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Pictures: Grahamstown hosts 43rd annual National Arts Festival

Grahamstown in South Africa is hosting the renowned annual National Arts Festival, bringing together a wide array of amazing talent from across the African continent, and across the world. Today we bring you some of the pictures taken by This is Africa during the festival.

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The 43rd annual National Arts Festival is in full swing in the tiny rural town of Grahamstown, South Africa, and there is as much splendour as ever. With over 300 productions running over an 11 day period this, the biggest arts event on the continent, continues to be a highlight for thousands of local and international guests.

We feature some of the acts and other interesting pictures.

The incredible Dada Masilo is seen here performing her dazzling interpretation of Giselle.

 

Each evening between 5 and 6pm features sundown concerts at one of the main venues – the monument to the 1820 settlers. Performing here are members of the production called Kinsmen, a production that explore themes of spirituality through jazz and traditional Indian classical music.

 

A flea-market area known as the village green is a space where people can take a break from the many shows and get something to eat or a little entertainment for the kids.

 

Of course the festival also features some enthralling outdoor performances. Here the Tanzanian troupe that calls itself the super acrobats can be seen teasing gravity at the village green.

 

13 year-old prodigy Pendo Masote got audiences bobbing their heads as he hadded his violin sounds to some of the most popular radio hits of the day.

 

The award winning a capella group the Soil originally got their break when they performed in the fringe part of the festival in 2010. Since then their audiences have been getting bigger and bigger. Here they can be seen performing excerpts from their new album, echoes of kofifi, to a packed audience in the prestigious Guy Butler auditorium.

 

Msaki’s haunting melodies and lyrics continue to confirm that she is one of the brightest rising stars on South Africa’s music horizon.

 

British born comedian Stephen Amos got a standing ovation for his evening of humorous social commentary and personal exploration.

Photos: Tony Andrews/This is Africa

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