BEAT the Christmas blues by treating yourself to a feast of entertainment at the MTN Durban Jazz Festival on the Day of Goodwill.

BEAT the Christmas blues by treating yourself to a feast of entertainment at the MTN Durban Jazz Festival on the Day of Goodwill.

The annual concert has been happening for the past seven years and is back again to entertain fun lovers.

This year's event, whose theme is "Welcoming the spirit of 2010", will happen at the Hazelmere Dam in KwaZulu-Natal on December 26.

The festival features the best of local talent. Artists such as Lira, Theo, Thandiswa, Busi Mhlongo, Ringo Madlingozi, Caiphus Semenya, Dorothy Masuku, Sipho Hotstix with Harare and African Jazz Pioneers, Ntokozo Masinga, Joe Nina and DJ Master Blaster, will be entertaining music lovers.

Mdu Ngcobo, one of the brains behind the festival, says: "The idea came after we realised that the region is a destination for many consumers over the festive season. Though these consumers are there predominantly for the sun and splash, they can also enjoy quality entertainment that is relevant to them."

Lindelani Mkhize, Ngcobo's partner in the event, says with an outstanding line-up like that, the festival is bound to attract music lovers from all over KZN.

"Through the concert we want to give back to the communities that have been supporting the event since its inception," he says.

Veli Mabena of MTN SA says it is always a pleasure to be associated with music events.

"We are committed to supporting SA music and its talent, but it is also important to be able to give back to those who are less fortunate.

Through the festival the organisers want to help generate income and entrepreneurship opportunities for KZN vendors and craft makers as they will be selling goods at the festival."

Tickets for the event cost R185 and are available at Computicket, Shoprite and Checkers.