ENTERTAINMENT

Cape Town at night is more than just twinkling lights!

People don’t just love Cape Town for its blue sky; they’re also interested in the colours it takes on after dark. Thousands visit each year solely for the city’s nightlife. Live shows, talented performers and all-night clubs offer an array of talent and entertainment that, given the city’s size, is remarkably varied and plentiful. The city is also known as a top jazz destination, and its gay scene is the best on the continent. So after you’ve indulged in another of our matchless sunsets, head out and dip your toes into Cape Town by night. We guarantee you’ll party long enough to make sure you won’t miss the similarly beautiful sunrise that follows ...

CAPE TOWN CENTRAL

Cape Town is a vibrant party town, especially in summer, when tens of thousands of tourists, foreign and local, descend upon the city. But even during winter, the action never stops. Much of it is concentrated into a handful of popular city streets and suburbs. The city has become an international mecca for DJs and clubbing and is also firmly entrenched on the international rock and jazz touring circuits.

The Central City will form part of the Fan Park and Fan Mile for the 2010 FIFA World Cup™. The aim is to position Cape Town as the party capital of South Africa for the World Cup – it is therefore no small wonder that an estimated four out of five visitors planning to come to the World Cup want to stay in Cape Town.

Local hip-hop and Beat Poetry artists find expression on the streets and in ven­ues around the city. There are literally hundreds of clubs in Cape Town, varying from your average disco dance fare to deeply alternative clubs where bouncers assess dress, body piercing and language before deciding whether or not patrons make the grade.

Live music fans would do well to check the local press and listings magazines for details of live music events, as many take place in obscure venues and on an irregular basis. Contact Cape Town Tourism to find out what’s on and playing at the various night-spots Tel: +27 (0)21 487 6800.

There are several distinct nightlife districts. Long Street and Kloof Street in the city centre are alive with restaurants, live music clubs, bars, coffee shops and the occasional strip club, while the V&A Waterfront Tel: +27 (0)21 408 7604 is awash with nightlife venues popular with both tourists and locals. It is home to Cape Town’s biggest New Year celebration, with thousands of people gathering to see out the old and welcome in the new. It is the starting point for most boat or yacht excursions, and you will often see cruise liners docked in the harbour.

For something a bit swankier, head to Victoria Road, Camps Bay. A plethora of day and night spots await: just be prepared to look beautiful and pay for the privilege!

On the edge of the city centre, Somerset Road in Green Point and adjacent Waterkant have a string of gay and gay-friendly clubs and restaurants. Just about every gay taste is catered for in the Mother City. Expectations are high and by all accounts – including the increasing number of gay and lesbian travellers. Guesthouses, B&Bs, clubs and pubs are of international standard. Gay lifestyle demands a vibrant nightlife and Cape Town has it all – from dancing, cruise bars, video shows, restaurants with cabaret and strip shows, to coffee bars, shops and steam baths.

PINK AND PROUD OF IT!

There are several monthly and annual events for the gay community and visitors, including the annual MCQP (Mother City Queer Project) costume party. MCQP (http://www.mcqp.co.za) has the primary aim of bringing hetero- and homosexuals together in a celebratory, unifying way, proving that differences of sexual orientation are simply part of any city's valuable cultural richness. Costumes are lavish, with organisers out in full regalia weeks before the event to promote the theme of the year.

Cape Town Pride (http://www.capetownpride.co.za) from 26 February to 1 March 2009, and the Out in Africa South African Gay & Lesbian Film Festival (http://www.oia.co.za) held at the end of March and in early April are highlights on the Cape Town event calendar. http://www.gaynetcapetown.co.za, http://www.capeinfoafrica.co.za and www.capetown.tv are information sites for gay and lesbian travellers visiting Cape Town and http://www.gaypleisure.com is a directory offering gay-friendly accommodation.

Cape Town has produced an official Pink Map, the Cape Town Gay Guide and free a monthly newspaper, The Pink Tongue, available at Cape Town Tourism Tel: +27 (0)21 487 6800.

LIVE AND LAVISH!

Treat yourself to some live entertainment and excellent theatre, from lavish musicals to one man/woman shows that receive standing ovations, from aqua opera to much loved ballet classics.

Artscape (Foreshore): Tel + 27 (0)21 410 9800 / Bookings: + 27 (0)21 421 7695
On Broadway (city centre) Tel: + 27 (0)21 424 1194
Café Manhattan (city centre) Tel: + 27 (0)21 421 6666
Cape Town International Convention Centre Tel: + 27 (0)21 410 5000
Theatre on the Bay (Camps Bay) Tel :+ 27 (0)21 438 3301
Labia Theatre (city centre) Tel: + 27 (0)21 424 5927

Student productions at the University of Cape Town’s Little Theatre on the Hiddingh Campus showcase the next generation of actors and writers Tel: + 27 (0)21 480 7129.

