Culture Connect SA

30/05/2024

Cape Town isn't the only place that has little acknowledging its Indigenous peoples, Seattle and many other American cities too. This different to Germany and its N**i past, even Moscow....read this.
Our Future Cities City of Cape Town Cape Tourist Guides Association - CTGA

Monuments can help cities tell their history and forge a culture. But to do a good job of it requires telling the whole story of the region, not just elites and colonizers. And the monuments need to be front and center.

26/05/2024

Architectural details, differences and dynamite - we had a phenomenal four hour tour at Paardevlei yesterday, led by Dr Timothy Visser.

Timothy explained the old and varied uses of the site, going back to the Stone Age. He showed how South Africa's long and often painful history, can be seen here. (He grew up and lives close by in Somerset West.)

Many in the group came to learn about the mysterious old dynamite factory, once the largest in the world. Others to learn more about their locality and history.

We'll be running this again, later in the year. Interested?

Kate Crane Briggs The Heritage Portal

23/05/2024

In 100 years time, you'll be able to visit the National Library of South Africa (NLSA) either in person, or online, and read today's newspaper. That's the plan.

One of the insights from our informative, inspiring and enjoyable tour yesterday in Cape Town's national reference library, by Company's Garden. Thank you Special Collection librarians - Melanie and Neliswa, and Culture Connectors; a full house!

Comment if you are interested in the next one, in a few month's time? Or DM me Kate Crane Briggs

23/05/2024

The new art BMW art car by American Julie Mehretu includes workshops in African cities in 2025 and 2026. These culminate in a big exhibition at Zeitz MOCAA. The goal of the project is to provide a space for artists and filmmakers to collaborate and exchange ideas. Yay! 🎥 ♥️ 🇿🇦

In the meantime go and Dr Esther Mahlangu's fabulous retrospective with her BMW art car at Iziko Museums of South Africa - National Gallery, due to end 11 August 2024. 🙂👀

BMW presented the 20th BMW Art Car to the public for the first time at the Centre Pompidou in Paris.

17/05/2024

Step back in time next Wednesday with me at the National Library, 10am to noon. Marvel at treasures kept safely behind-the-scenes. Learn how to use this incredible resource eg all the old Cape Times (great for family history). Our hosts are principal librarians, Melanie Geustyn and Najwa Hendrickse - their love and knowledge of their work are inspiring.

R300 per person, half price for those who genuinely can't afford this. To book, along with your ID number, please WA me 072 377 8014 [email protected] DM (or Comment).

Wednesday 22 May 2024
10am to noon (optional lunch nearby)
National Library of South Africa (NLSA), 5 Queen Victoria Street, next to Company's Garden

Treat yourself 😊📔🤎🖼🏦

16/05/2024

I wonder if they looked at Zeitz MOCAA as part of their research?

I was just sent this link by a recent art tour client, Culture Connector, just back in New York, after her trip here 🙂.

Here's to Norway's contemporary art!

Kunstsilo is the new home to the world's largest private collection of modern Nordic art, featuring 5,500 artworks.

09/05/2024

Tomorrow, 10 May 2024, is the starting date for a long, tricky construction on the National Assembly after the damage of 2 January 2022 fire.

Some 28 months after the 2 January 2022 fire left the National Assembly and other buildings locked up and out of bounds, rebuilding Parliament is a step closer — if not yet off the ground. The target starting date is 10 May.

07/05/2024

Enjoy Cape Town with my walking tour on Saturday (11 May) - favourite places, hidden histories, art and architecture. 10am start at the Tutu Foundation, D6 and finishing at Bree's Street Heritage Square, noon. R400 per person. To book: [email protected] 072 377 8014
Hope you'll come (next one: 13 September) or book your own private one 😊🚶‍♀️🌳

07/05/2024

Fabulous architects' tour on Saturday of two new projects on heritage sites - Battery Park (V&A Waterfront) and The Barracks (Bree/Strand Streets).

I was surprised by the similarities, especially given the very different architectural practices involved - the large dhk Architects and small Gabriel Fagan Architects, such as:
Re-using materials from the site (eg timber beams and stone)
Concrete to denote new structures
Excellent info panels
Hidden car parks
Major heritage issues, especially for The Barracks

Many thanks to Pierre Swanepoel (dhk) and John Wilson-Harris for sharing your phenomenal info, skills and Saturday with us. And the Culture Connectors - great group. Rain didn't stop play!

Seven Colours Eatery was fabulous for lunch afterwards ☺️😊🙂

29/04/2024

Architects' tour on Saturday of two very different but striking, contemporary and close-by approaches to heritage - The Barracks by the Lutheran Church on Strand Street and Battery Park, V&A Waterfront.

John Wilson-Harris of Director at Gabriel Fagan Architects will show us round The Barracks; Pierre Swanepoel, partner at dhk Architects Battery Park.

To book: DM, [email protected], 072 377 8014 or Comment; R400 per person pre-pay, 10 to noon, 4 May 2024

Kate Crane Briggs

23/04/2024

Our inaugural retail history tour in downtown Cape Town opened our eyes to the incredible architecture and changes in downtown Cape Town.

