Rich in historical detail, Fiddler on the Roof has touched audiences around the world with its humour, warmth and honesty. Its universal theme of tradition cuts across barriers of race, class, nationality and religion, leaving audiences crying tears of laughter, joy and sadness.

Learn Africa, Love Africa Festival Until December 2011

The African Arts Institute will present a unique series of events featuring an all-Africa line-up at a number of popular Cape Town venues from 29 July 2011 through December 2011. The programme consists of monthly music parties, film nights, art talks and book chats, hosted at the Kimberley Hotel on Roeland Street, the Labia on Orange Street, 6 Spin Street and the Book Lounge, also on Roeland Street.

Tretchikoff Exhibition Until 25 September 2011

A retrospective exhibition of the artist, Vladimir Tretchikoff, will be open to the public at the Iziko South African National Gallery until 25 September. While Tretchikoff is undoubtedly one of South Africa’s most controversial artists, there can be no doubt that he has become a cultural icon and remains a favourite artist to many South Africans.

Out the Box Festival 2011 3 – 11 September 2011

UNIMA South Africa’s annual Out the Box Festival of Puppetry and Visual Performance is a 9-day multidisciplinary event celebrating innovation, diversity and sustainability.

Jiving with Madiba by Zapiro Until 27 September 2011

Jiving with Madiba celebrates the life and contributions of South Africa’s greatest citizen, his struggle, successes and shortcomings, as portrayed by our country’s leading political cartoonist Jonathan Shapiro, better known as Zapiro.

Stop-Frame Animation Workshops 2 – 9 September 2011

As part of this year’s Out The Box Festival, UNIMA South Africa will be hosting five workshops exploring the art of stop-motion animation and puppetry in film.

Open Book 21 – 25 September 2011

Open Book is a five day long literary festival, featuring talks by top international and local writers, taking place in various venues across Cape Town from the 21st to the 25th of September.

Defending the Caveman Until 10 September 2011

Alan Committie is back in the record-breaking “date show” that explores the differences – and similarities – between the sexes.

Creative Week Cape Town 9 – 18 September 2011

This 10 day event was created as a forerunner to the Loeries with the aim to showcase local creativity in design, music, film, theatre, business, innovation, digital media, fine arts and crafts in Cape Town.

This fair offers three days of indulgence with a wide array of world-class premium wine and an assortment of fresh, local culinary creations.

Learn Africa, Love Africa Festival Until December 2011

The African Arts Institute will present a unique series of events featuring an all-Africa line-up at a number of popular Cape Town venues from 29 July 2011 through December 2011. The programme consists of monthly music parties, film nights, art talks and book chats, hosted at the Kimberley Hotel on Roeland Street, the Labia on Orange Street, 6 Spin Street and the Book Lounge, also on Roeland Street.

Tretchikoff Exhibition Until 25 September 2011

A retrospective exhibition of the artist, Vladimir Tretchikoff, will be open to the public at the Iziko South African National Gallery until 25 September. While Tretchikoff is undoubtedly one of South Africa’s most controversial artists, there can be no doubt that he has become a cultural icon and remains a favourite artist to many South Africans.

Zip Zap Circus – The Caretaker 5 – 8 August 2011

Following the success of Zip Zap’s Easter Show ‘Just Kidding’, this new production guarantees laughs, thrills and fun for the entire family.

Jiving with Madiba by Zapiro Until 27 September 2011

Jiving with Madiba celebrates the life and contributions of South Africa’s greatest citizen, his struggle, successes and shortcomings, as portrayed by our country’s leading political cartoonist Jonathan Shapiro, better known as Zapiro.

Cracks and the City 1 – 13 August 2011

The Cracks as they are now known, return with a two-week run from August 1 to 13 in the Baxter Golden Arrow Studio. Audiences can look forward to a new full-length show, Cracks And The City II, with fresh material and sketches that are sure to get you laughing as well as thinking. The show is directed by comic whizz, Alan Committie.

