UJ Arts & Culture is a division of the Faculty of Art, Design & Architecture (FADA). The division, which is located at the university's Kingsway and Bunting Road campuses in Auckland Park, produces and presents world-class student and professional arts programmes. Students, alumni and staff make up the bulk of their audiences, but the centre is also open to the general public.
The UJ Arts & Culture centre boasts three formal interdisciplinary art venues, as well as a number of informal venues across UJ campuses. Promoting the work of Pan-African artists, local and abroad, this platform is vital to keeping the spirit of art alive in the city.
As far as independent performing and visual arts centres in the city go, this is one of the best. The architecture is contemporary and clean, giving visitors a sense of African pride in its design. The varsity vibe also adds to the experience as under normal circumstances students mull around the centre enticing audiences into the theatres and galleries.
Before COVID-19, shows were hosted here year-round, featuring the UJ Choir, student performers and professional actors and singers. Once lockdown is over, this is definitely one of the first places we'll be heading out to. If you've never attended an event here, make sure you do, too! It's sure to be a great introduction back out into the real world.
What's On
Just because we're still cooped up inside and staying very far away from each other, doesn't mean we shouldn't enjoy world-class entertainment. In lieu of their usual autumn/winter showcases, the UJ Arts Centre will be presenting a series of virtual shows to raise funds for their students in need. Check out the awesome lineup below:
Theatre
In recent months, the arts community has faced a multitude of challenges, including but not limited to adapting to producing work for online platforms, loss of income and a general sense of uncertainty. In response to these challenges, UJ Arts & Culture has pioneered their first ever digital 'unfestival'. A week long series of unevents and non-happenings, this is a festival experience unlike any other (mostly because nothing much is happening at all). The UJ Arts & Culture UNFESTIVAL is hosted in aid of the Dean's Bursary Fund and BASA's artist relief efforts. Buy your tickets here, but please don't show up.
Dates: Tuesday, 26 May 2020 – Saturday, 06 June 2020.
Venue: The Theatre of Nothing.
Ticket price: Tickets cost between R100 - R300 per show.
If you're after actual digital content to keep you entertained during lockdown, tune in for UJ Arts & Culture's latest exhibition titled 'The Pandemic Project'. Featuring a number of visual artists including Ronél de Jager, Diane Victor, Allen Liang, Fana Tshabalala, Lothar Bötcher and Khaya Ndlovu, this brand-new digital exhibition is the first of its kind for the UJ Arts Centre. Each artist will present a series of work reacting to or reflecting on their experiences during lockdown. The exhibition will be available online for one day only, so don't miss it!
After spending over a decade in Classical Symphony Orchestras, Andrew Young ventured out as a soloist and has never looked back. Andrew’s popular CD "Diamonds" has been specially orchestrated for this live recorded concert at the Oude Libertas Amphitheatre. Together with his band and an orchestra backing he will perform songs from the album, adding a new dimension to classic songs such as "Summertime", "Cavatina", "Manenberg" and "Over The Rainbow".
Andrew Young performs as part of the Rhumbelow Theatre's LOSS series (Lockdown Online Streaming Shows). Purchase your tickets to help keep this community theatre afloat during lockdown and beyond.
Please Note: Event is subject to be cancelled at any given time, so please check to avoid disappointment.
Brooklyn Theatre has been in operation since 1994, bringing opera lovers a variety of classical music performances. From Mozart's The Magic Flute to Broadway musicals and even the Gauteng Philharmonic Orchestra's annual concerts, the Brooklyn Theatre is the place to go for an all round classical musical experience. This February, the theatre has a ton in store for you. Here are our top picks for the month of love.
Beethoven Complete Cello Sonatas
This February, Peter Martens (Cello) and Megan-Geoffrey Prins (Piano) will perform Beethoven's complete cello sonatasat Brooklyn Theatre. Transporting you through various moments in the composer's life, this concert offers audiences an incredibly intimate conversation with Beethoven's work. This is a definite must-attend for cello and piano enthusiasts!
Beethoven was undoubtedly largely responsible for the re-elevation of the cello as a major player in chamber music. Following a decline of such compositions, Beethoven wrote his first sonatas for piano with cello obbligato in 1797. However, despite their title, the cello's role in the duo sonatas was already quite significant.
Beethoven returned to the cello two more times during his career, once with the much-beloved Op. 69 A major Sonata, and again with the two sonatas of Op. 102. Each time, the complexity of the sonatas increased, as did the independence of the cello, paving the way for future generations of composers. Works of this significance have, of course, been recorded and performed countless times, however Martens and Prins are sure to give them new life. Don't miss out on this one-of-a-kind experience!
