Are You Ready for a Cultural Experience?
By Grethe Koen, Andisa Ndlovu, Sibongile Mafu and Zihkona Tshona
The Grahamstown National Arts Festival is internationally renowned for astounding art exhibitions, drama and dance productions.
The festival includes theatre, dance, opera, cabaret, fine art, craft art, classical music, jazz, poetry readings, lectures and every art form imaginable! Practically every taste is catered for in one of the most diverse festivals in the world. There are even techno raves, Mediaeval banquets, craft fairs, cyber cafe’s, carnivals, buskers and walking tours.
We will guide you through some of the superb musical productions happening this year including bands, gospel choirs, DJ’s and other local acts. Our interactive map includes all the musical acts happening in Grahamstown including times and venues. We also take a behind the scenes look at renowned gospel choir Still Forever in practice.
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Trivia
The National Arts Festival is the second largest in the world! Only second to the Edinburgh Festival held in Scotland.
Over a 120 000 people are expected at Arts Festival this year.
Freshly Ground, who are performing at the festival this year won the Best African Act awards at MTV Europe Music Awards in Copenhagen, Denmark in 2006.
Arts Festival started as a project of the Grahamstown foundation in 1974.
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BANDS
Rhodes University student bands like Timmy Likes Milk and Kill The Witness will be joining renowned local acts like Freshly Ground, and Simphiwe Dana to satisfy all your music needs. Click below for information on Timmy Likes Milk and band photos shot at The Gaol, a popular hang-out in Grahamstown.
GOSPEL GROUPS
Still Forever is a gospel group which was started by Tatenda Mhunduru towards the end of 2006. It’s a youth project aimed at developing young local artists with the talent and will to perform in praise of God. The group will be performing with groups like Voice of Glory and other gospel groups from all over the Eastern Cape. Catch their performances from the 2nd to the 6th of July in the Presbyterian Church. Click below to view behind the scenes footage of Still Forever practicing in the Rhodes Chapel.
Click below to hear RUTV reporter Andisa Ndlovu speak to Tatenda Mhunduru, the director of Still Forever. This is his second time performing in Gospel Africa. His choir just came back from a tour in Zimbabwe.
DJ’S: THE NIGHT LIFE
There are also great DJs to let you dance the night away at Grahamstown premiere night spots. They are all on New Street and there is no excuse for you not to check them out! Lounge Around, Equilibrium and SSS are where all the cool people will be. Catch DJ RS, an ex RMR DJ and now Cape-Town based DJ who will be coming back to rock the National Arts Fest yet again. Its bound to be a good time.
DJ RS: WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW!
Specialises in: House Music
Has appeared on 5fm’s Fresh Drive Ultimix segment several times
Regularly visits Grahamstown as part of the Nitegroovz team
Not to be missed! 2 of the mixes that DJ RS has put together for Fresh’s Ultimix on 5fm here! Click the links below for an exclusive listen.
INTERACTIVE MAP
Need More Info?
Want more information of the Grahamstown Arts Festival? Click the links below for updates and info on your favourite yearly event