CACTUS Agony, Kapiri Mposhi Top Rank Suite, a reggae band from South Africa and guest disc jockeys from the United Kingdom are some of the attractions at this year’s EleFest, a musical initiative that is meant to support Zambia’s country’s wildlife.

This year’s EleFest, described as Zambia’s wildest music and arts festival, will take place on May 30 at the Lusaka Gymkhana Club.

EleFest is organised by Game Rangers International (GRI), founded in 2008 with the specific aim of assisting the communities living around the Kafue National Park to better manage the natural resources of the area through support to wildlife management and protection and community outreach and education.

The focus for GRI may be the Kafue National Park, but on May 30, attention will shift to the Gymkhana Club in the showgrounds.

“We are going wild for the music this year at EleFest! This is a festival inspired by the beautiful wildlife of Zambia and reminding us all to celebrate and conserve it! Festival-goers at the EleFest will be taken on a nature-themed musical journey from cool, soothing day-time tones to an anthemic, energy-charged evening and night when local and international bands, artistes and DJs will rock the fest like no other.”

“The live line-up includes soul secret Chitalu Musonda, blues-infused reggae masters Diamond White – Band (South Africa), foot stomping Kapiri Mposhi Top Rank Suite, he who needs no introduction Cactus Agony Zambia, and wonderful guest DJs from the UK’s Afternoon Delight. We are bringing back the Zamrock.Org for wildlife,” a statement by the organisers says.

Aside from the music, the Waterfalls Gourmet Market will be providing a fantastic range of local cuisine, crafts and fashion. The Waterfalls Market is an independent initiative by local food, art and cultural lovers, whose aim is to revive and reinvent markets as a civic institution.

Still, interest will remain with the music that will be on offer; what with the likes of Afternoon Delight in attendance. Yes, they may be an afternoon delight; but wherever they are, they have to be thought of more like a children’s tea party for grown-ups, with cocktails instead of cake.

They delight themselves in having an event with a different creative element running through it with an emphasis on good music and a happy crowd.

They also pick venues that work just as well in the daytime as they do at night, whether it is a roof terrace, loft, garden or boat.

For the Lusaka outing, it will be the Gymkhana Club.

This article was written by Kelvin Kachingwe and originally published in the Zambia Daily Mail