Great South African musicians are celebrated this weekend.
■ The 17th annual MTN South African Music Awards is happening this weekend and the great migration to Sun City has been put off in favour of the local gambling den and playground of the north, Montecasino. On May 20 lovers of local music can congregate at the Teatro at Montecasino and on the piazza for the first round of awards and on May 21 the venue will open its newly erected Sama Dome for the major awards event. Watch the live webcast from 8pm on both days at www.samusicawards.co.za or on SABC1 on May 21.
Montecasino, William Nicol Drive, Fourways, on May 20 and 21 from 8pm. Tel: 011 510 7995.
■ The State Theatre in Pretoria continues its Jazz and African Music Nights season and this weekend you can catch internationally renowned guitar wizard and Sama nominee Ernie Smith. Even if you think Smith’s sound is middle-of-the-road, you cannot ignore his accomplishments. He has collaborated with Grammy nominee Jonathan Butler and Grammy award-winner Kirk Whallum, and has recorded with gospel heavyweight Bebe Winans. The support act is jazz saxophonist Lesego Nkonyane, the founder of the all-female band Diva and a band member of the outfit Ladies in Jazz.
Rendezvous, the State Theatre, Pretoria, on, May 20 at 8pm. Book at Computicket. Tel: 012 392 4000.