NAF FRINGE REGISTRATION

Registration has opened for the 2009 Fringe at the National Arts Festival, Grahamstown.

The 35th National Arts Festival runs from July 2 to 11, 2009, and is sponsored by The Eastern Cape Government, Standard Bank, The National Arts Council and The Lotteries Distribution Trust Fund.

Now in its 35th year, the Festival began in 1974 and has grown to be one of the leading arts festivals in southern Africa. Its objectives are to deliver excellence; encourage innovation and development in the arts by providing a platform for both established and emerging South African artists; create opportunities for collaboration with international artists; and build new audiences.
has opened.

The National Arts Festival Fringe is unique in South Africa in that no selection criteria are applied – participation in the Fringe is open to everyone. The Fringe has mushroomed in size since its inception in 1979 when a diminutive 10 events comprised the Fringe – it now consistently boasts over 350 events across all the arts genres. Disciplines include children’s theatre, film, comedy, drama, physical theatre, dance, cabaret, visual art, performance poetry, music theatre, and the full scope of music genres.

Artists can become a part of the Fringe family by ordering their registration forms today. Applicants must state the discipline that they may want to participate in (e.g. dance, film, music) when requesting registration forms by email or telephone.

All interested artists, performers, directors and producers can request registration forms and information booklets from the Fringe Office on 046 603 1103, fax 046 622 3082 or email fringe@nationalartsfestival.co.za The forms and info booklets are also available as downloads on the Festival website: www.nationalartsfestival.co.za and on-line submissions will be available from December 15.

The deadline for registration is February 20, 2009. In KwaZulu-Natal, Fringe Info packs can be collected from the Playhouse Theatre.

Other venues are The Baxter Theatre (Cape Town); The Eastern Cape Department of Arts & Culture (King William’s Town); The Guild Theatre (East London); The Nelson Mandela Metropolitan Museum and the PE Opera House (Port Elizabeth); The Makana Municipality and The National Arts Festival Office (Grahamstown); The Market Theatre Laboratory (Johannesburg); The State Theatre (Pretoria); The Mmabana Arts Foundation Centre (Mmabatho); The Limpopo Department of Arts & Culture (Polokwane), and The Performing Arts Centre of the Free State (PACOFS) in Bloemfontein