Cape Town South Africa

In case you’ve had trouble to get into the festive mood this year, and you are still looking for something last minute to do to ignite your Christmas spirit…

Aqua Carols at the V&A Waterfront is sure to dispel your inner Grinch. The 53 piece Cape Town Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted by Richard Cock, will accompany a 60 member choir and guest soloist, soprano Kimmie Skota, through a repertoire of all your most favourite festive holiday tunes until tonight (24 December) at 20:00. 

Audience participation is encouraged, so if you’ve always dreamed about singing with full orchestral backing, this is your chance! (Just close your eyes and pretend that you’re the only one singing.)

In case you’ll miss it, don’t fear. The Aqua Carols forms part of the city’s first Aqua Festival which will take place at the Waterfront into the New Year. Staged on a unique floating platform in the harbour, the festival also showcases contemporary opera, ballet, jazz, rock, pop, tribute shows and an almost daily circus. 

For more information, visit the festival website.

South Africa’s Mother City has already donned her gorgeous, glittering festive lights to usher in the holiday season. This year, Cape Town is expecting even more visitors than usual, with many of them arriving this week.

As every local already knows, the first official event to kick off South Africa’s hosting of the 2010 FIFA Soccer World Cup is taking place right here in our city on Friday, the 4th of December.

Many eyes will be on our fair city during the Final Draw, which will determine the match schedule for the 32 participating teams in next year’s World Cup soccer tournament. More than 2 000 guests – including dignitaries and sports personalities from all across the world - are expected to attend this official “match-making”event, scheduled to take place at 19h00 on Friday at the Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC). There will be 600 accredited broadcasters relaying the Draw to an estimated 150 million viewers across the globe.

While the event is not open to the public, the rest of us can also still get in on the celebration thanks to the one-day festival that will take place in Long Street on Friday. Those in attendance will be able to view the Final Draw live on large television screens.

Of course, as is always the case when one plays host to so many guests, there will be some temporary inconveniences local residents will have to contend with, such as the road closures that will be happening all this week throughout the city as various preparations are made. In order to avoid getting stuck in traffic, visit the Cape Town Tourism website to see exactly which roads will be closed.

The 2010 Cape Town International Jazz Festival might still be way off in the distant, faintly glimmering future (the date is set for Saturday 03 and Sunday 04 April – coinciding with Easter), but the organisers have already whet our appetites by releasing the line-up of impressive artists who will be performing at the 11^th annual festival.

Although every single performer on the list is exceptionally talented and of a world class calibre, let’s drop the superstar names first and introduce veteran jazz pianist and winner of multiple Grammy Awards, McCoy Tyner. Renowned in the 1960s for playing piano for saxophonist John Coltrane and featuring on many of Coltrane’s recordings, 71-year old Tyner is a prolific recording artist in his own right – having released three CDs in the last two years. He has also been credited for being one of the first jazz musos to reintroduce African rhythms into jazz.

Also gracing the stage at next year’s jazz fest will be jazz violinist Regina Carter and jazz songbird Rachelle Ferrell. But not all the acts will be imported. Part of what has made the festival so successful thus far is its nice blend of international and local acts. Therefore some of our own greats will also hit the stage to represent the homeland and at what has been touted to be the continent’s Grandest Gathering.

South Africans that will be performing include pianist Tete Mbambisa, guitarist and crooner Jonathan Butler, Amanda Tiffan, The Glenn Robertson Jazz Band, Iridium Project, Musa Manzini, Sammy Hartman Project with Robbie Jansen & Ezra Ngcukana, Selaelo Selota, Stix Hojeng and the man otherwise known as “The Voice”, Vusi Mahlasela.

Internationals include US trumpeter Rick Braun, Scottish saxophonist Richard Elliott – both of whom will perform with our own Butler. Toots Thielemans will come out from his native Belgium, Mezzoforte from Iceland will melt our hearts and Michaela Rabitz & Robert Pawlik Quartet will be here from Austria.

