What's on in Jo'burg

The school holidays start this week and because of the difficult economic environment many people are going to stay in Jo'burg. There are so many things happening around us so even though you can't afford to go away you can still have a lot of fun without spending a fortune.

Art Exhibition and Sale

Presented by The Visible Edge Art Co & RE/MAX 2000. Everyone welcome! Art of all kinds will be sold in all price range. Friday 5 December from 6pm to 8pm. Art will stay on display daily from 11am to 3pm until Sunday 7 December.

When: 5 December
Where: 9 Bantjes Avenue, Discovery, Roodepoort
Contact info 082 785 3305 caroline.dewet@gmail.com

Walter Sisulu Botanical Garden

Bird Identification Walk - 6 December

By Ella Janse Van Vuuren. Over 200 bird species have been recorded at the Walter Sisulu National Botanical Garden. Bring binoculars.
Booking essential as numbers are limited.
Meet at the entrance of the main entrance of the Walter Sisulu National Botanical Garden at 06h00.

Christmas Carols by Candlelight

Sat & Sun 6 &7 Dec 2008
17h00 Light entertainment associated with the festive season
18h00 The Duo: Riaan Swanepoel and Sylvia Blangwe. With Children's Choir to lead young members of the audience into songs for Christmas
19h00 Arrival of Santa Claus. Distribution of sweets throughout the audience, especially for the children
19h30 Welsh Male Voice Choir of SA. Carols by Candlelight and popular Choral music from around the world
Admission fees :Adult R35, Senior Citizens R25
Students R20, Scholars R10, Under Six – Free
(No booking required – pay at the entrance)
For more information contact 011 958 1750 or email sisulugarden@sanbi.org

Open Day At Roodepoort Museum

Come see a new temporary exhibtion: "Kappies 1780-1938" The kappie is the trademark of traditional Afrikaner costume, but where did it all begin? This exhibition consists of fine examples, dating as far back as 1780, of kappies made using a needlework technique commonly known as whitework. The exhibition investigates the origin of this needlework technique as well as the social context in which it was produced. The cultural significance and symbolism that are assigned to kappies are also explored.

When: 21 September 2008 - 31 January 2009
Where: Roodepoort Museum, Civic Centre, Christiaan de Wet road, Florida Park
Contact info 011 761 0228 carolinag@joburg.org.za
The Museum is open by appointment only - I'm not sure what this means but will go to see them this week

Thami Mnyele And Medu Art Ensemble Retrospective Exhibition

The exhibition honours the memory of the late Thami Mnyele, a South African resistance artist who died at the hands of apartheid security forces in the 1980s. A talented artist from Alexandra, he was committed to bringing about social change in South Africa through art. This led him to exile in Botswana, where he became a cultural worker with the Medu Art Ensemble, co-founded by his friend Mongane Wally Serote. Medu had units dedicated to the anti-apartheid struggle, dealing with music, theatre, visual arts, graphics and cinema, and counted among its ranks Deputy President Baleka Mbete as well as musicians Hugh Masekela and Jonas Gwangwa.

Where: Johannesburg Art Gallery, Klein Street, Joubert
Date: 30 November 2008 – 30 March 2009
Time: 10am – 5pm
Booking fees: Free
Contact Info: 011725 3130/ KhweziG@joburg.org.za

When Life Happens: Art Exhibition At Museum Africa

The When Life Happens festival aims to raise awareness about HIV and Aids through different programmes including visual art, performance poetry, music, literature and contemporary dance. The festival kicks off at Museum Africa with an art exhibition, which features specially commissioned works by a group of emerging artists. Participating artists include Phumzile Buthelezi, Happy Dlame, Michel Mhlungu, Yvonne Harvey, Vusi Mfupi, Themba Mofekeng, and Mandla Manana.

• The opening is on Wednesday 3 December and kicks off with the When Life Happens poster competition.
• From 3 to 14 December is the visual arts exhibition with artists like Dinkies Sithole, Happy Dlame and Mandla Manana.
• 3 to 7 December - A public art installation on Mary Fitzgerald Square.
• 4 to 14 December - The creation of a new public art wall mural on Miriam Makeba Street.
• 4 December – Performance poetry and music event at the Bassline, featuring DJ Kenzhero, Fifi and many others.
• 5 and 6 December – The Dance Factory presents works, collaborations and performances by Tracey Human, Greg Maqoma and others.
• 6 December – Xarra Books presents an open forum discussion lead by Dr Gareth Edwards.

Where: Museum Africa, 121 Bree Street, Newtown
Date: 3 – 14 December 2008
Time: 10am – 5pm
Booking fees: Free but advance booking is essential

Contact Info: 011 833 5624 / http://www.newtown.co.za

Business Opportunity

Being your own boss is a fantastic incentive to work hard, but you need pointers on making a success of your business. Business Opportunity could be the answer. The course looks at starting a business marketing herbal products; it includes recruiting others to join your business.

Where: 778 Richard's Drive, Halfway House, Midrand
Time: 9am
Booking fee: Free
Contact Info: 0824784842 / Thembekile@housing.gov.za

The Von Memertys - A Celebration

This acclaimed dance is a must-see for the whole family this holiday season. It features one of South Africa’s best-loved entertainers, Ian von Memerty, and his wife Viv, a former ballroom and Latin dance champion, and their children. As the title suggests, the show is a celebration of life, love, happiness and relationships.

Where: Arts Centre, University of Johannesburg, corner University and Kingsway streets, Auckland Park

Date: 2 – 14 December 2008
Time: 7.30pm
Booking fees: Tickets are from R100pp to R110pp at Computicket
Contact Info: 011 559 3058 / artscentre@uj.ac.za

Rod Steward In Jo'burg

He’s been around for a long time, and now blond-haired, gruff-voiced Rod Steward is finally coming to Joburg. Expect him to sing some of his old tunes, along with some of the newer stuff.

Where: Coca-Cola Dome, Corner Olieventhout and Northumberland roads, Northriding.

Date: 6 December 2008
Time: 8pm
Booking fees: Tickets are from R371pp – R1031pp at Computicket
Contact Info: 011 794 5800 / http://www.computicket.com