The streets will light up with colour, music and dance when the 7th annual Cape Town Carnival comes to town with the mother of all street parades.
This year’s Cape Town Carnival is taking place on Saturday, 12 March 2016 and the theme is ‘Street Life’. It promises to be a dynamic celebration of our South African identity, showcasing the diverse communities and cultures of our country.
Cape Town Carnival 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, the 2016 Cape Town Carnival will 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.
A celebrity line-up
This year promises to be even more dynamic, with comedian Siv Ngesi participating for his third year and other local personalities like 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 Cape Town Carnival Trust Chairperson, Professor Rachel Jafta. “Everyone plays a part in making it happen and this year we encourage spectators to participate with vigour.”
When and where
Visitors will have the freedom of the city streets from 15h00 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 18h00, 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 19h00.
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 of SA’s hottest musical talent.
A unique offering
An estimated 55 000 spectators attended the 2015 parade and Cape Town Carnival organisers are anticipating an even greater turn out in 2016, 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.”
Come to 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.
While the event is free, those who want the best view of the Cape Town Carnival action can purchase tickets to secure elevated seats along the route here: https://www.quicket.co.za/events/13869-cape-town-carnival/#/
Vast Networks 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.
For more information on the 2016 Cape Town Carnival, visit www.capetowncarnival.com, like them on Facebook www.facebook.com/TheCapeTownCarnival, follow them on Twitter @CTCarnival or Instagram @capetowncarnival and use the hashtag #CTCarnival2016 and #StreetLife.
ISSUED BY: Kim Phillips
ON BEHALF OF: Cape Town Carnival
DATE ISSUED: 21 January 2016
FOR MEDIA INFO Kim Phillips
OR VISUALS: Tel: 021 686 2331 / 061
Email: [email protected]
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