There’s like, some really good stuff happening this month.
Theatre
Last few days of Moffie at the Baxter Theatre. André Carl van der Merwe’s bruising coming-of-age novel, adapted by Philip Rademeyer and directed by Greg Karvellas. Set in 1979, a young, gay conscript (played by David Viviers) is sent to fight in the Border War. Trigger alert! That awful mix of anger and futility will likely resurface if you, too, were an unwilling conscript. The play will be unrelenting and riveting. Rated PG16. Runs until 27 September, snag one of the last tickets,they cost R150–R240 on Webtickets.If you’re over 50, you may remember André Carl’s unique and colourful shirts for which he became somewhat famous. He started off selling them at the flea market in Newton, Jhb. Also, see our review on page 5.
A full run of Cottonwool Kid at Theatre Arts, Observatory from 23-27 September. Directed by Sylvaine Strike, performed by the inimitableToni Morkel, the work is loosely based on Morkel’s childhood. Little girl CK journeys with loyal dog Luigi, digging through the burdens left by careless parents. Morkel and Strike are phenomenal theatre makers, honest. Drama teachers try book a class outing, physical theatre magic like this is rare. It had a mini run in June and is back by popular demand. Tickets cost R180, with student tickets at R150, available here.
It was the show of the National Arts Festival in June. SALT runs at Theatre on the Bay in Camps Bay from 17-27 September. A triple bill of works by Kirsten Isenberg, Michelle Reid and multi-award-winning choreographer Mthuthuzeli November. Presented by Cape Ballet Africa. Will ‘Wow’ your Tannie. Tickets range from R350 to R450, available via Webtickets.
Mark Fleishman’s last production for UCT after 30 years of gutting student works, ripping out their insides and mashing everything back together into richer theatre (and better theatremakers). He once sent an email to the fourth years after abysmal class attendance with just three letters, “WTF”. One of the greatest Theatre minds in SA. Performed by the graduating students, A Tempest by Aimé Césaire, translated by Philip Crispin and directed by Fleishman, runs at UCT’s Little Theatre on Hiddingh Campus on 26 September at 7 pm, 27 September at 2.30 pm, and 27 September at 7 pm. Tickets cost R85 (R55 for students), book via Quicket.
Music & Jols
Vusi Mahlasela: South Africa’s Legendary Voice at UCT, 6 October at 7 pm, a one-night-only concert with Jerry Tsholofelo Papo on guitar and Dizu Plaatjies on percussion. A musical icon, Mahlasela sang “When You Come Back” at Nelson Mandela’s inauguration in 1994. Tickets cost R100–R300 on Webtickets. All proceeds go to the UCT Unlocking Futures Bursary Fund.
The UCT Jazz Festival takes place at the Baxter Concert Hall on 23 September. Arranged by the South African College of Music Jazz staff, the festival features performances by the UCT Big Band and guests, a jazz vocal showcase and selected jazz ensembles. Evening concerts begin at 7pm, with free lunchtime Library Desk concerts at 1pm in the W. H. Bell Music Library. Tickets cost R50 to R150, while UCT students attend for free. Available on Webtickets.
Nduduzo Makhathini behind the piano, is awesome (as in, I was in awe). Watched him perform last year and was bewitched. Don’t disrespect the craft by talking over the tunes, he will gently yet firmly ask you to zip it or he won’t play, as it should be, he is channelling the gods. An Ongoing Rehearsal with Thandi Ntuli (2018 STBYA for Jazz) at the Baxter Concert Hall on 10 October at 8.30pm. A 120-minute set (no interval) where improvisation, motion, and sound fold into something transcendent, with Makhathini on keys and Ntuli on vocals and piano. Tickets cost R300–R400, book on Webtickets.
And now for something ocmpeleyely opposite, a Shrek Rave. Jol to remixes of Shrek bangers dressed as your favourite character, this is one of those “is this real?” things which could be a night of stupid silly fun. Very Millennial coded. District on Friday, 17 October at 10 pm. Ticket prices range from group options, VIP, etc, starting from R425 available on Quicket. This is an 18+ event, don’t bring your kids.
Punk rock band Runaway Nuns are back in the habit after five years off the stage, playing at District and SurfaRosa on 10 October from 7 pm. It’s a full night out with live rock, rip itttttt! Tickets cost R200–R250 presale, R300 at the door, book on Quicket. No under 18s.
Festivals
The Cape Town Photo Festival ends on 27 September,so catch the last few days. Main venue is 6 Spin Street Gallery but has events spread across the city, including Simon’s Town, Bellville, Observatory, and Kalk Bay. It’s exhibitions, artist talks, workshops, panel discussions, and live music. Highlights are Roger Ballen’s Johannesburg exhibition and catalogue launch, Peter Glendinning’s Attached to the Soil at the Simon’s Town Museum, an AI and Contemporary Photography debate with Suok-Won Yoon and Boris Eldagsen, master printing workshops with Neil Williamson, music and photography crossovers with Matsuli Records, Sean Wilson’s Immortal Impressions wet-plate collodion series, and panel discussions on archives, journalism, and JM Coetzee’s photographic legacy. The festival ends with a closing party. Tickets are available per event via Quicket, with details at capetownphotofest.co.za.
A cool kid staple, a litmus test for ageing when you know no one on the lineup. Rocking the Daisies plants itself back at Cloof Wine Estate in Darling from 2–5 October. Includes Summer Walker, Jessie Reyez, Mereba, Sam Tompkins, plus a heavy local crew with Focalistic, DJ Zinhle, Elaine, Kabza De Small, and Kid Fonque. Four days of wine farm dust, Gates open 3 October at 8 am. Pack sunscreen, wet wipes, a proper hat and stay hydrated kids. Tickets from R599 on Quicket
Keep crafting alive. The Fynbos Quilt Festival in Hopefield from 8–11 October. Organised by the Good Hope Quilters Guild, the four-day event hosts quilt exhibitions, live demos, workshops and plenty of fabric stalls to browse. A community gathering with lots to learn. Details and bookings via Good Hope Quilters Guild.
From 22-28 September, Global event WOMAD (World of Music, Arts & Dance) at wine farms, the V& A Waterfront, the Desmond Tutu Humanity Concert at St George’s Cathedral on 26 September, and a BUNCH of international artists. The program is packed with shows, tastings, workshops etc. Check it here: https://womadsa.co.za/program-
Opportunities
Soapboxing runs at Theatre Arts in Observatory on 28 September at 7 pm. Curated by Natalie Fraser, it’s a low-stakes, high-fun performance space for artists to test new work. Audiences get a behind-the-scenes glimpse of the creative process in a supportive environment. Tickets cost R100 available via Theatre Arts. Could be kak, could be fun, that’s the magic.