The rest of the line-up will be announced at the beginning of 2010. Ticket prices will be R330 for a single day pass and R485 for a weekend pass. Patrons who wish to attend concerts on the Rosies stage will have to pay an additional R25 for every act they wish to see on that stage.

The Grand Daddy Hotel in Long Street has just introduced another unique venue to give the establishment even more of a twist: The Pink Flamingo Rooftop Cinema.

Set among seven vintage Airstream trailers (which have been turned into hotel rooms by seven local artists), cinema-goers will be able to experience the stars of contemporary classic films under the stars of Cape Town’s night sky.

Twice weekly, on Thursday and Sunday nights at 19:30, the Flamingo will screen films. Good news is that this 35 seat open-air cinema won’t shut down during the winter months. It is heated and cooled, making it a year-round experience.

Ticket prices are R50 or R200. Included in the R50 ticket is the admission, a cone containing sweets, a welcome drink and a choice between an Eskimo Pie, pop corn or candy floss. The R200 ticket will secure attendees all the aforementioned plus a comfortable, front row couch and a private cooler box with a selection of drinks.

Drinks will be served at the Airstream Penthouse Trailer Park’s Sky Bar before and after the show.

For more information on current and upcoming movie screenings and about how to book tickets, visit the Pink Flamingo’s website or phone +27 (0)21 424 7247. 

Fancy a bit of a spring road trip out of the Mother City this weekend?

How about venturing 60 km towards Darling and the Cloof Wine Estate, where South Africa’s best musos will be convening to participate in the fourth installment of Rocking the Daisies, South Africa’s fastest growing eco-friendly music and lifestyle festival.

Two stages will see performances from the likes of Goldfish, 340ml, Gang of Instrumentals, Freshlyground, Just Jinjer, Prime Circle, Black Hotels, Gazelle, Desmond & The Tutus, Wrestlerish, Dan Patlansky, aKing, Bed On Bricks, EJ von Lyrik and more. 

Tickets are R430 for the whole weekend, R350 for Saturday and Sunday, or R150 for Sunday only. Discounts for those who travel there in a green way by cycling there (R215) or travel by scooter (R215). For more information, visit rockingthedaisies.com 

Great tip-off from Cape Town Magazine: If you’re in the Table View area tonight, 25 September 2009, go to Stones where local rockers Van Coke Kartel will be performing. The cover charge for this fabulous concert/party event is… all of NOTHING!

That’s right, entrance is free. No catch.

This benevolence forms part of Stones Table View’s "Down with the Recession" parties taking place every Friday night during September - which makes tonight the final freebie event. Stones is also running some of the biggest bar specials to coincide with these parties. The crew at Stones is apparently of the belief (like we are!) that you should not have to break the bank in order to have a great time.

Stones Table View is located on the first floor of Blaauwberg Mall which is located on the corner of Blaauwberg & Marine Drive in Table View.

For more information, call (021) 556 2756.

The lucky thirteenth annual Cape Town Comedy Festival - this year sponsored by that chicken franchise with the funny ads, Nando’s - is taking place until the 4th of October 2009 at the Baxter Theatre in Rondebosch.

The event is the largest comedy project in Africa and among the top five comedy festivals in the world! Therefore it is definitely to be taken… well… seriously.

But there will be plenty to laugh about too. South Africa’s favourite comedians, along with some international stand-up comics such as Canada’s Angelou Tsarouchas and Kira Soltanovich from the USA, will surely have audiences doubling up with mirth courtesy of their professional wit.

According to Cape Town Magazine, the festival’s success can be attributed to the fact that it tries to cater to everyone’s taste by incorporating a number of unique features with separate programmes. 

Ticket prices are a laughable R100 - R150. For more info, call 021-685-7880.

Okay, we know that it’s common knowledge that the residents of the Mother City is by far the sexiest of all South Africa’s metropolitan citizens. However, surely you must’ve noticed that our quota of Beautiful, Skinny People With Chiseled Bone Structure has almost doubled over recent days?

