johannesburg

The Bowls Big Band Live Every Monday at The Zoo Lake Bowling Club

9 April, 2013 by Wassup Leave a Comment

Aside from hosting one of Joburg’s favourite pubs, The Zoo Lake Bowling Club has made serious contributions to the city’s music scene in recent years. In addition to the popular jam sessions hosted on Thursday evenings and live jazz on Sundays, the venue is now home to a brand new big band, proudly calling itself The Bowls Big Band. The Bowls Big Band is the brainchild of local saxophonist Janus van der Merwe. He recognised the need for more, visible jazz performances in the city- places where local jazz musicians can play together on a regular basis and raise both the profile and standard of the city's jazz scene. The result is a full big band, complete with classic arrangements by the likes of Count Basie and Quincy

Tagged With: big band, Janus van der Merwe, jazz, johannesburg, The Bowls Club Big Band, The Zoo Lake Bowling Club

Fashion

The New Money Range From Love Jozi

5 April, 2013 by Wassup Leave a Comment

‘Been there, done that, got the t-shirt’ is an over-used cliché that often doubles as a lie. In most cases, no t-shirt is actually present- just a bored sense of pseudo achievement. In Joburg, however, this saying can be celebrated in the proper way, thanks to an entire fashion range that is inspired by the city. It is aptly named Love Jozi. Love Jozi is one of the city’s biggest fans. Now into its 15th range of t-shirt designs, The New Money Range, the brand continues to celebrate the city of gold, this time focussing on South Africa’s newly designed bank notes and Joburg’s affinity with economy and industry. Along with its iconic t-shirts and other fashion designs, Love Jozi also presents a varied selection of other

Tagged With: Arts on Main, Clothing, gifts, johannesburg, Love Jozi, style, T-Shirts, The Bamboo Centre, The New Money Range

Festivals

The HOLI ONE Colour Festival at Emmarentia Dam

5 March, 2013 by Wassup 1 Comment

In a country that has been used in the same sentence as ‘colourful’ and ‘rainbow’ for many years, South Africa is the perfect place for the famed HOLI ONE Colour Festival. With the success the festival in Cape Town earlier this month, the hard-working people of Jozi will be thrilled to hear that this unique event will be happening here very soon, on 6 April at Emmarentia Dam. The day includes 8 hours of exhilarating energy, with the finest electronic dance music artists on show and an epic spectrum of colour. This is where the core of the celebration lies, with festival goers throwing brightly coloured HOLI ONE powder in the air and onto each other on the hour, every hour, from 13h00. Throwing this powder not only

Tagged With: April-13, Emmarentia Dam, johannesburg, Party, The HOLI ONE Colour Festival

Art-Scene

Anthea Pokroy’s ‘I Collect Gingers’ Exhibition now on at Circa on Jellicoe

20 February, 2013 by Wassup Leave a Comment

Redheaded human beings have had a difficult few centuries. From being called names and stared at by children to having to endure an unending list of jokes about carrots, freckles and gingivitis, there are precious few occasions where these individuals are actually celebrated. There is currently an exhibition taking place at the popular Circa on Jellicoe gallery that does exactly that. ‘I Collect Gingers’ is a project that as been two and a half years in the making. Its creator, the photographer and artist Anthea Pokroy- yes, she is a ginger- has spent this time ‘collecting’ gingers by photographing redheads of all ages from every corner of South Africa. Pokroy explains that the exhibition is rooted in exploring the

Tagged With: anthea pokroy, I collect gingers, johannesburg, photography, redheads

Concert

The legend Rodriguez is here!

12 February, 2013 by WotzUpSouthAfrica Leave a Comment

South Africa are you ready for one of the most well known recording legends in music history? Mexican-American singer/songwriter Rodriguez is in S.A. to perform 5 shows in Jozi and 4 shows in Cape Town this February 2013! Rodriguez who allegedly disappeared into the unknown for many years after the unsuccessful launch of his album Cold Fact and was even rumoured to have set himself alight on stage in order to end his life – it turns out that all those rumours proved to be so wrong. Two enthusiastic South African fans started searching for their hero – this led them to a story more extraordinary than any of the many myths they had heard. Their story along with the abundance of content collected formed the basis to produce a

Tagged With: cape town, carnival city, Cold Fact, February 2013, johannesburg, music, musician, Rodriguez, Searching For Sugarman, South African Tour

