The National Arts Festival 2010 booking kit has arrived. Glossy, encyclopaedic and slightly intimidating, these
250 pages are not a brief read.
The National Arts Festival 2010 booking kit has arrived. Glossy, encyclopaedic and slightly intimidating, these
250 pages are not a brief read.
In the past the Mainand Fringe booking kits were separated, with a souvenir programme also available for R30. But in full colour and providing all the information you need to guide you through Fest in one extensive kit, this year’s version puts it all together and it’s free.
The 2010 programme combines the line-up for both the Fringe and the Main programmes, and presents a new addition to Fest the Arena.
While those who didn’t make it onto the Main stage in the past were automatically put on the Fringe, the Arena is a bridging platform for the more polished performances.
You can catch the Arena in its new venue, the Loerie Hangar (behind Rhodes School of Journalism), throughout the festival.
Visually stunning, the programme captures all the mind-boggling leaps and dramatic feats necessary to entice visitors to every performance.
Featuring the Standard Bank Young Artist award winners on the front cover, the emphasis is definitely on the vibrancy and talent of Fest.
Media representative for Fest, Gilly Hemphill, says that the previously not-quite-successful ‘hopper’ bus system has been totally revamped.
Turning to the back of their programme visitors will see that the new hopper routes are presented similarly to the London underground’s colour coded routes.
Hemphill promises that the new hubs, which are essentially bus stops in key locations, mean that Festivalgoers can expect transport every 15 minutes.
Night hoppers will also be available until 1am every night. Last year saw the Village Green migrate to Rhodes’ Great Field, resulting in anger and financial losses for those left at Fiddler’s Green.
To remedy the situation Festival organisers have placed the Urban Lounge, a day and night music venue, as well as a ticket office, at Fiddler’s Green to attract more visitors.
Traders who would like to remain in Church Square or on the street may also do so this year. If you haven’t yet got your hands on a programme, visit www.nationalartsfestival.co.za, facebook.com/nationalartsfestival or @artsfestival on twitter.
Programmes are available at the 1820 Settlers Monument, Computicket outlets, and local businesses.
