Cape art festival pick: December 9 2011

The Gordon Institute of Performing and Creative Arts presents the Beautiful Project, which calls into question our definitions of beauty and ugliness, with specific reference to Africa.

Cultural commentator and critic Sarah Nuttall will give the keynote address.

Explorations will include performances by dancer-­choreographer Nelisiwe Xaba, musician Neo Muyanga, fashion, visual and performance artist Athi-Patra Ruga, physical comedian Gaetan Schmid and the University of Cape Town Choir. Theatre director and chef Peter Hayes will be cooking up “The Beautiful Feast”, an eight-course dinner, promising a menu of whimsy and surprise, fun and laughter, levity and weight.

Cape Town City Hall and University of Cape Town Hiddingh Campus on December 9 and 10. Website: www.gipca.uct.ac.za. Book at Computicket.