Look out for shows and exhibitions at the Cape Town International Convention Centre, the city’s state-of-the-art exhibition and conference centre. Events ranging from live international jazz performances to book fairs take place here throughout the year Tel: + 27 (0)21 410 5000.
The BMW Pavilion at the V&A Waterfront hosts regular live shows including stand-up comedy, jazz and rock Tel: + 27 (0)21 419 7661.

Comedy bars featuring amateur and professional comedians are mush­rooming in the city. Contact the Cape Comedy Collective for information Tel: + 27 (0)21 789 1665.

The annual Cape Town Fashion Week exploded onto catwalks at the Cape Town International Convention Centre for the first time in 2003, showcasing the top South African designers and the hottest in local haute couture.

The Cape Town Fashion Festival, with its Spring Queen Ball in November, is a colourful celebration of the local fashion industry and a gathering of African and international designers.

CAPE TOWN EAST

Somerset West’s Christmas Lights Festival attracts people from far and wide to admire the Christmas lights that transform Somerset West’s Main Street into a dazzling spectacle every December. A festival traditionally accompanies these lights, namely the Helderberg Lights Festival. On the opening night, the Main Street is closed off, and floats, parades and stalls are lined up under the lights. For the following four nights the festival moves to Victoria Street (just off Main Street), where the festivities continue.

For the very best in amateur theatre, visit The Playhouse Theatre in Lourensford Road, Somerset West Tel: + 27 (0)21 852 5182. If you’re in the mood for something a little more energetic, gigs, live music, cocktail bars and dancing venues are listed weekly in the local newspaper, The District Mail.

Gordon’s Bay’s Harbour Island has stunning sea views, live music and restaurants.

CAPE TOWN NORTH

BLAAUWBERG

Milnerton Playhouse produces about five amateur productions a year and encourages the use of the theatre by many performing arts organisations in the community. Tel: + 27 (0)21 555 3180.

Gugu s’Thebe Arts and Culture Centre in Langa is a multi-purpose cultural and recreational centre. The Centre hosts exhibitions, and a well-timed visit could have you enjoying local poetry, drama or traditional dancing Tel: + 27 (0)21 695 3328.

TYGERBERG

Die Boer offers various live performances from local musicians and artists. The Barnyard Theatre at the Willowbridge Lifestyle Centre encourages you to bringing your own food and drinks to enjoy while being entertained by local musicians and other performing artists.

Tygerberg’s Grand West Casino and Entertainment World has a state-of-the-art cinema complex, an ice rink, shops, restaurants, jazz club, revue bar and a fun theme park Tel: + 27 (0)21 505 7777.

CAPE TOWN SOUTH

CAPE FLATS

The Cape Town Tourism Visitor Information Centre at the Sivuyile College in Gugulethu houses artworks from local community artists. Entertainment by adult choral groups and marimba and dance bands can be included in an organised tour Tel: + 27 (0)21 637 8449.

For an experience not to be forgotten, join Capetonians on the weekend at Mzoli's, the hip-and-happening local butchery turned club, turned music venue, turned fashion extravaganza. Or visit a shebeen and play pool with the locals. Local tour operators are keen to share the ‘township vibe’ with visitors Tel: + 27 (0)21 637 8449.

Athlone is home to one of the oldest and hottest clubs in Cape Town. Galaxy Disco Restaurant features top Cape Town DJ’s. West End is a popular venue for hot jazz Tel: + 27 (0)21 637 9132.

If you’re visiting over the festive season, be sure to hook up with a local tour operator for a visit to Mitchells Plain and don’t miss a parade of Cape Minstrels at the Klopse Carnival in Lentegeur.

FALSE BAY

Muizenberg, Kalk Bay and Hout Bay

Visitors can enjoy great theatre at the Masque Theatre (where quality amateur shows enjoy local support) Tel: + 27 (0)21 788 1898, and the Kalk Bay Theatre Tel: + 27 (0)21 788 7257 for excellent, locally written theatre pieces.

The Lindbergh Arts Foundation, Muizenberg, regularly holds art exhibitions and evening recitals covering jazz, opera and classical Tel: + 27 (0)21 788 2795.

Hout Bay Amphitheatre brings the performing arts to Hout Bay, with special emphasis placed on community involvement and development Tel: + 27 (0)21 790 2345

SOUTHERN SUBURBS

Observatory is home to students and young professionals. It’s trendy and cosmopolitan with great nightlife, and offers a refreshing respite from central Cape Town nightspots.

The Baxter Theatre Centre in Rondebosch is one of the major live theatre venues in Cape Town with an exciting mix of theatre, music and dance Tel: + 27 (0)21 685 7880.

Wynberg pays tribute to the Bard with its annual Shakespeare Festival held at Maynardville Park with its lush lawns (ideal for pre-show picnicking) and charming outdoor theatre. The productions take place from December to February Tel: + 27 (0)21 410 9800.

Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden’s Summer Sunset Concerts are held from November to April and are a highlight on Cape Town’s summer calendar. And in winter, don’t miss the Chamber Music Breakfast Concerts on Sundays Tel: + 27 (0)21 799 8783.