Adventure

Meltdown Sunday at Avalanche, Cedar Square

1 February, 2013 by Wassup Leave a Comment

Avalanches are not usually particularly enjoyable experiences. More often than not they are linked with death and destruction rather than fun and happiness. This Sunday, all this changes thanks to Avalanche’s Meltdown Jam Fun Day at Cedar Square. Although positioned a long, long way from the nearest snowdrift, Avalanche offers a unique experience in the City of Gold. With expert ski and snowboard instructors, a great restaurant and bar, a fully stocked ski shop and (let’s not forget) a ski slope on site, Avalanche offers everything a family or corporate could want. Meltdown Jam will be taking place on 3 February from 10am. This fantastic event presents great entertainment for the whole family. It features a ski and snowboard

Tagged With: activities, Avalanche, Cedar Square, family, February 2013, johannesburg, Meltdown Sunday

Theatre

Santa’s Story at The Old Mutual Theatre on the Square

30 January, 2013 by Wassup Leave a Comment

Santas Story at the Theatre on the Square

Nelson Mandela Square would not be complete without The Old Mutual Theatre on the Square. Renowned for it’s diverse programme and intimate performance space, the theatre is one of Joburg’s favourites. This February, it is proud to be hosting the powerful one-woman show, Santa’s Story. Santa’s Story is an on-stage rendition of 94-year-old Holocaust survivor Santa Pelham’s touching autobiography. The production is an evocative mix of storytelling and live music, helmed by a particularly adept creative team. This includes the director Janice Honeyman, designers Mannie Manim and Dicky Longhurst and the music arranger Matthey Reid. The solo lead of the show is none other than Santa Pelham’s own daughter, the

Tagged With: Aviva Pelham, Dicky Longhurst, Drama, Janice Honeyman, johannesburg, Klezmer, Mannie Manim, Matthew Reid, Nelson Mandela Square, Old Mutual, Santa Pelham, Santa's Story, The Fugard Theatre, The Old Mutual Theatre on the Square

Festivals

Celebrate Chinese New Year at Brightwater Commons

21 January, 2013 by Wassup Leave a Comment

Even though those New Year’s Eve parties of a few weeks ago now feel like historical events, the beginning of next month will give you the perfect excuse to celebrate all over again. On February 2nd 2013 you are invited to welcome in the Chinese New Year at Brightwater Commons. The coming year is the year of the water snake and will be celebrated at the venue with an impressive selection of entertainment, food, drinks and activities. From the spectacular opening ceremony to the diverse cultural variety shows, the event will not only act as a celebration of Chinese culture but also a showcase for South African-themed performances. The headlining act for the day is the internationally renowned China National Acrobatics troupe.

Tagged With: Brightwater Commons, China National Acrobatics Troupe, Chinese New Year, culture, Family entertainment, January-2013, johannesburg, Randburg, variety

Music

Celebrate a True Legend with HIStory II Live at The Joburg Theatre

18 January, 2013 by Wassup Leave a Comment

After a lifetime of entertainment, bizarre antics and controversies, the death of Michael Jackson still came as a shock. It was in that very instant that the world truly understood the immense talent, dedication and colossal influence that made up one of the greatest entertainers of all time. The Joburg Theatre is currently hosting a spectacular show that marks the perfect way to celebrate the legend of Michael Jackson. Performed by top Jackson impersonator Kenny Wizz, the show is entitled HIStory II and will be running at the venue until 10 February. Seeing an impersonator perform while the impersonated is still alive can feel a little strange- a little like going to a premature funeral with more inventive costumes. With

Tagged With: entertainment, HIStory II, Impersonation, johannesburg, Kenny Wizz, King of Pop, Michael Jackson, The Joburg Theatre, Tribute

Theatre

Catch Eddie Izzard Live at the Sandton Convention Centre this June

17 January, 2013 by Wassup Leave a Comment

Does Eddie Izzard really need an introduction? Is there even a concise way to describe the skills and comic mastery of a man regarded by many as a modern day reincarnation of the talents of Spike Milligan, Peter Cook and Monty Python? Perhaps not. What can be said is that when Mr Izzard visits your city, you go to his show. Well, on June 21 and 22 this year Eddie Izzard will be performing his latest show Force Majeure at The Sandton Convention Centre, right here in Joburg. For those who think that stand up comedy is all about swearing, insults and sex, you have clearly not experienced the raw genius of Eddie Izzard. Following on from such 90s masterpieces as Unrepeatable, Definite Article and Dress to Kill, Eddie’s more

Tagged With: comedy, Eddie Izzzard, humour, johannesburg, Monty Python, Peter Cook, Spike Milligan, stand up, The Sandton Convention Centre