When Is It?
Sunday, 09 February 2020 at 11:00 and 15:00.
Ticket Prices:
Adult: R150 - R210 per person
(Senior (60+) / Student(21-): R110 - R160 per person
Edith Piaf, the French songstress famed for her heartbreaking ballads, often used her own life experiences as inspiration for her music. With a life story as powerful as her iconic voice, Piaf makes the perfect persona for a special tribute by none other than Brooklyn Theatre favourite, Camille Favre-Bulle.
Regular patrons will recall Camille’s splendid performances in Echoes of Paris, Somewhere in France with You and Sarvil the Musical.
Now, for the forthcoming dedication to Piaf, Salon Music and Camille have put their heads together to compile a gem of a programme with amazing hits. Many of Piaf’s songs reveal her earlier life on the streets of Paris. This programme will include the great hits, such as Non, je ne regrette rien, La vie en Rose, Milord and many more.
If you are looking for nostalgic entertainment, this remarkable show about a remarkable woman is just for you. It's the perfect surprise for a Valentine's Day outing with your special someone.
Get your tickets now, you won’t regret it.
When Is It?
Friday, 14 February 2020 - Sunday, 16 February 2020.
Ticket prices:
Adult: R230 - R320 per person
Senior(60+) / Student(21-): R180 - R270 per person
Acclaimed British ViolinistRupert Marshall-Luck Is Back!
Renowned British violinist, Rupert Marshall-Luckreturns to the Brooklyn Theatre with pianist Peter Cartwright this February. Hailed by BBC Music Magazine for his "handsome tone and laser-like tuning", Rupert Marshall-Luck is acclaimed by audiences and critics alike for the verve, commitment and intelligence of his performances. Together with Cartwright, he will perform a selection of classical music pieces by Mozart, Bach and Beethoven for Gauteng audiences.
Programme:
Mozart: Sonata in B-flat major for Piano and Violin, KV378
Bach: Partita for Solo Violin in B minor, BWV1002
Interval
Mozart: Rondo in D for Piano, KV485
Beethoven: Sonata for Piano and Violin in C minor, op.30 no.2
Don't miss this very special performance by a super talent in the music world.
When Is It?
Sunday, 23 February 2020 from 15:00 - 17:00.
Ticket prices:
Adults: R170 - R210 per person
Senior(60+) / Student(21-): R120 - R160 per person
What would cinema be without those great, rising symphonies right at the moment of peak dramatic action? Celebrate the magic of movie music with the Gauteng Philharmonic Orchestra at Brooklyn Theatre this February. Performing a splendid selection from arthouse and popular films, the orchestra will take you on a journey through some of your favourite movie moments. Think 2001 Space Odyssey, Amadeus, Four Weddings and a Funeral, Out of Africa, Cider House Rules, Chocolat and Pretty Woman.
The programme will feature instrumental works and some vocal music performed by singers from the Loveline Arts Foundation. Book your tickets now!
Date: Saturday, 29 February 2020 - Sunday, 01 March 2020.
Ticket prices:
Adult: R360 - R450 per person
Senior(60+) / Student(21-): R180 - R310 per person
Details: Greenlyn Village Centre, Shop 21/Theatre, C/o Thomas Edison and 13th Streets, Menlo Park, Brooklyn, Pretoria, Gauteng | (012) 460 6033 | [email protected]
What Is It?
Music is healing for the soul for many, but nothing quite like classical music to have your brain exercise, check out the amazing Little Maestros Classical Concerts.
Enjoy good music in a very calm environment, and have the little ones have fun while taking part in the music and dance. Little Maestros is definitely something to look forward to for both the children and parents.
Don't miss out on this fun opportunity to spend time with kids and introduce them to sound and rhythm.
The Rand Symphony Orchestra is a community orchestra, made up of musicians who love to play for Joburg audiences. This orchestra have been bringing the city classical music performances for over 30 years, highlighting South Africa's rich and diverse base of musical talent.
This November, the Rand Symphony Orchestra invite you to attend their gala concert at Roodepoort Theatre. While the orchestra aims to be self-sustaining, they do welcome the support of those who believe in the importance of growing and building classical musicians and events. So, come out and show your appreciation of their art.
When Is It?
Friday, 22 November 2019.
Where Is It?
Roodepoort Main Theatre, 100 Christiaan de Wet Rd, Florida Park, Roodepoort, Johannesburg.
How Much Is It?
Ticket prices not communicated.
