Zip Zap Circus presents Art of Rock 2

Cape Town’s circus with conscience celebrates 20 years of high flying success with Freshlyground

Ladies, gentlemen, kids of all ages, grannies and grandpas, from Friday, 14 to Sunday, 16 September, the Zip Zap Circus invites the people of Cape Town to celebrate 20 years of gravity-defying stunts and social initiative gymnastics at Art of Rock 2, a magnificent show featuring the soulful voices of Freshlyground and the marvelous antics of the Zip Zap troupe.

“This show is without a doubt one of the most ambitious undertakings for Zip Zap in 20 years, and the buzz is electrifying,” said Brent van Rensburg, co-founder of the Zip Zap Circus.

The uniquely entertaining act looks to combine intricately timed choreography and high-flying acts with the Afro-pop melodies of one of South Africa’s most loved bands.

What’s more, aside from enjoying the daring aerials and sensational stunts, audience members can take solace in the fact that proceeds from ticket sales will go to support the Zip Zap Circus school, a non-profit organisation devoted to inspiring and empower young – often at-risk – kids and adolescents.

Founded in 1992 when Laurence Esteve and Brent van Rensburg, both professional trapeze artists, settled in Cape Town, the school is open to children of all ages and backgrounds for free – yes, FREE – as the initiative runs on funding based on income from performances, grants and donations. Besides basic circus training, Zip Zap aims to foster real social change in South Africa by using the performances as a tool to teach the youth crucial values: the notions of teamwork, commitment and trust. Additionally, Laurence and Brent provide support, food, accommodation, medical aid and school subsidies to the participating children and young adults in need.

Freshlyground, an award-winning band whose energy aligns with that of the charismatic Zip Zap troupe, first formed in 2002, and released their first album, ‘Jika Jika’, in 2003, firmly establishing them as a fresh and vibrant new addition to South African music. Hailing from South Africa, Zimbabwe and Mozambique, the band’s members each add a unique touch to the group’s diverse music style, a sound that incorporates blues, jazz, indie rock and South African folk music.

“These guys do some really nail-biting stuff, and I think it’s going to be quite challenging to remain focused on what we're doing and not get nervous about what they're doing,” said Kyla-Rose Smith, violinist and backing vocalist for the band, when quizzed about the performance.

Tickets for Zip Zap Circus’s ‘Art of Rock 2’ 

This amazing, not-to-be-missed performance is only showing for three days, so bundle up the kids and grandparents for a family adventure. Tickets are available through Webtickets.co.za and cost R200p/adult, R150 p/p for kids between 4 and 12 years old and are free for little ones under 3 years of age.

Zip Zap Circus School

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Read more about the gravity-defying, tumbling tales of the Zip Zap Circus School.

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