January 2014 diary

Cape Town is now officially the World Design Capital for 2014 so prepare yourself for some of the juiciest design, art and food fairs to hit the shores of the beloved, sunny South Africa. Drop in often to stay posted with the latest events and happenings.

Ongoing

V&A Market on The Wharf
Nobel Square, between the Two Oceans Aquarium and the V&A Hotel, Cape Town 
The V&A Market on The Wharf is quickly entrenching its position as Cape Town’s ultimate gastronomic destination. An array of artisanal foods, on-site demo kitchens and a kids entertainment area are just a few of its laurels. The market is open all day Wednesday to Sunday. 

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. Expect over 100 specialty traders including local farmers, fine-food purveyors, organic merchants, bakers, 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, 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 Braamies rejuvenation. 

I Heart Market
Moses Mabhida Stadium, Isaiah Ntshangase Road, Durban, [email protected]
On the first Saturday of every month from 9am to 2pm, Durban’s design and food artisans share their wares at this funky market. 

City Bowl Food Market
14 Hope Street, Gardens, Cape Town, [email protected] 
Every Thursday from 4.30pm to 8.30pm and Saturday from 9am to 2pm, this food and wine market offers easy access to fresh produce and tasty fare. Thursdays in particular have become quite a social affair and Saturdays sometimes also have a fashion component. 

Collective
The Rooftop, 3 Desmond Street, Kramerville
From 10am to 4pm on the first Sunday of every month, Collective is a collaboration of local and international design, jewellery, vintage collections, ceramics, fabric, furniture, accessories and all beautiful things. Read our interview with founder Catherine Corry here.

Capital Urban Market
381 Church Street, between Sisulu and Du Toit streets, Pretoria CBD
Capital Urban Market is a new Pretoria inner-city market forming part of the Cool Capital 2014 citizen-driven initiative to revitalise and restore the inner-city, and give local designers and entrepreneurs the opportunity to showcase and expand their brand. Read more here. 

Alley Cat
32A Stanley Street, Richmond Hill, Port Elizabeth, 076 974 4344
If you’re into classics such as Grease, Rocky Horror Picture Show and Beetlejuice, you’re in good company! Stop on by at the open-air movie alley and ice cream bar, and settle in for a cosy movie night under the stars. Check out their Facebook page or sign-up on their mailing list for details.

The Chinese Girl
Delaire Graff Estate, R310, Helshoogte Pass, Stellenbosch, 021 885 8160
The original Chinese Girl by Tretchikoff is once again on South African soil. Officially unveiled near the end of last year, together with the reopening of the Graff Diamonds Store, you can now view it firsthand. Read VISI’s Tretchikoff fun facts here.

Cupcake and wine pairing
Delheim Estate, Knorhoek Road, Stellenbosch, 021 888 4600
Think Rooibos, lemon-infused cupcakes with honey cream cheese icing paired with a fun and fruity chardonnay and you’re in the realm of resident chef Christine Claasen’s pairings. Available seven days a week at R75 for four cupcake pairings – booking recommended. 

Artisan chocolate and wine pairings
Boschendal Estate, Pniel Road, Groot Drakenstein, Franschhoek
Treat your taste buds to a sensory feast of exclusively developed chocolates with a range of flavours including apricot, lime, orange marmalade, spicy Glühwein and lemon cream, to match with the impeccable 1685 range of Boschendal wines.

Pottery classes
Art in the Forest, Rhodes Drive, Constantia Nek, Cape Town 021 794 0291
Start or improve your pottery skills with South African master-potter Anthony Shapiro, who is now offering ceramic classes from the studio space at Art In the Forest. With a maximum of eight students per session, individual attention will ensure that you don’t leave empty handed.

First Thursdays
Central Cape Town, [email protected]
Kickstarting every month with a bang is First Thursdays, when various galleries, shops and eateries in central Cape Town open their doors until 9pm and the city becomes a museum like no other. 

A Sculptural Premise
Stevenson, Buchanan Building, 160 Sir Lowry Road, Woodstock, Cape Town, 021 462 1500
Until 11 January, this group exhibition seeks to explore the perceptions surrounding three-dimensional reality through contemplations of volume and form. Participating artists include Lerato Shadi, Steven Cohen, Jane Alexander, Wim Botha, Robin Rhode and Lebohang Kganye.