For more information
Visit their website for more information, or follow them on social media:
Contact the theatre Box Office on 0861 670 670 / 011 472 1374 or via email at [email protected]
What Is It?
Now in its fifth season, A Grand Night For Singing is the highlight of the UJ Arts Centre's calendar. A spectacular evening of opera, song and dance, A Grand Night For Singing is performed in aid of the Dean's bursary fund. The lineup for the 2020 show will be announced in due course. Keep an eye on their Facebook page for updates.
Don't miss out on this grand evening of music and celebration of young talent at the UJ Arts Centre Theatre.
When Is It?
Saturday, 18 April 2020 at 19:30.
Where Is It?
UJ Arts Centre, UJ Kingsway Campus, Corner of Kingsway Ave and University Rd, Auckland Park, Johannesburg.
How Much Is It?
Entrance is free, but they ask that you please make a donation to the FADA Executive Dean's Bursary Fund. Please confirm your attendance here.
For more information
Visit the UJ Arts Centre website for more information, or follow them on social media:
The Johannesburg Youth Orchestra Company invite you to an evening of exciting symphonic music, big band classics, movie music and marches. The concert features guest performers from the Kreisjugend-Orchestra in Ludwigsburg, Germany, as well as the Johannesburg Youth Symphonic Wind Band. Conducted by Roland Haug and Etienne Mecloen, Winds of Change is sure to be a musical treat. Don't miss it!
Going to midday music concerts may seem like an activity only meant for music scholars or theatre critics. But, the Average Joe could enjoy the soothing sounds of a jazz band or forty piece orchestra just as much. In fact, we think that popping into a noon time music show is a great way to de-stress and reboot before tackling the rest of the work day.
Luckily, there are three notable venues in the city which offer Joburg natives the chance to chill out to some tunes in the middle of the day:
The Auto & General Theatre on the Square
This 200-seat theatre venue is tucked away just opposite the extravagant Nelson Mandela Square restaurant boulevard in Sandton. They were the first theatre of their kind to introduce a lunchtime classical music concert. Conceptualized over a decade ago, this feature is now a regular Friday event. Shows usually take place at around 1:00 pm on Fridays, with tickets available at the Box Office until thirty minutes prior to the start of the show. Tickets prices are often capped at *R50, and include entrance to the show, a play bill and tea and biscuits after the show.
The theatre has already booked a stellar range of classical performers for their lunchtime concerts until 24 May 2019. Audiences can expect everything from guitar and violin duets to an ensemble of Argentinean Tango Music. On Friday, 26 April 2019 the theatre will present a Pre-Freedom Day musical tribute concert performed by Pops Mohammed. The concert is set to explore the rich tradition of African indigenous music and instruments in honour of the 25th anniversary of our country's democracy.
The Wits School of Arts music division present a weekly midday concert in the Great Hall on the universities Main Campus in Braamfontein. These musical showcases often feature some of the divisions most promising students, as well as acclaimed classical and jazz musicians. The best thing about this concert however, is that admission is free! (The only downside is that you may have to battle a couple of harried students to find a decent parking on campus.)
The lunchtime concerts at Wits occasionally take place on Wednesdays from 1:15 - 1:50 pm. Check the university website for further details on upcoming shows. If you have the time, also check out The Olives and Plates Alumni House on West Campus after the show. Their carrot cake is to die for!
It is almost impossible to miss the imposing figure of the Joburg Theatre over the city. This massive theatre precinct hosts every kind of performance event imaginable. From international musicals to children's theatre and dance spectaculars - they have it all. Speaking of dance, the theatre often stages daytime showings of classical ballets performed by the Joburg Ballet company. While this is not a music concert per say, the Joburg Ballet does frequently perform with the Johannesburg Philharmonic Orchestra. So, if you find yourself drifting off during a court scene, gaze down into the orchestra pit for a change of scenery. (You can often spot the percussionists getting up to mischief when they think no one is looking.)
Do you know of any other venues in the city that host midday music concerts? Let us know about them in the comments below!
Going to midday music concerts may seem like an activity only meant for music scholars or theatre critics. But, the average Joe could enjoy the soothing sounds of a jazz band or forty piece orchestra just as much. In fact, we think that popping into a noon time music show is a great way to de-stress and reboot before tackling the rest of the work day.
Luckily, there are three notable venues in the city which offer Joburg natives the chance to chill out to some tunes in the middle of the day:
The Auto & General Theatre on the Square
This 200-seat theatre venue is tucked away just opposite the extravagant Nelson Mandela Square restaurant boulevard in Sandton. They were the first theatre of their kind to introduce a lunchtime classical music concert. Conceptualized over a decade ago, this feature is now a regular Friday event. Shows usually take place at around 1:00 pm on Fridays, with tickets available at the Box Office until thirty minutes prior to the start of the show. Tickets prices are often capped at *R50, and include entrance to the show, a play bill and tea and biscuits after the show.
