The buzz following the successful Hollywoodbets Cape Town Street Parade last week shows no signs of dying down as the Hollywoodbets and KKKA Kaapse Klopse Competition takes over Athlone Stadium in full force.
The five-week-long competition, a true celebration of community and culture, kicked off this past Saturday with approximately 19 000 excited spectators in attendance. To mark the competition’s opening, 19 Kaapse Klopse Karnivaal Association (KKKA) troupes took to the stadium and enthralled the audience with their opening performances – battling it out in categories such as Grand March Pass, Klopse Jol, Best Dressed Troupe, Juvenile Drum Major and Senior Drum Major
The Grand March Pass and Klopse Jol categories had audiences on their feet dancing along to the traditional Goema music, while taking in the colourful sequined splendour the minstrels are known for.
Athlone Stadium was transformed into a vibrant kaleidoscope of culture and dance as all participating troupes proved that the competition is going to be stiff this year. Troupes from Section One teams will compete for top honours on January 6 and 20 while Section Two troupes will battle it out against each other on January 13 and 27. Winners of the two sections will go head-to-head on February 3 where the best of the best will be crowned.
Muneeb Gambeno, director of the Kaapse Klopse Karnival Association (KKKA), said: “This was the most successful, most spectacular first day of the carnival competitions in the history of carnival. Everyone played their role, and our biggest compliment must go to the troupes and the spectators who made this a seamless showcase of our people’s very best talent.”
Some of the criteria the judges look for when grading each troupe throughout the competition include uniformity in dress code, dress impact, colour coordination, originality, troupe structure, and cohesion amongst participants. Other qualities being judged are movement, energy and flair, instrument, and arrangement, as well as troupe (and individual) confidence.
As with previous years, the competition is split into two sections based on factors such as the size of the minstrel troupe, the size of the minstrel troupe support and the historical context of each group.
Section one troupes are West London All Stars, Philadelphians, Fabulous Seawind Entertainers, Posh Vibrant, Fabulous Woodstock Starlites, Exquisite Golden Gates, Cape Town Hawkers, Carnival Boys, Young Wild Apaches, Last Tomahawks and Young Comanches.
Section two consists of Playaz Inc., Juvie Boy Entertainers, Ashwin Willemse Orient, TV Stars, Manenberg Superstars, Las Vegas, Original D6 Hanover Minstrels, West Bank Entertainers, and Mitchells Plain Young Tycoons.
Join in the Minstrel fun this weekend
This coming Saturday (January 13) sees troupes from Section One competing for top honours and once again on January 27. Section Two troupes will battle it out against each other on January 20 and February 3 to see which troupe reigns supreme.
All competition events will be adjudicated by a panel of judges who are appointed by the KKKA. The categories to be adjudicated this weekend are: Juvenile Sentimental, Adult Sentimental, English Combined Chorus, Female Sentimental and Afrikaans Moppie Song.
Spectators can expect high energy and enthusiasm from all competing troupes who have spent months preparing to take the top spot.
Tickets to support your favourite teams in person start at R30 each and spectators are encouraged to purchase their tickets quickly to avoid missing out on the Minstrel action. Tickets go on sale at midnight tonight via Computicket, Shoprite, Checkers and U-Save outlets and reminder that no tickets will be sold at the stadium.
Children between 0-5 years old won’t have to pay to attend the stadium competitions, while kids between the ages of 4-13 years old will only pay R30 per ticket.
Gates at Athlone Stadium open at 11am and this weekend promises to be yet another energy-filled display of troupe buffet performances.
Scanners will be available to allow entry for those with barcodes/tickets displayed on cell phones.
Prohibited items for Athlone Stadium:
· Glass is not allowed at a public event such as this, so please ensure all refreshments are in non-glass containers.
· Additional items that are prohibited are sharp items (umbrellas), explosives, aerosol cans, tasers, radios, animals, flags, lasers, chemicals, fireworks, balls, helmets, loudspeakers, video cameras as well as oka pipes.
· Obvious items not to bring are drugs, alcohol and weapons.
· Remember that everyone is there to have a good time and experience a celebration of our culture, so please be courteous and considerate of others.
Cape Town Street Parade social media links:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/capetownstreetparade
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/capetownstreetparade/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/CTstreetparade
