We move offshore this week. While Robben Island has been used largely as a prison since the arrival of the Dutch in the mid-1600s there is so much more to this fascinating place than one would imagine. For instance, did you know that there were people living on the island many thousands of years ago? The sea channel between the Island and the Cape mainland was not always covered with water.
Part of the Oude Libertas Summer Season, Queen at the Ballet is ballet with a twist. Audiences will walk away enthralled and uplifted. Powerful performances of the dancers and their impeccable interpretation will linger in the memory long after the final curtain has fallen. Carefully selected music of QUEEN is used and guest artists and newcomers from the UCT Opera School will keep audiences spellbound.
One of the best ways to enjoy a meal with friends is to share, taste and enjoy a wide selection of dishes. Luke Dale-Roberts has turned this American tradition into a fine-dining experience with the newly-opened The Pot Luck Club & Gallery. A variety of “small plates” of global dishes, cocktails and boutique wines are on the menu at this combination eatery and contemporary art gallery.
While good coffee is the only way to start a day, Monday mornings that start with a meeting need coffee (lots of coffee) and something more. The something more that turns me from a bleary-eyed, sleep-deprived shadow of myself to an enthusiastic employee ready to face the day is coffee - and a bacon croissant from Jason Bakery. Now, there’s a way to show my appreciation for its restorative powers.
Hermanuspietersfontein Wines and Celllar is so named to pay homage to and re-live the origin of Hermanus. They’ve also revived the traditional Saturday morning community market. The Food & Wine Market is a great way to escape the city. Sample and stock up on a bread, cheese, wines, olive oils, traditional & international foods, home bakes, organic coffee, and many other delicious hand crafted products.
Ads Worth Spreading is a global TED initiative that recognises and rewards innovation, ingenuity and intelligence in advertising: “An ad worth spreading is an ad that people truly want to see and share.” One of the ads in contention for 2012 is for The DNA Project, a non profit that works to advance and expand the use of DNA evidence in South Africa. We think it definitely meets the TED criteria.
It’s taken some time (and festive seasons don’t help), but next week sees &.Books
unveiling a selection of exclusive Taschen titles. Stop in for a cup of excellent coffee and browse the shelves for some of the quirkiest, interesting, entertaining or fascinating coffee table books and international magazines, including ID, 10, VMan, Art Review, Love, Conde Nast Traveler, and others.
After personal circumstances meant the cancellation of her 2010 seminar, internationally acclaimed trend forecaster Li Edelkoort is back and will be in Cape Town in March to present a two-part trend seminar, titled “Summer 13 ‘Bliss’” and “House of Textile”. She will examine how textiles are being reinvented, incorporating the handmade and the traditional in a highly technical process.
Stopping off for an artisan coffee brewed to perfection and an indulgent pastry is the best way to take a quick break, to improve a bad day, or make a good day even better. Brew Mobile serves Deluxe’s organic blend and a range of freshly-made sandwiches, salads and pastries. And if you’d prefer to stay in the comfort on your air-conditioned office or just don’t have time, they deliver. Perfect during the heatwave.
I love the beach - in winter. Spending time on the beach during the hot summer months has seldom been on my list of must-do activities. Until now. While it’s been around for a while, I’ve only just discovered Massage On The Beach. Enjoying a relaxing and convenient deep-tissue massage at the edge of the ocean on either of two of the world’s most beautiful beaches? Bliss
While parking in the city is always an issue, and even more so at this time of year, we deal. We have to. However, the struggle to find parking in order to grab an early morning caffeine fix before heading out to face the day, is an entirely different matter; then, all bets are off. Origin Coffee Roasting tells us how they’re doing their bit to solve parking problems and prevent possible road rage.
Buying a packet of nuts, waiting patiently and quietly with hand outstretched for one of the city’s most beloved inhabitants to get close enough to enjoy the proffered feast, then watching in wonder as they do so, is the highlight of a trip to the Company’s Gardens for millions of children (and their parents) over many, many years. We have Cecil John Rhodes to thank for this pleasure.
The fourth annual Cape Town International Tattoo Convention takes place from 27 to 29 January at the Pavilion Centre at the V&A Waterfront with some of the best local and international artists, exhibitions, parties, fantastic opre-convention parties n-floor entertainment and some great pre-convention parties. Entertainment highlights include a putt-putt course, acrobatics, burlesque and more.
Some of South Africa’s leading performers - dancers, illusionists, comedians, vocalists, aerialists, etc. - are coming together on Sunday afternoon in order to help raise funds for Uel Maree who was left paralysed after breaking his neck in a recent accident. Uel is an active, outdoors guy who has had a profound influence on many young people’s lives through his work at Bootcamp.
Wontons, steamed buns and pot stickers, oh my! If you, like Cindy Taylor of I Love Coffee, got hooked on the sublime Asian street food at the City Bowl Market, you’ll be pleased to know you no longer need to wait a week between fixes. Head on down to Long Street, where you’ll find South China Dim Sum Bar open from Tuesdays to Sundays for lunch or dinner of both, depending on the day.
Capetonians disappointed to discover that they were unable to indulge in what was fast becoming known as the best burger in town, breathed a sigh of relief this week when Clarke’s Bar & Dining Room on Bree Street re-opened. Enjoy simple, classic American food using the best ingredients, in a sleek and stylish interior with potted plant-lined walls and gorgeous bar stools by Liam Mooney.
We spotted this amazing little video on the I ♥ Cape Town Facebook page and couldn’t resist sharing. Take a short 2-minute break and enjoy a tour around a miniature Cape Town. I won’t go into the details because I’m clueless, but do know that something called Tilt Shift photography is probably involved. Regardless, I’ve enjoyed this video more than once.
I’m not sure if this is still the case, but there was a time when if you went to school in Cape Town, your education was not complete without a visit to the Castle, where the highlight was invariably being plunged into darkness in a ‘haunted’ dungeon. Back home, you’d spend what seemed like forever learning the names of the five bastions (and how to spell them correctly) because it was always a test question.
Take a trip out to the magnificent Hemel en Aarde Valley on Saturday, 11 February and enjoy a fun, interactive tutored tasting at Bouchard Finlayson. This, the first tutored tasting of 2012 focuses on the older Chardonnays. Eight wines are included: some from Bouchard Finlayson, as well as one or two international examples. What’s more, the interactive tasting is free of charge!
Here’s a New Year challenge we can get behind. Toro Wine Bar is once again inviting Capetonians to help them empty a 55 litre barrel of Sterhuis Chenin Blanc on Friday, 27 January. A similar event held in October last year proved very popular and very successful - not a drop of wine was left in the barrel. The first glass costs R25, which includes a crystal glass to take home afterwards.