This weekend venues across Joburg and Pretoria boast a variety of opportunities for fun that will appeal to everyone. Take your pick from an epic gaming experience, a national documentary event, a relaxing spa or yoga day, groovy wine and music experiences, creative workshops, a spooky ghost tour and more.
Stop by the MTN SHIFT Gaming Experience qualifier event at Rosebank Mall
The 2nd annual MTN SHIFT Gaming Experience is back with another epic display of gaming challenges, new gadgets, and the chance to win great prizes. This gaming festival is the largest national mall-based gaming tournament ever held in the country, and all ages are welcome to join. This groundbreaking event features a series of eight qualifier events held at selected malls across the country over the next four months, with the qualifier event this weekend taking place at Rosebank Mall. The epic National Final will take place at Canal Walk in Cape Town this September.
Cost: FREE entry
When: Fri, 21 Jun to Sun, 23 Jun | Fri, 9am to 7pm | Sat & Sun, 9am to 5pm
Where: Rosebank Mall (Level 1, Store, Opposite the Cinemas), 50 Bath Ave, Rosebank, Johannesburg
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Attend the Encounters Documentary Festival, South Africa’s formative documentary event
The Encounters South African International Documentary Festival is the country’s formative documentary event, screening contemporary South African and international features and short documentaries. For the 26th year in a row, the festival brings documentary-lovers a selection of over 50 diverse films available to watch at select cinemas in Johannesburg and Cape Town. The showing films fall under various categories, including feature documentaries and short documentaries from international and African filmmakers. Each film offers a unique look into a specific and unique pocket of the world.
Cost: Varies depending on cinema venue
When: Thurs, 20 Jun to Sun, 30 Jun
Where: The Bioscope, 44 Stanley Ave, Milpark, Johannesburg | The Zone @ Rosebank, 177 Oxford Rd, Rosebank, Johannesburg
Unwind at Mamakashaka & Friends ‘Wine Down’ wine and music experience
Mamakashaka & Friends present the perfect weekly wind down experience this June with their ‘Wine Down‘ event. After a long week, visitors get to groove to the sounds of hip hop-loving collective, OPEN4MAT with special guests for each event, while sipping on delicious wines from a wine menu featuring a selection of rosé and red wines, curated by Wine-ish. Though entry is free, it is recommended that attendees book online as only a limited number of walk-ins will be permitted.
Cost: Free entry, book via Quicket
When: Fri, 21 Jun from 4pm to midnight
Where: Mamakashaka & Friends, 5 De Beer St, Braamfontein, Johannesburg
Catch Girl, You Know It’s True: The Milli Vanilli Tragicomedy in Cinemas
Whether you’re familiar with the infamy of Milli Vanilli or not, a new highly anticipated biographical film drama, ‘Girl, You Know It’s True’ (2023) opens nationwide on 21 June 2024. The film promises a witty retelling of the pop duo’s meteoric rise and fall as one of the world’s biggest pop superstars of the late 80s and early 90s. The film follows hit producer Frank Farian (Matthias Schweighöfer), who takes on unknown dancers Rob Pilatus (Tijan Njie) and Fab Morvan (Elan Ben Ali) for his next music project. A meteoric rise ensues that exceeds all expectations and the two friends conquer the international charts under the name of Milli Vanilli.
Cost: Varies depending on cinema venue
When: Showing from Fri, 21 June
Where: Ster Kinekor, Nu Metro and other leading cinemas around the country
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Commemorate the gift of yoga for the International Day of Yoga
Every year, the Consulate General of India, Johannesburg hosts a celebration of ‘International Day of Yoga,’ commemorating India’s gift of yoga to the world. This year’s celebration involves an accessible, all-ages yoga session, followed by a Bollywood Dance masterclass, music, and other exciting activities, along with food stalls, yoga, health and handicraft stalls, and more.
Cost: FREE entry, register via Phylaxis
When: Sat, 22 Jun from 9.30am to 2pm
Where: DP World Wanderers Stadium, Corlett Dr, Illovo, Sandton, Johannesburg
Celebrate the special bond between fathers and children at Family Play Day: Super Dads
Play Africa’s Family Play Day: Super Dads is an opportunity to celebrate the special bond between fathers and children through the magic of play. The event is designed to strengthen father-child relationships in a fun and interactive way, welcoming all fathers, uncles, and male role models to join the fun in a positive environment. Experience a day filled with open-ended play and engaging activities facilitated by Play Africa’s experienced play and learning experts. Explore, create, and learn alongside the little ones using unique play materials and exhibits. Spots should be reserved in advance as there is limited availability.