That’s right folks. We’re being graced by those most ethereal of species known as "the model". This sudden surge of gorgeous creatures loose on the town is all thanks to the ongoing Arise Cape Town Fashion Week - which kicked off at the Cape Town International Convention Centre yesterday and will last until this coming Sunday (the 23rd of August).

In case you don’t have plans for the weekend yet, you can always go down and brush shoulders with the human clothing hangers, as well as with the rich, the famous, the infamous, the wannabe’s and - last but not least - the designers who wish to wow us with their outrageous and or sublime creations. We’ve heard that almost every designer and his dog will be there… But no is going to be more literal about that than designer Craig Port, who will be employing some furry, four-legged models to strut their stuff on his runway tonight.

Port has teamed up with Cesar gourmet cuisine to design some doggie duds under his label Craig Port and Miss Port couture. According to an iAfrica article: "Models will be sashaying down the catwalk accompanied by four highly pedigreed and meticulously groomed and coiffed Westies, which are the same breed famously featured on the Cesar packaging. The dogs will be stepping out in designer gear like scarves, collars, coats and accessories to complement the human couture and the theme of the show."

Dogs taking over the catwalk! It seems so poetic, doesn’t it?

Later, at the exclusive VIP after party to take place at the Table Bay hotel in the V&A Waterfront, the models and the dogs will be on the red carpet to meet and greet guests and pose for photographs.

But despair not. If canine couture isn’t your thing, the line-up includes plenty of stuff that will appeal to human-folk too. To see the complete line-up for the rest of the weekend, visit the official website.

If you’re still looking for something to do tonight, rush on over to The Vineyard Hotel and Spa on Colinton Road in Newlands where Wine Concepts is hosting its seventh exclusive Seductive Sauvignon Festival.

Festival goers will be able to taste and compare over 60 of the 2009 vintage Sauvignon Blancs. Cabernet Sauvignon lovers will also be able to sample new vintage releases. If you’re seduced by what you sample, you’ll be able to purchase the showcased wines at discount prices.

It is tonight only, so hurry up! Tickets, available at the door, are R80 per person. Each ticket also includes a glass and light snacks. 

As an unseasonably warm July in the Western Cape Province wraps up, the Mecca of South African wine-making is preparing to host its annual wine festival - and aren’t we lucky to be living so close by!

The charming, historic (established in 1679) town of Stellenbosch, situated less than an hour’s drive from Cape Town, is the hub of the country’s wine industry. Every year, the picturesque hamlet uncorks its renowned hospitality as an influx of both international and local visitors descend upon it to explore the area’s five distinct wine routes, visit over 100 wineries, and to drink in the area’s spectacular sights, sounds, and of course, its wines. This year, the festival is extra special since it coincides with South Africa’s 350^th wine-making anniversary.

During the event, festival goers will be able to experience some diverse activities. These include sampling more than 500 different wines; stocking up on their wine collections; taking part in comparative varietal tastings; meeting their favourite winemakers; witnessing some of the area’s top chefs in action – and better yet, tasting their creations - learning more about wine by attending courses; hearing live music and attending fashion shows and art exhibitions.

One of the more unconventional activities at the festival will be the the event where attendees will learn how to blend their own wines. Afterwards, they will even be able to take home their personally created blends to share with family and friends!

Those who are a bit more adventurous, active and fit can explore the winelands by bicycle; view the spectacular works of world-renowned landscape artist Strijdom van der Merwe; and have a “vertical” tasting – which means that you are treated to a tasting of various vintages of a label’s Merlot (to name but one example).

The festival lasts until Sunday, 2 August. In order to encourage responsible drinking and road safety, several shuttle services will operate to transport festival goers to and from Cape Town (departing from the VA Waterfront), Somerset West, etc.

The complete festival programme is available online at www.wineroute.co.za/festival.asp