Exciting times lie ahead for performing arts in Gauteng as hundreds of theatre and dance hopefuls relish the opportunity to compete for a chance to be part of the 2011 Grahamstown National Arts Festival, which will be held from 20 June to 10 July.
Arts lovers can look forward to experiencing the splendor of enthralling stage acts and some fascinating dance performances over the coming weeks when the Ishashalazi Theatre Festival and the Motjeko Dance festival embark on a tour of Gauteng.
Two groups will be selected from the Motjeko Dance Festival while one group from Ishashalazi stands to receive the nod in the process. The three will then be granted an all expenses paid trip to Grahamstown and a chance to take part in one of the largest arts festival in the world.
Ishashalazi Theatre is a collaboration between the Gauteng Theatre Practitioners Committee and the Gauteng Department of Sport, Arts, Culture and Recreation. The festival is intended at showcasing the best in development theatre and has been running from 18 February and will continue until the 27 March 2011, in various venues across the province.
The Motjeko Dance Festival is also expected to showcase the province’s abundant talent in dance when it is held on 12 and 19 March at Rhoo Hlatshwayo Community Centre in Daveyton and at Ekangala Community Centre in Kungwini respectively.
This programme is an intervention intended at developing, training and providing support to dance practitioners, trainers and also provide platforms to showcase indigenous and contemporary dance art forms.
“As the custodians of arts and culture in Gauteng we have committed to not only growing and nurturing talent in the industry, but also creating a platform for artists and performers to blossom and to showcase their creative works and abilities” said Gauteng Sport, Arts, Culture And Recreation MEC Lebogang Maile.
Entrance to the two festivals is free.
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