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Sunday, June 8, 2025

‘Rigoletto’ with cellphones

Award-winning director Marthinus Basson launches the Cape Town Opera 2017 season with a contemporary staging of Verdi’s Rigoletto that places themes of power, money, corruption, abuse, misogyny and prejudice in an African context.

Cape Times Entertainment
DAWN KENNEDY|Published

Down in the Elgin Valley where no one hears your screams

Thanks to the Cape Canopy Tours you can set your inner monkey free or almost cry in fear, writes Dawn Kennedy.

Travel South Africa Western Cape
DAWN KENNEDY|Published

Taking the leap from ballet to opera

A CALORIE- laden chocolate tart, missing one single bite, sits on the desk in front of Canadian choreographer Joshua Beamish. Not the usual dancers’ diet, I observe. Beamish agrees but says that he just fancied somet

Cape Times Entertainment
DAWN KENNEDY|Published

The joys of playing pool

MY partner, Tom and I are playing pool against a couple of crusties – a nickname for England's mud stained travellers.

Cape Times Entertainment
DAWN KENNEDY|Published

Pack your bathing costume, head for Citrusdal

Winter is the best time to wallow in the mineral-rich pools of The Baths in Citrusdal, writes Dawn Kennedy.

Travel South Africa Western Cape
DAWN KENNEDY|Published

Refreshing Citrusdal hot springs

Rejuvenate with a visit to the natural hot springs in Citrusdal. Winter is the best time to wallow in the mineral-rich pools.

Cape Times Entertainment
DAWN KENNEDY|Published

Pokémon: gotta catch ‘em all

Across the globe gamers are venturing out into their cities to find Pokémon. All you need is a compatible phone, comfy shoes and a sense of adventure.

Cape Times Entertainment
DAWN KENNEDY|Published

Charming village, but blink and you’ll miss it

Head over Helshoogte and stop in at the picturesque village of Pniel, where everyone has a story to tell and a smile to share.

Travel South Africa Western Cape
DAWN KENNEDY|Published

Complexities of playing ancient game Go

BENT studiously over a board, thoughtfully moving pebble-like pieces, two guys are engaged in a 5 000 year old activity.

Cape Times Entertainment
DAWN KENNEDY|Published

Swimming dragon: martial art to hone body

IT IS a well known aphorism that when the pupil is ready, the master will appear.

Cape Times Entertainment
DAWN KENNEDY|Published

Wonderful initiative trains young voices

I’M GOING to the Masiphatisani Primary School, in Vredenburg, to watch the start of the Opera Amabali Ethu outreach programme.

Cape Times Entertainment
DAWN KENNEDY|Published

Don’t miss Stellenbosch street soirée

Twice a month until the end of March, Stellenbosch is transformed into a jostling hub of wine, music and food.

Travel South Africa Western Cape
DAWN KENNEDY|Published

Cycads: a living collection

LOUISE HECKL is nervous. She is auctioning her 35 year old 200 plant collection.

Cape Times Entertainment
DAWN KENNEDY|Published

Don’t miss Stellenbosch street soirée

Twice a month until the end of March Drostdy Street in Stellenbosch is transformed into a jostling hub of wine, music and food, writes Dawn Kennedy.

Cape Times Entertainment
DAWN KENNEDY|Published

5 must-try activities to experience

After a year of exploring the weird and wonderful, here are five must-try activities for you to experience in 2016.

Travel Travel Tips
DAWN KENNEDY|Published

5 must-try activities to experience in 2016

After a year of exploring the weird, wonderful and innovative, here are five must-try activities for you to experience in 2016.

Cape Times Escape Times
DAWN KENNEDY|Published

Birds of a feather

On my stoep, as the sun softened, a flock of birds circled, as though of one mind, in a wide arc above my roof, their beating wings making a soothing sound like a sheet ruffled by the wind, before they swooped into a near

Cape Times Entertainment
DAWN KENNEDY|Published

Uncorked in Franschhoek

There is lots to experience and taste at the Franschhoek Uncorked Festival each year, writes Dawn Kennedy.

Travel South Africa Western Cape
DAWN KENNEDY|Published

Uncorked: visit estates and meet the winemakers

TAKE a breathtakingly beautiful valley, combine it with the opportunity to taste new releases from world class wine estates and you have an unrivalled opportunity for pleasure.

Cape Times Escape Times
DAWN KENNEDY|Published

Waterfront Boktown: awesome experience

Despite their loss against Japan last week, you can still support the Springboks on the big screen at the V&A Waterfront Amphitheatre, writes Dawn Kennedy.

Cape Times Entertainment
DAWN KENNEDY|Published

Eclectic catalogue of a Shifty rebel

Every now and again I’m made aware that only coming to this country in 1994 has given me a very skewed view of South Africa, akin to dating a reformed drug addict and knowing nothing of the ravages caused during thei

Cape Times Entertainment
DAWN KENNEDY|Published

Getting on board

Roll a dice, pick a card and explore a world of exciting games beyond old favourites Monopoly and Trivial Pursuit at The Big Box Cafe.

Cape Times Entertainment
DAWN KENNEDY|Published

Alma Martha gallery a boost to up-and-comers

Juliana Irene Smith felt a mild headache, a remnant from the night before’s Art Throb party, as she stepped into Albert Road’s not-for-profit Alma Martha gallery on Saturday morning, in time to open for the Bis

Cape Times Entertainment
DAWN KENNEDY|Published

Magic and minerals

A visit to the village of Philadelphia turns into a personal odyssey for Dawn Kennedy.

Travel South Africa Western Cape
DAWN KENNEDY|Published

Sounds of silence

Put on your headphones and party the night away without the thumping bass waking the neighbours.

Travel South Africa Western Cape
DAWN KENNEDY|Published