Grahamstown fest always on the go
The plays on offer may change but the vibe, and the winter chill, are familiar
TOWNSHIP children with painted faces; the everpresent bazaars selling their share of run-of-themill flea-market merchandise (and other, shall we say, more illicit items you’ll likely only ever find in the context of this artsy student town); public dancing displays and all variety of impromptu music acts on virtually every street corner.
Welcome to the annual National Arts Festival – melting pot of some of our country’s top performance talents, dedicated theatre practitioners, hey-shoo-waa hippie types, foodies, Rhodents (Rhodes University students who stay on for the duration of the fest), and lovers of the arts. For the locals, particularly those from the neighbouring township stuck in the cycle of poverty, it’s an opportunity to showcase their own amateur talents and, hopefully, score a rand or two.
As dawn breaks, bringing with it a distinct winter chill, youngsters from the informal settlement smear white cream on their faces, stretch out their icy fingers and toes, don their few items of clothing to try ward off the cold, and head toward the main town centre.
For 10 days, this City of Saints (as Grahamstown is known, reputedly because of its more than 40 holy edifices catering for a wide range of religions) comes alive with the sights and sounds of these children singing and dancing, with the echo of marimbas and all manner of other instruments from neighbouring street perfor mers helping them keep time.
As the winter sun creeps higher in the sky, the distinct cry of “ssaaalllee!” can be heard from vendors hoping to score customers.
And, as lunchtime comes, the delicious smells of Hare Krishna fare (a staple offering of the festival) and other delectable varieties of cuisine waft through the air, enticing you to fulfil your tummy’s call to “feed me!”
For those already saturated from watching performance after perfor mance (for mal or otherwise), the kooky coffee shops and beer gardens offer a moment of respite.
But as evening settles, it’s up and away again, off to the next photographic exhibition, performance arts piece, film screening, live music gig, play or graffitiaudience-participation event.
Much laughter and merriment abound – also for the frantic journalists and photographers bustling about, desperate to capture and convey the spirit of the festival to those following the festival from the comfort of their couches at home.
The National Arts Festival (NAF), now in its 41st year, runs until July 12. For further info, see www.nationalartsfestival.co.za. For full coverage from our team on the ground, check out www. tonight.co.za