Each week we round up the latest concerts, markets, parties, 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 newsletter guide to Joburg published every Thursday morning.
Here’s our pick of cool events to put on your calendar this Youth Day long weekend.
Night Embassy Relaunch Party
WED JUN 15 The Night Embassy relaunches with a party at the old JSE building in Newtown. The lineup includes performances by DBN Gogo, Blxckie, ByLwansta, and Night Embassy’s ‘Ambassadors of the Night’ Unmuted, Other Village People, Kombonation and Dormant Youth, a poetry slam, rap battles, a “Cypher Room” hosted and curated by streetwear connoisseur MkayFresh, experiential installations and structural and conceptual artworks. Register for tickets online here.
Katy’s Palace Bar 10th birthday party
WED JUN 15 Katy’s Palace Bar in Kramerville celebrates its 10th year with a colourful birthday party complete with an energetic DJ lineup. This fabulous warehouse space is known for the owner’s covetable collection of quirky items from across the world that decorate the space, and especially for its awesome Sandton sunset views. DJs on the lineup include Kyle Cassim, SONA, El Kupa, Master Simz, and John Lyra. Doors open at 16:00 tickets R100 available online here.
Kamers Makers at Sandton City
WED JUN 15–SUN JUN 19 Shop for South African design at what is said to be the country’s biggest pop-up retail event. The Kamers pop-up boasts more than 170 makers from across the country selling unique, hand-crafted jewellery, ceramics, soft furnishings, décor, clothing and accessories and so much more, plus plenty of artisanal food and drink stalls. The event takes place at Sandton City’s Atrium rooftop, level 8. Tickets R70 per day, or R110 for the weekend. Kids under 8 free. Purchase tickets online here.
Aspire Art Online Auction – Current & Curated: The Art Gazette Collection
WED JUN 15-THU JUN 23 Get online and browse and bid in this fantastic online contemporary art auction from Aspire Art auction. The Current & Curated: The Art Gazette Collection is an exciting large-scale Timed-Online auction that presents more than 180 works by 85 established and emerging artists from South Africa, Africa and beyond. Browse and bid online at aspireart.net.
Nduduzo Makhathini at Breakfast at Khujos
THU JUN 16 The popular Sunday brunch party Breakfast at Khujo’s joins forces with South African jazz pianist Nduduzo Makhathini for the launch of his new album In The Spirit Of Ntu. Originally hosted at the home of one Mr Khujo in Malvern, local event organisers The Dig’s monthly Breakfast at Khujo’s party has become a cult event, known for its eclectic music lineup and fun-loving and friendly crowd. This special edition takes place at the Women’s Gaol at Constitution Hill. Tickets R300, available online here.
Three’s Company – Comedy at The Bioscope
THU JUN 16–SAT JUN 18 This weekend The Bioscope independent cinema at 44 Stanley host a live stand-up comedy showcase to end the week on a high. Starring Bongani Dube, Gavin Kelly and Mo Mothebe, the comedy trio are dealing out the laughter to keep you warm and toasty this long weekend on Thursday, Friday and Saturday night. The show starts at 20:00. Tickets R150, book online at thebioscope.co.za.
Brooklyn Mall’s Vintage and Collectables Fair
THU JUN 16 If you love hunting for treasures and collecting antiques, this pop-up antique fair at Brooklyn Mall in Pretoria is one of the biggest around with more than 75 traders taking part. There is an incredible array of unusual art, toys, books, jewellery, antique furniture, kitchenware, collectable glass and porcelain, vintage and antique clothing, jewellery and accessories and so much more on sale. The fair takes place at Brooklyn Mall, cnr Veal and Middel Sts, Brooklyn, Pretoria. Doors open at 08:00, entrance is free.
Exhibition launch: Freedom and Responsibility by Richard ‘Specs’ Ndimande
OPENS THU JUN 16 A new solo exhibition by emerging young artist Richard ‘Specs’ Ndimane opens at the Number Four prison at Constitution Hill as part of the museum’s Youth Day programme of events (entrance to Constitution Hill museums is free on June 16). The exhibition explores through Specs’ unique artistic lens what is needed for the younger generation to gain freedom from the weight of South Africa’s past. Opening event Thu Jun 16 at 11:00, RSVP to ccac@concourttrust.org.za to attend.
