Johannesburg Big Band’s ‘A Swingin’ Christmas’  is the Festive Extravaganza you’ve been waiting for!

It’s just a little over two weeks to go until Johannesburg Big Band’s A Swingin’ Christmas is on stage – the Festive Extravaganza you’ve been waiting for! 

With just 4 shows only at Carnival City’s Big Top Arena on Saturday 14th and Sunday 15th December, get your tickets now and celebrate the year-end the best way you can!

This show is set to be the season’s must-see LIVE music show, showcasing sensational performances from the 18 piece Johannesburg Big Band playing festive tunes from Michael Buble, Frank Sinatra, Mariah Carey, George Michael and many more…

All brought to life on stage in glittering fashion by local stars Kurt Darren, Zwai Bala, Mzansi Youth Choir, Monique Steyn and Harry Sideropoulos.

Expect an energetic fusion of swinging jazz, classic big band sounds, and festive cheer – all with a distinctly South African flavour.

Audiences will enjoy many festive hits; from Silent Night, Last Christmas, All I Want for Christmas is You, Santa Clause Is Coming To Town, Felize Navidad, Somer Kersfees, Sleigh Ride and many more.

Perfect for music lovers friends and families alike, A Swingin’ Christmas promises an unforgettable experience that’ll light up your festive season. 

A Swingin’ Christmas will be on stage at The Big Top Arena, Carnival City, for ONE WEEKEND ONLY on Saturday 14th & Sunday 15th December 2024. 

Performances are 12h00 & 16h00 on both days, making it the ideal way for you to bring your whole family for some festive fun.

(and with the Monday being a Public Holiday, there’s no better way to welcome in the Festive Season that weekend!)

Tickets range from R390 – R550, and bookings are at Webtickets or at Pick ‘n Pay outlets.
Discounts for groups of 10 or more, senior citizens, scholars under 12 and students apply.

Watch the promo video for A Swingin’ Christmas : 

A Swingin’ Christmas  is brought to you by Howard Events in association with The CoLab Network and is powered by HOT 102.7 FM.

THERE’S GOOD NEWS!

There’s an 48-hour Black Friday Special for bookings made between Wednesday 27th – Friday 29th November, ending at midnight!

Get 50% discount off the ticket price in the Top 3 Tier ticket prices!

So BOOK NOW via Webtickets to enjoy that special offer!

Artist Q&A’s

As we gear up to show-time, let’s get to know the artists and producers, their thoughts on Christmas and what they’re looking forward to in A Swingin’ Christmas.

Adam Howard – Producer / Conductor of Johannesburg Big Band

Q: What’s your favourite Christmas memory as a child ?

A: Looking outside my window as it was snowing on Christmas Eve – trying to find Santa in the night sky.

Q: Your favourite way to celebrate the Festive and Year-End Season now? 

A: Only one way – me in the kitchen cooking a Turkey with all the trimmings  – listening to big band Christmas music ALL day 

Q: Favourite Christmas song/hymn as a child?

A: Frosty The Snowman – Jingle Bells 

Q:  What song are you most looking forward to performing in “A Swingin’ Christmas”?

A: I can’t wait to perform Little Drummer Boy with the Mnzansi Youth Choir. Having Kurt Darren and Zwai join them will be a truly magical moment

Q: Your Christmas wish for the people of South Africa?

A: To love and be loved

Belinda Howard – Producer

Q: What’s your favourite Christmas memory as a child ?
A: Growing up on the coast of Australia, so putting on new clothes and then going for a swim down the beach. It was a Xmas tradition.

Q: Your favourite way to celebrate the Festive and Year-End Season now? 
A: With our 3 children around the Christmas tree and being together at home and having Christmas lunch

Q: Favourite Christmas song/hymn as a child?
A: Frosty the Snowman and Rudolph the red nosed Reindeer

Q: What song are you most looking forward to performing in “A Swingin’ Christmas”?
A: Silent Night in Xhosa with the choir

Q: Your Christmas wish for the people of South Africa?
A: To unite with kindness for all.

Kurt Darren – Vocalist

Q: What’s your favourite Christmas memory as a child ?

A: My favourite Christmas memory, was Santa appearing on the roof of our house, I was 8 years old, awesome!

Q: Your favourite way to celebrate the Festive and Year-End Season now? 
A: I am always on tour the whole of December, so I just want to be next to a big Christmas tree at home with my family at Christmas.

Q: Favourite Christmas song/hymn as a child?
A: My favourite Christmas song has always been Oh Holy Night, just love it.

Q: What song are you most looking forward to performing in “A Swingin’ Christmas”?
A: I am looking forward to performing Little Drummer boy with Zwai and the amazing Johannesburg Big Band and choir, going to be special.

Q: Your Christmas wish for the people of South Africa?
A: I wish everybody a beautiful Christmas with all their loved ones.

