Riaan Wolmarans
Barbarellos, Illovo Square, Oxford Road, Illovo. V-Sessions presents DJRudi playing deep and jazzy house on Tuesdays from 9pm. It’s R20 with a free cocktail if you register on www.verge.co.za.
Bassline, 7 Seventh Street, Melville. Wessel vanRensburg performs onFridayMay 3 and Moses Khumalo is on stage on Saturday May 4 and Sunday May 5 (from 8pm onSunday). Very funky Cape Town outfit Golliwog play on Monday May 6. Tuesday May 7:Volume (with 340ml’s drummer and guitarist); Wednesday May 8:Sublime rockers Zen Arcade; ThursdayMay 9 and Friday May 10: Gito Baloi Band. Cover varies from R30 to R50.Shows start from 9.30pm. DJs play jazz, world music, Latin and Cuban tunes after midnight on Fridays and Saturdays. Website: www.basslinejazzclub.co.za. Tel: 482 6915.
Blue Note Caf, corner of Iris and Grant avenues, Norwood. This new jazz venue and restaurant is open Tuesday to Friday from 4pm and on Saturdays and Sundays from 1pm. Tuesday is a jazz listeners’ evening take your favourite music along. The Jhblive Sunday sundowner sessions from 4pm take place every first and third Sunday of the month with DJs Dror and Troye playing world music, jazz, funk, soul and more. Tel:728 4544.
Blue Notes Jazz Bar, Gardens shopping centre, corner of Dover and Hilltop streets, Randburg. Here is an unusual venue:an Indian restaurant that doubles up as a jazz bar. The food is absolutely delicious, the staff attentive and the decor stylish and suave. It is open seven days a week for lunch and dinner with live jazz over weekends. Bookings: Tel: 789 7047/ 886 4594.
The Blues Room, Village Walk,Sandton. Kwa Cha play on Friday May 3. Tuesday nights are ladies’ nights with jazz and fusion by Absolute Zero on May 7. Wednesdays are UptownComedy Underground nights with John Vlismas and friends. Thursday May 9: G-Man’s Big Jazz VIPparty with Wessel van Rensburg. Cover is usually R40. Website:www.bluesroom.co.za. Tel: 784 5527.
The Bohemian, corner of Park and Menton roads, Richmond. The Brixton Moord en Roof Orkes launch their debut CD, Spergebied, on Friday May 3. Damn the Icebergs also play. Tel:482 2577.
C3, corner of Fox and Betty streets, Jeppestown. On Fridays and Saturdays get to this dance venue that is becoming known for dance events off the beaten track.
Carnival City Casino. On Saturday May 4 get to the Lotus FMEastern Extravaganza and Bhangra Bash, showcasing Indian singing star Priya Singh, who launches her new CD, Manzil:The Best of Priya Singh. Other artists include Ali Mia Chicktay, Umita Kalyan and Suresh Nathoo. LotusFMpresenters will preside over the bhangra bash that follows the performances. Tickets are from R30 to R120 at Computicket. More info: Tel:083 701 2735. Wednesdays:Hypnotist Max Kaan in the Supersport Showbar from 9pm (free entry); Thursdays:Blarney Brothers in the same venue from 9pm (free); Fridays: ComedianJoe Parker and friends in the Showbar from 9pm (R10 at the door from 7pm); Saturdays:Joe Parker’s Use Your Line Anyway in the Showbar from 9pm (free entry).
Centurion Theatre, next to 7-Eleven in Amkor Road, Centurion. Steve Hofmeyr appears in Engele om Ons on Friday May 3 and Saturday May 4. Book at Computicket or Tel:(012) 664 7859.
Colosseo, Montecasino, Fourways. FridayMay 3:Andrew Lester; Saturday May 4:Live music by Southern Comfort. Three’s Company is the drag show onWednesday May 8 from 9pm. The Tuckshop Girls are in drag on Thursdays from 9pm (R60). Bookings: Tel:511 0239.
Cool Runnings, Fourth Avenue, Melville. TheComedy Underground is fun with the zany John Vlismas and Bevan Cullinan introducing new and established comedians on Sundays from 8pm. Entry is R30 (R20 with student card). Info: www.johnvlismas.com or Tel:880 0444. Caribbean steel-drum band Calypso Blue perform every second Sunday (next onMay 12) from 2pm. Tel:482 4786.
