Expect jam-packed entertainment at seventh Franco-fête

ALLIANCE Française de Durban invites everyone to their seventh Franco-fête, taking place on the grounds of Alliance Française de Durban in Morningside on Human Rights Day on Wednesday, March 21.

The midweek public holiday sees a fabulous programme jampacked with free entertainment, starting at 11am. The ever-proactive Alliance Française uses this annual opportunity to showcase some of the best French, Francophone and French-inspired music, dance, theatre, workshops, visual arts, crafts and, of course, wonderful delicacies, food and drink.

Opening up the 2018 Francofête, the vibrant troop of drummers, Club Iwacu from Burundi, kick off the festivities. Following them, the team from Assitej, the organisation which supports the nurturing of youth theatre, will be performing.

Assitej’s Pietermaritzburg’s Art’s Kollective will be performing their piece titled Mind your Language, an enchanting tale of three preschoolers getting lost on a school trip, all speaking different indigenous languages.

The main acts in the afternoon include punky Reggae band from Pietermaritzburg, Undivided Roots. Multi-talented French Congolese singer Rene Tshiankanyi will be serenading the audience with his French songs, original multilingual compositions and ballads.

The main act, Madala Kunene and Mabi Gabriel Thobejane, kick off their 50 Years Anniversary South African Tour here at the Alliance. The renowned duo have an acoustic bluesy set lined up celebrating both of their musical journeys spanning half a century.

Alliance Française director Vincent Frontczyk said: “We are delighted that this is our seventh year. Our fête is very familyorientated, it is a fun day activity. We will have car guards around the Alliance perimeter, and, best of all, there is no entry fee!”

“The Franco-fête celebrates diversity and tolerance on the occasion of Human Rights Day and Francophone week, bringing together all walks of life in Durban, transcending through all cultures, generations, home languages and communities.”

Livening up the day, there will be a live art performance led by Nivesh Rawatlal, who recently exhibited his artworks at the Alliance. Joining him for the live mural painting are artists Wonder Boy and Luke Molver. Alliance’s own French fusion café will be offering tantalising cuisine.

Doors open up at 10.30am. Entrance is free.

For more info, see http://www. alliance.org.za/durban/ or visit them at Alliance Française, 22 Sutton Crescent, Morningside.