NSA Festival Finale Day set to be a winner!

There is only one place to be on Saturday 2nd March and that is at the National School of the Arts’ Festival Finale Day!

This daylong event offers a spectacular line-up of art, music, drama and dance for the whole family! The historic NSA building with its breathtaking panoramic view and the impressive Joburg Theatre are the venues for the inaugural NSA Festival Finale Day. With more than a geographic link to Joburg’s Cultural Arc, the NSA is a place where our young artists and thought leaders are guided and trained to become the very best that they can be empowering them to boldly charter the creative landscape of tomorrow.

The Festival Finale Day is an opportunity for all arts lovers to spend an enjoyable and inspiring day in this powerful creative space. The NSA field will be a vibrant buzz of craft, cultural food, music, jazz, Street Theatre and a visual arts extravaganza. Every performance space will be a proud showcase of the finest student and professional dance, drama and music performances. Every gallery will be an explosion of visual delight! The aim is to offer the finest choice of quality productions to cater for all ages and all tastes.

Gates open at 10am and R80 affords you a day ticket that allows you entry to all venues. For an affordable R80 you can see as much as you can, making a visit to the Finale Day excellent value for money!

Some of the highlights of the Festival Finale include in the ASSITEJ Family Venue, Pôkô Productions’ The Greatest African Love Story, a shadow puppetry experience based on the lives of two of our country's greatest leaders, Walter and Albertina Sisulu. This exquisite show has been described as 'Inspirational and moving. A story of dreams, hope, loss, and above all, of love.' Also on the menu for young children, is a production of Tales from the Flipside by Lunatic Fridge as well as Around the World drama workshops for 5-9 year olds presented by Buzz Drama.

Other exciting productions to look out for at the Festival Finale Day are Owl by Briony Horowitz, the hilarious and brilliant Craig Morris in Hero, Causing a Scene, Jozi's finest improv troupe making it up on the spot and the NSA's own The Secret Garden directed by Weslee Lauder and E=MC2 choreographed by Ndu Msimang and Roger Lambert.

The Finale Day is also a chance to see the exceptional work produced by NSA learners as they cut their teeth on producing original work. Watch out for Tylah Woodman's award winning work Sing me to Sleep as well as a site-specific art installation in the school pool by the Art Department.

The NSA is thrilled that SABC’s leading daily youth magazine programme Yo TV will take to the stage at lunch-time for an impressive live show-case performance. All aspirant TV presenters don’t miss the chance to audition for the Yo TV Presenter’s Search, which is also part of the exciting Festival Finale Day.

The outdoor offerings are equally delicious with Food Stalls and Craft Beer supplied by Tastes of Maboneng, courtesy of the Maboneng Precinct and entertainment provided by clown duo from France/SA Theatre Thump, gorgeous folk singer Shotgun Tori and a Heritage Fashion show, designed, produced and curated by talented NSA learners.
The day programme ends with the celebrated Johannesburg Youth Orchestra Jazz Ensemble in a sundowner concert at 5pm on the NSA Field.

Interest in the Festival Finale Day is spreading fast. The event promises to become a popular annual highlight of Johannesburg’s Cultural calendar. The NSA is proud to offer to the people of Johannesburg a family focused Youth Arts Festival with something for everyone.

The week of Festival of Fame – Expressions of Heritage comes to an end with the NSA learners in the spotlight as the Music and Dance Department join forces for the Double Bill African Reflections Meets Dance Spectrum on Sat 2nd March at 6:30. This gala finale will ring the curtain down on Festival of Fame 2013 on the stage of the Mandela Theatre.

Tickets for the Festival Finale Day available at www.joburgtheatre.com

For the full programme visit: www.festivaloffame.co.za