Some Grahamstown businesses have been creative and decided to try something different for the double whammy: The National Arts Festival and the Soccer World Cup.
Some Grahamstown businesses have been creative and decided to try something different for the double whammy: The National Arts Festival and the Soccer World Cup.
For one, Wendy Maxwell is preparing for the Festival by sprucing up the Maxwell’s menu in World Cup spirit. She will be creating an item on the menu from each of the 32 countries taking part in the Soccer World Cup.
Spicy chicken from Ghana, a Greek mezze platter, and rich Brazilian hot chocolate are only a few of the cosmopolitan culinary delights that will be served this winter.
An exhibition of an artist from Cape Town, Astrid Macleod, will also be on display. In the same building, Café Blanca will be following suit with cocktails inspired by the different competing nations.
This is only the second year that Café Blanca will be open during Festival, and as they now that they know what to expect they are increasing their seating and putting up a beer tent to accommodate more patrons.
Albany Outdoor, formerly known as Albany Sports, is specialising in selling camping gear for the first time this year which could appeal to many of the festinos who are staying at one of the camp sites.
The owner, Dennis Wicks says, “Festival has never really affected my business, but people camping on the fields will probably forget some of their camping equipment at home, or things will break.”
For those who are opting for accommodation that includes a roof over the heads, Makana Tourism is promoting the Kwam eMakana homestay initiative.
Homestays may be informal accommodation but Willem Makkink of Makana Tourism seriously warns visitors against falling for fly-by-night B&Bs.
He claims to have seen a scam costing “R500 a night in an outbuilding next to a garage with only a bunk bed to sleep on.
Always check that your accommodation is graded by the Grahamstown Hospitality Guild, or accredited by Makana Tourism.”
Another alternative is the Rhodes Hotel which actually comprises of two of the more modern Rhodes University residences, Ruth First and Centenary House which are being kitted out to cater for the higher end of the market.
Including breakfast, there are TVs in both of the private breakfast rooms, and each room is equipped with personalised toiletries and facilities to make tea and coffee.
The Copper Kettle Pub and Grill has painted its front window with soccer-themed motifs, but isn’t going out of its way for the Festival.
Manager Daniel de Jager, says, “We’re not doing anything extra just handling the load. We have one screen for watching the games and just want to create an atmosphere where people can come together and watch the soccer.”
Surprisingly, some shops are closing during the Festival period. Some shop owners say they hardly make any money because of competition with the stalls.
“The stalls and crowds block the entrances to our shops, and people only come in to look for a bathroom anyway,” one anonymous shopkeeper said.
Campus Concepts has recently moved from its former location next to the Rat & Parrot to 29 New Street next to Redditt’s Books and Coffee.
The store is in the process of organising clothes printed with the National Arts Festival emblem and has brought in a new fashion item called the scoodie.
A scoodie is a cross between a scarf and a hood; an unattached hood with two elongated sections of material that act as a scarf.
The scoodie and other products are partly sewed by seamstresses that live in the township. The owners of Campus Concepts, Wendy Ling and Hilmar Eichhoff delivers the fabric to them, which allows them to work from home and look after their families at the same time.
