2 4 Festival Messages MUSIC JAZZ 7 Acknowledgements 8 Index 18 39 12 Standard Bank Young Artist Award Winners 16 Curatorial Statement 17 2018 Call for Proposals 18 2017 Featured Artist 19 Main Programme 150 Fringe Programme 239 Village Green 240 Accommodation and Travel 242 Booking Procedures 245 Map THEATRE STUDENT THEATRE COMEDY 57 71 76 FAMILY FARE DANCE PERFORMANCE ART 80 88 95 VISUAL ART FILM THINK!FEST 103 113 133 3 FAMILY FARE 151 COMEDY 156 ILLUSION STORYTELLING POETRY 180 PERFORM ART 181 THEATRE 182 PHYSICAL DANCE 209 CABARET/MUSIC THEATRE 206 THEATRE 216 CLASSICAL & CONTEMPORARY FILM 227 VISUAL ART 228 CHORAL 219 MUSIC 221 SPIRITFEST 236 2017 FESTIVAL PROGRAMME UPDATE We will be publishing an update to our Programme which will be available in Grahamstown throughout the Festival, at all of our Box Offices and Information Kiosks. This update will contain the latest possible information on performances and events, changes, cancellations and additional shows, a daily diary map, local emergency services number, etc and is a must-have for all Festival-goers. Disclaimer: The Festival organisers have made every effort to ensure that everything printed in this publication is accurate. However, mistakes and changes do occur, and we do not accept any responsibility for them or for any inaccuracies or misinformation within advertisements. Artists provide images, logos and advertisements and we accept no responsibility for the quality of reproduction in this publication. Cover image: Mary Sibande Cover design: aisle_B Welcome to the Province of the Eastern Cape, the Home of WELCOME! Legends, and to this amazing celebration of the arts that we’re so proud of. The National Arts Festival is in its 43rd FROM YOUR HOST year and is unsurpassed as a showcase of South Africa’s PREMIER PHUMULO best new and established artistic talent. We hope that, as you enjoy it, you also spend some time engaging with the MASUALLE sights, sounds, tastes, colours and the vibrant culture of TO THE 2017 our diverse and beautiful Province. This prestigious festival relies on your continued patronage (both the participants and supporters) in giving concrete expression to the NATIONAL ideal of a creative city – Grahamstown in Makana. As the Government of the Province of the Eastern Cape and the ARTS National Arts Festival, we invite you to relax and create great memories and leave with well-nourished souls! FESTIVAL ENJOY! MESSAGES FROM THE SPONSORS MAKING A DIFFERENCE MINISTER NATHI MTHETHWA Diamonds and Dorings in Kimberly and the MINISTER OF ARTS AND CULTURE Marula Festival in Phalaborwa. Industry-led platforms such as the South ormer President Nelson Mandela, African Literary Awards, MOSHITO and Fspeaking at the 90th birthday celebration National Book Week have enjoyed annual of his comrade and fellow liberation stalwart, support. Walter Sisulu, said the following: “What Over 100 projects that toured locally counts in life is not the mere fact that we have and internationally were supported. Over lived. It is what difference we have made to and above that, South Africa has had a the lives of others that will determine the major installation at the Venice Biennale significance of the life we lead.” and Architectural Biennale every two years The aim of the National Arts Festival and cultural seasons were held with the should be to achieve precisely that goal, United Kingdom, Russia, Algeria and Gabon. to have all its patrons and arts lovers Since 2015, the Department has hosted and leave the Festival believing that what they supported a month long programme during have seen on stage, in the streets and in the month of May to build African unity and the galleries should make a difference in The Festival will be screening Mandla to celebrate and strengthen African identity their lives. It should have significance and Dube’s acclaimed and award-winning film and commonality. continue to exert influence on our lives. The ‘Kalushi’ which tells the story of Solomon More than 250 community arts best art should move us to higher levels Kalushi Mahlangu, his contribution and that programmes have been supported across the of consciousness and committed action. of a generation of young freedom fighters country. Culture and freedom must go hand in hand. who gave their lives for the freedom we hold Since it was announced in 2015, On average, festivalgoers attend the dear today. the Department of Arts and Culture has National Arts Festival for between 6 and The Festival’s main theme is “Disruption” supported 12 incubator programmes to 7 days; and 99% of festivalgoers would and presenting work that blurs genres, sparks the value of over R34 million in partnership recommend the event to someone else. This debate and encourages deep engagement. with the DAC performing arts institutions. should be a sign of the indelible mark the Above all, the Festival has become a These incubators provide opportunities for Festival makes on the lives of people who rich and interactive hub of content and hundreds of