A night like no other in the city centre.
Celebrating a decade, First Thursday sets Cape Town’s innercity abuzz at the start of each month. After dark, join art lovers, music fans, culture vultures, foodies and the curious-at-heart and wander through galleries, studios, stores and other creative spaces.
To start your evening, grab a map at your first stop – any one of the participating venues listed below – so you can plot your route. The offerings change every month; here’s a taste of what to expect in March. Start in Church Street, where there’s lots of options.
Our picks for 7 March 2024
- “The Million Petaled Flower of When You Were Here”: Alka Dass’s blue-hued, memory-filled cyanotypes at Church Projects (a diminutive space with a can’t-miss-it golden doorway).
- “Soliloquy”: Nigerian-born Kelechi Charles Nwaneri’s surrealist mixed-media works inspired by tattooing and traditional Igbo scarification at Ebony/Curated.
- Two solo exhibitions at Eclectica Contemporary: abstract paintings by Cathy Layzell alongside Lars Fischrdick’s geometry- and architecture-inspired works.
- “Texturing Absence: Woodstock Beach”: Molly Anderson’s installation about Cape Town’s lost seaside, using old photos, texts and art objects at 6 Spin Street Restaurant Gallery.
- Two solo shows at 99 Loop Gallery: Zarah Cassim’s dreamy, light-filled works in “Under the Sun”, and Isabella Kuijers interrogation of news consumption in “Breaking” (acrylic paintings on glass).
- “Offcuts”, a group show at the AVA focusing on the art process and works-in-progress; as well as Deborah Weber’s “automatic drawings”, Many Libuta’s “Women and Nature” portraits and Michael Beckurts’ “Vivacity” oil paintings.
- “We Will Meet Again in the Field”: Michael Singer’s sculptures (steel and automotive paint), mixed-media works and paintings at THK Gallery.
- “Chromatic Cape”: French photographer Pauline Le Rolland’s bold, vivid colour pictures of Cape Town at the Alliance Française.
- Bjorn Kumpers’ aerial and coastal photographs at KISS (Keep It Simple Surf); pick up some cool beach gear while you’re there.
- Also check out new kid on the block, the 1895 Art Gallery in Burg Street. WORLDART and Nel are always worth a look too.
First Thursdays: Music + Parties
Once you’ve browsed the exhibitions, make it a late night out at these live gigs and DJ events.
- Book for performances by Fusion Rhythm (7.30pm) or BLAQ (9pm) at The Blue Room (R200 per show); there will be specials on cocktails and the option of pre-show dinner.
- At Culture Wine Bar, combine live bands (Acoustic Element, Eddie Jordan and Mark Haze) with a Simelia wine-tasting from 6pm (R150 entry; R185 tasting).
- Jazz trumpeter and singer Ndumiso Nyovane (who used to play in Lucky Dube’s band) will be rocking the basement of Athletic Club & Social from 9pm. (R150 entry)
- Catch the folksy, singer-songwriter sounds of Amy Ayanda and Trillion Petals at The Pink Room at Gorgeous George from 8pm. (R150 entry)
- Clay Café in the City is hosting a “Disco & Tequila” night with DJ Travis Mason (alongside an exhibition of student work) from 9pm.
If dancing’s your thing, head to DJ René The Frenchman’s stylish street party at MiCaffè on Bree. There’s also Prime at The Waiting Room (Long Street), or High Spirits at Saggy Stone (Kloof Street) for amapiano vibes. Over in the East City, there’s “Synths of Summer” with Kyle Cassiem and others at District (Harrington Street), or psytech at Electrosphere (Buitenkant Street), or afro jazz with live band Kujenga at new shisanyama joint PrimMEATive (corner of Roeland and Buitenkant).
First Thursdays: Restaurants + Bars
You’re sure to need a pick-me-up, so pop in at a couple of the innercity’s cool bars, buzzy restaurants and hip streetfood spots. Many offer specials on the night, and some have DJs or live music, such as House of Machines; for karaoke, head to Boma on Bree’s Tiki Tomb bar.
- Check out Jazz Pony at One Park (off Kloof Street) and new spot Anthm (Loop Street), or head to the secret Gin Bar, Leo’s Wine Bar (which has added a mezcal to its list), OpenWine or The Drinkery at Heritage Square (part bar, part gallery).
- The pick of eateries include Ouzeri, Clarke’s Dining Room, Nish Nush and Ramenhead.
Book Ouzeri
Book Clarke’s
Book Ramenhead
- Grab some Japanese sweet treats at Mochi Mochi (it’s closing late at 9pm).
- Station on Bree is doing a road closure, with a market, food trucks and tunes by DJs Dean Fuel, Carlo Mass, Jay Nunez, Roxy Louw and others.
- For more market vibes, there’s the Thrift Fest at the Fire & Ice Hotel.
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