Page 417 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - South Africa

ENTER T AINMENT IN SOUTH AFRICA 415

somewhat more bizarre,
from ceramics and photo-
graphy to multi media works
and installa tions. Exhibitions
change regularly, and openings
are popular social events, with
high-profile speakers as well
as a buffet and drinks.

Gaming
South Africa has more
than 40 casinos in large
“Cross Roads”, Rupert Museum, Stellenbosch entertainment complexes
on the fringes of most major
popular in South Africa, as are sounds: rock, jazz, gospel, centres. They are typically
modernized and “localized” reggae, rap and Afro-fusion. designed around a lavish
adaptations of Shakespeare. The members of the popular theme and include hotels,
Arts Alive, a Johannesburg Soweto String Quartet charm restaurants and bars and a
festival held in September, is audiences with their unique range of activities for the
a major celebration of the composi tions and African- whole family. Among the
per forming arts. The FNB flavoured interpretations most popular is the famed
Dance Umbrella, held in of classical pieces. Sun City in the North West
Johannesburg in February and Local rock bands such as province (see p326) and Gold
March, is an important platform Springbok Nude Girls and Reef City, Montecasino and
for new choreo graphers. The Parlotones enjoy a loyal Emperor’s Palace in
National Arts Festival (see p43), following, and appear at clubs Johannesburg. In Durban,
held in Grahamstown in July, countrywide. Check the listings the Sun Coast Casino has
is the best place to go for an guides and local radio stations its own private beach in
overview of inno vative, exciting for details of gigs and venues. addition to the gaming
South African theatre, dance, Music from the rest offerings. More than a dozen
artistic and musical talent. of Africa is filtering down to of these casino complexes
Opera, too, is well supported, South Africa, and clubs are are operated by Sun
especially in Cape Town, where rocking to sounds from Ghana, International.
the Cape Town Opera (see p174) Mali and Benin. Gaming tables include
performs at the Artscape black-jack, roulette, poker
Theatre Centre from May to and punto banco. Larger
September. Artscape is also Art casinos usually have a salon
the main venue for the Cape Johannesburg, Durban, privé, in addition to a hall of
Town City Ballet (see p174). Cape Town, Port Elizabeth and slot machines.
Bloemfontein, as well as some
of the larger towns such as DIRECTORY
Music
Knysna, have excellent art
Symphony and classical galleries. These showcase Booking Tickets
orchestras are well supported local and international works,
in the cities: concerts are held from the traditional to the Computicket
in venues such as the Durban Tel 0861 915 8000.
City Hall (see p287), Cape Town’s ∑ online.computicket.com
City Hall and the Johannesburg
College of Music in Parktown. Cinemas
Outdoor, twilight
performances, for example Nu Metro
at Durban’s Botanic Gardens ∑ numetro.co.za
(see p289) and Kirstenbosch
National Botanical Garden in Ster-Kinekor
Cape Town (see pp164–5), are ∑ sterkinekor.com
popular. Look out for the carols
by candlelight events in the Gaming
cities every December.
Nowadays, international Sun International
bands, pop and opera singers
regularly include South Africa Tel 011 780 7855.
on their world tours. Local Merry-go-round at the Carousel Casino, ∑ suninternational.com
bands offer a wide range of close to Gauteng