vNAF gig guide part 2: get chewing on the viewing treats

As promised, now that we’ve slurped from the hot mug of artistic expression ourselves this past weekend, we deliver Part 2 of the Great Gig Guide to navigating the virtual National Arts Festival 2020.

If you haven’t yet, first read part 1 here, then hurry right back.

Hello again.

It’s true the mug had to be popped in the microwave a few times. And reheated anything just ain’t the same as when it’s dished hot and ready. But most guests at the NAF table have been patiently polite while reporting their frustration at not receiving what they ordered from the menu. Many even cheered on the technical chefs while they sharpened their coding knives and seasoned the server stew. It seems (fingers crossed) the doors are finally wide open and a fresh buffet is being topped up daily – all for your enjoyment and nourishment.

Let’s dig in.

We’ll highlight the BEST part now. Whether you’re investing in a full vNAF pass or buying for a specific day’s programme only, you’ll be able to access shows until 16 July. An extra 11 days! Obviously do yourself a little homework favour and make sure you catch those shows with live performance aspects while they’re still available. Um, yeah, the performers aren’t sitting backscreen 24/7 waiting for you to Join Meeting, neh.

So… The Critter team has convened and these are the Top Ten or Fifteen (who’s counting?) to try, which should see you and your household people through the week.

Make time for Madosini. Allow yourself the privilege of having uMama in your home. Welcome her as an esteemed guest. Make sure you’ve tidied up, and clear your mental space for your experience with this icon of South African traditional music. One (great) idea is to make an afternoon of it, wait until all 11 episodes have been released (1 a day) then grab your speakers, refreshments and a blankie, head into the sunshine and let Mama Madosini’s magnetic warmth and charming storytelling and soul-replenishing music take you to a higher plane. #proudlyeasterncape

Madosini Latozi Mpahleni is the Featured Artist for 2020. For the detailed rundown on how, what and where to access the footage, click here.

Most of the following have opened today (Monday 29 June), some have been on so catch up guys!

If you know the lord’s prayer, you know Amazing Grace… most can probably sing the latter more accurately than recite the former. It is ubiquitously sung across countries, across cultures; and until I read the blurb for Making Grace Amazing it never crossed my mind to question where originated the long song we dragged out atonally during school assemblies. Also, atheism. But this musical film by Neo Muyanga (NAF’s Featured Artist in 2017) is going to be the history lesson we didn’t know we needed. Essential viewing.

Unlike Woolworths the shop, Woolworths the show won’t shrink in the wash and isn’t grossly overpriced! Critter Steve says: Juliet Jenkin “…places a microscope on the predominantly white, middle class South African consumer culture’s privileged assumptions and cultivated blind spots, and magnifies them for us all to see.” He’s previously reviewed the theatre work (link here) but on the vNAF platform it’ll be played as an audio drama. Open them ears, people.    

If you were one of the unlucky sods like me who missed out last year on the award-winning Unfathomable, you can officially stop kicking yourself. Although we so wish we could be cocooned in a carefully crafted theatre space prepared by Athena Mazarakis and Alex Halligey, we know we’ll still have a magical experience of a poetic, poignant work. A global grieving is underway; take a moment here to bring the emotions in close, focus on the individual, the personal. Read here what we’ve said before. Like others, Unfathomable is reimagined for the virtual platform… go discover.

The Rebirth of Iqhawe is a collaboration between performance artist Oupa Sibeko and filmmaker Nicola Pilkington. In its quick 6 minutes, you’ll explore the socio-political through “fragmenting, collaging and refiguring the body in time and space”. This is experimental film and we are keen.

The voice in your head is scrambling to decide what to watch. Let the voice of an esteemed colleague who whispered to the Critter, tell you that Anton Krueger’s zoom-performance-game is a winner. The Voice In Your Head is something new, something fun, and digs into the grey crevices to figure out our attempts in channelling the inner voice, transforming it into expression, and how we connect around communication. On daily at 11am; you’ve got to register for this one.

Opening Tuesday, A Howl in Makhanda is poised to smash through the closet doors, letting all kinda skeletons cascade out onto elite ground. Fenced in well-manicured grounds reserved for the super-wealthy’s children: private schools we mean, yes. Semi-autobiographical by Qondiswa James, the work looks at rebellion and discipline and how the rules of the game change dependant on who’s playing, who’s refereeing, and who’s responsible for whitewashing appearances. Expect a supercharged expose: racism and sexism, religion, loyalty, and freedom. There’s also a post-show conversation on Tuesday 30 June at 5pm – all details here.   

Opening Wednesday is Third World Bunfight’s Macbeth. Shakespeare’s story. Verdi’s opera. Brett Bailey’s distinctive, creative upside-downing of everything you think you know. Treachery and terror and exploitation and conflict. Set in Central Africa. Brace yourselves.

At this point we just want you (and us) to get viewing! So here’s a quickfire list of what else is catching our interest for the next few days’ entertainment:

• Lo-Def Film Factory: happening now: a participatory community cinema initiative created by artist Francois Knoetze and performer/writer Amy Louise Wilson; think experimental, think democratising access to arts, think young ingenuity in practice.
• Posthuman: opening 30 June: a 3 minute musical and visual art video that examines a post-human topography and the crossroads humankind is at right now.
• The Cosmic Egg: opening 01 July: a traditional dance theatre sci-fi musical 360˚ film from Botswana – yowzerz, we’re watching!
• The Shopping Dead: opening 02 July: a stellar team led by Faye Kabali-Kagwa creates a theatrical experience on WhatsApp! How? What? Why? Sign up & find out.
• The Jazz Fest is happening y’all. Jam your way over there for a top-quality selection of musicians to spend your evenings with.

That’ll keep you busy for now. We’ll hit you up with one last guide for next weekend and as more appears on the programme too. We might even let you in on what’s hot on the Fringe (i.e. note all shows mentioned here are from the curated programme).

Parting points:

The real best part of all this is you get to bring your cats and dogs, hamsters even, with you to the show. Yippee.

If you need step by step instructions, click here for the vNAF’s How To section.

If you’re reading this, good, you’re in the know that The Critter is the ‘Go To’ for unbridled views and unbiassed news re. all things artsy. Now, click share and welcome your friends into the fold. Cheers!

Image by Moratiwa Molema