November 3, 2006
By Ndaba Dlamini
NEWTOWN will be turned into a gigantic kids' playground for the one-day Newtown Children's Festival on Sunday, 5 November.
Organised by the Newtown Improvement District and the Gauteng Tourism Authority as part of International Children's Day celebrations, the fun-filled day will feature theatre, storytelling, acrobats, clowns and jugglers among many other attractions.
According to the organisers, the festival is geared towards re-introducing Newtown to locals and positioning the precinct as a cultural hub to diverse audiences. It also aims to inculcate a culture of patronising the arts among Jozi's younger set.
Soweto Marimba Kidz performing at the Botanical Gardens in Emmarentia
Carmel Nair, the cultural programmes manager of the Newtown cultural precinct, says the festival will provide children with the right environment to learn effectively through play.
"Stimulation through physical activity, games, puzzles and crafts is crucial for children's development. We have put together a programme of activities that ensures that children from the ages of four to 13 years will be well catered for, and we are looking forward to a day where children take centre stage."
On the day the highlight will be a musical collaboration between Siya Makuzeni and Corlea Botha. The two singers will use the lullabies and folk songs they grew up singing to deliver fresh rhythms set to appeal to both the young and the old.
Yet another attraction will be the Soweto Marimba Kidz, a 25-strong band composed of 12- to 16-year-olds. The group has played at various arts and culture events around Gauteng and recently wowed people at the Absa Soweto Festival in Kliptown.
Most kids will be delighted to see their favourite Yo-TV presenters in the flesh and Selae "Sly" Thobakgale and Busiwe will perform, leading the audience in exercises and making them feel they are part of the show, not just spectators.
The television and radio personality Rude Boy Paul is also on the bill. He will give a motivational talk to the young audience, many of whom will leave Newtown somewhat wiser.
Not far from Mary Fitzgerald Square, where the music will be taking place, the Dance Factory will host a series of hip-hop, ballet and contemporary classes for children of all ages from 11am to 3.30pm. A fee of R5 a child will be charged.
Newtown Park will be abuzz with workshops, teaching crafts such as beading, crocheting, pizza-making and flower pot making. There will also be drumming workshops, storytelling and face-painting. All these activities will cost R5 a child.
And what kind of children's festival would it be without a puppet show and jumping castles? These attractions, along with stilt walkers, clowns, jugglers and magic shows, will be on offer - and they are all free. Educational toys, books and clothing will also be on sale.
The Newtown Children's Festival takes place on Sunday, 5 November, from 10am. All activities will wrap up at 5pm.
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