Later in this paper you will read that in a study carried out at the millennium, Grahamstown's National Arts Festival was estimated to provide as much as R3 milllion in non-market benefits to the Eastern Cape.
Later in this paper you will read that in a study carried out at the millennium, Grahamstown's National Arts Festival was estimated to provide as much as R3 milllion in non-market benefits to the Eastern Cape.
You will also read that the rand value of tickets sold this Festival has increased by about 8% over last year and B&Bs restaurants and supermarkets will surely report a comforting profit.
But not you.
Just a modest serving of Festival fare could set a small family back a couple of thousand rands – especially when you include food and refreshments on the run. And that's if you're a local and haven't had to fork out for travel and accommodation.
So unless you plan to exercise Festibacy and abstain completely, how does a family on a modest budget do Festival?
Here are some tips:
* Take ages to decide what you want when you reach the front of the Monument coffee shop, then about five minutes before the end of the interval, change your mind and let the family behind you ahead. They'll just get their toasted cheese sandwiches when they're forced to rush back to their show, leaving them behind for your hungry brood.
* Pack a thermos at home and find a spot in the madness to share a cup of coffee between shows. If you're afraid drinking from a thermos will make you look sad and nerdy, just play it up: make sure you're dress suitably outrageously, and drink from your plastic cups with such style that passers by think you're doing performance art and start giving you money.
* Find out what all the free shows are and go to those – there are plenty at Festival. Many first performances are free, and many of the last ones are half price. Or all put on ballet shoes and a pair of tights, tiptoe through the wings and tell everyone you're looking for the witch. (Tip: get across the proscenium before the lights come up).
Whatever you do, don't try to sneak into Raiders for free – things could get really nasty.
* Work for Grocott's Mail for 10 days during Festival: you won't find a spare minute to spend your cash.
