Sandton FIFA Fan Fest™
Innes Park  is located at Harris Road Sandton and has a capacity 20,000   
PUBLIC VIEWING AREA  Mary Fitzgerald Square Newtown – Corner Jeppe and Henry Nxumalo Streets, Johannesburg.  Capacity: 22 000. There will be entertainment such as live performances by South African artists, DJs, multi-cultural dances, poetry, food festival and comedians during match days. Spectators are encouraged to use public transport as there will be no parking provided for the general public. Expect road closures around the area. Please note: the City will not provide shuttle services to this area.
TOWNSHIP TV
The City of Joburg in partnership with City Parks and MTN has set up nine township TV sites. The 4×3m big screens have been installed in strategic locations in Johannesburg townships in a safe, secure environment with 24 hour security.
Diepsloot Park: Capacity – 4 000 Sarafina Park Ext 2, Midrand
Kremtart Park: Capacity – 6 000 Eldorado Park X3. Stand RE 3032, Kremetart Street.                                                                                Diepkloof Park: Capacity – 1 000 Immink Street, Diepkloof, Soweto Ivory Park: Capacity – 6,000 Haile Selassie Street, Ivory Park
Rose Park: Capacity – 6 000 Zone 3 Rose Avenue, Lenasia
Joubert Park: Capacity – 4 000 Corner Klein and King George streets, Johannesburg
Thokoza Park: Capacity – 6 000 Region D, Zone 3, 1682 Ntuli Street, Moroka, Soweto (Off Old Potch Road), Soweto.
Orlando Dube Park: Capacity – 5 000 Cnr Kliprivier and Armitage Road Orlando West, Soweto.
Orange Farm Regional Park: Capacity – 6 000 The park is just off Regional Street in Orange Farm Extension 1 Regional Street, Orange Farm Ext.2, Orange Farm.
RULES AND REGULATIONS 
Entrance to the public viewing sites is free of charge.
Spectators are allowed to eat and drink inside the venues. 
No alcohol allowed, people will be searched at the entrance 
No selling inside any venues to keep in line with FIFA’s free public viewing license.
TOWNSHIP TV MATCH SCREENING TIMES
First Round Matches:  11 June 2010 – 25 June 2010 from 2h00pm – 11h00 pm
Second Round and Quarter Finals Matches: 26 June 2010 – 03 July 2010 from 2h00pm – 11h30 pm
Semi Finals and Final Matches: 06 July 2010 – 11 July 2010 from 5h00 pm – 11h30pm
Read more: http://www.joburg.org.za/content/view/5150/168/#ixzz0ppCxgRsp

For MTN Fan Zone, Montecasino and the International Football Village at the Birchwood Hotel  see blog post http://lizatlancaster.co.za/blog/the-next-best-thing-if-you-havent-got-tickets-to-a-match

Also there is a FIFA-endorsed fan park at Stithians College. ‘Indawo’ will showcase not only the games live, but also a whole host of local musicians such as Jozi and Lira.  Tickets to view the games at St Stithians range from R495 – R2995 depending on the level of hospitality that you select. The basic ’supporters’ package for R495, includes access to the Entertainment village; view two matches and a concert per day; wine and malt plus food stalls and parking.

The Market Theatre will be presenting ‘House of the Holy Afro’, Brett Bailey’s eclectic mish-mash of shamanistic ritual and gospel set to a thumping beat.   ‘People’s poet’ Mzwakhe Mbuli will be in action at Xarra Books, as will Phillippa de Villiers, Masoja Msiza, Myesha Jenkins, Boikanyo and many more.  The Market Photo Workshop, Museum Africa, the Workers’ Museum and the Sci-Bono Discovery Centre will host a number of art and photography exhibitions, many of which deal with the theme of soccer.   A selection of the continent’s best cinematic offerings will be screened during the 4th annual Africa on Screen Film Festival at Museum Africa.

