NAF was established during 2007 with the stated objective of celebrating the heritage and culture of, Nelson Mandela Bay, especially the Northern Area and bridging the divide between community development and the Arts.
Introduction
NAF was established during 2007 with the stated objective of celebrating the heritage and culture of, Nelson Mandela Bay, especially the Northern Area and bridging the divide between community development and the arts. The first successful festival was held in From 21 to 24 of September 2007 and it was envisaged to have the festival as an annual event. The Northern Arts Festival the brainchild of Billy Paulson was coordinated by him and many volunteers on a shoestring budget, but nevertheless was hosted successfully. The festival annually draws a capacity crowd of more than 20 000 (twenty thousand) people per day.
Vision:
- To create a culturally strong society through the medium of the arts.
Mission:
- Our mission is to purposely and continuously interact with the community through special events and the development of local talent.
Purpose:
To strengthen the gains of our national democratic revolution and to continue to work towards a truly non-racial, non-sexist and united South Africa.
Arts, culture and heritage make a significant contribution to social regeneration, unity and reconciliation. As we transform our country, we need to ensure that we build cohesive, sustainable and caring communities.
Social cohesion
Since its inception the Northern Arts Festival has built a very cohesive society and nurtured our people’s culture and in so doing mobilized a more caring society. No crime was reported over the duration of the festival thus far. The Northern Arts Festival has become a national legacy project. We so far have request from artists from Nigeria and the Reunion Islands who has shown interest to perform at this year’s event. NAF continue to promote the people’s arts within our communities, including local theatre groups, music groups, local cultural forms of expression and creative work including dance, music, oral poetry and literature.
We believe that by developing the arts we are contributing to the economic growth as well as the social development band moral regeneration of our community. We want to thank all past and present sponsors for their contribution more especially those artists who gave their time and talents to make the festival grow to what into what is today.
Your contribution to the success of NAF 2010 is much appreciated
Billy Paulson
Festival Co-ordinator
NAF 2010 PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS
Venue: Varsvlei Sanctor / Date: 23 – 26 September 2010
Thursday 23rd
17h00 – 20h00: Gala Opening /Bilson Music Awards Ceremony
Friday 24th
07h00: NAPDI/NAF Family Fun Run
09h00: Family Sports
Mini Soccer
10h00: Flag Hoisting Ceremony
10h30: Poetry, Drama and Writing Skills Workshops
12h00 – 13h00: Story Telling (Afrikaans & Oral History)
13h30 – 15h30: Unsigned and Original Song & Dance Showcase
16h00 – 22h00: New Afro Teens, Dajavue, Chapter3 , Dawnay
Sunday 26th
10h00 – 14h00: Cultural Heritage Showcase and Displays
14h00 – 18h00: NAF Gospel Festival: Neville Nash, Felicia Marion, Zane Meas, Bennie Koen, Neville D and Various Artists
18h00 – 18h30: Closing Ceremony
Various Exhibitions From Thursday To Saturday
Food Stalls
Kiddies Playland
Games Arcade
Youth Activities
Motor Bike Displays
Biryani and Koesister Competitions
Local, National and International Acts
www.northernarts.co.za / info@northernarts.co.za