Each week we round up the latest live music events, markets, parties, talks, tours, and other cool 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 the freshest Joburg events that caught our eye this week.
Our Joburg Sunset Rooftops Tour is back!
SUN MAR 27 Join us and MicroAdventure Tours for a sensational Sunday evening out that includes the city’s best views accompanied by bubbly, canapes and cocktails! This fun ride with the Joburg red bus sets off from Rosebank at 16:00, stopping for drinks and small plates at some of our favourite city viewpoints. Tickets R850 (including cocktail, canapes and bubbly). Buy your tickets here!
Artist panel discussion at Goethe-Institut
SAT MAR 26 Goethe-Institut hosts an insightful panel discussion at 11:00 in reflecting on their latest art exhibition, koples boek(e) by Cape Town-based Iranian artist Kamyar Bineshtarigh. The panel discussion reflects on the politics and poetics of Arabic-Afrikaans with panellists artist Kamyar Bineshtarigh, journalist, archivist and curator Atiyyah Khan, Arabic scholar Abdud-Daiyaan Petersen, and curator Amogelang Maledu. Takes place at Goethe-Institut in Parkwood from 11:00. Entrance is free.
Jozi Pop Up Shop at Vice Cafe
FRI MAR 25 & SAT MAR 26 Maven Collection is a super curated online vintage clothing store. The debut Jozi Pop Up Shop by Maven Collection takes place Fri Mar 25 (07:00–19:00) and Sat Mar 26 (07:00–12:00) at Vice Cafe in Craighall Park and promises a super collection of designer and high street fashion plus coffee and bubbly to enjoy while you shop. Takes place at Vice Cafe, 11 Rothesay Ave. Find out more here.
Artist walkabout – WAV Inscriptions of Abstractions
SAT MAR 26 AT 10:30 The outstandingly talented curators Studio Nxumalo together with Aspire Art auction house present this abstract art exhibition by contemporary artists Pebofatso Mokoena and Frederick Clarke. Head to Aspire’s Rosebank gallery on Saturday for a guided walkabout of the exhibition.
Evolve by Joburg Ballet
FRI MAR 25 – SUN APR 3 Joburg Ballet celebrates its 21st anniversary at Joburg Theatre with the gala show Evolve. A dazzling dance celebration the Evolve programme mixes contemporary and classical ballet, including three brand new works created by local choreographers, and the iconic Grand Pas from the 19th Century ballet Paquita. Tickets R200–R475 (Wed Mar 30 all tickets R100). Buy your tickets online here.
Exhibition launch at Artylicom Gallery in Sandton
SAT MAR 26 FROM 12:00 Head to the contemporary African art gallery Artylicom in Nelson Mandela Square on Saturday for the launch of their latest group exhibition featuring works by popular artists including Bambo Sibiya, Andrew Ntshabele, Banele Njadayi and Karen Cullinan. As part of the launch there’s also live jazz and wine and a poetry performance by Sarah Lubala reading from her new book “A History of Disappearance”.
Jozi Food and Music Saturdays at Joburg Theatre
SAT MAR 26 FROM 18:00 Joburg Theatre’s Stages bar and restaurant presents the latest edition of the Jozi Food and Music Saturdays, with a special West African-themed live music party led by Amaeshi Ikechi & Friends. Showcasing the sounds of Nigeria and Cameroon, with some South African flavour too, acclaimed Nigerian jazz bassist Amaeshi Ikechi is joined by Loyd Toto Mbele (keyboards), Della Tamin (guitar and vocals), Sam Ibeh (drums) amd South Africa’s Sisonke Xonti on sax. Entrance is free, but space is limited so you must reserve your tickets online in advance.
Beneath African Skies at Peoples Theatre
UNTIL APR 10 A charming children’s theatre production thatcelebrates South Africa’s multi-cultural heritage through a collection of African children’s fables. Learn about which animals are the wisest and meet beings who can change into wild animals in a magical journey as the kids chat to fairies and friendly animals in this interactive production. Showing at the People’s Theatre in Braamfontein. Tickets from R145, book here.
Queer Hillbrow Tour with Dlala Nje
SUN MAR 27 Dlala Nje joins forces with GALA (Gay And Lesbian Memory In Action) to present this special tour of Hillbrow devoted to South African queer history, looking particularly at the achievements of the queer anti-apartheid activists of what was Joburg’s so-called “pink neighbourhood” of the 1970s. Tour starts at 10:30 at the Ponte building. Tickets R500, book online here.
Picnic on the Lawn at Marks Park
SUN MAR 27 The Picnic on the Lawn concert series is back at Marks Park in Emmarentia this weekend with a bubbling house, soul and RnB lineup that includes performances by Sun-El Musician, Ami Faku, Simmy, and Sir Trill. There are food trucks and pop-up bars to keep you refreshed and picnics are welcome (note no drinks may be brought into the venue). Gates open at 12:00, tickets R250, available online here.