#TopEvent of the week: Cape Town International Animation Festival
The Cape Town International Animation Festival invites Capetonians to learn and experience more from behind the often-closed doors of the animation world. Starting on Friday, 19 and running until Sunday, 21 February, the festival invites keen animators and fans of the art of the moving picture to attend talks by some one the industry’s most successful people.
Speakers include Mark Shapiro, marketing director at Laika Studios and Eric Lassard, a 3D animator at DreamWorks. The main event takes place at the River Club in Observatory with film screenings taking place at the Labia Theatre in the CBD and at an outdoor cinema at the River Club. Films on show include Song of the Sea (a must-see!), Lost & Found and Stick Man. This event has something for everyone to enjoy.
2. The Prawn Festival
Back again for another round in 2016 is one of the most eagerly anticipated events on the annual horse racing calendar, the Prawn Festival, taking place at Kenilworth Racecourse on Saturday, 20 February 2016. Do not be fooled, this event offers so much more than just delicacies from the sea. This Summer of Champions shindig is a great opportunity to enjoy the Grade 3 Vasco Prix Du Cap and the CTS Chairman’s Cup, with the added bonus of deliciously fresh prawns and other yummy seafood. Entrance is free, and the gates open at 11am. This is a family friendly event so invite the whole gang along!
3. Design Indaba Conference & Festival
Design Indaba, the acclaimed annual creative fandango, presents another jam-jacked selection of events, exhibitions and inspiration this year. From the flagship conference (taking place at Artscape from Wednesday, 17 to Friday, 19 February) to a film festival and the renowned Emerging Creatives exhibition, and plenty more, this much-anticipated multidisciplinary experience is sure to get the creative juices flowing in the Mother City. While there will not be an expo this year as the organisers have opted to focus on other aspects of design, innovation and creativity, all the elements of this world-class event are still guaranteed to have you captivated and enthralled. There’s also the exciting introduction of the 2016 Media Campaign for South African Creatives, so be sure to apply and check it out if you’re an artistic soul!
4. Harvest at Dusk
Bask in the glory of the setting sun and prepare for a night of wine making with practices from years gone by. This Saturday, 20 February, head to Paarl for Nederburg’s annual Harvest at Dusk event; an evening harvest celebration like no other. Explore the vineyards picking grapes and searching for prizes with your friends and family then head back to the Manor House to enjoy family style platters of fresh and delicious produce. No harvest festival would be complete without grape stomping, which is on the cards too. At how many festivals can you stomp grapes in the moonlight? Your answer tells you this is one not to miss.
5. Sweeney Todd the Musical
Treat yourself to theatrical culture this weekend with a trip to Camps Bay’s iconic Theatre on the Bay for the opening night of Sweeney Todd. Immerse yourself in Victorian London with the legendary story of a murderous barber and his twisted pie-making accomplice. With one of South Africa’s star theatre men, Jonathan Roxmouth, in the leading role, this production has ‘amazing’ written all over it. Get tickets as soon as possible for the showings this weekend, with opening night happening on Friday 19 February, and the second show of the weekend happening on Saturday, 20 February. The performances start at 8:30pm, so head to Camps Bay early to grab some dinner in one of Cape Town’s most popular spots.
6. Cape Peninsula Marathon & Half Marathon
Get moving this weekend at the Cape Peninsula Marathon, dubbed Africa’s fastest marathon. Lace up your running shoes and hit the road on a mostly flat route from the CBD to Simon’s Town. This event acts as a prequel to both the Two Oceans and the Comrades Marathon. Started in 1964, the race is hosted by the Rondebosch-based running club the Celtic Harriers and has been an annual event for almost all of its history. There is also a half marathon option that runs the very respectable distance of 21.1km and starts at Children’s Way in Bergvliet, and ends at the same location in Simon’s Town as the full marathon.
