jUThis week’s spotlight is on some of Joburg and Pretoria’s coolest and classiest social distancing experiences to try with your loved ones. All of them following strict COVID protocols to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience. So gather the friends, family, or your loved one for Benn van der Westhuizen’s list of unique attractions happening this weekend.
TRY ONE OF FIVE6SEVEN8 DANCE’S FUN DANCE SESSIONS
Five6Seven8 aims to offer a versatile and all-inclusive dance experience for everyone who walks through their doors. From the Middle-Eastern mysticism of Belly Dancing to the sexy sways of Burlesque, fiery Flamenco to beautiful ballet, high energy Zumba to the razzle-dazzle of the musical theatre stage, there’s something for all ages and levels of experience here.
Classes are suited to both groups and individuals and the instructors come with more than ten years of experience. This is a fantastic time to come view the studio and meet the instructors to see if it’s the right place for you.
When: Monday – Thursday: 12pm – 9pm | Friday – 12pm – 8pm/10pm | Saturday – 9am – 3pm – please enquire for exact info and class times
Where: Shop u12A, Ferndale on Republic, Republic road, Ferndale, Randburg
Website: five6seven8.co.za | Email: randburg@five6seven8dance.co.za | Tel: 011 791 5997 or 084 842 9295
Facebook: @five6seven8ds | Instagram: @five6seven8_ds
ESCAPE ON A WEEKEND BUSH GETAWAY TO NGWENYA LODGE
If you’re looking for a mini getaway from the urban jungle, Ngwenya Lodge is definitely worth a visit. You’ll find Ngwenya Lodge on the banks of the Crocodile River, overlooking the game fence of the Kruger National Park, which passes behind Ngwenya.
Cherish evenings under the African night sky at Ngwenya Lodge, where the chuckle of hippopotamus’ in the River below at dusk creates a melodious backtrack to the melting of the hot sun after another perfect day. The evergreen riverine habitat of Ngwenya provides an excellent setting from which to enjoy great year-round Big 5 viewing and birding from the comfort of a chalet or game-viewing hide.
The River View Chalets, set out over two kilometres of prime river frontage, overlook a scenic floodplain, which allows for magnificent views of an area where the big cats often hunt and guests are treated to unsurpassed game-viewing opportunities. The Dam View Chalets provide guests with a peaceful view over one of the fresh water dams across the Resort, while the Bush View Chalets are set back on the property and overlook tranquil bushveld.
Where: Farm Whisky, Tenbosch Rd, Komatipoort
Website: ngwenya.co.za | Email: reservations@ngwenya.co.za | Tel: 013 793 9300
Facebook: @ngwenyalodge | Instagram: @_ngwenyalodge_
DINE ON UBER-MODERN AND ELEGANT ITALIAN CUISINE AT GEMELLI RESTAURANT
Founder Alessandro Mosupi Khojane’s love of Italian food is realised through this wonderful restaurant in Bryanston. Don’t let the chic white tablecloths and modern interior fool you, Gemelli radiates a friendly, welcoming vibe ideal for a casual dinner date or celebration.
The atmosphere is cosy with luxe design motifs that manage to accommodate a strong following of foodie fans that flock from breakfast through to dinner. The menu is thoroughly Italian, and those in the know come for their sumptuous selection of pasta dishes crafted by Head Chef Jono Nel. Unwind after the meal with their traditional gelato, or if your stomach permits, do yourself a favour and go classic with a dark chocolate torte.
When: Monday & Tuesday, 12pm to 3pm and 5:30pm to 9pm; Wednesday to Saturday, 12pm to 3pm and 5:30pm to 10pm; Sunday, 12pm to 9pm
Where: 13 Posthouse Link Centre Cnr, Main Road, Bryanston
Website: gemellirestaurant.co.za | Email: bookings@gemellirestaurant.co.za | Tel: 010 591 4333
Facebook: @gemellirestaurant | Instagram: @gemelli_restaurant
SUPPORT LOCAL WITH AWARD-WINNING CRAFT BEERS AT HAZELDEAN BREWING COMPANY
Hazeldean Brewing Company is a microbrewery situated on the banks of the Pienaars river in Pretoria East. They are all about bringing ‘local’ and ‘craft’ together for beers that are distinctly unique and raked up a few awards over the years.
The brewery specialises in Amber Weiss, Lemon Radler Shandy, Ayrshire Pale Ale, Hazeldean Milkstout, and Premium Pilsener. But don’t leave without trying the Vienna Beer, which is a soft, moderately rich malt flavour and aroma with a slightly bitter and dry finish. A well-balanced food friendly beer style that goes with just about anything.
A few of their own beer crafts are also on offer, some created in partnership with another brewery. The farm has recently become the home of the family-friendly Cowhouse Market, where Hazeldean Brewing Company resides and guests can try their beers every Saturday and Sunday.
When: Saturday & Sunday, from 10am to 4pm
Where: Cowhouse Market, End of Ridge Road, Hazeldean
Website: hazeldeanbrewing.co.za | Email: info@hazeldeanbrewing.co.za | Tel: 061 304 0897
Facebook: @hazeldeanbrewingco | Instagram: @hazeldeanbrewing
KIDS WILL LOVE THE LESSONS AT SOUTH AFRICA’S OLDEST SKATE PARK
Whether you’re a beginner, a pro or somewhere in between, when it comes to skateparks, Thrashers Skate Park has got you covered.
This skate park located in Garsfontein is consistently considered to be one of the best parks in the city that has a bit of everything for everyone. With bowls, rails, quarters and banks plus lines for days, overall it is a fun park.
Thrashers was built in 1996 and has been home to many of South Africa’s skateboarding legends past and present and has become an institution in the Pretoria skate/alternative scene.
Thrashers provides a fully accommodating venue for skateboarding, BMX, rollerblading, aggressive skating, inline hockey, roller derby and grass hockey. The skate park boasts many transition and street obstacles including ledges, stairs, a fun box, pyramid, two quarterpipes, death ramp, as well as a mini-ramp and the new manual pad ledge feature. They offer private skateboarding and rollerblading lessons on Saturdays during opening hours.
Cost: R50pp for participants, R25pp for spectators. R300pp for once-off lesson, R800pp for 4 private lessons
When: Monday to Sunday, 9am to 8pm
Where: 241 Serene Sttree, Garsfontein, Pretoria
Website: thrashers-skatepark.co.za | Email: info@thrashers-skatepark.co.za | Tel: 063 758 1694
Facebook: @thrashersskateparkpta | Instagram: @thrashersskatepark
