The National Arts Festival organisers have come up with some budget-friendly ideas to make sure you can get as much as you can out of the Festival without breaking the bank. You can read a full-length version of this article in Grocott's Mail this week, on 26 June.
The National Arts Festival organisers have come up with some budget-friendly ideas to make sure you can get as much as you can out of the Festival without breaking the bank. You can read a full-length version of this article in Grocott's Mail this week, on 26 June.
1. HALF PRICE HUT – This new initiative will offer half-price tickets for fast-moving Festival goers. It will work like this: every evening of the Festival, the Box Office will post a list of shows offering half- price tickets on the NAF app (see below) and on its website (www.nationalartsfestival.co.za). Tickets to these shows must then be bought at the Half Price Hut outside the Steve Biko Building on Rhodes University campus. The number of half-price tickets being made available will be limited and will be sold on a first-come first-served basis. No online or advance bookings.
2. FREE SHOWS – The Public Art programme is especially diverse this year, with performances taking place almost every day of the Festival. These include "Suggestion Box #justsaying" from Richard Antrobus; "Cape Mongo" by Francois Knoetze; "Transformation/Trans Actions" the sixth annual street parade on 11 and 12 July; "Soloist" is brought to you by a troupe of Spanish puppeteers
3. FREE FRINGE – Loads of productions on the Fringe are making their first performance free of charge – the date is marked red in the programme.
4. 100% FREE – There are productions on the Fringe that are entirely free – you don't even need a ticket.
5. CONCESSIONS – Most shows include discounted tickets for learners, students and pensioners – just remember to bring your card and ID book along.
6. 50% FRINGE – All Fringe performances on 12 July – the last day of the Festival – are half the full ticket price. Shows are marked in green in the programme.
7.BOGOF – Some performances on the Fringe are offering a Buy-one-Get-One Free discount on certain performances. These are marked in blue in the programme. Look out for: •"Once Upon a Fire": Ancient tales of love and conflict, of getting lost and finding a way home. BOGOF on 6 and 8 July. •"Waterline": A mask work by Rob Murray that satirically takes on the water crisis in Grahamstown. BOGOF on 6 and 8 July. •"Sleight of Mouth 2": Marcel Oudejans mixes illusions and impressive mental feats with his trademark quick wit. BOGOF 6 and 7 July. •"Interplay": Joza's Thetha Group's production that tells the story of recently widowed Fafa and unemployed thief Webster use the internet to create opportunities. BOGOF 8 and 11 July. •"Cape Town Comedy Club Presents": Late-night comedy at the Bowling Club. BOGOF 6 and 7 July.
8. FREE ENTRANCE – There’s no charge for admiring artists' talent and passion at one of the many art exhibitions taking place in almost every nook and cranny in town. During a visit to Johan Carinus Art Centre in Beaufort Street, for example, you’ll find works by artists such as Roxandra Dardagan Britz, Tori Stowe, Monique Wiffen Rorke, and ceramists Charmaine and Martin Haines.
9. FINGO FESTIVAL – Happening in Fingo Village, one of Grahamstown’s oldest townships, the 6th Fingo Festival offers a unique programme to those interested in helping to foster the relationship between art and community healing. It runs daily from 8 to 11 July, from 9am in the morning – and there is no charge.
10. HOPPER SERVICE – A hop-on hop-off bus service will be operating between almost every venue for the duration of the Festival. It runs throughout the day, with a night bus until 1am . Best of all, it’s free to use. All that’s expected is a small tip for the driver.
BOOKINGS
Bookings can be made via the website: www.nationalartsfestival.co.za Ticketing call centre: 0860 002 00 Pick up a programme from Standard Bank, Makana Tourism or Van Schaik's Bookshop. You can read the full length version of this article in Grocott's Mail on Friday 26th June.
DON'T FORGET
The 2015 National Arts Festival app is now available for download from iTunes (Apple iOS users) or the Google Play store (Android users). The app lets you: Browse the entire programme and flag your favourites Book tickets and view a complete history of your past purchases, regardless of whether you booked online, at the box office or through the app Review shows Monitor the progress of the Festival Hoppers as they move around town Find all festival venues Get last minute specials on tickets Follow the Festival's Twitter and News feeds….and loads more
