Jozi Carnival   The 2011 theme of the annual Joburg Carnival is Jozi my Jozi 125 celebrating the anniversary of the city’s existence.  It will take place on 31 December from 12pm and leaves from Kotze Street, moving across Nelson Mandela Bridge to Newtown.  

Laser show at Carnival City   On 31^st go along to Carnival City at 7 pm where their annual fireworks display will be replaced by a more animal-friendly but equally spectacular laser light show.  The show is free. Carnival City is situated on the intersection of the N17 toll road Snake Road (Heidelberg Road or R23) and Elsburg Road (R554) Johannesburg, South Africa

Nutcracker on Ice at Monte Casino   There are still tickets for Pieter Toerien’s  presentation of the  Imperial Ice stars in The Nutcracker on Ice at Monte Casino at 7.30 pm.

* Sat …5th Nov at 14.00 Join Parktown Heritage Association for the last Jacaranda Walk of 2011; park at the La Roche offices, 54 The Valley Road; no booking necessary; R40; stunning views of Parktown & Forest Town; more info phone 011 482-3349 

OR
* Meet at Arts on Main at 9.30 on 5th Nov for an Inner City Walk exploring the east of the city

And if you have explored the east of the city on Saturday with Main Street Walks, then you can explore the west with Walk and Talk Tours on Sunday.  Meet at Museum Africa Bree Street Johannesburg at 8am.  The walk will be approximately two to three hours.  The route will go Mary Fitzgerald square, Newtown,  past the old stock exchange,  going past the City Hall, Rand Club, Library Gardens, Corner House, Rissik Street Post Office, also going up Main Street Mall, Hollard Street, Standard Bank Mine Stope – also with a special visit to two to three buildings in Kruis and President Streets.  enquiries@walktours.co.za Cell: +27 83 269 9769

* and for something very different look for mushrooms and fungi (yes, I did say Fungi!) at the Kloofendal Nature Reserve Two-hour walk from 9am led by Bernice Porter, a fungi expert. Contact Karin Spottiswoode 011-674-2980 or 072-595-6991  

Or take a drive out to the Magaliesberg.   Hollybrooke Farm is situated in the Skeerpoort valley, on the banks of the Magalies River, at the foot of the Magaliesberg Mountains. Enjoy the peace and tranquility of a working farm and have a meall at the Coffee Shop. They might even prepare a picnic for you to enjoy on the river bank. For more information call 082 552 1285.

Or pack you own picnic for the Walter Sisulu Botanical Gardens. Entrance is just R25 and with short hikes and manicured gardens it is the perfect spot for a relaxed picnic with family and friends.   Simply pack your picnic basket with all your favourite treats and enjoy a peaceful afternoon in the sunshine.  For more information visit www.sanbi.org.za or call 086 100 1278

Sunday Morning 16th October At 10 Am. Westcliff Historical Walking Tour. Great value at R40 per person and includes buildings such as Glenshiel designed by Baker for Sir William Dalrymple and his wife, the Hope School, Pallinghurst, The Stables also designed by Baker for Raymond and Hope Schumacher. The Tour starts from The Ridge School. No booking necessary. Join and enjoy the lovely weather and signs of the first Jacaranda buds.

Watershed Concert  Sunday 12th June 13-1500 

Vivere Sunday 26th June Vivere meaning ‘Alive’ in Italian, is a production consisting of a powerful duo, Jannie Moolman and Joseph Clark. It is an ultimate cross over show, featuring musical assortments such as opera, rock, pop, blues and a handful of other musical genres.

Zebra & Giraffe Concert Sunday 10th July They are a Joburg based group that won awards with their debut album. They won the SAMAs in 2009 in the categories Best Newcomer, Best Album Packaging and MTN Record of the Year with their second album ‘The Knife’.

Pre-sale at Ticketbreak: R80 www.ticketbreak.co.za Pre-sale before Concert day at the Garden: R90 On the day sale at the Garden: R100 Children under 13 Free Walter Sisulu’s new number is 011 6684903

This week’s pick: Sandboarding the Gold Mines
Genre: Pure rush
What: Johannesburg’s gold mining days produced man-made mountains of soft yellow sand – these wildly recognised dunes, dotted about the East and South Rand, are composed of ever so finely crushed rock. These desert like beauties are disguised by towering blue gum forests and unattractive shrubs but the treasure of the 21st century (the steep unspoilt dunes) are gold in a city where you’re looking for new and interesting things to do. These ’seemingly ugly’ mounds call for another type of rush.  
FiftyTwo review: To be fair sandboarding isn’t snowboarding but definitely still encourages extreme action and satisfaction. You’ll be strapped into a snowboard, given a short briefing and nudged on your way. As soon as you’ve got the hang of keeping low and balanced you’re able to get daring, fast and skillful. With powder like sand and clean tracks this place is something you’ll be proud of in Joburg – firstly it’s ruggedly beautiful and secondly it’s one of the few places hosting an opportunity to learn the international sport in SA. This is an adrenalin rush, your blood will pump, you’ll want more. If you’re thinking ‘try hard’ sandboarding – you’re wrong.
Tip: Be sure to take your old skiing mask in case a wind whips up the sand – it can get nasty.
Interesting fact: Over 200 mine dumps are visible around our town – some over 50m in height. Plans are afoot to reclaim gold from them, which will change the face of Joburg – so get boarding while you can.
Where:Mount Mayhem in Benoni.
Book: R250 per person – includes board and great instructors. Times are from 10:30 to 15:30 – but you can board as long as you like. Call Marco from Pure Rush Industries on 082 605 1150 to book a ride.