The people of Grahamstown East will not be left out of National Arts festivities as a number of local venues are providing entertainment for township residents.
The people of Grahamstown East will not be left out of National Arts festivities as a number of local venues are providing entertainment for township residents.
The celebrations began when Amathole Street Theatre and other local groups such as Sakhuluntu Cultural group, Upstart youth group and Ubom!
Eastern Cape Theatre Company started a street parade to the Indoor Sports Centre in Extension 6 during the official opening of festival.
The sports centre is hosting live performances from Makana Arts Council artists who are initiating the township arts programme Makana Kraal.
Benoni based theatre production Sibikwa is dazzling audiences at the Recreation Hall in Albany Road with productions like African Animal Tales, Ma’ Lindi The Sex Strike and Famba which showcases Mozambican music and dance.
Parental guidance is advised as all evening shows have an age restriction of 15 years. After each performance, traditional Mozambican cuisine, home brewed beer and other popular South African dishes are served.
A short walk away is Dakawa Arts Centre in Froude Street which is well known for showcasing creative artworks by local artists.
This year, live entertainment is the key word for Dakawa. Local dance and musical groups are taking to the stage throughout the week while various jazz groups from the Eastern Cape are performing on weekends for free from 6pm until late.
Local ballroom, Latin and panstula dancers and marimba players are also having weekly performances and visual arts and craft exhibitions are on show.
According to centre manager Loyiso Mgoduka, local artists such as theatre and film director and actor Stida Nkwinti are showcasing his production at the centre and a majority of shows held at the centre are free of charge.
Egazini Outreach Centre in Extension 6 showcasing performances from Ikhaya Theatre Company who present the premier of The Incredibles starring young and upcoming actors such as Luvuyo Pongolo and Vuyolwethu Mrotyana.
The production will be staged daily throughout the Festival while crafts are also being exhibited around the centre.
A range of traditional meals complements a show called Xhosa Return. the centre includes a book nook where visitors can read and buy a wide range of books on the history of the Eastern Cape written in isiXhosa, English and Afrikaans.
Noluthando Community Hall in Joza, Luvuyo Hall in Kwandancama and BB Zondani Hall in Fingo Location are hosting a number of cultural events.
Soccer fans are welcome to join in the Soccer World Cup excitement at the public viewing area at Miki Yili Stadium where local artists are to mingle with special VIP acts as entertainment in between the games.
Nomathemba Tana, Violet Booi, Daniwe Gongqa and Papama Lubelwana are some of the Egazini artists who have designed the beautifully painted bins located around the PVA.