El De-Vine, 384 Pretorius Street, Pretoria. Thursdays feature live bands and Tuks FMDJs. Expect uplifting house and progressive trance onFridays from 9pm by DJs such as Surge, JP, Brad and Bobby. Cover charge isusually R25. Website:www.esp.co.za.
ESP, 96 End Street. It’s fun in the sun on Sundays from 10am with ESP’s brand of uplifting, dance-till-you-drop house. DJs include Surge, Brad,Bobby and Clint. Entrance is R50. Website:www. esp.co.za. Tel: 791 6232.
Eternity, 236 Beyers NaudeDrive, Northcliff. Thursday nights are now Release, with DJs playing deep and funky sounds. Info: Tel:082 704 0191.
Fusion, Ridge Terrace, corner of Jim Fouche and Without avenues, Randpark Ridge. OnSaturdays DJs play progressive house and techno at this small but comfortable venue. Thursday is ladies’ night from 8pm, complete with strippers. Website:www. clubfusion.co.za. Tel:678 6637.
Green Lounge, 60 ParishAvenue, Heidedal, Bloemfontein. Fridays are Latino nights with the latest Latin music. Free entry. Tel:(051)432 4399.
Horror Caf, opposite Electric Workshop, NewtownCultural Precinct. It’s time for the eclectic Politburo Sessions again onFriday May 3 with the Afro-funk of Cape Town outfit Golliwog on stage as well as the DJcrew including GeneralS’bu and Rudeboy Paul. On May 4 get to the One Love Movement Unity Undaground party, which takes place every first Saturday of the month. Roots 2000 and Tumi perform live. DJs Blaze, C-Live, Bionic and Tumelo play on the hip-hop floor from 9.30pm; Rude-E (R&B), J-Culture (reggae) and Armageddon (drum’n’bass) are on the broken-beats floor. There will be scratching, breakdancing, documentaries and visuals from 6pm sounds excellent. Tel: 838 6735.
Jan Harmsgat se Agterplaas, Cullinan. On Thursday May 9 from 7.30pm enjoy Amanda Strydom in Die Hele Boksemdaais. Tickets include coffee/tea and snacks. Picnic baskets are R55 each. Website:www.janharmsgat. co.za. Bookings and information: Tel:(012) 734 0536.
Jungle Connection, corner of Beit Street and Siemert Road, Doornfontein. The Zozo poetry sessions take place every Wednesday night from 8.30pm, hosted by MC and inner-city poet Zwash fi Cush and featuring poets, drummers, musos and more. R10 entry. Tel:082 977 9922.
Kippies Jazz International, Market Theatre complex, Newtown. Classic band Harari, featuring Sipho “Hotstix”Mabuse on drums and Masike “Funky” Mohapi on guitar and vocals, play a reunion gig on Friday May 3 and Saturday May 4 from 9.30pm don’t miss this trip back in time. Cover is R50.Website:www. kippies.co.za. Tel:833 3316.
Linder Auditorium, College of Education at Wits, Parktown. On Saturday May 4 from 7.30pm Soweto youth ensemble Buskaid perform a gala concert including Mozart’s Eine Kleine Nachtmusik, Greig’s Holberg Suite and even kwela songs. Their previous concert here on March 9 was hampered by a power failure. Support these kids they’re great. Tickets are R65, R50 and R30 at Computicket or Tel:442 9676.
Lucit Candle Garden, 42 Belrene Street, Rietondale, Pretoria. InAutumnDance onFriday May 3 Avzal Ismail and his band play laid-back dance music. Saturday May 4:Ella Fitzgerald’s music as sung by Dolly Rathebe, accompanied by the Bheki Khoza Quartet; Thursday May 9: Viara Markova (violin) and Annalien Ball (piano) play music by Beethoven, Prokofiev and Paganini. Shows start at 7.30pm. Website:www.lucit.co.za. Bookings: Tel:(012) 329 4180.
