In all fairness though, I think those days were long gone, I just never received the memo.
Way back when, my Sundays were about going to church in the morning, taking my car to the carwash while I indulged in some shisa nyama [braai meat] in the afternoon and arriving back home long before the sun set.
Joburgers seem to be on a different page, and this is suggested by the rising number of late Sunday events that now take place in the city.
This past Sunday, I decided to drag my friends to Greenside, as I had heard of a Sunday event that had gained much popularity in Joburg – Good Life Sundays at Tokyo Star.
The event is known for its hip-hop and neo-soul jams and is aimed at bringing in a much mature crowd – perfect conditions for what I believed would be an early Sunday night.
Having learned my lesson about arriving anywhere late, I made it a point to get there on time to get a comfortable seat – hopefully one outside on the pavement so I could sport my new cool shades.
On arrival, it was impossible to deny how appealing the idea of going out on Sunday appeared – the streets were clearer, pavements inviting and the people were much calmer.
The entire scene was reminiscent of my good-old schooling days when a bunch of us would gather at someone’s house and we’d play some old-school hip-hop while having some heated debates over which artists were cooler and which artists delivered relevant messages through their music.
The popularity of Good Life Sunday’s had a lot to do with a steady stream of laid-back tunes that they provide throughout, and an atmosphere which allows for those in attendance to let time pass by with no care while sitting outside on the pavement eating, talking, laughing and sipping on sundowners.
After the sun goes down, the dance floor opens up and a general feeling of dealing with Monday when it comes takes over.
The event is so much more than just music. It’s the perfect opportunity to step outside your conventional mundane Sunday afternoon and to meet others who share in your love for hip-hop and neo-soul.
When Monday morning arrives, you may regret that last drink you decided to have or perhaps that last heated debate, over which musicians are better, that took longer than expected, but you will store the night in your box of good memories.
