Music
AKA and Nathi are among the South African artists who will join the likes of Maxwell, Raphael Saadiq, Flavour and Diamond Platinumz for the BET Experience Africa Event. Other artists billed for the event include Mary J Blige, hip-hop artist Young Thug, as well as Monique Bingham, Black Motion and DJ Euphionic.
More than just a music event, the experience will include food, fashion, comedy, dance and sport, in the form of a celebrity basketball game.
The Comedy Central stage will feature South African luminaries such as David Kau, John Vlismas, Joey Rasdien, Tats Nkonzo, Celeste Ntuli, Jason Goliath, Skhumba and Churchill (from Kenya).
Footwear enthusiasts can take part in Hunting for Kicks, a sneaker experience including a “swap meet”, customization and an exclusive sneaker cleaning service.
Genius Talks will feature opinion formers in a range of different fields, including sports and entertainment minister Fikile Mbalula.
Tickets for BET Experience Africa are on sale now at ticketpro.co.za.
- Live @ Bassline, The Bassline, Johannesburg, December 4, 8pm.
American singer Monique Bingham and house trio Mi Casa will end off the Kaya FM Bassline music series with a “house bash”. Bingham recently released her latest album, Best of the Last, and Mi Casa are coming off their Euro tour promoting the release of their new album, Home Sweet Home. Tickets R200 to R220 (webtickets.co.za ).
- On December 10 at the Bassline, it’s Fire Thursday Ragga Night
Admiral and Jah Seed play dancehall from 9pm. On December 5, from 7pm, Anne Kansiime, Ugandan comedian and TV presenter, is back in South Africa. She’ll share the stage with the group Dbn Nyts. Tickets from R300 to R1000 from webtickets or for reservations call 011 047 4542.
- Sundowner Concert and Poetry, Playhouse Company coffee shop, Durban, December 4, 5pm
Jazz guitarist and singer Mdu Mahlobo and his band will be performing at the sundowner concert , with a line-up that also poets Sindisiwe Sibisi, Mwezi Yokwe, Mzamo Selby Dlamini and Chwayita Zizipho Bam. ?playhousecompany.com
- Catch-A-Fire 2015, Carfax, Newtown, Johannesburg, December 12, 5pm
Features reggae artists Anthony B, Nkulee Dube, Momo Dread, Colbert Mukwevho and Thandiswa Mazwai, Tickets are R150 from Ticketpro, CAN, Postnet, Jet and Edgars. R200 at the door.
- The Orbit, Braamfontein, Johannesburg
December 4, 8.30pm: Orlando Venhereque Quintet (R120).
December 5, 8.30pm: Judith Sephuma (R180). December 6, 4.30pm: Masterclass with Pops Mohamed (R50 for kids under 12; R80 for adults).
December 7, 8pm: The Guitar Summit features Madala Kunene and Chico Antonio (R120).
December 9, 8pm: Femi Koya’s Afrobeat Ensemble (R100). December 10, 8pm: The Brother Moves On (R120). theorbit.co.za
- The Jazzy Rainbow, 93 Smiso Nkwanyana Road, Durban
December 4, 7pm: Bheki Ngqoko and friends play Afro-soul. Tickets R80 at the door. December 5, 7pm: Zuko Collective play funk-jazz. For information call 031 303 8398.
- Kulture Dance Club, 16 Walls Avenue, Stamfordhill, Durban, December 4, 9.30pm
Let’s Get Kultured hosts UK electronica DJ Martin Ikin alongside Bhakshar, G Major, Syzo B, Shugga, Stingray, I Am Rogue, Hart, Sui-Psy-D and others. Tickets R30 prebooked, or R70 at the door.
- Jack Rabbit’s, Peter Mokaba Rd, Berea, Durban, December 10, from 7:30pm
A weekly lineup of live music from acoustic to hard rock.
- The Assembly, 61 Harrington Street, District Six, Cape Town, December 4
François van Coke and Die Heuwels Fantasties. Tickets R100 to R150. webtickets.co.za
- Fezile Dabi HIV/Aids Benefit Concert, Abrahamsrust Resort, Vaal Park, December 5, 10am to 11pm.
To raise awareness and funds for HIV-centered organisations, the 12th annual HIV benefit concert will feature artists Nathi, The Soil, Zonke, Thandiswa Mazwai, VJ Nutty, Sipho Mabuse, Ricky Rick, Donald, Stimela, and many more. Refreshments will be available for sale at the venue. Tickets from Computicket for R200 to R850.
Film
- While You Weren’t Looking, The Bioscope, 286 Fox Street, Johannesburg, December 4 to 10.
