Arts Alive to celebrate spring
Tammy O'Reilly
22 August 2005Arts Alive, held in September each year, is Johannesburg's way of greeting the arrival of spring.
The festival, now in its 14th year, features an eclectic mix of dance, visual art, poetry and music at venues in the inner city.
Every year organisers secure one popular international artist for the main concert, held at the Johannesburg Stadium. Last year American rapper 50 Cent gave the crowd their money's worth. This year Busta Rhymes is expected to follow suit.
Adding a taste of local flavour to the concert will be supporting acts KB and PRO Kid.
A total of 638 artists will perform during the four-day festival, with most shows at various venues in Newtown.
"We are using every venue available in Newtown. Altogether 23 venues in Johannesburg will be used," says organiser Nomahlubi Simamane.
"We have also significantly increased the portion of the budget that is dedicated to showcasing up-and-coming talent, and the dance budget has been more than doubled.
"We haven't made too many changes to the line-up as we are trying to create a sense of brand loyalty, but there are a few new features, such as poetry," she says.
The Songwriters Club in Newtown will host Speak the Mind sessions on 2 and 3 September. These will showcase different forms of poetry, such as spoken word, beat poetry, hip-hop and funk.
Another first is a gospel segment called Spiritual Experience, to take place at the University of Johannesburg campus in Soweto on Sunday 4 September. It is free on a first come, first serve basis. Gates close at 6pm sharp.
The ever-popular Jazz on the Lake takes place on the final day. The organisers are considering establishing a corporate village at the event.
"We are not short on numbers for the event, but we want to reel in support from businesses," Simamane says.
Mayoral committee member for social development Christine Walters says, "The Arts Alive festival is seen as an awakening of the city to spring.
"It also puts Newtown into the spotlight and makes people aware of the city's wonderful facilities. But most of all it is Joburg's way of saying thanks to its residents."
Source: City of Johannesburg