Here's a range of what I learnt:

Woolies on Adderley Street was where Cape Town's first shop was - a baker, 1664
The sw****ka was on a flag pre WW2 flown on St Georges Mall on the German Consulate
Fletcher and Cartwright was the smartest department store
Original facade fittings eg signs, door and window frames still exist alongside today's signage
Names of previous shops are still on lettering and signage
Garlicks Wholesalers is a fine example of steel framed, Chicago style early skyscraper
Memories of Culture Connectors getting the train from Paarl and the suburbs, dressing smartly to shop in town

BIG thanks to Brett McDougall for such a brilliant tour and Annabel Slingsby for the pix.

Want to come to the next one?

Kate x

18/04/2024

Tomorrow treat yourself to amazing murals in a fascinating area of Cape Town, Salt River, 10am to noon, R200 per person - a special Facebook Friends rate. Start and finish at by Madame Baker. We pop into Uwe Pfaff Art studio. To book: [email protected] or better still WhatsApp +27 72 377 8014, DM or Comment. Next ones: 1 June, 31 July,17 Aug or book your own.🎨🌥🐋🐝🌙🏈🚄🤍🔶

14/04/2024

On Friday we had a treat seeing treasures behind the scenes at the Western Cape Archives, on Roeland Street (the old prison). We learnt how to research using this incredible free resource.

From high tech scanner to receipts of the pounds paid to compensate slave owners, we were riveted.

Thanks Culture Connectors for coming and our fabulous hosts/guides, Helen Joannides (Outreach) and Mary Minecka (Head of Preservation).

Western Cape Government Cultural Affairs and Sport

29/03/2024

Hope this colour and pattern changing car will come to South Africa soon - Dr Esther Mahlangu worked closely with BMW on it. In the meantime, we have her 1991 BMW back for the first time at Iziko Museums of South Africa at the National Gallery in Cape Town 🙂.

We got up close and personal with the BMW i5 Flow NOSTOKANA, the electric 5 Series Sedan that can change its color thanks to E Ink techPlease Subscribe and h...

27/03/2024

Colour, creativity and Cape history were the main themes of today's city walk. Highlights included:
1. South African artist, Penny Siopsis's profound tour of her show currently at A4 Arts Foundation
2. Artist Jeannette Unite at School of Explorative Architecture with one of the directors, Albert van Jaarsveld
3. The fine art beaders also at Union House.
4. Street and graffiti art, plus surprising signage
5. Flower sellers
6. Lunch at Zanne’s fare at Cape Heritage Hotel

My next open city walking tours: 11 May and 13 Sept, 10am to noon, R300 per person early payment; want to come?

25/03/2024

Treat yourself on Wednesday. Come on my city walk - history, favourite spots, art and architecture.
Start by the Castle 10am and finish under Cape Town's oldest known vine, Cape Heritage Hotel, noon.
R300 if you book from this post (R100 discount) pre pay: DM, Comment or best +27 72 377 8014 [email protected]
What's on in Cape Town Love Cape Town
Wednesday 27 March 2024

13/03/2024

Woodstock Beach exhibition - last chance to book on its creator's tour tomorrow (Thursday), 17h15, 6 Spin Street Restaurant.

Molly Anderson's one-off installation, Texturing Absence, closes on Friday (15 March 2024). Her tour includes a short walk in Company's Garden.

How do we know, and be transported back, to places that no longer exist?

19h00 optional supper afterwards.

R300 for the tour, (+R250 for the supper by Robert Mulders).

To book Comment or better still WhatsApp me +27 72 277 8014 or [email protected]

09/03/2024

The Cut where boats entered the harbour, colossal containers (40 feet, sometimes 45), thriving fishing industry, two study ships, new salination plant, polar supplies, port control buildings, turning tugs, refueling tankers and lots more in Brian Ingpen's brilliant harbour tour today.

Plus boat all to ourselves, bright sunshine and no wind - perfect :-)

Next one October or November - interested?

V&A Waterfront Waterfront Charters co-founded Lawhill Maritime Centre at Simon's Town School

18/02/2024

Wonderful meeting street/graffiti artists here for the International Public Art Festival. It's the last day today, Sunday 18 Feb 2024. There's quite a vibe in Company's Gardens, eg workshops for families under the Norfolk Island Pine trees.

Spot ROA's (from Gwent) new rhino 6 Dorman Street (off Orange Street), and Decor1's flowers the other side - best seen from Kloof Street. CRBZ's ''calligrafitti" inspired by the strelitzia/parrot flower on the side of SeaBreeze Fish & Shell upper Bree Street.

There's South African born, Lisbon living Vanessa Teodoro's large black and white Keith Haring-esque 48 Loop Street, plus South African Ellena Lourens' at Somerset Road's BP being launching mid pm, the end of Ipaf festival sa.

Thanks artists, Baz-Art, Embassy of Belgium in Pretoria, City of Cape Town, 6 Spin Street Restaurant and everyone else involved. 🙂😊🙂

I'll post pictures of Vanessa's and Ellena's walls in due course.

