Patience Bambalele

Patience Bambalele

The National School of the Arts (NSA) is presenting the Festival of Fam in a bid to promote performing arts in Johannesburg e.

This year the festival - which has given many youths an opportunity to showcase their skills in drama, dance and music - looks better and bigger.

It started on Monday and will run until Saturday at various venues of the National School of the Arts and Wits University.

The six-day festival encompasses a wide variety of performances, workshops and exhibitions. It showcases the talents of young people, up-and-coming stars and established artists. It also affords wannabes an opportunity to engage with professional artists.

Festival director Sonja Burger said: "This year is remarkable in that we feature a number of learners from NSA - current, former and those who are now teachers at the school - all participating in the festival.

"It has been a sizzling collection of talent that makes this year's offering one that will have Jozi theatre-goers, music lovers and dance lovers raving."

Some of the productions featured in this year's Festival of Fame include Rajesh Gopie's Shake, Rattle and Payroll, Waiting for Thandiwe by Kgauhelo Dube with Lulama Masimini, Blood Orange by Greig Coetzee and Frogs, directed by Ingrid Wylde.

At The Laboratory, Napo Masheane and the Usuthu Dance Company present Ishoba, whichis written by Jabulile Maluleka and choreographed by Kenny Mekoe of the Usuthu Dance Company.

Day tickets for learners are R50 and are available at the NSA Festival Office. Performances start at 9.am.