Dorpie hosts Grahamstown fringe acts

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Dorpie hosts Grahamstown fringe acts

SABRINE DEAN – If they are willing to sing for their supper, so to speak, artists and entertainers performing at the fringe of the forthcoming National Arts Festival in Grahamstown can bed down for free in Smithfield.
The Platteland Preview takes place in the Free State town from 21-23 June and will showcase several acts included in the official Grahamstown fringe line-up. Organisers say performers on the fringe typically offer exciting new work but often struggle to do technical rehearsals before arriving in Grahamstown.
The idea behind the Platteland Preview is that performers get free accommodation, venues, lights and sound in return for a performance of their show, resulting in a proper arts festival. As there are no outside sponsors involved, the festival is entirely driven by locals who donate time, resources and expertise to make the community project a success.
Organisers say it is also important that the festival makes a difference to the children of the local schools, many of whom have never seen live theatre. "This year we’ve arranged for a significant drama to be staged at the high school, followed by a Q&A session between the performers and the learners and we anticipate that the experience will expose the learners to the possibility of a career in the arts as well as popularising this form of entertainment and creative expression," organisers said in a statement.
Some of the shows on offer this year include Vrek, the Bram Fischer Walz, 1Waycrew, Going Gooding, Beefcake and more. For more information or bookings visit www.smithfieldfestival.wordpress.com.

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