With Africa Day on the horizon, on 25 May, this month will be packed with plenty of events that celebrate the uniqueness of our continent and what it has to offer from the arts, to fashion, food and more.
Some of the activities lined up to celebrate Africa month include a celebration of legendary music icons, a celebration of African fashion, rum and plenty of food and wine. As the weather marches decisively towards winter, these events are worth heading out to explore.
Hillbrow at Sunrise. Photograph by Paul Saad.
If you’re in Joburg and are wondering what to do to indulge yourself and enjoy the social scene in Joburg, here are some events worth attending. We’ll be there.
1. Hugh Masekela tribute
The Joburg Theatre is ushering in Africa Month with a celebration of Hugh Masekela’s theatrical music. Hugh Masekela, a South African musical legend who passed away earlier this year, contributed significantly towards musical theatre in our country. The performances taking place this May will include a melodic and dramatic tapestry of songs from Sarafina!, directed by Mbongeni Ngema, Songs of Migration, directed by James Ngcobo, and Gone Native: The Life and Times of Regina Brooks directed by Makhaola Ndebele.
Cost: R150 – R300 per person for a ticket.
Dates: 3 – 6 May 2018.
Contact: 0118776800, joburgtheatre.com
Where: Loveday Street & Hoofd Street, Braamfontein.
2. Bassline Festival Celebrating Africa Day
Now in its 14th year, this Johannesburg-based festival that celebrates African unity and diversity. The event is teaming up with the Nelson Mandela Foundation in 2018 to promote the #BeTheLegacy hashtag and theme. Bassline Fest will give a platform to music, food, and dialogue to promote social cohesion across the continent, over two days. There will also be an exclusive Nelson Mandela day tour.
Traditionally held at Mary Fitzgerald Square in Newtown, this year’s festival will be hosted at historic Constitution Hill in Braamfontein, Johannesburg. The line-up will include South African artists such as Nakhane Touré and Azah, and international acts such as Mozambican marrabenta band Ghorwane, Guinea’s Sekou Kouyate and Brazilian singer Flavia Coelho. The festival starts at 3pm and ends at 11pm on Saturday 26 March. On Sunday 27 March, the fun starts at midday and ends at 7pm.
Cost: Ticket cost R300 – R600 at TicketPros.
Dates: 26 May 2018 – 27 May 2018.
Contact: Visit new.bassline.co.za/fest/.
Where: Constitutional Hill, 11 Kotze Street, Braamfontein.
3. Joburg Ballet and Friends
Joburg Ballet and Friends will make its debut at Montecasino with a gala programme for two performances only. If you love ballet or are keen to explore it, this event is the perfect place to start. Sharing the stage with the full Joburg Ballet company will be acclaimed local voices Angela Kilian, Sibongile Mngoma, Timothy Moloi and Samantha Peo. The singers will present a range of their favourite popular songs and arias – several accompanied by Joburg Ballet’s gifted dancers. The event will showcase the range and versatility of local and international talent that makes up Joburg Ballet.
Cost: Tickets are R200 – R400 per person.
Dates: 19 May 2018.
Contact: Visit tsogosun.com.
Where: Montecasino, Montecasino Boulevard, Fourways.
4. Huawei Joburg Day
Huawei Joburg Day is a wonderful excuse to be out with family and friends to enjoy great music in one of the city’s biggest green spaces. The line up offers something for everyone, with newcomers like Lady Zamar and Samting Soweto, as well as Goodluck to get you dancing. The event will also feature Matthew Mole, Black Motion and Desmond and the Tutus each bringing their own flavor, as well as iconic South African acts, Mafikizolo and Micasa.
Cost: tickets cost R350 for Adults and R150 for kids.
Dates: 05 May 2018 at 10am.
Contact: Visit TicketPro for tickets.
Where: Johannesburg Botanical Gardens, Olifants Road, Emmarentia.