Swan Lake at Artscape 19 – 26 August 2011

Swan Lake is one of the greatest classical ballets ever choreographed. The mystery and romance of the story is embodied in the ethereal choreography and Tchaikovsky’s poignant score.

Defending the Caveman Until 10 September 2011

Alan Committie is back in the record-breaking “date show” that explores the differences – and similarities – between the sexes.

In association with Highland Park Single Malt Scotch Whisky, Short and Sweet, Cape Town will be hosting an exclusive 5 week winter special in Cape Town at the Dream Factory in Town, 10 Orphan street (located between Bree and Loop). Every Tuesday for the month of July, Short & Sweet will bring art-loving Capetonians and whisky connoisseurs together for a night of wining, dining and good old-fashioned movie-watching.

Ceramics and Sculpture Exhibition at Kalk Bay Modern 15 June – 15 July

An extensive ceramics and sculpture exhibition featuring the work of 20 artists including Gail Catlin, Clementina van der Walt and Hennie Meyer. The exhibition opens at Kalk Bay Modern on Wednesday, the 15th of June at 6pm.

Tretchikoff Exhibition Until 25 September

A retrospective exhibition of the artist, Vladimir Tretchikoff, will be open to the public at the Iziko South African National Gallery until 25 September. While Tretchikoff is undoubtedly one of South Africa’s most controversial artists, there can be no doubt that he has become a cultural icon and remains a favourite artist to many South Africans.

Xmas in July at Evita se Perron 2 – 31 July

Tannie Evita Bezuidenhout has been celebrating friendship and fun at Evita se Perron for some years now, highlighted with her Christmas show during the month of July. Xmas in July 2011 will be even more special.

Jiving with Madiba by Zapiro Until 27 September

Jiving with Madiba celebrates the life and contributions of South Africa’s greatest citizen, his struggle, successes and shortcomings, as portrayed by our country’s leading political cartoonist Jonathan Shapiro, better known as Zapiro.

Vodacom Funny Festival 13 June to 10 July

The 7th Vodacom Funny Festival is taking place at the Baxter Concert Hall this June/July. With acts like Miss Ro – Korea’s world famous magician, Kev Orkian – comic pianist from the UK, Kalki Henenberg – a leading hula-hoop artist from Australia and some of South Africa’s best comedic talent, you will be sure to have an entertaining evening. Please note that this event carries an age restriction.

Director and Directing conference 28 – 31 July

Featuring several performances as well as panel interviews and talks, GIPCA’s exciting Director and Directing conference will take place at the Hiddingh Hall Campus, University of Cape Town from 28 to 31 July 2011.

Michaelis Alumni Auction 12 – 20 July

From 12 to 20 July 2011 the Michaelis School of Fine Art, University of Cape Town, will host a fundraising exhibition and auction of work of its prestigious alumni and staff, in aid of bursaries and scholarships at the school.

The Nutcracker 14 – 16 July

The Imperial Russian Ballet Company presents The Nutcracker, a story about a talented toymaker, Herr Drosselmeyer, who visits a family over Christmas.  He brings toys for the two children, Clara and Fritz. Clara is particularly taken by one toy, the Nutcracker. After midnight, Clara falls asleep and dreams about a magical world in which the Nutcracker comes to life.

The production is played out in a series of interactions between the two main characters, represented as five versions of themselves from birth to death. Ouroboros is directed by 2010 Standard Bank Young Artist Award winner for Theatre, Janni Younge, with master puppeteers Basil Jones and Adrian Kohler, marking their first collaboration since Younge joined the Handspring Puppet Company this year as Associate Director.

Ceramics and Sculpture Exhibition at Kalk Bay Modern 15 June – 15 July

An extensive ceramics and sculpture exhibition featuring the work of 20 artists including Gail Catlin, Clementina van der Walt and Hennie Meyer. The exhibition opens at Kalk Bay Modern on Wednesday, the 15th of June at 6pm.