Zwai Bala – Vocalist

Q: What’s your favourite Christmas memory as a child ?

A: We couldn’t wait to open presents which were clothes, and could only open on Christmas Day. We’d get up, get ready for Church, have a big lunch, the extended family came together. There wasn’t electricity so there was lots of singing after church.

Q: Your favourite way to celebrate the Festive and Year-End Season now? 
A: It’s always a busy time of year as musicians, I try to be in PE with the family. This year, there’ll be a big party after my son returns from initiation. It’s a time of giving and being with family.

Q: Favourite Christmas song/hymn as a child?
A: O Bethlehem was a definite favourite, then after I joined the Drakensburg Boys Choir it would be Hark the Herald Angels sing. I’ve always loved listening the different interpretations of songs and hymns that come out over Christmas.

Q: What song are you most looking forward to performing in “A Swingin’ Christmas”?
A: Little Drummer Boy

Q: Your Christmas wish for the people of South Africa?
A: People need to take it easy. Treasure time with family. This year we’ve lost a lot of people so I want people to treasure the things that we have, value the things you don’t have to pay for – like family, being able to give to others. 

Harry Sideropoulos – Vocalist

Q: What’s your favourite Christmas memory as a child ?
A: My favorite Christmas memory from childhood is putting up the Christmas tree and decorating it. My sister was in charge of the Christmas decorations. We had a fireplace in the lounge and next to it we would set up the tree, and my sister would hand-make little snow-covered models of miniature Christmas street scenes, complete with lights and miniature horses and carriages. These street scenes were reminiscent of the street scenes from A Christmas Carol. I would often lie on the lounge floor at night with all the lights off, enjoying the glow from the tree and the fireplace.

Q: Your favourite way to celebrate the Festive and Year-End Season now? 
A: With my beautiful Godson. He loves Christmas. He is now in charge of all the Christmas decorations. He is 14 years old and the wonderment of Christmas still enthralls him. I love seeing the innocence and elation days building up to our Christmas lunch. 

Q: Favourite Christmas song/hymn as a child?
A: O Holy Night. It still gives me goosies. I wish I was a tenor so that I could sing that song!

Q: What song are you most looking forward to performing in “A Swingin’ Christmas”?
A: I’m looking forward to singing Baby it’s Cold outside with the magnificent Monique Steyn. It’s one of the first songs I recorded 20 years ago. It’s so fun and naughty!

 Q: Your Christmas wish for the people of South Africa?
That there is a lot more that unites us than divides us. 

Monique Steyn – Vocalist

Q:  What’s your favourite Christmas memory as a child ?

A:  Being my favourite holiday by far, I have so many. 

But one that stands out is when my sister’s son was still little and she set it up the tree with show spray right around, put out cookies and milk for Santa Clause and had me and folks hide with him in his room, waiting for Santa to ‘arrive’. Out of his window he saw lights flashing and the sound of sleigh bells… The look on his face was one of astonishment and complete childlike joy. 

We all ran back to the tree and there he saw footsteps in the ‘snow’ and half a glass of milk nest to half of the cookies missing… Presents waiting under the tree. 

A flabbergasted little Röhan believed every bit of the theatrics. Priceless and so very special. 

Q: Your favourite way to celebrate the Festive and Year-End Season now?

A: Because over the years I have spent so much time away from home because of work commitments, I have, for the last 6 years or so, made sure that we spend it together as a family. No more traveling over Christmas. I cherish every second or our time together. Family, fun, food, laughter, prayer and thankfulness. 

Q: Favourite Christmas song/hymn as a child?

A: It has always been Amazing Grace. 

Q: What song are you most looking forward to performing in “A Swingin’ Christmas”?

A: ‘Baby it’s cold outside’

Q: Your Christmas wish for the people of South Africa?

A: Embrace. Have faith. Be kind. Be grateful. 

We have the best weather, sense of humour, and the best human beings on the planet. Enjoy each other. Hug a lot. Say I LOVE YOU out loud. Time is precious.

Most importantly… PAY IT FORWARD TO THOSE IN NEED. 

And last but not least:

Make sure you experienced what the holidays should sound like by bringing your family and friends to A Swingin’ Christmas! Don’t miss out!

Mzansi Youth Choir

Q: What’s your favourite Christmas memory as a child ?

A: My mother’s cooking!

Q: Favourite Christmas song/hymn as a child?

A: Dashing through the snow on a one horse open sleigh…

Q: What song are you most looking forward to performing in “A Swingin’ Christmas”?

A: We wish you a merry Christmas…

Q: Your Christmas wish for the people of South Africa?

A: For everyone to be able to be with their families and have a great Christmas together and to spread love

Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas this year and treat yourself to A Swingin’ Christmas.

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