Johannesburg: "STAY UP - a street art film experience of Maboneng"!

Curiocity, a network of African design hostels in South Africa, has released a worth seeing documentary about street art in the Maboneng Precinct of Johannesburg. Filmed during the coronavirus lockdown, the murals, that are typically a silent backdrop, came alive, telling their own stories in this uniquely empty space created by the pandemic. "STAY UP - a street art film experience of Maboneng" is a tribute to the artists that are the fabric of this neighborhood, and their work that creates the energy that Maboneng is known for. Kudos to Kim Lieberman, VHILS, the postman_art, FALKO, Remed, Snowchino, dbongz_one, Karabo Poppy, ROA, Reggiethenomad, Link1, PASTELHEART, Kazy_Usclef, Nix_indamix,Ownurcrown, SENZAART911, FreddySam, Nelson Makamo, CYRCLE, ICY SIGNS as well as to Bheki Dube of Curiocity and everyone else involved in the production of the film.

Curiocity's first hostel - Curiocity Johannesburg - was opened up by Bheki Dube in the Maboneng Precinct of Johannesburg in 2013. It is one of the pioneering developments in the district that has fast become a centre of creative energy for Johannesburg's urban artists. Currently, Curiocity also has hostels located Durban (since 2016) and Cape Town (since 2019).

A new independent art centre has opened in Pretoria!

Pretoria has a new independent art centre aimed at exhibiting and exploring the art of Africa. The Javett Art Centre at the University of Pretoria (Javett-UP) officially opened on South Africa's Heritage Day (24 September 2019) with four exhibitions. They include a collection of 101 signature works of South African art selected from collections around the country; the Javett Family Collection of South African modern art, an exhibition of significant gold pieces from the Mapungubwe Gold Collection, and AngloGold's Barbier-Mueller Collection of more than 350 items of gold from West Africa. The Javett-UP is situated on the south campus of the University of Pretoria and connects the university with the City of Tshwane via a bridge over Lynwood Road. 



Entrance prices range from R150 (GBP8 | €9 | US$10) for adults, R75 (GBP4 | €4.5 | US$5) for pensioners, and R50 (GBP2.5 | €3 | US$3.5) for under 18s. Entry is free for children under six and for university students who have a valid student card. Entrance is free for all on International Museum Day (18 May 2020), Youth Day, Heritage Day, Workers' Day and Women's Day. The Javett Art Centre at the University of Pretoria (Javett-UP) is the result of collaboration between the University of Pretoria and the Javett Foundation, a South African charitable trust established in 2013 by the Javett family.

Cape Town: Zeitz MOCAA launches world-first museum Instagram map and guide!

The Zeitz Museum of Contemporary Art Africa (Zeitz MOCAA) in Cape Town, in partnership with advertising agency M&C Saatchi Africa, has launched the world’s first museum Insta Map. The constantly changing and immersive map on Instagram guides visitors through the galleries of the seven-floored building in Cape Town's Silo District. In the highlights section of the Instagram page @zeitzmocaa.map, visitors can embark on a 2-hour tour through the Museum, get some insights into the latest exhibit, check out the guide to Zeitz MOCAA's most Instagrammable spots and find out what's available in the store.



Visitors can either scan the QR code at the entrance of the Zeitz MOCAA or just go to the Instagram page @zeitzmocaa.map directly on their phones.

Cape Town: Zeitz MOCAA to increase ticket prices!

Africa's largest museum of contemporary African art, the Zeitz Museum of Contemporary Art Africa ("Zeitz MOCAA") in Cape Town, is set to increase ticket prices. Effective 01 September 2018, the new admission prices will be the following:

• Single day admission (for adults) = R190
• Annual (general) Membership = R270
• Pensioners discounted annual membership = R195
• Children under the age of 18 will still enjoy free admission all year round, and #AfricaWednesday remains free for African citizens every Wednesday, between 10:00 and 13:00
  

The Zeitz MOCAA, located in the V&A Waterfront, was recently named of one of Time Magazine's "World's Greatest Places". The museum building was constructed from the conversion of the 57m tall historic Grain Silo. The 9,500m² complex consists of nine floors with 6 000 m² dedicated to gallery spaces and 3 500 m² to site specific exhibition spaces. The Zeitz MOCAA was opened in September 2017.

Johannesburg: Braamfontein's vibrant and thriving art scene!

Braamfontein is currently one of the must-see places you shouldn't miss when visiting Johannesburg. The district, also known as Brammies, is home to loads of the city's most popular and hip theatres, clubs, restaurants, coffee shops, museums and, of course, art galleries. Braamies [braamies.co.za], an online portal focussed on Braamfontein [also see: Johannesburg: The coffee spots of Braamfontein!], recently produced a video portraying the vibrant and thriving art scene in Braamfontein. Kudos Brammies; enjoy the video!

Braamfontein Art from Braamies on Vimeo.

Stevenson Gallery
62 Juta Street
Braamfontein 2001

http://www.stevenson.info

Wits Art Museum
1 Jan Smuts Avenue
Braamfontein 2000

http://www.wits.ac.za/wam/

The Kalashnikovv Gallery
153 Smit Service Street
Braamfontein 

http://kalashnikovv.co.za

Video: JOBURG PARTY! A snapshot of South Africa's new youth underground (8 min)

Rod Stanley and Chris Saunders, a British journalist and a South African photographer, spend two days and nights in Johannesburg to get an idea what the new youth underground in the city is like and to shoot a short documentary about it. They went to poolside jams, rooftop parties, warehouse raves, street fashion shoots and interviewed local artists, musicians, bands, crews and Djs like Chocolate, Dirty Paraffin, Richard the Third, Khaya Sibiya aka Bhubessi, YFM DJ Eda Rose, Desmond & The Tutus, Murray Turpin aka M18J92T and Jamal Nxedlana. Enjoy the great 8min snapshot of South Africa's new youth underground! Kudos Rod and Chris!

