December 2012 Diary

It’s silly season and everyone is closing-up shop and finding a spot in the sun. For the socialites among us, parties and launches abound. Check our new events guide to the most stylish and designer dos in town.

Ongoing

Neighbourhood Goods Market
The Old Biscuit Mill, 373 Albert Road, Woodstock, Cape Town

Every Saturday, rain or shine, from 9am to 2pm, this is the hotspot for locavores. Features over 100 specialty traders including local farmers, fine-food purveyors, organic merchants, bakers and distributors, grocers, mongers, butchers, artisan producers, celebrated local chefs and micro enterprises – not to forget the designers. Get there early for parking!

Neighbourhood Goods Market
73 Juta Street, Braamfontein, Johannesburg

Every Saturday, rain or shine, from 9am to 3pm, this is the younger cousin of the Cape Town mother event. Not quite as big and epic, but steadily growing alongside the exciting Maboneng Precinct.

Bubbly and oysters
Cuv‌ée Restaurant, Simsonsig Wine Estate, Stellenbosch, 021 888 4932

Every Saturday from 3pm to 6pm, enjoy bubbly, oysters and live music on the terrace, with the majestic Simonsberg Mountain in the background. Divine!

Ithuba Arts Gallery
100 Juta Street, Braamfontein, Johanneburg

Until 9 December, exhibition of six Johannesburg artists – Jason Larkin, Mandy Johnston, Ravi Govender, Farieda Nazier, Andrew Sprawson and Tshepo Mosopa. The opening is from 6:30pm on 22 November and includes an afterparty at Kitcheners featuring the Brother Moves On.

Union Pop-up Bar
Shop HL 63, Cross Street, The Piazza, Melrose Arch, Johannesburg

Serving artisan-style cocktails until 17 December, this Grey Goose pop-up bar has already attracted the likes of fashion designer Marianne Fassler and hip-hop veteran Amu. It’s the end of the year, what are you waiting for?

Créma’s Christmas Crackers
Shop 10 first floor The Portside, corner of Main and Upper Portswood roads, Green Point, Cape Town, 021 434 0661

Until 14 December, Créma Design is offering a spectacular 50% discount on a range of iconic design pieces from the likes of Moooi, Magis, Foscarini and more. If ever there was an excuse to indulge…

Dutch Pop-up Shop
Salt Circle Arcade, Woodstock

Until 15 December indulge in exclusive brands such as Artists Not Armies, Dutchtub, Droog and more.

Abi & Scarlett Pop-up Shop
152 Bree Street, Cape Town, 073 290 8308

Until 20 December, find the perfect gift from a range of quirky and affordable ceramics, jewellery, summer dresses and bikinis. Weekdays 10am to 6pm (Thursday 8pm), Saturday 9am to 1pm.

Rust-en-Vrede Gallery
10 Wellington Road, Durbanville, 021 976 4691

Until 20 December, see an installation of Hennie Meyer’s ceramics from his work on the Qunci boutique hotel resort in Indonesia. The book Qunci Inspired, with photographs by Tabu Stegman, will also be launched.

Makers of Stuff Pop-up Shop
70 Juta Street, Braamfontein, Johannesburg, Victoria 082 324 5547

Until 20 December, the compellingly Afro-Scandinavian design trio will be selling their lights, ceramics, thread posters and graphics.

STAD Pop-up Shop
70 Juta Street, Braamfontein, Johannesburg, Jarrad 072 865 6705

Until 20 December, get a taste of Cape Town design from the likes of Dark Horse, Mingo Lamberti, Lauren Fowler, Dear Rae, Woven Ceramics and Diana Ceramics.

Cloth & Steel Pop-up Shop
8 Kloof Street, Cape Town, 083 303 0979

Until 22 December everyday from 9am to 9pm, drop into this fashion and jewellery pop-up shop with brands including West, Shana and Dan Fuller.

Fiction As Fiction
Stevenson, 160 Sir Lowry Road, Woodstock, Cape Town, 021 462 1500

Until 12 January is the gallery’s third and final installment of their Trade Routes Project, which reflected on the 1997 Johanneburg Biennale. With artists Dineo Seshee Bopape, Peter Clarke, Nicholas Hlobo, Robin Rhode and Penny Siopis, among others, this exhibition proposes what the biennale would have looked like in the present day.

