Don’t miss our Festival tips

Experience a hassle-free National Arts Festival by keeping a few guidelines in mind when planning how to spend your ... time in Grahamstown. Here are some tips for cultural adventurers

Festival first-timers

Plan carefully! Book some shows ahead, particularly those you want to see on the Main programme as these quite often sell out before the Festival starts.

But don’t over-commit. Allow enough time in your days to view exhibitions, linger in interesting places and to fit in any hit shows that are creating a buzz. It’s always worth stepping out your comfort zone and trying out something you’ve never done before.

Hop on a Hopper

Hopper buses are a budget beating option and the Festival map in the programme includes “Hopper maps”. Hoppers are quick-trip taxis around town. A journey on a Hopper is free and every venue is within a five-minute walk from a Hopper stop. These run throughout the day, with a limited service in the evenings.

Tickets

Tickets are on sale online, on the National Arts Festival app and at the Box Offices around Grahamstown. If a show is not sold out, tickets may be bought at the venue 15 minutes before starting time. Some shows have discounts for pupils, students and pensioners. Look out for daily specials from the Half Price Hut.

Catch the buzz

Get the festival buzz by talking to people on the street, a sure-fire way of finding out what’s hot. Keep an eye on the Festival’s social media channels to see what’s going down – changes, updates and extra shows will all be posted. Like the National Arts Festival’s Facebook page, catch up with the news on My HeraldLIVE’s Facebook page, follow @artsfestival on Twitter and drool over the Instagram feed at @MyHeraldLIVE. We’d love to hear from you too, so tag us in anything you post: #SpotlightNAF18.

Programme

The easiest way to navigate the jam-packed programme is by downloading the free National Arts Festival app (iOS and Android). You can use the app as a portable Festival planner as well as to make secure bookings for tickets. You can also buy a copy of the programme on your arrival from any of the Information Centres. The full programme is also available as a downloadable PDF off the NAF website too.

What to wear

THE dress code is informal – but do anticipate unpredictable and highly changeable weather. Comfortable shoes and a carry bag are essential.

Dress in layers and keep warm things at hand as it may become bitterly cold. Temperatures vary widely.

As locals will tell you, if you don’t like the weather, wait five minutes …

Show updates

Spotlight publishes the daily programme on Page 10, with changes and updates on Page 11 every day from now until Saturday, July 7.

Changes and cancellations are displayed at the Box Offices, as well as on the Festival app, website and social media channels. No refunds on tickets can be made for late arrivals.

Stay safe

Grahamstown is a small, mostly friendly city but you still need to keep tabs on your belongings and personal safety.

Stay alert, confident, and aware of your surroundings, particularly in large crowds. Although most venues are in safe, well-lit parts of town, avoid alleys, short cuts and vacant lots and walk with a companion whenever possible after dark.

Avoid displaying large amounts of cash and make sure bags are zipped up and cell phones stashed out of sight to deter pickpockets.

Budget

Free offerings: there’s plenty on offer free from the legendary Sundowner Concerts at 5pm daily in the Monument Foyer; art exhibitions, street theatre; and “craft gazing” at the Village Green Fair and Church Square.

And if you haven’t yet joined Artbucks, you’re missing out on earning 10% credit on all your ticket purchases, to spend at next year’s Festival.

Eating out

Apart from the restaurants and food stalls on the streets, most venues offer a steady supply of sustenance at all hours. Spending time out and about is the best way to discover new gems – restaurants and pop-up late-night venues are excellent places to hang out with friends, locals and the artists themselves. Alcoholic drinks are on sale at many venues.

Getting around

There is a venue map inside the Festival Programme and loose copies are available at information centres, hotels and residences.

You can buy detailed maps of Grahamstown at the Makana Tourism Office at 63 High Street or download the festival App (for iPhone or Android), which has the map.

Visitors with disability

Wheelchairs, guide-dogs, crutches and so on can be accommodated in most venues but the Festival office needs to be notified ahead of time if special assistance is needed at any particular venue. Contact the box office manager on (046) 603-1132 or 0860-002-004 to discuss your needs and arrange assistance where necessary.