Festive food pairing
Avondale, Lustigan Road, Klein Drakenstein, Paarl, 021 863 1976
Until 15 January, Avondale’s annual food and wine pairing entails a collaboration with renowned chef Reuben Riffel. With “avant garde” as the theme, expect the experimental, innovative and artistic. The cost is R150 per person and by booking only.

Zoo
NIROXprojects, 264 Fox Street, Arts On Main, 072 350 4326
Until 15 January, this end-of-year group exhibition is based on Lauren Beukes’s award-winning 2011 novel, Zoo City, and includes the works of both established and emerging Johannesburg artists. 

Home Is Wherever I’m With You
Salon91, 91 Kloof Street, Gardens, [email protected]
Until 25 January, a large-scale group show of Salon91’s favourite emerging and established artists is on display. Expect to see accessible, affordable artwork across a broad range of mediums by local creatives. A percentage of the profits raised from the show will go to the Ithemba Labantwana Children’s Home.   

Shimmering – Artists Unearth Light
Equus Gallery, Cavalli Wine and Stud Farm, Strand Road (R44), Somerset West, 021 855 3218
Until 31 January, the opening of this new state-of-the-art gallery space is celebrated with an exhibition of more than 110 works by over 50 living South African artists.

English Edition
Culture Gallery, 66 Albert Road, Woodstock, Cape Town, [email protected]
Until 1 February an exhibition of high-quality, signed, limited-edition prints by various contemporary British artists will be available for viewing and purchase.

The Future White Women of Azania 
Whatiftheworld Gallery, 1 Argyle Street, Woodstock, Cape Town, 021 802 3111 
Until 8 February, artist Athi-Patra Ruga shows his latest exhibition that confronts the myths of post-apartheid with fabulous photographs and tapestries. Read more about Athi here.

DaVinci: The Genuis
Chavonne’s Battery Museum, V&A Waterfront, Cape Town
Until 9 February, the most comprehensive exhibition on Leonardo da Vinci to tour the world will be in Cape Town. Suitable for all ages, this amazing exhibition provides a fascinating insight into the mind of a genius. Book your tickets online. 

Native Nostalgia
Museum of African Design, 281 Commissioner Street, Maboneng, [email protected]
Until 9 February, the museum presents its first full-length exhibition, which is an exploration of nostalgia in five African countries namely Senegal, Nigeria, Algeria, Benin and South Africa.

Muse
Casa Labia, 192 Main Road, Muizenberg, Cape Town
Until 23 February, this summer group exhibition will showcase portraits, landscapes and still-lives all investigating the theme of inspiration and contemplation. 

Summer Sunset Socials
R44 between Stellenbosch and Somerset West, [email protected]
Until the end of February, Eikendal invites you to ditch the couch and join the crowd with feel-good vibes, live music, award-winning wines and sumptuous bites. The serene setting overlooking the dam and prized vineyards is the perfect antidote to a hectic week. 

Friday 10 January 2014

Wetherlys annual clearance
Stores nationwide, 010 201 2000
Until 2 February you are invited to indulge in some gorgeous furniture pieces, including dining, lounge and bedroom ranges, as well as home accessories. With discounts of up to 75%, you’re bound to find some treasures at giveaway prices.

Wednesday 15 January 2014

Street Soirees
Between Bird and Andringa streets, Stellenbosch, 021 886 8275
Savour, sip and share the vibrant pulse and pleasures of South Africa’s wine and gourmet capital with a choice selection of cellars and eateries gathering from 6pm to 8pm once a month. R30 will get you a wine glass and wine tasting pass for the evening.

Thursday 16 January 2014

Pikin Slee, EWS and Mavambo Erwendo
Stevenson, 160 Sir Lowry Road, Buchanan Building, 021 462 1500
Until 22 February, three exhibitions kick off this critically acclaimed gallery’s annual programme. See the evocative photography of Viviane Sassen in an exhibition that focuses on her time spent in Pikin Slee – the second-largest village on the Upper Suriname River in South America. Work from the estates of Ernest Mancoba, his wife Sonja Ferlov and their son Wonga is on display in EWS. Zimbabwean artist Portia Zvavahera presents her latest paintings. The opening is at 6pm.

Monday 20 January 2014

Grace Kotze: 13 Years of Painting
artSPACE Durban, 3 Millar Road, 031 312 0793 
Until 8 February, a solo exhibition of paintings by KwaZulu-Natal artist Grace Kotze ranges from landscapes to human forms painted between 2000 and 2013.

