2009
• Friday 31st July : «Tong Tana»•
Tong Tana is a cabaret of structured improvisations combining the melodies and sounds composed by Andrew Garton and Benguela with the visual works of Garton and Andrew Parker. Performers play a unique melody, different for each concert, while images inspired by the forest communities of Sarawak are screened on the stage. The combination of the sonic creativity and of those images of a people struggling to defend their right to customary land leads us to aks ourselves : “where are the new home lands”?
40R, Friday 31st July, 8PM
Alliance Française, 155 Loop Street, map.
• Wednesday 22nd July : «Polyphonia»•
The first multiracial orchestra to win the prestigious International Music Eistedfood award in Roodeport, Polyphonia is an ensemble of 50 young musicians from the French Island of La Réunion. Their repertoire ranges from classical music to traditionnal folklore of the French Islands and includes jazz and film music scores as well. They have been invited to play at Cape Town’s Saint Georges Cathedral by the Alliance Française. This performance is undoubtedly the one you should not miss this winter in the Mother City.
50R, tickets are on sale at the Alliance Française
Wednesday 22nd July, 8PM, Saint George Cathedral, 5 Wale Street, Cape Town
• Thursday 16th July : «Steve Newman Solo Concert»
The guitar guru is back in Cape Town. After touring the UK, Holland, Sweden, India, Mozambique and Namibia, Steve Newman will be playing solo at the Alliance Française of Cape Town on thrusday 16th. Admired by his peers and the critics, Steve Newman is followed by a loyal crowd of Newmanites who cannot seem to get enough of his wonderful musical touch.
40R, Thursday 16th July, 8PM
Alliance Française, 155 Loop Street, map.
• Thursday 9th July, 8PM : «Saudiq Khan Spanish flamenco trio»
After having learned from the greatest masters in Seville, Spain, this native of the mother city has been spearheading the Flamenco scene in South Africa for more than a decade. Acclaimed by both the critics and the crowd, Saudiq Khan delivers performances that are nothing less than enthralling.
50R, Thursday 9th July, 8PM
Alliance Française, 155 Loop Street, map.
Wednesday 1st July, 7PM : Concert of Abavuki at the Alliance Française of Cape Town.

• Wednesday 1st July, 7PM : «ABAVUKI»
Formed in 2001 by the youth of Langa, a township in the outskirts of Cape Town, Abuvaki epitomizes South Africa’s cultural wealth and immense diversity. The sensual elegance of lush operatic voices, the vibrant timber of the marimbas and the raw power of brass instruments blend harmoniously to create a unique sound made of countless influences. Come and join a real South-African party Wednesday 1st at 7PM at the Alliance Française.
40R, Wednesday 1st July, 7PM
Alliance Française du Cap, 155 Loop Street, Cape Town, find it on a map
Friday 26th June at 8PM : Concert of Kolo Novo Movie Band at the Alliance Française du Cap.
Friday 26th June : «Concert of Kolo Novo Movie Band»
The Kolo Novo Movie Band aims at integrating Eastern European music and Balkan style gyspsy music in the context of Southern African culture and society. Those kings of the infamous Balkanology parties in Cape Town always draw crowds to their energizing performances. They will be be giving one concert as a quartet on Friday 26th at the Alliance Française du Cap.
50R, Friday 26th June, 8PM
Alliance Française, 155 Loop Street, Cape Town
• From the 2nd to the 19th of June : Encounters International Documentary Festival
From the 2nd to the 19th of July, the NU Metro will host 11th edition of the Encounters International Documentary Festival, supported by the French Embassy in South Africa.
The final line-up, composed by an equal number of local and international features and short films, brings together up-and-coming talents such as Ernie Vosloo, confirmed artists like Zola Maseko and international legends of independent cinema including Werner Herzog and William Kentridge.
France will be represented through several productions including notably William Karel’s Who Killed Maggie about Margaret Thatcher’s last days in office.
Masterclasses will also be organised with some of the festival’s guests.
