Football fever for Friday

A class act to start

The consortium of VWV Group and Till Dawn Entertainment is producing the 2010 FIFA World Cup opening and closing ceremonies in what promises to be an authentic celebration of Africa; a showcase of the continents rich cultural heritage, while encapsulating Africa's progress under the theme 'Welcoming the World Home'.

Abey Mokgwatsane, CEO of VWV Group said, "We want to celebrate the African in all of us! Although the ceremonies will reflect our proud African cultural heritage, they will also manifest the economic and infrastructural progress that the continent has made."

The opening performance will include top class African talent to the likes of Zolani Mtyiva, Thandiswa Mazwai, TKZ, HHP, Hugh Masekela, and The Soweto Spiritual Choir. From further afield performers include Khaled from Algeria, Ghana's Osibisa, and Nigerian Femi Kuti. "South Africa and the rest of Africa are richly gifted with artistic talent. With a large selection of established and emerging artists it meant making the choice between performers all the more exciting and challenging," said Grammy award winning producer, Lebo M from Till Dawn.

"We want all viewers, whether at the stadium or watching on television, to be seated and ready for viewing by 2pm on Friday 11 June and 6.30pm on 11 July, to avoid missing out on this world class performance," urges Derek Carstens, chief marketing officer for the Organising Committee.

Five fan parks in Western Cape

The Western Cape provincial government, in partnership with municipalities in each District has organised five Fan Jols (Public Viewing Areas) that will all officially open today 11 June at 12 noon.

Fan Jols are open from 12noon to 12midnight on every Bafana Bafana match day, semi-finals and final. They are free and everyone is welcome to take part in activities that include a Kidz Zone, local entertainers and artists, coaching clinics, an inflatable soccer pitch for five-a-side action and of course live screenings of all matches on large outdoor screens. A beer garden plus food and soft drink vendors will ensure that everyone is fed and refreshed during the day. The public is not permitted to bring in alcohol.

Five sites

• Worcester: Boland Sports Ground
• Bredasdorp: Bredasdorp Sports Complex
• Vredenburg: Louwville Sports Ground
• Beaufort-West: Rasdien Stadium
• George: Rosemore Stadium

'Portugal at Heart' festival at Melrose Arch

Portugal kicks off its football presence with a heartfelt festival of festivities including fashion shows, gastronomic fairs, classical music concerts and a variety of performances from various Portuguese cultural groups over the next month at Melrose Arch. Organised by the Consulate General of Portugal in Johannesburg, in collaboration with the Portuguese Embassy in Pretoria, the fair will be open to the public from 10 June to 11 July.

Aptly named 'Portugal at Heart', the festival celebrates both football and Portugal itself, showcasing the country's historic links with South Africa, as well as its economic and cultural highlights. The centrepiece and symbol of the festival is the Red Independent Heart, a renowned sculpture by Portuguese artist, Joana Vasconcelos. This iconic piece - deeply symbolic of Portuguese pride and history and simultaneously modern and traditional - will be prominently displayed throughout the festival at the intersection of Cross and Slip Streets in the Melrose Arch precinct.

The sculpture was the inspiration for the Portugal at Heart logo and slogan - "Live Out Your Passion" - created by designer Gabriel Abreu, who is also author of the World Cup logo.

"The Portugal at Heart project began as soon as our national football team's qualification for the World Cup was confirmed," says Carlos Pereira Marques, the Consul General for Portugal in Johannesburg. "We wanted to support our team and reinforce their presence in South Africa with a range of activities that would best portray our country to South Africans and visitors."

An associated event, the "Portuguese Presence in Africa and the East" exhibition, being held at the Brenthurst Library, complements this group of activities perfectly, making the public aware of the historical roots and strong links that unite the Portuguese to Africa and helped shape the Portugal of today.

Parking during Newtown 2010 Festival

The Newtown 2010 Festival, which has been made possible by a grant of R3, 109-million awarded to the Newtown Management District by the National Lottery Distribution Trust Fund has a bonanza of arts, culture and soccer-related celebrations.

However, patrons should take note of certain parking guidelines so they can have peace of mind while whooping it up in Joburg's party central. Bree and Jeppe streets will be closed between Miriam Makeba and Henry Nxumalo streets until 11 July 2010 due to the Public Viewing Area (PVA) at Mary Fitzgerald Square. However, Miriam Makeba and Henry Nxumalo streets will remain open to traffic.

Visitors to the various venues should make use of their respective parking facilities - Bassline parking for Dance Factory and Bassline performances, Sci-Bono Discovery Centre parking for visitors to the centre, Bus Factory parking for visitors to the Market Photo Workshop exhibition. The paid-for parking at 1 Central Place parking may be used by visitors to the various restaurants and by spectators taking in the World Cup games at the PVA.

The Market Theatre parking will only be accessible to visitors to the Market Theatre, Gramadoelas, Museum Africa, and the Market Bar and Bistro. There will be on-street parking available on President and Henry Nxumalo streets, in addition to various off-street parking areas in and around Newtown. A strong security presence will ensure that Newtown is safe for revellers, even into the wee hours of the morning.

Go to www.newtown.co.za for a detailed parking map and event line-up.