What’s on in and around town?

• Open Stage Youth Day event in Bekkersdal
Three organisations that jointly deal with community development in arts, namely New Generation Art Street/T-C PRODUCTIONS and Creative Arts Movement will be hosting a youth day event called Open Stage Youth Day at the Bekkersdal Hub (next to the taxi rank) from 11am to 5pm on June 16. Free entry. Strict no-mask-no-entry policy. Contact Dan Mosimane on 083 879 4544 or via email lekudu47@gmail.com for more information.

• Youth Day event in Toekomsrus
The Taking Charge NPO for the development of youth and women through skills development, arts and culture, agriculture and sports will be hosting a White & Denim Youth Day celebration event on June 16 at the Church of Nazarene on the corner of Visrivier and Diamond Streets from 9.30am to 2pm. The NPO was registered in September 2020 and is supported by the MMC for local economic development as it will contribute to township economy upliftment and job creation. The Youth Day event will be the official introduction and launch of the organisation. The Head of Traffic, MMC for Local Economic Development, and the RWCLM Chief of Staff will be the guests of honour, along with community members who contributed to the organisation, and sponsors for Taking Charge NPO. Covid-19 regulations do apply. Contact Llewel Adams on 065 313 1952.

• Are you a poet and you don’t even know it?
To commemorate the 45th anniversary of the Soweto Uprising on June 16, the Centre for Creative Arts at the University of KwaZulu-Natal invites young poets to submit their poems as part of their competition. The winning poet will receive R3 000, have the winning poem included in the Poetry Africa anthology that will be published in celebration of the festival’s 25th year this year, and be invited as one of the participants to perform at the 25th Poetry Africa Festival. While Poetry Africa serves as an annual platform that celebrates poetry, this competition is meant to support and elevate the young poetry community. The winners will be announced on June 20. Participants can submit their videos on WhatsApp to 071 326 7272. The submitted video clips will be posted on the Poetry Africa Facebook page. The closing date is at 5pm on June 16. For detailed rules visit poetryafrica.ukzn.ac.za or contact Marlyn Ntsele on 079 707 7773.

• Every plant has its season to shine
On Melville Koppies every plant has its season to shine. Most plants on the koppies, like we humans, are hunkering down for the winter. Their leaves have turned brown to conserve energy to survive the chill; many have disappeared completely, storing all their food in bulbs or tubers underground until things warm up. Not so the aloes and the tree fuchsia (Halleria lucida) with their red-orange flowers that are providing welcome food for the Koppies’ sunbirds and other birds. These are just two of the less than 15 hardy plants that have chosen the winter months as their flowering time. It seems Gautengers have the same idea as most of the plants on the Koppies. They’re hunkering down and staying in bed, only venturing out when the morning has lost its chill. But not everyone. Despite thick snow on the Drakensberg and the temperature in single figures, three German schoolteachers from Deutsche Internationale Schule arrived at opening time at 8am, seasoned by European winters. Only later when the sun was well up local residents arrived to enjoy the Koppies. Melville Koppies Central (Nature Reserve and Heritage Site) is open every Sunday in 2021 from 8am to 11.30am. No need to pre-book. Adults R80 and children R40; season ticket for a year per adult – R500 (not transferable). All income used for maintenance and security of the Koppies – R22 000 per month needed. Security on the Koppies is provided; park in secure parking opposite the entrance at Marks Park on Judith Road, Emmarentia. Mid-week school tours and ordinary tours can be arranged. Contact wendavid@mweb.co.za or check out www.mk.org.za for more detailed information about the history, and what you can see.

• OR Tambo Soncini Gauteng Provincial Games
Rand West City Aquatics invites all children of the town who were born in 2004, 2005, 2006 and 2007 to participate in the Soncini Games in October 2021. Children who are interested need to please note the following: They must know how to swim or can swim 25m without assistance; they must be in the age group indicated above; they must be a resident of Rand West City; if they are affiliated with a swimming club that will not participate at the Soncinc Games written, permission from the coach of that club is required; all race groups and genders are welcome to join; no cost involved. For more information, please contact the Rand West City Aquatics coordinator, Tyrone Rooskrans via cellphone/ WhatsApp on 083 976 9060.

