Saturday, 13 October 2012

Maboneng Precinct_Acoustic Roof Top Music

The beautiful Joburg and Amigos.


  On the east side of Joburg, where a couple of years ago it was literally an industrial wasteland, and most people wouldn't have dared to venture in, has completely transformed into something more positive. Thanks to a young hipster who overtime turned it into a place of trendy artist studios, galleries and retail spaces. It has became an underground(not so much anymore) hangout spot for those in the know.
It has become the new ‘it’ place in Joburg. It’s not that hard to see why.

Another glorious Sunday in The Precinct with my Joburg amigos- told you I’d be a regular: ). The day began at Arts on Main for a good dosage of Gin and Tonic, food and feel good vibes. Before the sun travelled west, we moved to the opposite side of the road, still on Main, to enjoy acoustic roof top live music, compliments of Castle Milk Stout. The view was a marvel, the crowd was beautiful and the vibe was insatiable. Whilst we waited for the performances to start we were treated to complimentary Castle Milk Stout. The bonus was definitely the photo session with your amigos at The Castle Milk Stout Banner, which came with a printed copy for each person in the photo and a mini photo to fit inside a nifty little leather key ring, all compliments of the host! Yes, there isn’t anyone who doesn’t like freebies!

The first artist was Nothende, a female vocalist that I wasn't very familiar with. She got things started on a great note, singing some of her songs as well as those of legends of yesterday. Next performance was my main man Khuli Chana (can anyone tell this man to marry me already!) and finally Kabomo. The lineup was meant to be much longer, but no bother! The artists’ that performed really held their own and owned the night, and it has became increasingly clear that the talent in South Africa is alive and thriving! With artist like Khuli Chana, we all need to embrace it all and support them.

The performances ended. The evening progressed swiftly on. The DJ was great and kept us on our feet. It was a great day in the Precinct which has by far become one of my favourite Sunday hang out spot.

I'm hoping in the summer they'll be many more sessions like these. Its almost an injustice to the beauty of it to arrive wearing scarves and jerseys! It deserves summer dresses, hats and sunglasses.

If you need to know when and where these sessions happen, you'll need to look out or listen. It came to me by word of mouth.

I'm really looking forward to many more places, things, art, retail, food and people. Word around the ether is that Thesis Social Jam sessions and Kitchener’s are fast becoming the ‘it’ places to be in Joburg.
Can't wait! Perhaps I'll see you there.


*The lack of photos is due to my laptop crashingL. The techno gizmos are working on it. Photos will be released soon.





Friday, 12 October 2012

Arts on Main


Trust me to venture out on the coldest day of ‘spring’. But the trip had been delayed long enough. So I put on my jacket and big girl panties on and got on with business.  But in the colds defence, it was still JulyJ

Food Market
After making 3 u-turns thanks to the recalculating GPS, I finally arrived. Nestled under a bridge on Cnr Berea and Main Street, there it was, the most sung about place since the birth of the blog. I held my breath in anticipation of what I’ll find. Will it live up to the song?

Walking in, I’m greeted by what resembles a food market, with all kinds of decadent food and trendy people for good measure. I went around to each and every one of them and I left having the taste of the world in my mouth. Olives, Olive pastes, chilli, pastries, chocolate, breads etc. And I’ m not talking about the ordinary. This was food I’ve never had the pleasure of exploring. I was in a fondies heaven!


Thereafter I viewed  retail, art, book stores and galleries spaces. It was there, that I feel in love! I came across the most simple yet moving picture. Taken by the artist Marcus Neustetter, called The Study of the Vertical Gaze.  The picture was taken at The Maropeng caves, at an-obvious-vertical gaze. I was completely taken aback. I must have stood for while just reading that picture. I had to peeled off from that picture! For obvious reasons, I cant put it up.

On the other side, above the restaurant is an open bar with benches, stairs and enough stoep to make everyone act like lizards! Then sun was out, trying to beat away the blues of the stinging weather. Be mindful that it gets filled up pretty quickly, so best pick a spot and stick to it for the duration of the afternoon.
By the caribean inspired bar, there was music, trendy people, lots of samba, Steph Weiss and Gin and Tonic to wrap up the afternoon in a nice little bow.
Arts on Main proved to be everything and more. The song should have been sung with a beat! The people, the atmosphere, the food and the art!
 Yes, believe the hype! Soon enough, all you’ll want to do on a Sunday Morning is Arts on Main.
The Study of the Vertical Gaze, where love was born!

The other side-SAMBA!!!!

More Art!

Ahh Steph Weiss!

Being Lizards in the sun!

The Centre


Beauty of Maboneng Precinct