Cape Town Central City business owners keep coming up with great events and activities for visitors to revel in – with safety protocols in place, of course. With the amazing weather lately, these are not to be missed. Here’s our selection of what you can experience in downtown Cape Town in the next weeks.
ART
In [the] Loop
Now on till 5 March 2021
Ebony/Curated is kicking off 2021 with an exciting exhibition featuring not one but eleven talented artists. Called, “In the loop”, the show gives a platform to artists who would normally have been included in the gallery’s booths at the Investec Cape Town Art Fair in mid-February. With the art fair postponed to May 2021 due to Covid-19, the gallery is giving the artists a chance to have their works viewed by physical audiences.
Where: Ebony/Curated, 67 Loop St
When: 09h30 – 17h00
Cost: Free
www.ebonycurated.com
As below so above
Now on till 6 March 2020
Don’t miss Chris Soal’s solo exhibition, “As below so above”, at WHATIFTHEWORLD. Soal is renowned for using unconventional objects such as bottle tops and toothpicks to create some of his artwork.
Where: WHATIFTHEWORLD, 16 Buiten St
When: 09h00 – 17h00 (Monday to Thursday), 09h00 – 16h00 (Friday) and 09h00 – 13h00 (Saturday)
Cost: Free
www.whatiftheworld.com
StateoftheART Gallery
Intimacy
Now on till 13 March 2021
Make time to visit StateoftheART Gallery as they’re currently showing their first exhibition of the year called “Intimacy” by Lisette Forsyth. Gallery director Jennifer Reynolds explains that with this exhibition, Forsyth “explores intimate and private relationships between people, places, and things”.
Where: StateoftheART Gallery, 50 Buitenkant St
When: 10h00 – 16h00 (Monday to Friday), 10h00 – 13h00 (Saturday)
Cost: Free
www.stateoftheart-gallery.com
More meaningful in your absence
Now on till 15 April 2021
Tangeni Kambudu’s “More meaningful in your absence” exhibition has been extended till April 2021. Catch it at the Association for Visual Arts Gallery (AVA) if you hadn’t done so. It deals with how we view ourselves and relate to each other and includes an installation of eight mirrors shaped like clothing patterns, hanging on a rail, and twelve framed mirror artworks hung from walls. You can view the exhibition both online and at the gallery.
Where: Association for Visual Arts Gallery (AVA), 35 Church St
When: 10h00 – 17h00 (Monday to Friday), 10h00 – 13h00 (Saturday)
Cost: Free
www.whatiftheworld.com
Walking Tour by Culture Connect
2 March 2021
Join an inspiring walking tour by Kate Crane Briggs, founding director of Culture Connect SA, South Africa’s only art and design tour specialist. With this tour, Crane Briggs will help you explore the creative hubs in the CBD. She’ll start at an art studio where you’ll see artist Pierre Vermeulen at work. The next stop is WHATIFTHEWORLD where gallery curator Ashleigh McLean will give a quick tour of the gallery. Other stops include a perfume house (Wild Olive African Artisans), a jewellery store (Dear Rae) and retailer Skinny laMinx.
To book, email kate@cultureconnectsa.com or send a WhatsApp on 072 377 8014.
Where: Upper Bree St – where you can unwind at SeaBreeze Fish & Shell afterwards.
When: 10h00 – 12h00
Cost: R400 per person before 2 March and R500 on the day
www.cultureconnectsa.com
StateoftheART Gallery Award 2021
1 April to 30 June 2021
And the show goes on! After postponing their 2020 StateoftheART Gallery Award 2021 due to Covid-19, StateoftheART is reviving the contest and R40 000 is up for grabs for the winner. The competition aims to unearth the next art superstar in South Africa who will best showcase the theme, “On the Brink: Visualising Climate Change”. Applications officially open online between 1 April to 30 June 2021 for artists aged 18 and above who are permanent South African residents and who have not yet held a solo exhibition with a commercial gallery. The winner will be announced in September and will have their solo exhibition in 2022.
https://www.stateoftheart-gallery.com/award
EATERIES & OTHER EVENTS
Grub & Vine
Grub & Vine Weddings
Ongoing
The team at Grub & Vine has launched Grub & Vine Weddings which means couples can book Chef Matt Manning’s beautifully designed restaurant to safely celebrate their big day. Couples also get to have a special menu and wine pairing curated by Manning himself. To book a free consultation, email admin@mattmanningchef.com or call 076 256 8654. Also get in touch if you’re looking for a great place for lunch or dinner.
Where: Grub & Vine, 103 Bree St
When: 12pm – 10h00
www.grubandvine.co.za
A Magical Cape Town Food Collaboration
20 March 2021 till April
Calling all foodies! Renowned chef and restaurateur Liam Tomlin of Chef’s Warehouse is collaborating with chef Denise Cowburn-Levy from the Kitchen Collective and Ginger & Lime Food Studios to show you how they create their delectable dishes. This initiative will see interactive and demo style cooking events by Tomlin and his team of chefs taking place at The Kitchen Collective in Jordaan St. The event will kick off with Tomlin showcasing dishes from his restaurants La Cantina and Mazza, his new Mediterranean eatery at Local at Heritage Square. Check out The Kitchen Collective website for a full line up of events or email Cathy Steed at cathysteed@mweb.co.za for more information.
Where: The Kitchen Collective, 80 Jordaan St
When: 10h00
Cost: R950
www.thekitchencollective.co.za
Dinner & Cinema at The Electric
4 March 2021
Enjoy a great night out at The Electric with their Dinner & Cinema event. The ticket for the outing includes a classic movie on the big screen and dinner specials which comprise a burger, flatbread, hotdog or a sandwich as well as either two glasses of wine or two beers. Popcorn is provided for free. To RSVP or find out more information, contact The Electric at theelectricsa@gmail.com or visit @the_electric_sa on Instagram for updates on the next movie to be screened.
Where: The Electric, 48 Canterbury St
When: 20h00
Cost: R120
www.the-electric.com
Virtual Dining Experience by Grub & Vine
Ongoing
Enjoy a virtual dining experience like no other with chef extraordinaire, Matt Manning of Grub & Vine and Culture Wine Bar. Simply order Manning’s five-course menu and have it delivered between Thursday and Saturday. You can collect it yourself if you wish to. The menu which includes a vegetarian and pescatarian option on request comes with an instructional video to follow to create your starter and main courses. Not a lot of work is required as most of the dish elements are already prepared for you.
Where: Grub & Vine, 103 Bree St
When: Collections are between 16h00 and 18h00 on your specified date and orders must be placed 24 hours in advance.
Cost: R1 000
www.mattmanningchef.com
East City Cycles Friday Social Ride
Every Friday
Where: East City Cycles, 50 Harrington St
When: 05h45 – 07h30
Cost: Free
www.eastcitycycles.com
Story time for children at Book Lounge
Every Saturday
Where: Book Lounge, 71 Roeland St
When: 11h00 (all kids are welcome and there’s no need to RSVP)
Cost: Free
www.booklounge.co.za
First Thursdays
First Thursday of every month
Where: Cape Town CBD including inside galleries and restaurants
When: 17h00 till late
Cost: Free
www.first-thursdays.co.za
Thursday Night Ride Club
Every Thursday
Where: Rook Cycles, 295 Long St
When: 19h00 (every Thursday)
Cost: Free (bring your bike or rent one for R100)
www.rookcycles.com
IMAGES: Grub & Vine, StateoftheART Gallery, AVA Gallery