KIMBERLEY is set to come alive over the Easter weekend when the crème de la crème of South African music descends on the city for an arts festival.

The highlight of the Diamond and Dorings Arts Festival will definitely be the jazz festival at the Langleg Resort on Sunday April 24, an the exciting line up is billed for the music extravaganza.

The line up can simply be described as the battle of the sexes, where Simphiwe Dana will be pitted against Thandiswa Mazwai, jazz maestro Selaelo Selota is up against Vusi Mahlasela and the Parlotones against hip-hop outfit Teargas.

Balladeer Ringo Madlingozi will take care of the ladies with his singalongs, while Kwela Tebza, who are making their debut at the festival, complete the line up.

Apart from the jazz festival, other activities that have been planned for the fête include a youth festival on Saturday, a comedy show, a fun run, fashion show and a gospel festival. Now in its 10th year, the carnival is proving to be the main attraction in the province, which is not renowned for music festivals.

The organisers are expecting more than 15000 people, which they believe will boost the provincial economy.

"The fête is strategically planned for the Easter weekend, when most people from the province who work in other cities are back at home.

"The carnival becomes an ideal opportunity for families to reminisce during weekend-long planned activities in Kimberley," the organisers said.

They promise an even bigger festival this year when performing artists and revellers will turn the sleepy city into an entertainment mecca.

"Diamonds and Dorings is an extravaganza of the performing arts that is ideally positioned to act as a joyous homecoming where the people of Northern Cape, both its citizens and performers from inside the region and from the four corners of South Africa, have the opportunity to unite - year after year - as a great and much extended "Northern Cape family".

The music festival, especially the jazz, has over the year proven to be the biggest crowd-puller and the organisers must be applauded for once again securing a credible line up. With Mazwai and Dana in the line up, the crowd is sure to be enthralled by two Afro-pop queens.

Unlike Dana, Mazwai has not released a new album lately, but when she takes to the stage she gives her all.

As for Dana, she blew everyone away when she performed at the Lyric Theatre a few months ago with songs from her new album. As for the ladies, Ringo and Selaelo will be there to make sure they scream their lungs out.

Selota, like Mazwai, has not released an album for some time now but ladies drool and scream their lungs out for him. This promises to be a fun-filled time for those who can get to Kimberley for the Easter weekend.