How to do the National Arts Festival like an arts aficionado

By CityLife Arts Writer at National Arts Festival in Makhanda

With over 600 performances (theatre, dance, poetry, comedy and live music), visual art exhibitions, films, talks, workshops, dining, promotions and shopping figuring out what to experience can be an overwhelming challenge. It doesn’t have to be. Art historian, artist and Standard Bank Gallery manager and curator Dr Same Mdluli encourages festival veterans and newbies alike to plan and accept that one cannot do it all.

“You should think about how you want to experience the festival in the time that you have in Makhanda. It’s all about planning, so work through the festival programme and pick the shows and exhibitions you want to see and book tickets early. Also leave enough time for flexibility, spontaneity and to surprise yourself,” says Mdluli.

“This year, we are celebrating the more than 40 years that Standard Bank has supported the arts, and in particular our 40 years partnership with the National Arts Festival.  I would encourage festinos to explore our many and varied activations and events at the festival – see the performances of our 2023 Standard Bank Young Artists (SBYA), check out the Fringe to see the shows that produce the Standard Bank Ovation winners, reflect on the last four decades of our sponsorship, and of course enjoy yourself.

“I plan to be there for five days and with my hashtags and phone camera ready for capturing sights and sounds here is my itinerary. Each day has a theme.”

40 Years of Championing the Arts – NAF, a curator’s view…

DAY 1: Joburg to Gqeberha – Travel and transit

• At the Standard Bank Lounge at OR Tambo I’ll view works by Bernie Seale (SBYA 2003) and Sue Williamson – both in our corporate art collection.
• Next stop after landing in Gqeberha is a visit to the Nelson Mandela Bay Metropolitan Museum for Eye of the beholder a spotlight on Dorothy Kay.
• The drive to Makhanda will be punctuated by a halfway stop at the legendary Nanaga Farm. Over and above all the signature goodies (pies, pineapple juice and more), I will check out the promotions for Festival visitors that include ticket give-aways and pop-up performances
• Late afternoon I will visit the Gutsche Family Investment Art Gallery (GFI Art Gallery) for the travelling version of our Standard Bank Gallery exhibition – Accented List: Collecting the Standard Bank Corporate Art Collection 
• To round off the day I will meet with a friend for dinner at the 1862 Pop-Up Restaurant at Fork & Dagger – where art works from the Standard Bank Corporate Art Collection, and the 40 Artworks Student Programme under the tutelage of SBYA for visual art, Stephané Conradie will be on display.
• The 1862 Pop-Up Restaurant will be operated by Fresh Yumm and Edge Africa x. This duo has fine-tuned the concept of pop-up and nomadic dining since 2021 and celebrated chef Vusi Ndlovu is at the helm.

DAY 2: NAF – Visual Art and Dance

Keep it light, manageable and stress free. The morning is free to be spontaneous before I head off to my planned activities in the afternoon.

• I start with CION: Requiem of Ravel’s Boléro by Gregory Maqoma, 2002 SBYA for Dance
• Followed by a quick dash to the guided tour of 2023 SBYA for Visual Art Stephané Conradie’s exhibition, WEG WYSERS DEUR DIE BLINKUUUR.
• I return to the 1862 Pop up restaurant for dinner and complete the night with music. 2023 SBYA for Music Zoe Modiga – nomthandazo: amahubo show is my pick.

DAY 3: NAF – Visual Art and Jazz

Day three is about a deepened reflective mode and the visual arts are my go-to discipline.

• I start with the exhibition, Mattering: 50 Years of The National Arts Festival by Buhlebezwe Siwani – SBYA 2022. 
• Followed by A LUTA CONTINUA: Reflecting on 30 years of democracy through Constitutional Court Art Collection.
• Another Standard Bank Corporate Art Collection  feature is exhibition, The Abyssal Zone by Christine Dixie at the Gallery in The Round.
• Tonight I will go for a soul fix so I’ll make my way to the Guy Butler Theatre for award-winning Afro-Soul-Jazz artist Mandisi Dyantis. Before that I will either have lunch or dinner at the 1862 Pop Up restaurant. 

DAY 4: NAF – Flexibility and Dialogue

By this stage retail therapy could be welcome so I will add shopping to my day by popping into the 1862 Pop-Up Store (in the same place as the Pop-Up Restaurant). The store features exclusive collaborations with artists such as Blessing Ngobeni. I can buy unique art pieces, branded items, and other exclusive merchandise. I will also make room to be flexible. I will use Ovation Award winners as a starting point to add to the planned shows.

• Poetry is on my list so I will check out I want to write you a submarine at the Amazwi.
• Followed by – In conversation: Four decades of artworks by current and former staff of the Rhodes University Fine Art Department.
• My final dose of musical therapy will be A Musical Tribute to Nokutela Mdima-Dube by Nonhlanhla Yende.

DAY 5: NAF – Departure & Travel

On the last day I plan to meet with colleagues for a roundup of reflections of my time at the festival.

• I will pop into Nagana Farm for a last stop to pick up some supplies to take back home before I catch my flight back to Johannesburg.
• On arrival it’s a visit to our head office in 30 Baker, Rosebank to view Invested Series, part of our collection.

You too can create your own itinerary to suit your taste and budget. For planning purposes and more information about each of the shows and to buy tickets, visit www.nationalartsfestival.co.za

Standard Bank Cardholder Discount:

Standard Bank customers receive a 40% discount on tickets when paying with a valid Standard Bank Card.