Wednesday 22 January 2014

The Collar and the Cuff
Slee Gallery, 101 Dorp Street, Stellenbosch, 021 887 3385, [email protected]
Until 25 January, designer Carla Maxine Kruger‘s contemporary art jewellery exhibition will provoke your senses with her subtle critique of the hybrid effect colonialism and slavery has had on SA’s culture and identity. The opening is at 6.30pm.

Friday 24 January 2014

Stellenbosch Wine Festival
Various locations across the Cape Winelands, 021 886 4310
Until 2 February, this annual gourmet wine and dine foodie affair is presented by Pick n Pay and is family-friendly and filled with fun. Book your tickets to experience the finest of the Cape Winelands.

Saturday 25 January 2014

Riesling Rocks Festival
Hartenberg Wine Estate, Stellenbosch, 021 865 2541, [email protected]
Taste the finest flagship Rieslings from South Africa’s top wine producers paired with gourmet deli fare and live entertainment. Set up in a garden-party theme, festival goers will be able to sample these fine wines between 12pm and 5pm. Tickets cost R120 per person, and include all tastings and a complementary tasting glass. Delicious treats will be available for purchase from the various deli stalls on the day.

Start of Harvest Celebration
Delheim Wine Estate, Stellenbosch, 021 888 4600, [email protected]
On 25 and 26 January, you are cordially invited to join in the annual tradition of the high-spirited, foot stomping of the 2014 harvest. Only 120 tickets at R220 each are available per day, and include all the activities and food, including a Delheim wine glass, grape must and a mosbolletjie on arrival.

Tuesday 28 January 2014

Paper Child
Slee Gallery, 101 Dorp Street, Stellenbosch, 021 887 3385, [email protected] 
Until 5 March, Italian artist Sabina Feroci will show some of her delightful papier-mâché sculptures of children as part of the Wine and Art initiative of the Stellenbosch Wine Festival. The opening is at 6pm and, afterwards, the neighbouring Asta Italian Restaurant is presenting a special chef’s table – book at 021 887 7300.

Wednesday 29 January 2014

In the Weave
Standard Bank Gallery, corner of Simmonds and Frederick Streets, Johannesburg, 011 631 4467
Until 29 March an exhibition of work by Walter Oltmann includes a collection of his sources, inspirations and allusions, exploring his exchange of concepts between cultures in southern Africa. Also opening is the Fire! The Role of Heat and Light in African Art exhibition that shows until the end of the year.

Away
Salon91, 91 Kloof Street, Cape Town, 021 424 6930
Until 22 February, the gallery presents a solo exhibition of recent work by Zimbabwe-born artist Sarah Pratt. The work is inspired by travel experiences, both physical and psychological. Please RSVP for the opening at 6.30pm.

Thursday 30 January 2014

The Purple Shall Govern
Oliewenhuis Art Museum, 16 Harry Smith Street, Bloemfontein, 051 011 0525
Until 9 March, Mary Sibande shows her Standard Bank Young Artist award-winning exhibition, which engages with narrative and history through tactile forms.

Friday 31 January 2014

Stellenbosch Wine Festival Wine Expo
Die Braak, Stellenbosch, 021 886 4310
Until 2 February, the heart of the city of oaks from will once again be transformed into an elegant, open-air lounge with more than sixty winery stands offering wine tastings, a Pick n Pay Fresh and a small producers market and live entertainment. Various ticket options are available from www.pnptickets.co.za.

Save the date …

26 to 28 February
Design Indaba Conference
Cape Town International Convention Centre, Cape Town 

27 February to 2 March
Cape Town Art Fair
BMW Pavilion, V&A Waterfront, Cape Town

27 February to 2 March
Gauteng Homemakers Expo
Coca-Cola Dome, Northriding, Johannesburg

27 February to 9 March
Guild Design Fair
The Lookout, V&A Waterfront, Cape Town

28 February to 2 March
Design Indaba Expo
Cape Town International Convention Centre, Cape Town

20 to 23 March
Decorex Durban
Durban Exhibition Centre, Durban

18 to 21 April
KAMERS: Easter in Johannesburg
The Forum Campus, Bryanston, Johannesburg 

25 to 28 April
Decorex Cape Town
Cape Town International Convention Centre, Cape Town

This page is constantly updated, so browse back regularly to stay in the loop. If you would like your event featured, email details to [email protected].