No plans yet? Here are the latest events in and around town

• Join Key West’s upcycle and recycle initiative
The Key West Shopping Centre decided to do their Christmas crafts a bit different this year and they want to involve the community. Every year they decorate their centre beautifully for Christmas, from the amazing light displays to Santa who poses for memorable photos with the children. But as Daphney Teffo, the centre’s marketing manager explained, this year they want to incorporate the community into their Christmas festive season campaign. Not only that, they also want to create environmental awareness. So they are inviting community members to show them what Christmas crafts they can make.

The best do-it-yourselves will then be chosen to create Christmas decorations for the centre; but the decorations have to be made from recycled materials. “We want to embark on a recycling and upcycling campaign,” Daphney explained, adding that they wanted to involve locals and hopefully incorporate the same concept going forward. “We spend so much money annually on Christmas decor and decorations, why not invest it back into the community?”

The centre has already asked their waste management companies to keep reusable products like cardboard boxes or glass and other products so that they can provide the community with what they will need to make the decorations. If you would like to submit your idea you can apply by submitting a photo of your decoration with your name and contact details to daphney@mseed.co.za by the end of August. The crafts will have to be done by the end of September as the decorations have to be up by the end of October.

We are looking for original ideas, hand-made products and support proudly local,” she said.

• Upcoming U3A West Rand event
Are you retired or semi-retired and looking for something stimulating and affordable to do? If so, then join The University of the 3rd Age (U3A). The U3A is an organisation for senior citizens.
• August 24 – The U3A West Rand will visit Vintage Cars SA in Pretoria where they will see all the glamorous cars of the past, restored to their full glory. The owner will give a tour and tell more about them. From there they will visit Belnori Boutique Cheesery where they can buy delicious goats cheese and visit the goats.
Booking at their monthly meeting at The Church of Ascension in Rangeview on August 16, or contact Marthie Coetzer on 083 297 9565.

• Markdag deur Betesda Bedieninge
Hou Saterdag, 6 Augustus oop vir ‘n Markdag deur Betesda Bedieninge op die hoek van Main Reef- en Battery Reefweg in Randfontein. Daar sal iets vir almal wees asook ‘n babakompetisie. Kontak Nita by 084 458 2151 vir meer inligting.

• FroK events this August
Friends of Kloofendal is a non-profit organisation, founded in August 2002. The organisation supports Johannesburg City Parks and Zoo by initiating and driving environment and community projects and activities within Kloofendal Nature Reserve.

FroK consists of dedicated guides and volunteers who use their wide variety of knowledge and time to promote education, conservation and community-based projects.
Below are the August events:
• Saturday, August 6 from 09:00 to 11:00 – Morning Creepy Crawly walk (Wonderful family event)
• Saturday, August 6 from noon to 14:00 – Biomimicry Walk
• Saturday, August 6 from 15:00 to 20:00 – Star-gazing
• Sunday, August 7 from 14:00 to 16:00 – Historical Mine Tour
• Saturday, August 13 from 08:00 to noon – Friends of Kloofendal Open Day
• Sunday, August 14 from 09:00 to 11:00 – Weekend Birding
• Saturday, August 20 from 09:00 to 11:00 – Morning Creepy Crawly Walk.
• Saturday, August 20 from noon to 14:00 – Biomimicry Walk
• Sunday, August 21 from 14:00 to 16:00 – Goudmyntoer.
More details and a link to online bookings here.

Phone/ WhatsApp 079 693 5608 for more information. All events start from the Kloofendal Ecological Centre at Kloofendal Nature Reserve.

• Rand Simfonieorkes ten bate van Moria Tehuis
Ondersteun bejaardes deur kaartjies te koop vir die Rand Simfonieorkes-uitvoering ten bate van die Moria Tehuis. Dit sal op Saterdag, 27 Augustus om 19:00 by die NG Kerk Suiderlig, hoek van Herbertlaan en Gouldstraat plaasvind. Kaartjies beloop R100 elk (laerskoolkinders gratis).

‘n Uitstalling deur plaaslike kunstenaars sal dieselfde naweek, op Vrydag 26 en Saterdag 27 Augusts by die kerk gehou word. Kontak Kobus by 082 544 2879 vir enige navrae.

