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Artscape is proud to present the 17th Women's Humanity Arts Festival, with this year's theme: STEP-UP FOR CHANGE against gender-based violence (GBV).As we commemorate 30 years of our democracy, our biggest challenge is to prevent GBV from happening in the first place. We invite you to sign the #STEPUPFORCHANGE Pledge and commit to promoting and sharing humanity with others.
In line with the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, our festival celebrates artists and patrons from all genders expressions, abilities, and disabilities. This is a space where everyone is free and equal in dignity and rights.
Join us this August to honour and celebrate the women who paved the way and those who continue to inspire us. Experience powerful performances, engaging discussions, and a collective movement to end GBV.
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PRODUCTIONS / EXHIBITIONS
She had a name 365 (Exhibition)
Date: 9 July – 12 August 2024
Venue: Marble Foyer Extension
‘She Had a Name 365’ began on the 1st of April 2021 at midnight and ran for a year-long performance cycle. This cycle showed Bester record a video saying “She had a name” with the next consecutive number every 190 minutes - posted on social media. Every video statistically coincided with a womxn being murdered in South Africa. A weekly video of the combined individual videos was created and posted with details of organisations, shelters and campaigns fighting against gender-based violence (GBV).
The sentence ‘She had a name’, carries the weight of acknowledging every murdered womxn as a person, forcing us to look past the numbers we see on the statistical crime sheets, reminding us that, She had a name.
Curated by Carin Bester
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Voices in Unison: Artscape Festival of Voices Celebrating 30 years of Democracy through song
Date: Sunday 4 August 2024
Time: 16h00
Venue: Opera House
Join us for an unforgettable afternoon as we celebrate the rich tradition of Choral Music in Cape Town. This concert is the opening of Artscape’s Women’s Festival and brings together 10 remarkable choirs on the Opera stage.
Participating choirs are Cape Town Camerata, UWC Creative Arts Choir, UCT Choir, Encore Chamber Choir, Dutch Reformed Church Choirs, Joyful Harmonies, Cape Cultural Collective Rosa Choir, The Cape Malay Choir and The South African Youth Choir
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Ballroom Boy
Date: Friday 9 August 2024
Time: 13h00
Venue: Arena
A drama trying to break down the stigma that prevails around convicted criminals after release for a better integration into society and establishing a new future. A short discussion with the audience follows after the performance.
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The Battered Housewives’ Club
Date: Friday 9 August 2024
Time: 14h30
Venue: Innovation Lounge
After experiencing severe emotional distress, five women attend a weekly meeting called The Battered Housewives’ Club to express their frustrations with domestic abuse and gender-based violence. Despite being “forced” to attend the meetings, the women are reluctant, as they feel stuck in their situations, yet in the end they find solidarity from one another, by hearing each other’s stories which inadvertently provide them with hope to better their lives.
Written and Directed By Zubayr Charles
Starring: Cara Rossouw, Nana Bulabula, Sbonga Nduli, Irmah Tiemie, Bokang Ntsutle, Abdullatief Davids, Lithetha Dywili, Someleze Laho and Cullum Mccormack
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Dance of the La Gumas
Date: 9 – 10th August 2024
Time: 18h00
Venue: Arena
Dance of The La Gumas celebrates the centenary of literary giant Alex La Guma, who was tortured, exiled, and celebrated worldwide. Starring Elton Landrew (Alex), Rehane Abrahams (Blanche la Guma), and Jacques Theron (multiple roles). This play directed by Basil Appollis revives La Guma's powerful legacy through a blend of love, poetry, and brutal historical truth, illustrating his remarkable story with elegance and passion.
Directed by Basil Appollis
Choreography by Grant Van Ster
Written by Basil Appollis & Sylvia Vollenhoven
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ABFAB Drag
Date: Saturday, 10th August 2024
Time: 20h00
Venue: Theatre
Step into a dazzling world of glitz and glamour with the return of the Absolutely Fabulous Drag Show (ABFAB DRAG), a highlight of the Artscape Women's Humanity Arts Festival. This vibrant celebration of the LGBTQIA+ community in Cape Town continues the city's rich drag legacy, dating back to the 1930s in District Six.
ABFAB DRAG showcases top-tier drag performers, including Vida Fantabisher, Manila von Teez, Kat Gilardi, Jayde Kay Johnson, Angel Lalamore, and Mitchell Darling, under the expert choreography of Nkosinathi Sangweni Waka Mtshali. With Soli Philander as the charismatic MC and Basil Appollis as the director, this production promises an unforgettable blend of talent, artistry, and exuberance.
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Legends in Harmony
Divas and Proteges Unite
Date: Saturday, 17th August 2024
Time: 20h00
Venue: Theatre
LEGENDS IN HARMONY: Divas and Proteges Unite
Honouring our Legends ; Diana Ferrus, Aviva Pelham, Thembi Mtshali-Jones and Vicky Sampson.
Star Turns by: Claire Phillips, Fancy Galetha and many more... The production is Directed by the inimitable Sophia Foster
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Ellie
Date: 30th & 31st August 2024
Venue: Arena
Time: 19h00
Ellie is a compelling true story set in Namaqualand, highlighting the fierce struggle for justice against illegal land and mining occupations. Through the gripping portrayal of Elisabeth Doretea Cloete by Lyntjie Jaars, this unique blend of theatre and film, produced by Kookhuis Creatives and directed by Richie Cloete, immerses audiences in the raw emotion and resilience of a woman fighting for her land rights. Written by Samuel Ruiter and enriched with Marquen Carstens' AV design, Ellie not only sheds light on historical land disputes but also underscores their ongoing relevance, inspiring viewers to reflect on and advocate for justice.
Produced by Kookhuis Creatives
Directed by Richie Cloete
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Event Venue & Nearby Stays
Artscape, Fine Music Radio, D F Malan St, Cape Town, 8001, South Africa,Cape Town, Western Cape
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