Monsoon Lagoon, Caesars Gauteng, 64 Jones Road, Kempton Park. Glam is a range of theme nights taking place every second Friday with comedy, live music and more. Rewind on Saturdays flashes back with music from the Seventies to the Nineties. There is a ladies’ night on Wednesdays, called Feline Groovy. Who’s in the House on the first and last Thursdays of the month is a stylish night of funky music. More information:Tel:928 1280.
Morgan’s Cat, Shop 137, Randburg Waterfront. On Sundays the RPStudios Demo Deal takes place from 3pm. More information:Tel: 082 770 7524. Fridays:Party night with Libido and DJs; Saturdays:Party night; Sundays:Karaoke night with Glen Coker; Monday May 6:Battle Rhymes MCcompetition; Tuesdays: Hip-hop night; Wednesdays:Party night with DJPaulAngel; Thursdays:Pigs’ night with free drinks from 7pm and DJPaulAngel. Tel:886 4408.
Musaion, University of Pretoria main campus, Lynnwood Road,Pretoria. Salon Music presents the Donizetti opera Lucia di Lammermoor on Friday May 3 at 8pm and on Sunday May 5 at 3.30pm. The cast includesHarald Richter, Anina Wassermann, Jannie Moolman, Stfan Louw and Linette van der Merwe. Tickets are R120 (discount available for pensioners, students and children) at Tel:(012) 362 0130 or [email protected]. Website:www.icon.co.za/~salmus.
Nexus, 84 Oxford Street, Ferndale, Randburg. Ravers flock here after ESPonSundays from 9.30pm to dance right into the week to the tunes of the usual ESPand Nexus DJcrew. Nexus is also open on Wednesdays from 9pm. Website: www.esp.co.za.
Night Shift, The Dome, corner of Olievenhout Avenue and Northumberland Road, North Riding. This club has a busy line-up. Tuesdays: Ladies’ night; Wednesdays: Wet Wild Wednesdays with Absolut and a “sexy shower competition” and rock and pop hits; Thursdays:Flirt party, where a “magic lightstick” guides you to your partner for the evening; Fridays:TGIF (Thank GodIt’s Friday) with the top 19 club tracks; Saturdays: Party Fever with DJs heating up the dance floor. Website:www. nightshift-club.com. Tel:794 7233.
Nile Crocodile, 60 Glenwood Road, Lynnwood Glen, Pretoria. on Saturday May 4 boogie at the 206 ber-Hip party with Golliwog, Blunted Stuntman,DJBob and the Boogieman. The RPStudios Emerging Sounds competition has gone national and the Gauteng leg takes place here every Sunday afternoon. For more info call Tel: 082 770 7524. Website:nilecrocodile.co.za. Tel:(012)361 2025.
RAUArt Gallery, Rand Afrikaans University. The Monday-afternoon sundowner classical concerts continue on May 6 from 5.30pm with a performance by Susan Mouton (cello) and Jill Richards (piano). Entrance is free. Tel:489 3058.
Retro, 349 Rivonia Boulevard, Rivonia. Thursdays have deep and funky house from DJs Alan, Lizelle,Luke and others (free entrance). Fridays are sushi nights (pay R60 and eat as much as you like) followed by Eighties and Nineties dance classics. Saturdays usually have commercial dance sounds from DJ Stevie C (R30 for women, R40 for men). Tuesdays are also sushi nights, but for only R50. Dress is smart casual. No under-21s. Bookings:Tel:803 3555.
Roxy Rhythm Bar, 20MainRoad, Melville. Friday May 3:Pestroy, Odball and Whistle Tree; SaturdayMay 4:Starskii. Mondays: Students’ night with free drinks from 8pm to 10pm; Tuesdays:Live music; Wednesdays:Live music; Thursdays:The usual Ouetehuis sessions with breaks, hip-hop, electro and more by DJs Fokkolnonsens and friends. Website:www.roxys. co.za. Tel: 726 6019.
Sandton Convention Centre, Maude Street,Sandown. The Johannesburg Philharmonic Orchestra presents Queen:The Concert on Friday May 3 and SaturdayMay 4. It’s a tribute to Freddie Mercury and his famous rock band. Tickets are from R100 at Computicket (10% discount for 20 or more tickets at Tel:402 3310).
