What not to miss at the 2012 National Arts Festival Posted on 12 June 2012 Tags:Berlin, Durban, Europe, France, Grahamstown, South Africa It’s almost time for this year’s National Arts Festival in Grahamstown – surely one of the country’s cultural highlights. But with a festival that’s so extensive, it’s sometimes difficult to start planning your route. And with all the wonderful free shows and public festivities, it’s easy to get lost in the crowds and only when you read the reviews, you become aware of all the exhibitions and performances that you missed out on. So this year, why not go prepared? Decide on the shows you’d really like to see before you go and book these tickets in advance so that you don’t show up at a sold out gig. To make your planning easier, we’ve put together a collection of top performances, exhibitions and productions worth checking out. Music Jitsvinger This sharp-tongued Afrikaans rapper from the Cape Flats collaborates with South African jazz musician Kyle Shepherd in a performance that will not only make you laugh at his witty lyrics, but also make you think about some social and cutting-edge issues. Date: Fri 29 June Time: 22:00 Venue: DSG Hall Price: R60 Carine Bonnefoy New Large Ensemble French pianist and composer, Carine Bonnefoy is one of Europe’s most innovative jazz, classical and nu-music composers. She brings with her a mini-orchestra of strings, brass and rhythm for a vibrant musical collaboration between France and South Africa. Date: Sun 1 July & Tue 3 July Time: 19:30 Venue: DSG Hall Price: R70 (R60 for students) Louis Armstrong and Friends Enjoy many arrangements of Armstrong classics, with performances by Prince Lengoasa (trumpet & vocals), Veramarie Meyer (mezzo-soprano) and Nicholas Nicholaidis (tenor). The orchestra will be conducted by Richard Cock. Date: Mon 2 July Time: 14:00 Venue: Guy Butler Theatre, Monument Price: R55 (R45 for students) Performing arts The Cradle of Humankind Stephen Cohen makes his first appearance at the National Arts Festival stage this year and joining him on the stage will be Nomsa Dlamini, his 90-year-old co-performer, for this fascinating performing arts piece. Date: Mon 2 July – Wed 4 July Time: 20:00 Venue: Rhodes Theatre Price: R55 (R45 for students) Exhibit A Presented by Brett Bailey’s Third World Bunfight company, this performance explores the theme of human zoos, a common occurance between the mid 19th Century and the Second World War, when people from the non-Western world were exhibited. Date: Thu 28 June – Mon 2 July Time: 10:00, 10:45, 12:00, 12:45, 18:00, 18:45, 20:00, 20:45 Venue: GADRA Matric School Price: R55 (R45 for students) Antjie in Berlin Based on a number of letters written by Antjie Krog while on a residency in Berlin, this part concert performance, part sound installation takes the audience on a memorable aural journey. Performers include the talented South African pianist, Jill Richards, sound technician Shaughn Macrae and composer Rudiger Meyer. Date: Tue 3 July & Wed 4 July Time: 17:00 (on Wed 4 July only) & 20:00 Venue: Guy Butler Theatre Price: R55 (R45 for students) Visual arts Making Way Curated by Ruth Simbao, this exploratory and innovative exhibition will be presented in three venues: the Alumni Gallery, the Provost and Fort Selwyn; but curated as one exhibition installation. Look forward to photography, print, painting, video, animated film, and performances by Randolph Hartzenberg, Doung Anwar Jahangeer, Athi-Patra Ruga and Gerald Machona. Date: Open daily Time: 09:30-17:00 Venue: Alumni Gallery, Provost and Fort Selwyn Price: Free of charge Venus at Home Curated by Les Cohn, Usha Seejarim depicts the female body as seen in art history, using ordinary household objects to do so and exploring her own role as housewife, mother and artist at the same time. Date: Open daily Time: 09:00 -18:00 Venue: Gallery, Monument Price: Free of charge Retinal Shift Mikhael Subotzky, the 2012 Standard Bank Young Artist for Visual Art, presents a four-channel film installation, featuring some photographic installation pieces. The exhibition investigates the practice and mechanics of looking, in relation to the history of Grahamstown, the history of photographic devices, and Subotzky’s own history as an artist. Date: Open daily Time: 09:00 – 18:00 Venue: Monument Gallery and the Gallery in the Round, 1820 Monument Price: Free of charge Dance Opera for Fools South African choreographer Vincent Mantsoe explores the shebeen-lifestyle and the things that make people enjoy their daily lives and enables them to forgive, but not forget. This vibrant dance performance features music from Miriam Makeba, Hugh Masekela, Johnny Clegg, Sello ‘Chicco” Twala and Stimela. Date: Thu 28 June – Sat 30 June Time: 16:00 & 20:00 (except Thu 28 June) Venue: Alec Mullins Price: R55 (R45 for students) Giselle This classic masterpiece, performed by Cape Town City Ballet, tells the story of a girl whose ghost protects her lover from the vengeance of a group of evil female spirits who rise from their graves at night and seek revenge upon men by dancing them to death. The performances will be accompanied by the KZN Philharmonic Orchestra. Date: Fri 29 June & Sat 30 June Time: 11:00 (only on Fri 29 June) & 19:00 Venue: Guy Butler Theatre, Monument Price: R85 (R75 for students) Moffie Inspired by Andre Carl van der Merwe’s novel with the same title, Bailey Snyman (Standard Bank Young Artist for Dance) has created a dance play that will explore and expose the fears, anxieties and overwhelming sense of denial of gay people in the military. Date: Mon 2 July – Wed 4 July Time: 12:00 (except Mon 2 July) & 18:30 Venue: Alec Mullins Price: R55 (R45 for students) Theatre Red Independent Durban-based theatre company, Kickstart will present the South African premiere of this John Logan 2010 Tony Award winning play. Directed by Steven Stead, it explores the fascinating creative process and inner conflict of the famous American artist, Mark Rothko. Date: Thu 28 June – Sat 30 June Time: 14:00 (except on Thu 28 June) & 20:00 Venue: Rhodes Box Theatre Price: R55 (R45 for students) The Blue Iris In celebration of Athol Fugard’s 80th birthday in June, the National Arts Festival will be showcasing the world premiere of this influential playwright’s newest play, celebrating his life and work at the same time. This deeply brilliant love story is directed by Janice Honeyman. Date: Thu 28 June – Sat 30 June Time: 14:00 (except on Thu 28 June) & 18:30 Venue: Rhodes Theatre Price: R55 (R45 for students) Conversations with Pieter-Dirk EISH As always, Uys brings to the light many uncomfortable political truths in his classic satirical way, cracking up even those being mocked. Date: Thu 5 July Time: 19:00 Venue: Guy Butler Theatre Price: R75 (R65 for students) To find out about the other shows at the festival, visit the National Arts Festival’s website. 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Once Upon A Town… in King William’s Town 27 July 2015 Follow internationally renowned street artist, Falko as he road-trips around SA, painting the dorpies as... read more