Live shows make welcome return to National Arts Festival
Live performances will make a return at this year’s National Arts Festival.
On Monday, festival organisers announced the development of Makhanda Live — the full 11-day festival experience on a smaller and “tightly” curated scale.
Festival enthusiasts will still access content online while some can enjoy live performances in cities across SA — courtesy to the Standard Bank Presents live shows.
The hybrid festival will be anchored in Makhanda, a development which CEO Monica Newton described as exciting.
“We are really excited about Makhanda Live. Because the festival is a hybrid experience this year, we have differentiated the live element into Makhanda Live for the Makhanda-based National Arts Festival and Standard Bank Presents for the live shows happening in Cape Town, Johannesburg and Durban,” Newton said.
Newton said those in attendance could expect a multidisciplinary showcase of the arts including the live work of the 2020 Standard Bank Young Artists.
Other live performances will include a Masicule choir experience, the Eastern Cape Showcase, the Standard Bank Ovations Awards — for artists making great work on the Fringe — and more.
Newton said festivalgoers would be happy to know the popular Village Green market would return live, though on a smaller scale.
“There will be workshops and experiences too,” Newton said.
Newton said Covid-19 precautions would still be around for some time and the festival team was working within strict parameters to make a safe return to live events.
“We will have an extremely strict policy on masks and mask-wearing will be enforced at all times.
“Shows will be spaced further apart to allow for time to deepsanitise all our venues. Artists will be subject to vigorous protocols backstage and during performances,” Newton said.
The CEO said seating would be spaced well apart while cast, crew and team members of productions would practise social distancing.
Newton said: “We are also moving over to a cashless and ticketless system to ensure minimal contact.”
Newton said the festival had partnered with theatres and other spaces in bigger cities for the Standard Bank Presents showcase.
“Tickets to live shows will be limited to meet the Covid-19 regulations for cultural spaces and gatherings.
“If you have bought your ticket and been screened at the venue, then you will be able to enjoy the live show — with mask worn at all times.
“If you are unable to be near one of the live hubs, or prefer to remain at home, then you can still watch shows online for our month-long online festival,” Newton said.
Newton said it had been proven that when people adhered to strict protocols and hygiene, it was possible to host events safely.
Newton said organisers felt a “pressing” need to be part of the recovery of the arts sector.
She said: “There is an urgent need for artists to connect to audiences again and for the arts economy to flow. We believe we can do this safely and responsibly, together.”
“We are looking forward to welcoming back our Eastern Cape visitors, who have always been so important to us. We are ready to share a very special experience with you,” Newton said.
We are really excited about Makhanda Live. Because the festival is a hybrid experience