Fresha Festival 2019 Is Fast Approaching

The Fresha Festival of free fun family al-fresco theatre will be staged for the third time on Durban’s North Beach at the end of the school holidays for three days on 18, 19, 20 January.

Full Programme

The 2019 programme and performance details are below.

Opening Procession

Friday 18th January, from 5 pm:

Join us for an hour of strange and unusual happenings to kick off the festival. A taste of the weekend to come.

Yoga

Sunday 20 January & Sunday 21 January: 7 am - 8 am

Join us at 7 am to salute the sun! An easy open yoga class for all ages and all levels. Bring your own yoga mat or towel to sit on.

Free, open dance classes

Saturday 19 January: 8 am - 9 am: DanceXercise 
Sunday 20 January: 8 am - 9 am: Zumba class

No matter how many left feet you have - join us for a fun, free class to get the year started on the right foot (or the left one).

Get involved!

Sunday 20 January & Sunday 21 January: 9 am onwards 

On Saturday join in with Mzansi Arts Development Ensemble for a workshop on creating art out of waste.  Join Gerard O for a masterclass in street performance on Sunday:  whether you are an aspiring actor, comedian or just want to entertain yourself - come and explore the mad world of this acclaimed Dutch performer for an hour.  Free of charge.  All day every day, add your wisest bit of advice from your favourite song in our open art exhibition: Advice from Songs. Inspired by Swiss Artist Marcus Kraft and his work - PopMusicWisdom.

Missing

Performance Art
Saturday 19 January & Sunday 20 January at 1 pm

Thought-provoking, uncomfortable, yet beautiful to watch.  Concept and performance by doung Anwar Jahangeer.

7 Chairs 

Street theatre
Saturday 19 January & Sunday 20 January at 1:20 pm

A simple act with 7 chairs and 7 actors who expect that something will happen. Presented by Ithubalabasha Arts.

Gerard O

Street comedian
Saturday 19 January & Sunday 20 January at 1:40 pm

Dutch street comedian, Gerard Olthaar has performed at festivals around the world. Back at Fresha for the third time , anything can happen!

Tran(ce)sitions 

Contemporary Dance
Saturday 19 January & Sunday 20 January at 2 pm

Sizwe Hlope presents an outstanding work exploring the ties that bind and ropes / umbilical cords / railway pathways / roots.

The Goal

Street theatre
Saturday 19 January & Sunday 20 January at 2:20 pm

On the pitch and off the pitch. Women versus men - the eternal game of courtship without the usual rules.  Umlazi Arts Academy.

Promises

Street satire
Saturday 19 January & Sunday 20 January at 2:40 pm

When politicians promise rain on Fridays, no more dying, and more love for all; who can we trust? Who do we vote for?  034 Drama.

The Thing about Wolves

Puppets 
Saturday 19 January & Sunday 20 January at 3 pm

A delightful collaboration between puppeteers from the Handspring Puppet company and the Mahlekahlathini Mask & Puppet Players.

Cats and the Curse

Dance
Saturday 19 January & Sunday 20 January at 3:20 pm

When two boys are cursed and turned into cats they have to fight to win the heart of a beautiful girl. Zamokhukhanya Productions.

Street Mime

Mime artist
Saturday 19 January & Sunday 20 January at 3.40 pm

Sibo Masondo delights kids and adults alike with his gently observed comedy and perfectly timed mime.

Old skool vs new skool

Street Dance
Saturday 19 January & Sunday 20 January at 4 pm

Award-winning choreographer Jarryd Watson and his dance troupe from the Wenthworth Arts Organisation present all the tricks and kicks of street dance.

Love is stronger

Physical theatre 
Saturday 19 January & Sunday 20 January at 4.20 pm

In a society where we can be killed for who we love, maybe love can be stronger than death.

Look up 

Aerial act
Saturday 19 January & Sunday 20 January at 4.40 pm

The amazing entertainers from Innov8 gym wow us way up above the ground.

Sundowner Showcases - Live Music

Join us for live music on the Bay of Plenty lawns to dance and watch the sun go down.

The South Jersey Pompoms 

Saturday 19 January at 5pm 

Sassy & sharp, slightly Burlesque and joyously off-kilter; these happy rebels  bring you their catchy tunes performed in German, French,  Italian, English & Spanglish.

Zulu Blue and La Canta Rosa

Sunday 20 January at 5 pm 

An awesome collaboration between a wonderful Afro-blues outfit and an opera quartet. Think Busi Mhlongo with a touch of Puccini and a little bit of Miriam Makeba!

For more info, visit www.freshafestival.co.za.. Find Fresha Festival on facebook and @freshafest on twitter.

All festival events are at the Bay of Plenty lawns, North Beach and are free. There is a tent for rainy days, so come down whatever the weather!

This edition by Fred Felton | Twitter @fredfelton