Gariep festival to stay at gardens
IN A SURPRISE move, it has been announced that the annual Gariep Arts Festival will again be held at the Oppenheimer Gardens in 2014.
Despite reports that the festival would have, after 14 years, made its last curtain call at the gardens during 2013, festival management yesterday indicated that the proposed new site, at the grounds of Noordkaap High School, was not financially viable.
The festival’s marketing and communications manager, Halie Krös, said yesterday that the festival had already made considerable investments at the original site with regards to cabling and security cameras.
“After negotiations with various role players it transpired that the Oppenheimer Gardens would again be available from August 28 to 31 2014, when the festival will take place.
“With Gariep this year being celebrated for the 15th time, we are definitely “educated in the arts” and this fact inspired our slogan for this year. The slogan “Geskool in die Kunste” (Educated in the Arts) also indicates our newly formed partnership with the Sol Plaatje University (SPU),” Krös said.
She added that although the festival’s address did not change, festival-goers could expect a few other changes with regards to the layout of the site.
“For instance, this year will see only one artist tent and not two as during previous years. Furthermore, theatres will move to Eureka and Newton primary Schools, while the “after-parties” will move to the Hoffe Park building, after festival-goers’ request for a venue where they could dance. The William Humphreys Art Gallery will again form an integral part of the festival,” Krös stated.
She added that the festival will still have to look for a different venue when building of the SPU commences.
“We have already made submission to the Sol Plaatje Municipality with regards to the possibility of using Queens Park as a potential venue but this option is still being investigated,” Krös concluded.
Advertising sales for GariepGeite, the festival’s official gloss magazine with a circulation of 40 000 has already started. Those wanting to advertise can contact the Gariep office on 053 832 5014/7.