Visit www.newtown.co.za for more details of performances and eve

This week’s pick: Turbine Hall, Newtown  Genre: Architectural heritage & underground dining
What: The completed Turbine Hall, with bells and whistles, is the finest example of both inner city regeneration and preservation. This architectural icon eclectically fuses the old and new. The mod industrial look, of today, is compatible with the finishes the forgotten landmark once had. The original steel and copper of Joburg’s first coal-fired power station have creatively been included in the contemporary sleek surfaces. The energy of our reviving city is immediately felt, from its modest exterior to the celebrated interior, and AngloGold Ashanti will fortunately ‘live’ this structural phenomenon. The company’s headquarters rest within the confines of the neglected power station, today a powerhouse.
FiftyTwo review:  In a nutshell FiftyTwo say: a touch of the Tate Modern, in style and offering. Moving on from the five-star design there’s silver service facilities, and honestly, hiring any of the available spaces would guarantee you ‘with-it’ status amongst many. Head underground to the champagne cellar or bar, dine at the private dining room or indulge at the Chef’s table. Amazingly each eatery can be privately hired and we think the ultimate wedding venue will beckon recognition. There’s talk of the bar opening its doors every Friday night – see you there. In the meanwhile the space opens irregularly to the public so look out for these affairs.
Tip: One night only, this Friday 28th May, Turbine Hall opens to us all. Round up a group of friends, be witness to superb entertainment, listen to jazz and eat amongst the turbines. Alternatively visit at your convenience – the structure, the gallery and much more, won’t disappoint.
Interesting fact: The site was left derelict and decaying. Turbine Hall and the boiler houses were invaded by squatters in 2001 and described as, “One of the harshest living spaces in Johannesburg where the filth alone could drive away the most incessant compassion.”
Where: 65 Ntemi Piliso Street, Newtown. GPS coordinates -26.203367 degrees south and 28.034900 degrees east Book: Friday 28th May (19h00 for 19h30), R240pp, RSVP to Elza Smit – Tel: 011 575 4208, email: elza.smit@theforum.co.za

Third World Bunfight’s  House of the Holy Afro  11 June – 11 July  MARKET THEATRE – maintheatre  House of the Holy Afro is a slick, glamorous package of Afro-kitsch to electrify your eyes, ears and bodies on the dance floor! House of the Holy Afro consists of seven singer-dancers together with celebrated DJ Dino Moran’s driving housebeats and over-the-top club poetry of Odidi Mfenyana. The production weaves these melodies together with driving house beats and electrifying African choreography and design, taking you on an unforgettable trip through the rhythms of 21st century Africa.    

AT THE VICTORY IN ORANGE GROVE Umoja   From April through to December;  Traveling to the beat of drums, from the dusty streets of Soweto to all corners of the world`s best & biggest stages, Umoja tells the moving tale of indigenous South African music from the earliest rhythms to Kwaito. For more information visit http://www.umojatheshow.com.

AT OLD MUTUAL THEATRE ON THE SQUARE  Nelson Mandela Square Sandton.  Back from Broadway and its huge international success DRUMSTRUCK by WARREN LIEBERMAN’S Drum Café, will burst onto the Old Mutual Theatre on the Square stage again for the World Cup season! This interactive and spectacular musical will have bums on seats with drums on seats – for an evening of sheer entertainment for all. Book through http://events.strictlytickets.com/strictlytickets

THE STATE OPERA  Shaka Zulu: the Musical from 26th June – 18th July The celebrated story of the legendary Zulu King, Shaka, now on stage for the first time in musical form. This spectacular production features sizzling choreography, an originally created musical score and the cream of South Africa`s performance and production design talent. Book through www.computicket.com

AND OF COURSE LAST BUT CERTAINLY NOT LEAST   The FIFA Kick-off Celebration Concert at the Orlando Stadium on 10th June 4 pm.  Football and Music Unite for this FIFA World Cup Kick Off Concert featuring a number of top International and Local artists in a music and theatrical extravaganza that ‘will leave South African audiences breathless.’  Much as I do not like FIFA and the way it operates, the line up of stars should make it a great concert.   Book through www.computicket.com

•  the Wits Theatre complex in Braamfontein
• the UJ Centre for the Arts in Auckland Park
• The Dance Factory
• The Market Theatre Main Theatre and Barney Simon Theatre.

Works presented at the Market Theatre includes:

BLACK!… WHITE? by Nelisiwe Xaba fnb-dance201002  2 & 3 March 2010 @ 20h30 Main Theatre This work explores the themes of racial and social stereotyping and how these distort people’s perceptions of one another.

