With the Mandela Bay Arts Festival in full swing after officially opening last week, it has proved to be both bigger and better than last year’s in serving as a platform to showcase the region’s artistic prowess.
National Arts Festival chief executive Monica Newton said it had been a great opening weekend, with spontaneous ticket buyers boosting the audience numbers and atmosphere.
The first few days of the festival saw everything from spellbinding magicians, singers and performers taking to the stage to enthral audiences.
“There is a strong community of artists in the area who are coming out to support,” she said.
“But it’s also encouraging to see audiences trying new things and supporting — and even discovering — local talent.
“There is plenty to see in the week ahead and into the weekend with shows for families and workshops for creatives in between a wide selection of comedy, theatre, dance, music, magic and more.”
Now in its second year, the festival has been hosted through the collaboration by the National Arts Festival and the Nelson Mandela Bay municipality and has been punted as a way of reigniting the stages, halls and public spaces of the metro with a packed programme of live shows, events and exhibitions.
Newton said that after Saturday’s sold-out Festival Garden Party featuring Mandisi Dyantyis, Skank and the Roots and Khanyisa Bunu, the expectation was the upcoming Festival Garden Parties on Friday and Saturday would be sold out before the show dates.
Friday’s event will see Zain SA, MissJay, Thembi Mona and Despatch duo King Jade & Baby Joe, while Saturday’s line-up will include Simphiwe Dana, Bella Belato and Siya Seya.
The festival aims to put local and internationally acclaimed artists under the spotlight for 10 days until February 25.
Shows during the festival are being staged at several venues, including the Mendi Arts Centre, The Athenaeum, The One Room Music & Comedy Club, The Savoy Theatre and The Black Box Theatre.
Art installations are also on display at the Nelson Mandela Bay Metropolitan Art Museum, and pop-up craft shops can be found at the Mendi Arts Centre and The Athenaeum.
The full programme and tickets are available on the festival’s website, www.mbaf.co.za.
Tickets can also be bought at the box offices at The Athenaeum and Mendi Arts Centre or at the various festival venues one hour before the shows.
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