Turning the whole centre into an art gallery is Cape Quarter Art - just one of the events that show the visitors how seriously we take our creative spirit. Join us as we move from The Piazza to The Square as the popular Art on the Piazza extends its reach to show off the hottest art, crafts, ceramics and photography that Cape Town offers. Meet the artist or admire the displays, enjoy the Cape Town School of Photography's special project and watch as art takes form in the stores and in the open areas. This is an art walkabout like no other - works from The Lisa King Gallery, Caroline Gibello fine art photography, heartworks, Imiso Ceramics, and Karoo Art meet individual artists of note and reflect the form and design of this exciting lifestyle centre (from 10am to 5pm).
Linger on for a fashion extravaganza that shows the Mother City is still the fashion capital. Cape Quarter Fashion on The Square shows how our creative entrepreneurs are the tops with innovation and spectacle. Taking on an eco form we look to saving the planet with clever recycling. Made with environmentally sustainable materials Eco-Fashion shows the hottest designs from students from a variety of schools. Interpreting briefs from each store, their garments will blow you away with their clever and quirky style. See them come alive on the ramp when the Eco Fashion show swings into action at 7pm. Then settle in for a showing of the latest spring fashions from the fashion stores as models weave their way across the ramp showing the hottest trends. Move to The Piazza for an up-close-and-personal look at the delicious creations. On trend and dressed to impress - all can be found from our highly individual and stylish boutiques from 8pm to 9pm.
And the popular Body Spectra competition lets City Varsity students show their skills as they paint, wrap and mould their human canvases to reflect Cape Trade Routes - from wine, spice, slaves and more - intricate and unusual designs show the shape of the Cape from 9pm to 10pm. The sounds of disco maestro Honey B spins the evening to 11pm.
Plan your Sunday, 8 November to be at Cape Quarter from 7pm to 9pm as the Symphony of Light captures your imagination. The unique combination of music and opera from Sterling EQ, Hout Bay Strings and Fire Poi dancers fuses with light in its many shapes and forms. Laser and intelligent lighting make way for fire performances and UV reflective puppetry, whilst the romance of candles, fairy lights and solar-powered lanterns make for an evening of splendour as you dine in any one of the restaurants spilling out on to The Square or The Piazza.
Every evening from Monday 9 to Thursday 12 November from 7pm to 10pm enjoy the soothing sounds of laid-back live music from the most popular of Cape Town classical ensembles. Palm Strings Duo, Divertimento, Uvuyo Trio, Keys and Strings entertain on The Piazza and The Square. Look out for celebrity lookalikes strolling The Piazza and The Square all week. Spot them and you could be in for a gift or two. Tenant promotions, a grand opening competition, and more, are just some of the reasons for heading this way.
Food comes to the fore with Cape Quarter Food & Brandy Festival on Friday 13 (this will be your lucky day) and Saturday 14 November from 10am to 5pm. Make a date to spend those days in the lively company of Giggling Gourmet Jenny Morris and Alchemy of Gold as two days of culinary creativity highlight the tricks of the trade with the chefs and personalities from the more than 15 restaurants and specialist food stores that are on offer at Cape Quarter.
Free demonstrations make this the place to learn some new techniques and savour the foodie offerings. Divine decadence in all its forms: from Giovanni Mazzone from BICCCS preparing his famous bread to the exotic Moroccan tea pouring ceremony from the Tank chef, and who could forget the mouthwatering treats from The Chocolate Studio?
If your passion is food then “Can you Chef? ”is the competition for you as Jenny seeks out the amateur chef who has a creative spark and can make it in the culinary world (to enter www.canyouchef.co.za entries close 16 October).
Then watch Artful Food as the culinary students vie to produce the best sculpture representing their chosen restaurant using foodie ingredients in a some surprising ways.
From 6pm the tempo moves up a notch as we get into cocktail party mode. Whether you like the sophistication of a well-mixed cocktail or simply the fun mix of cocktail colours, flavours and decorations - your tastebuds will be tempted as barmen flare to win and funky DJ's set the mood. Cape Quarter Cocktail Party will be a heady evening where the juices flow and the cocktails swirl on The Piazza and The Square until 11pm.
The Cape Quarter Party sets the tone for a memorable Saturday evening. Start your evening with a hot-and-sexy salsa on The Piazza. Watch the exhibition dances and then follow the moves - we'll have you salsa-ing by the end of the evening. A live salsa band gets the beat going - then head across The Square to enjoy the lively beat of Cape Town's top DJs, Charl and Nick with VJ artist Inika. Want to chill? Flop into a comfy sofa in the Jarvis Street Lounge and groove to the mellow sounds of acoustic musicians and roving buskers.
Sunday morning - going down to Cape Quarter is the best way to end the week and ease into the next. Enjoy a laid-back brunch from 10am to 4pm on The Piazza or The Square and gentle music to soothe the soul. Meet your friends, gossip awhile or simply read a book or the paper - this is the place where city meets soul and lifestyle is reinvented .
For more information, go to www.capequarter.co.za
