Magnet Theatre to Host 17th Annual Clanwilliam Arts Project, THE LIZARD, THE BEETLE, THE MICE AND THE MANTIS

Some 700 learners in the Western Cape town of Clanwilliam will be busy over the week of the 25th to the 29th September interpreting and re-enacting a story told by the /Xam (Cape San) people who occupied the area they live in today, countless years ago.

The story always holds a modern-day lesson for the children, and is chosen each year from an archive of San narratives recorded by colonial linguists Lucy Lloyd and Wilhelm Bleek in the 1870s. This archive has formed the basis for the Clanwilliam Arts Project which is an ongoing collaboration between the University of Cape Town and Magnet Theatre. This year's story is called THE LIZARD, THE BEETLE, THE MICE AND THE MANTIS.

The Clanwilliam Arts Project is a catalyst for various aspects of youth development. It has become an important training ground for facilitators, with up to 40 drama, music, dance and fine art students gaining valuable community arts development experience, and other community organisations in the Cape West Coast asking for mentorship. The project has resulted in the formation of a permanent drama group in Clanwilliam, COMNET, which has been registered as an independent NGO. The workshop facilitators are from the Michaelis School of Fine Art, the UCT Drama Department, the UCT College of Music, the School of Dance, Jazzart Dance theatre Magnet Theatre and COMNET.

The Clanwilliam learners will explore the theme in a week-long workshop involving dance, storytelling, drama, shadow puppetry, stilt walking, music, drumming, arts and crafts, such as the construction of larger-than-life illuminated figures based on traditional San themes.

The workshops culminate in a parade and performance for the community. The performance uses /Xam storytelling elements, including fire dancing, music and mythical objects made by the learners. Approximately 3 000 people witness this remarkable event every year, which is considered to be one of the Western Cape's best kept secrets.

The Clanwilliam Arts Project is generously supported by Rooibos Ltd., the University of Cape Town and the Clanwilliam Sakekamer.

This funding however does not cover the cost of the beloved T-shirts which each learner receives as a badge of participation in the event. We are looking for further sponsorship to cover these costs. The T-shirt is especially designed each year and offers branding opportunity to any funder. To cover this cost we have started a generosity campaign to raise funds to cover the cost of the T-shirt. Please see below the link to our campaign. Here is the link to the campaign: www.generosity.com/community-fundraising/clanwilliam-arts-project-t-shirt

IF YOU GO:

2017 Clanwilliam Arts Project / Lantern Festival

THE LIZARD, THE BEETLE, THE MICE AND THE MANTIS.

Workshop dates: 24th September - 1st October 2017

Lantern Parade and Performance: 1st October 2017 (Sunday)

FREE EVENT

Venue of performance: TBC (Clanwilliam Showgrounds/ Sederberg Primary School), Clanwilliam

Time: Parade starts at 18h00 and the Performance round 19h30.

Pictured: Lantern parade 2016. Photo by Mark Wessels.

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