Publications
Partners
Freedom Day celebrations are going down in a major way. Celebrate this gift at the biggest hip-hop festival in the country or ponder on the challenges of black life in Africa at a seminar on Afro identity. Phumlani S Langa brings you the guide to get down.
JOBURG
HIP-HOP
Back to the City
Mary Fitzgerald Square
April 27, 12pm
R150 to R600 at webtickets.co.za
Rumour has it this will be the last Back To The City. I don’t buy that – perhaps they are hoping to remodel things next year. This year you can catch legendary US hip-hop group EPMD live on stage alongside an illustrious line-up of local acts.
AFROSOUL
Thandiswa Mazwai presents: Fetish
Newtown Music Factory
April 26, 7pm
R250 at quicket.co.za
Dress to the theme and get in free as Thandiswa Mazwai presents Fetish. She will be joined on stage by her famed rock-star friends, the BLK JKS. In between there will be a sizzling line-up of DJs who will make it the hottest party in Jozi.
THEATRE
Sophiatown
Joburg Theatre
Until May 5
R70 to R150 at webtickets.co.za
A theatrical depiction of one of the most vibrant parts of the city during the apartheid era. This is the story of journalists who set up home and go in search for an additional housemate.
KIDS
Fairy Autumn Festival
In The Forest Venue
April 27, 10am
R80 at howler.co.za
A fantastic activity for the kids. They can walk through a fairy path and spot all the tiny fairies and mini villages. There’s even going to be a shipwreck with pirates. Expect beautiful craft stalls inside a real forest, as well as artisan food stalls and food trucks with fresh-baked goodies. And for the adults – craft beer and fairy cocktails under the trees.
SOWETO
KWAITO
Tebza’s 9th Annual Black n White Birthday Feat AKA
Disoufeng Pub
Meadowlands
April 26, from 3pm
R80 before 8pm, R100 before 10pm and R150 after
Catch one of the early forefathers of kwaito doing what he is renowned for: setting dance floors alight with his jams. He’s got a friend rolling with him. Supa Mega will be doing his stuff with Tebza.
TALENT SHOW
2K Challenge
Soweto Theatre
April 27, 1pm
R20 to R40 at webtickets.co.za
A showcase of up-and-coming live bands, poets and comedians will show you what they’ve got. This will be a variety show with fresh talent. The winner will take away a R2 000 cash prize.
KIDS
Soweto Kids Festival
Vukani Lower Primary School
April 27, 10am
Entrance R50 to R180
This is all-out action for the kids. There will be karting, face painting, horse riding, jumping castles, swimming and loads more.
PRETORIA
COMEDY
Oh My God A Shampoonaiza Christian Comedy Special
The SA State Theatre
April 26, 7.30pm
R250 to R300 at webtickets.co.za
Catch The Shampoonaiza in his one-man show. He will be poking fun at the Sbu Mthembu saga from Joyous Celebration and a host of other events that have happened in the religious space. If you don’t have a thick skin best to stay home and pray.
YOGA
Yoga Fusion
Thrashers Skate Park, Menlyn
April 25, 6.30pm
R35 at thrashers-skatepark.co.za
Homies are doing yoga at the skate park these days. I thought they had perhaps found a way to fuse the two. Not yet. In the meantime, join this session where both yoga and pilates will be performed. I urge all skaters to be there at the same time – catch some noisy grinds to elevate everyone’s level of focus on the yoga.
SEMINAR
Afro Prog Sessions
Lagom Café & Theatre Bistro
April 27, 11am
Free entrance, reservations at afroprogsessions@gmail.com
This is the perfect Freedom Day outing. Explore African cultures and subcultures through visual art, music and a close look at the ever-changing cultural landscape in Africa.
ELSEWHERE
DURBAN
Have You Seen Zandile?
Hexagon Theatre, Pietermaritzburg
April 24 to 27
R70 to R100, book by emailing hexagon@ukzn.ac.za
Gcina Mhlope’s internationally acclaimed award-winning play is now at the Hexagon. Get a glimpse into the struggles involved in raising a black girl during apartheid. Zandile lives with her grandmother and she loves it. One day her mother returns to reclaim her and things turn a little sour.
Chitacumbi and Cinélu
The Chairman
April 27, 10.30pm
R150, reservations at info@thechairmanlive.com
Catch this thrilling jazz duo live. They are gearing up to celebrate International Jazz Day in the best way possible by playing lots of jazz.
EAST LONDON
RevAfrica East London Beachfront & Cricket Grounds
April 25 to 28
R100 at computicket.com
A four-day festival that brings together the very best in music and motorsport all in one setting. You can expect exciting live demos, stunt shows, BMX and skateboard displays, as well as a killer music line-up featuring some of South Africa’s biggest bands. This year’s impressive entertainment line-up includes GoodLuck, Mi Casa, Freshly Ground, Mango Groove, Holly Rey, Silver Creek, Warongx, Dr Victor, Femi Koya, Nhoza, Undertone and Bongeziwe Mabandla.