young artists to be trained in attend its many cultural offerings. a generator of cultural networking and creative and technical elements including It is in this context that the Department exchange. Out of such encounters between stage and theatre craft, dance, acting and of Arts and Culture directly funds the Festival artist and audience, new works of art emerge, photography. As an indication of the quality as part of the Mzansi Golden Economy in this way further sustaining arts activities. of the work on offer, the Market Theatre and programme. Through its focus on heritage Windybrow incubators have jointly received The Festival represents a unique development, the promotion of community 16 Naledi Award nominations in technical partnership between multiple spheres of libraries, support provided to national and creative categories. government - National, Provincial and Local theatres, funding provided directly through The development and growth of local – to deliver a single, powerful platform for our three dedicated development agencies arts productions is dependent on good country’s artists. and the funding of community arts and the stable policy, well governed institutions and An economic impact analysis has shown creative industries, the Department continues sustainable models that promote the social, that the impact of the 2016 National Arts to support and promote local content locally economic and cultural value of content. Festival on the Grahamstown economy was and internationally. The Department of Arts and Culture R94.4m, and R377.15m on the Eastern Cape In the last two years alone the is committed to improving the enabling Province, making this a significant driver of Department has funded many projects, some environment, and supporting, as and where job creation and stimulation of the economy of which are mentioned below. resources allow, the initiatives of local artists in areas such as tourism, hospitality and retail. The Department of Arts and Culture has to develop and promote their work locally With this year’s programme including provided support of over R145 million to and abroad. work from the Netherlands, film from Korea, 25 annual national and regional flagships. May the National Arts Festival continue participation from the United Kingdom, These projects include major international to inspire and grow from strength to strength Namibia, Sweden, Switzerland, France and festivals such as the Cape Town International and may the 2017 edition make a sustained Zimbabwe, the Festival offers an array of Jazz Festival, multidisciplinary festivals such and positive difference in the lives of our productions and experiences. as this one, and regional festivals such as people and the life of our nation. 5 INCREDIBLE CLOSER TO FREEDOM DR PEMMY MAJODINA MILESTONES; MEC: SPORT, RECREATION, ARTS AND CULTURE he great revolutionary and leader Oliver TReginald “Kaizana” Tambo, who was born 100 INCREDIBLE years ago in the Eastern Cape village of Nkantolo, Mbizana, once said “Until our country is free and happy and peaceful as part of the community of ARTISTS man, we cannot rest”. As we honour him this year as a son of our Province and giant of the struggle for HAZEL CHIMHANDAMBA freedom, we pause to let those words resonate with HEAD: GROUP SPONSORSHIPS us. This is the Festival where we bring that struggle FOR STANDARD BANK into focus – where we forget about resting, and work instead to bring our people closer to freedom. his year we’ll The Eastern Cape has played host to the Tbe celebrating National Arts Festival for over 40 years. It is an event a couple of we guard and value. And it has a role beyond what happens on its stages. It is a milestones in cornerstone of our Province’s economy, contributing R377m annually to our GDP. Grahamstown – That translates into jobs, tourist spend, visitors buying the work of our crafters…a 20 years of our myriad of activities that help our people enhance their lives. It is an example of how sponsorship of the arts can play a meaningful role in the reconstruction of our economy and country. the Standard Bank As critical as economic freedom is, though, the Festival is about other kinds of Jazz Festival and freedom that we cherish equally. Freedom of expression and freedom of speech. It is 25 years of the through the work of our artists we, as a people, exercise these rights. Our artists sing, Standard Bank they dance, they write and present words of wisdom and inspiration. They paint and National Youth Jazz create beautiful artifacts. They stimulate debate and encourage open conversations. Festival. What a And with each of these endeavours our society takes another step towards the celebration of the freedom dreamt of by our iconic leaders. arts! As hosts of the National Arts Festival we welcome you to our beautiful Province The Standard Bank Jazz Festival’s 2017 edition and invite you to engage deeply with our landscape; our people; our cultures, features over 150 musicians from 14 countries traditions, art, and food.