The Cape Town Festival is the official arts, culture and heritage festival for the City of Cape Town, a showcase of cultural expression encompassing the full spectrum of arts genres ranging from music, theatre and visual arts to dance, comedy, poetry and film. It takes place from March 5 to 25.

The focus is on the Cape Town International Performing Arts Festival, a 19 day multi-cultural extravaganza of contemporary dance, theatre, comedy, poetry, and music held at Cape Town’s top performing arts venues. Back by popular demand are Jou Ma Se Comedy – Cape Town’s first Comedy-Jazz Fusion Fiesta, hosted by top local comedian Kurt Schoonraad. Local Goes Vocal is back on the floorboards with a fusion of poetry, music and storytelling that challenges the norm.

The hub of the festival vibe will be at the Artscape concourse where an innovative new festival platform is introduced. This is the Cape Town Festival Arts Expo - a showcase for arts industry suppliers augmented by daily performances and an arts village. Also new are the Festival Imbizos, setting the path for South Africa’s future culture. Best of all many of the festival happenings are free!

Taking part over the festival period will be the International Short Film Festival, the International Visual Arts Festival, Cape Town Festival Arts Expo, Cape Town Youth Festival, the inner city urban art party Night Vision, Human Rights Day Celebration, In Touch Community Festivals and Festival Imbizos (Xhosa word meaning ‘conference’).

The full festival program will be available on the festival website www.capetownfestival.co.za