• Iconic One-day Trail Run to make Cradle Moon debut!
The iconic THIRSTI AFRICANX TRAILRUN will make its Cradle Moon (Gauteng) debut on Sunday October 9 in the form of the THIRSTI AFRICANX TRAILRUN 1-Day XPERIENCE. The perfect introduction to the THIRSTI AFRICANX TRAILRUN, the THIRSTI AFRICANX TRAILRUN 1-Day XPERIENCE is an individual-entry event (not teams of two). Runners can look forward to experiencing iconic trails combined with spectacular views, mouth-watering food, a relaxed atmosphere, and great vibe!

For additional information on the THIRSTI AFRICANX TRAILRUN 3-Day, 2-Day and/ or 1-Day events please visit www.stillwatersports.com, contact Stillwater Sports on 082 991 0045 or email entries@stillwatersports.com.

• Mellville Koppies ‘a place for all ages’
Melville Koppies has something for all ages. It’s open every Sunday between 08:00 and 11:30. You can book a guided tour (phone 079 532 0083) or be there by 08:30. The guide will point out the many things to see and learn. Or guide yourself on the heritage trail; get fit on the 5km hike or take a map and just meander along the many different paths that crisscross the Koppies. Adults R80, children R40; season ticket for a year per adult – R500 (not transferable). Income used for maintenance of the Koppies; R22 000 needs to be raised per month.

Security on the Koppies is provided; park in secure parking opposite the entrance at Marks Park on Judith Road, Emmarentia. Contact wendavid@mweb.co.za or call 079 532 0083 to find out more. Check out www.mk.org.za for more detailed information about the history and what you can see or click here.

• LIVE pro wrestling in Krugersdorp
Get to the Key West Shopping Centre in Monument on Saturday, September 3 for some live pro wrestling action brought to you by the National Wrestling Federation (NWF).

• Star-gazing at Kloofendal
Friends of Kloofendal in association with the West Rand Astronomy Club will be hosting their annual ‘Star gazing in the Kloof’ at Kloofendal Nature Reserve on August 6 from 17:00 to 20:00, a family event for young and old! What can you expect on the Saturday night? The event will start before sunset with the planet walk around the amphitheatre, which gives an indication of the scale of our solar system as well as interesting facts about each planet.

This will be followed by a presentation on astronomy and related topics in the Ecological Centre, followed by viewing through the telescopes that will be set up and manned by the club members. The members will show some of the hidden gems in the night sky and answer the many questions. August 6 sees us coming out of winter and moving towards spring with the constellations Capricornus, Sagittarius, Scorpio, Libra and Virgo visible in the night sky. Saturn with its beautiful rings will be visible.

Participants will also look at the moon and its features, various nebula, clusters and the jewel box located in the Southern Cross. Curry and rice, boerewors rolls, pancakes, and hot and cold beverages will be on sale. Please note: cash only. Dress warmly and bring a torch. Red cellophane (to reduce the light) will be provided at the entrance. For more information please contact Friends of Kloofendal on 079 693 5608.

• Monster Jam® Races back to SA!
This. Is. Monster Jam®! The most action-packed motor sports experience for families in the world returns to South Africa in 2023 for an adrenaline-charged three-city tour starting in Cape Town at the DHL Stadium on Saturday, April 22 followed by FNB Stadium Johannesburg on Saturday, April 29 and ending at Durban’s Moses Mabhida Stadium on Saturday, May 6 for one exciting event only at 18:00 in each city. In addition, Monster Jam® also features breath-taking Freestyle Motocross (FMX) exhibitions. This is unbeatable revved-up fun for the entire family. Monster Jam, produced by American-based Feld Entertainment and brought to you by McDonald’s South Africa together with leading local promoter, Showtime Management, in association with SuperSport, features world-class athletes locked in intense competitions of speed and skill. Exclusive advance tickets are available for purchase starting June 28 until July 4 via the McDonald’s SA app.

General public tickets go on sale on Tuesday, July 5 at www.showtime.co.za OR www.ticketmaster.co.za. Monster Jam drivers are highly trained, world-class male and female athletes who have mastered not only the physical strength and mental stamina needed to compete, but the vital dexterity to control 4,5 ton machines capable of doing backflips, vertical two-wheel skills and racing at speeds up to 110km/h to produce jaw-dropping, live motor-sports action seen around the world. South African fans will witness heated rivalries, high-flying stunts and fierce head-to-head battles for the Event Championship. Engineered to perfection, Monster Jam trucks push all limits in Freestyle, Skills and Racing competitions.

