November 21, 2006
By Lucky Sindane
HIV/AIDS affects us all - this message is the core of the When Life Happens festival.
Amateur and professional artists are taking part in the fourth annual When Life Happens festival, which is happening at various venues in Newtown and other areas of Joburg from Tuesday, 21 November to Sunday, 3 December.
"In the spirit of togetherness and giving, this festival brings together seasoned professionals, emerging talents and community-based artists to present a programme that is totally free of charge to all," said the event's co-ordinator, PJ Sabbagha.
"When Life Happens demonstrates and galvanises the ability of South African artists … to mobilise as an integrated and consolidated community, aware of its social responsibility and its ability to act proactively as an agent of social change."
The festival will be launched with a fine arts and photographic exhibition on Tuesday at 6.30pm at Museum Africa. It will run for the duration of the festival.
Garments by leading South African fashion designer Paul Monroe form a unique feature of this year's exhibition.
Paintings by 15 HIV-positive children from the Carl Sithole orphanage in Soweto are part of the exhibition.
"When Life Happens is an arts and culture festival that focuses specifically on the presence of HIV and Aids in the lives of all South Africans. The festival provides a free platform for interested artists," Sabbagha explained.
"The result is a dynamic, profoundly moving and uniquely South African arts and culture experience featuring contributions and performances by many artists from a vast and diverse spectrum of backgrounds and disciplines."
Venues taking part in the festival include Museum Africa, Dance Factory, Shivava Café, Troyeville Peace of Music Centre, Fuel Café and the US Consulate, on the corner of Pritchard and Harrison streets. The venues will host performances and exhibitions ranging from poetry to photography, music and theatre.
"The festival aims at all levels to create a sincere and profoundly honest experience that we hope will be a moving, thought provoking and meaningful experience that adds some value to the lives of all those who attend," Sabbagha said.
All performances and entry to the venues are free.
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