What’s happening in and around town?

• 21 to 24 March 2019: Dazzling Frank Sinatra international hit show to tour South Africa

Frank Sinatra, one of music’s great icons, is all set to ignite the South African stage in 2019 in a dazzling big band international show, Sinatra and Me, featuring celebrated British performer, Richard Shelton, who has been described as “one of the world’s finest Sinatra interpreters”. Richard is an award-winning actor and singer and his show comes directly from the West End and Los Angeles. He will be accompanied on stage by Adam Howard’s 17-piece Joburg Big Band. This highly acclaimed show kicks off in Durban at the Rockwood Theatre on 12 March with four shows, before heading to The Mandela at the Joburg Theatre from 21 March, and is bound to hit all the high notes with Sinatra fans. Hear the world’s greatest Sinatra interpreter sing the coolest Sinatra songs – an unforgettable night of song and storytelling. After Joburg, Sinatra and Me travels to East London, Port Elizabeth and Cape Town, prior to heading far south to New Zealand. Visit www.joburgtheatre.com for more information.

• 24 March: Help save the bulldogs in SA!

On Sunday 24 March, the Bulldog Rescue Angels (Bra) will be hosting the ‘Paws for a Good Cause’ event at 30 Bronberg Street, Bashewa, Pretoria. The public is encouraged to support the event and bring along their dogs for a fun day for the whole family. Bra is a non-profit organisation that specialises in rescuing and rehabilitating bulldogs and associated breeds. According to Chantel van der Merwe, one of the volunteers and co-founders of Bra, bulldogs are sadly prone to many health-related issues that cannot be established during puppyhood. Gates open at 7am, and tickets are R40 per person. Bra accepts all donations and assistance from the public. For anyone who wants to assist or sponsor prizes for events, please contact Bra on bulldogrescueangels@gmail.com or visit their Facebook page, Bulldog Rescue Angels.

• 24 March 2019: Ed Sheeran coming to Johannesburg

With 40 million albums sold worldwide, the famous Ed Sheeran is coming to South Africa. Following the overwhelming response to the first-ever tour announcement in June, he is pleased to announce an additional show at the iconic FNB Stadium in Johannesburg. Ed continues his rise as one of the world’s most successful musical talents, selling out stadiums across the globe. Those interested are encouraged to get their tickets early to avoid disappointment. For more information, visit www.bigconcerts.co.za.

• 29 March: Joburg Comedy Invasion in Krugersdorp

Krugersdorp is in for a treat as the very best of Joburg comedy descends on Silverstar for a celebration of all things funny in a one-night-only performance in the Joburg Comedy Invasion at 8pm at Silverstar. From the producers of The Big 5 Comedy Show, Taylor Made Productions brings you their newest comedy concept with a line-up that is a non-stop laughter fest as the comics touch on the silly, the surreal, the naughty and the nice. A stalwart of the comedy scene, Chris Forrest, plays host to this motley crew of gag merchants. Newcomer and quickly rising star, Ebenhaezer Dibakwane, is one of the most in-demand comics of the new generation. Comedy heavyweight, Joey Rasdien, headlines the gig. The show is sure to give you an authentic taste of the Joburg funny scene. It’s a big show in an intimate space – perfect for a night of comedy that promises loads of belly-laughs. Tickets available at Computicket.

• 30 Maart: Maak gereed vir groot familiepret in Witfontein

My Hart Is Plaas in Witfontein bied ‘n boere- en perdesportdag aan. Volgens Elize Venter, een van die organiseerders kan daar veral uitgesien word na sakspring, toutrek, springkastele en meer. “Bring jou gesin, ‘n kampstoel en sambreel en kom geniet die dag van 10vm af saam met ons,” het sy gesê. My Hart Is Plaas is aan die R41 in Witfontein op pad na Rodora. Vir meer inligting, kontak Elize by 079 151 4300.

• 5 April: Fondsinsameling ten bate van jong dansers

Randfonteiners kan sokkie, jive en hip hop vir ‘n goeie doel. Dié makietie is deel van ‘n fondsinsameling vir die Snap Back Studio-span wat in Mei aan die Dance Star World Finals in Kroasië gaan deelneem. Die partytjie skop om 6.30nm by Pembury Lifestyle Group se Greenhills Akademie af en daar sal vermaak soos lekker dansmusiek en ‘n optrede deur die gewilde Tanya V wees. Vir meer inligting skakel 083 852 9407 of 082 853 6194.

• 6 April: Diamant 4 Boeremusiekfees in Muldersdrift

Diamant 4 bied ‘n Boeremusiekfees aan by Diamant 4 Landgoed in Muldersdrift van 10vm tot middernag. Eie verversings en koelboks is welkom. Braaigeriewe is beskikbaar. Daar is pryse te wen en verskeie orkeste tree op. Vir meer inligting skakel Theo by 083 645 3931.