Plus, fans can become part of the action by voting for the winner in the Skills and Freestyle competitions via real-time, in-stadium fan voting on their smartphones. There are significant risks in buying from other sources, and entry to a Monster Jam event is not guaranteed. For more information on Monster Jam log onto MonsterJam.com, follow Monster Jam on their social media channels: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and TikTok #MonsterJamSA. Subscribe to the Monster Jam YouTube channel here.

• The SPAR Women’s Virtual Challenge
Difficulty calls us to rise, and in that rising, we learn what we are capable of. The theme of the SPAR Women’s Virtual Challenge 2022 is built on the concept of rising despite difficulty, like a phoenix from the ashes, which the Virtual Challenge itself has done amidst a global pandemic. In the middle of difficulty lies opportunity, and there is a plethora of opportunity for creativity amidst the current challenges that we face.

This year we anticipate rising again as the SPAR Women’s Virtual Challenge 2022, in celebration of a South African stalwart, accompanied by a powerful digital strategy and virtual challenge, to become the most inclusive challenge South Africa has seen. Over the years, the challenge has brought women from all walks of life together to make a difference in our communities and once again, this year will be no different, as we rise to the challenge as a nation, leaving no woman (or man) behind.

While the challenge is still fully focused on women, they encourage women to bring their families, friends and animals, and welcome everyone, irrespective of gender, for this inclusive challenge. Join on Saturday, September 3, 2022 anytime between 06:00 and 18:00. You can run, jog, or walk your own virtual challenge, at your own pace, from any location you choose. To enter click here.

• Women’s Day celebration at Pretoria Zoo
Be strong, be confident and be you! Celebrate womanhood with food, music, fun and drinks to reflect on and empower women everywhere during a Women’s Day celebration at Pretoria Zoo on August 7. The theme is an all-white affair with a touch of yellow #DoeknShadesAllWhiteAffair. Visit their Facebook page for more information.

• West Rand Carnival
Get into the carnival spirit and experience among other live entertainment, music, a food court and market at the 2022 West Rand Carnival to be held over four days from September 8 to 11 in Ruimsig, Roodepoort.

Movies not to miss!

• DON’T WORRY DARLING – From September 23
A 1950s housewife (Pugh) living with her husband (Styles) in a utopian experimental community begins to worry that his glamorous company may be hiding disturbing secrets.

• THE ENFORCER – From September 30
An enforcer has to sacrifice everything to save a young girl he has befriended from his femme fatale boss who is involved in cyber sex trafficking.

• TILL – From October 7
The story of Emmett Louis Till and the legacy of his mother who pursued justice for her lynched son.

• ABYZOU – From October 14
A family struggling with loss find themselves at the mercy of an ancient demon trying to destroy them from the inside.

• BLACK ADAM – From October 21
Nearly 5 000 years after he was bestowed with the almighty powers of the Egyptian gods – and imprisoned just as quickly – Black Adam (Johnson) is freed from his earthly tomb, ready to unleash his unique form of justice on the modern world.

• EASTER SUNDAY – From August 19
Stand-up comedy sensation Jo Koy (Jo Koy: In His Elements, Jo Koy: Comin’ in Hot) stars as a man returning home for an Easter celebration with his riotous, bickering, eating, drinking, laughing, a loving family, in this love letter to his Filipino-American community. Easter Sunday features an all-star comedic cast that includes Jimmy O. Yang (Silicon Valley series), Tia Carrere (True Lies, Wayne’s World films), Brandon Wardell (Curb Your Enthusiasm series), Tony nominee Eva Noblezada (Broadway’s Hadestown), Lydia Gaston (Broadway’s The King and I), Asif Ali (WandaVision), Rodney To (Parks and Recreation series), Eugene Cordero (The Good Place series), Jay Chandrasekhar (I Love You, Man), Tiffany Haddish (Girls Trip) and Lou Diamond Phillips (Courage Under Fire).

• Source: Empire Entertainment