By Frederick Philander The May Arts Festival programme will precede the Bank Windhoek Winter Arts Festival to be launched at a press conference next Tuesday, it was announced in a press release. The first-ever Bank Windhoek Winter Arts Festival will take place in June and July 2007. “Due to popular demand, Bank Windhoek has created the first-ever Winter Arts Festival that will include a host of local artists in various art mediums. The choice to produce a Winter Arts Festival comes in light of the increasing demand for an arts culture in Namibia and the need to provide additional exposure for Namibian artists,” said Marlize Horn, Senior Manager at Marketing and Corporate Communications Services at Bank Windhoek. During the month of May 2007, art enthusiasts can look forward to a variety of performances and exhibitions. These events include: – The Bank Windhoek Omba Gallery presents: Team Naturally Namibia Fashion, Textile and Accessory Exhibition Presented by Pambili. May 1 – May 6, 2007. Bank Windhoek Omba Gallery. – National Art Gallery of Namibia presents Lukas Amakali’s Exhibition. May 1 – May 13, 2007, National Art Gallery of Namibia. – National Art Gallery of Namibia presents Ziggy Martin. This Namibian artist exhibits his paintings and mixed media. Kay Cowley, NAGN Curator, will be the guest speaker at the opening. May 4 to May 20, 2007. – Swakopmund Kunstvereinigung presents Pedro Vorster. Machine Head and the Template of copper and lead. Opening by Heidemarie Rappmund and Pedro Vorster. May 4, opening date. Exhibition from May 5 – May 19, 2007. – The Warehouse Theatre presents Fu’Jazz. Fu’Jazz is a regular Bi-monthly (Every second Sunday of each month) early Sunday evening Jazz and Jazz-Fusion events, featuring local Jazz bands. May6 – May 20, 2007. – Studio 77 presents Werner Hangula’s mixed media and graphics design. May 7 – May 19, 2007. – The Bank Windhoek Omba Gallery presents landscape and oil paintings by Dagmer Fredericks. Opening date, May 10, 2007. Viewing dates: May 11 – May 29, 2007. – Socratic Society of Namibia. Auditorium – UNAM library. May 10, 2007. – Warehouse presents Oviritje Producers featuring Katjia and Amos. Modern contemporary African life music. May 11 – May 12, 2007. – Studio 77 presents Professor AndrÃÆ’Æ‘Æ‘ÃÆ”šÃ‚© du Pisani, photographer exhibiting landscapes. Opening date: May 22, 2007. Viewing dates: May 23 – June 9, 2007. – Junelle Stroh en Tanya Terblanche Bied aan: Soies Plesier – ‘n prettige uur! May 24, 2007. Studio 77. – Launching of the NADA modeling academy: Charm course award ceremony with local designer and local artists. “The gateway to fulfilling your dreams” May 26, 2007. – Studio 77 presents, SjordÃÆ’Æ‘Æ‘ÃÆ”šÃ‚© 2007 with Lady May: May 30 to June 1, 2007. – The Warehouse Theatre presents Spear of Culture. A monthly event taking place on the last Thursday of the month. The event features Namibian choirs, cultural troupes, and theatre and poetry groups, reflecting one of the many Namibian cultures. You can visit the Bank Windhoek Arts Festival website at www.bankwindhoekarts.com.na for information on the monthly events taking place. Namibians can also read more about upcoming events in the local media and in monthly brochures available at Bank Windhoek branches in Windhoek. Should you have any enquiries about the 2007 Bank Windhoek Arts Festival, please do not hesitate to contact Aldo Behrens, Coordinator of the Bank Windhoek Arts Festival, at 081 236 7491 or e-mail him at behrensa@bankwindhoek.co.