It’s almost 100 days until the start of the 45th National Arts Festival, the biggest, busiest and most exciting celebration of the arts in South Africa. Running for 11 amazing days in Makhanda (formerly Grahamstown), the Festival opens on 27 June with a programme aimed at entertaining, delighting and provoking audiences from all corners of the country and beyond.
You don’t want to miss out on this gathering of excellence – 99% of visitors to the festival interviewed in a survey* said they would recommend the event to others. And, as Arts Festival time is peak season in this small city, it’s a good idea to start putting your plans in place now.
The National Arts Festival will be taking place from 27 June 27 to 7 July 2019.
Performers wow the crowds at the daily free SAfm Sundowner Concerts held at The Monument in Makhanda. Image: Jan Potgieter
Here are six things to do now to ensure you have a smooth, top-drawer Arts Festival experience:
1. Accommodation — Demand is high during the festival, so you will need to secure your accommodation as soon as possible. There’s a wide range of places to stay, from five-star guesthouses to more rustic backpacking and camping options. Check out the listings in the Festival’s hospitality guide, available on the website.
As Makhanda is situated close to the Sunshine Coast you can combine a beach holiday with your Festival by staying in nearby Port Alfred (57km) or Kenton-On-Sea (59km), or Cannon Rocks and Boknes (72km). If you’re on a budget, one option is to rent a house in one of these seaside towns to share with a group of friends or artists. Those interested in the history of the area can book into the Pig and Whistle Hotel in Bathurst just 45km from town. Other options are game farms or farm stays. Contact Makana Tourism on [email protected] or 046 622 3241 for more info.
Nearby attraction, the big pineapple in Bathurst is the largest man-made ‘pineapple’ in the world/ supplied.
2. Getting there — The closest airports to Makhanda are Port Elizabeth (130km) and East London (190km). You can hire a car or catch an affordable shuttle there from Port Elizabeth International Airport. Book now to take advantage of the best discounts and seats.
3. Early Bird tickets —You can secure tickets to three hot shows already: the Irish comedian Dylan Moran, Brett Bailey’s spectacular Samson and the ever-delightful Drakensberg Boys Choir. Loads of other must-see shows will open for early bookings in the run-up to the big event. Keep an eye on the Festival’s social media feeds on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter for the latest news and subscribe for the Festival newsletter.
4. Budget — Tickets to the shows range in price from R30 to R150, but there are also free Fringe performances on the first day of the Festival as well as other specials along the way, such as two-for-one performances. There are free buskers and public art performances, and all visual art exhibitions at the Festival are free to enter. There are also the legendary free SAfm Sunset Concerts every evening at the Monument, where artists present previews of their shows to give audiences a taste of what to expect.
5. Getting around — You don’t need a car in Makhanda as distances are relatively short and people are generous in sharing lifts. There are three-wheeler tuk-tuk rides and bike hire as options for those who don’t have cars. There’s also the Festival Hopper, which takes care of some of the steepest hills and most remote venues and is free to use (although tips are appreciated by the drivers).
6. Make it a holiday — Explore the area before or after the Festival by visiting nearby Addo Elephant Park or one of the many luxury game reserves outside of town, many of which are home to the Big Five and are all malaria-free. Immerse yourself in the rich history of ‘Frontier Country’ by exploring the battle sites of the amaXhosa and British settlers.
Theatre-goers gather after a show. Image: Jan Potgieter
There are some unusual challenges this year as the Eastern Cape is experiencing a severe drought in the province. A water plan is being implemented by the National Arts Festival team to ensure there is sufficient safe, sustainable water available throughout the Festival. Visitors are, however, advised to be water-wise throughout their stay.
From theatre to dance and visual art to comedy, performance art, music and more, NAF2019 is a bubble of creativity that will leave you feeling refreshed and inspired.
Picture: Supplied
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