Fringe Festival for the faithful
Spiritfest, part of the National Arts Festival Fringe, will bring the rich Christian faith to life with vibrant and diverse performances of music, worship and drama, while feeding souls with services, lectures and book launches.
Spiritfest will again be celebrating the arts in the context of the Christian faith this year.
It is an initiative of the Grahamstown churches, and will showcase worship, music, guided prayer, drama and lectures as well as book launches in some of the city’s magnificent churches.
Worship services during Spiritfest will include a choral evensong and two special festival Eucharists in the cathedral.
At Commemoration Methodist Church Bishop Andile Mbete will preach at a festival service, and for those who enjoy contemplative liturgical worship there will be a Lucernarium, an ancient ceremony of lights, in the cathedral.
For music lovers the programme of exciting items includes a concert performance of Andrew-John Bethke’s Chamber Eucharist.
There will be performances by the St Michael’s Marimbas, the Arthur Wellington Methodist Choir and two organ recitals, by Dr Andrew-John Bethke and Professor
Albert Troskie. Not to be missed is a demonstration in the cathedral tower of how the great bells are rung.
The Spiritfest Winter School in St Patrick’s Catholic Church will host lectures by Owen Franklin, Francis Williamson, and Chris Mann with Julia Skeen, covering a diverse range of topics: The Church and Same-gender Relationships; Benedict Daswa (a modern African martyr); and Anxiety and Grace.
Philippe Menache with Darryl Earl David and AndrewJohn Bethke will launch their new books titled Church Tourism in South Africa and Celebrating the Seasons.
There will be an exhibition of visual works by Christian artists: 40 Stones in the Wall. Guided prayer sessions will be offered throughout the week and a drama performance titled Romero will bring the story of Archbishop Oscar Romero to life on stage.
For those who would like to share their own poems, stories, testimonies, or simply listen to those of others, there will be an Open Mic session emceed by Harry Owen.
For more about Spiritfest visit http://www.grahamstowncathedral.org/spiritfest.
Like our Facebook page: facebook.com/spiritfest.grahamstown.
For further information contact Maggy Clarke at 046 622 7803, spiritfest@grahamstowncathedral.org