Young performers: Rafi Peer Arts Festival begins on 19th

Students to showcase music, dance and theatre skills

LAHORE: The 14th Rafi Peer Youth Performing Arts Festival would be held from November 19 to November 22.

Teams from more than 20 educational institutions will present music, dance and theatre at Alhamra Cultural Complex, Gaddafi Stadium. These include the National College of Arts, the Kinnaird College, the Government College University, the Punjab University, the Lahore School of Economics, St Anthony’s High School, Salamat School, the Beaconhouse School System and the Lahore Grammar School.

The festival has suffered over the last few years due to security concerns. The venue was also shifted at Peerus Café on Raiwind Road.

It, however, returned to the city last year under the banner of Rafi Peer Theatre Workshops.

Alena Peerzada, creative director for the festival, said they had received a good public response. “For us, it has been an emotional journey. We have had to keep the festival low key over the past few years,” she told The Express Tribune.

Films will be screened and workshops held during the daytime; all other performances will be held in the evening. A rock night featuring artists from the underground music world such as Red Blood Cat and Shorbanoor will also be part of the festival.

The grand finale, including an award ceremony, will take place on November 22.

A day pass for the festival costs Rs300 and individual passes Rs100 each. The passes are available at Alhamra.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 15^th, 2015.