Media release

Spectacular, moving opening night planned for Arts Alive

For the first time in its 17-year history, the annual Joburg Arts Alive International Festival will open with a spectacular - and moving - bang!

The event takes place on Thursday September 3rd in the Mary Fitzgerald Square in Newtown, Johannesburg and features a FREE PUBLIC show that draws in and highlights all the creative elements that will make up this year's Joburg Arts Alive International Festival. The star of the show will undoubtedly be Dorothy Masuku who is celebrating her birthday on September 3rd. As part of a tribute to this southern African icon and Joburg resident Musuku will be performing with Sibongile Khumalo, Gloria Bosman and Abigail Kubheka on the night.

A highlight of the opening night is set to be the massed children's choir that draws together four choirs from Craighall Primary (Craighall), Ebuhleni Primary (Soweto), Cyrildene Primary (Cyrildene) and Minerva High (Alexandra). They will be singing an up-beat repertoire which includes "The Arts Alive" anthem which has been especially composed for the opening by Dennis East and Nik Sakellarides and features Sibongile Khumalo as soloist.

The emotional and uplifting anthem touches on the underpinning value of the 2009 Joburg Arts Alive International Festival - which is "to keep the arts alive".

The 2009 Joburg Arts Alive International Festival will be officially opened by the Executive Mayor of Joburg, Mr Amos Masondo, who will address the city during the evening's proceedings.

The City's Junior Mayor, Stephanie van Straten and seven of her councillors will also take a starring role on the night, representing each of Joburg's seven regions as well as the different arts disciplines covered by this year's Joburg Arts Alive International Festival including music, poetry, visual arts, comedy, theatre and dance. Highlights of the programme - which runs from September 3 rd to September 27th - will be displayed during the evening's entertainment.

For the full 2009 Joburg Arts Alive International Festival programme go to www.artsalive.co.za

Arts Alive tickets can be bought from Computicket or call 083 915 8000.
TICKETS FOR THE 969 FESTIVAL EVENTS CAN BE BOUGHT FROM STRICTLYTICKETS OR CALL 073 725 7381.
For information or media-related queries contact Rami Nhlapo 011 886 0502 or email rami@zanusi.co.za.
Programme is subject to change.