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Out and About

The 11th Poetry Africa International Poetry Festival

Due to the tremendous success of the previous ten Poetry Africa International Poetry Festivals, it is almost a certainty that the poetry festival scheduled to take place between the 1st and the 6th of October 2007 will be even better than expected. The festival is held in Durban, and is one of the most well attended and supported arts festivals in South Africa.

Features

Art’s Alive – September Couldn’t Get Better

September is keenly anticipated by South Africans as the end of winter and the beginning of spring. But to lovers of the arts – dance, music, visual arts, theatre, film, poetry, comedy and more – September is especially exciting. The annual Art’s Alive festival, held in Johannesburg throughout the month of September, really has something for everyone, attracting visitors from far-flung places.

Features

The Soweto String Quartet

Music began emerging of a different kind during the 80’s in South Africa, an eclectic sound that was fresh and exciting absorbing the native African rhythms and movements from the townships with that of the traditional eighteenth century European instruments. Traditionally a ‘string quartet’ is made up of a group of four musicians as well as four string instruments – this ‘normally’ includes two violins, a cello and a viola.

Features

Kwaito Music in South Africa

Kwaito is at the center of South Africa's youth culture. More than music, kwaito has taken on a role in amongst black South Africans that hip hop has in the American ghetto. Kwaito is a way of life influencing dress codes, speech and dance moves. Kwaito is representative of township life, the beat of the South Africa's youths' heart.

Out and About

Grahamstown National Arts Festival

Every year hundreds of thousands of people converge on the small university city of Grahamstown for the countries biggest annual celebrations of the arts. The Grahamstown National Arts Festival runs from the end of June to the beginning of July for between 8 to 10 days and is the most important event on the South African cultural calendar. Situated roughly 130 km from Port Elizabeth in the Eastern Cape, people come from all corners of the globe to participate in and to enjoy the festival.

Out and About

Freedom Day Celebrations

Celebrate Freedom Day this year by experiencing true traditional African culture. An African dance festival is being held in Cape Town on Freedom Day (27 April 2006). The festival will feature a traditional dance competition to be held between 12 different schools and community groups from around Khayelitsha. All those competing have been trained in traditional dance as well as instrument making and stage performance. Large cash prizes will be awarded to the best groups, including a prize for the best costumes.