CCID CEO Tasso Evangelinos says that the aim of the busking programme and the 'Come Back To Town' campaign is to bring life back to the streets of the Central City, in order to support the retailers who have struggled to stay afloat since the lockdown regulations were enforced at the end of March.

"The coronavirus pandemic and resultant lockdown have wrought havoc on the CBD economy and, as a result, the footfall into the CBD has dropped. We would like to invite people, from workers to business owners to tourists, to come back to town to rediscover what they have been missing," says Evangelinos.

"Local businesses in the Cape Town CBD need our support now more than ever before and the aim of the campaign is to encourage people to come back to town and enjoy the likes of buskers on the streets of the CBD," Evangelinos adds.

Besides the busking programme, the CCID is also working with other arts and entertainment partners to offer pop-up performances, including the Zip Zap Circus School and the Cape Town Philharmonic Orchestra.

According to Terri Carter, co-ordinator of the busking programme, each performance is carefully curated and includes hip-hop dancing, a five-piece marimba band, guitarists, singers and beatbox performers.

There are four acts a day on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. The acts take place between midday and 14:00 at various locations including:
  • Thibault Square
  • the corner of St Georges Mall and Waterkant Street
  • the corner of St Georges Mall and Castle Street, and
  • in Government Avenue at the Arch for Arch.
Augmenting the street entertainment is Dry Lemon Entertainment and The Waterfront Theatre School.

"We have chosen public spaces around the CBD that are best suited to specific busking acts. We also rotate the acts to keep the performances fresh," says Carter. "The programme gives the buskers, who are all amateurs, the opportunity get experience and generate an income."

Busker Mawonga Gayiya, a magician who learnt the tricks of his trade from his brother, says that after these tough times, it is enriching to entertain the public. "I love busking as it's impromptu. I meet strangers with whom I get to share my magic and, in these times, we can all do with a bit of magic in our lives," Gayiya says.

iKamva Marimba band player Kwanele Mayoli concludes, "It is great to be able to entertain people after the lockdown. Our five-man band does our own songs, covers and Christmas carols and we play on African instruments made of wood. I started playing the marimbas in 2003 at church and now we now busk and play at weddings, events and funerals."

While the CCID's busking programme ends next week, the City of Cape Town says that it is planning a night-time busking programme to entertain visitors to the CBD from Wednesday, 16 December to Friday, 8 January 2021. 

Other city centre events that are taking place in December and January include:

Zip Zap Circus School on Thibault Square
The Zip Zap Circus School will present a free pop-up performance on Thibault Square from midday to 14:00 on Wednesday, 9 December. They will also return in early 2021for a second performance. Individuals are encouraged to watch the CCID's Facebook page for more details.

Its new show, 'A Circus Picnic', takes to the stage between Friday, 11 December and Sunday, 20 December in the professional performing company's dome. Individuals are encouraged to pack cushions, picnic blankets and low-lying chairs for the show. Tickets cost between R90 and R120 per person and doors open at 17:30.

The show starts at 19:00 and ends by 21:00. Book your own tickets here. 

City of Cape Town Busking Programme
The City of Cape Town will roll out a night-time busking programme from Wednesday, 16 December to Friday, 8 January 2021 with a variety of performers entertaining visitors to the CBD from Wednesdays to Saturdays from 16:00 to 21:00.

The venues are Greenmarket Square, and the corners of Bree and Shortmarket streets, Strand and Bree streets and Bree and Buiten streets.

Ride with Rook Cycles
On Thursday nights, individuals are encouraged to join a night cycle with Rook Cycles. Originally started as a night ride for Rook staff, the event quickly grew in popularity and is now a weekly ride that is also open to the public.

The 20 to 25 km route, which changes every week, is suitable for all fitness levels. Cyclists can use their own bike or rent one for the evening for R100. Riders meet at the Rook shop at 295 Long Street at 18:30 and leave at 19:00 for a unique view of the city.

Individuals are encouraged to take a sweater as the weather is still a bit unpredictable. For information, visit the Rook website or follow them on @rookcycles or www.facebook.com/rookcycles.

Gin-gin at Station on Bree
The London-inspired Station on Bree has introduced a range of live entertainment, along with pub grub-style food and drinks. Click here for more information.

'Big Sister' at Gate 69: a premier cabaret theatre
The Trolley Dollies 'dish the dirt as they see it on the alarming events of the past few months'. Individuals are encouraged to 'book their spot and let your hair down' at Gate 69. For more information, contact www.gate69.co.za.

Go LOCAL at Heritage Square with Liam Tomlin, set to open soon
LOCAL, the latest venture from Chef Liam Tomlin, will open imminently at Heritage Square. Downstairs, the venue will sell a range of local grocer produce, including olive oil, salt brands, local fish, meat, charcuterie, cheese, bread and chocolate, as well as Adene's farm flowers. Upstairs, Tomlin will open a Middle Eastern eating bar called Mazza in Cape Town, which pays homage to Beirut and represents the 17 countries of the Middle East.

The Cape Town City Ballet
The Cape Town City Ballet, in collaboration with the Cape Town Philharmonic Orchestra under the baton of Brandon Phillips, will be back on stage at Artscape this December. They will be presenting George Balanchine's Serenade and Moon Behind the Clouds, a suite of works made during the time of Covid-19 by seven South African choreographers, including Veronica Paeper.

Laced together through the text of Max Ehrmann's Desiderata, the suite will be narrated by Marcel Meyer. The Orchestra accompanies the ballet in the works of Tchaikovsky, Massenet, Barber, Satie, Delibes and Mahler.

Tickets cost between R300 and R500 and can be bought here. The ballet will take to the stage at Artscape between Thursday, 10 December and Saturday, 12 December. 

Cape Town Opera Chorus Spirituals Concert at Groote Kerk
The chorus is a new programme of African and American spirituals. It is choreographed by Shaun Oelf and with an addition of young artist Brittany Smith. All alert Level 1 protocols will be observed and seating is limited, so individuals are encouraged to arrive early to avoid disappointment.

The event will take place between Thursday, 14 January 2021 and Friday, 15 January 2021. Doors open at 18:15 and tickets are available at Quicket.

For more information, visit www.capetownccid.org. You can also follow CCID on Facebook.