New arts festival for Durban
THE Point Waterfront Arts Festival, which will see Durban creatives presenting four days of theatre, comedy, music, art and more, will take place from September 8 to 11.
The family-friendly event has a mix of free- and paid-for activities in multiple locations in the Point Waterfront Precinct.
Gabriella Peppas, a spokesperson for the initiative, said the aim of the festival was to allow people to explore the precinct.
“The Point Waterfront Arts Festival concept came from a long engagement with the Point Waterfront area. We have been down in the area for about nine years and have seen it evolve. We thought it would be amazing to find a way to connect all the spaces and showcase the amazing Durban talent in one area that is walkable and accessible.
“We aim for the festival to be an annual event. This is our first one, which we are doing in a grassroots manner with an amazing array of creatives and local Durbanites. We hope to grow this festival and expand throughout the Point Waterfront, including the canals and hopefully later on to the promenade and esplanade. Our hope is to establish the Point Waterfront as a key creative destination.”
Peppas said the festival was spread throughout the Point Waterfront Precinct.
“All our venues are in pre-existing establishments that have graciously opened their doors to us and we are working hand-in-hand in creating this festival. Our venues are The Breakfast Room, Station Collective, The Chairman, Robsons, Mahá Cafe, and On Point. You will be able to grab a drink or something to eat with each venue offering something unique and different.
“We are also partnering with two amazing Durban entities - the Music Imbizo that is hosting showcases at the Chairman, and Not Quite Right Comedy that is hosting an exciting selection of comedy.”
She said there was a mixture of free and paid-for events.
“We kick off the festival with the Affordable Art Show which is open to all. Artworks will be on sale. There is some excellent comedy on show.
"Île by Sophie Joans - winner of the golden ovation award at Grahamstown National Arts Festival; Yaaseen Barnes, award-winning comedian, and national and local Durban stand-ups will feature at The Late Show.
“We have exhibitions by Ricky Basnett and Fathima Kathrada, and an evening of slam poetry and dance films. There is a mix of music from a rock night with GeeSoul; The Rockstars and Hawenba to jazz by Mpumi Dhlamini and Nasibo from Zimbabwe and Guy Buttery. There is also the Sunday pop-up market by The Breakfast Collective. These are just a few things one can expect to see."
* For more information, email: info@pointwaterfrontfestival.co.za or visit the website www.pointwaterfrontfestival.com
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