More To Do
Festival Fun
The Joburg Arts Alive International Festival will be celebrating its 18th birthday by delivering a superb programme of hundreds of events, across more than 30 venues spread throughout the city. The 2010 programme – running from 2nd to 26th September 2010 – includes a diverse line-up of shows, exhibitions and events covering music, dance, theatre, poetry, comedy, visual arts and film. The programme also boasts several mini festivals and a number of workshops that tie in with the City of Joburg’s commitment to include a developmental element to the event’s programming. For more information, visit www.artsalive.co.za.
Art for Africa
Join the Wildlands Conservation Trust for an evening of art and fine dining and contribute to conserving South Africa’s incredible natural heritage. Wildlands’ annual Art for Conservation gala dinner, art auction and exhibition will be held at KwaZulu-Natal’s Sibaya Casino on 1st October 2010 to raise money for the NGO. This year’s theme is “Africa: Its Wildlife, its Landscapes and its People”, and visitors can expect to see artworks by top South African artists, including Nicky Chovuchovu, Leon Fouche, David Johnson, Maureen Edgecumbe and Ian van Zyl. For more information or to book seats contact +27 33 343 6380, email christineb@wildlands.co.za or visit www.wildlands.co.za.
Need a Break?
With over 400 travel and outdoor related exhibits, the Getaway Show Gauteng – which will be held at the Coca-Cola Dome in Northgate – offers you everything you need to plan your next adventure. Visitors can try Bubble Balling, see 4x4s being put to the test or drop their kids off to burn off some excess energy while they enjoy a beer and watch the rugby in the Hansa Tent. There are also many prizes up for grabs, including a Land Rover Defender and weekend breaks. The Getaway Show Gauteng will take place from 10th to 12th September. Visit www.getawayshow.co.za for more information.
Bringing Funny Back
South Africa’s favourite white Indian, Michael Naicker (the alter ego of comedian Kevin Perkins) will return to The Lyric Theatre at Gold Reef City Casino for two side-splitting shows in September this year. Michael Naicker already has a huge following in South Africa for his trademark skits, songs and riffs on South African culture. Expect raunchy and riotous jokes about souped up cars, South Africa, politics, and so much more. Performances take place on 17th and 18th September 2010. Tickets are available through Computicket or the Lyric box office on +27 11 248 5000. For more information, visit www.goldreefcity.co.za.
Mountain Music
For four days of great music in a beautiful mountain setting, don’t miss the annual White Mountain Festival from 23rd to 26th September 2010 in KwaZulu-Natal. Held at White Mountain Lodge near Giant’s Castle in the Central Drakensberg – and renowned for its chilled, family friendly atmosphere – the festival offers acoustic performances by some of the country’s top artists, including Ard Matthews, the Jack Mantis Band, and Margaret’s Daughter. Other attractions include abseiling and paintball, arts and crafts and a variety of food stalls. Tickets are available through Computicket. Visit www.whitemountain.co.za for more information.
For the Artistically Minded
This year’s Aardklop National Arts Festival, which will be held in Potchefstroom from 28th September to 3rd October 2010, boasts more than 70 productions, including opera, dance and acclaimed drama productions. Three English productions will debut at Aardklop this year: Mike van Graan’s dark comedy Is It Because I’m Jack?; The Magnet Theatre’s Autopsy; and Annelisa Weiland and Vanessa Cooke’s Slap Koejawel [ adj. SLACK noun GUAVA] & Other Tit Bits. A highlight on the classical programme is Eight Seasons with Daniel Rowland and COSA. The famous British violinist will be performing Antonio Vivaldi’s and Astor Piazzolla’s Four Seasons. Tickets are available through Computicket. Visit www.aardklop.co.za for more information.
