The Cape Town Carnival Tells the Stories of the Fair Cape

Cape Town's got the gift of the gab, now let's share it with the world

Let’s face it, Capetonians are sociable people – we’ve always got a story to tell or a funny anecdote to share. Now, in what seems to be the most natural progression since Cape Town was chosen to host the World Cup Final Draw; Capetonians are being given a space to share their stories with each other and the world.

Capeys, get ready to see the streets of your Mother City come alive with a party like you’ve never seen before! The Cape Town Carnival is looming and the scene is set for it to be the biggest party this side of the Limpopo. The exiting new showcase of local talent will take place from 18-20 March 2010. The highlight of the weekend will be a parade of five competing groups of performers, comprising a total of 10,000 performers on Saturday, 20 March 2010.

Telling the stories our way

The first annual Cape Town Carnival is an exciting new platform to showcase the heart and stories of Cape Town in an all-encompassing community event. In the spirit of community, the Carnival and its stakeholders have developed five electrifying group storylines. Each storyline is comprised of six different sections, or chapters, and will be represented and interpreted by two or more performing genres.

The different genres will form the anchor of each chapter, as well as guide the creation of individual songs, costumes and floats for each of the five performing groups. Each group, tasked with creating stories that speak to the purpose, intent and overall theme of the Cape Town Carnival, conceptualised the elements of each storyline.

The storyline titles are The Missing Pieces, Stories of the Sea, Children of the Winds of Change, Postcards from Cape Town and The Streets of Cape Town. These will influence elements like costume and prop design, music, puppets and floats. The exciting rehearsal period commenced in October 2009 and saw the performers fine tuning their craft to show everyone what Cape Town’s got.

Entertaining the masses

The Cape Town Carnival will be the highlight of Cape Town’s Art and Culture calendar for 2010. It will include these performers, and more: the Cape Town Minstrels Carnival Association, Kaapse Klopse Karnival Association, Cape Malay Choir Board, WC Drumline Association, Cape Music Industry Commission, AmaAmbush Marimbas, Federation of Dance Sport South Africa, WC Marching Bands Association, South African Christmas Bands Board, WC Drum Majorettes, Community Plough Back Movement, Western Province Dance Teachers Association, UNIMA and various other community organisation from in and around the city.

Here’s what some of them had to say:

“This event has the potential to bring together musicians and artists from around the Cape, and is already creating new opportunities and relationships for all involved.”
Ross Johnson, MD amaAmbush Productions

“Cape Town Carnival will fuse many genres. For our Kaapse Klopse Karnival, this is a blessing and will add value to the people of Cape Town. The unexplored potential of The Cape Town Carnival in Cape Town will become visible. The Cape Town Carnival has the know-how necessary for how Carnival should be in South Africa.”
Melvyn Matthews, Kaapse Klopse Karnival

Still undecided? Keep reading CapeTownMagazine.com for our 10 Reason’s Not to Miss the Carnival.

From puppets of mass proptions to epic floats. Find out how you can Get Ready for the Cape Town Carnival.

For more information read our event feature on the Cape Town Carnival and the Cape Town Carnival Fashion Show.

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