To help you unwind, get inspired or learn something new, we’ve curated a surprising and inspiring list of Central City events and activities to enjoy over the next few weeks. We’ve also included an update on what CBD retailers have in store for you.
ART
Legae/Khaylethu
Now on till 1 February 2020
What do you get when two artists from different backgrounds work together? A riveting exhibition. Artists Bruce Bowale and Chumisa Fihla from the Bapedi tribe and isiXhosa tribe respectively have collaborated to tell stories about homesickness especially during this time when people can’t easily see each other.
Where: Association for Visual Arts (AVA) Gallery, 35 Church St
When: 10h00 – 17h00 (Monday to Friday) and 10h00 – 13h00 (Saturday)
Cost: Free
www.worldart.co.za
As below so above
Now on till 6 March 2020
Don’t miss Chris Soal’s solo exhibition, “As below so above”, at WHATIFTHEWORLD. If you’d like insight into the exhibition, including its unusual title and the use of bottle tops and toothpicks to create some of the artwork, book your spot in a walkabout with Chris on Saturday between 10h00 and 11h00 (first slot ) and 11h30 and 12h30 (second slot). Contact them to book your spot or to enquire about the artwork.
Where: WHATIFTHEWORLD, 16 Buiten St
When: 09h00 – 17h00 (Monday to Thursday), 09h00 – 16h00 (Friday) and 09h00 – 13h00 (Saturday)
Cost: Free
www.whatiftheworld.com
Lounge+ by Ava Gallery
Art lovers can now enjoy an insightful podcast by the Association for Visual Arts Gallery (AVA). Called Lounge+, the podcast features a range of artists and exciting exhibitions. In the first episode, the gallery talked to artists Bruce Bowale and Chumisa Fihla who currently have a joint exhibition at AVA.
Where: Apple Podcasts, Spotify and any other podcast platforms.
www.ava.co.za
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
Oxalis Eatery
Oxalis Eatery has reopened with a new menu following their December break and looks forward to welcoming you back. This pop-up restaurant has vegan, gluten-free and meat options for you to choose from. You’ll love their casual and welcoming atmosphere and strict Covid-19 protocols.
Where: Oxalis Eatery, 64 Wale St
When: 14h00 – 20h00 (Wednesday to Saturday)
https://www.facebook.com/oxaliseatery/
Seed & Circus
Seed & Circus is celebrating its 1st birthday this month with a new summer menu. It includes their long-lost favourite dishes and new items. With curfew, they’ve suspended their dinner service and are doing scrumptious breakfasts, brunch and lunch. To ensure patrons are safe, they’ve created an appropriate distance between their tables and are also using their outdoor space.
Where: Seed & Circus, 7 Constitution St
When: 08h00 – 15h00 (Tuesday to Saturday) and 09h00 – 14h00 (Sunday)
https://www.facebook.com/seedandcircus/
FYN Restaurant
Who says you can’t enjoy the finer things in life under Lockdown? FYN Restaurant has Prohibition Cocktails (non-alcoholic) to go with their condensed kaiseki-style menu for lunch and dinner.
Where: FYN Restaurant, 37 Parliament St
When: 12h00 – 14h00 (lunch) and 18h00 – 20h00 (dinner)
www.fynrestaurant.com
Clarke’s Bar and Dining Room
Catch a delicious breakfast special at Clarke’s Bar and Dining Room from Monday to Friday between 08h00 and 09h00. For only R40, get yourself two farm eggs on toast with a coffee or a fresh orange juice. Clarke’s also has a great menu to enjoy for brunch, lunch and dinner. What’s more, from 16h00, Clarkes serves fresh oysters for R15 each as well as non-alcoholic cocktails.
Where: Clarke's Bar & Dining Room, 133 Bree St
When: 08h00 – 20h00 (Monday to Sunday)
www.clarkesdining.co.za
The Ladder
The Ladder is back in business after a well-deserved break. This child-friendly space is great for breakfast or lunch and has great coffee from Blue Door Coffee Roasters. Like all CBD venues, they have stringent Covid-19 measures in place to keep you safe.