“ELEV(I)ATE” by choreographer Athena Mazarakis and digital artist Tegan Bristow 3 & 4 March 2010 Market Theatre Foyer Mazarakis and Bristow have worked together on two previous projects, Coming To (2007) and Chalk vision (2007) and wish to further their collaboration between the moving body and a digital arts interface in this new project.

KONEXION choreographed by. Wanted Posse and Indigene Dance Company 5 & 6 March @ 20h30; 7 March @ 14h30 Main Theatre With the 21st century bringing exchange and missing, Konexion is an appropriate creation which illustrates the result of a dialogue between cultures; a conversation where everyone has something to say and a gesture to share.

ASYMPTOTE - Choreographed by Frauke and Orlando 9 & 10 March @ 20h00 Barney Simon Theatre Asymptote is an Ankoku Butoh dance that explores the materiality of the body and its relationship to the natural world.

DOUBLE BILL UMFULA WA MA DADA by Dada Masilo and INDLELA by Luyanda Sidiya 9, 10 & 11 March @ 20h15 Main Theatre Umfula Wa Ma Dada is a work Dada Masilo created in residency in Israel and Indlela by Luyanda Sidiya which is inspired by the different paths we take to find ourselves as human beings.

FAUX CIELS (FAKE SKIES) by Eric Languet 12 & 13 March @ 18h30, 19h30 and 20h30 Barney Simon Theatre This work is an interactive work with an audience and will look at what can and cannot be said through dance. A minimum of 10 people will be allowed at each performance. Book by calling (011) 492 0709.

A NEW UNTITLED WORK by Sbonakaliso Ndaba 12 & 13 March @ 20h15 14 March @ 15h00 Main Theatre Sbonakaliso Ndaba created this new work at Cape Town’s celebrated Jazzart Dance Theatre company. The idea for this work was inspired by a programme seen on 3rd Degree that dealt with illegal mineworkers.

Tickets for the FNB Dance Umbrella are available at the door or can be booked at Computicket – 083 915 8000 and prices range from R60 to R100.

For a guide to indigenous cuisine see http://www.joburg.org.za/content/view/223/9/  Also see Anna Trapido’s article ’Your gourmet guide to African eating’   http://www.businessday.co.za/articles/Content.aspx?id=74840

Amsale Kensington Corner Langerman and Queen streets, Kensington, Johannesburg, 072 918 8824      Chef-patronne Amsale Debela is a political refugee who literally walked to SA from Ethiopia. Her first restaurant was the now legendary Amsale’s at Little Addis in Jeppe Street where she garnered a 2008 Dine Top 100 Restaurant award.  …  Berbere spice-laden doro wat chicken stews with injera sour dough pancakes are the specialty of the house.  

Gramadoelas, in the Market Theatre Precinct has been run by the original owners since 1967 – in itself very unusual in terms of Johannesburg restaurants.    Serving  African cuisine, they do an excellent buffet with dishes like morogo (spinach), Mopani worms, bobotie, crocodile and snoek pie. Very good fare and  great place to eat before going to a show at the Market 011 838-6960 or visit www.gramadoelas.co.za – very informative website.  Closed Monday evenings and all day Sundays.

Moyo’s Melrose Arch 011 -684-1477 www.moyo.co.za Well-done Afro-fusion restaurant with great atmosphere. Face painting and rosewater hand washes are just some of the rituals, plus live music and amazing décor – make sure you look around at all the floors. Well worth making a booking. Or during the day have a chilled meal outdoors at Moyo’s Zoo Lake 011 646-0058 and if you have children take some bread to feed the ducks.  

Afrodisiac and Voodoo Lounge  Linksfield Nursery Cnr Club St and Linksfield Drive 011 443 990 www.afrodisiac.co.za Website does give the menu but otherwise not an updated site.  Like many restaurants that market themselves as serving African food, the menu lists quite standard fare which seems Africanized in name only eg Sowetan oxtail. But there is South African fare like a game platter which includes crocodile, ostrich, springbok and quail. Sophisticated ambience and the Voodoo Lounge is a fashionable cocktail bar where there is often excellent live music.

