| Cape Town Arts Festival spotlights community arts and wellness | Cape Town Arts Festival spotlights community arts and wellness | | <img alt="" src="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/cityassets/PublishingImages/Former%20Mayors%20Header.jpg" style="BORDER:0px solid;" /> | <p>The 2023 edition of the Cape Town Arts Festival took centre stage at the Castle of Good Hope over the weekend. The City of Cape Town continues its support of the vibrant celebration of creativity and expression.<br></p> | <p>Back for its second year, the Cape Town Arts Festival is a free multi-genre arts celebration offering various arts and culture experiences.</p><p>For two days, on 9 and 10 December 2023, the historic Castle of Good Hope transformed into a vibrant creative hub celebrating show-stopping talent against the backdrop of Table Mountain.</p><p>The event focused on a mix of artistic expressions and community well being with Tai Chi, Zumba and Yoga sessions kicking off each day.</p><p>With over 1000 attendees, the programme included Harmonies of Heritage which brought together local artists such as Youngsta CPT, Dee Koala, Brandon Leigh, Candice Thornton, and the Afro Suns Marimba band, amongst others.</p><p>'The City of Cape Town is delighted to continue its support for the Cape Town Arts Festival. We recognise events like these serve as drivers of the local economy through creating and providing job opportunities for community creatives. It's also an important platform that promotes cultural and social cohesion by bringing together diverse audiences,' said the City's Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security Alderman JP Smith.</p><p>Local talents in painting, music, poetry, dance, storytelling and sculpting along with an array of local cuisine brought the Castle of Good Hope alive for a jam-packed weekend of festivities.</p><p>The Cape Town Arts Festival extends beyond the main event and is a three-month celebration that includes various innovative programmes.</p><p>These initiatives, including Artists for Artists, Beyond Busking, and the Phillipi Training and Employment Project, aim to upskill community artists, align their training with the digital age, create job opportunities, and ensure the sustainable promotion of artists.</p><p>The training programme will culminate with the trainees planning and implementing their own festival day event in February 2024.</p><p> <strong>End</strong></p><p><br></p> | 2023-12-11T22:00:00Z | GP0|#1d539e44-7c8c-4646-887d-386dc1d95d70;L0|#01d539e44-7c8c-4646-887d-386dc1d95d70|City news;GTSet|#62efe227-07aa-45e7-944c-ceebacca891d | | | | | GP0|#34f4df81-9990-40ab-8213-8383ea5bee8b;L0|#034f4df81-9990-40ab-8213-8383ea5bee8b|event;GTSet|#2e3de6c1-9951-4747-8f53-470629a399bb;GP0|#89e5a6b5-9410-4893-8449-1d9cc1689445;L0|#089e5a6b5-9410-4893-8449-1d9cc1689445|festival;GTSet|#2e3de6c1-9951-4747-8f53-470629a399bb | 1 | | | | | | | | | | | 0 |
