Standing ovation for Umtiza Arts Festival
IT WAS “lights, camera, action!” and a smorgasbord of fun for the whole family at the annual Umtiza Arts Festival this weekend.
The proudly East London festival – a joint venture between the Guild Theatre, Ann Bryant Art Gallery and the East London Museum – saw the city abuzz with activity as spectators moved from one establishment to the next to enjoy all the offerings of the third annual event.
Local and national artists were among those who graced the local stages to exhibit their talents in dance, acting and music, while the art gallery displayed masterpieces, including the exhibition of the prestigious De Beers Collection, which is housed at the University of Fort Hare in Alice. The collection comprises about 50 works by black artists from the 50s and 60s, including George Pemba and Gerard Sekoto.
Mdantsane-born jazz legend Lulama Gawulana started the weekend on a sweet note with a collaboration with the Mash Trio from Durban on Friday night.
Children came in their numbers for The Gruffalo, a production directed by Tara Notcutt.
New York hip-hop artist Malik was among the top attractions this year. Other offerings included Afrikaans drama Klara Maas se Hart is Gebreek Ensomeer, as well as Cape Town cabaret artist Cat Simoni with her show Perfect Gentleman.
Funnyman Marc Lottering had the theatre house in stitches with his latest instalment, I’ve Never Met the Guptas.
Nicholas Ellenbogen’s The Last Raiders of the Lost Crusade was also on show.
The festival consisted of a variety of crafters, food stalls and free entertainment from several artists playing outside the venues, which set the tone for the festival weekend.
The Guild Theatre’s Zane Flanagan said the festival, which concluded yesterday afternoon, showed tremendous growth in a short time and has been warmly received in East London.
“It has been a busy weekend for us with lots of foot traffic coming through our doors for the variety of arts we had available.
“There has been a lot of growth in ticket sales, with a high interest in the children’s production The
Gruffalo, which was a real hit this year and of course the jazz and opera and all the other shows in between.
“This year we have been very aggressive in our marketing which has been evident in the ticket sales and our broad line-up catered for everyone,” he said.
Flanagan said they had also created job opportunities through the food and craft stalls, which also saw painters selling their products.
Daily Dispatch reader Cebisa Mbindla said when she read about the festival she decided to attend.
“Every year I always say I’m going to the National Arts Festival, but I never get to go due to travel and accommodation expenses, so when I read about this fest – which I seem to have missed over the years – I knew it was a must for me and my family.
“It’s close and the quality of productions and entertainment is firstclass,” she enthused.
Donne Jooste said the city needed more family-friendly events like the Umtiza Arts Festival.
“It has been wonderful and the whole family has had a lot of fun. We really need more events of this nature – there’s not enough entertainment in East London.” —