Along with Youth Day on Tuesday 16 June and Father’s Day on Sunday 21 June, there are plenty of happenings in the CBD to keep you warm this winter. We’ve featured some of them here but keep up to date via our Facebook page, www.facebook.com/CityViewsCapeTown.
20 June: Dancers Love Dogs
Cape Town dancers and performers collaborate on a special show to raise funds for the mass sterilisation of animals. 100% of all funds raised will assist animals in need.
Where: Artscape Opera House, DF Malan St
When: 18h30
Cost: R250 per person www.artscape.co.za/show/dancers-love-dogs
20 June: Sekunjalo Edujazz concert featuring Beatenberg
This annual concert is a fundraiser to support scholars from the poorest communities, and benefits more than 75 primary and high schools in the Western Cape in the form of bursaries and jazz workshops. Featured performers this year, Beatenberg are one of the hottest new pop groups in South Africa.
Where: Artscape Theatre, DF Malan St
When: 19h30
Cost: R90 per person; tickets available through Computicket
www.artscape.co.za/show/sekunjalo-edujazzconcert/1061
23 July – 23 August: West Side Story
One of the world’s best-loved musicals is set take to the stage at the Artscape Opera House. A Fugard Theatre production of the Broadway smash hit that was originally adapted from the Romeo and Juliet story by Leonard Bernstein and Stephen Sondheim, this is your opportunity to see the Jets and the Sharks battle it out while Maria and Tony battle the odds to find true love. A classic for all ages.
Where: Artscape Theatre, DF Malan St
When: various show times
Cost: R95 – R400
www.thefugard.com/whats-on/coming-soon/item/west-side-story
25-26 July: The Factory Shop Expo
“The shopping experience of a lifetime”, this expo hosts more than 100 premium factory shops and manufacturers all under one roof, taking the public straight to the factory door with specials, once-off end-of-line ranges, clearance deals and bulk buying.
Where: CTICC, 1 Lower Long St
When: 08h30 to 18h00
Cost: R30 per person (kids under 16: free)
www.factoryx.co.za
31 July – 2 August: Baba Indaba
The Cape Town leg of the South African parenting and baby expo will bring moms- and dads-to-be and well known baby brands under one roof, celebrating 10 years of the event. An “Advice Hub” offers a chance for parents to learn from the experts.
Where: CTICC, 1 Lower Long St
When: 09h30 to 17h00 daily
Cost: R60 per adult; children over six years: R20; under six: free. Purchase tickets online from the event organiser and receive a discount.
www.babaindaba.co.za/cape_town.htm
On every month
Even through the winter months, there are good reasons to take to the streets of the Cape Town Central City.
Every Thursday, the CBD’s Earth Fair Food Market sets up shop on St George’s Mall in the pedestrian space between Mandela Rhodes Place and Taj Cape Town. Open from 11h00 until 15h00, this is where local traders sell their wares, with food styles ranging from across the globe and including the best of confectionery to end off your meal.
The First Thursdays concept happens on the first Thursday of every month, when art galleries and shops predominantly in the “old town” in the Central City stay open late, along with restaurants, food trucks and other eateries. This popular event has been going for two years and grows every month. www.first-thursdays.co.za/cape-town.
On the third Saturday of every month, activations take place along the City Walk route, which stretches from within The Company’s Garden, down St George’s Mall to Waterkant Street and progresses up the Fan Walk to St Andrew’s Square. It calls on Capetonians and visitors to come into and celebrate their Central City. Facilitated by the Cape Town Partnership, with a bigger vision for making the CBD more integrated, it aims not only to activate public spaces but to encourage businesses to extend their hours of operation. For more about the route itself, the activations on the third Saturday of every month, or information on how to exhibit or participate, visit www.capetownpartnership.co.za.
This article first appeared in the June/July 2015 issue of City Views. Read it online.