Lekgotla which means ‘meeting place’ in Tswana, is located on the very European space (á la Italian piazza) of Mandela Square in Sandton.  The cuisine is eclectic to put it mildly, with the website noting that it ‘draws inspiration from the 4 corners of Africa’ … Arabic, French, Dutch and Malay.  Check the website www.lekgotla.co.za for the menu 011 884 9555

The Whiteboy Shebeen in the heart of Sandton in the City Lodge Hotel cr Katherine and Grayston Drive Sandown 011 444 8850  Their website www.whiteboy-shebeen.co.za tells us that ‘whilst the name Shebeen has been accepted in the South African vocabulary, it is in reality derived from Gaelic and means “Little Mug”. A shebeen was a venue usually in a private home where friends gathered to share a “dram” of whiskey together on which no excise had been paid and it evolved into a warm and friendly venue, where the hosts offered food and drink to guests.’  Offers a range of South African cuisine with dishes like warthog carpaccio, springbok sirloin, etc as well as Halaal dishes.

In the Inner City is The Darkie Cafe  located in the very hip Ashanti Hotel. Owned by Chralotte Monakasi it is the first in a franchise chain owned by interior designer Potlako Gasenelwe, Nick Kokkoris who founded the Nino’s Chain and Carel Nolte ex Hollard insurance. The stylish white interior plays humorously with the restaurant’s name. There are tables outside on a deck looking onto Ferreira St. While there is more traditional fare like Mozambiquan chicken curry, cheesey pap, and Dagwoods served with chakalaka, the  menu also offers steak, hamburgers, risotto.  10 Anderson St  011 492-1555

Carnivore  011 950-6061 Out at Muldersdrift this is a long way to drive back at night so if you want to go, make it a lunch. Open daily.In the centre of the restaurant is a large circular open fire with 52 converted Masaai tribal spears holding a variety of 10 different types of meat such as pork, lamb, beef, chicken, ribs and sausages and including such game meats as crocodile, zebra, giraffe, impala, ostrich, etc,  Several vegetarian dishes are also on the menu. 

Places in Soweto

The most well-known is Wandies so expect busloads of tourists should you choose to eat here. Wandi Ndaba started operating an illegal shebeen from his house in 1981 so he has really grown the business. Buffet fare serves excellent local food with great stews and traditional starches like pap, dumplings, ting (soft porridge) and umqushu (samp). The walls are papered with business cards of visitors. 011 982 2796 www.wandiesplace.co.za

Nambitha’s in Vilikazi St – the same street as the Hector Pieterson Museum and Mandela House museum. Serves both mainstream food like burgers and tramezzinis as well as more traditional stews, including mogudu (tripe). Great atmosphere and excellent food – nambitha means tasty in isiXhosa  011 936 9128. 

Sakhumzi’s also in Vilikazi St (no 6980 next to Bishop Tutu’s house) 011 315 1534 Another favourite meeting place for locals and tourists alike, the shebeen atmosphere really gets going in the evenings.

Kwa-thabeng 9138 Nonqawe, Pimville Soweto 011 938 3337  Open daily from early until late.  There is a laid back Soweto vibe in this shebeen (tavern) come restaurant.  You will join locals sitting at long tables. A great restaurant. 

As yet I haven’t been to B’s Restaurant but hope to go soon.  http://www.soweto.co.za/html/sh_beatrice.htm  gives this write-up:    ‘From the moment you set foot into B’s Place, Beatrice the owner and hostess will make you feel at home with her warm hospitality and friendliness. B’s is a family run restaurant located in one of Soweto’s oldest areas (Orlando East) and was built as an extension to the original 1930’s home. Previously run as a tavern & meeting place, Beatrice has now extended her talents to provide delicious home cooked meals for tourists, corporate groups and locals alike. Beatrice and her family will chat to guests about life in Orlando and share some secrets about their famous cooking. Enjoy a buffet of stews, grilled chicken, salads accompanied by traditional township specialties such as samp, pap, mogodu (tripe) and morogo (spinach) with chakalaka. B’s home-made bread and ginger beer have become legendry and if there is any space left, you can enjoy a delicious cream cake or vetkoek for dessert! Sipping from a calabash of local sorghum beer is also a tradition at B’s not to be missed’ . 5541 Shuenyane St Orlando East 011 935-1766