Victoria & Alfred Waterfront, Breakwater Boulevard; The Waterfront, Cape Town
Screenings : 33R, call 086 124 63 62 or book online at www.numetro.co.za
Masterclasses : 50R, contact Irmgard Schreiber - project@encounters.co.za
• From Thursday 25th to Saturday 27th June : «Mâ Ravan at the Artscape Theater»
Choregrapher Baldini draws on islandic traditions and rituals, Indian rythms, dreams of travels, exiles and crossings in “a show driven with a rare depth of passion”. Performers sing, dance and play around the ravanne, a round drum found throughout the Indian Ocean and used to call the ancestors who stayed on the other side of the sea.
This hommage to the Grands Marrons, rebelled slaves who opened the way to freedom, has received raving critics and will start its South African tour in Cape Town on Thursday, Friday and Saturday at 7:30PM. There will also be a matinee on Saturday at 2:30PM.
80R (60 for students and seniors), Artscape Theater, D F Malan Street,
Foreshore,Cape Town, (021) 410-9800
• Friday 19th June - 20:00 : «Gary Thomas and Farryl Purkiss at the Alliance Française»
After a year on tour in the US, Japan and Europe and after he met with musicians such as Jack Johnson and Bob Evans, Farryl Purkiss is back in Cape Town to prepare his second album. He will appear on stage with Durban-born virtuoso Gary Thomas for a must-see performance at the Alliance Française.
50R, Main room of the Alliance française:
155, Loop Street, Cape Town (021- 423 5699)
• Wednesday 27th may - 19:00 : «L’ennemi intime»
A movie by Florent-Emilio Siri with Albert Dupontel and Benoit Magimel. Drama - 2006 - 118 min
Algeria , 1959. Military operations are intensifying. In the heights of the Kabyle mountains, Terrien (Benoît Magimel), an idealistic lieutenant, takes command of a section of the French Army. There he meets Sergeant Dougnac (Albert Dupontel), a disillusioned serviceman. Their differences, and the harsh reality of the terrain, will soon put the two men to the test.
Free for all / At the Alliance française:
155, Loop Street, Cape Town
(021- 423 5699)
• Thursday 21st may - 20:00 : Concert of «Afro Fiesta » at the Alliance Française.
Afro Fiesta has emerged from a fusion of various styles incorporating Makosa, Kwasa-Kwasa, hints of Latino and Afro-jazz, making their concerts truly unforgettable.
40R at the Alliance française:
155, Loop Street, Cape Town
(021- 423 5699)
• Thursday 14th may - 18:00 : «Images of the Swazi Nation»
Opening of the exhibition of photographies by Steve Hall. The kingdom of Swaziland , Eswatini, pursues its cultural traditions in a demonstrative and assured manner; they are part and parcel of everyday life. All members of society embrace and participate in ceremonies and events with joy and pride; young, and old, rich and poor.
Free for all / At the Alliance française:
155, Loop Street, Cape Town
(021- 423 5699)
• Wednesday 13th may - 19:00 : «La Vie en rose»
A movie by Olivier Dahan with Marion Cotillard, Sylvie Testud, Gérard Depardieu, Jean-paul Rouve, Pascal Greggory, Clotilde Courau, Emmanuelle Seigner
La Vie en Rose (original French title : La Môme, literally : The Kid) is a 2007 French cinema film directed by Cesar Award nominee Olivier Dahan, about the life of the legendary French chanteuse Edith Piaf.
Free for all / At the Alliance française:
155, Loop Street, Cape Town
(021- 423 5699)
• Thursday 23rd April 6:30 pm : Township Patterns presents "Art in the Steet.
Township Patterns is a South African company which markets and sells bags made by womens’ sewing cooperatives from the township of Khayelitsha and the Cape Flats of Manenberg. On the behalf of its Non-Profit arm, which trains, equips and supports the co-ops, Township Patterns has launched a fund-raising operation called “Art in the Street”. Township Patterns presents seven artists from the township of Khayelitsha : Samantha DOUW, Patrick HOLO, Lindile MAGUNYA, Siyabonga MATEKE, Luthando LUPUWANA, Ron POOLE and Gerald TABATA.
Free for all / At the Alliance française:
155, Loop Street, Cape Town
(021- 423 5699)
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