Iconic sculptures to be officially unveiled at Newtown precinct
NEWTOWN – Local businesses will all participate in the festival in their own, special way.
Join the hustle and bustle of the inaugural Newtown Now Festival featuring a special jazz performance for all music lovers.
It is all system go for the Newtown Now Festival on 14 July where renowned jazz artist, Femi Koya, will delight fans with his groovy sounds. The festival is organised by Sticky Situations and 56 Pim Studios in conjunction with the Johannesburg Development Agency and neighbouring businesses.
According to Tanya Hugo from 56 Pim Studios, there are special surprises planned. She said people can expect an exciting new look with more art, craft and produce on display. There will also be an array of free tours for people to get a glimpse of the new and revamped buildings around the Newtown precinct.
“We will be installing new flags created by Impilo Literacy Project’s students and we’ll even decorate the precinct with rainbow colours,” said Hugo.
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“There will be fun-filled activities to accommodate everyone, including children. What is more exciting is that the festival is owned by everyone within the precinct.”
All the shops, studios, museums and other businesses around the precinct will participate in their own, unique way. Museums will showcase their work, shops will display a range of products, young entrepreneurs will exhibit their crafts and there will also be live performances, including Koya himself.
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The main focus will be the unveiling of sculptures of heads by Americo Guambe which are currently on display in the Newtown precinct. Jennifer van der Bussche from Sticky Situation said there are 515 heads installed, and they have refurbished about 200 of them, which will be unveiled.
“The heads were installed in 2001 and 2002 during the refurbishment of the Mary Fitzgerald Square. Americo Guambe and his team created these heads that represents that we are all different but we are all together,” she said.
Van der Bussche said there will be lots of exciting activities for everyone, adding that even though the festival is free, people are encouraged to support the entrepreneurs who will be selling their products.
South African Breweries will also be screening the Soccer World Cup semi-final to enhance the fun.
Johannesburg Development Agency 087 808 1099.
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