Tretchikoff Exhibition Until 25 September

A retrospective exhibition of the artist, Vladimir Tretchikoff, will be open to the public at the Iziko South African National Gallery until 25 September. While Tretchikoff is undoubtedly one of South Africa’s most controversial artists, there can be no doubt that he has become a cultural icon and remains a favourite artist to many South Africans.

A Choral Tribute to Madiba 18 & 19 June

The Cape Philharmonic Orchestra with Joyfull Harmonies, Simon Alumni Estes Choir, Heavenly Voices, CPUT Choir and the Procantu Youth Choir performs a powerful homage statesman Nelson Mandela with reverberating choral sounds.

EDGES at Kalk Bay Theatre Until 25 June

EDGES is not a traditional musical; it is an exciting new show about four bourgeoning adults seeking simple truths in an increasingly complex world.

Vodacom Funny Festival 13 June to 10 July

The 7th Vodacom Funny Festival is taking place at the Baxter Concert Hall this June/July. With acts like Miss Ro – Korea’s world famous magician, Kev Orkian – comic pianist from the UK, Kalki Henenberg – a leading hula-hoop artist from Australia and some of South Africa’s best comedic talent, you will be sure to have an entertaining evening. Please note that this event carries an age restriction.

Encounters Film Festival 9 – 26 June

Encounters is widely acclaimed as Africa’s most prestigious documentary festival. This year’s selection features 35 films from 14 countries and five continents, including 12 world premieres, 18 South African films and 17 international films.

Hot Cross Nuns 10 May – 4 June

South Africa’s award-winning a cappella group Not the Midnight Mass is back! The group has a new and exciting line up: stalwarts Graham and Christine Weir are once again joined by Cape Town’s most popular jazz diva, Amanda Tiffin, as well as award-winning actress Anthea Thompson and funny man Donal Slemon.

The Good Food and Wine Show 26- 29 May

Find everything you need to rule the dinner party, the kitchen, or even the wine cellar at the Good Food & Wine Show, South Africa’s premier gourmet and lifestyle exhibition.

Franschhoek Literary Festival 13, 14  & 15 May

Novelists, poets, playwrights and journalists from across South Africa, and around the world, will gather in Franschhoek for a truly international festival. The FLF is a street-party for those who write, read, review, publish – or simply love books.

Voices of Cape Town 29 May

The Voices of Cape Town celebrate their 10th Anniversary. This choir will render a choral recital with special guest artists.

David Kramer’s Breyani 18 – 29 May

In Breyani, Kramer celebrates rhythms, instrumentation, vocal styling and language to create music that is unmistakably and uniquely from the Cape.

‘Shoot! Image and Text 12 May

‘Shoot! Image and Text: A discussion on curating, art criticism and maybe football too…’ will be a two-way question and answer session between Naidoo (Director of Iziko SA National Gallery) and O’Toole (Journalist & Art critic) focusing on the role of the public museum, curatorship as a form of hegemonic disruption and the inflections of post-apartheid art criticism, with public participation in the exchange welcomed.

Broken Glass Until 16 April 2011 A major, coordinated attack on Jews throughout Germany on the night of 9 November 1938, and into the next day, is recorded in the history books as Kristallnacht, or The Night of Broken Glass.
Miller’s play (first published in 1994), explores themes of guilt, personal tragedy and love in the lives of a Jewish couple living in New York in 1938, deeply affected by the horrific anti-Semitic events of that ominous night.

Decorex Cape Town 29 April – 2 May 2011. Visit Decorex Cape Town for an interior décor and design experience expressing the Mother City´s innovative energy.

The Tale of Peter Rabbit 1 – 9 April 2011 Join the flopsy bunnies at Artscape and help Peter Rabbit to escape from Mr McGregor’s clutches.

Standard Bank Young Artist for Visual Art 2010 Michael MacGarry 27 March – 15 May 2011 END GAME is the exhibition associated with the Standard Bank Young Artist Award for Visual Art, presented to Michael MacGarry in 2010.