Postcards from Molotia
A Word of Art, 66 Albert Road, Woodstock Exchange, Cape Town, 083 300 9970

Until 17 January (except from 22 December to 8 January), the untouchably cool Blackheart Gang are treating Cape Town to a rare solo exhibition of their intricate illustrations, fantastical sculptures and eye-tantalising animations – don’t miss!

10th Annual Affordable Art Show
artSPACE, 3 Millar Road (off Umgeni Road), Durban, 031 312 0793

Until 19 January a range of oil paintings, ceramics, sculptures, prints and photographs are on exhibition and for sale at a maximum price of R3 500 – pick up a steal!

Material / Representation
Brundyn + Gonsalves, 71 Loop Street, Cape Town

Running until 23 January 2013, this group summer exhibition includes artists Sanell Aggenbach, Beth Diane Armstrong, Kevin Brand, Dillon Marsh, Mohau Modisakeng, Chad Rossouw, Zwelethu Mthethwa and others.

Saturday 1 December 2012

Eat Drink and Bree Merry
Various shops, Bree Street, Cape Town

The hip shops and eateries to be found along Bree Street are pooling their resources for festive celebrations on Friday 30 November from 10am to 8pm and Saturday 1 December from 9am to 5pm. See map in gallery above. 

Kamers Irene
Open Window School of Visual Communication, Irene, Pretoria

Running until 1 December, creative talent and fresh product ideas will be the order of the day at the popular annual market, timed perfectly for festive season shopping.

Kramerville sale
Wendywood, Johannesburg

Our intrepid deputy editor, Annemarie Meintjes, reports that “the whole Kramerville is on sale!” until 1 December. Read our guide to Kramerville.

A Red Christmas
Crowne Plaza Hotel, Sturdee Avenue, Rosebank

From 3pm to 5pm, executive chef to Nelson Mandela, Xoliswa Ndoyiya will be sharing Madiba’s favourite holiday meals. Tickets are free but seats are limited. RSVP by 26 November. 

Tuesday 4 December 2012

GIPCA Live Art Festival
City Hall and Hiddingh Hall, Cape Town, 021 480 7156

Until 4 December, the GIPCA Live Art Festival features over 30 artists from around the world coming together for a chockablock programme of challenging and experimental performances and installations. Book at Webticket.

Wednesday 5 December 2012

I Want That reader event
Mungo and Jemima shop, Cavendish, Claremont, Cape Town

Blogger Vicki Sleet has invited her I Want That readers to join her for bubbly, snacks and a 30% discount from 6pm to 8:30pm. There will also be spot prizes and giveaways.

Michaelis Graduate Exhibition
Michaelis School of Fine Art, 32-37 Orange Street, Cape Town

The expansive annual overview of art by graduating students starts tonight at 6pm and promises to be a fun insight into the future of South African art. We wouldn’t miss it but, if you can’t make it tonight, the exhibition is still on until 19 December at 4pm.

Thursday 6 December 2012

Candelight Shopping
Fourth Avenue, Parkhurst, Johannesburg

From 6pm until late on Thursday and Friday, the stylish shops of Parkhurst will no doubt draw a crowd with their festive season shopping.

First Thursdays
Various venues, Cape Town

First Thursdays is a monthly initiative that invites the public to wander from art gallery to art gallery throughout the Cape Town CBD until 9pm on the first Thursday evening every month. A range of funky shops and eateries have also thrown open their doors in support. We think it’s a fantastic way to socialise, exercise and get some culture, all in one go!

Friday 7 December 2012

Creative Morning
Friends of Design Academy of Digital Arts, 186 Bree Street, Cape Town, 021 402 0303

Starting at 8:30am, this edition of the global Creative Morning event features Ricky Lee Gordon aka Freddy Sam, creative entrepreneur and street artist who has been at the forefront of the crusade for more public art in Cape Town. Hw also owns gallery and artist residency programme A Word of Art. Register here.

