Communities light up city streets for Cape Town Carnival
5 February 2016
The seventh annual Cape Town Carnival will once again mesmerise spectators, with giant floats, wacky puppets, and a display of amazing speciality acts – each designed, built and choreographed specifically for this year’s ‘Street Life’ theme. The event will light up the fan walk in Green Point with more than 2 000 costumed musicians and performers.
In addition, more than 40 entertainment groups from communities and schools across the city will have their moment in the spotlight when they join the fiesta on the fan walk, including the Aphrodite Belly Dancers from Athlone, Lavender Hill High School, the Likwezi Arts Project from Nyanga, and the Phathizwelethu Marimba Band from Gugulethu.
‘This year’s carnival will celebrate our diverse communities and cultures. The “Street Life” theme explores how people use public space and how they interact in those spaces,’ said the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Tourism, Events and Economic Development, Councillor Garreth Bloor.
Carnival-goers will have freedom of the city streets from 15:00 on 12 March 2016 as they enjoy the variety of food, crafts and special children’s activities. The parade itself begins at 19:00.
‘The City is a proud supporter of the carnival and the extensive participation of our communities in the event. The event shines a light on Cape Town and the talent and the creativity of its people. It gives the groups an opportunity to strut their stuff on a unique stage and exposes carnival-goers to new and exciting performers.
‘This colourful, rhythmic and glamorous celebration of our city’s diversity is one of the most anticipated events on our calendar. It caters for a wide variety of tastes and we encourage everyone to attend be part of the excitement and growth of the city as a destination.
‘Our support for the Cape Town Carnival forms part of our efforts to foster unity within our communities and to position Cape Town as the events capital of Africa. These events boost the local economy and create opportunities for our residents,’ said Councillor Bloor.
As part of a commitment to the development of the community groups, the Cape Town Carnival will see the community groups teamed up with some of the leading choreographers and music coordinators in the industry.
‘The Cape Town Carnival works with an extensive base of stakeholders made up of participating communities of performers, artists, media partners and sponsors to bring spectators an experience of togetherness and celebration not to be rivalled in South Africa today,’ said the CEO of the Cape Town Carnival, Jay Douwes.
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