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Central has another new neighbour! We're proud to announce Underculture Contemporary in Park Lane. Owner, Cedric Vanderlinder, gives us insight into the vision behind the gallery and some thoughts on what we can expect. The gallery is open now, be sure to stop in.

98A Park Drive, Central, Port Elizabeth, South Africa

Office 041.373.0074

www.underculturecontemporary.co.za

Mike's Dive Shop has been a part of Central for 32years, they have been at their current location in Western Road since May 1983.

22 Oct 2013

Dept Minister of Tourism, Tokozile Xasa, visits the Donkin Street development in Central, Port Elizabeth.

It's great to have the government understanding the vision of such a project and getting behind it while it is still in the development phase. It means alot to us that she took the time to visit our neck of the woods!

The Nelson Mandela Art Musuem is alive with local art from past and present and thier dynamic curators keep the exhibitions fresh, relevant and seasonal to important dates on the South African calendar. Here is how they celebrated Mandela Day this year. This art museum forms part of the Arts Journey showcasing many of the local art galleries situated in the city centre. From one gallery you can ask to be directed to the next one and enjoy a walk linked by Route 67, including 67 pieces of public artwork. http://www.artsjourney-nelsonmandelabay.co.za/

http://www.nmbt.co.za/listing/arts_journey_-_nelson_mandela_bay.html 

About Route 67:

The MBDA’s Route 67 consists of 67 Public Art Works symbolising Nelson Mandela’s 67 years of work dedicated to the Freedom of South Africa and includes 67 steps leading up the second largest flag in Africa. The artworks were designed by local artists from the Eastern Cape. The route is proud celebration of our cities heritage and history. This is a must see stop for the whole family to walk and to enjoy.

Seeing urban spaces being used by locals is exciting, awesome and exactly what they are designed for Nelson Mandela Bay has taken a progressive approach to the untraditional use of its public art walkway by supporting an annual downhill skateboarding compo which is encouraging a growing number of participants taking up the sport of downhil skateboarding.

In July an Art and Fashion workshop was hosted in the recently renovated Athenaeum Club on Belmont Terrace, Central. The beautiful open spaces and inspired building layout has seen an increase of art exhibitions, events and workshops streaming into this historic building in Central. About the Athenaeum Club Port Elizabeth: A multi-purpose venue for showcasing the art, culture and heritage of Nelson Mandela Bay and greater regions Mission To be a vibrant and progressive association of organisations that promotes, develops and nurtures heritage; culture and the Arts for all the people o the Nelson Mandela Bay Metro Description The Athenaeum is an association of organisations dedicated to promoting and developing Arts, culture and heritage for all the people of the Metro.

This month Central's Opera House hosted the top architects, academics and the public in a 3 day long forum to discuss and table the climate of Architecture in the Eastern Cape.

Each September over 2000 athletes take to the streets of Central Port Elizabeth and surrounds for the annual Urban Run. The diverse city landscape creates a million possibilities of challenges and obstacles the runners have to tackle.

Central is a diverse neighbourhood full of different nationalities show casing their culture. Messer is a restauranteur in Central and her Ethiopian menu is a hit in the PE foodie scene.

Make a booking for a meal with Messer: 0739381812

Just off the Corner Clyde and Rose Street, Central

Much has changed the past month in the Donkin Village site.

Here are some of the changes to look out for.

“We have forged ahead with the piazza, all the street furniture, street grids, trees, lighting, paving has been done. It’s now starting to take place beautifully, and one can see the final vision already.

As far as the building work goes, we continue with the restoration of the Donkin row houses and we have started on the constitution hill houses, bringing them back to their former glory.

On site we have been doing a massive clean up, taking away rubble at the moment, which accumulates frighteningly fast on a site like this.

All the external lighting has eventually arrived from the manufacturer out of town, they were custom-made to represent the old gas-lanterns of the era.

We have put bridges into 14 and 16 Constitution Hill, which is a standalone building, linking them to the piazza. They bridge over a historic section of the site, and we’re bringing those parts back to their former glory by reinstating the old gravel walkways, stone water channels for the general public to see what it was like when these houses were originally built.”

-Tony, Donkin Village Site Manager

26 September 2013

 Bay Studios, home of Fly Piggy Fly Entertainment, hosted a screening of 3 Eastern Cape charities' short films.

The event was attended by 40 budding film-makers who had been part of the Oxfam supported initiative which aims to put the power of video storytelling into the hands of local charities. The films screened were:

Sophakama: Zoliswa's Story

The story of Zoliswa from Joe Slovo township who was unwell and through the help of Sophakama's intervention is able to live a healthy life and even help others. http://www.sophakama.org.za/ 

Umzi Wethu:  Displacing Gender Stereotypes

A documentary on gender stereotypes are being overcome through education given by the Umzi Wethu staff and the graduates success stories. http://www.umziwethu.org/

Catch: Orphans our children

One of the many catch projects on Catch's busy site is the Khaye'Lethu home, which houses 6 young girls. We hear how the project has impacted their lives and how Catch plans to help many other children. http://www.catchprojects.co.za/

Fly Piggy Fly's perspective: