This week’s spotlight is on some of the coolest and classiest social distancing events in Johannesburg and surrounds. So gather your friends, family, or your loved ones for our list of unique attractions happening this weekend.
BROWSE BEAUTIFUL BLOOMS, FOOD & DRINK AT THIS GARDEN DAY MARKET
The Roedean School in Parktown plays host to the next edition of A Blooming Affair, a food and craft market event that raises funds for charity. This event is part of Gardens of the Golden City, an initiative that invites the public to explore beautiful gardens around Johannesburg while raising funds for various charities.
The event sees handmade food, crafts and bespoke goods on offer to the public. Shop from their “take home” garden where seedlings, bedding plants, colour pots, bearded irises, hellebores, staghorn ferns, succulents, carnivorous plants, floral wreaths, Anne Lorentz and Rosa Roedean roses, and many other beautiful cultivars. Live music performances by Roedean musicians are on show as well as a Kids’ Crafts Area to keep the kids entertained while shopping.
Note that the event is cashless, debit and credit cards, as well as Zapper app payments, are accepted.
Cost: R70pp. Book via Quicket
When: Saturday, 1 October, from 9am
Where: Roedean School, Princess of Wales Tr, Parktown, Johannesburg
Website: abloomingaffair.co.za | Email: [email protected]
Facebook: @ABloomingAffairGardenDay | Instagram: @abloomingaffairgardenday
STARGAZING AND DINNER EVENT AT STERKFONTEIN CAVES
Maropeng is hosting a stargazing event at Sterkfontein Caves that includes a tour, dining experience, and informal talk on astronomy.
Resident astronomer Dave Phillips will guide the talk by illustrating a range of spectacular astrophoto images while touching on the connection between stars and our origins.
Cost: Adults, R450pp. Kids 5 to 11yrs, R260pp, Kids 4 and under. Book via email
When: Saturday, 1 October, from 5pm to 8.30pm
Where: Sterkfontein Caves, Kromdraai Rd, Johannesburg
Website: maropeng.co.za | Email: [email protected] | Tel: 014 577 9000
Facebook: @maropengsa | Instagram: @cradleof_humankind
SEE YOLANDA MAZWANA’S SOLO EXHIBITION AT KALASHNIKOVV GALLERY
Yolanda Mazwana’s ‘Read the Room’ transpires from the perspective of a black female body with expressive brush strokes of her previous bodies of work. Conversations on intimacy and vulnerability and the stories of coercion in-between. Mazwana looks into the relationship between the private and public as she observes the physical being (what is obvious and what is not so obvious).
Cost: Free entry
When: Running until 8 October. Monday to Saturday, from 10am to 3:30pm
Where: Kalashnikovv Gallery, 70 Juta St, Braamfontein, Johannesburg
Website: kalashnikovv.com | Email: [email protected] | Tel: 073 203 5204
Facebook: @KalashnikovvGallery | Instagram: @kalashnikovvgallery
ALL-QUEER POP-UP PARTY IN MARSHALLTOWN ON SATURDAY
Same Sex Saturday is a once-off party event running this Saturday at The Reef Hotel in Marshalltown. The concept is all about creating a safer space for the queer community to just enjoy each other, music, and create good energy. Other Village People curates intentional queer social spaces, that aim to make people connect without judgment from any form of racism, classism, sexism, body shaming, homophobia, transphobia, or harassment of any kind.
Cost: R100pp. Book via Quicket
When: Saturday, 1 October, from 2pm
Where: The Reef Hotel, 58 Anderson St, Marshalltown, Johannesburg
Tel: 072 722 1388
Facebook: @Same_sex_Saturday-213404489301476 | Instagram: @othervillagepeople
CLASSIC FAIRYTALE BALLET WITH THE STAGING OF CINDERELLA
Joburg Ballet brings the classic story of Cinderella to the Joburg Theatre stage in Braamfontein from 30 September to 9 October.
Iain MacDonald choreographed the ballet version of this beloved fairytale, while four sets of performers take on the role of Cinderella and her prince charming during this performance’s run, which is staged by Joburg’s premier dance company.
