Riaan Wolmarans
206, 206 Louis Botha Avenue, Orange Grove. Special K is on the list for Friday April 27, and 206 is closed on Saturday April 28. Tuesdays:The Garage Zero, Kid Fonque and others play drum’n’bass, hiphop, twostep and deep house. Website: www.206live.co.za. Tel: 728 5333.
Amazon, Banbury Cross shopping centre, corner of Hans Strijdom Drive and Olievenhout Avenue, Northriding. If you’re 23 or older, get to this smart new venue onFridays and Saturdays for funky, jazzy and tribal house. There’s also a Freedom Party on Thursday April 26.
Angie’s Piano Caf, 50 Grant Avenue, Norwood. Relax to piano music during lunch, cocktail hour or over dinner, Tuesday to Sunday on nonshow nights. Tel:728 4715.
Bassline, 7 Seventh Street, Melville. Henry Ate still plays on Thursday April 26. Barney Rachabane appears here on Friday April 27 and SaturdayApril 28. There are jam sessions on Sunday afternoons from 3pm (R20 cover, free with an instrument). The Flying Ants play on Sunday evening. Tuesday May 1:Awardwinning guitarist Tony Cox and guests (playing every Tuesday in May); May 2:Brendan Jury and Nibs van der Spuy; May 3:The Jonathan Crossley Group. Cover ranges from R30 to R40, shows start from 9pm. Website:www.basslinejazzclub.co.za. Tel: 482 6915.
The Big Easy, 69 Langerman Drive, Kensington. Thursday April 26: Mutzz Nutzz and Wet Floors. There’s a benefit concert for South Africans against Vivisection on Friday April 27. Sundays:Cedz and Kevin from 6.30pm, followed by the Big Easy Mystery Band (free entry). Cover is usually R10. Tel: 622 7275.
The Blues Room, Village Walk,Sandton. On Thursday April 26,Jabu Khanyile and Bayete provide the entertainment (R50 or R140 with dinner). Friday April 27:Cuban Doctors; Saturday April 28:The Jacky Bond Band. Cover is usually R40. Website:www.bluesroom.co.za. Tel: 784 5527.
Carfax, 39 Pim Street, Newtown. It’s time for another distinguished dance event at this great venue. On Saturday April 28, Frenchhouse pioneer Eric Rug headlines at the Gauloises Global Groove party. Graeme GForce and Grant de Souza are the locals on the bill. R40 at Ticketweb (www.ticketweb.co.za or Tel: 0861 400500) or before 11pm,R50 thereafter. Website:www.sleaze.co.za. Tel:834 9187.
Cool Runnings, Fourth Avenue, Melville. It’s comedy all the way with John Vlismas and guests on Sundays from 8pm. R20 to watch, free to take part phone Tel:880 0444.
Demolition (old Hunters), 96 Conrad Drive, Randburg. Wednesdays are students’ nights, Thursdays feature bands, Fridays are usually dance (except April 27 when Skincage, Three Weeks Anaemic, Jesus Chrysler and HeadUp play) and Saturdays are hiphop. The Freedom Day party on Thursday April 26 features Wonderboom and Shryke on stage.
ESP, 96 End Street. Slippery’n’Wet happens as usual on Thursday April 26, before the public holiday. Surge, Dizzy,Derek the Bandit,Sean, Clint and many others bang out the beats alongside internationalDJ Perfect Phase, and it’s also the launch of the new ESP CD. Entry is R70. Website:www.esp.co.za.
Frequency, opposite Electric Workshop, NewtownCultural Precinct. Chaos Theory is the Fridaynight drum’n’bass event at this vibey venue. Ms Youngblood, 31 Runner, Drome, Ambush and Organic play. Website:www.freq.co.za. Tel:838 6735.
Global Action Caf,Alberton Mall, Alberton. Rock against Drugs on Friday April 27 kicks off at 5pm, in aid of the South African National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence. Idle Moment, Etkatera, Gorelock, Stone the Free, Deity’s Muse, Pyramid Tongue, Shadow Lord, Agro, Evil Eddies, The Awakening and Cold Shoulder provide the rock and metal. Entry is R30. Tel:907 8593.
