I am not an influencer but……

by Sharlene Versfeld | Posted on 9th September 20199th September 2019

Thinking of something to do this weekend? Read on…it’s the Hilton Arts Festival (13-15 September) – for day-trippers or overnighters.

Pause here for a moment. Indulge me. And in my teeny-weeny little way, even smaller than an “on fleek” #micro-influencer with some “lit” social media posts, I intend to get you off your Neflixed-little-butt, onto your computer and purchasing your tickets for the Hilton Arts Festival. ‘

‘Tis me #sharlenetheminifluencer. Pretty cool name hey – like #JackTheGiantSlayer – but smaller.

Festivals! That chance to binge, well pig out really, on everything arty, drink loads of red wine, catch up with friends and keep a tab running at the uber-hipster coffee vendors. But oh the choices! The choices! And then if you are like me sometimes –booking #lastminutedotcom because you are #beingaparent #runningabusiness #tryingtokeepmiddleagspread from you know #spreading – then panic sets it.

Am I going to miss the ONE performance that everyone is talking about? And then the indignity of not being able to contribute to the very “artsy” chat over the delish gluwein about the very poignant/hard-hitting/thought-provoking/add-adjective-here-piece ! Eish the choices!

This year, I am delighted to declare that I have read my #HiltonArtsFestival programme from cover to cover. I have ticked my choices, and purchased tickets for me. Only me. (I leave the hubby at home, it’s easier (for him) not to have to act as my personal uber driver, because one more theatre dahling person has twisted my very easily twisted arm to stay on!) The kids come with me. I don’t book tickets for them. We wing it on the day – “ear to the ground” kind of approach – what’s hot, and then there is a mad scramble for the ticket booth. (Don’t be that idiot like me!).

So my choices….drum roll……

The Revlon Girl

First up is The Revlon Girl – comes highly recommended so I am going with that. (Not telling the teen daughter that this is not a play about the latest make-up trends, BUT an award-winning piece about friendship among women in the wake of the Welsh colliery disaster in 1966 – apparently stunningly executed by Heidi Mollentze).

Then if Anthony Stonier, (performing in Thanks for The Melodies), long-time friend and erstwhile hair-permer (yes, folks he was responsible for some of my shocking eighties big hair do’s) does not persuade me to commune with a bunch of old friends, I am off to see Leonard Cohen – A Tribute performed by Dave Starke. I have no clue how this will be but am taking the plunge.

Anthony Stonier
Benny Bushwhacker aka Ben Voss

Leonard is one of my all-time favourite artists. He was first introduced to me in a tutorial at university in PMB by an inspiring and rather loopy lecturer by the name of Tony Voss. And why would I mention that? Well, it turns out that be spawned an equally inspiring and loopy son – Ben Voss, and Ben Voss’s alter-ego is Benny Bushwhacker – who is performing his conservation-comedy show – which is really funny – and if you are into nature (which I am) it’s well worth seeing. (Add to YOUR list NOW!)

Ok so speaking of nature, after a trail run with my bestie on Saturday morning, it’s to TWO (yes 2!) talks about Birds. I love the lectures, having had opportunities to hear people like Patricia Glynn, Paul Slabolepszy and many other speak about their lives and their work. I am also (as some of my friends know) a nature guide, and of late, because I am #runningmyownbusiness, I have not been in the bush and so have become a little rusty! So it’s Adam Riley’s lecture on Spectacular Birds of the World followed by Adrian Koopman’s Zulu Bird Names and Bird Lore. I was at Adrian’s lecture on Zulu plant names a few years back at the fest and it was riveting!

The Place of Small Miracles

Then Michael Taylor-Broderick’s The Place of Small Miracles with Cara Roberts is by far a BIG FAT YES from me. Magical and mesmerizing work comes from this team which also includes Bryan Hiles (who is also performing in a gadzillion things at Hilton) and they never disappoint. Ever.

Kafka’s Ape

I have managed to squeeze in Kafka’s Ape with the incredibly talented award-winning Tony Miyambo – I saw him twice in Grahamstown a number of years back and his performances blew me away.

Brutal Legacy

On Sunday I am taking in two hard-hitting works – An Extraordinary Life and Brutal Legacy. The former is a piece by Jervis Pennington star of a major SA talent contest in the 80’s (others who are also having their #middleagedspreadcrisis like me – will remember him). It is a poignant memoir about his fall from grace and finding his way back.

I must admit, I am a bit nervous about Brutal Legacy, but in light of all femicide and gender-based-violence disgustingness, I think it’s a must. It’s the story of the horrific abuse inflicted on TV celeb Tracy Going and her journey out of it. It’s directed by Lesedi Job and described as a “heart-warming must-see.” The one “nice” thing about this piece – is that Natasha Sutherland is in it. She is originally from Durban, and as local theatre-lovers, we still claim her as one of our own!

Scene from Nicole Schafer’s award-winning film Buddha in Africa

If I could I would also catch some of Mike van Graan’s pieces – he is always a firm fest favourite – as well as Jaques de Silva in Evil. Oh, and there are loads of films on too! One you HAVE to go see – not only because I have been working with the film-maker, Nicole Schafer, but because it’s just a damn good film – Buddha in Africa.

In between all of this…. there are the free street performances and LOADS of art and LOADS of great shopping at the market and there’s the delish coffee, and the food, and the familiar faces and the catch-ups.