Bookings are open for this year's National Arts Festival. Ticket sales open to the public at Computicket branches on Monday, while ArtBucks cardholders have already had access to preferential bookings for a week.
Bookings are open for this year's National Arts Festival. Ticket sales open to the public at Computicket branches on Monday, while ArtBucks cardholders have already had access to preferential bookings for a week.
Hard-copy programmes, along with booking kits for NAF 2012 should be available from Thursday next week. In Grahamstown, you can find one at Standard Bank, the Makana Tourism office, Van Schaik’s book store, Grocott’s Mail and the Festival offices at the Monument.
The programme and booking forms are also available online at www.nationalartsfest.co.za. And what a programme it is! Highlights include an exploration of Sibongile Khumalo’s musical journey, from operatic and choral technique to jazz and folk influences, in her concert entitled Reflect.Celebrate.Live.
Catch the world premiere of Athol Fugard’s The Blue Iris as it celebrates the 80th birthday of one of South Africa’s most respected and iconic playwrights. Former Springbok Nude Girls frontman Arno Carstens returns to the Festival stage, playing a solo set not to be missed by lovers of homegrown rock.
If you did not register for an ArtBucks card last year, you can sign up from the NAF home page online (address above). ArtBucks is an initiative launched at last year’s National Arts Festival to promote support for the arts throughout the year.
This free card replaces the Friends of the Festival system, and allows holders to accumulate credit for any tickets bought from Computicket outlets throughout the year, Festival included. Credit can then be redeemed at the following year’s Festival.
Last year, 200 771 audience members experienced some of the best South African artistic expression in Grahamstown. “The high demand for tickets in 2011 spanned a range of genres, including music, theatre and dance, demonstrating that the Festival is still seen as a playground for the artistically curious and for audiences who seek out quality performances, regardless of genre,” said Tony Lankester, National Arts Festival CEO.
View Festival 2011 stories, reviews, videos, and galleries here