5. Wine Art Food Festival
The Wine Art Food Festival is a celebration of South Africa’s finest wines, gourmet cuisine and local talented artists taking place at one of Tshwane’s historic treasures, Freedom Park. The festival includes unlimited wine tasting, a wide selection of gourmet food offerings, local artists exhibiting their artwork and a play area for children. The festival will also feature craft beer & gin distillers providing tastings throughout the day. Beginner’s art lessons will be introduced for the first time and there will be an Methode Cap Classique (MCC) Masterclass. The MCC masterclass will include a light three-course tasting by the festival’s resident chef, paired with MCC sparkling wine.
Cost: R200 per person (R150 pre-sale) for a ticket and R40 for kids and R350 for the Master Class.
Dates: 5 May 2018.
Contact: Buy your tickets at TicketPro.
Where: Freedom Park Pretoria.
6. Pan African Rum Festival
A new South African rum on the scene, Tapanga. They are currently experimenting with different kinds of barrels.
The Pan African Rum Festival will showcase the finest rums emerging from South Africa’s pioneering craft distilleries. There will be exotic selections from Africa’s historic rum regions including Madagascar, Mauritius and the Reunion Islands. You’ll also get to tuck into delicious fare at the finest rum eateries, while also enjoying live music through the line up of DJs.
Cost: Tickets are R120 – R150 per person.
Dates: 6 May 2018 at 12:00 – 18:00.
Contact: Find it on Facebook.
Where: Neighbourgoods Market, 73 Juta Street, Braamfontein.
7. Chardonnay and Pinot Noir Festival
Wine Menu is showcasing over 80 of South Africa’s top Chardonnay and Pinot Noir cultivars, for the sixth year at Killarney Country Club’s Crystal Room. Thirty-five top Chardonnay and Pinot Noir producers will showcase their wines. Winemakers from the Cape will be there giving guests the opportunity to meet the people behind the wines. Entry includes wine tasting and light snacks.
Cost: Tickets cost R200 per person and are available at Webtickets.
Dates: 12 May 2016 from 18:00.
Contact: Find it on Facebook.
Where: The Wanderers Club, 21 North Street, Illovo.
8. Kingsmead Book Fair
The Kingsmead Book Fair is an annual event on South Africa’s literary calendar. This year the Book Fair’s line-up includes Jacques Pauw, Mark Heywood, Glynis Breytenbach, Redi Thlabi, Gregg Hurwitz, Sisonke Msimang and many more. Visitors are guaranteed good food and drinks, interesting discussions, heated debates and in-depth dialogue with a host of dynamic authors, facilitators and 702 presenters.
Cost: Tickets cost R70 for the general entry ticket, plus R60 per session.
Dates: Saturday 12 May 2018 from 8:30am to 6pm.
Contact: Visit kingsmead.co.za/bookfair
Where: Kingsmead College Campus on Oxford Road. Visit the Book Fair map.
9. Mothers Day concert at Zoo Lake
Joburg Zoo, HOT91.9FM, e.tv and the City of Joburg have teamed up to bring you a concert that celebrates Mother’s Day at the Johannesburg Zoo. Bring your mom and your own picnic basket and enjoy a day of live music, delicious food, kids activities and more. There’ll be plenty of snacks for sale on the day too. The line-up includes Watershed, Louise Carver, Vusi Nova, Bongani Radebe, Brent Harris and thee Jam, Jono Johansen and the Cool Cat.
Cost: Tickets cost R70 to R100.
Dates: 13 May 2018.
Contact: Read more here.
Where: Johannesburg Zoo on Jan Smuts Avenue.
10. Joburg Bubbly Festival
Joburg Bubbly Festival is a social gathering with lots of champagne, live entertainment and food tastings on offer. The festival seeks to showcase the finest of South African cap classique producers and highly acclaimed champagne houses. Tickets include a glass of sparkling wine and ten tasting coupons.
Cost: Tickets cost R380 per person.
Dates: 18 – 20 May 2018.
Contact: Find it on Facebook.
