There’s always something new in Joburg. Each week we hunt down the latest pop-up events, markets, parties, talks, tours and other happenings so you don’t miss them.
For a full guide to what’s on in Joburg, check out our online events calendar and subscribe to our free weekly newsletter guide to Joburg published every Thursday morning.
Here’s a look at five fresh events that caught our eye this week.
The Night Embassy – Queertopia
THU NOV 18-–SAT NOV 20 Part of this summer’s The Night Embassy series, Queertopia is a three-day LGBTQI+ party hosted at Constitution Hill. Thursday kicks off with a cocktail evening, exhibition launch and flag-raising ceremony, on Friday there are live performances by Nonku Phiri, Buhlebendalo and Muneyi and on Saturday look forward to an all-day dance party with Moonchild Sanelly, Thandi Draai and DJs DBN Gogo, Kat Upendi, Lotion, Sjay and Phatstoki. Tickets from R100 to R500 for a weekend pass, buy yours online here.
Charles Leonard at The Commune
Fri Nov 19 Our favourite local vinyl DJ Charles Leonard is on the decks at The Commune in Braamfontein on Friday afternoon. If you aren’t familiar with the venue, The Commune is Braam’s cosy non-profit bookshop, cafe and reference library, stacked with titles covering pan-Africanism, decolonisation, queer theory and climate change. Charles Leonard is on the decks from 15:00-17:00. Entrance is free.
Artist walkabout with Clive van den Berg at Goodman Gallery
SAT NOV 20 The latest exhibition to launch this week at Goodman gallery is Clive van den Berg’s Underscape, a new series of mesmerising paintings that “consider the “distemper” of our lived experience in relation to landscape”. Join the artist for a walkabout of the new exhibition on Sat Nov 20 at 11:00.
947 Ride Joburg 2021
SUN NOV 21 Joburg’s annual mass cycle race is back on Sunday so expect road closures in the early morning (the race sets out from 05:15) along roads in the south including Nasrec Road, and in the northern suburbs including on Jan Smuts Avenue, Witkoppen Road and Bram Fischer Drive (check out all info on road closures here). For after-race drinks, or just for a smooth crisp beer later in the day, drop into The Mad Giant Taproom in Blairgowrie.
Janice Honeyman’s Cinderella
UNTIL DEC 24 The undisputed queen of South African pantomime Janice Honeyman makes a triumphant return to the stage with her production of Cinderella. With spectacular sets and costumes and laughs a plenty this is great festive entertainment for the whole family. On stage at Joburg Theatre until Dec 24, tickets from R250. Buy your tickets online here.
You Are My Sunday at The Mangrove
SUN NOV 28 In a city that has been starved of live music events for the longest time, The Mangrove in Braamfontein has upped the tempo with its regular food and music events. You Are My Sunday (YAMS) takes place every Sunday with DJs blasting good tunes in the courtyard. Takes place 12:00–20:00. Tickets R80 available online here.