Prince Albert Olive Festival 30 April – 1 May 2011 This celebration is so much more than just another olive festival. The Prince Albert Olive Festival from 30 April to 1 May offers two days of foodie fun seasoned with a liberal helping of arts, crafts, history and culture.

Vintage Ideas Market 29 April – 2 May 2011 Simondium’s Country Lodge will be hosting their first Vintage Ideas Market from 29 April 2011 – 2 May 2011 on the R45 between Paarl & Franschhoek.

‘Ubuntu Bethu’, a joint exhibition by Lindile Magunya and Gerald Tabata at Casa Labia Gallery, Muizenberg. 7 April – 29 May 2011 Ubuntu Bethu is a mixed medium exhibition by artists Lindile Magunya and Gerald Tabata, which highlights the day to day issues that face ordinary people in South Africa. The exhibition runs from the 7th April until the 29th May 2011.

This exhibition showcases the very best photography featuring natural subjects. The competition is owned by two UK institutions that pride themselves on revealing and championing the diversity of life on Earth – the Natural History Museum and BBC Wildlife Magazine – and is brought to South Africa by NHU Africa.

10 Years ON 2- 29 March 2011.

An unusually large proportion of the students who graduated from the Michaelis School of Fine Art in the year 2001 went on to become noted, at times even notorious, artists in the South African and international art scene. The exhibition 10 years ON celebrates these graduates of 2001 and the impact that they have had on the South African art world in the decade since their graduation.

Cape Town Festival 2011 18 – 21 March 2011

Billed as an “incomparable” culture and heritage event, the Cape Town Festival sets out to present a diverse arts, culture and heritage event that caters for all cultural groups and ages, Mother City residents and visitors alike.

Exhibition of new work by Jill Trappler at Casa Labia ends 27 March 2011

It is a quiet but dramatic show that demands attention and time so that the eye can absorb the details; the words, the colour, the surfaces. From a distance you will fall down a landscape or waterfall, talk to the clouds or play in the woven notes as they make rhythms across the surface and deeper into unknown yet familiar places.

Cape Town Carnival 2011 19 March 2011

While celebrating Cape Town’s inherent cultural and artistic richness, as well as paying tribute to our rich heritage Cape Town Carnival will be taking the glimpse of an idealistic Cape Town and what our future might hold with this years’ theme: ‘Dream the Future’.

Fleur du Cap Theatre Awards 20 March 2011.

Equivalent to the Tony Awards in New York, the Fleur du Cap Theatre Awards is an evening of glitz and glamour that attracts the cream of the country’s theatre talent and entertainers.

Cape Winelands Film Festival 16- 26 March 2011.

The 2010 Cape Winelands Film Festival (CWFF) are proud to present an unparalleled window on quality films from around the globe. The rich selection of world cinema includes features, documentaries and shorts, all which have won over 300 international awards.

Cape Town International Jazz Festival 2011 25 – 26 March 2011.

The festival’s winning formula of bringing more than 40 International and Local artists to perform over two days on five stages has earned it the status of being the most prestigious event on the African continent.

Curated by Margie Murgatroyd of Africa Nova, this inspired and multifaceted exhibition includes all aspects of the visual arts and celebrates the diversity of our Botanical Artists.

Includes live floral displays in the ballroom and drawing room – from some of Cape Town’s
leading florists and floral designers. www.casalabia.co.za

Farryl Purkiss, Dan Patlansky and Inge Beckman at Kirstenbosch 23 January 2011

EVITA the musical Until 23 January 2011

Beginning with a young and ambitious Eva, the production follows her meteoric rise to virtual sainthood. The story tells of the enormous wealth and power she gained and the means by which she became the beloved Evita.www.theatreonthebay.co.za

The Taming of the Shrew at Maynardville 11 January – 19 February 2011

Christopher Sly, a congenial drunk flung out of a bar by the pub’s Hostess, falls into a deep sleep and dreams a dream. That dream is the story of the taming of Katherine, the Shrew, by Petruchio. This play-within-a-dream, with its wild and giddy uses of disguises, mistaken identities, and confusions provides consummate comedy for all. www.artscape.co.za