Urban Village at Untitled Basement
THU JUN 16 Celebrate Youth Day with the always thrilling indie-folk-funk quartet Urban Village from Soweto. Their music fuses traditional and contemporary rural and urban sounds and the band is known for its mesmerising stage presence. This concert takes place at one of our favourite underground events spaces, Untitled Basement on Reserve Street in Braamfontein. Tickets R200, available online here or R250 at the door.
Youth Day at Lebo’s Backpackers
THU JUN 16 On June 16 Lebo’s Soweto Backpackers present a special 1976-themed cycling tour, a three-hour ride that takes in important stops on the June 16 memorial route including the Morris Isacsson High School and the Hector Pieterson Museum and Memorial in Orlando West. Then in the evening the fireside storytelling evenings are back with 1976 student protest leader Seth Mazibuko relating his story, followed poetry readings and a drumming circle.
Tour starts at 09:30, costs R200 (including snacks and welcome drink), free for students up to matric (kids under 10 can join the ride by tuk tuk). Entry to the fireside storytelling evening is free. Call +27 81 5242918 or email lebo@sowetobackpackers.com to book.
Love Ur Neighbour store launch at The Gallerii in Soweto
THU JUN 16 The Gallerii is an exhibition space in Soweto showcasing works created by young local artists. On Youth Day The Gallerii launches their shop Love Ur Neighbour in Soweto selling art, local streetwear labels and offering DJ lessons. The Youth Day launch party begins with a bike ride curated by Biking Bandits (starts at 11:00, bring your own bike) and DJ sets from 14:00 with food and drink on sale at the venue. Doors open at 10:00. The Gallerii is located at 92 Tswali Street, Zondi 2, Soweto. Entrance is free
The Playground Market in Braamfontein
SAT JUN 18 On Saturdays, all roads lead to Braamfontein’s The Playground market with a jam-packed line-up of brilliant food, superb cocktails, live music performances, and the coolest collection of local fashion on sale. This week’s music line includes DJ @sliqe from 14:40, followed by DJ @juniortaurusofficial from 16:00–18:00. The market is open 09:00–18:00, entrance free until 11:00, thereafter entry costs R20.
Fête de la Musique
SAT JUN 18 The annual free music festival Fête de la Musique is always one of the most popular events of the Joburg winter. Hosted under the slogan ‘Free Music For All’ it offers something for everyone with jazz, pop, classical, rock, soul, indie and funk all on the programme. This year’s festival happens across four different venues: Newtown Junction, Native Rebels in Soweto, Victoria Yards, and the Alliance Française in Parkview. Headline acts include BCUC, Brenda Mtambo, Urban Village, and Azah. The festival takes place from 12:00-18:00. Entrance is free.
The Rainbow Social BLOC Party
SAT JUN 18 The Rainbow Social is a bi-monthly curated event experience for Queers and Allies. In honour of Pride Month the Rainbow Social hosts its annual Pride BLOC party at The Nest in New Doornfontein. The music lineup includes a live music performance by Muneyi and DJ sets by Pabi Cooper, Lamiez Holworthy, Ms Party, Lula Odiba and more. Takes place at The Nest, 39 Voorhoot St, New Doornfontein. The party kicks off from 12:00-22:00. Tickets R200, available online here.
Honour the Fathers concert at Nirox Sculpture Park
SUN JUN 19 Enjoy an afternoon concert in the tranquil surroundings of the elegant Nirox Sculpture Park in the Cradle of Humankind on Sunday. The Father’s Day concert programme opens up with the ethereal musical poetry of Modise Sekgothe followed by sets by some of South Africa’s finest acoustic musicians including Vusi Mahlasela, Bongeziwe Mabandla, Isandi Nawe, Matthew Dickinson, Tubatsi Moloi, and Lerato Lichaba. Grab lunch from one of the fancy food stalls at the Epicurean Emporium. Gates open at 10:00. Tickets R500, available online here, kids under 10 free.
Father’s Day lunch at The Marabi Club
SUN JUN 19 Downtown Joburg’s coolest underground bar and restaurant The Marabi Club celebrates Father’s Day with a special Father’s Day lunch, complete with live jazz accompaniment. The lunch is a three-course affair with complimentary whiskey tasting. You can also bring the kids along with a two-course menu on offer for the little ones. Bookings are essential. The three-course menu costs R550 per person, kids R200. For bookings contact +27 10 591 2879 or frontdesk@hallmarkhotel.co.za.