Cost: R100 – R475pp. Book via Webtickets
When: Running until 9 October. Fri from 6.30pm, Sat and Sun from 3pm, Wed from 11am
Where: Mandela Theatre at Joburg Theatre, 26 Hoofd Street, Braamfontein
Website: joburgballet.com | Email: [email protected] | Tel: 0861 670 670
Facebook: @JoburgBalletCompany | Instagram: @joburg_ballet
A GOURMET FOOD AND WINE PAIRING WITH RHEBOKSKLOOF WINES
Vivari Hotel and Spa host an exclusive Spring dinner featuring a 4-course menu paired with a variety of Rhebokskloof wines. Guests can enjoy a sparkling glass of MCC on arrival followed by an amuse bouche.
Think papaya and prawn rice noodle salad with Rhebokskloof Chenin Blanc 2021, poached chicken quenelle with sweet potato, honey, lemon and thyme puree paired with Rhebokskloof Chardonnay 2020, seared salmon dordelaise with earl onions, mushrooms, crispy pancetta, creamed potatoes and red wine jus, paired with Rhebokskloof Pinotage 2019 ending off with a sachertorte, a classic Viennese chocolate cake, paired with The Rhebok. Dress Code is smart casual.
Cost: R1,800pp. Book via Dineplan
When: Friday 30 September, from 6pm
Where: Brambles Restaurant, Ext 8, 1 Riviera Ln, Featherbrooke Estate, Johannesburg
Website: vivarihotel.co.za | Email: [email protected] | Tel: 010 594 4100
Facebook: @VivariHotelAndSpa | Instagram: @vivari_hotel
JAZZY SUNDAY LUNCH AT ECLIPSE RESTAURANT IN SANDTON
Jazz In The Sky at Eclipse Restaurant, Hotel Sky Sandton is hosting a Jazz Lunch experience every Sunday. The afternoon starts with a live jazz band such as the Marabi Quartet performing vibrant tunes and popular hits for a relaxed afternoon. Ateendees eat à la carte from a menu filled with Asian and Mediterranean tapas created by head chef Ken Phuduhudu.
What’s more, if diners fancy a panorama with their meal, they’ve come to the right place as the floor-to-ceiling windows afford gorgeous city views. Reservations for this experience are essential and can be made via phone or email using the details below.
Cost: R100pp, Lunch is charged separately. Book via email
When: Every Sunday, from 12pm
Where: Hotel Sky Sandton, 150 West Street Corner West Street and, Maude St, Sandton
Website: eclipserestaurant.co.za | Email: [email protected] | Tel: 010 880 0132
Facebook: @eclipse-restaurant-103619388485014 | Instagram: @eclipserestaurant_sa
THE FIRST PAN AFRICAN MUSIC & CULTURE FESTIVAL FOR ADULTS AND KIDS
The first-ever Folklore Festival is a celebration of African culture and music that takes place at the National School of Arts.
Folklore Festival includes headliners The Soil as well as SAMA Award-winner Pilani Bubu with her Folklore Ensemble and Kenyan musician Papillion Musa. Alongside the musical lineup, this festival hosts a range of kid’s activities such as a book fair featuring young African authors and workshops on indigenous instruments.
There is also a number of stalls selling African food and crafts as part of the diverse Pan-African creative offering.
Cost: R80 – R200pp. Book via Quicket
When: Saturday, 1 October, from 10am to 11.30pm
Where: The National School of Arts, 17 Hoofd St, Braampark, Johannesburg
Email: [email protected] | Tel: 060 707 5251
Facebook: @folklore.community | Instagram: @folklorefestival.za
CHARMING FAMILY-FRIENDLY THEATRE SHOW AT MONTECASINO
Mr Hare Meets Mr Mandela comes to Johannesburg as the People’s Theatre brings it to Pieter Toerien’s Montecasino Theatre for a limited season.
This adaption of the book by Chris Van Wyk and Paddy Bouma tells the story of the illiterate Mr Hare, who finds an R200 note and returns it to Nelson Mandela whose face is on it. With a brand-new script, joyful music and characters aplenty, the show promises to be fun for the whole family, as well as teaching children the many wonders of stories and being able to read them. This production runs for one hour with no interval.
Cost: From R135 – R165pp. Book via Computicket
When: Running until 9 October. Tuesday to Sunday, various morning and afternoon slots
Where: Pieter Toerien Montecasino Main Theatre, 1 Montecasino Blvd, Magaliessig, Johannesburg
Website: pietertoerien.co.za | Email: [email protected] | Tel: 011 511 1988
Facebook: @MontecasinoTheatre | Instagram: @montecasino_za