Women’s Humanity Arts Festival at the Artscape Theatre

Celebrate South Africa’s formidable women at this jam-packed fiesta

This acclaimed annual arts festival is coming up for its 11th year is a celebration of women, in line with Women's Month and crosses over Women's Day. The line-up showcases the work of fabulous, fearless women fighting for an equal society and the respect that women deserve. Rock up to the Artscape Theatre between Wednesday, 2 and Saturday, 12 August 2017 for a festival that celebrates the strength of women. Experience an array of events that address the issues women face today. It’s a great way to get involved in the important conversation around women’s rights and gender issues. This is not just an event for women: everyone is welcome, whatever gender or age.

The meaning and message of this event extends beyond celebrating women and marginalised peoples by paying attention to their rights and issues on just one day of the year; its work is centred around empowering women in the long-term.  

Including a variety of outstanding theatre productions, educational workshops, film screenings, talks, exhibitions, a humanity walk and more, the event is also a platform for addressing other marginalised groups in South Africa, such as the disabled community.

WHAT TO EXPECT AT THE 2017 WOMEN’S HUMANITY ARTS FESTIVAL AT THE ARTSCAPE THEATRE

A STAR–STUDDED FESTIVAL OPENING
Professor Pumla Gobodo-Madikizela from the University of the Free State will be the guest speaker at the launch of the festival on Wednesday, 2 August. This senior researcher and clinical psychologist served as a coordinator of victims’ public hearings on the Truth and Reconciliation Committee in the Western Cape. As someone who makes it her work to understand humanity, she is sure to share some wise and enlightening thoughts and ideas. At the same time, Evette Weyers’ new sculptural exhibition will be opening. This will lead to the opening stage performance of Ikhaya, a dance production exploring women’s roles in the home and in the world.

THE ABSOLUTELY FABULOUS DRAG SHOW
Here’s where the fiercest of queens don feathers, sequins and false eyelashes as they perform cabaret, lip-sync and do much more on stage – look out for stars such as Manila von Teez and Vida Fantabisher, plus a whole lot more. This will take place on Friday, 4 and Saturday, 5 August.

A FEISTY FASHION SHOW
This will be presented by the Institute for the Advancement of the Disabled on Wednesday, 9 August and promises to be spectacular!

ELECTRIFYING THEATRE
Just one of the productions that will be on stage at this festival is At Her Feet, a play that explores issues like Islamic feminism, identity and islamophobia through the eyes of Muslim women in Cape Town. These questions are looked at through the medium of song, poetry, movement and monologue. At Her Feet will be performed by actress Quanita Adams between Tuesday, 8 and Saturday, 12 August, and is regarded as a highly important post-apartheid work.

THE ANNUAL WOMEN’S HUMANITY WALK
Walkers will amble from from St George’s Cathedral to Artscape on Wednesday, 9 August; the theme of the walk this year is ‘Uniting Cape Town against gender-based violence’. After this, women can have free health screenings done.

AND MUCH, MUCH MORE
Guests can enjoy a huge array of entertainment and educational events, from panel discussions, empowerment workshops and music concerts, to book launches and an open mic story sharing opportunity.

TICKETS FOR THE 2017 WOMEN’S HUMANITY ARTS FESTIVAL AT THE ARTSCAPE THEATRE

Tickets are priced individually per event and are available online via Computicket.com. For more information on the full programme, including dates, times and pricing, visit Artscape.co.za. For more information, please feel welcome to send an email to debbied@artscape.co.za or phone +27 (0)21 410 9915.

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