FROM music and theatre to dance, arts and crafts, the Festival in the Hills offers a wide variety and caters for the whole family. Happening on Saturday, the day-long event takes place in Hillcrest and has some amazing entertainment on offer which is sure to liven up your weekend.
A press release states that the previous Crest Fest Children’s Arts Festival, held at Curro Hillcrest Christian Academy, has combined with Kloof Rotary’s Festival in the Hills for the new-look Festival in the Hills, which is hosted by Curro HCA. To give you an idea of what to expect, the day offers a full programme of performances, workshops and various free activities.
Some of the highlights for this year’s festival include productions by Aaron McIlroy and Lisa Bobbert in Big Broadway, Small Stars; comedian Carvin H Goldstone’s Coloured President and Anything is Possible featuring So You Think You Can Dance season 3 finalist, Verb. Adding to the delightful line-up will be a free lunch-time concert by the KwaZulu-Natal Philharmonic Orchestra.
Tonight chatted to the festival’s creative director, Judith Hawthorn, who explains what makes this fun-filled family event different from other fests in Durban: “It is specifically geared towards senior primary school children, with opportunities to explore creative outlets that are not normally available at school. From mosaics and masks to beat boxing and gory stage make-up, it doesn’t get more fun than this.
And while the children are engaged in various exciting activities, there’s plenty for Mom and Dad to do: browse the craft market, grab something to eat, join in a free jive class or take in a show in our Media Hall,” she shares.
On their guest expectancy for this year, Hawthorn says about 3 500 people will attend. As for the amazing programme, she reveals how these acts were selected: “I ensured we only selected the most fantastic artists and teachers to challenge and stretch the children. Concerning Aaron and Lisa, well, I’ve been a huge fan for ever.
“They are well-known in Durban and we were looking for an act that was flexible (they are working with the children in some of the numbers) and had appeal to a wide audience, something for the parents and the grannies and grandpas, too.
“I predict even the teenagers will lift their heads from their iPhones long enough to have a laugh. I have worked with Lisa (in Cinderella and My Fair Lady) and it was a no-brainer to go with these two.
“I’ve seen Carvin ( pictured, right) a couple of times and love his brand of clean humour. It’s so refreshing to laugh in a stand-up show that you can take your children to.
“I’m passionate about getting the next generation to appreciate the performing arts and I think Carvin’s humour will persuade many families to make the effort to go and see live shows. Who knows where our next Trevor Noah will come from. Maybe he’s 7 years old, sitting in a show, breathing in the inspiration, ready to reach for his dream.”
With regards to the production, Anything is Possible, Hawthorne says Verb’s crew, Buck Kingdom, together with hip hop group, Lil Rascals, will battle on the dance floor, with slam poetry from Calvin: “Verb is a rising star who is inspiring kids all over South Africa to express themselves in a healthy way. He is everything we could look for in a positive role model for our children.”
Speaking of kids, there is plenty on offer in the form of workshops offering a variety of activities. These are aimed at 9 to 13 year olds and there is also a master class in contemporary dance for children with a minimum of four years’ dance experience.
With so much going on in one day, I ask the director about the challenges she has faced: “The constant challenge is to find enough hours in the day to do everything. The other challenge is to keep the budget balanced while providing outstanding shows that we hope will be sold out. The day also has its challenges as I manage the whole event while in character. I am Mistress Fantastical, the leader of the parade, and my job is to make sure the children get to where they need to go.”
So it seems, all that’s left is for festinos to enjoy the well-planned show. According to Hawthorne, this is an arts festival for the entire family which is extraordinary as there is something for everyone.
l The Festival in the Hills runs on Saturday at Curro HCA and in the City Hill auditorium in Hillcrest from 8.30am to 4.30pm. For more information, visit festivalinthehills. co.za. Book at Computicket.