Arts Writer
CAPE TOWN’S most creative street carnival spectacular is a mere week away. The seventh annual Cape Town Carnival(CTC) is set to dazzle The Green Point Fan Walk on Saturday, March 12 from 3pm till late.
With 2016’s Street Life theme, the CTC is being inspired by the people of the mother city. The concept embraces the diversity, styles and situations of the different people found on the streets, and explores the dynamics at play in a shared public space.
The streets will light up with colour, music and dance when the 7th annual CTC opens with the mother of all street parades.
Creative director, Brad Baard says, “ Street Life is about the people and dynamics at play in a public space. Towns and cities are built of people and relationships, not bricks and concrete. We all have different styles and cultures, but are connected by the vibrancy of the streets. Street Life aims to make these invisible connections visible.”
Taxis, vendors, entrepreneurs, children on their way to school, hipsters and chancers, ambition and opportunity, street style, street food, fashion and culture: it’s all part of the gloriously eclectic life of our cities and towns. This year’s Cape Town Carnival invites you to take part in this symbolic celebration of our diversity.
As with past years, this year’s event hopes to showcase mesmerising giant floats, wacky puppets and a display of amazing speciality acts – each purposefully designed, built and choreographed specifically for the Street Life theme.
This year promises to be even more dynamic with a celebrity lineup. This includes comedian Siv Ngesi, who will participate for his third year and other local personalities such as Liezel van der Westhuizen, Zoe Brown and Danny Ross joining the parade.
Says Siv about being part of Cape Town Carnival: “I love the Street Life theme; it’s so fresh. I will party with my Mother City as long as I am alive and kicking, but it isn’t just about Cape Town. I have friends from all over the country who fly down to experience the Cape Town Carnival. Brazil Carnival better watch out!”
Carnival organisers are encouraging all spectators to get involved by dressing up and spreading the festivities beyond the parade barriers. “The Cape Town Carnival is an event that belongs to all the people of Cape Town,” says Carnival Trust chairperson, Professor Rachel Jafta.
“Everyone plays a part in making it happen and this year we encourage spectators to participate with vigour.”
Visitors will have the freedom of the city streets from 3pm as they join family and friends on the Green Point Fan Walk to enjoy the variety of food and crafts on offer. The streets will be closed for final preparations at 6pm, giving carnival-goers enough time to find the perfect viewing spot, find their seats or make their way to one of the many restaurants along the Fan Walk before the magic begins at 7pm.
Over 2 000 dazzling costumed performers and musicians will take to Cape Town’s Fan Walk, entertaining viewers with magical floats and vibrant dance routines. The parade will be followed by a thumping street party, showcasing some hot musical talent.
An estimated 55 000 spectators attended the 2015 parade and organisers are anticipating an even greater turn out this year, as the showcase continues to establish itself as an iconic community-driven event in the Mother City and South Africa.
Says Professor Jafta: “Where Brazil can boast one single language, a single religion and a single musical genre, South Africa is known for the exact opposite. We celebrate our diversity in culture, language, colour, race, gender and sexual orientation. We celebrate the fact that we are not the same and this year’s theme gives all carnival-goers the perfect opportunity to enjoy this.”
Go the Cape Town Carnival not as spectators, but as contributors to the vibrant bustle of diversity and energy that makes the streets of Cape Town and South Africa what they are.
Vast Networks have confirmed that they will provide free Wi-Fi access to all along the Green Point Fan Walk, which spectators can use to share their experiences.
l Tickets are free, unless you want raised along the route seats for the best view or VIP access: www.quicket.co.za/events/13869-cape-town-carnival/#/ For more information see: www.capetowncarnival.com, like them on Facebook www.facebook.com/TheCapeTownCarnival, follow on Twitter @CTCarnival or Instagram @capetowncarnival and use the hashtag #CTCarnival2016 and #StreetLife.