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Entertainment Guide to Johannesburg

Discover great local attractions, activities and things to do in Johannesburg, South Africa.

All About Johannesburg

Johannesburg, the city of great diversity, is a place that celebrates and rejoices its different cultures. New genres are being created and cross-cultural projects are tearing down Old South African boundaries. These are exciting times to visit, as the vibrant arts scene sets off on a new course.

The city, which was built on gold and then manufacturing, offers cultural escapism for every taste. This is South Africa's entertainment center – where would-be actors get their first break; where singers are launched onto the international stage and successful artists are invited to exhibit at institutions like the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York.

Look out for listings of mainstream entertainment as well as film festivals, unusual art exhibitions and the like. The daily Star newspaper's Tonight section is a good source of information, but the weekly Mail & Guardian's Friday section is probably the most comprehensive entertainment guide available.

Art

There is a plethora of galleries and museums in and around Johannesburg and a week could easily be filled just doing the art routes. The Johannesburg Art Gallery houses the definitive collection of South African art. ABSA Gallery in the center of the city (always phone to book parking) houses an excellent art collection. The Witwatersrand (Wits) University houses the Gertrude Posel Gallery, where exhibitions include collaborations with the Rock Art Research Institute. The Karen McKerron Fine Art Gallery, the Goodman Gallery in Parkwood and The Everard Read Gallery, not far down the road in Rosebank, are among the oldest and most established galleries, always showing the crème de la crème of local talent.

Cabaret

Enjoy an impressive range from serious dancers in Madonna brassieres to Jargonelle's in Brixton (behind the South African Broadcasting Corporation near Melville). Local talent, whether living in the country or abroad, is showcased at this venue. Catch hip Afrikaan rockers like Wouter van de Venter there. The Randburg Waterfront often offers comedy and sing-along favorites in a Vaudeville style. But, be warned: anything goes.

Cinema

There are cinema complexes all over the city in shopping centers. Mainstream films are on view from all over the world, mostly from the US. ‘Art films' are shown in the Rosebank Mall cinema complex Cinema Nouveau, and also at embassies and the French Institute of South Africa, in Parkview. They do say it's always better on the big screen, and they don't come any bigger than the IMAX cinema, found in the Hyde Park Shopping Center.

Music

Music is everywhere, and everything from the operatic to the sassy and silly can easily be found. There's get-down blues and jazz at The Blues Room in Village Walk and jazz at the Market Theatre Complex. For classical music lovers the Witwatersrand (Wits) University offers regular recitals. The Civic Theatre (in Braamfontein, not far from Wits University) and Linder Auditorium (about 20 minutes from there) both also offer the classics. Larger arenas like the Johannesburg Stadium showcase big-name national and international artists. These visiting greats can also be found at some of the big casino complexes like Carnival City.

Theatre

The Wits Theatre at the Witwatersrand (Wits) University in Braamfontein often shows contemporary drama. The Alhambra Theatre presents mostly humorous and comedic performances.

Museums

The city offers numerous museums, and your first stop should be Museum Africa, founded in 1935 as the Africana Museum. Since then it has built up a collection of geological specimens, paintings, prints and photographs – life in southern Africa from the stone-age to the nuclear age, and beyond. In addition to the fascinating photographic collection, the Bensusan Museum in Newtown (near the Market theater complex) has a good historic art collection. If your taste tends towards the sybaritic, try the Breweries Museum (corner of Bezuidenhout and President Streets in Newtown), which depicts the history of brewing, going back to 1895. This is the date that South African Breweries (SAB) were officially registered on the London Stock Exchange. Come and sample some excellent South African beer. Clubbing

Clubs in Jo'burg cater to every taste – from hip hop and drum ‘n bass to hard house and pop. If trance is your thing, there's Horror Cafe opposite Electric Workshop near the Market Theatre Complex.

Bars,Pubs & Lounges

Tanz Café, in Bryanston, combines the essence of a European and Argentinean dance café where the music is passionate, the dance floor is large and the menu is unique. The atmosphere is reminiscent of a continental cafe.

Gay & Lesbian

Although Johannesburg pales in comparison to the world's ‘gay capitals' such as San Francisco, Sydney, and indeed, Cape Town, numerous bars and clubs catering to gays and lesbians have sprung up in post-apartheid South Africa. Ravers should head out to Champions, which offers the latest house grooves.

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