Photo Flash: Meet the Stars of Lefra's CHRISTMAS SPECTACULAR

One of the biggest and most spectacular Christmas concerts of the past few years is definitely Lefra Productions' CHRISTMAS SPECTACULAR. The production takes place at Carnival City's Big Top Arena on Saturday, 14 December at 20:00 - "in real Boney M Christmas Show style," says producer Frans Swart. Meet the cast below!

The 2013 CHRISTMAS SPECTACULAR features some of South Africa's most well-known artists on one stage: Alwyn Oberholster, Arina de Witt, Henrico Coetzer, Heuning, Jannie Moolman, Jay du Plessis, Kobus Muller, Liza Brönner and Rina Hugo. The musical director is the well-known Jaconell Mouton, and is being produced and directed by Frans Swart.

Jaconell Moutoun is one of the country's top piano and keyboard players and is a well-known face on television's NOOT VIR NOOT as part of the "musiekfabriek". Jaconell was the musical director of the production the previous years, and was very keen to get involved again this year. A born Capetonian, she moved to Pretoria to complete her studies where she is still based as freelance musician and works with some of the country's top musicians. Her work encompasses live performances, albums, DVD's and performances for television. She has also shared the stage with various International Artists such as Stef Bos, Dana Winner, Demis Roussos and Herman Van Veen. Jaconell is very excited about this project. "The CHRISTMAS SPECTACULAR is the perfect opportunity for families and friends to celebrate the holy season together!" she says.

Alwyn Oberholster has just released his first CD entitled MAAK OF BREEK. This CD features his own songs and he believes this will be the break he needs to launch his professional career. He resides in Alberton and is already very well known throughout South Africa.

Arina de Witt began singing at the age of five, but actually it was her friend Jan Spies, the celebrated storyteller and founding editor of the Namibian newspaper DIE REPUBLIKEIN, who caused her to "wake up" and start a singing career. Arina knew Jan Spies from the time they both worked for DIE REPUBLIKEIN. Spies wrote the lyrics for her first big hit, "Rietjiesfluit", as well as four of the songs on her first album. "I am glad that he was able to wake up that side of me", Arina said. Her latest album, TIMELESS, was released earlier this year, and is - according to Arina - a selection of timeless hit through the years. Arina, one of South Africa's most talented and versatile artists, describes her life in one sentence: "The Lord is in charge of my life ".

Henrico Coetzer is a bright new star on the Afrikaans music horizon! At the age of 16, Henrico won a competition with one of his own compositions entitled "The Calling", which also become the title of his debut CD. After matriculating from the Waterkloof High School in 2011, Henrico took a gap year which he used in service of the Lord as part of a performing arts ministry.

Heuning is the first contemporary Afrikaans Country duo in the world! Jeanette Rootman and Henk Dercksen were chosen from an audition group of more than 300 applicants who sent their demo's to David Gresham Records. Many hours of careful planning and consideration went into the choice of sing for the debut CD, and Jeanette even translated some of the songs into Afrikaans. Jeanette is no stranger to the music world, having recorded her first song at the age of 12 with Boet Pretorius from Decibel Records. Nineteen year old Henk Dercksen just finished school, and recently moved from his home in Naboomspruit to Gauteng so he can devote as much time as possible to the Heuning project. They released their debut CD in 2012, and are very excited to announce that their Christmas CD entitled SOET KERSFEES will appear on the shelves of your favourite music store this festive season!

Jannie Moolman certainly is one of South Africa's best tenors. His opera career includes portrayals of Händel's MESSIAH, Schubert's MASS IN G, Beethoven's NINTH SYMPHONY, Mozart's REQUIEM and CORONATION MESSE, Rossini's STABAT MATER and MESSE SOLENNELLE and Verdi's REQUIEM. July 2007 saw the launch of Jannie's fourth album EK KOM HUISTOE. Jannie regularly performs with three superb musicians in the production, 4X4 NO TRACKS, which steals the heart of any music lover, as it is a live performance with a band.

A remarkable journey of 17 years has brought Jay to where he is at home today. After 12 of these phenomenal years as part of the band Eden, Jay decided to fly solo and also released one of the best duet albums this country has ever seen with Lianie May. "The success I enjoyed at Lianie's side with the release of BONNIE AND CLYDE meant that everything else, including the release of #DISHOEONSROL, had to be put on hold", he explains with an apologetic smile. Since departing on his solo career in 2010, his record success echo's in everything he does. "I invest everything in every aspect of every project I start."

Kobus Muller walked away as the winner of the second season of Patricia Lewis' SUPERSTERRE, where two-million viewers voted for him every week for thirteen weeks. Kobus toured with the British group Smokie as opening performer for their 2008 tour of South Africa and also won an International Eurostar award for his duet with Patricia. Earlier this year, Kobus signed contract with Toi Records in Germany. His first international single, "Turn up the Radio", was released worldwide on 14 April this year and achieved various Top 30 radio charts in Europe and South Africa. With all of the success with his first single his second single, "You are like Sunshine in the Night", was also released and made its debut on the European radio charts. He also did duets with various German artists.

Liza Brönner was recently crowned as South Africa's new LIEFLING during a 8 week search for the perfect singer to share the stage with South Africa's Afrikaans Pop Prince Bobby Van Jaarsveld. JY HET MY GEVIND isn't just the title of her new album, but means much more to Liza than that it's a new beginning and a new era in her career. "I can't believe it, but I am so very grateful!" she says. Liza climbed into people's hearts with every live performance and with her soft, loving and caring personality she proved that no amount of money or fame can take away her passion for music. Liza Brönner is here to stay.

Rina Hugo has repeatedly been described as one of the most versatile singers ever. She excels in just about every genre any soloist could wish to master: opera, oratoria, lieder, operetta, musicals and light music. Rina, a classically trained singer, completed her B.Mus. degree at the then Potchefstroom University (now North West University), followed by a master's degree in singing from the New England Conservatory of Music in Boston, US. She also taught singing at the Potchefstroom University. Her successful career included gold and platinum status records and CDs, many high accolades and some significant music awards.

"We started this project in 2006 and is a highlight on our calendar every year," says producer Frans Swart. "And it was such an enormous success that was sold out weeks in advance. This year is definitely going to be bigger and more exciting as we've put a very interesting line-up together."

Bookings for CHRISTMAS SPECTACULAR 2013 have just opened at Computicket. Call them on 0861 915 8000 or visit their website at www.computicket.com. Groups of 10 or more people can get discounted ticket prices by phoning Monica Booysen on (011) 815-3000 or sending an e-mail to admin@lefra.com.

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