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Award-winning restaurant Madame Zingara, was one of Cape Town's best loved gems until the restaurant went up in flames in a freak accident in September 2006, only weeks after one of Cape Town's best annual parties - Madame Zingara's "Christmas in July".

The fire sent a shock through Cape Town, with cards and flowers stuck to the Madame Zingara's front door, crying staff and regular patrons gathering at the site; evidence of the legacy Madame Zingara and Cara Lazuli have built in Cape Town.

Due to a shortfall in the insurance pay-out Madame Zingara found itself unable to re-open last year. But this didn't stop the Madame Zingara team from finding a way to continue spreading their magic.

After much negotiation with the Klessen family in Belgium, they acquired an antique dinner-and-dancehall tent. The Madame Zingara website reports: "Touched by the story of Madame Zingara the Klessen family, who have toured this tent for over four generations, have generously agreed to bring her to South Africa and introduce to us this unique dinner Theatre of Dreams experience".

"The amazing Tent of Dreams was built in 1928 and is one of only a handful left in the world today. She is both contemporary inspiration and historical icon, constructed of wood, mirrors, canvas, leaded glass and detailed in velvet and brocade".

Diners in Cape Town can expect a menu composed of delicious fare (regular patrons be assured: The Madame Zingara's famous Chocolate Chilli Steak is still on the menu) and a dazzling array of entertainment, (including mesmerizing trapeze artists; stilt walking, knife juggling fawns; magicians; snake dancers; tarot card readers; incredible a cappella singing; dancing and more).

The Madame Zingara Tent of Dreams will set up house on Cape Town's Foreshore for 6 months and then tickling and slowly make its way through South Africa, spreading Madame Zingara's signature blend of magic far and wide. A large chunk of the proceeds will go to the Reach for a Dream charity organisation and Ikamva Labantu.

Watch this 'sneak preview' video clip about the Tent of Dreams on YouTube.

Molo Says: "The story of Madame Zingara and her Daughter Cara Lazuli is one that should not be missed in the Tent, or Theatre, of Dreams. We keep you updated on Madame Zingara Theatre of Dreams in Durban and Johannesburg.


Madam Zingara Christmas in July:
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