Hofmeyr House, East Campus, University of the Witwatersrand. The Johannesburg Light Music Society has its monthly meeting on Sunday April 29 from 2pm.Professor Reuben Musiker will present a lecture on The Seasons, Ron Cowley will honour NedWashington and Helen Aron will present a lecture on the music hall. R10 entry for visitors. Tel:330 1106.
Jan Harmsgat se Agterplaas, Cullinan. Allfemale jazz group The ArtEnsemble play on FreedomDay (Friday April 27) from 7pm. R40 per person includes koeksisters, coffee/tea and snacks. Picnic baskets can be ordered at R50 each. Bookings/directions:Tel:(012) 734 0536.
Kippies Jazz International, Market Theatre complex, Newtown. Every Wednesday and Thursday catch Mandla Zikalala’s Afrojazz Ensemble. Top jazz musicians perform over weekends Winston Mankunku Ngozi and Bheki Mseleku are on stage on Thursday April 26 (8pm) as well as Friday April 27 and Saturday April 28 (9.30pm). Website:www.kippies.co.za. Tel:833 3316.
Kofifi, Market Theatre Precinct, Newtown. On Sundays from noon till late, DJs Karabo and Nico play jazzy tunes at a special braai. Wednesday evenings from 8pm:Students’ talent night with Khaya Mahlangu. Tel:083 433 1965.
Linder Auditorium, Johannesburg College of Education, Parktown. The Johannesburg Musical Society presents a concert by awardwinning Swedish cellist Torleif Theden on Sunday April 29 from 3.30pm. He will play music by Bach, Prokofiev and Grieg, accompanied by pianist Albie vanSchalkwyk. Book at Computicket or at the Linder on the day (tickets are R80 and R90). Website:www.artslink.co.za/jms.
Longnor House, 49 St Patrick Road, Houghton. Des and Dawn Lindberg’s Autumn Season of Soires kicks off on Sunday April 29. Nick Taylor can’t perform as advertised due to illness, so the Lindbergs will perform folk songs instead. Tickets at R75 include refreshments. Book at Computicket or Tel:487 1800.
Lucit Candle Garden, 42 Belrene Street, Rietondale, Pretoria. Thursday April 26:Light cabaret with Danile Pascal, who sings music by Leonard Cohen, Berthold Brecht and others; Friday April 27:The Promenade Ensemble play French caf music and Brazilian tangos ; Saturday April 28:An interactive evening with Francois le Roux, who specialises in “spontaneous musicmaking”. R80 entry includes drinks, dinner and snacks. Website:go.to/lucit. Bookings:Tel:(012) 329 4180.
Madison, Old Pretoria Road, Midrand. Grease:The Stadium Spectacular is in Jo’burg and Madisons plays along with a Grease party on Saturday April 28. The cast will be there and DJs Tim Ryan, Ian F (5fm), Albert, Mars and Nina will play. Tel:315 5299.
Mount Grace, Magaliesburg. On Saturday April 28 from 11am, Kobus Malan (oboe), Fanie Jooste (bassoon) and Annalien Ball (piano) play music by Schumann, Pulenc and Bach. R160 includes a buffet. Bookings and directions:[email protected] or Tel:(014) 577 1350.
Nile Crocodile, 60 Glenwood Road, Lynnwood Glen, Pretoria. Friday April 27:Wonderboom and Zen Arcade. Tel:(012)361 2025.
Peg’s Cosy Corner, corner of Nourse and Pretoria streets, Troyeville. Peg’s plays jazz from local and international greats, Thursday to Saturday from 6.30pm and on Sundays from 1.30pm. The regular Saturdaynight Latino jazz evening has hot and spicy Cuban, Dominican and Puerto Rican music. On Sundays the listening session from 1.30pm pays tribute to famous jazz musicians. Tel:072 216 6615.
Razzmatazz Zone, Menlyn Park shopping centre, Pretoria. A new venue with a busy lineup. Mondays:Poetry; Tuesdays:Speakers’ corner for the young; Wednesdays:Langarm dance with boeremusiek; Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays: Live music (Avalon on April 27 and Shake the Room on April 28); Sundays:Lunchtime jazz with Wayne Miller from noon and live jazz from 6pm.
