Circus and wine: The Harvest of Gratitude with Zip Zap Circus at Hout Bay Vineyards

Circus and wine: The Harvest of Gratitude with Zip Zap Circus at Hout Bay Vineyards- Jan 9, 2022 and Zip Zap will be performing at V&A Waterfront from January 12-16, 2022

Recently, Phelelani “Remember” Ndakrokra of Zip Zap Circus, mesmerised audiences at the Cape Town Philharmonic’s Community Spectacular 2021. The concert was streamed online and Phelani’s act was very much emblematic of how Zip Zap has continued to work and develop, during the pandemic and lockdown. Many of its artists are from communities in need and in order for Zip Zap to fund its company, substantial funds are required to not only stage its work but to assist company members and trainees with food, accommodation and transport. Due to the surge of the Omicron variant, the December season of Zip Zap’s much anticipated new show, Slapstick; had to be postponed. The show was scheduled to take place in its Dome on the Foreshore. Slapstick will tale place, when Covid numbers stabilize. In the meantime, on Sunday January 9, there is fundraising event, at Hout Bay Vineyards. Proceeds will go to Zip Zap. Winemaker Peter Roeloffze is launching Peter+Paul, a limited release, 2012 Rhône-style red blend made “with love and gratitude.” The Paul in the appellation of the wine refers to the friendship between Peter Roeloffze and Hout Bay artist Paul Du Toit- Peter plus Paul. Each ticket holder will receive a case (6 X 750ml) of this “labelled collectors’ Petrus blend”. Tickets are R1500 each. The Harvest of Gratitude, starts 4pm and in addition to Zip Zap, there will be live music, complimentary bar serving wine, snacks and craft beer and an auction of special wines and limited print editions of Paul du Toits’s work/ Extra wine purchases may be made on www.houtbayvineyards.co.za or by emailing Cathy@4mb.co.za/phone: 083 790 3303

On another note, as we talking about wine, Phelelani “Remember” Ndakrokra has been selected to perform at the International Festival of the Circus of Tomorrow in Paris [Festival Mondial du Cirque de Demai] from January 27 to 30  2022. He first performed at Festival Mondial du Cirque de Dema, a decade ago and will perform his famous Cyr Wheel act which involves a mammoth amount of balancing and focus and incredible Phelani is totally chilled and magnificent – bringing together his formidable circus skills and artistry. As the French say- Bonne année – “Happy New Year to you” with the add on – à vous et à tous les vôtres. Together that may be translated as: “Happy new year to you and all of yours” and there is: Je vous souhaite une très bonne année. “I wish you a very happy new year.” No, I don’t speak French but have picked up snippets. The co-founder of Zip Zap, Laurence Estève was born in France (she is married to South African born Brent van Rensburg), so this is a shout-out to the French side of Zip Zap. The company has become celebrated in Francophone cities around the globe.

~ Featured image: Phelelani “Remember” Ndakrokra of Zip Zap Circus in Cape Town Philharmonic’s Community Spectacular 2021. Photo: Joan Ward.