Here’s a selection of some Central City events and activities to keep you warm and busy this Mandela Month.
18 July
Mandela Trilogy
Through a unique fusion of traditional Xhosa songs, jazz tunes and modern music, this musical tribute to Nelson Mandela explores the former statesman’s teenage years in rural Qunu, the vibrant life of 1950s Sophiatown as it falls under the shadow of the apartheid security forces and Madiba’s years on Robben Island and release from prison.
Where: Artscape Theatre Centre, DF Malan St
When: 19h30
Cost: R130 to R280
www.artscape.co.za
18 July
Ihlombe! SA Choral Festival: Mandela at 100
The South African Choral Festival’s “Mandela at 100: Voices of Hope, Freedom & Unity” celebration will feature individual performances from all participating ensembles, as well as two world premieres commissioned by Classical Movements’ Eric Daniel Helms new music programme for the entire 2018 Ihlombe! mass choir.
Where: St. George’s Cathedral, Wale St
When: 19h00
Cost: R60 (adults); R30 (pensioners and students)
www.classicalmovements.com
18 July
67 Minutes with Mandela Rhodes Place
In honour of Madiba’s 100th birthday, Mandela Rhodes Place invites the public to devote 67 minutes to embark on a free walking tour and view an exhibition of portraits titled “Mandela’s life in 14 stages”. Mandela Rhodes Place also has collection bins in its foyer area and welcomes donations which will be distributed to The Haven Night Shelter as well as smaller local schools in need. Guests will be treated to coffee, tea and sweet treats.
Where: Mandela Rhodes Place, Wale St
When: 11h00
Cost: Free
www.mandelarhodesplace.co.za
18 to 22 July
Wikimania 2018
Attend the official annual event of the Wikimedia movement, which will also be held for the first time ever in sub-Saharan Africa. This is a chance to see the types of projects that people are working on with wikis and open content, as well as meet the community that produced the most-famous wiki of all, Wikipedia! The theme of Wikimania 2018 is “Bridging knowledge gaps: the Ubuntu way forward,” with the aim of focusing on what and who is still missing from our sum of all human knowledge, and building shared strategies to bridge these collective gaps.
Where: Southern Sun Cape Sun Hotel, Strand St
When: 13h00
Cost: R1 026 – R 2 736 (dependent on package selected)
https://wikimania2018.wikimedia.org/wiki/Wikimania
20 to 21 July
Fostering Fever
Enjoy the official launch of “The Fostering Foundation”, showcasing the young talent that is currently being mentored by veteran entertainer and jazz singer Sophia Foster.
Where: Artscape Theatre Centre, DF Malan St
When: 20h00
Cost: R150
www.artscape.co.za
21 to 29 July
Gilbert & Sullivan’s Ruddigore
Ruddigore (or The Witch’s Curse) is a musical about mistaken identities, career bridesmaids and paintings that come to life. All of the Baronets of Ruddigore are under a terrible curse and each of the successive Baronets must commit some kind of a crime every single day, or else they will die in terrible agony.
Where: Artscape Theatre Centre, DF Malan St
When: Depends on booking
Cost: R150 – R240
www.artscape.co.za
27 July
Divalicious Dames 2018 LADIES FIRST
Take a trip down memory lane with drag and mime artists Ramsay Davids and Martin Neethling.
Where: Artscape Theatre Centre, DF Malan St
When: 20h15
Cost: R120
www.artscape.co.za
27 to 29 July
Electronics & Gaming Expo
This three-day event which is considered to be Cape Town’s premier gaming expo, offers gaming enthusiasts the latest technology, eSports, Cosplay, tabletop games, the chance to purchase memorabilia and much more.
Where: Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC), 1 Lower Long St
When: Depends on booking
Cost: R110 online; R130 at the door; R230 weekend pass; R25 for scholars in school uniform (Friday only)
www.egesa.co.za
31 July to 4 August
Ruth First: 117 Days
After a sensational, sell-out debut at the National Arts Festival in 2016, this tour de force comes to Artscape for eight performances in celebration of Women’s Month. The show dramatises Ruth First’s harrowing 1963 arrest and detention under the notorious 90-day clause. A journalist, academic and political activist, Ruth became the first white woman to be arrested under this act.
Where: Artscape Theatre Centre, DF Malan St
When: Depends on booking
Cost: R40 – R150
www.artscape.co.za
3 to 5 August
Bollywood Enchanted
Inspired by one of the most beloved fairytales of all time, Bollywood Enchanted brings together some of the most-loved Bollywood songs in a foot-tapping theatrical experience.
Where: Artscape Theatre Centre, DF Malan St
When: Depends on booking
Cost: R130 – R150
www.artscape.co.za
4 August
Women’s Walk
In honour of Women’s Day on 9 August, Culture Connect SA presents a women’s walk aimed at exploring women’s power, creativity and impact on Cape Town’s past, present and future. The tour will see journalist and Woman Zone founder, Nancy Richards, leading guests through historical landmarks such as St Georges Cathedral, the slave monument, Queen Victoria’s statue, the Rock Girl benches and AVA Gallery.
Where: The Company’s Garden, Queen Victoria St
When: 10h00
Cost: R225 (plus R200 optional lunch at a woman-owned restaurant)
7 to 11 August
Around the Fire
In this unique fusion of theatre, poetry and live music, a uniquely South African story unfolds as four women with very different backgrounds find themselves sharing a makeshift fire on a rainy Cape Town evening and subsequently forming a bond both as fierce and temporary as the fire.
