MOSSEL BAY NEWS - It is with great excitement that it can be announced that Mossel Bay will indeed have its own Eisteddfod this year.
This news comes after it was understood that it was in jeopardy of being cancelled.
Local arts educators and other interested parties approached ArtSpace to rescue the situation and host this hugely popular and necessary cultural event.
To this end, a major amount of work and organising has been done behind the scenes and, with this year's motto of "Take a Bow", it is hoped that this will turn into one of the best Mossel Bay Eisteddfods so far. In addition to the exciting and newly-revised Dance section, a host of contemporary, modern and relevant categories have been added. Entries are not only limited to learners - adults too are warmly invited to participate.
Adjudication will take place at Point High School as follows: Music 22 - 26 August, and Word Art 29 August - 3 September. Great news is that the dance section has been enlarged and extended to now run over two days, namely 6 and 7 September. Registrations, which close on 5 August, may be made online.
Visual Art entries have to be delivered to Point High School, for attention of the Head: Music Department, prior to or on 5 August. The excellent adjudicators secured include four renowned arts authorities: Philippus Hugo (music), Ilse Schmidt (word art), Estelle McIlrath (visual art), and Joubert Jonker (dance).
Philippus Hugo obtained the degrees BMus, BMus Hon and MMus (cum laude) in piano at the University of Stellenbosch. Apart from his remarkable music accomplishments, he is a renowned adjudicator who really needs no introduction.
The news of his involvement at this year's event has been extremely well received by music educators.
Ilse Schmidt is a well-known actress, translator, examiner and Eisteddfod adjudicator. Many may recall seeing her in film and television productions such as Verkeerde Nommer, Torn Allegiance, Skooldae 1 & 2, Mattewis en Meraai, Scotty Smith, YarWellNoFine and VeeBee. More recently she played in the stage production Ysteraster en Festen.
Estelle McIlrath is a respected and well-known personality in Mossel Bay. In 1984 she established the award-winning Estelle McIlrath Art School.
She has received many art-teaching awards and accolades - both national and international - for her unique and successful teaching methodology.
In addition to being regularly invited to present workshops at schools, universities, galleries, and the World Children's Art Festival, Estelle is a respected adjudicator at local and national competitions such as the International Peace Competition arranged by the Lions.
Joubert Jonker is well known in dance circles and is a sought-after and very busy dance adjudicator, tending events all over the country.
In addition to his role as adjudicator in the popular Via series Dans in jou Taal, he has also performed and adjudicated in Portugal, England, Spain and Egypt and regularly undertakes international dance tours.
Entries may be submitted online until 5 August.
Visit the Mossel Bay Eisteddfod Facebook page to view the respective prospectuses - with their relevant categories, enrolment details, guidelines and rules.
Further information is available from Abé Meintjes (083 268 3718).
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