You & Me & Everyone We Know Market
Labia Theatre, 68 Orange Street, Cape Town

“Clashing colour is the new black,” announces the summer edition of this hip vintage and design market held sporadically in the courtyard of Cape Town’s oldest cinema. Get down with the trendsetters and even pick up a bargain from 5pm to 10pm.

Saturday 8 December 2012

Christmas Sale
24 Dartmouth Road, Muizenberg

Some of the best of Cape Town’s independent designers and artisans will show off their Christmas wares and gift selections from 9am to 4pm. Expect the likes of My China, Flick Glass, Lauren Fowler, Skermunkil, Sway and many more. Free champagne and delicious food on sale.

Tuesday 11 December 2012

Boerie and Beer
The Black Studio, corner of Derry and Exner Streets, Vredehoek

Join photographer Dirk Pieters from 6pm for a post-work bite and drink to celebrate his new photography exhibition including images of plants, Namibia and unstyled interiors in Mexico. Besides the boerie and beer, take advantage of the R550 per framed print opening night special. RSVP by 7 December. Or catch the show during the day until 15 December.

Wednesday 12 December 2012

Queen Caroline Pop-up Shop
Plascon Design Centre, 71 Waterkant Street, Cape Town

From noon until 8pm this fashion trunk show will see Clare Wiese (daughter of tycoon Christo Wiese) launch her new upmarket accessories label, before the online shop opens in January. 

Last Minute
Searle Street Post, Block B The Boulevard, Searle Street, Woodstock, Cape Town, 021 469 2820

Starting at 6pm is this one-night only exhibition of paintings, drawings and prints by Paul Senyol, Bruce Mackay, Christiaan Conradie, Justin Southey and Sebastian Borckenhagen. A great place to pick up affordable art and gifts!

Thursday 13 December 2012

Festive Thursday
70 Juta Street, Braamfontein, Johannesburg

All of the trendy stores of Braamfontein are staying open from 5pm to 8pm for designer festive shopping. Among others, make sure to drop in at Co-op for modernist essentials by the likes of Dokter and Misses, and Joe Paine, and make a turn passed pop-up shops STAD, Makers of Stuff and Vintage Store.

Friday 14 December 2012

Company Garden Party
Queen Victoria Street, Cape Town, ctsummermarket@gmail.com

Running everyday from 12pm to 9pm until Monday 24 December, this new 10-day summer family market promises a relaxing atmosphere for food and drinks, as well as craft and street goodies for retail therapy. We’re definitely going to check out what could be the party of the year!

Monday 17 December 2012

Hello Pretty Market
The Woodstock Foundry, 150 Albert Road, Woodstock, info@hellopretty.co.za

From 10am to 4pm, the Hello Pretty online SA design shop will be celebrating their official launch with a market for fans to come browse, buy and meet the makers. Oh and, in case you’re undecided, there’s free candyfloss to sway your decision to go!

Tuesday 18 December 2012

Not, it is
Goodman Gallery, third floor, Fairweather House, 176 Sir Lowry Road, Woostock, Cape Town, 021 462 7573

An exhibition of William Kentridge’s recent work opens at 6pm, which is sure to draw a crowd. If you prefer galleries at quieter times, the exhibition runs until 2 February 2013.

Thursday 20 December 2012

Festive Thursday
70 Juta Street, Braamfontein, Johannesburg

All of the trendy stores of Braamfontein are staying open from 5pm to 8pm for designer festive shopping. Among others, make sure to drop in at Co-op for modernist essentials by the likes of Dokter and Misses, and Joe Paine, and make a turn passed pop-up shops STAD, Makers of Stuff and Vintage Store.

Friday 21 December 2012

Open Studio
A Word of Art, 66 Albert Road, Woodstock Exchange, Cape Town, 083 300 9970

Artist in residence Hannah Parr, from Berlin and London, is opening her studio and showing the body of work she has created during her two-month stay in Cape Town. This will also mark the closing of the gallery until 8 January 2013.

This page is constantly updated, so browse back regularly to stay in the loop. If you would like your event featured, email details to web@visi.co.za.