Cape Town entertainment – casinos, cinemas & events
Posted on 20. Mar, 2010 by admin in Cape Town
Thanks to its diverse population and melting pot of cultures, entertainment in Cape Town comes in a variety of forms. Cinemas are very popular in town with all the latest releases available on the big screen, also in 3D. Whether it’s stand-up comedy or opera, African Dance or ballet, football or festivals, Cape Town could never be referred to as boring. In fact, there is so much to choose from when it comes to Cape Town entertainment you couldn’t do it all in a life time, so here is JF’s guide to the pick of the bunch.
JF top tip: You can find out exactly what’s going on when you’re in town by scanning the local newspapers or contacting Computicket (Tel: +27 (0) 83 915 8000)
Theatres
There are tonnes of good theatres in Cape Town, from open-air amphitheatres to opera houses. You can catch theatre in Cape Town every night of the week and there’s sure to be something that takes your fancy on the big stage.
Check out these Cape Town theatres:
Artscape Theatre Complex
D F Malan Street, Foreshore, Cape Town 8001, Tel: +27 (0)21 410-9800, Email: artscape@artscape.co.za
Artscape Theatre Complex has a number of different venues under one roof and stages large productions including ballet
On Broadway
88 Shortmarket Street, Cape Town 8001, Tel: + 27 (0)21 424 1194
This Greenpoint venue is great fun with cabaret shows as well as world-class drag
Maynardville Open-Air Theatre
20 Lower Piers Road, Cape Town, Tel: +27 (0)21 421 7695, Email: artscape@artscape.co.za
Maynardville Open-Air Theatre makes for a fun evening with Shakespeare with a Capetonian twist.
Theatre on the Bay
1a Link Street, Camps Bay, Cape Town 8005, Tel: +27 (0)21 438 3301, Email: ande@theatreonthebay.co.za
Theatre on the Bay is an upmarket contemporary theatre with good comedy, musicals and dramas and a nice restaurant.
Masque Theatre
37 Main Road, Muizenberg, Cape Town, 7950, Tel: +27 (0)21 788 6999
Masque is a cosy theatre with some of the best amateur productions in Cape Town.
Festivals
There are a number of fun festivals in Cape Town to enjoy and if you’re lucky enough you may be able to catch one while in town. From Jazz, to rock, to theatre festivals, all tastes and persuasions have a celebration of their own in this lively city.
Jazz lovers should be sure to catch the Standard Bank Jazzathon in January and the North Sea March. Cape Minstrels also take to the streets in January in their bright and colourful costumes. Cape Town Music Festival takes place in March, as does the Taste of Cape Town food festival.
Numerous events such as wine festivals, concerts and food festivals are held at the V&A Waterfront throughout the year. Also don’t miss the The Hermanus Whale festival in September, which is one of the most specialist Cape Town festivals.
Cinema
There are many cinemas in Cape Town and most screenings can now be booked in advance over the cinema’s website. There are also specialist venues that cater specifically to art and foreign films and a five-storey Imax screen for super-realistic, edge-of-your-seat viewing.
Check out these Cape Town cinemas:
Bayside
Shop5, Bayside Mall, Blouberg Road, Tableview, Tel. +27 (0)861 300 444.
Bayside cinema shows mainstream films on its multiple screens.
Blue Route
Blue Route Centre, Tokai Road, Tokai, Tel: +27 (0)861 300 444.
Blue Route has six screens showing multiple mainstream films.
Ster-Kinekor Cinema Nouveau
Cavendish Square and V&A Waterfront
Ster-Kinekor is a chain with a good range of independent movies.
The Labia
68 Orange Street. Tel +27 (0) 21 424 5927.
The Labia shows off-beat gems and golden oldies.
V&A Waterfront Cinema
Breakwater Boulevard, Waterfront, Tel: +27 (0)21 419-9700, Email: V&A@numetro.co.za.
V&A Waterfront Cinemas has a good mix of mainstream, art and foreign films.
Imax
BMW Pavilion, Cape Town
Africa’s first Imax cinema is a great experience for all the family.
Comedy
With such a mix of cultures and a politically turbulent history, it’s not surprising that South Africans have decided that laughter is the best medicine. From home-grown talent to touring internationals, there is always someone braving the mic to bring you good comedy in Cape Town. So whatever tickles your fancy, you can’t fail to have a laugh in Cape Town. Also, don’t miss the International Comedy Festival if you are in Town in September, as funny men and women from all over the world descend on a number of venues.
