NEWS

FESTIVAL STATISTICS



Another Standard Bank National Arts Festival in Grahamstown has come and gone and a conservative estimate is that it attracted over 100 000 people (last year's estimate was 70 000)!

Tickets sold on the main festival were 64 508 (last year 62 607). Fringe figures were down this year with 120 253 sold (last year 134 527).

COLD

The reason for this drop is attributed to the bitterly cold and rainy weather which hit the first weekend, a period which attracts thousands of people from places like Port Elizabeth and East London who just come for the two days.

This influx of people also boosts craft sales and generate an energy which seems to power the festival for a time afterwards. This could also explain why many people said there was `no festival spirit' this year.

However, the numbers through the Village Green craft venue were up at 560 666 (last year 390 597).

It must be remembered that the count registers those coming in and out and sometimes people visit the venue several times a day as it houses one of the two booking offices. The fact that the figure was only 125 000 at the 1991 festival, gives an indication of how much atten-dance has grown over five years.

KZN WOODCARVERS



The African Art Centre in Guildhall Arcade is hosting an exhibition of works from a workshop of KZN woodcarvers until August 10.

This workshop was funded by SIDA and held at Technikon Natal's sculpture department.

Among the 21 carvers represented are

Raphael Magwaza, Timothy Mlambo, Bafana Mkhize, Zamokwake Gumede, Zazi Nkosi and Philemon Sangweni.



WOMEN'S ARTS



With the overwhelming number of entries received for the Southern Life and the Playhouse Company's Women's Arts Festival to be held from August 8 to 11, organisers have had a tough job assessing the applications which have poured in from all over the company.
[Womens Pic]
"There is no doubt that the women of South Africa have something to say," says Andrea Moller, of the Playhouse Company's education and development department.

As a build-up towards the Festival Professor Kathy Perkins, Associate Professor of Lighting at the University of Illinois, made a guest appearance at a Poetry by Candlelight evening.

The Women's Arts Festival promises to be the newest and brightest focal point on the South African cultural calendar. Dancers, musicians, poets, visual artists and actors will rub shoulders for four days of intense creative expression.

The festival also offers a great opportunity for stimulating debate and discussion as well as the sharing of ideas and networks. There will be lectures, forums and workshops designed to provide the opportunity for women to experience different art forms.

A highlight will be two works by inter-nationally acclaimed dancer, actress, director and proud feminist from India, Mallika Sarabhai.

STORY-TELLER

Jamaican-born Grace Nicholls, now resident in Britain, is a well-loved story-teller who will be featured no the programme as will Tina Johnson, a New York actress who has appeared both on and off Broadway.

Local actress Lueen Conning has been commissioned to create a performance piece for the festival. A Coloured Place promises to unravel some of the stereotypical perceptions about the coloured community.

For more details phone 369-9466.



TO BE FRANK

Frank Sinatra has long been acclaimed as the world's leading performer of popular music. He is, of course, more than a singer - he's an actor, recording artist, cabaret and concert star, radio and television personality.

Born Francis Albert Sinatra in Hoboken, New Jersey, USA, his career included acting roles in more than 50 films, some of which he produced and directed.

A performer for nearly five decades, Sinatra shows no signs of slowing down and one of the highest honours he received recently was the American Presidential Medal of Freedom.

TRIBUTE

A tribute to the man, To Be Frank, is being presented by the Company of Theatre Arts in the Elizabeth Sneddon Theatre from August 20 to 31.

The show has been written by Grant Bell who directs the production with Michael Beauchamp. Choreography is by Fiona Barnes.

Well-known band leader Colin Penn is musical director.

Performance starting times range from 18h00 to 19h30 with matinŠes on August 25 and 31 at 14h30. Opening night will benefit Highway Hospice.

DECORATIVE ARTS



The Decorative Arts Society holds monthly lectures in the Mansfield Hall, Mansfield Road at 12h00.

On August 27, NADFAS lecturer Frances Feldman will discuss 17th Century Dutch Painting: More than meets the Eye.

On August 28 at 12h00 at the Royal Showgrounds in Pietermaritzburg, she will discuss The Frick Collection: The Price of Immortality.

STUDY DAY

The society will hold a Study Day on August 29 at the Durban Club from 09h00 to 14h00. This will be led by Frances Feldman and the theme will be The English Country House: A Most Perfect Invention.

Contact the Society if you wish to join, or for further details, on 700-4060.

CAMP'S DRIFT MARKET



The wide sweep of the Umzimduzi River as it reaches Camp's Drift and goes over the weir is the charming setting for The Camp's Drift Craft and Fleamarket. It will take place on August 4, 18 and 25 from 08h30 to 16h00. Contact Erna Aken on (0331) 45-479 or Jackie Webb (0331) 61313 (a/h).