Sandton Square, Sandton. The Monis Jazz on the Square evenings, held on the first and last Fridays of the month, end on May 3 with the Strings and Skins Boogie Orchestra, featuring guitarist Greg Georgiades. Dine at participating restaurants on the square and win a trip to Spier in Cape Town. Tel: 454 2860.
The Showcase, Banbury Cross shopping centre, North Riding. Dynamic and talented singer Nianell performs songs from her debut album, Who Painted the Moon?, on May 4 and 18. Thursday May 8:Cabaret show Dj Vu. Book at Computicket or Tel:794 4382. Website: www.theshowcase. co.za.
Skylite Lounge, Northcliff Corner shopping centre, corner of Beyers Naud Drive and Lawley Road. This Saturday-night dance venue features a funky-house floor, a commercial dance floor and even a cigar lounge. No under-23s.
Stardust, President Arcade, Pretorius Street, Pretoria. Fridays bring house and trance with guest DJs and Saturdays often feature Starraves and Dark Down Under events. The club has opened a new lounge, called Starlounge, also located in the arcade, where cabaret shows, strip shows and drag competitions will be held on Sundays. It’s open every day from 7pm with no cover charge. More info: Tel:(012) 321 9316.
Statement, Seventh Street, Melville. Melville’s first officially gay bar has opened its doors to reveal a classy interior with stylish couches to lounge on and a bar to keep the (somewhat pricey) drinks coming. Snacks are served all night long. During the day it doubles up as a conference facility. Tel:482 5593.
Sublime, 11th Avenue, Benmore. This is a small but absolutely sublime venue that features quality dance tunes of the funky and deep variety over weekends. Doors open 9.30pm. On Saturday May 4 Double Dipped features tribal beats upstairs. Downstairs, catch Jason Garber, Craig de Sousa (Cape Town), Grant de Sousa and others on the decks. R40 at the door, R30 pre-sold. Website:www.sublime. org.za. Tel: 884 1649.
Tandoor, 26 Rockey Street, Yeoville. An evergreen and very lively venue, with excellent ragga, reggae, hip-hop, fusion, dancehall and more on weekend nights and sometimes during the week. Tel:614 6737.
The Terrace, corner of Fifth Avenue and Main Road, Melville. Fridays are Latin Flava Fridays, New York City style, from 9pm. See capoeira dancers and enjoy Afro-Cuban, salsa, samba, Latin jazz, house and R&Bsounds. R40 entrance includes two free drinks and more. More information: Tel:073 209 8239.
Therapy, 39AJuta Street, Braamfontein. Open every Saturday night as well as Thursdays (free entry for members), this evergreen gay club boasts cutting-edge music by DJs like Stuart Hillary and a weird and wonderful crowd. Website:therapyclubbing.com. Tel:339 7791.
Truth, Old Pretoria Road, Midrand. Expect funky dance sounds on Saturday nights (R30 before 11pm, R40 thereafter) with DJs such as Lea, Simon, Justin V, Manuel, Speedy and Skye. On Friday May 3 deep-house fans will enjoy the San Francisco Sessions, featuring visiting United States DJJT Donaldson, who plays deep and soulful underground house. Other DJs on the two floors include G-Force, Troydon, Craig Massiv, BrianSnr and Mbuso. Doors open 10pm. Tickets are R100 (VIP R150) at Computicket. Tel: 315 9295.
Twilo, 6 Oscar Road, Hughes extension, Boksburg. DJs Speedy,Zak,D-Frost and others play funky and progressive house and uplifting trance.Cover is R20. Choc Sunday every Sunday from noon has an indoor and an outdoor funky floor with DJs Dizzy, Speedy, Spiro,Zac and others. Entry free until 2pm, R20 thereafter. Website:www.twilo.co.za.
Up the Creek, corner of Prospect and Hilda streets, Hatfield, Pretoria. Rock singer Anika performs onFriday May 3. Saturday May 4:Scicoustic; Monday May 6:Folk Club buskers’ evening. Website: www.upthecreek.co.za. Tel:(012)362 3712.
Gig of the week
Fans of deep house will converge on Truth in Midrand on Friday May 3 for the San Francisco Sessions, featuring United States DJJTDonaldson (above)as well as local deep-house DJs