Check out these comedy venues in Cape Town:
Braxter Theatre
Main Road, Rondebosch 7700 +27 (0)21 685 7880.
Braxter Theatre is the main venue for the Nando’s Comedy Festival in September and home to international talent throughout the year.
Jou Ma Se Comedy Club
Albert Hall, Albert Road, Woodstock, Cape Town, Tel: +27(0)21-4477237.
Jou Ma Se is the brain-child of top South African comedian Kurt Schoonraad. It boasts great home-grown talent every Thursday.
Kalk Bay Theatre
Main Road, Kalk Bay, Cape Town, Tel: +27 (0)73 220 5430
Kalk Bay Theatre hosts a very funny improvisation theatre night called Theatresports every Tuesday.
The Grouse
Main Road, Rondebosch, Cape Town
The Grouse stages silly comedy for a rowdy crowd every Wednesday.
On Broadway
88 Shortmarket Street, Cape Town 8001, Tel: +27 (0)21 424 1194.
On Broadway has great cabaret and top-class drag acts. Also a nice restaurant
Sporting events
Nothing can be said about sporting events in Cape Town without mentioning the 2010 World Cup in South Africa in the first breath. The Greenpoint Stadium is where the World Cup games in Cape Town will be staged and the festival vibe is already hotting up in the city. For a full rundown of 2010 World Cup games in Cape Town, see JF’s guide to match days.
The Cape Argus Pick ‘n’ Pay Cycle Tour attracts more than 35,000 professional and amateur cyclists as the biggest timed cycling event in the world. The event is great to watch and partake in so be sure to catch it if you’re visiting Cape Town in March. The Two Oceans Marathon and Half Marathon provides two levels of pain for runners every year on the first Saturday of Easter Weekend. Both races draw big crowds and taking part is a real test of endurance.
J&B Met takes place in January and February and is one of the top sporting events in Cape Town. The glitzy race course offers prizes for the best dressed couple, as well as food and entertainment. Red Bull Big Wave takes place in Dungeons near Sentinel in Hout Bay. As the latest in a long line of surfing competitions in Cape Town, The Red Bull Big Wave takes advantage of the huge swell that graces the beach between May and June. The viewpoint at Sentinel is a good place to catch the action.
Live Music
Live music in Cape Town can be found at many bars and restaurants across the city, and although jazz is the local favourite, there is plenty of scope for other genres. From November to April the beautiful Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens also host a range of different Summer Sunset Concerts, with everything from opera to rock in a family setting to choose from. For more information on the Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens see JF’s guide to Cape Town attractions and scan the local press for the full rundown.
Also see JF’s guide to Cape Town nightlife for more bars and clubs.
Check out these live music venues in Cape Town:
Blooze Bar
108 Kloof Street, Cape Town 8001, Tel: +27 (0)21 426 5042
Blooze Bar is a super-cool venue for laid-back blues brothers and sisters.
Mercury Live & Lounge
43 De Villiers Street, District Six, Tel: +27 (0)21 465 2106, Email: mercuryl@mweb.co.za
Mercury is probably the best venue for live, alternative music in Cape Town.
Marco’s African Place
15 Rose Lane, Bo-Kaap, Tel: +27 (0)21 423 5412, Email: marko@marcosafricanplace.co.za
Marco’s Afrian Palace is an authentic urban African bar popular with Cape Town’s rich and famous. It is home to live jazz and a good restaurant.
Mama Afrika
178 Long Street, Cape Town, Tel: +27 (0)21 424 8634
Mama Afrika has great live bands and a rowdy crowd.
The Drum Café
32 Glynn Street, Gardens, Cape Town, Tel: 021 425 1486, Email: esme@drumcafe.com
The Drum Café provides an interesting combination of African drumming and Jazz. Drumming workshops are also held here.
The Independent Armchair Theatre
135 Lower Main Road, Observatory
The Independent Armchair Theatre boasts a good line up of indie bands and is popular with students.
The Green Dolphin
Shop 2A, Alfred Mall, at the V&A Waterfront
The Green Dolphin is one of the premier jazz venues in Cape Town.
Bellville Velodrome
Carl Cronjé Drive, Bellville, Cape Town
Bellville Velodrome is the main venue for big-name concerts in Cape Town after the Greenpoint Stadium was set aside for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.
