The festival, which will run from 5 to 27 September, is back with a bang after traversing the continents from the Caribbean to the USA, to showcase the diversity and quality artistic offerings from around the world.
The festival will feature a range of exciting overseas and local artists within literature, poetry, music and dance, as well as masterclass workshops. It will also showcase a diverse range of music from Jazz to Afrobeat, hip-hop, dancehall reggae, traditional rhythms and Kwaito.
“We have come full circle. Arts Alive, a Johannesburg festival was fully managed in the first decade of its existence by the City of Joburg. This year, we are exploring and re-incorporating the festival as a fully-managed festival through the Joburg City Theatres,” explained City of Johannesburg MMC Chris Vondo.
“This allows us to use all our resources including staffing to maximise the quality and sustainability of the festival. We believe that all people have a right to arts and culture and every year this festival hopes to serve as a conduit for the people of Joburg to talk, laugh and enjoy together.”
Check out all the events that will take place during this festival:
The festival launches with the Izigi Traditional Music and Dance Celebrations
Date: 5 September
Venue: Soweto Theatre
Details: www.arts-alive.co.za.
The City of Joburg will explore new venues and parks for the flagship festival event, Jazz On The Lake, which will now take place at a new venue.
Date: 6 September
Time: 11am
Venue: James and Ethel Gray Park, Melrose
Details: www.arts-alive.co.za.
The festival will feature a double bill indoor concert with Sly and Robbie and power house singer-and-composer, Nomfundo Xaluva
Date: 8 September
Time: 8pm
Venue: The Bassline
Details: www.arts-alive.co.za.
The festival will partner with Moshito, a pertinent music symposium and exhibition event, which includes the Moshito Concert
Date: 12 September
Time: 1pm
Venue: Newtown Park
Details: www.arts-alive.co.za.
Arts Alive, together with the National Department of Arts and Culture, will present the third African Women Writers Symposium under the theme Peace and Turmoil: African Women in the World
Date: 17 to 19 September
Venue: Joburg Theatre
Details: www.arts-alive.co.za.
Joburgers will be spoiled for choice with the Speak The Mind Poetry Festival
Date: 19 September
Time: 4pm
Venue: The Bassline
Details: www.arts-alive.co.za.
The Arts Alive Urban Vibes Concert for the inner city and greater Johannesburg urban youth, is not to be missed!
Date: 26 September
Time: 5pm
Venue: Newtown Park and The Bassline
Details: www.arts-alive.co.za.
The Arts Alive Festival will end on a high note, partnering with Eldos Jazz at the much-awaited annual Eldos Jazz Music Concert
Date: 27 September
Time: 10am
Venue: Ext 6 Soccer grounds, Eldorado Park
Details: www.arts-alive.co.za.
There will be a number of industry heavyweights at the festival including DJ Fresh and DJ Cleo, as well as UK-based dub poet Linton Kwesi Johnson so don’t miss this cultural event.
Details: www.arts-alive.co.za
