Jo'burg music pick: December 9 2011

It’s the time of year for all things spiritual—if you’re a Christian, that is—and gospel music has special ­resonance with its broad pop appeal and wholesome messages.

Joyous Celebration is arguably Jo’burg’s best-loved gospel choir and this week’s jamboree will be the mother of all gospel concerts.

Catch the 32-member choir in a four-hour- long inspirational treat on Thursday night. The concert will be filmed and the choir will be backed by an ­eight-piece band.

Big Top Arena, Carnival City, Brakpan, on December 15 at 7.30pm. Doors open at 6.30pm. Tickets range from R150 to R300. Book at Computicket.

■ The Far East has found its mojo, and is trying to build its ­capacity for cool. Carnival City, in other words, is going all out to pull in the crowds for the silly season and this week’s menu boasts a hefty helping of local jazz.

Enjoy what’s being termed the Jazz Monate Sessions at the casino’s Sports Bar. It is an ­appreciation of all things jazz: “From cool jazz to ­traditional jazz, modal jazz, free jazz, Latin jazz, soul jazz, jazz fusion, jazz funk, smooth jazz and nu jazz”—unbelievably, that is how the ­promoters see it. In reality, ­celebrity host and DJ Mesh Mapetla will ­present and play his favourite disks.

Sports Bar, Carnival City, ­Brakpan, on December 11 from 3pm. Entry costs R100 and includes a meal.