JOBURG PARTY! A snapshot of South Africa's new youth underground from Windeck Productions on Vimeo.

Night Bus: New bus service to connect Johannesburg's nightlife hotspots >>

Malawi: Lake of Stars Project to celebrate 10th Anniversary by hosting "City of Stars" festival in Lilongwe

update (14 June 2013): The organisers of the "City of Stars" Festival have announced that the event will be held at the Sanctuary Lodge in Lilongwe, Malawi from 27 to 28 September 2013.

update (03 June 2013): The organisers of the "City of Stars" festival in Lilongwe, Malawi, have uploaded a new video to introduce the new event to the public. Enjoy!



In 2012 Malawi missed out on the "Lake of Stars" festival, usually taking place on the shores of Lake Malawi, as the organisers spent time developing new ways to enhance and promote the music, culture and tourism of Malawi, based on their experience and that of local practitioners. There will also be no "Lake of Stars" festival in 2013, but the organisers of the festival have announced that the Lake of Stars Project will celebrate its 10 Year Anniversary by hosting a brand new city-based festival and arts conference in Lilongwe, Malawi from 27 to 28 September 2013. Tickets for the "City of Stars" festival will be on sale in July 2013, with the first acts being confirmed as "The Very Best" (Lilongwe & London), "George the Poet" (London) and "Auntie Flo" (Glasgow). For more info, visit the "City of Stars" website!

Zanzibar: Sauti Za Busara festival announces 2013 dates

update (22 Jan 2013): G Adventures is offering a "Sauti Za Busara festival" package including arrival and departure transfers, full entry pass for the Sauti Za Busara, a walking tour of Stone Town, 5 Breakfasts, Hotel (5nts), private air-conditioned minivan, a local representative in Stone Town and a driver [more info & booking]

update (30 Nov 2012): The organisers of the Sauti Za Busara festival have uploaded a playlist of their favorite artists performing at the festival in 2013. Enjoy!

update (18 Oct 2012): The organisers of Zanzibar's famous festival Sauti Za Busara have published the line-up for the 10th annual festival of culture, music and arts. It includes: Cheikh Lô (Senegal), Mlimani Park Orchestra (Tanzania), Culture Musical Club (Zanzibar / Tanzania), Atongo Zimba (Ghana / UK), Nathalie Natiembe (Reunion), Nawal & Les Femmes de la Lune (Comoros / France), Wazimbo (Mozambique), Owiny Sigoma Band (Kenya / UK)  Mokoomba (Zimbabwe), Msafiri Zawose & Sauti Band (Tanzania), Burkina Electric (Burkina Faso / USA), Lumumba Theatre Group (Tanzania), Sousou & Maher Cissoko (Senegal / Sweden), Super Maya Baikoko (Tanzania), Wakwetu Jazz Vibes (Tanzania), Safi Theatre Group (Tanzania), Peter Msechu (Tanzania) and more

The organisers of Zanzibar's famous festival Sauti Za Busara just announced that next year's editon of the festival will take place from 14 - 17 February 2013. The festival's venue will again be the Old Fort in the insland's capital Stone Town.
Highlights of the 10th edition of the Sauti Za Busara will include performances from about 200 musicians from East Africa, Africa and the World, as well as screenings of African music films and a festival market place where food and drinks, but also music CDs, jewellery, clothing and handicrafts will be on offer.

Around festival time, Zanzibar will be buzzing with a range of fringe events, such as traditional ngoma drum and dance, fashion shows, dhow races, open-mic sessions, after-parties and performances of Zanzibar’s oldest Taarab orchestras are arranged by the local community.
Some good reasons to visit Zanzibar in February 2013. Also keep in mind that the festival will be beginning on Valentines Day (14 Feb 2013)... Enjoy!

Malawi: Lake of Stars takes a year off to support local initiatives

The Lake of Stars festival team will be taking a year off in 2012 from producing the festival to focus on strengthening local talent and supporting local initiatives, but don't worry. Will Jameson, the Director and founder of Lake of Stars, already confirmed that the festival will defo return to the shores of Lake Malawi in 2013. In a press statement, he said: "After eight years of the festival, we have decided to take stock of our experiences in putting the festival together, and spend some time supporting local initiatives in Malawi. We also want to take time this year to incorporate the feedback from Malawians and international festival goers, artists and sponsors to help us build a bigger and better event in 2013."
The Lake of Stars festival saw record attendance in 2011 and the project has reached an audience of over 300 million people through media coverage since 2009. The 2011 festival generated a record-breaking $1.3 million dollars of local spend.

Aerial footage of the AfrikaBurn festival 2011

South Africa's answer to the famous "Burning Man" festival in the US is the annual "AfrikaBurn", an art festival which, like the US festival, aims to create a temporary community based on radical self-expression and self-reliance in a non-commercial environment. Word! The festival is taking place in the middle of nowhere - right in the hot and dusty plains of the Tankwa Karoo National Park. Kudos aerocam for the video footage!