, 29 June, R200; Friday, 30 June, R225; Saturday, 1 July, R250. Golden Circle tickets for the main stage concerts are additional to the entrance fee and cost R200 (Friday evening) and R250 (Saturday evening). There is no golden circle on Thursday evening. Week tickets are R600. Tickets are available at Computicket.
Pensioners (60 and older) pay R100 per day, per person. These tickets are not available online. They must be purchased at Gate 1 during the festival, or from the Innibos office in De Villiers Street, Sonpark, Mbombela.
For the full festival programme and links to ticket sales, visit innibos.co.za.