Home Groan by Kurt Schoonraad 18 – 29 January

After a sold-out national tour leaving many a funny bone shattered in his comedy wake, Kurt Schoonraad returns with lots of new material and characters in his one-man stand-up show directed by Rob van Vuuren. www.baxter.co.za

Wildlife Photographer of the Year Until 13 March 2011

This exhibition showcases the very best photography featuring natural subjects. The competition is owned by two UK institutions that pride themselves on revealing and championing the diversity of life on Earth – the Natural History Museum and BBC Wildlife Magazine – and is brought to South Africa by NHU Africa.www.iziko.org.za

Night and Day 23 January – 20 February 2011

The Cape Town City Ballet will present an exciting new ballet, Night & Day, at Maynardville Open Air Theatre. Night & Day, will express the ageless appeal of Cole Porter’s music in dance. Choreographers Robin Van Wyk, Mervyn Williams, Kirsten Isenberg, Paul Johnson and Nigel Lucas have complemented Porter’s sophisticated and whimsical melodies with their individual charm and characters. www.artscape.co.za

Curated by Margie Murgatroyd of Africa Nova, this inspired and multifaceted exhibition includes all aspects of the visual arts and celebrates the diversity of our Botanical Artists.

Includes live floral displays in the ballroom and drawing room – from some of Cape Town’s
leading florists and floral designers. www.casalabia.co.za

Freshlyground at Kirstenbosch 12 December 2010

It’s that time of year again and Freshlyground will be playing live at Kirstenbosch Gardens on Sunday 12 December. The concert starts at 17:30 and gates open at 16:00. www.freshlyground.com

EVITA the musical Until 8 January 2011

Beginning with a young and ambitious Eva, the production follows her meteoric rise to virtual sainthood. The story tells of the enormous wealth and power she gained and the means by which she became the beloved Evita.www.theatreonthebay.co.za

Nik Rabinowitz at the Baxter 7 December 2010 – 8 January 2011

Nik Rabinowitz returns to the Baxter in December for his sixth solo show, which promises to be a stand-up tour de farce, which is like that French bicycle race, only with no bicycles, and less French and more jokes. So nothing at all like that bicycle race. But, thanks to the generosity of the ANCYL and other comedians in government, he has had access to some of his best raw material yet. Thanks guys… http://capetowncreatives.co.za/blog

Laborie Carols by Candlelight and Night Market 8 December 2010

Celebrate the festive season at Laborie Wine Farm on 8 December, with an unforgettable evening of Carols by Candlelight and a night market. Situated in the heart of Paarl, and surrounded by the majestic Drakenstein Mountains, with the Paarl Mountain as its backdrop, Laborie is regarded as one of the precious jewels in the Cape Winelands District. R50 for adults and R30 for children over 8 years of age.http://laboriewines.co.za

Designer- Maker Festive Market 15 December

The historic Evangelical Lutheran Church circa 1780, the oldest operating church in Cape Town, and Freeworld Coatings, South Africa’s leading coatings company, will jointly host a designer artisan Christmas exhibition and market on the afternoon and evening of the church’s popular annual Carols by Candlelight.

Vergelegen Carols by Candlelight 17  December 2010

Prepare your picnic and join thousands of guests to share this moment of magic in aid of the Helderberg Hospice.  Gates open 17h00.  Adults – R 30, children under 12 – R15 . All proceeds to Helderberg Hospice.www.vergelegen.co.za

Day and Night at Artscape 31 December 2010 – 9 January 2011

The Cape Town City Ballet will present an exciting new ballet, Night & Day, at the Artscape Opera House. Night & Day, will express the ageless appeal of Cole Porter’s music in dance. Choreographers Robin Van Wyk, Mervyn Williams, Kirsten Isenberg, Paul Johnson and Nigel Lucas have complemented Porter’s sophisticated and whimsical melodies with their individual charm and characters. http://capetowncreatives.co.za/blog