• 2021 SPAR Women’s Virtual Challenge
The SPAR Women’s Virtual Challenge is back for 2021 and this year, the challenge is going limitless, with entries open nationwide. Along with the virtual challenge, SPAR is also bringing back the prestigious SPAR Grand Prix series, giving some much-needed support to South Africa’s professional women runners. Online entries are now open for the 2021 SPAR Women’s Virtual Challenge, and SPAR is inviting women across the country to join in on September 4 anytime between 6am and 6pm (subject to government lockdown regulations). Participants can run, jog, or walk their own virtual challenge, at their own pace, anywhere in South Africa. For more information and to find out how to enter, visit www.sparvirtualchallenge.co.za. Entries are limited to 75 000 participants – enter now to avoid disappointment.

• Latest/ coming soon Movies not to miss!

IN THE HEIGHTS

The creator of Hamilton and the director of Crazy Rich Asians invite you to a cinematic event where the streets are made of music and little dreams become big – In the Heights. Lights up on Washington Heights – the scent of a cafecito caliente hangs in the air just outside of the 181st Street subway stop, where a kaleidoscope of dreams rallies this vibrant and tight-knit community. At the intersection of it all is the likeable, magnetic bodega owner Usnavi (Anthony Ramos), who saves every penny from his daily grind as he hopes, imagines and sings about a better life. In the Heights fuses Lin-Manuel Miranda’s kinetic music and lyrics with director Jon M Chu’s lively and authentic eye for storytelling to capture a world very much of its place, but universal in its experience. In cinemas as of 11 June.

• THE HITMAN’S WIFE’S BODYGUARD
The world’s most lethal odd couple – bodyguard Michael Bryce and hitman Darius Kincaid – are back on another life-threatening mission. Still unlicensed and under scrutiny, Bryce is forced into action by Darius’s even more volatile wife, the infamous international con artist Sonia Kincaid. As Bryce is driven over the edge by his two most dangerous protectees, the trio get in over their heads in a global plot and soon find that they are all that stand between Europe and a vengeful and powerful madman. Joining in the fun and deadly mayhem is Morgan Freeman as – well, you’ll have to see! In cinemas as of 16 June.

• SPACE JAM: A NEW LEGACY
Welcome to the Jam! NBA champion and global icon LeBron James goes on an epic adventure alongside timeless Tune Bugs Bunny with the animated/ live-action event Space Jam: A New Legacy, from director Malcolm D Lee and an innovative filmmaking team including Ryan Coogler and Maverick Carter. This transformational journey is a manic mash-up of two worlds that reveals just how far some parents will go to connect with their kids. When LeBron and his young son Dom are trapped in a digital space by a rogue A.I., LeBron must get them home safely by leading Bugs, Lola Bunny and the whole gang of notoriously undisciplined Looney Tunes to victory over the A.I.’s digitised champions on the court: a powered-up roster of professional basketball stars as you’ve never seen them before. It’s Tunes versus Goons in the highest-stakes challenge of his life that will redefine LeBron’s bond with his son and shine a light on the power of being yourself. The ready-for-action Tunes destroy convention, supercharge their unique talents and surprise even “King” James by playing the game their own way. In cinemas as of 16 July.

• THE ICE ROAD
After a remote diamond mine collapses in the far northern regions of Canada, an ice driver leads an impossible rescue mission over a frozen ocean to save the lives of trapped miners despite thawing waters and a threat they never see coming. In cinemas as of 16 July.

• GUNPOWDER MILKSHAKE
Sam (Karen Gillan) was only 12 years old when her mother Scarlet (Lena Headey), an elite assassin, was forced to abandon her. Sam was raised by The Firm, the ruthless crime syndicate her mother worked for. Now, 15 years later, Sam has followed in her mother’s footsteps and grown into a fierce hit-woman. She uses her “talents” to clean up The Firm’s most dangerous messes. She’s as efficient as she is loyal. But when a high-risk job goes wrong, Sam must choose between serving The Firm and protecting the life of an innocent eight-year-old girl, Emily (Chloe Coleman). With a target on her back, Sam has only one chance to survive: Reunite with her mother and her lethal associates, The Librarians (Carla Gugino, Michelle Yeoh and Angela Bassett). These three generations of women must now learn to trust each other, stand up to The Firm and their army of henchmen, and raise hell against those who could take everything from them. In cinemas as of 23 July.