This film zooms in on the lives of South African queers living in Cape Town and the contrasting image of post-1994 South Africa. The cast includes esteemed actors Fezzile Mpela, Lionel Newton, Sandi Schultz, Tina Jaxa and Terence Bridgett. Tickets from ticket.tixsa.co.za and info from thebioscope.co.za
Theatre
- Birth, POPArt Theatre, 286 Fox Street, Maboneng Precinct, Johannesburg, December 4 to 6, 8pm and 3:30pm
Set in 1988, Birth tells the story of 18-year-old Thembisa, who takes a train from the Eastern Cape to Gauteng in search of her aunt. She gets lost in the city of Pretoria, where she finds love and heartache and hardship. Birth premiered in August at the State Theatre in Pretoria; it stars Noxolo Maqashalala, Marcus Maredi and Khethiwe Ndlamini, and was written and directed by Joseph Komani. Info and tickets R80 online and R100 at the door. popartcentre.co.za
- Bangalory’s Back, Baxter Theatre, Cape Town, December 8 to January 9, 10am & 12pm, Tuesdays to Saturdays
Acclaimed director Janice Honeyman is back on stage this festive season with her production Bangalory’s Back. The show is targeted at a younger audience, aged 5 to 12, and it taps into the art of storytelling. Honeyman has written five short stories for the show, which she describes as “fast, fun, zany and sometimes even sad and touching”.
Tickets R75 from Computicket. Visit baxter.co.za
- The Beaux’ Stratagem, Fugard Theatre, Cape Town, December 6, 11am
This comedy about love and money tells the story of the “Beaux”, Mr Aimwell and Mr Archer, two charming young men who have blown their fortunes in London and who now find themselves in debt. Marrying for money seems like the only way out for them. Cast includes Samuel Barnett, Geoffrey Streatfeild and Jane Booker. Tickets R100. thefugard.com
Fine Art
- Der Heilige Berg II, Gallery Momo, Cape Town, until January 23
Jonathan Freemantle’s exhibition of mixed-media paintings. gallerymomo.com
- In Search of the Miraculous, Jan Joyce Gallery, Cape Town, until January 23
New sculptures by Anton Smit. janroycegallery.com
- Oliewenhuis Art Museum, 16 Harry Smith St, Bloemfontein, until January 31
The museum showcases additions to its permanent collection, covering the years between 2009 to 2015.
- The Entropy of Ideology, Kalashnikovv Gallery, 153 Smit Street, Braamfontein, Johannesburg
Group show curated by Andre de Jong and Kalashnikovv features Maaike Bakker, Robyn Nesbitt, Nina Barnett, Inge Raubenheimer, Jana Hamman, MJ Turpin and De Jong. kalashnikovv.co.za
- Jampacked, Halifax Art, 35a, 4th Avenue, Parkhurst, Johannesburg
Jampacked features works in various media by Rudolph Bitzer, Janine Holloway, Sean McMahan, Nicole Pletts and Ingrid Uys. halifaxart.co.za
- Double Vision: A Fibre, Mogalakwena Gallery, 3 Church Square, Cape Town, until December 18
Double show of work by Odette Tolksdorf and Sally Scott. mogalakwena.com.
- Clare Menck, Trent Gallery, Pretoria, until December 22.
Solo exhibition of paintings. facebook.com/TrentGallery
- White Christmas (with a Touch of Colour), Association of Arts Pretoria, Nieuw Muckleneuk, until December 18
Group show by members of Ceramics SA.
- Unisa Art Gallery, Pretoria, until January 30
This is a multimedia exhibition by third- and fourth-level visual arts students. unisa.ac.za
- Stellar, Salon 91 Contemporary Art, 91 Kloof Street, Gardens, Cape Town, December 5 to January 23
Stellar is an end-of-year group exhibition in aid of The Bookery. salon91art.co.za
- Summertide, The Gallery at Riebeek-Kasteel, 32 Main Street, Riebeek-Kasteel, December 6 to January 31
A group exhibition of paintings and sculptures featuring Di Johnson-Ackerman, Belinda Arde, Di McLean, Adolfo McQue, Michaela Rinaldi, Wyn Rossouw, Mind Shana, Solly Smook and Winston X. galleryriebeek.co.za
- Schema, Stevenson Gallery, ?Cape Town, until January 16
This group exhibition focuses on perspective and perception and the many different ways of seeing space, depth and surface illusion. Artists include Zander Blom, Wim Botha, Edson Chagas, Moshekwa Langa, Mitchell Messina, Meleko Mokgosi, Serge Alain Nitegeka, Odili Donald Odita, Deborah Poynton, Robin Rhode, Hans Richter, Viviane Sassen and Guy Tillim. stevenson.info
Event
- Mzansi Fela Festival, State Theatre, Pretoria, December 1 to 21
Festival featuring theatre, music, poetry, dance and comedy shows by established and upcoming artists. The music acts in the line-up include Ringo, Tshepo Tshola, Mafikizolo, Cassper Nyovest and Nathi Mankayi. Poets Napo Masheane and Kgafela Oa Magogodi will perform at the Night of the Poets show on December 18 and Natalia Molebatsi and Afurakan on December 19. The Tshwane Comedy show includes Tol Ass Mo, Jay Boogie and Chester Missing (December 12). For full programme, go to statetheatre.co.za