An Ode to Unity and Artistry: Cape Town's Signature Event, Unity on the Square - Cape Town Today
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An Ode to Unity and Artistry: Cape Town’s Signature Event, Unity on the Square

4 mins read
cultural diversity artistry

Unity on the Square is a festival that celebrates artistic mastery, diversity, and unity in Cape Town. It features traditional dances, music from local artists, and a marketplace for local craftspeople. The event also offers practical education in event management skills, budgeting, and securing event funding. It has become a hallmark holiday event in Cape Town and showcases the city’s dedication to local talent and entrepreneurship.

What is Unity on the Square in Cape Town?

Unity on the Square is a festival that celebrates unity, diversity, and artistic mastery in Cape Town. It features traditional dances and music from local artists and serves as a marketplace for local craftspeople to showcase their work. The event also offers practical education in event management skills, budgeting, and securing event funding. The festival has become a hallmark holiday event in Cape Town, setting the tone for the festive season.

An Emblem of Cultural Diversity and Artistic Excellence

As dawn spills warm colors across the Cape Town skyline on the forthcoming Saturday, December 16, 2023, Greenmarket Square – the city’s pulsating heart – is preparing to throb with renewed energy. The Day of Reconciliation is poised to be shrouded in a festive aura, thanks to the third installment of Unity on the Square. This dynamic event, a rich fusion of traditional dances and sonic melodies from top-tier local musicians, transcends being a mere celebration. It stands as a symbol of unity, diversity, and artistic mastery.

Unity on the Square has grown into a hallmark holiday event of Cape Town, setting the festive season’s tone and becoming a whirlwind of pleasure for families. With the Square transforming into a grand amphitheater, the crème de la crème of local artists are ready to captivate their audience. The impressive roster boasts notable South African talents such as Emo Adams, Youngsta CPT, Jack Parow, Kurt Darren, Early B, Loukmaan Adams, Jimmy Nevis, Paxton Fielies, and NV Funk, to name a few.

A Marketplace of Artistry and Entrepreneurship

These artists are primed not only to mesmerize attendees with their performances but also to offer a stage for local craftspeople to make a living and display their crafts. Unity on the Square surpasses being just a musical festival – it’s a marketplace that uplifts local artistry and entrepreneurship. This tribute to local talents is supported by the City of Cape Town, which values initiatives that rejuvenate the performing arts and create opportunities for local entrepreneurs.

As articulated by JP Smith, the City’s MMC for Safety and Security, “The uniqueness of this event lies in its focus on creating opportunities for local artists”. The event indeed acts as a catalyst for growth, an opportunity beacon, and proof of the city’s dedication to its talented citizens.

Collaboration and Education: Adding New Dimensions

This year, the event has a significant addition – a partnership with Guga S’ Thebe, the cultural centre based in Langa. This alliance is expected to give crafters a chance to display and sell their work, adding a new layer to Unity on the Square. The event organizer, Shaakirah Adams, stresses the importance of this partnership, saying, “We place a significant focus on family-friendly activities to ensure that everyone, from the youngest to the oldest, will find something to enjoy at the festival”.

But the event isn’t merely about entertainment and fostering entrepreneurship; it also offers practical education. Adams is set to host a series of workshops for CPUT students, focusing on event management skills, permit processes, budgeting, and securing event funding. This educational element accentuates the comprehensive nature of Unity on the Square, making it a platform for learning, growth, and development.

Celebrating Unity and Diversity in the Heart of Cape Town

From 2 pm to 11 pm, the vibrant energy of Unity on the Square will permeate Greenmarket Square, reaching as far as Burg Street and Longmarket Street. If you desire to participate in this celebration of unity and diversity, tickets are available on Quicket. The ticket prices are R200 for general adult access, R130 for children aged 12 to 16, R300 for adult VIP access, and R135 for pensioners.

As the city prepares to host this stunning event, it underscores the power of unity and the creative potential that can be unlocked when diverse talents unite. This celebration, platform, and marketplace, at its core, is a symbol of Cape Town’s spirit, where artistry, entrepreneurship, and community merge to create something truly enchanting. So, on Saturday, December 16, 2023, allow the spirit of unity, diversity, and artistic prowess to envelop you as you join the city in celebrating one of its most-anticipated events – Unity on the Square.

When is Unity on the Square taking place in Cape Town?

Unity on the Square takes place on Saturday, December 16, 2023.

What can attendees expect from Unity on the Square?

Attendees can expect a festival that celebrates unity, diversity, and artistic mastery in Cape Town. There will be traditional dances, music from local artists, and a marketplace for local craftspeople to showcase their work. The event also offers practical education in event management skills, budgeting, and securing event funding.

Who will be performing at Unity on the Square?

The impressive roster boasts notable South African talents such as Emo Adams, Youngsta CPT, Jack Parow, Kurt Darren, Early B, Loukmaan Adams, Jimmy Nevis, Paxton Fielies, and NV Funk, to name a few.

What is the cost of attending Unity on the Square?

Ticket prices for Unity on the Square are R200 for general adult access, R130 for children aged 12 to 16, R300 for adult VIP access, and R135 for pensioners.

What is the educational aspect of Unity on the Square?

Unity on the Square offers practical education in event management skills, budgeting, and securing event funding. The festival organizer, Shaakirah Adams, is set to host a series of workshops for CPUT students.

What is the significance of the partnership with Guga S’ Thebe?

The partnership with Guga S’ Thebe, the cultural center based in Langa, gives crafters a chance to display and sell their work, adding a new layer to Unity on the Square and fostering entrepreneurship. The event organizer, Shaakirah Adams, stresses the importance of this partnership to ensure that everyone, from the youngest to the oldest, will find something to enjoy at the festival.

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