Where: Artscape Theatre Centre, DF Malan St
When: Depends on booking
Cost: R100 – R120
www.artscape.co.za
9 August
Totalsports Women’s Race
In celebration of National Women’s Day on 9 August, thousands of women will run or walk through the streets of Durban, Johannesburg and Cape Town. If you’re in the Mother City, enter the Totalsports Women’s Race and run for the thousands of women who are, have and will be affected by breast cancer.
Where: The Grand Parade, Cape Town CBD
When: 08h00
Cost: R80 – R120 (R35 extra for non-licensed runners or walkers to obtain a temporary license)
R35.00
www.totalsportswomensrace.com
Now on till 25 August
When in doubt, say darling
The Fugard Theatre presents Pieter-Dirk Uys’ new show following a sold-out season at Pieter Toerien’s Montecasino Studio. Join Pieter and other darlings on an exciting walk to the edge of the next cliff, when the end of the world seems nigh.
Where: The Fugard Theatre, Caledon St
When: Depends on booking
Cost: R140 – R160
www.thefugard.com
11 August
ABFAB Drag
While Cape Town has a scintillating drag tradition dating back to the thirties, nowadays, the pageants, parties and the fabulous drag queen shows are often hosted by backwood clubs, catering to a select few who know where to find them. However, with Absolutely Fabulously DRAG, the aim is to showcase the crème de la crème of drag on centre stage with performers such as Vida Fantabisher, and SA’s Got Talent 2016 runner-up, Manila von Teez.
Where: Artscape Theatre Centre, DF Malan St
When: Depends on booking
Cost: R100
www.artscape.co.za
14 to 31 August
Shakespeare in Love
Adapted for the stage by Lee Hall and based on the 1998 Oscar-winning film of the same title, Shakespeare in Love is back by popular demand at The Fugard. Young William has writer’s block and the deadline for his new play is fast approaching but he’s in desperate need of inspiration. That is, until he finds his muse Viola.
Where: The Fugard Theatre, Caledon St
When: Depends on booking
Cost: R150 – R350
www.thefugard.com
8 August till 30 September
50 Shades of Fairytales
This whimsical and quirky song revue depicts the journey of two women (both played by Titilayo Adedokun) who evolve through their personal experiences of love, its challenges and its consequences.
Where: Alexander Bar & Café, Strand St
When: Depends on booking
Cost: R110 online; R130 at the door
www.alexanderbar.co.za
Now on till 8 September
Snip/Tucked
Snip/Tucked is a comedic romp through the trials and tribulations of the female fight against nature and the panic associated with growing older. Gate69’s three gorgeous goddesses, the infamous Trolley Dollies who are apparently well acquainted with every anti-ageing cream known to man, guide the audience through the minefield of snip-tuck Dos and Don’ts.
Where: Gate69, Bree St
When: Suggested arrival time for the red carpet is 18h30 for a drink in the bar, dinner is at 19h00 and the show starts at 20h15.
Cost: R500 to R595
www.gate69.co.za
Now on till 22 September
Still Figuring Out What It Means to be a Man
Taking an empathetic view of individual men, but a critical one of the oppressive system of patriarchy, this multi-media exhibition considers various aspects of manhood and masculinity in today’s South Africa. It arose against a backdrop of increasing gender-based and sexual violence perpetrated by men in South African society.
Where: Iziko Slave Lodge, Adderley St
When: 09h00 – 17h00
Cost: R30
www.iziko.org.za
22 to 23 September
2018 Sanlam Cape Town Marathon (Entries now open)
Entries for the 2018 Sanlam Cape Town Marathon (42.2km) are now open. This prestigious global city race is open to a range of running enthusiasts from elite athletes to social runners. Along the spectacular route, you will take in the famous natural beauty of Cape Town’s mountains and sea, as well as many of the Central City’s great attractions.
Where: Beach Road, near Cape Town Stadium
When: 06h40
Cost: R660 – R135
www.capetownmarathon.com
REGULAR/LONGTERM EVENTS
First Thursday of every month
First Thursdays
On the first Thursday of every month, take an after-hours walk between the galleries, restaurants and shops in the Cape Town CBD and experience the cultural wealth our central city has to offer.
www.first-thursdays.co.za
When: 17h00 till late
First Thursday of every month
Hope on Hopkins Gin & Tonic Tasting
Hosted by Bootlegger Coffee Company on every first Thursday of the month, Hope on Hopkins Gin & Tonic Tasting offers information about the distilling process, the history of gin and what makes gin “gin” and guides guests through a curated tasting of three different styles of gin and tonics and what makes them different.
Cost: Free (seats are limited to 20 people and bookings through Cara at marketing@bootlegger.co.za are essential)
Where: Bootlegger Coffee Company, 50 Harrington Street
When: 18h00
Every Thursday
Earth Fair Food Market
Where: upper St Georges Mall (Wale St side)
When: 11h00 till 15h00
www.earthfairmarket.co.za
Saturdays
Story time for kids
Where: The Book Lounge, 71 Roeland St
When: 11h00
Cost: Free
www.booklounge.co.za
For regularly updated event info, visit City Views on Facebook.
Images as supplied and courtesy of Artscape(Mandela Trilogy), Electronics & Gaming Expo, whatsoncapetown.co.za (ABFAB Drag)