Date: 18 January 2024
Department: Communications and Marketing
Embargo: For Immediate Release
Yarona Arts Festival: celebration of 30 Years of Democracy!
The Performing Arts Centre of the Free State (PACOFS) proudly announces the culmination of its Incubator Programme, a flagship initiative under the Department of Sport, Arts, and Culture’s (DSAC) Development program. The Incubator Programme, driven by multiple stakeholders and Playhouses nationally, has been spearheaded by PACOFS within the Free State, fostering the growth of multi-disciplined artists in various genres such as Drama, Music, and Dance over the years.
The unique approach of the Incubator Programme involves selecting community theatre groups for mentorship by professional theatre practitioners with expertise in production, rehearsals, technical aspects, marketing, and performance. The mentorship extends for six (6) months, with facilitators engaging with the groups for seven (7) days each month.
To mark the culmination of this intensive mentorship, PACOFS will host a three-day Bootcamp from the 29th to the 31st of January 2024 at its premises in Bloemfontein. The Bootcamp will feature add-on workshops, including lectures on theatre arts, arts administration, technical skills, performance practice, marketing, and design.
The highlight of the Incubator Programme will be the Yarona Arts Festival, taking place from the 1st to the 3rd of February 2024. This festival, themed “Celebration of 30 Years of Democracy,” not only serves as an exit program for the incubated groups but also provides them with their first experience of a professional festival. The festival will showcase six (6) developed productions from the Incubator Programme and one (1) production, ‘Metsi Mahadi,’ selected from the previously funded circle of the Incubator Programme (2022/23). The Yarona Arts Festival aligns with various mandates, including promoting social cohesion, enhancing talent, creating an arts ecosystem, providing artistic opportunities, and contributing to education and skills development. It breathes new artistic life into the community, igniting the arts among the youth.
Yarona Arts Festival 2024 Highlights:
Public Lecture: Engaging discussions on relevant topics in the arts.
Theatre Performances: Showcasing the talent nurtured through the Incubator Programme.
Afro-American Music of the Times (Live Band): A musical journey celebrating cultural diversity.
Certificate Ceremony: Recognizing and honouring the achievements of participants.
About PACOFS
The Performing Arts Centre of the Free State (PACOFS) is a dynamic cultural hub committed to the development and promotion of the performing arts in the Free State Province. With a rich history and a forward-looking vision, PACOFS plays a pivotal role in nurturing and showcasing artistic talent.
About DSAC
The Department of Sports, Arts, and Culture (DSAC) is at the forefront of fostering a vibrant and inclusive cultural landscape in South Africa. Through its various initiatives and programs, DSAC aims to empower artists and contribute to the country’s cultural and creative richness.
About the Productions:
Me4uTalented Studios. (Ntabiseng Manake). Thabo Mofutsanyana, Qwaqwa
Production: The highlight of the Incubator Programme will be the Yarona Arts Festival, taking place from the 1st to the 3rd of February 2024. This festival, themed “Celebration of 30 Years of Democracy,” not only serves as an exit program for the incubated groups but also provides them with their first experience of a professional festival. The festival will showcase six (6) developed productions from the Incubator Programme and one (1) production, ‘Metsi Mahadi,’
Truth Or Command” is a thought-provoking exploration of the human heart, where love and betrayal exist in precarious balance. It invites the audience to question the nature of relationships, the role of truth in love, and the enduring complexities of human desire. This stage play leaves a lasting impression, serving as a mirror to our own experiences in the tumultuous journey of love and intimacy
Youth in Arts (Siyabonga Nqonga). Xhariep/ Springfontein.
Production: Tyhila
TYHILA is a dance performance that tells a story of a young guy who is hearing voices of underground people who secretly started to explore his sexuality. Trust was lost and conflict between the soul and flesh started as peace will be their will. Like a wild animal, the truth is too powerful to be caged. The performance challenges the control and being out of control of your own body.
Magnetic Stars (Coliwe Burgman). Mangaung. Bloemfontein
Production: Ngwana Wa Sechaba
In a world full of adversity and despair, love and respect are rare. In this story we meet a young girl full of respect with a loving, caring and neighbourly father. The family goes through a lot of challenges from disaster floods, unkind to neighbours and financial struggles. All this affects the young girl in many negative ways.
Hashtag Entertainment (Tshepang Matebesi). Fezile Dabi. Sasolburg.
The story is about a lady called Kgadifele who is in search of her father in a small town called Zamdela. The secrets were revealed about her father in the area called Angola.
Youth United Theatre Production (Franz Tshaka). Lejweleputswa. Allenridge.
The story is about a young boy named Sello who lived with his mother and step father. He was molested by his step father however, his own mother turned a blind eye on the matter simply because the step father was the provider for the family.
Tickets for all the shows are now available at PACOFS booking office and webtickets
End//…
Issued by PACOFS marketing department
For media inquiries
please contact: Ms. maseeta@pacofs.co.za / 051 447 7771