17/02/2024

Art lovers in Cape Town - go to the Art Fair at the CTICC! A huge range of art and prices, ranging from ceramics to a swimming costume. I especially liked the paintings, prints (and eating under the Freeway!).

Thanks to everyone who came on my tour yesterday, and the gallerists and artists who spoke to us. It was fun and informative.

Investec Cape Town Art Fair is on today, 17 Feb, and tomorrow, 18 Feb, at the Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC), Foreshore. Tickets R170 upwards, 11am to 7pm.

Everard Read Cape Town 16 on Lerotholi Goodman Gallery Zeitz MOCAA Guns & Rain Art

10/02/2024

On Wednesday, the annual Public Art Festival begins - yay! Artists include Elléna Lourens (South Africa) ROA (Belgium), Mars Graffiti (Joburg), Vanessa Teodoro (South African Portugese) and CRBZ (Lausanne).

Murals are being created all around town, as well as lots of happenings in Company's Garden. You can book a tour, R105, via Quicket; to come on mine on Wednesday (14 Feb 2024), send PoP to bookings@ Baz-Art, let me know, or Comment below.

In the meantime, here are some pix from last year's Festival.

Ipaf festival sa

06/02/2024

The Western Cape's memory is in this former prison on Roeland Street, Cape Town. Since 1989 it has been an impressive government archive. On Saturday a group of Culture Connectors were treated to a behind the scenes tour. Want to come on our next one, Friday 12 April, 10am, R300 early bird payment? More info on www.cultureconnectsa.com Comment, DM, [email protected] 072 377 8014

It is free to visit the Reading Room, open weekdays and on the first Saturday morning of the month until 2pm. No appointment needed.

Western Cape Government Cultural Affairs and Sport

05/02/2024

Next week an important and fabulous conference at District 6 Homecoming Centre - meaty issues eg restitution, ‘Indigenization’ , funding and collections care in an African context.

Themes range from more challenging issues such as funding, restitution, ‘Indigenization’ and collections care and management in an African context to

01/02/2024

I've had some fun art tours this week - one on a motorbike and the other starting with Hope Distillery's fabulous creations.

Do join my next street art one starting at Hope, Salt River, 5 -7pm, Thurs 22 Feb, R300 early birds.

To see lots in and out of town, how about a private art tour with Cape Sidecar Adventures and myself?

26/01/2024

"Super" supportive and creative centre for homeless people wanting change in their lives - Souper Troopers in Woodstock.

I bought their mini African Worry Dolls as presents. And hope to include such a positive, vibey place in tours. Would you be interested?

25/01/2024

Wednesday 5pm treat yourself to an amazing street art walk in Salt River, starting with a gin and tonic on the house at Hope Distillery. The murals are impressive and varied, some political, some pretty. Salt River has a fascinating history and is changing with development.

R300 per person pre-pay before Tuesday, otherwise
R400, book: [email protected] DM or better still 072 377 8014

A great way to end the month - tour on 31 January 2024, 5-7pm.

Love Cape Town

23/01/2024

Felt "fired" up by ceramics in the Castle of Good Hope thanks to the tour by Iziko Museums of South Africa keeper/curator, Esther Esmyol. Initially she was joined by her colleague, Fatima February and then Lungile Gadezweni.

FIRED exhibition was our focus; every ceramic artwork was treated the same whether worth thousands of Rands, or, thousands of years old. We finished in the Peacock Room, not open to the public, to enjoy antique ceramics from the William Fehr Collection.

Half the group were ceramicists, some as a hobby, others as a profession, such as Michael C of Chandler House and Lucie de M of Shellegance.

BIG thanks to all; we'll be doing this one again for sure,

18/01/2024

Tomorrow's ceramic curator tour starts at 9h30 not 10am. - The weather forecast is a scorcher. Esther Esmyol will take us on a journey of South African ceramics at her FIRED semi-permanent exhibition at Cape Town's Castle of Good Hope.

Contact me asap if you want to come, WhatsApp best 072 377 072 377 8014 .

Iziko Museums of South Africa
🔥 🎨 😊

19/12/2023

Full house for Dr Timothy Visser's tour on 2 December of Paardevlei, Somerset West. It was a dynamite factory for De Beers -Cecil John Rhodes, hence Herbert Baker architecture. It became part of AECI chemicals group who stopped operations here years ago. But a Culture Connector worked for them; it was great hearing his memories.
Timothy's next Culture Connect at Paardevlei is 10am, 25 May 2024, R300 early bird payment; interested?
Tx Michael Davey for most of the photos.

04/12/2023

Art and exhibitions about Cape Town's slave history are never easy. At the Leewenhof Slave Quarters Remembrance Gallery on Saturday we had two brilliant tours. First by museum researcher, Jaline de Villiers, of Western Cape Government Cultural Affairs and Sport about enslaved people who worked on this farm. Then Olga Speakes, Director of the Association For Visual Arts (AVA) Gallery who created their fifth and final exhibition there, called Between Shadows. This has now closed to the public, but you can visit the Slave Quarters and more permanent displays on the first Saturday of each month by booking with your ID (I can pass on the details).