The Baxter Theatre Centre is a vibrant hub for performing arts in Cape Town, offering a riveting array of South African stories and cultural expression. This season, the theatre promises to hold audiences spellbound with a lineup of performances, including Marc Lottering’s hilarious perspective on contemporary South African existence, Mike van Graan’s politicallycharged satire, Jive Culture Shock’s festive showcase of Cape Town’s diverse cultural scene, Liewe Heksie’s timeless tales for children and adults alike, and the Adams brothers’ highenergy fusion of music, comedy, and dance. And beyond the theatre, Cape Town offers stunning landscapes and a lively urban scene for visitors to discover.
R&B icon Joe Thomas is gearing up for a tour across three provinces in South Africa in April 2024. He will be performing his hit songs alongside local talent, promising an unforgettable R&B music experience. The tour is highly anticipated by fans who have been waiting for Thomas’ return to South Africa, and it is expected to be a significant event on the country’s cultural calendar. With a blend of international and local musical talent, the tour promises to enhance the vibrancy of South Africa’s music scene.
The ArtsAbility Festival at Cape Town’s Artscape Theatre Centre celebrates diversity and inclusivity by showcasing performers with disabilities. The festival offers workshops, conferences, and theatre performances to give a stage to all participating talents. Structural changes at Artscape ensure an inclusive and accessible arts environment, enriching the comprehensive artistic experience for all visitors. The festival aligns with the seventh African Network for EvidencetoAction in Disability (AfriNEAD) Conference, reflecting a dedication to fostering inclusivity.
World AIDS Day is a day dedicated to raising awareness and honoring those affected by HIV/AIDS. This year’s theme, “Let Communities Lead,” highlights the importance of local communities in fighting the epidemic. The event in Cape Town will feature a speech by a professor of medicine, as well as complimentary food and HIV testing. While progress has been made, challenges remain, and World AIDS Day serves as a call to action for sustained efforts towards prevention, support, and finding a cure.
The Ramp is a haven for creativity and collaboration, inviting artists and designers to come together and showcase their distinctive works. “Ready to Launch” is an upcoming event celebrating the collective creative spirit of The Ramp’s community. Visitors can expect to be captivated by an array of mediums, including ceramics, furniture design, industrial creations, fashion, sculpture, painting, and photography, all produced through crossdisciplinary collaborations. This event is not just an art show but a celebration of the creative process and the power of shared space.
The Budgie Smuggler Swim in Simon’s Town was a unique event that aimed to raise awareness for men’s mental health. Men wore swim briefs to inject humor into the serious issue and embarked on a 1.8km swim, with a poignant dedication made before the challenge. A prizegiving ceremony with humorous undertones and a lucky draw was held, resulting in a day filled with cherished memories for all involved. The event will return in November 2024, promising another fun and purposeful gathering for men’s mental health awareness.
Every December, Cape Town comes alive with an effervescent celebration of community spirit and local culture. This flourishing event that heralds the festive season is the annual DSTV Kyknet en Kie Mitchells Plain Festival; it’s a jamboree of food, amusement and kinship that transforms Westridge Gardens into a carnival of communal revelry. The festival this year is scheduled to occur from the 1st to the 3rd of December, and the excitement for the event is already in the air.
Cape Town’s urban landscapes were transformed into lively murals advocating for ocean conservation and community activism through Sea Walls South Africa, an initiative by the PangeaSeed Foundation in collaboration with the Save Our Seas Foundation. The event brought together 18 muralists to address urgent marine issues such as plastic waste and community involvement in protecting marine life. The murals serve as educational devices advocating for ocean care through imaginative storytelling and embody the concept of ‘artivism’, symbolizing the transformative power of art in inciting change.
Get ready for a mindblowing international fashion spectacle at the BRICS+ Fashion Summit in Moscow on November 28th. With over 230 experts from 60 countries, the summit offers a diverse mix of talent and unique viewpoints. South Africa is set to take center stage, showcasing its dynamic fashion history with contributions from prominent figures like Stephen Manzini and David Tlale. The summit aims to shake up established fashion markets and influence global trends while promoting international cooperation in shaping the future of fashion.
The 3rd African Union Men’s Conference on Positive Masculinity was a groundbreaking event held in Pretoria and attended by influential global figures. The conference aimed to involve men and boys in the fight against genderbased violence and advocated for positive masculinity. President Cyril Ramaphosa emphasized the need for men to take center stage in bringing about change and encouraged traits like empathy, emotional intelligence, respect for diversity, and vulnerability. The conference serves as a vital platform to reinforce political commitment, expedite collective actions, and establish men’s role in eliminating violence against women and girls.
James Blunt is set to tour South Africa in 2024 to promote his latest album “Who We Used To Be.” The tour will begin in Cape Town on September 12 and continue in Pretoria on September 14. Fans can purchase tickets starting from December 1, 2023, on Ticketmaster.co.za, and Blunt’s new album sees him teaming up with gifted producers to enhance his musical style. The Grammynominated artist is known for his soulstirring lyrics and unique vocal quality and is excited to get back on tour and share his new tracks with his fans.
Jimmy Carr is a master of comedy and shock, with a unique style that blends laughter and gasps of surprise. His upcoming ‘Terribly Funny’ standup comedy tour is already breaking ticket sales records, showcasing his growing popularity. With performances in over 40 countries, Carr’s international fan base demonstrates his broad appeal and remarkable ability to connect with diverse audiences.
A magnificent 8.5 meter high Christmas tree designed by Pongrácz has lit up Cape Town’s Silo District. The tree is a fusion of artistic innovation and traditional Christmas aesthetics, with cascading golden baubles and a starshaped stopper that emits light from a cuttingedge outdoor laser. Visitors can share personalized messages on the tree, and it also acts as a stunning backdrop for Instagramworthy photographs. The Pongrácz Christmas tree will continue to spread holiday cheer until 10 January 2024.
Cape Town’s annual Festive Lights SwitchOn event is a dazzling spectacle of joy that transforms the city into a glittering fantasy land. This year’s theme, ‘Cape Town: A Future of Hope’, blended the city’s rich heritage with the possibility of a technologically advanced future. The event catered to a diverse crowd and featured a fantastic lineup of local artists, a stunning 3D video mapping display, and a shared sense of unity and excitement for the festive season.
Experience a oneofakind cinematic journey at the Galileo Open Air Cinema in Cape Town this December. With special holiday screenings featuring classic and contemporary films, the cinema offers a festive atmosphere with themeappropriate decor, essential movie snacks, and a minimarket offering a variety of delights. The enchantment extends beyond the screen with giant lawn games, mingling with other movie enthusiasts, and the breathtaking backdrop of Kirstenbosch Garden. Book early for an unforgettable experience under the starlit sky.
James Blunt, the acclaimed artist, is set to make a highly awaited comeback to South Africa after nearly a decade. He is known for his unique vocal quality and modern, melodious soft rock music and will be promoting his latest album “Who We Used To Be” during his global tour in 2024. Fans eagerly anticipate his performance at the Grand Arena, GrandWest, on Thursday, 12 September 2024, in what is expected to be a night brimming with melodic soft rock tunes.