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From Malaysian slaves,
Dutch, English and French explorers
to indigenous Khoisan people, the origins of Cape
Town's three million inhabitants are extremely diverse.
Since Cape Town's establishment as a halfway stopping point
on the 'Spice Route' to India in the 1600's, the centuries that
followed saw an influx of explorers, settlers
and colonists arriving in the 'fairest Cape' to live
among the indigenous tribes already there.
Together with South Africa's recent colourful and often painful
history during the apartheid years, it's small wonder that the city
has emerged as a vibrant, edgy and
eclectic place with a rich and
textured cultural heritage. In Cape Town, the arts
are alive and well - and there's lots to see and do. |
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| Theatre venues in
Cape Town combine food or drink with jazz, cabaret, Shakespeare,
musicals...whatever your taste, the city has the live performance
venue to suit you. |
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| Artscape |
| Situated on the Foreshore, Artscape hosts major
drama productions and is also home to the Cape Town Philharmonic
Orchestra. You can enjoy regular classical concerts, as well as
ballet, opera and theatre. Every March the Cape Philharmonic performs
a proms programme in the Old Town Hall. |
| 1-10 DF Malan St, Foreshore Tel (021) 421
7695 |
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| The Baxter |
| The Baxter Theatre consists of three different
venues and offers a wide range of performing arts, from kids' shows to
Zulu dance spectaculars. |
| Main Road, Rondebosch, Tel (021) 685 7880 |
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| Theatre on the Bay |
| On the edge of the Atlantic Seaboard in Camps Bay,
this theatre hosts conventional plays and one-person shows. |
| 1 Link St, Camps Bay, Tel (021) 438 3301 |
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| Comedy Warehouse |
| A new addition to the Cape Town cultural scene,
the Comedy Warehouse in Green Point offers various local comedy and
live music shows. |
| 22 Somerset Road, Green Point, Tel (021) 425
2175 |
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| From jazz and rock to
classical concerts and drum sessions, Cape Town has a young, lively
music scene. Watching live local music is a great way to spend an
evening and to put your finger on the pulse of Cape Town society. |
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| Dizzy Jazz Café |
| A vibing late night music spot in Camps Bay with
outside tables, a bar, restaurant and live music every night. Patrons
are treated to live jazz on Fridays and Saturdays - hugely popular
with the Camps Bay locals. |
| 41 The Drive, Camps Bay, Tel (021) 438 2686
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| Green Dolphin |
| This upmarket Waterfront jazz venue serves good
food and hosts local jazz bands every evening from 8pm. Ensure to book
ahead or arrive early in order to secure your dinner table. |
| Victoria and Alfred Pierhead, Tel (021) 421
7471 |
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| Drum Café |
| For a musical evening with a difference, hire a
drum and participate in a communal drumming sessions. Don't worry if
you're rhythmically retarded - experts lead the sessions and you'll
soon catch on. Percussion and African bands perform here too several
nights a week, and light meals and drinks are available. |
| Glynn St, Gardens, Tel (021) 426 1064 |
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| Mercury Live |
| This large venue in District Six is the spot for
checking out local rock and hip-hop acts. The crowd is young and
unpretentious, and gigs are usually every weekend. Check the local
Cape Town press for details. |
| 22 De Villiers St, District Six, Tel (021)
426 2106 |
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| Cape Town prides
itself on being a happening art venue. Check the local press for
details of upcoming exhibitions, as exhibition venues are often not
only limited to the city's major galleries. However for a taste of
South African art culture, try the following: |
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| South African National Gallery |
| A world-class gallery with a permanent collection
of South African and international painting and sculpture. Highly
Recommended. |
| Government Avenue, Cape Town, Tel (021) 465
1628 |
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| Rust-en-Vreugd |
| This museum is a good place to learn about Cape
Town's colourful colonial past. Housed in an 18th century townhouse
with a large back garden, the range of contemporary paintings is wide,
as are the selection of works from the William Fehr collection -
including those by renowned artist Thomas Baines. |
| 78 Buitenkant St, Tel (021) 465 3628 |
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| District Six Museum |
| This is a fascinating window into the painful and
colourful history of South Africa. The museum is homage to the now
obsolete District Six, a settlement that was destroyed by the South
African government during the apartheid years. Note that all township
tours stop here first to explain the history of South Africa's pass
laws. |
| 25a Buitenkant St, District Six, Tel (021)
461 8745 |
