Here are 10 suggestions to help you along.
1. A trio of voices
Catch Britain’s Got Talent winner Paul Potts, Holland’s Got Talent winner Amira Willighagen, and SA’s Got Talent winner James Bhemgee in concert at Montecasino’s Teatro. Paul Potts and Friends will run until 17 August.
Details: 0861 915 8000; www.computicket.com
2. Love, fate, free will on stage
Roland meets Marianne at a barbeque. She’s a physicist, he’s a beekeeper. They are an unlikely match, but this is not your average boy-meets-girl love story. Let Janna Ramos-Violante and Ashley Dowds dazzle you in Constellations at Pieter Toerien Theatre, Montecasino from 17 August.
Details: 0861 915 8000; www.computicket.com
3. Breath of fresh air
Joburg is one of the world’s largest man-made forests. Get some sunshine and fresh air this weekend at the beautiful Walter Sisulu Botanical Garden, Poortview. Visitors can enjoy the Witpoortjie waterfall as well as succulent, cycad, water, geological, people’s plant, and children’s gardens.
Details: 086 100 1278; www.sanbi.org
4. Work on your performing arts
Delta Choshi, an accomplished choreographer, singer, motivational speaker, DJ and emcee, will host ‘a give back to the community’ performing arts workshop at the Eastbank Hall, Alexandra. The workshop will be held on 16 August from 10am to 1pm.
Details: Delta Choshi 078 376 3397 or delta@midcomp.co.za or Sizwe Mkhize 072 674 3919 or c-ent@live.com
5. Ballet celebration
Joburg Ballet’s Celebration 6, an event that will showcase ballets not seen in the city for some time and ballets that have not yet been performed here. Dance lovers can look forward to seeing Chopin, Secret, Life and My Reverie, as well as the company premiere of Thami Majela’s Metamoffiesies. On 16 August at The Fringe Theatre at the Joburg Theatre complex, corner of Simmonds and Stiemens streets, Braamfontein.Details: 0861 670 670; www.joburgtheatre.com
6. A chance to get involved
The last conserved remnant of Johannesburg ridges, Melville Koppies Nature Reserve, is a popular green space in the city. Do something for the earth by getting involved with the reserve’s management committee. The committee’s AGM will take place on 16 August at Melville Koppies Central, Kafue Road, at 2pm. Guest speaker Barbara Shaw will discuss the culture and rituals of the people who worship on the ‘Holy Hills’, Melville Koppies West. Details: 011 482 4797; www.mk.org.za; fomk@mk.org.za
7. Mid-Century Modern Joburg
Explore the city’s various styles of modernist architecture on a Johannesburg Heritage Foundation bus tour. The tour will take in buildings that have stood since the middle of the 19th century, the University of the Witwatersrand’s 1936 exhibition grounds, the Central Block, and the Hillman building, as well as spots in central Joburg, Hillbrow and Yeoville.
The tour will take place on 16 August at 2pm.
Details: 0861 915 8000; www.computicket.com
8. Row, row, row your boat
Joburg’s flagship park, Zoo Lake, was gifted to the city’s residents by the late Hermann Eckstein’s business partners in 1903. The gift was made with the provision that the park’s facilities remain open to people of all races – something that endured through the years of apartheid. Why not hire one of the boats and spend a few hours on the lake?
Details: 011 646 5803
9. Food on the porch
Enjoy fresh waffles, bagels with a variety of toppings, frittata, freshly squeezed fruit juices, tea, and coffee at a pop-up restaurant on the porch of a 103-year-old house. Booking is essential for the relaxed foodie event on 17 August at 18 Blenheim Street, Kensington.
Details: Restaurant Day Facebook page
10. Chaka Chaka stories
One of South Africa’s brightest stars, Yvonne Chaka Chaka, will join Lebogang Mogashoa on stage at Maboneng Precinct’s MOAD (Museum of African Design) for a special 21 Icons edition of POPArt’s regular storytelling event. When We Were Nearly Young will take place on 16 August at MOAD at 8pm.
Details: www.popartcentre.co.za
https://www.popartcentre.co.za/book-tickets/