Peace Starts 2014 Concert

MULDERSDRIFT –  Peace Starts 2014 is a free music concert featuring some of SA’s top acts, representing the crossover culture we are experiencing in South Africa at the moment, whilst promoting the United Nations initiative; The International Day of Peace (observed annually on September 21 on the global calendar).

Hosted by Peace Starts and Heia Safari Ranch, Peace Starts 2014 invites everyone to come along and enjoy the mesmerising performances by the crème de la crème of South Africa’s finest music talents. The line-up includes Ross Learmonth and Neil Breytenbach (Prime Circle), Slikour, JR and Shugasmakx, The Graeme Watkins Project, Cito and Martin Schofield (WONDERboom), Jason Hartman, Timothy Moloi, Connell Cruise, Josie Field, Brandon October, KB Motsilanyane, Zandile Mzazi, Andra and Ayo Solanke to name but a few, in a style most audiences haven’t seen them perform before.

These artists will perform their tracks in an acoustic or singer/songwriter style, whilst also collaborating with some of SA’s finest classical musicians who make up the Double O Ensemble on one of their songs as well. This incredible ensemble will be the common thread throughout the concert and, combining the various collaborations with these talented vocalists and bands, will provide an exclusive experience for all those attending.

Added to this will be the services of top-quality music arrangers including Mark Cheyne, Johan Laas, Adam Howard, Rudo Pieterse, Martin Schofield and Roelof Colyn who will provide the unique music arrangements for these collaborations.

Peace Starts is affiliated to Peace One Day (UK) and The United Nations.

 Gates at Heia Safari Ranch will open at 12pm with the performances kicking off at 13:00 on Sunday September 21 and running until approximately 17:00.

The concert will kick off with a bang with rock legends Cito and Martin Schofield from WONDERboom opening the concert as the first act at 13:00, so guests should get there early not to miss them, and will then flow non-stop from one artist to the next until 17:00 in a concert-style format.

At 15:30, Sudeshan Reddy, Officer-in-Charge for the United Nations Information Centre, will address the crowd read out the Secretary General of the United Nations, Ban Ki-moon official global message of Peace for the day, providing a pivotal moment to the concert through their official endorsement.

The concert will wrap up at approximately 17:00 when Cito, as Founder of Peace Starts, will call for a minute of silence to be observed by all guests in attendance and then invite all the artists who performed that day, to join him on stage to sing the official Peace Starts collaboration track, Breathe Together.

To listen to the track : https://soundcloud.com/peace-starts/breathe-together-2011

Entrance is free but pre-booking tickets online is essential to guarantee admittance on the day and entrance onto the Nature Reserve. Bookings can be done at www.peacestarts.co.za

Guests need to print out the confirmation received from their booking and present this at Heia Safari Ranch’s entrance gate, in order to gain access.

With the concert taking place on a Sunday afternoon, families are also encouraged to attend. Guests should bring their picnic blankets, umbrellas and chairs (don’t forget the sunscreen), but please note no food or drinks can be brought onto the property. There will be a wide range of different food vendors on site who will provide options for the guests, as well as bar service for drinks and not forgetting their restaurant on the property will also be open for their buffet lunch.

All of these artists, as well as all involved in staging the event, have given of their time and talent free of charge, to ensure that this could be a free event and inclusive as possible, in the celebration of peace.

Says Cito; “Once again I am moved by the responses of the artists and arrangers and their willingness to get involved in putting on a world-class unique event for this important date on society’s calendar. I am also feeling privileged to be hosting Peace Starts 2014 at Heia Safari Ranch and the synergy it brings the organization as we focus this year on the importance of conservation.”

Officially observed worldwide on September 21, The International Day of Peace is aimed at commemorating and strengthening the ideals of peace.

South Africans are no strangers to the concept of choosing peace over conflict, with our democracy being built on these very principles. Peace is not an idea. Peace is also not just the responsibility of our government or our police force, but the responsibility of each and every South African.

With this in mind, Cito, lead singer of SA’s legendary rock band, WONDERboom, formed the “Peace Starts In Your Heart” initiative.  This stemmed from a World Peace Day concert held at Back 2 Basix in Johannesburg in 2008, and has since become an annual event, as part of the global events that take place the week surrounding International Day of Peace.

Cito concludes; “Every year, Peace Starts has grown and taken on a new chapter. This year, Peace Starts 2014 takes our supporters out into nature to pause and reflect on the impact society’s aggression takes on our environment. By staging this year’s concert on this beautiful reserve, we hope the public will take a moment and consider what they can do to improve their community surrounding them.”

For more information, go to www.peacestarts.co.za.