Gauteng
Aptly named as it sits within spitting distance of the railway tracks, Trackside holds an independent beatmaking and live-music night on the last Thursday…
Must-see entertainment in South Africa
Durban
One of Durban’s more interesting, if unreliable, arty haunts, this venue features semiregular jazz performances – check what’s on before heading down…
Port Elizabeth
Built for the 2010 football (soccer) World Cup, this futuristic stadium in the rundown North End area hosts sports matches and concerts. Call or email to…
Cape Town
Seven foot tall in her high heels, the platinum blonde drag queen Cathy Specific greets you at this cabaret and theatre venue where your tickets gets you…
Cape Town
Proving a hit with one and all in the heart of De Waterkant is this slick music revue bar and restaurant with a nightly line-up of different performers…
Drakensberg Boys’ Choir School
Drakensberg & uKhahlamba-Drakensberg Park
Just off Dragon Peaks Rd are South Africa’s singing ambassadors, the Drakensberg Boys’ Choir School. There are public performances at 3.30pm on Wednesday…
Cape Town
Live acoustic rock is a firm feature of Friday nights at this pub, and there's often live music and other events such as comedy slots, open mic and cinema…
Simon's Town & Southern Peninsula
One of the best places on the peninsula for live music and comedy, and a great cafe to boot. Tickets typically cost around R100; check www…
Cape Town
This cosy venue, which also serves food and drinks, usually has live music on Wednesday (free) and weekends (cover charge R170 to R190; bookings necessary…
Cape Town
This National Lottery–funded project works with youngsters on a variety of performance and theatre projects. Some of their shows have won awards at…
KwaZulu-Natal Philharmonic Orchestra
Durban
The orchestra has an interesting spring concert program with regular performances in City Hall. Check the calendar and events listings on the website.
Cape Town
This company, a lean troupe of 24 dancers, can trace its history back to 1934. They usually perform at Artscape, the Baxter Theatre and, in summer, at…
Durban
Opposite City Hall, Durban’s central theatre is a stunning venue. The Zulu mosaics and beadwork in the foyer are alone worth seeing, as are the dance,…
Pretoria
This large theatre complex in the heart of central Pretoria hosts opera, jazz, comedy, ballet and theatre in its five theatres: the Arena, Studio, Opera,…
Johannesburg Philharmonic Orchestra
Johannesburg
The city’s orchestra stages a regular circuit of concerts at venues such as Wits University and City Hall. Call or check its website for the latest…
Cape Town
These jazz gigs are staged at venues around town, including Langa township's Guga S'Thebe Arts & Cultural Centre.
Cape Town
This hallowed ground of South African rugby is home to the Stormers (www.thestormers.com). Provincial, international and Super Rugby matches are played…
Cape Town
One of South Africa’s oldest contemporary dance companies. Puts on performances and holds classes at Artscape.
Pretoria
There are two cinemas here: Ster-Kinekor shows regular blockbusters, while Cinema Nouveau specialises in arty films.
Durban
This is a not-for-profit venture that brings new artistic works to the stage. Boatman's Rd runs parallel to Margaret Mncadi Ave (Victoria Embankment).
Durban
Weekends see this unassuming restaurant liven up with performances from local rock, jazz and blues bands. There's another venue at Wilson's Wharf.
Cape Town
On Thursday nights you can catch live jazz sets in this plush cocktail lounge. On other nights DJs play for an up-for-it crowd of party seekers.
Johannesburg
Has the widest distribution of multiplexes, with screens in the Fourways, Westgate, Eastgate, Sandton and Rosebank malls.
Gauteng
Home for the Orlando Pirates and worth a visit, especially when they play against their sworn enemy, the Kaizer Chiefs.
Bloemfontein
The local paper lists music, ballet, drama and opera performances held at this striking modern building.
Stellenbosch
Open-air performances of theatre, music and dance are held here from November to March.
Durban
With 60,000 seats, ABSA Stadium is currently home to the Natal Sharks rugby team.
Cape Town
On Mondays, from as early as August to as late as April, the Grand Daddy Hotel’s rooftop trailer park of Airstream caravans is the venue for this al…
Cape Town
Racing runs year-round here, but the main event to put down in your diary is the glitzy Sun Met (formerly the J&B Met) in January. It's South Africa’s…
Cape Town
One of the two big cinema chains in South Africa. Their venues include Cinema Nouveau in Victoria Wharf at the V&A Waterfront and the screens at Cavendish…
Cape Town
At this eternally popular tourist venue the three resident bands each play a couple of gigs a week featuring marimba and other swinging African sounds…
Durban
The glitzy, art deco–style casino is popular with locals and features slot machines, cinemas and some well-attended restaurants. The beach in front of the…
Cape Town
It's mainly used for football matches, although from January to February a contest between the various Cape Minstrel groups is also held here, as part of…
Johannesburg
An offshoot of the Market Theatre, aspiring actors and theatre practitioners train here. It acts as a showcase for community talent and occasionally…
Johannesburg
Anyone who is (or used to be) someone in the South African performing arts has had a show here. The theatre, which is part of the Montecasino complex,…
Cape Town
This 75-seater venue is the pick of the three stages that can be found at the University of Cape Town’s drama department. Read the reviews before going to…
Cape Town
DJ events and live-music gigs are often held on weekends and holidays at this large complex in traditional African village style, with a number of bars,…
Durban
The University of KwaZulu-Natal has contemporary-music, classical and jazz performances during university terms. Performers vary from township jazz…
Cape Town
Check the website for details of wine tasting and live music events held in this venue, which is run by the owners of the nearby fine-dining restaurant…
Cape Town
This long-running bar hosts live music from local acts as well as the DJ venue Mercury Live. With the area undergoing a lot of development, though, its…
