4 February 2026
Terry Fortune, once Cape Town’s top drag artist, has turned to playing the numbers game. He hasn’t taken up gambling. but what he has embarked on is a bit of a gamble.
The key number in Terry’s life at the moment is 77. It so concentrates his mind that his anxiety levels are going through the roof and triggers his legendary skin condition!
It’s all about the Oldies Concerts which have been presented around Cape Town for the past couple of years. Terry, as everyone knows, has been the driving force in bringing the concert to countless aged-care facilities and civic centres around the Peninsula,
And that’s where the number 77 comes in.
In little over a week, on 15 February, Terry will be staging his Golden Oldies Show in the gardens of the Baxter Theatre complex.
Let Terry tell you the 77 connection: “It will be the 77th time I have staged the show since the project was started back in 2023 (?),” he says. “Its purpose is to bring some joy to our senior citizens in the old age homes around town.
“And without a doubt, it has been a success. Almost every show has been packed out.”
The next 77 relates to the performers on the show. “Since this initiative started, I have used 77 artists – most of them seasoned performers and senior citizens themselves, some of whom have not been able to work in a while. They welcome the opportunity to perform again and the people loved them.”
And the final 77? “That’s how old I am. I’m in my 77th year and while I enjoy doing this for the oldies in care, the job is hard on the nerves.”
For the gig on 15 February, Terry has roped in “Mr Smooth” Leslie Kleinsmith, saxman Donveno Prins, singer-actor Thembi Mtshali, vocal trio The Black Ties, and everyone’s favourite musician, Willie van Zyl.
The show starts at 5pm and, it being Valentine’s Day weekend, Terry is asking people to “show a little love for the old folks” in a special way.
“I am appealing to people, especially those who live overseas, to help us bring some joy into the lives of the oldies. Normally our shows are sponsored and the old people are bussed to civic centres and church halls. They enjoy the free show, given a meal and a gift bag.
“On other occasions, we have taken the show directly to the old age home and care facility because there are residents there who are incapable of travelling. We have done that on 25 occasions. We have also presented it on three occasions at Kirstenbosch Gardens as part of its popular summer festival.”
The difference with next week’s show is that Terry has taken it on himself to run the show without corporate support and to pay the performers himself.
“The plan is for supporters, especially those living overseas, to buy tickets online and then gift it for a person in aged care. The tickets can be forwarded to me and we will arrange for a ‘sponsored oldie’ to attend.
“You can’t begin to imagine the joy this outing brings to people who are in their twilight years going through a daily routine in an old age home or care facility. It makes my heart sing to see them joining in and having fun.
“I have never done this [financing a show] before but I am prepared to give it a shot. But, it’s Valentine’s Day. Time to ‘give a little love’.”
The link to buy tickets is 👇🏿
https://www.webtickets.co.za/v2/event.aspx?itemid=1586981886
A ticket for one oldie in need would set you back R200.00, and to make things easier, I’ve saved you the time of looking up what it would cost in your neck of the woods if you were an expat.
If you are a friend of Terry’s or Leslie’s (or maybe even mine), living in the US — $12.51
If you find yourself domiciled in Canada (like most of my family and friends) — $17.05
If you live up the road from 10 Downing St in London — £9.12
As a resident of most countries in Europe — €10.58
If you “still call Australia home” — $A17.81
And for your cousins across the ditch who support the All Blacks — $NZ20.75
Too easy. Terry says the process to get the ticket (or two) for his guests is simple: Buy the ticket online and send the ticket confirmation on to him at terry4tune@gmail.com
MUSIC LEGENDS OF CAPE TOWN 