News

TINA JOHNSON

New York actress Tina Johnson has recently completed her third working visit to South Africa, teaching acting techniques to local up-and-coming performers. Her three-month workshops were conducted at the Playhouse where she worked with a young performers selected from a series of auditions.

The Siwela Sonke Dance Theatre also benefited from her wealth of knowledge and participated in acting classes as part of their daily training schedule.

Professional acting studios are prolific in the States and Tina Johnson is hoping to foster a similar tradition in Durban.

An accomplished actress herself, having played lead Shakespearean roles in the New York Shakespeare Festival, she is committed to the value of method acting on an actor's performance.

NEWS 11

HIBISCUS ARTS

The Hibiscus Arts Festival will be held from April 25 to May 2 when eight action-packed days will be set aside for a celebration of the arts and other frivolities on Natal's Hibiscus Coast.

What started out as a modest idea has snowballed into a massive and exciting concept. The message is loud and clear that this arts festival to be staged on the KZN South Coast has attracted attention from all avenues of art all over the province.

This is proudly confirmed by the organi-sing committee which consists of Pace and the Hibiscus Coast and Country Publicity Association.

EXPECTATIONS

"The programme compiled so far has already exceeded all expectations and more venues will have to be found to house all the activity!" says Karin Igesund, festival co-ordinator.

A survey showed that April is a popular month on the Hibiscus Coast and that an arts festival staged during this period would prove popular with visitors.

"We are closer to our main holiday market, Gauteng, and we have the whole of KZN to support us," says Vicky Visagie, of the Hibiscus Coast and Country Publicity Association. For details phone: (03931) 72272.

CULTURE CONFERENCE

The Grahamstown Foundation, orga-nisers of the annual Standard Bank National Arts Festival, will host an international conference aimed at revea-ling the benefits of arts and culture.

International experience is said to prove that a country's arts and culture can become a significant economic force, earning substantial foreign exchange from cultural tourism, while regional and urban economies can benefit from arts festivals.

The Standard Bank international con-ference on the economic benefits of arts and culture will be held from June 11 to 13 at the 1820 Settlers' National Monu-ment in Grahamstown.

STAKEHOLDERS

The organisers anticipate that stake-holders from several sectors - including arts and culture, trade and industry, tourism and environment, and the entertainment industry - will attend.

Queries can be directed to the conference administration officer, Wendy Dold, on (0461) 2-7115 or fax (0461) 2-4457, or by post to the Grahamstown Foundation, PO Box 304, Grahamstown, 6140.

GREENSLEEVES

If you've ever pictured yourself at a true medieval banquet in the style of the movie Camelot, then Greensleeves has the answer.

The original Greensleeves restaurant opened in Johannesburg in 1974. Earlier this year, the owner moved to KZN and opened a Greensleeves restaurant in Hillcrest on a R3 million mediaeval Camelot estate.

Proper mediaeval clothing is the order of the evening for these feasts of great ceremony, all served by comely wenches or lackeys in period costume served with a flourish of trumpets.

Greensleeves claims to offer fun and boisterous entertainment in bawdy mediaeval style with cups of mead to add to the atmosphere!

BEAT POETS

A `beat' poetry evening, complete with berets, bongo drums and jazz is held at the Bean Bag Bohemia, 18 Windermere Road, every Monday at 19h30.

The evening consists of original poetry of local poets, whether published or unpublished, providing an outlet for those who need a means of expression and liberation. Entry is free and drinks, meals or snacks can be ordered from the Bean Bag Bohemia menu.

The three convenors are Colin Moss, Nick Singh and Jon Falkow. For details ring Colin on 84-0696.

THE ROYAL'S `IN'!

Last year, the Royal Hotel was accepted as a member of the prestigious inter-national hotel listing, the Leading Hotels of the World. The Royal joins the Mount Nelson Hotel as the only South African hotels listed alongside legendary inter-national hotels such as The Savoy, Claridges and the Dorchester in London, the Hotel de Crillon in Paris and the Taj Mahal Hotel in Mumbai.

KHANYILE TO PARIS

The first black person to win the Volkskas Atelier Award in 10 years is Nkosinathi Khanyile (28), who completed a fine arts B Tech degree at Technikon Natal. In terms of the competition he must live and work in a studio apartment in Cit‚ International des Arts in Paris for six months to a year.

Nkosinathi also has a teaching diploma from Esikhawini College of Education.

JINGER & ARAPAHO

Two well-known bands: Just Jinger from Johannesburg and Arapaho from Durban will perform in the BAT Concert Hall at the BAT Centre on April 18 and 19. Doors will open at 20h00.

pic for theatre