• THE SUICIDE SQUAD
Welcome to hell – aka Belle Reve, the prison with the highest mortality rate in the USA. Where the worst super-villains are kept and where they will do anything to get out – even join the super-secret, super-shady Task Force X. Today’s do-or-die assignment? Assemble a collection of cons, including Bloodsport, Peacemaker, Captain Boomerang, Ratcatcher 2, Savant, King Shark, Blackguard, Javelin and everyone’s favourite psycho, Harley Quinn. Then arm them heavily and drop them (literally) on the remote, enemy-infused island of Corto Maltese. Trekking through a jungle teeming with militant adversaries and guerrilla forces at every turn, the Squad is on a search-and-destroy mission with only Colonel Rick Flag on the ground to make them behave … and Amanda Waller’s government techies in their ears, tracking their every movement. And as always, one wrong move and they’re dead (whether at the hands of their opponents, a teammate, or Waller herself). If anyone’s laying down bets, the smart money is against them – all of them. In cinemas as of 6 August.

• RESPECT
Following the rise of Aretha Franklin’s career from a child singing in her father’s church’s choir to her international superstardom, Respect is the remarkable true story of the music icon’s journey to find her voice. In cinemas as of 13 August.

• MORTAL KOMBAT
From New Line Cinema comes the explosive new cinematic adventure Mortal Kombat, inspired by the blockbuster video game franchise, which most recently enjoyed the most successful video game launch in its history, Mortal Kombat 11. The diverse international cast reflects the global nature of the brand, with talent spanning the worlds of film, television and martial arts. In cinemas as of 9 April.

• JUDAS AND THE BLACK MESSIAH
Inspired by true events, Judas and the Black Messiah is directed by Shaka King, marking his studio feature film directorial debut. The late 1960s was one of the most tumultuous and pivotal periods in American history. A nation rife with political and social unrest was besieged by explosive demonstrations against the prevailing social and gender norms, the Vietnam War and racial injustice. Black communities across the country, tired of facing racial disparities in healthcare, housing, education and employment – all outgrowths of systemic inequality – had finally had enough. The film received 26 wins and 56 nominations including six Oscar nominations. In cinemas as of 16 April.

• THOSE WHO WISH ME DEAD
From New Line Cinema comes the thriller Those Who Wish Me Dead, starring Angelina Jolie and directed by Taylor Sheridan. Oscar-winner Jolie (Girl, Interrupted, the Maleficent films) stars as Hannah, a smoke jumper still reeling from the loss of three lives she failed to save from a fire. She comes across a traumatised 12-year-old boy with nowhere else to turn to. It will be distributed worldwide by Warner Bros Pictures. In cinemas as of 14 May.

• THE FATHER
Die langverwagte rolprent, THE FATHER, wat pas benoem is vir ses gesogte Oscar-toekennings, ses BAFTA-toekennings asook twee Screen Actors Guild- (SAG-) toekennings het op 26 Maart in plaaslike fliekteaters landswyd geopen. Dit vertel die verhaal van ’n middeljarige dogter wat besig is om haar geduld te verloor met haar pa – ’n stoute, onafhanklike ou man, wat besig is om tred met realiteit te verloor en weier dat ’n versorger na hom omsien. Sy moet trek en moet daarom iemand kry om hom te versorg. Hy, wat in die beginstadium van demensie is, probeer sin maak van sy veranderende omstandighede en begin in sy geliefdes, verstand en realiteit twyfel.

• GODZILLA VS. KONG
Legends collide in Godzilla vs. Kong (in cinemas as of 26 March) as these mythic adversaries meet in a spectacular battle for the ages, with the fate of the world hanging in the balance. Kong and his protectors undertake a perilous journey to find his true home, and with them is Jia, a young orphaned girl with whom he has formed a unique and powerful bond. But they unexpectedly find themselves in the path of an enraged Godzilla, cutting a swath of destruction across the globe. The epic clash between the two titans – instigated by unseen forces – is only the beginning of the mystery that lies deep within the core of the Earth.

• THE MAURITANIAN
Directed by Kevin Macdonald (The Last King of Scotland) and based on the NY Times best-selling memoir Guantanamo Diary by Mohamedou Ould Slahi, THE MAURITANIAN is the inspiring true story of Slahi’s fight for freedom after being detained and imprisoned without charge by the US government for years. Alone, with no access to the outside world, Slahi (Tahar Rahim) finds allies in defence attorney Nancy Hollander (Jodie Foster) and her associate Teri Duncan (Shailene Woodley) who battle the US Government in a fight for justice that tests their commitment to the law and their client at every turn. Their controversial advocacy, along with evidence uncovered by a formidable military prosecutor, Lt Colonel Stuard Couch (Benedict Cumberbatch), uncovers shocking truths and ultimately proves that the human spirit cannot be locked up. The film, originally titled Prisoner 760, was largely shot in South Africa early last year and had many local cast and crew involved in the production.

Remember to send notifications of your events to randfonteinherald@caxton.co.za.