September is World Tourism Month and Cape Town Tourism is celebrating with the launch of a World Tourism Month mini-site.
The theme for this year is “Tourism – Celebrating Diversity”, and where better to do this than in South Africa’s Mother City, with its reputation as a free-spirited, cosmopolitan melting pot of cultures?
Click here to see Cape Town Tourism’s calendar of World Tourism Month events
“Diversity is one of the driving forces behind tourism and can allow all nations to share the numerous benefits brought about by building stronger ties with other countries. As such, tourism is an undisputed catalyst for building understanding, fostering social inclusion and promoting higher standards of living.
“This type of unity and collaboration is increasingly important as the world comes together to face climate change and ensure sustainable development, particularly in the context of the current economic crisis. These worldwide partnerships allow for a more effective and global response to issues which concern us all.”
World Tourism Day message by Taleb Rifai, Secretary-General a.i. of UNWTO, taken from the UNWTO website.
The Balkanology parties in South Africa were first launched in June 2006 by Event Director Ma’or Harris and a distinctive, highly talented group of collaborators.
After five hit parties with numbers growing from 500 at the first to 3,000 at the fifth, Balkanology has created a cult following and a powerful brand synonymous with zest, energy and a theatrical music experience.
The parties are styled in the way of traditional Eastern European gypsy camps with caravans, bales of hay, tents with tarot and palm-readers, goats, chickens and pigs with DJ’s and musicians performing a remixed fusion of Gypsy, Serbian, Macedonian, Bulgarian and Romanian melodies
DJ Toby2shoes, a pioneer of alternative music in general in South Africa, has drawn inspiration from the Balkanology vision and with Ma’or Harris’ directing, is now seen as the ambassador for Balkan-gypsy-folk.
The Kolo Novo Movie Band, founded by musical director, Grada Djeri specifically for Balkanology has brought together some of the biggest names in South African music to produce a fusion of cultures and musical styles ranging from the Middle Eastern to the Mediterranean and Balkan.
Each party also features an international DJ: Boom Pam (Israel), Dunkelbunt (Austria), Robert Soko (Berlin).
10th Annual Cape Town International Jazz Festival
The Cape Town International Jazz Festival has grown into a hugely successful international event since its inception in the year 2000. Attendance figures have increased from the initial 14 000 to 32 000 in the last nine years.
Melodytrip has ranked this proudly South African event as No.4 in the world, outshining events such as Switzerland’s Montreaux Festival and the North Sea Jazz Festival in Holland.
The festival’s winning formula of bringing more than 40 international and local artists to perform over two days on five stages has earned it the status of being the most prestigious event on the African continent.
Known as Africa’s Grandest Gathering, the festival which will be in its tenth year when it takes place on Friday 03 and Saturday 04 April 2009 at the Cape Town International Convention Centre. Once again Cape Town international Jazz festival will thrill loyal and new fans with world class music.
For more information visit Cape Town Jazz Festival
The Cape Town International Kite Festival is Cape Mental Health’s annual fundraising and awareness raising event.
Date: 20 & 21 October 2007
Venue: Zandvlei, Muizenberg, Cape Town
What to expect at the 2007 festival:
- Spectacular show kites, flown by International teams from among Japan, USA, India, Malaysia, Germany, China and local kiters from Cape Town and Durban
- A variety of Stalls (Food, crafts, clothing, organic produce, health products)
- Live entertainment
- Activities and loads of fun for children
- Kite-making workshops
- The Edukite Schools’ Competition, showcasing kites made by learners of participating schools
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South Africa’s top boat show is the annual showcase for the SA Boat Building Industry, showcasing the largest and latest collection of craft in any venue in SA. It also features the largest collection of imported boats in the country, on the hard and in the water, and all the accessories tht go with them.
Opening/Closing Times
5 October, Friday: 10H00 – 18H00
6-7 October, Saturday & Sunday: 10H00 – 17H00
Entrance Fees
Adults – R50
Scholars – Free
Visit the Website
Toast to the flavours of life and shake along with the Desmond Tutu HIV Foundation to Cape Town’s hottest salsa performance companies and a live salsa band.
Date: Saturday 22 November September 2007
Venue: The Dolphin Room at The Castle of Good Hope
Price: R200 (food, beverages, and entertainment incl.)
Gourmet, Latin-style tapas will be served to compliment Jose Cuervo tequila tastings and a Seidelberg wine selection in adjacent rooms.
To purchase tickets: Deposit the amount into Standard Bank Acct# 071292861 (Desmond Tutu HIV Foundation); Mowbray; Code #051001. Forward proof of payment via fax to 021 650 6963 or katesnyder@hiv-research.org.za
To collect tickets: Once you have paid, tickets can be emailed to you or can be collected at the door. Please visit the website at www.desmondtutuhivcentre.org.za
Please note: Cape Town Blog will not be liable for any transactions of ticket sales
Spoiled for Choice at SA Cheese Festival
Cheese lovers should diarise the weekend of 25 to 28 April 2008 when the SA Cheese Festival returns to the picturesque Bien Donné farm between Paarl and Franschhoek. Tickets for this mouth-watering event will be available from 1 February 2008 at Computicket outlets countrywide and online.
Visitors will be able to feast their senses on the widest selection of cheese currently available in South Africa. Whether you have a well-trained palate, simply enjoy savouring new tastes, or are looking for the perfect cheese match among the delicacies galore – wine, nuts and olives to name but a few – you will be spoiled for choice at the 2008 SA Cheese Festival.
The entrance fee of R75 includes a shopping bag, festival programme, scrumptious tastings and demonstrations by famous South African food personalities. Wine tasting glasses are available at the gates at R5 each. Discounted tickets for senior citizens will be available at R45 for the duration of the festival and entry for children under 12 is free.
For more details, contact the organiser, Agri-Expo, at tel 021 975 4440, e-mail cheese@agriexpo.co.za or visit www.cheesefestival.co.za.
Read more for the map and directions…
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The Inaugural Institutional Equities Trading & Technology Summit
When: 26th-27th November, 2007
Where: The Table Bay Hotel, Cape Town
TradeTech is Europe’s leading industry forum dedicated to high-level discussion on the major challenges facing the equity trading market, with a particular focus on the rapid development of trading technology and constantly evolving market structure.
Brought to you by the creators of TradeTech Europe, TradeTech South Africa 2007 will be the most important meeting of the equity trading community calendar, designed to ensure that you have the tools and knowledge to compete in today’s global markets.
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Come enjoy Hermanus during Whale Festival, and yes bring your markers for the fist Annual Whale Festival Open Paintball day. Over R6000 worth of prizes ( Sponsered by Misty Waves Hotel www.mistywaves.co.za )
R100 per person or R450 per Team ( 5 Players). Pre registration closes on the 20th September. More info at www.hermanuspaintball.co.za
Get ready to visit Stanford, as this year marks its 150th birthday. To celebrate this event various activities have been arranged over the months of September and October.
28 – 30 September – This weekend will mark the opening of the celebrations. It also co-insides with the annual Stanford Glendower Bird Fair.
A marquee will be erected on the market square to house food stalls, craft stalls and areas for exhibitions and workshops, as well as a platform for live entertainment.
In addition to the marquee, a traditional country fair/fete is intended to add to the festivities. So lots of fun for everyone – hope to see you there! More info at http://www.stanfordinfo.co.za