Cape Town's galleries, museums and creative spaces will come alive after dark as the monthly First Thursdays return to the city centre tonight.
From a hidden museum filled with rare African artefacts to a thought-provoking solo exhibition inspired by an ant's-eye view of the world, this month's First Thursdays offers Capetonians plenty of reasons to brave the winter chill. Here are five standout stops to add to your route through the city centre.
Part retail destination, part community hub, The Corner Store celebrates African design and craftsmanship. Visitors can browse jewellery by Dear Rae, Kenyan-made textiles from Siafu, sustainable travel accessories from Joinery and a curated selection of books and magazines, all while enjoying treats from Lion's Bread Bakery.
Western Cape artist Rentia Retief's latest solo exhibition, North Bound, explores ideas of place, belonging and memory through landscapes inspired by a journey stretching from the Overberg to Tunisia. Running until 31 July, the exhibition offers an opportunity to engage with work that reflects on both geography and emotional connection.
Tucked away on the top floor of African Trading Port, the Eye Witness Museum offers visitors a chance to discover a private collection of African art and artefacts gathered over two decades from across the continent. The museum showcases rare pieces that tell stories of African culture, history and tradition, while WALL Gallery presents contemporary works by South African artists whose practices engage with both historical and modern themes. Best of all, entry is free.
For those looking to pair culture with a cocktail, Bascule's First Thursdays collaboration with Martell promises an atmospheric evening on the marina. Guests can settle in with winter-inspired cocktails while enjoying live jazz in one of the city's most iconic waterfront settings.
At 66 Plein Street, artist Songezo Zantsi presents a new body of work inspired by a lesson from his grandfather: to see the world from the perspective of an ant. Combining landscape and figurative painting, the exhibition invites viewers to consider familiar environments from an entirely different vantage point, creating works that feel discovered rather than observed.
View the full programme here.
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