On 1 August, Sicilia’s Restaurant will be serving more than just food as three of Namibia’s biggest live performers take to one stage for one night, with the whole city invited.
The occasion is Sicilia’s Spotlight Night, during which Suzi Eises, Big Ben and South African singer Emil Struwig will entertain patrons at the popular city restaurant.
It promises to be a night of horns, strings and the mic as the three musicians bring their distinct styles to the stage.
Suzi, who has blown her way into the hearts of Namibian music lovers with her saxophone, needs little introduction. She continues to wow audiences wherever she performs.
One of the biggest stages she has graced includes the seventh Annual Titanium Awards in Cape Town, South Africa, in 2022.
Most recently, the saxophonist realised one of her biggest dreams by performing before a multinational audience on the Love Jazz Cruise with a Cape Town band.
Armed with one studio album, Suzi won best newcomer and album of the year at the Namibian Annual Music Awards (NAMAs) in 2018.
She describes her music as a blend of her travels, experiences and the different cultures she has been exposed to.
Big Ben is all about strings and the mic, and if there is anyone who can liven up a crowd, it is the Omutiuanduko village-born star.
He returns to the stage after staging his ‘Big Ben Live in Concert’ show at Zoo Park in April. Big Ben, who spent much of his youth singing tenor in choirs, has become one of Namibia’s leading Afro-pop artists.
With hit songs such as ‘Okinikini’, ‘Kaira’, ‘Moro Moro’, ‘Matupondoo’, ‘Ndjiisira’ and ‘Numbu Numbu’, Big Ben remains one of the country’s most recognisable performers. He was crowned Namibia’s artist of the year at the 2015 NAMAs.
Emil, a South African singer-songwriter and composer originally from Tsumeb, completes the line-up.
With a repertoire spanning jazz, swing, pop and musical theatre, Emil has written more than 450 songs and recorded several number-one hits in South Africa.
He has worked with Sony Music and Universal Music Africa and won the World Championships of Performing Arts in Odessa, Ukraine, in 2004.
He also reached the top 16 of ‘Idols South Africa’ season four in 2011.
As a songwriter, Emil penned ‘Liefde Wen Altyd’ and ‘All I Want’, earning two Tempo Awards for song of the year and people’s choice.
His songwriting credits also include ‘1001 Soene’ for Heinz Winckler, which earned him the Huisgenoot songwriter of the year award in 2011, as well as songs for Die Campbells, Ray Dylan, Brendan Peyper, Kurt Darren and Andriëtte.
Besides the musical line-up, the evening will also feature magicians and comedians.
The concert starts at 18h00. Tickets cost N$500, including a meal and a welcome drink, and must be booked in advance. For more information, contact Sicilia’s Restaurant on 081 375 8643.
