Today is First Thursdays and there is a variety of things to do, art to see and places to go in Johannesburg and Cape Town to kick off the long weekend!
Things to do in JHB
1. Watch the sunset, and enjoy some delicious eats, heavenly cocktails, and vinyl tunes whilst appreciating some art at Keyes Art Mile in Rosebank from 18:00 onwards. This evening has been dubbed the Night of 1000 Drawings, so you can express your creative juices and doodle with friends, or take in the culture through the Siyavuka Lateral Improvement Foundationâs art exhibition. For more information check out their Instagram page for updates and future events.
Image source: @KeysArtMile InstagramÂ
2. Check out the iYeza by Buhlebezwe Siwani, a solo art exhibition at the Standard Bank Gallery. iYeza was first presented in Makhanda for the National Arts Festival but you can now appreciate the artistic genius of Siwani, a Johannesburg
native and creative, who predominantly works in the medium of performance and installations that include photographic stills and videos. iYeza âdraws on Siwaniâs memories, journey and practice as an initiated traditional healer. Named for the isiXhosa word for (usually plant-derived) medicine, it is also a broader reference to âa substance that is meant to ward off dark spiritual energy.â In addition to Siwaniâs exhibition, you can also check out a performance by Nduduzo Makhathini at 19:00 tonight.
The Standard Bank Gallery offers free and safe parking on the corner of Harrison and Frederick Streets.
Image source: @StandardBankArts Instagram
3. From 18:00 to 20:00 you can immerse yourself in the world of contemporary arts at The Goethe-Institut, the Federal Republic of Germanyâs cultural institute that works to promote the study of German abroad and encourage international cultural exchange. The main exhibition for tonight is Entangled Intimacies which features works and/or performances by Johannesburg-based artists Tzung-Hui Lauren Lee, Io Makandal, and Natalie Paneng. This exhibition âis an arts-based and curatorial research endeavour that seeks to explore (to a necessarily limited degree) what it might mean to not only be situated within ecological chaos, but to quite literally embody itâ and it is not one to be missed!
Image source: Goethe Institut Website
Things to do in CPTÂ
1. Mpho Feniâs first solo exhibition, Chulumanco is being presented at Eclectica Contemporary, âThe exhibition title, derived from Xhosa, signifies happiness, an emotion sensitively rendered in Feniâs paintings.â Feni is praised for presenting an abundance of light and hope in his creations because âHis work invites us to pause, breathe, and pay homage to celebratory moments and memories, while activating new codes with which to rethink our everyday ways of living, sharing and archiving memories.â You can view this joyous artistic display in an experimental space that celebrates the diversity and depth of African art tonight with friends.
Image source: Eclectica Contemporary Website page for Mpho Feniâs ChulumancoÂ
2. Check out young and upcoming artists at the Sisonke Gallery on 90 Bree Street as the national finalists of the Red Bull Doodle Art competition are celebrated and the ultimate winner is crowned. The global Red Bull Doodle Art competition encourages the youth to âlet their minds wander through imaginative doodlesâ and tonight is an opportunity to see whatâs in the minds of young creatives.
Image Source: Redbull Doodle Art Competiton WebsiteÂ
3. Get a taste of Japan at Mochi Mochi, a Japanese cafe, that offers traditional Japanese desserts like mochi (rice cake), mitarashi dango (mochi dumplings on a skewer), Japanese-style cheesecake, daifuku doughnuts a classic deep-fried doughnut, with seasonal jam and custard cream topped), miso sticky buns, melon pan (a milk bread bun topped with a crispy cookie layer) or cheesy anpan (a milk bread bun oozing with a cheesy custard) If youâre in the mood for something savoury, you can try out the karepan (a steamed bun filled with not too spicy chicken curry, rolled in panko and deep fried, served with a carrot chutney), wagyu nikuman (steamed and pan-fried bun filled with wagyu mince and cheese) or a variety of milk bread hotdogs including the okonomiyaki dog, the spicy dog, the trout dog and the kewpie egg dog! This unique Japanese bistro is located at 71 Buitengracht Street in the Cape Town City Centre.
Image Source: MochiMochi WebsiteÂ
If youâre in Cape Town and youâre only in the mood for some drink specials, First Thursdays South Africa has suggested the following restaurants and bars: 1. The Gin Bar
2. Clarkes Cape Town
3. Tjing Tjing House
4. The Drinkery
5. Gorgeous George
To know what to do and where to go for upcoming First Thursdays, www.first-thursdays.co.za is your best source!
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