PLETTENBERG BAY NEWS - The global Covid-19 pandemic has seen some innovative solutions to problems surface, and Plettenberg Bay will from Monday showcase one of its own in the form of the Plett Arts Festival that is going virtual this year.
This “plucky” festival, which celebrates all spheres of art, has faced some trying times in the past, including clawing back from the brink of cancellation due to a lack of funding last year – and it would not let a global pandemic get in its way either.
The theme for this year's event is La Vida Local and local artists will enjoy the spotlight from 19 to 30 June this year.
Festival director and manager at Plett Tourism, Cindy Wilson-Trollip said with the support of provincial tourism entity Wesgro, they were able to keep the event running.
“At a time when funds have been diverted to healthcare and economic survival, the small injection into the events industry is greatly appreciated. At least 20 artists will have a platform at the Plett Arts Festival, and this affords them an opportunity to earn some money from their ticket sales for the virtual events. Without the funding support of R15 000, the festival would not be taking place,” Wilson-Trollip said.
She added that the arts and culture sector is constantly under threat in South Africa – underfunded and unsupported by the government and private sector, plagued with insecurity of employment, lack of performance venues and national arts institutes – but that it is the artists, actors, performers, writers, and musicians "who observe, pick up the threads, and weave the weft and warp of our social fabric".
Wilson-Trollip said strange times demand innovative thinking, pointing out that some of the greatest arts organisations worldwide have opened up galleries, opera and ballet, all online, during the worldwide lockdown. “People have been entranced and transported by these performances… The arts have been a balm for the suffering during the 'incarceration' of people all over the world.”
Plett Tourism is following in their footsteps and, as part of the festival, curated a live stream of jazz, opera, popular classics, sacred and gospel music which will be go live most evenings from 19:00.
For the drama lovers, there will be homegrown theatre and performances featured as part of The Fringe segment of the festival. It will also feature music and art masterclasses while gallery curators and artists-in-residence will provide insider views of their colourful worlds.
In addition, the festival will focus on the work of emerging local filmmakers – the latest, sharpest graduates of Ikasi Creative Film School – featuring their short films on a segment called PlettFlix.
The events will be live-streamed on a private channel or will be accessible on YouTube and Zoom. Tickets are open and can be purchased on the tourism website www.pletttourism.com.
“The creative industries account for a significant percentage of revenue stream for most towns. And for Plett Tourism, the Plett Arts Festival has grown to become a calendar favourite along the Garden Route. We note that arts travellers tend to stay longer and spend more money than the average guest,” said Plett Tourism chief executive Marius Venter, adding,
“During these unprecedented times, we hope to showcase our local and national talent to inspire that Plett feeling.”
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