There are times, often late at night or in the wee hours of the morning, and often at The Long Table, when Grahamstown feels like a massive love-fest. You look around and everyone is laughing, smiling, deep in conversation. Performers, directors and designers are congratulating each other on their shows and also giving insightful, constructive advice. This little world becomes a stage upon which we all strut our stuff, our hearts full of meaning, beating upon our sleeves. But, as always, the converse exists. Fest is also hard and demanding. And I’m not just talking about the hangovers. For ten, now 15, days, we stretch ourselves to the limit. Theatre makers and audience alike. We live together in a rarefied atmosphere, transported ...

FestBuzz bloggers Steve Kretzmann (West Cape News), Mike Loewe (Makana Moon) and Caitlin Ross (WCN). This is post number 80. The pic is of us; FestBuzz, a three-person gig who produced the copy/content/stories/blather on this site.  (I exclude the Fast Forward podcasts. They were other people, but we still have to meet them.) For the first time the NAF (National Arts Fest) hired journos for the blog show. We loved it. more_link_text Related posts:Magic. In a particular time, in a particular place Bring it on!! (The writings of a ASSUM/grand/slightly deranged teen!) Like a kid at the sweetie buffet

There’s a house on the hill you might have noticed. No, not the Monument. Further up, behind it, up there on the southern skyline.   Isolated, exposed, it looks like it could be haunted. Or the home of a madman (the ‘70s rock song "House on the Hill" by Audience springs to mind whenever I see it).  For a while it was actually the house of a genius, but a very sane one. more_link_text Related posts:Magic. In a particular time, in a particular place Urban underground arrive for New Street fest party Humans:1 Machine:0

It's gusting at the new Village Green, but Melanie Chapman says her stall's doing brilliantly. Her stoep is a Bedouin tent protecting her from the wind, and her Moon & Son fancy, funky fashion gear is barely fluttering, while others are hanging onto their banners and bunting. I could play soccer here, it's so spacious, the PE shoppers are gonna love it. Related posts:Shake it up! Pictures from The Village Green Ver ver nice yes!

By Mike Loewe The flea markets are a secondary but essential part of Festival. So moving them is bound to cause lots of talk. And if anyone at Festival is free with their talk, it's traders! Village Green, that cramped, afro-Medieval, wood-chip floored, flapping, noisy, transformed soccer field off African Street moves to Great Field at Rhodes to give more space, especially for kids and family, while the ruff 'n ready container market on Market Square outside City Hall moves into the more controlled space at Village Green - now renamed Village Fair. more_link_text Related posts:Hundreds of crafters chug their way to fest city It’s a fine arts day! Open up your heart. Shake it up!