Where: The Ladder, 136 Bree St
When: 07h00 – 16h00 (Monday to Friday) and 08h30 – 13h30 (Saturday)
www.theladderon136.com
Grub & Vine
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
The Station On Bree
Ward off the Monday Blues by buying two delicious burgers, onion rings and fries for only R120 at The Station On Bree. That’s not all. Tuesday half-price tapas is back at The Station. Don’t miss out on these great weekly specials. Remember to mask up and adhere to the Covid-19 protocols at the venue.
Where: The Station On Bree, 207 Bree St
When: 11h00 – 20h00
www.thestation.capetown
Burger & Lobster
Since you can’t have alcohol right now, the next best thing is delectable half-price milkshakes at Burger & Lobster. These are served all day long. Other specials at Burger & Lobster include daily bar bites which comprise lobster croquettes, ribs, wings and prawn bites for R49 each from 16h00 to 19h00. The restaurant also serves two burgers for R140 on Mondays for sit-down dining and collection, two lobster rolls for R180 on Thursdays and Spicy Buffalo Wings with skinny fries for only R139 on Sundays. Booking is essential.
Where: Burger & Lobster, 105 Bree St
When: 12h00 – 20h00
www.burgerandlobster.co.za
Iron Steak and Bar
If you love steak, get yourself grass-fed flat iron steak served with Wagyu beef dripping fries at Iron Steak and Bar for only R99. The special is available all day for sit down dining and collections. The eatery also has bar bites available daily from R49 from 16h00 to 19h00.
Where: Iron Steak and Bar, 105 Bree St
When: 11h30 – 20h00
www.ironsteak.co.za
Nude Foods
Get your dose of fresh produce at Nude Foods. This plastic-free grocery store receives organic and fresh veggies weekly from Umthunzi Farming Community. This means if you buy from them, you’re also supporting small-scale farmers from underprivileged communities. For your convenience, you can shop instore or order online and have your goods delivered at home or collect it curb-side from the shop.
Where: Nude Foods, 5 Constitution St
When: 09h00 – 18h00 (Monday to Friday) and 09h00 – 15h00 (Saturday)
www.nudefoods.co
Rosetta Roastery
Coffee lovers with a habit of forgetting to stock up can now get their coffee frequently delivered by Rosetta Roastery through a subscription service. To get the Home or Work Coffee Subscription, choose the amount of coffee you need and how often you’d like to have it delivered to your home or workplace. Your credit card will then be charged monthly. The upside is that subscription prices are discounted by up to 19 % and you can upgrade, downgrade or cancel anytime you wish to.
Where: Online
www.rosettaroastery.com
RETAIL
Skinny laMinx
Ultimate Grey and Illuminating (bright yellow) were named as the Pantone Colours for 2021 to convey a message of strength and hopefulness in these trying times. The good news is, Skinny laMinx in the CBD has always been on-trend and has a range of items in these colours. This includes notebooks, cushions, aprons, bags, pencil cases and much more.
Where: Skinny laMinx, 201 Bree St
When: 09h00 – 17h00 (Monday to Friday) and 09h00 – 14h00 (Saturday)
www.skinnylaminx.com
MUNGO
If you’d like to add a dash of colour to your bathroom or beachside experience once beaches are open, invest in a luxurious Organic Cotton Summer Towel by MUNGO. They’ve created a one-of-a-kind summer towel that’s individually woven from 100%. Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) certified organic cotton. The towel is available in four new colours online and in-store.
Where: MUNGO, 78 Hout St
When: 09h00 – 17h00 (Monday to Frida) and 09h00 – 14h00 (Saturday)
www.mungo.co.za
Messy Sensory Play at The Ladder
Kids aged between four months and five years can now enjoy sensory play at The Ladder. The one-hour sessions on Tuesdays are aimed at stimulating children’s senses including touch, smell, taste, movement, balance, sight and hearing. Contact Ashley on 076 223 6193 for more information or book online.
Where: The Ladder, 136 Bree St
When: 15h00 – 16h00 (Tuesdays)
Cost: R120
www.theladderon136.com
Ceramic Painting at Clay Café in The City
Valentine’s Day is coming up soon, so why not do something fun at Clay Café in The City. They are a ceramic painting venue and tapas bar where you can choose to paint or decorate from Bisque-ware items while enjoying food and drinks. Included in their fee are three paints to use, tools and the firing and glazing process.