Reality, 248 Jeppe Street. Get to Reality on Friday April 27 from 2pm for a great bash, with a huge complement of DJs, a Black Noise CDlaunch as well as skating, bboy and graffiti competitions. Remember to take an ID photo along for your membership card. R40 for members, R60 for newcomers. Tel: 336 1026.
? Revel In, about 40km from Rustenburg. The Revel In Reggae Festival takes place from April 27 to May 1 with Jah Foundation, Tidal Waves, Pappa Freedom, Hammerhead, Bongo Drum Ensemble and plenty of DJs. Info and directions:www.revelin.co.za or Tel:072 263 0964.
Roxy Rhythm Bar, 20MainRoad, Melville. On Thursday April 26, theSpringbok Nude Girls draw the crowds. There’s DJs on Friday and more DJaction on Saturday April 28 at the Mayhem party. Mondays: Students’ night (free burgers for the first 100); Tuesdays:Weekly Emergingsounds.com gig; Wednesdays:Women’s oil wrestling (really); Thursdays:Thursday jol. Tel: 726 6019.
Sublime, 11th Avenue, Benmore. Have dance fun at the less commercial and more stylish end of the spectrum. The party on Thursday April 26 features accomplished United Kingdom DJ Rob Mello playing funky house. Kevin Grey fromCape Town also plays. Friday April 27:Troye, Troydon, Nick C; April 28:Jeanne, Shayne Manne, Troydon; Monday April 30:Troye, Troydon, Clint and Lee, and Nick C. Email:[email protected].
Die Teaterhuisie, Oeverzicht Art Village, Gerhard Moerdyk Street, Sunnyside, Pretoria. Ashton Nyte of The Awakening fame presents The Slender Nudes Cabaret fromMay 2 to 5. Tickets at Computicket or at the door.
Therapy, 39AJuta Street, Braamfontein. Go wild on Thursday April 26 at a wild and funky Freedom Party at this delectable gay club. Tel:339 7791.
Tramps, 154 Anabella Street, Bartlett, Boksburg. The club celebrates its second birthday on Saturday April 28 from 8pm with a Mother Funk party. Tickets at Ticketweb (R55, R85 VIP) or at the door (R60, R90 VIP). Website:www.tramps.
co.za. Tel:823 5435.
Truth, Old Pretoria Road, Midrand. Celebrate Freedom Day with a superb party on Thursday April 26 when Durban superclub 330 combines its talents with Gauteng’s Time and Truth. Martin McHale, Sam Boylan and Allistair Lundall are the 330 residents on the bill, while KGB from Tripoli Trax is sure to thrill. Stuart H, Lalicia and JMagic also play. Child’s Play on Tuesday May 1 has nineyearold DJ Welly, back from Rustlers, on the decks alongside Greg, Shaun, Speedy, BrianBanshee and Starspine. The fun starts at 10am, so put on that sunscreen and have fun all day. Tickets from R75 at outlets or Ticketweb. More info:www.bizarremusic.co.za or Tel:482 1887.
Up the Creek, corner of Prospect and Hilda streets, Hatfield, Pretoria. Thursday April 26:Jakkals; Friday April 27:Riku Ltti; Saturday April 28:Spinnekop; April 30:Matthew van der Want. Tel:(012)362 3712.
Vodaworld, Midrand. Get ready for wicked dance sounds at the Play Energy Drink Ministry of Sound World Tour, touching down in Gauteng on Saturday May 5. Fragma, the WarpBrothers, Storm and Funkstar Deluxe are the celebs on decks. Tickets are R150 at Ticketweb. Website: www.ministryofsound.com.
? The Warehouse, Unit A1, Strijdom IndustrialPark, Hammer Street, Randburg. Trance terrosists Mushroom Mafia present Fungus Affair on Thursday April 26 with Mikey Dredd, Moog, Illuminati, Starspine and others. R50 at the door. Info:Tel: 082 514 7648. Submerged on Saturday April 28 from 9pm has United Kingdom DJ Ade Fenton playing on three decks alongside gifted locals Anti, Jonothon, Nick Grater and Gavin S.Tickets are R60 at the door.
Zeplins, corner of Church and Bosman streets, Pretoria. Bands play over weekends. A drum’n’bass and jungle evening takes place on Wednesdays with DJs Phoenix and Slate (R5 cover). Tel:(012)323 4308.