Jo’burg offers everything from laid-back and experimental sounds to commercial dance this week.
? Juliana Venter, the ex-front singer of legendary South African band Mud Ensemble, is back in the country to tour and promote her new album, Sunflower Sutra. It was recorded in Berlin, Cologne and Scotland and produced by ‘new music” composer Joseph Suchy, known for his work with Jaki Liebezeit (Can), Bernd Friedman and Mouse on Mars. On Saturday night, Venter will be joined by Suchy on guitar and Johannesburg band The Brother Moves On.
Bioscope Cinema, Main Street Life building, on July 2, at 8pm.
? Songbird Judith Sephuma celebrates a decade of music at Emperors Palace this weekend. The multiple South African Music Awards, Kora and Metro FM award-winner will celebrate her career with the launch of a new album, I Am a Living Testimony, at the casino’s Theatre of Marcellus. The package promises that Sephuma will ‘take the audience on a trip down memory lane as she performs her most popular classics and new melodies from her latest album”.
Emperors Palace, 64 Jones Road, Kempton Park. Ticket prices start at R150 a person and a package is available from R205, which includes a signed copy of the CD. Book at Computicket. Tel: 011 928 1297.
? The Bassline has regular theme nights and others devoted to artists from different genres. Inevitably, you can expect to meet the crowd that follows the particular sound of the night. Every Thursday night from 9.30pm until 4am is ragga night with a door price of R80. Regulars include the African Storm Sound System with Admiral, Jah Seed and Bobotical. Otherwise, on July 1 enjoy an intimate jazz experience with Swazi Dlamini and Thsepo Mngoma. R120 gets you in.
The Bassline, 10 Henry Nxumalo Street, Newtown. Tel: 011 838 9142. Website:
? The gay clubbing scene has just got more serious — there’s a slow awakening after a long and delirious slumber. Downtown Jo’burg roused itself recently with the arrival of two clubs half a decade after the life and death of the Braamfontein strip. This weekend, in the north, FTV Cedar Square joins the rebirth with P!nk Kn!ghts to the Rescue, billed as a monthly party for the gay and lesbian community. The events will feature ‘the latest commercial pop music and other dance-floor anthems”. Get treated to welcoming drinks, shooter specials and surprise giveaway hampers, including spa vouchers, when the party kicks off to the sounds of resident deejay Tish.
P!NK KN!GHTS, FTV Cedar Square, Fourways, on July 1 from 9pm. There is a cover charge of R60 before 11pm and R80 thereafter. More at