If you’re looking for plans this weekend, Cape Town has plenty on the calendar, from discovering new photography in the CBD and exploring the city’s history on foot to poetry, live entertainment, stargazing and a brand-new film premiere.
Whether you’re after something cultural, creative, social or simply a reason to get out of the house, here are seven things happening around Cape Town this weekend.
Alpha Street Gallery
Where: Corner of Alpha Street and Lower Loop Street, Cape Town CBD
Cost: Free
See Cape Town’s CBD in a different light at Alpha Street Gallery, a new open-air photography exhibition at the corner of Alpha Street and Lower Loop Street.
The exhibition brings together two collections, Unsung Heroes and City in Motion, celebrating African stories, creativity and urban life. It forms part of the Mission for Inner City Cape Town’s wider Inner City Art Routes initiative, which uses public art to encourage people to explore the city on foot.
Gathering Pearls: A Heritage Walking Tour Through Sea Point and the Prom
Time: 2pm to 4:30pm
Where: Sea Point and the Promenade
Cost: R100
Take a walk through Sea Point and along the Prom while exploring more than five centuries of Cape Town history.
The tour follows the coastline towards the Green Point Lighthouse, taking in the area’s maritime history, historic estates, old tramways and the diverse communities that have shaped this part of the city.
A Generative City Poetry Walkshop
Where: Clarke’s Bookshop, Long Street
Duration: Approximately three hours
Cost: R250
See Cape Town through the lens of poetry on a three-hour walking workshop led by poet Tayla Paige.
Starting at Clarke’s Bookshop on Long Street, the walk winds through the CBD before stopping at Company’s Garden for a guided poetry-writing session. The experience ends at Book Lounge.
Bring a pen, water, and comfortable shoes. Lunch and further mingling afterwards are optional.
Cirque Du Rave
When: Saturday, September 12, 9pm to 2am
Where: District, 61c Harrington Street, District Six
Cirque Du Rave combines the energy of a rave with the spectacle of a circus, bringing together immersive production, circus performances, DJs, and dance music for a night in District Six.
Expect a high-energy atmosphere where live performances and electronic beats come together under one roof.
Cape Town Open Night
Saturday, September 12, 8pm
Where: South African Astronomical Observatory, Observatory
Cost: R50 per person; children under six enter free
Booking: Booking required
Look to the stars at the South African Astronomical Observatory’s Cape Town Open Night in Observatory.
The evening includes a presentation on astronomy or physics, an introduction to the historic McClean telescope, the observatory museum and library, followed by stargazing if weather conditions allow.
Baggage Claim film premiere
Sunday, September 13
Cost:R160
Where: The Labia Theatre, Orange Street
Runtime: 80 minutes
Catch the Cape Town premiere of Baggage Claim, an 80-minute thriller set entirely inside a Cape Town apartment.
The film follows three people caught up in a dangerous game involving mysterious cases that could contain either a fortune or a bomb. Directed by Jean-Paul Malherbe and based on the stage play by Simon K Parker, it stars Camilla Wolfson, Arthur Falko and Johann Dippenaar.
OUTsurance Gun Run weekend
Saturday, September 12 and Sunday, September 13
The OUTsurance Gun Run returns to Green Point for its 31st edition, bringing runners and spectators together for a weekend of races and outdoor activity.
The programme includes a 10km race, 17km trail run, 5km fun walk and 5km pet walk. Routes take participants through Green Point, Mouille Point and Sea Point, while the trail runs from Van Riebeeck Park towards Table Mountain.
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