'32 Lavender Close' keeps its door locked

The National Arts Festival cranked into gear in a bright but pockmarked Makhanda on Thursday. The streets were full of vendors setting up stalls, a few posters were stuck to lampposts, which will hopefully have some colourful bunting or signage hung soon — for the vibe.  There is a sense of excitement and the usual panic from artists performing their first show of the day.