Horror unravels on Twitter

I have succumbed to the delights of Twitter.  Failing to understand what it is about, I decided to write a Twitter Horror.  130 characters – twice a day.  It is an interestting experiment because I think the trick is to make every tweet (130 characters) into as near as possible functional story on its own, but when [...]

Day 3, Franschhoek Litfest – Getting serious about creativity.

  Sunday rolled on and for the first time in three days the sun decided to make an appearance; reflecting violently from the water pools, streets and shop windows. Teliwe went to a talk featuring Diale Tlholwe, Finuala Dowling and Vikas Swarup – chaired by Michele Magwood. It was all about the writers’ urge to [...]

Franschhoek Litfest – Day 2

The Youth Affair put forward a play during the Litfest that just oozed raw talent and passion. It is an initiative by the youth, for the youth, to keep them from rabble rousing on the streets.  The play entitled, Maid in Franschhoek, tells the tale of two girls that work together in a guest house.  [...]

Arriving in Franschhoek – Day 1 of the Litfest. Is it possible to know too much?

The rain is gushing down as we drive along the highway from Cape Town to Franschhoek in Teliwe’s baby blue jalopy. Water is leaking in from the bottom and we have to keep the windows open to keep the car from steaming up.  She laughs.  We screech into the pastoral village at around 5; unload cameras, laptops, [...]

Live Blogging from the Franschhoek Litfest.

I am off to join in on the ultimate in adventure sport for bibliophiles; the Franschhoek Literary Festival. Drool over the latest releases by local authors, scream in horror and delight at the slam poetry and eat and drink in the pastoral streets and frosty mountain air. True to Stark’s unVirgo-esque nature, not a ticket has been bought nor an itinerary planned. All I know is that Sindiwe Magona (Beauty’s Gift) Tom Eaton, Vikas Swarup, the deliciously controversial Max du Preez and many others will be there … Ah and Koos Kombuis. Wonder what he is up to? There will be a play by one of my heroes, Mike van Graan, and music and poetry recitial, and of course all the delicious Franschhoek wine that you can drink. Unlike slumming it in a tent at the recent KKNK, I will be staying in a room with four walls and a roof. I believe it is called a Hotel; the Protea Hotel nonetheless. Ah there is something to be said for hot showers, clean sheets and snug pillows.
What I really like is that the Litfest uses all the money raised to buy books for local schools and to support the crèches.
And close by my side will be my sand and sky sister, Taliwe; she who dances with lanterns and swims with Sangomas. So we are looking forward to a weekend filled with laughter, debate, dreams, music and fantasy as we run through the imaginariums of our minds and join the rest of the Clan of the Book.
Litfest – 15-17 May 2009

Art opskop at the KKNK

©Astrid Stark First published in  Business Day;  Weekender, 11 April ’09 Roosterkoek grilled on an open fire, juicy Kudu sausages drenched in tomato relish, Ostrich biltong, bokkoms, pancakes dripping with syrup, melktert, koeksisters, and an ice-cold beer at the end of a long hot day. It’s that time of year when thousands of art lovers [...]

Rock bands at KKNK

Andre Visagie of the progressive rock group, Teerpad, burns up the amps. at the National Arts Festival.

Over and out from the KKNK!

  It’s over!    I am broke, exhausted, and my head is spinning from all the chaotic sounds, tastes and textures. I have only but skimmed the surface of what’s on offer at the KKNK. The festival is bursting at the seams; undiscovered gems are buried underneath the many mediocre performers that fill up every second [...]

Indigenous dancers steal the show

My favourite by far. Traditional rieldancers perform ritualistic dances.   The dancers are from the !Garob Project, which is a partnership between the KKNK and local communities.  Their projects include the Khoi Konnexion featuring the Ghetto Poet of Tanneman !Xamm, Jitsvinger and other indigenous performers. During the Rieldans, the boys alternate between performing as young bushmen, and then [...]

Roosterkoeke and rainstorms.

Stoke the fire for Roosterkoeke! Roosterkoeke and juicy kudu burgers dripping with tomato relish, pancakes and an ice-cold beer at the end of a hot, hot day. Running hysterically down Voortrekker road, searching for the next gig, Suurgat 2, en sien toe die snaakste uitbeelding van n papsaksuipende bergie deur Leon Kruger opgevoer.  Leon spot [...]