Our midwinter solstice has passed, that’s good reason to celebrate
Theatre
A Flea in Her Ear at Magnet Theatre from 24 to 27 June. The iconic French farce written by Georges Feydeau and here directed by Qondiswa James, features the seventh cohort of trainees in their second year of training at Magnet. Watch the escalating web of marital misunderstandings, mistaken identities, and chaotic comic mayhem in a love hotel. Should be fun. No under 15s. Tickets are R80 for general, R60 for scholars, available on Webtickets.
I’m VERY excited for this one! Karamonk at the Baxter Masambe Theatre from 15 to 25 July. Directed by Jemma Kahn and starring Bianca Flanders (both acclaimed award-winners), the new cabaret by the pair should be, as its blurb says: “Playful, provocative and genre-bending.” It continues: “… the production offers a rich feast of contemporary South African writing, sharp humour, visual sparkle and kamishibai,” a traditional form of Japanese paper theatre that Kahn has used often in her past work. Tickets cost R180, and opening night is already fully booked, so don’t sit on your hands. Available on Webtickets.
I’M MoMo AND I HAVE ISSUES at Theatre Arts from 21 to 23 July 2026. This dark, quirky solo comedy, written and performed by MoMo Matsunyane and directed by Jefferson Tshabalala, tackles family dynamics, sex, politics, and mental illness. (Both are Standard Bank Young Artist Award for Theatre winners, so this should be cutting edge, like laughing so hard your sides hurt but also why are you crying?) PG 13. Tickets cost R150, R100 for students and pensioners. Available at the Theatre Arts website.
Dance
Who says you can’t be sexy for a cause? The Grand Exhibition Burlesque Benefit is at the Homecoming Centre (formerly the Fugard) on 27 June. This charity show hosted by The Rouge Revue, features local burlesque icons performing choreographed routines to raise funds for the Rape Crisis Cape Town Trust. Selling fast, tickets range from R280 to R350 on Quicket.
Art
Decorex Cape Town at the CTICC from 25 to 28 June. A massive annual design, decor, and lifestyle exhibition of independent local creators, makers, and large-scale interior installations. Tickets are available on the Decorex website.
Bloom After Dark| Painting Circle with Artist Amy Ayanda at 6 pm on 2 July. A monthly “curated creative experience” at her home studio in Mowbray, this is an intimate painting circle, with all art materials and a shared dinner provided. Exhale, sip on botanical cordials and herbal teas, make some art you can take home, under the gentle guidance of the renowned artist. Tickets cost R980pp for the three-hour evening, available on Quicket.
Music
Internet Athi Presents Polymorphism: A Live Album Experience at the Star Theatre on 26 June. Backed by a full live ensemble, this immersive sonic event presents a cinematic reimagining of alternative jazz and neo-soul compositions centred around themes of collective storytelling. Tickets cost R400 and are selling fast on Quicket.
Direct from New York is the Siya Charles Sextet at Café Roux in Noordhoek on 28 June. Led by trombonist and composer Siya Charles, who is a Juilliard alumnus, this premier jazz ensemble will provide an evening of contemporary sounds and modern improvisation. Tickets cost R250. If you love jazz, this is a winter sizzler. Tickets available on Quicket.
A “bite-sized” music festival spread over three weekends in winter, The Routes of Sound festival in the Yellowwoods Lounge at Spier Wine Farm starts on 3 July. Totalling 40 local musicians, each weekend has a different lineup. Cosy, intimate, for lovers of lyrics and poetry, no under 18s. Tickets cost R300, available on the Spier website.
Did I Do My Thing? Tour at the Homecoming Centre on 17 July. Multi-award-winning musician Zoë Modiga performs a live showcase drawing from her extensive four-album discography that fuses African contemporary sensibilities, jazz, and soul. Tickets start from R350 on Quicket.
A Night with the Stars: Lloyiso at the GrandWest Arena on 24 July. Soul singer-songwriter Lloyiso performs a powerful, stripped-back live set backed by a full band for an elevated production focused on vulnerability and vocal artistry. Tickets range from R400 to R750 on Webtickets.
It’s giving goosebumps, tears and awe. Simphiwe Dana: The Symphonic Experience at the Artscape Opera House on 29 July. The icon performs her powerful catalogue with the Cape Town Philharmonic Orchestra. The splendour and spectacle of the diva’s sound. Tickets range from R300 to R650 on Webtickets.
Jols & Other
We have to say goodbye to The Unofficial Pink Party at Botanik Social House on 3 July. Having announced their last parties, there are only three left (sob) after 12 years of hosting. One of the fabbest queer parties in the city, especially for the sapphic community, come have a boogie. Tickets cost R150, available on Quicket.
National Arts Festival: 26 June to 6 July
If you’re making the pilgrimage to Makhanda, these Cape Town shows will be at the National Arts Festival. There are SO MANY artists and performers going this year. Despite the AI-conflictual debate, it’s useful when looking up shows online per location, try it out.
Three of the Standard Bank Young Artists for this year hail from the Mother City. Visual Artist Bronwyn Katz, creating sculptural and installation works that explore language, memory and land. Her exhibition Ta a-b kobab ada kāxu-da, ti khoe-du’e, will be up daily in the Monument.
Theatre winner Jason Jacobs is a storyteller who integrates his cultural heritage into contemporary narratives. Alongside his staged production, Kraal, his award-winning film Variations on A Theme is being screened at the Monument.
Dancer Lee-ché Janeke, known professionally as Litchi HOV, is a choreographer, creative director and cultural innovator shaping the future of global dance. His performance, MAJAIVAN: A movement story of the life of Lee-Ché Janecke, is the physical expression of his emotional life’s journey.
And on the Fringe, look out for productions by Spark in the Dark, which is taking shows such as Messy, Raunchy Renditions, Play Things, FILLED, Sophie Jones is A Real Comedian, Netphlix, and Mlungu. Go and check out their Facebook for the full list, ’cause its loooong.
Then there’s the comedians – Dalin Oliver, Stuart Taylor, Jarryd Pillay, Yaseen Barnes – who I suspect will probably turn up at Rob Van Vuuren’s Very Big Comedy Show.