By Obakeng Maje
Taung- North West Department of Art, Culture and Traditional Affairs in conjunction with National Lottery launched a Cultural Calabash that will take place on the 27th September 2014.
Taung Cultural Calabash is a unique youth based arts festival held annually in Taung, North West province and its sets out to discover new talent through a series of auditions held at district level. Amateur and semi-professional artists are identified in Dane, Drama, Music and Visual Arts.

“What makes this Festival unique, however, is that it also showcases the talents of youngsters who live in the province thanks to a series of district events held throughout North West in August to uncover budding young actors, dancers and singers and have them showcase their skills” Mmabana Foundation CEO Moatlhodi Dilotsotlhe said.
Dilotsotlhe said auditions and competition eliminations will be held within four selected districts, namely: Bojanala Platinum District, Dr Ruth Mompati District, Ngaka Modiri District and Kenneth Kaunda District and that will be served by the Department of Arts and Culture.
The winners in each category will take part in development workshops, where only the best selected participants will make the line up for the main festival held traditionally during the last week of September.
“Not only will the winners be performing at the festival but they will also receive prizes and follow-up skills development, management and mentoring. The festival will feature a comedy show, theatre productions and the main festival, which will feature some of SA’s top performing artists” North West Department of Art, Culture and Traditional Affairs MEC Tebogo Modise said.

On Friday 26th September 2014, the Mmabana Theatre will play host to a variety of theatre and dance productions featuring both local and national artists. There is also a show, which is a new element to the Festival to look forward to, featuring local comedy talent as well as some of Mzansi’s funny men.

The Main Calabash event on Saturday, September 27th will be held at the Taung Sport Ground from 12 noon until late.

On the Sunday, September 28th A Jazz Festival will be hosted where festival-goers can spend a relaxed afternoon in the sun enjoying the smooth sounds of local and national jazz and gospel singers.

The Taung Cultural Calabash Festival is sponsored by the National Lottery Distribution Trust Fund, North West Department Culture, Arts and Traditional Affairs, Mmabana Arts Culture & Sport Foundation and the Greater Taung Local Municipality. –TDN
Follow us on Twitter@Taung_DailyNews or @IceT_