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Goodbye spring, hello June. This weekend is a big one for Cape Town’s arts scene. First Thursdays offers the perfect excuse to reconnect with the Mother City after dark, and we’ve rounded up the best places to visit.
It’s also the opening week of the Encounters South African International Documentary Festival, running from 4 to 14 June at venues across the city.
Beyond that, there’s plenty more on the agenda: theatre, a must-visit event for vinyl lovers, Pilates sessions, and, naturally, a few party opportunities.
Weekend weather
Although the South African Weather Service has issued a Level 8 warning for parts of the Western Cape due to a high risk of flooding, Cape Town is expected to escape the worst of the weather. However, the Mother City is in for a chilly weekend, with temperatures forecast to peak at just 17°C.
CBD
Please, don’t call me moffie
- Thursday, 4 – Saturday, 6 June | Various times
- Location: Artscape Theatre, D.F. Malan St, Foreshore
- Cost: R150 via Webtickets
Written and directed by Zubayr Charles, the production follows five Cape Coloured men in their late 20s as they navigate questions of identity, masculinity, and belonging in Cape Town. When a viral video depicting a brutal homophobic attack in an unnamed country shocks their community, they are forced to confront the tensions between their past and present, and the realities shaping their sense of self.
Encounters: Mama-Demic
- Friday, 5 June | 6:30pm
- Location: The Labia Theatre, 68 Orange St, Gardens
- Cost: R90 via Webtickets
In the maternity ward of Harry Gwala Regional Hospital, Dr Ntinga juggles the pressures of motherhood and medical training as she battles a crumbling healthcare system on the frontlines of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Great Mass in C minor, K. 427/417a
- Saturday, 6 – Sunday, 7 June | 7pm, 3pm
- Location: Cape Town City Hall, Darling St, CBD
- Cost: From R136 via Quicket
The Symphony Choir is set to present, for the first time to South African audiences, The Great Mass in C minor, K. 427/417a, composed by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. This piece, widely regarded as one of his greatest masterpieces, was written shortly after his marriage and reflects the beautiful depth of his music.
ATLANTIC SEABOARD
Night of the Queens: Winter Thrills
- Thursday, 4 June | 6pm
- Location: Time Out Studio at Time Out Market Cape Town, The Old Power Station, Dock Rd, Victoria & Alfred Waterfront
- Cost: From R150 via Howler
Manila von Teez, Kat Gilardi, and Vida Fantabisher are bringing the heat this winter, with an evening of glitz, glamour, and high-energy performances. A pre-show mingle with the queens will happen from 6pm, while the show officially begins at 7pm.
V&A Music & Record Fair
- Saturday, 6 June | 10am – 2pm
- Location: The Watershed upper level, V&A Waterfront, 17 Dock Rd, Victoria & Alfred Waterfront
- Cost: Free
Attention all vinyl enthusiasts and collectors! Whether you plan on browsing, buying, or just celebrating music culture, expect everything from rare gems to classics and everything in between.
Killer Queen
- Thursday, 4 – Saturday, 20 June | 3pm, 8pm
- Location: Theatre On The Bay, Link Street, Camps Bay
- Cost: From R200 via Webtickets
Channeling the iconic flamboyance of Freddie Mercury and the high energy of Queen's music, Killer Queen is a dance celebration that pays tribute to the legendary rock band.
SOUTHERN SUBURBS
First Friday
- Friday, 5 June | 6pm
- Location: Cape Point Vineyards, Silvermine Rd, Noordhoek
- Cost: From R180 via Quicket
Celebrate the arrival of the new month at Cape Point Vineyards, where guests can enjoy live music, burgers, and pizzas. With breathtaking views as a backdrop, it's the perfect setting ring in the new month.
ICYMI: Top Cape Town restaurants with the best views
Pilates at Norval Foundation
- Saturday, 6 June | 9am
- Location: Gallery 1 at Norval Foundation, 4 Steenberg Rd, Tokai
- Cost: R100 via Webtickets
An intimate 60-minute Pilates session surrounded by world-class contemporary African art.
NORTHERN SURBUBS
Goodwood Bargains Market
- Saturday, 6 June | 9am – 1:20pm
- Location: Goodwood Sports Club, 54 Milton Rd, Goodwood Estate
- Cost: Free entry
If you’re looking to do some shopping while sticking to your budget, this family-friendly market offers everything from sweet treats, vinyl records, and books to unique finds and more. Free parking is available at the corner of Milton and Alice Streets.
CAPE FLATS
Khayelitsha Partying Experience
- Friday, 5 – Sunday, 7 June | 4pm, 3pm
- Location: The Spade Boutique Hotel, 8 Alfred Nzo St, Mandela Park
- Cost: From R1,600 via Webtickets
Enjoy good food and great music while gaining local insights on an immersive walking tour of the community. To wrap up the experience, guests will have the chance to attend a block party.
Encounters: Notes from the Underground
- Sunday, 7 June | 2pm
- Location: Bertha Movie House, Ekuphumleni
- Cost: Free, but registration is required
Featuring Ready D, Isaac Mutant, and Mutant’s daughter, this documentary traces the history of Cape Town’s underground hip-hop movement and its lasting legacy.
WINELANDS
A Sensory Experience on the Horizon
- Friday, 5 June | 5:30pm
- Location: La Motte Wine Farm, R45, Franschhoek
- Cost: R1,350, bookings via their website
Inspired by its current exhibition, Van Horison tot Horison, La Motte invites guests to an exclusive evening celebrating art in all its forms. The sensory experience includes a horizontal Chardonnay tasting hosted by Cellarmaster Edmund Terblanche, and a five-course dinner at L’Ami Family Brasserie inspired by the surrounding landscape, the artworks in the La Motte Ateljee, and La Motte’s world-renowned wines.
Sips & Giggles
- Saturday, 6 June | 10am
- Location: Haute Cabrière, Lambrechts Rd, Franschhoek
- Cost: From R200 via Quicket
The day starts at Haute Cabrière with an introductory wine tasting, followed by a second tasting at Pasarene, taking guests on a curated journey through some of Franschhoek’s most celebrated wines.
WEST COAST
Dance of the Fairies
- Friday, 5 June | 9pm
- Location: The Bunker Venue, 41a Mansell Rd, Killarney Gardens
- Cost: From R300 via Quicket
Featuring a powerful all-female lineup, the event brings together psychedelic music, immersive visuals, and a serious sense of community.
Further afield
FynArts festival
- Saturday, 6 – Sunday, 14 June | Various times
- Location: Various locations across Hermanus
- Cost: From R120 via Webtickets
A celebration of creativity in all its forms; from visual and musical, to literary and culinary, with art exhibitions, food and wine experiences.
For a guide to events taking place further into June, we've got you covered.
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