Where: Clay Café in The City, 199 Bree St
When: 10h00 – 20h00 (Wednesday to Saturday)
Cost: R130 – R150
www.claycafeinthecity.com
WAZA
Unwind at WAZA by sampling different Japanese teas in a tranquil seating area as you shop. This specialist Japanese retailer offers tea tasters and introductory demonstrations on preparing a range of Japanese teas. They’ve recently restocked their teas from Shizuoka Prefecture in Japan and will be ordering the azuki and roasted black soybean teas from Hokkaido Prefecture as they have proven to be popular with customers.
Where: WAZA, 111 Loop St
When: 09h00 – 17h00 (Tuesday to Friday) and 09h00 – 14h00 (Saturday)
10h00 – 20h00 (Wednesday to Saturday)
www.wazashop.co.za
The Cape Town Coffee Experience
Ongoing
We are big fans of experiencing the CBD and its offerings on foot. That’s why we were thrilled to discover that Cape Town Culinary Tours has a walking tour for exploring the CBD’s thriving coffee culture. Gather your friends for the coffee tour which includes a visit to three venues with incredible coffee, stories, brewing methods, and coffee pairings. You’ll also get a 10 % discount at each location on your next visit.
Where: Truth Coffee Roasting, 36 Buitenkant St (first stop and meeting place)
When: 10h00 – 12h30 (Monday to Saturday)
Cost: R495 per person
www.capetownculinarytours.com
The Cape Town Food Safari
Ongoing
If you’ve always wanted to try out African cuisine, you’ll enjoy this walking tour by Cape Town Culinary Tours. Along the way, you’ll taste delicious food and drinks from some of the CBD’s best restaurants and learn about Cape Town’s food history and elements that have influenced it. The tour will be led by a licensed guide and is safe with eight to ten people allowed.
Where: Meeting Point Tanzanian East African Cuisine, 67 Strand St (first stop and meeting place)
When: 14h00 (Monday to Saturday)
Cost: R695 per person (all tastings are included in the price)
www.capetownculinarytours.com
VIRTUAL & OTHER EVENTS
The State We’re In 2021
2 February 2021
How we live, work and connect has changed completely. But what’s the extent of these winds of change and how will they shape the year ahead? Find out in an exclusive virtual briefing called The State We’re In by futurist Dion Chang from Flux Trends. He’ll delve into the six trends (technology, retail, economy, natural world, diplomacy and socio-cultural) his organisation has identified and how these call on both individuals and businesses to “rethink, reassess, recalibrate” to thrive.
Where: Online via Zoom
When: 16h00 – 17h00
Cost: R150 (for students) – R250
https://bit.ly/3oCMMct
Social Media Masterclass
10 till 11 February 2020
If you or your business is still grappling with social media, consider attending this two-day workshop by Interactive Concepts to equip yourself. It’ll focus on social media storytelling, getting engagement, content planning, social media ads, influencers, analytics as well as Instagram, LinkedIn, Twitter and WhatsApp for business.
Where: Durbanville Conference Centre, 27 Wellington Road
When: 08h30 –16h00
Cost: R1 400
https://bit.ly/3st4WA7
The PSG Think Big Series
26 January till 23 March
Following a great response last year, The PSG Think Big Series for business leaders is back with an impressive line-up of guests. Led by Bruce Whitfield, award-winning financial journalist and PSG executives, the conversations with various speakers focus on issues confronting South Africa at present to empower leaders on how to navigate. Register here and also check out recordings of previous sessions.
Where: Online
When: 10h00 – 11h00
Cost: Free
https://www.psg.co.za/support/webinars/think-big-with-psg
Flux Trends
If you’re a business owner, you might want to consider One on One Consults with Flux Trends or their Pre-Strategy sessions. Flux Trends specialises in identifying and analysing macro trends that affect social dynamics and business interactions. The One On One Consults are aimed at helping businesses make sense of trends and mitigate risks. The Pre-Strategy sessions are for executives so they can identify blind spots in existing strategies. Email info@fluxtrends.co.za to enquire. For “brain food”, event invitations, new service offerings and industry-specific trends subscribe to the Flux Trends newsletter here.
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: AVA Gallery, Clarke's Bar & Dining Room, Iron Steak & Bar, Ladder on 136, Clay Cafe in the City, Waza