• 13 and 14 April: Sam Smith coming to Johannesburg

Soul singer Sam Smith announced that his Thrill of it All Tour will be be at the Ticketpro Dome in Johannesburg. Sam first hit the charts as the featured singer on the 2012 Disclosure song Latch, and released his first single, Lay Me Down, soon after. His next hit was a featured role by Naughty Boy’s Bollywood-inspired La La La. With Sam’s vocals, the song became an instant No 1 single in the UK in 2013. He then released his first EP, Nirvana. In 2014, Sam released In The Lonely Hour, his heartfelt debut full-length album, which has sold 13 million copies globally. The album included the smash hit Stay With Me, which became a radio staple over the course of the entire year. Sam was nominated for six Grammys, winning four, including Song of the Year and Record of the Year. At the 2015 Brit Awards, he won the awards for British Breakthrough Act and Global Success. At the 2015 Billboard Music Awards, he received three Billboard awards: Top Male Artist, Top New Artist and Top Radio Songs Artist. His musical achievements have also led him to be mentioned twice in the Guinness Book of World Records. The hit song Writing’s on the Wall, co-written with Jimmy Napes for the James Bond (007) film Spectre (2015), won Sam the Golden Globe Award and the Academy Award for Best Original Song. The Thrill of It All, which has already sold four million copies, sees Sam once again working alongside close friend and long-term collaborator Jimmy Napes as well as the likes of Timbaland, Malay, Jason Poo Bear Boyd and Stargate. The album also sees Sam collaborate with unsigned artist, YEBBA for their breath-taking track No Peace. Too Good At Goodbyes, the first single off the new album, saw global success, hitting No 1 in the UK and Global Spotify Charts, No 1 in the UK and US iTunes charts and entering the official UK charts at No 1, making it Sam’s sixth UK No 1 single.

• 14 April: Cedar Tree Craft Market in Krugersdorp

Residents can look forward to the third Cedar Tree Craft Market in 2019, taking place at the Khosa Sports Club in Krugersdorp on the West Rand from 10am to 3pm. No entrance fee. Secure parking. Pet-friendly. Details: 081 500 6884 or westsidemarkets@gmail.com.

• 19 April: West Side Night Market in Roodepoort

Why not spend a Friday night at Ramkiki Country Restaurant for the West Side Night Market, which takes place from 6pm to 10pm in Ruimsig, Roodepoort. No entrance fee. Secure parking. pet-friendly. Details: 081 500 6884 or westsidemarkets@gmail.com.

• 21 April: Easter fun for kids in Muldersdrift

Enjoy Easter Sunday, 21 April and Easter Monday, 22 April at Garden World in Muldersdrift, Krugersdorp from 10am for a fun line-up of activities for the kids. There will be pot painting followed by an Easter egg hunt. Cost is R60 per child, which includes the pot, seedling, tractor ride and egg hunt. Bookings essential. Details: 011 956 3003.

• 28 April: West Side Craft and Food Market in Roodepoort

Bring your family and friends for a great outing at the West Side Craft and Food Market to be held from 10am to 3pm at the Ramkiki Country Restaurant in Ruimsig, Roodepoort. There will be a wide variety of arts and crafts, handmade as well as other products, delicious food and craft beer. No entrance fee. Secure parking. Pet-friendly. Details: 081 500 6884 or westsidemarkets@gmail.com.

• 19 to 28 April: The Rand Show in Johannesburg

Joburg’s best day out has something for everyone, so make sure you don’t miss it! The 125th celebration promises to be one of the best shows ever with the introduction of fantastic, on-trend content. This will include Africa’s biggest celebration of the global sensation game, Fortnite, new reality cooking and talent shows, a beautifully presented Flower and Decor pavilion, a world-class international Fitness Expo, military displays, Drum Majorette Gold Cup and so much more. Tickets for the show, starting at R150, will be available through www.computicket.co.za. Details: www.randshow.co.za.

• 20 April to 26 May 2019: Killer hit musical CHICAGO returns to razzle dazzle SA again!

A nightclub singer, a double-murderess, a smooth-talking lawyer and a cell-block of sin surrounded by the razzle dazzle of the world’s sexiest musical returns in 2019! You’ve Got It Comin’ as the story of the award-winning Broadway and West End musical CHICAGO unfolds to show-stopping songs including All that Jazz, Cell Block Tango and Mister Cellophane. The multi-talented all-South African touring cast, band and crew begin rehearsals in Johannesburg ahead of an international tour to New Zealand and China. The South African leg of the tour, in association with BBC First, brings CHICAGO back to Cape Town from 15 March until 14 April 2019, thereafter heading to Montecasino’s Teatro in Johannesburg. Visit www.chicagothemusical.com for more information.

• 11 en 12 Mei: Wêlakapêla Kinderfees in Ruimsig

Kinders van alle ouderdomme word uitgenooi om deel te wees van die Wêlakapêla Kinderfees by die Ruimsig-atletiekstadion in Roodepoort. Dit word aangebied deur akteur Wynand van Vollenstee en sakevrou Mariaan du Plessis. Besoekers aan die Wêlakapêla Kinderfees kan daarna uitsien om van hul gunstelingkarakters in topproduksies op die hoofverhoog te sien, wat Lollos en Lettie, Tjiff en Tjaff, Gretha Pers, Michelle Botha se poppeteater en die Die Laaste Mango/ The Light Warrior insluit. Daar sal ook ‘n enorme opblaasspeelpark, pretritte, miniskoonheidsalon, spookhuis, speelgoed- en lekkergoedwonderland, verskeie stalletjies wat slegs kinderprodukte verkoop, kosstalletjies en vele meer wees. Vir die ouers sal daar ‘n ‘Wine and Dine’-area wees. Kaartjies kos R175 per persoon (vir babas onder die ouderdom van ‘n jaar is dit gratis). Hierdie prys sluit alle produksies, vermaak, asook die opblaaspark in. Slegs ‘n beperkte aantal kaartjies is beskikbaar. Om teleurstelling te voorkom, besoek www.webtickets.co.za vandag nog. Vir meer inligting oor die fees, besoek www.welakapelafestival.co.za.

https://www.facebook.com/wynand.vanvollenstee/videos/2220488811323875/