Where: Park House, Hyde Park.
11. Cars, Coffee and Doughnuts Sandton
This year, for the very first time, Sandton City will host the ultimate car park off. If you love cars, make sure to head over to Sandton City and witness one of the biggest car showoffs about. You can expect to indulge in doughnuts and sip on some coffee while fantasising about owning some of the cars that will be showcased at the event.
Cost: Tickets cost R10 per person for your parking tickets.
Dates: 20 May 2018 from 9am – 2pm.
Contact: Visit cars.coffee/south-africa.
Where: Sandton City Shopping Centre Rooftop, 163 5th Street, Sandhurst.
12. The Savanna Newcomer Showcase
Now in its sixth year, The Savanna Newcomer Showcase is one-of-a-kind event that gives up-and-coming comedians five minutes in the spotlight. It has become an unmissable afternoon of mingling with the pre-show party starting at 2:30pm and the comedy kicking off at 4:30pm. Make sure to get there early. The event has been sold out for three years in a row, if you’re serious about attending, book now.
The aim of the Newcomer Showcase is to give newcomers a platform to show the industry what they’re made of.
Cost: Tickets cost R150 per person.
Dates: 20 May 2018.
Contact: Visit comicschoice.com.
Where: Soweto Theatre, corner Bolani Link and Bolani Road, Jabulani, Soweto.
13. Special Star Wars Screening
Take the family out for a special screening of on a day that’s now internationally known as Star Wars Day. The Bioscope Independent Cinema will be hosting a special screening of a film honouring the first Star Wars trilogy. Empire of Dreams is an in-depth documentary following the adventures of the making of everyone’s favourite trilogy.
Cost: Tickets are R30.
Dates: 4 May 2018 at 5:00pm.
Contact: 0110397306, thebioscope.co.za
Where: 286 Fox Street, Johannesburg.
14. International Fashion and cocktail festival
This festival fuses drinks with fashion in a one-of-a-kind event. Come out for a fun day of showcasing your fashion ensembles or to learn and discover a lot more about fashion. The International Fashion & Cocktail Festival is an event that promises a vibrant vibe and plenty of international beverages from around the world. You’ll learn about the latest projects by well-known designers, as well as about upcoming and talented designers.
Cost: R100 – R1400 per person for a ticket.
Dates: Every day from 30 April – 06 May 2018.
Contact: Find it on Facebook.
Where: 286 Fox Street.
15. Watch Train Station by Athol Fugard starring John Kani
Starring Dr John Kani & Dawid Minaar, The Market Theatre presents Athol Fugard’s The Train Driver directed by Charmaine Weir-Smith. Inspired by a true story of a black woman who killed herself and her three children by stepping in front of a train. The play focuses on Afrikaaner train-driver, Roelf who, traumatised, goes to a squatter camp, where the nameless dead are buried, to seek the grave of the woman. Here he meets a poor black gravedigger, Simon, to whom he unburdens his troubled conscience. Athol Fugard is a legendary playwrite whose plays are renowned worldwide. And in this case, John Kani brings Fugard’s work to life, yet again.
Cost: R90 – R150 per person for a ticket.
Dates: 4 May – 3 June 2018.
Contact: Visit markettheatre.co.za or purchase tickets at Webtickets.
Where: 56 Margaret Mcingana Street, Newtown.
16. Learn to cook Italian cuisine with The Flavour Academy
Food lovers who are especially fond of Italian cuisine are sure to find the cooking session with Luciana, Chiara and Chef Jonathan Diuker a treat as they take you through the different regions of Italy in 12 sessions of gastronomic indulgence. This limited cooking class with 16 spaces will teach you how to cook classic Italian recipes along with exploring and learning about the uniqueness of the Italian regions, one lesson at a time.
Cost: Booking costs R850 per person.
Dates: 30 May 2018 at 5pm – 9pm.
Contact: Call 0114630207 or email [email protected]
Where: Cafe Del Sol, Olivedale, Sandton.
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