Central City venues have taken the saying: “When life gives you lemons, make lemonade” to heart. Judging by the line up of events and activities currently on in the CBD, it’s clear they were planning and plotting during Lockdown. Check out what they have planned for you now with eased Lockdown rules.
ART AND THEATRE
The Kingdom of Ubuntu
Now on till 30 September 2020
In celebration of Heritage Day, Artscape Theatre Centre has partnered with the Department of Sports, Arts and Culture to screen The Kingdom of Ubuntu, a musical theatre production about unity and South Africa’s diversity. The show is written by Elvis Sibeko, an internationally acclaimed dancer and choreographer of African indigenous and cross-cultural dance.
Where: The link will be available on 24 September (click here)
When: See website for details
www.artscape.co.za
Your Perfect Life
2 till 10 October
CBD theatres are coming back with a bang with 44 on Long bringing back an award-winning production called Your Perfect Life. The show explores life’s ups and downs and how society sometimes judges unfairly, and there will be two performances per night on 2 and 3 October and on 9 and 10 October. 44 on Long says the production was previously shown to packed audiences at the Alexander Bar and received a Standard Bank Ovation Award at the National Arts Festival Makhanda in 2019.
Where: 44 on Long, 44 Long St
When: 19h00 and 20h00
https://www.facebook.com/44onlong/
Pergolesi
11 October 2020
To reflect on Lockdown, a challenging time for many, Cape Town Opera filmed a physically distanced performance of Pergolesi’s Stabat Mater in collaboration with kykNET, Camerata Tinta Barocca, Cape Town City Ballet and Wyrd Films. The poignant production choreographed remotely via video call from London by Mthuthuzeli November will premiere on kykNET in October and is not to be missed.
Where & when: kykNET on channel 144 at 10h30 and kykNET NOU! on channel 146 at 12h00
www.capetownopera.co.za
Conserve Myself to Communicate with my Ancestors
Now on till 8 October
The Association For Visual Arts (AVA) Gallery presents David Hlongwane’s touching exhibition in which he confronts losing his eye. He says with Conserve Myself to Communicate with my Ancestors, he drew strength from his loved ones who had passed on. “I don’t see art as a money-making venture. Art heals. Art touches you. It is personal and it makes you think about your own life. I make art that people can relate to, that helps people understand their pain, so that they may begin to heal,” says Hlongwane.
Where: The Association For Visual Arts (AVA) Gallery, 35 Church St
When: 10h00 – 17h00 (Monday to Friday), 10h00 – 13h00 (Saturday)
www.ava.co.za
Lots of Love
Now on till 31 October
Chandler House proudly presents its second exhibition of works by artist Chloe Townsend. In the latest solo exhibition to grace the walls of the Voorkamer Gallery, entitled Lots of Love, Townsend explores the nature of love, where it happens and how to protect it. Notes gallery owner Michael Chandler: “Having just moved with her small family into a new home, replete with a garden and studio - where much of this exhibition was created - one cannot help but feel the overflowing of love that the artist currently feels in her life. But don't be fooled: love is not all roses and sunshine. In her carefully-composed still-life works, Townsend offers us a warning; love comes with banal, dark, spiky and wild aspects, too.”
Where: Chandler House, 53 Church St
When: 10h00 – 17h00
Cost: Free
www.chandlerhouse.co.za
Life, Death & All the Fear In-Between
3 till 31 October
99 Loop Gallery will be showing Ilené Bothma’s solo exhibition called Life, Death & All the Fear In-Between. Through portraits of her two young children, herself and her husband, she will be exploring the anxieties of motherhood and the love that comes along with it.
Where: 99 Loop Gallery, 99 Loop St
When: 11h00 – 15h00
Cost: Free
www.99loop.co.za
Claus-Steffen Braun - Cape Town Stories
Cape Town Stories
Ongoing
Be inspired at GalleryOne11 by Claus-Steffen Braun’s solo exhibition called Cape Town Stories. Using black and white colours to express himself, he tells Cape Town’s story from his point of view and says these colours have given the Mother City its varied history. The good news is Claus-Steffen conducts personal tours in the gallery every Tuesday.
Where: GalleryOne11, 111 Loop St
When: 12h00 – 15h00 (Tuesday to Friday), 10h00 – 12h00 (Saturday)
www.galleryone11.com
Garden Day
11 October
Plant lovers are invited to celebrate Garden Day on 11 October by joining South Africa’s first-ever free Virtual Garden Gathering event. It includes a Q&A session with garden guru Tanya Visser, a celebrity flower “crown-off” with actor and comedian Schalk Bezuidenhout and radio and television presenter Zoë Brown, garden-inspired gourmet cooking and more. Visit Gardenday.co.za for fun activities to enjoy leading up to Garden Day and insightful articles.
Where: Online (Zoom and Facebook Live)
When: 11h00 – 14h50
Cost: Free
www.gardenday.co.za
CBD SPECIALS
Hot Days Cool Books
The city centre is now home to a pop-up shop with a focus on art and design books. Pop in for a good book and interesting conversations. Also follow the shop on Instagram for latest updates plus they deliver nationally.
Where: Hot Days Cool Books, 66 Wale St
When: 10h00 – 13h00 (Saturdays or by appointment and on First Thursdays)
https://www.instagram.com/hotdays.coolbooks/
Harringtons Cocktail Lounge
Harringtons Cocktail Lounge has a special for almost every day of the week. They have a two-for-one burger and pizza special on Tuesdays, reduced prices on tacos on Thursdays, and a Bottomless Brunch menu on Saturdays. Plus, on Sundays, Happy Hour starts from 15h00 to 16h00. They also have Harringtons Sultry Sundays where you get two large pizzas and a free margarita.
Where: Harringtons Cocktail Lounge, 61B Harrington St
When: 12h00 – 21h00
www.harringtonstreet.co.za
I love The Dough
If you’re looking for fun and good food on Fridays, check out I love The Dough for delicious pizza and music from 16h00 onwards.
Where: I love The Dough, 101 Bree St
When: 12h30 –10h00
https://www.instagram.com/ilovethedoughct/
Bocca
Not only is Bocca on Bree Street the home of Italian pizza, but they also have an impressive wine list and cocktail menu.
Where: Bocca, Cnr Bree and Wale streets
When: 12h00 – 10h00
https://bocca.co.za/
REGULAR EVENTS
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
Bingo Night by The Electric
Where: Zoom
When: 20h00 every second Thursday
Cost: Free
www.facebook.com/TheElectricSA/
IMAGES: GalleryOne11, Harringtons Cocktail Lounge, Hot Days Cool Books