Cost: R80pp, book via Quicket
When: Sat, 22 Jun from 9.30am to 2pm
Where: Play Africa at Constitution Hill Old Fort, 11 Kotze St, Braamfontein, Johannesburg
Join a relaxing 1-day wellness retreat in Muldersdrift
This special 1-day retreat is held at Woodlands day spa and is ideal for those in need of some nourishing, rest and restoring. The itinerary includes immersive drumming, guided yoga, a 30-minute back and neck massage, and a Tai Chi experience. Breakfast and lunch also form part of the package.
Cost: R1 300pp, including drumming, yoga, a massage, Tai Chi, and breakfast and lunch | Book via [email protected]
When: Sat, 22 Jun
Where: Woodlands Spa, R114 (next to Avianto), Muldersdrift
See other special experiences that Woodlands Spa has to offer this weekend
Groove the day away at the ‘All Together’ soft-launch event presented by Music Always
Music Always presents a special vinyl recording edition and the soft launch of their event platform named ‘All Together’. The event is a call to action for the community to unite for an unforgettable day, embodying the spirit of unity and collaboration that defines Music Always. It’s a day dedicated to bringing people together through the universal language of music whether they be a musician, a DJ, or simply a music lover. On the decks for the event are talented DJs Bombisa, Thando Made, Funki Banana, Ms Elisa The Selector, Mr 55, Supreme Socialist, and Simmy.
Cost: Free entry, book via Quicket
When: Sat, 22 Jun from 12.30pm to 10pm
Where: Neighbarhood, 32 7th Ave, Parktown North, Randburg
Join a Ceramic Workshop and learn to mould, paint, and create unique pieces
Artwave Studios hosts an exploration of ceramics with artist Naz.valla. This workshop offers a special opportunity to learn to mould, paint, and create unique pieces, allowing them to fully unleash their creativity to craft beautiful ceramics. The session is a full four hours, guided entirely by the ceramic expert. Attendees receive complimentary drinks with both alcoholic and non-alcoholic options, as well as snacks. All materials and an apron are provided
Cost: From R700pp, book via Quicket
When: Sun, 23 Jun from 10am to 2pm
Where: Artwave Studio at 44 Stanley, Braamfontein Werf, Johannesburg
Enjoy a violin recital presented by Emmanuel Bach & Jenny Stern
The exceptional South African violinist, Emmanuel Bach, presents a programme of music by Beethoven, Enescu, Sarasate, Bloch, Kreisler and Saint-Saëns at Northwards House. Emmanuel is accompanied on piano by Jenny Stern in a programme that includes Beethoven’s ‘Sonata No.10 in G for Piano and Violin, Op.96,’ Enescu’s ‘Impromptu concertant,’ Sarasate’s Habanera, Op.21 No.2, from ‘Spanish Dances,’ Bloch’s Sonata No.2 for Violin and Piano, ‘Poème mystique’ (1924), Kreisler’s ‘Slavonic Fantasie’ and Saint-Saëns’ ‘Introduction and Rondo Capriccioso, Op.28.’
Cost: R250pp | R200pp (pensioners and students) | Book via Quicket
When: Sun, 23 Jun from 3pm to 5pm
Where: Northwards House, 21 Rockridge Rd, Parktown, Johannesburg
Get a taste of the paranormal on the Pretoria Mystery Ghost Tour
The Mystery Ghost Tour is no ordinary tour. This unique experience offers a variety of science, entertainment, history, and some chilling surprises. Visitors can expect haunted and poltergeist buildings, paranormal science with demonstrations, ghost hunting cellphone apps, entrance to an historical graveyard with a thrilling visual climax, and much more.
Cost: R399pp, book via Quicket
When: 22 Jun, 7pm to 11pm (tour) | 5.50pm (meet, eat and drink)
Where: Starts at Huckleberry’s Restaurant (and Pub), 24 Queen Wilhelmina Dr, Bailey`s Muckleneuk, Pretoria