The theatre has already booked a stellar range of classical performers for their lunchtime concerts until 24 May 2019. Audiences can expect everything from guitar and violin duets to an ensemble of Argentinean Tango Music. On Friday, 26 April 2019 the theatre will present a Pre-Freedom Day musical tribute concert performed by Pops Mohammed. The concert is set to explore the rich tradition of African indigenous music and instruments in honour of the 25th anniversary of our country's democracy.
The Wits School of Arts music division present a weekly midday concert in the Great Hall on the universities Main Campus in Braamfontein. These musical showcases often feature some of the divisions most promising students, as well as acclaimed classical and jazz musicians. The best thing about this concert however, is that admission is free! (The only downside is that you may have to battle a couple of harried students to find a decent parking on campus.)
The lunchtime concerts at Wits occasionally take place on Wednesdays from 1:15 - 1:50 pm. Check the university website for further details on upcoming shows. If you have the time, also check out The Olives and Plates Alumni House on West Campus after the show. Their carrot cake is to die for!
It is almost impossible to miss the imposing figure of the Joburg Theatre over the city. This massive theatre precinct hosts every kind of performance event imaginable. From international musicals to children's theatre and dance spectaculars - they have it all. Speaking of dance, the theatre often stages daytime showings of classical ballets performed by the Joburg Ballet company. While this is not a music concert per say, the Joburg Ballet does frequently perform with the Johannesburg Philharmonic Orchestra. So, if you find yourself drifting off during a court scene, gaze down into the orchestra pit for a change of scenery. (You can often spot the percussionists getting up to mischief when they think no one is looking.)
Do you know of any other venues in the city that host midday music concerts? Let us know about them in the comments below!
What Is It?
The Johannesburg Philharmonic Orchestra invites you to attend their 2019 Winter Season showcase at the Linder Auditorium. This season aims to celebrate a world symphony series, and will feature the likes of pianist Edith Peña, cellist Alexander Ramm, pianist Sodi Braide and violinist Ye-Eun Choi. These international stars bring you a series of concerts between May and June. They will perform some of the most well known and beloved concerto's alongside the JPO. Become a JPO subscriber to secure your tickets, find out about concert events and receive discounts.
Edith Peña
What To Expect This Season
The acclaimed Japanese conductor, Yasuo Shinozaki, takes the podium for the opening two concert programmes of the season. The first of these, to be performed on 22, 23 and 24 May 2019, features an enticing mix of masterworks including Franz Joseph Haydn’s enchanting ‘Surprise Symphony’, the second of his 12 great ‘London Symphonies’ written for the British capital in the 1790’s; the dazzling Piano Concerto No. 2 in g minor by Camille Saint-Saëns (performed by the young Venezuelan virtuoso, Edith Peña); and Robert Schumann’s stirring Symphony No. 4 in d minor to conclude the evening’s fare.
Yasuo Shinozaki, conductor. Photo: Benjamin Ealovega
In his second programme, to be heard on 29 and 30 May 2019, Shinozaki opens with the atmospherically charged Overture to Carl Maria von Weber’s ground-breaking German opera, Der Freischütz; followed by an important JPO debut performance of Elgar’s Cello Concerto from the noted new-generation soloist, Alexander Ramm. Sibelius’ thrilling Symphony No. 1 in e minor rounds off the programme.
The popular Netherlands-born conductor, Arjan Tien, makes a welcome return for the third programme of the season on 05 and 06 June 2019 with a programme featuring Mozart’s Le Nozze di Figaro Overture and his Piano Concerto No. 23 in A Major (played by Sodi Braide, the noted young British-born pianist of Nigerian parentage) in the first half of the evening and Mendelssohn’s hugely popular Scottish Symphony following after intermission.
Arjan Tien, conductor. Photo: Marco Borggreve
The JPO’s 2019 World Symphony Series Winter Season climaxes with works of widely divergent vintages and character, offering a highly distinctive debut platform for two rising stars of the international concert scene – the American conductor Robert Moody and the young Munich-based Korean violinist Ye-Eun Choi. The evening opens with a highlight of the Italian high baroque period- Vivaldi’s “The Four Seasons” and concludes with Johannes Brahms’ lovely Third Symphony, written in Wiesbaden during the summer of 1883.
Sodi Braide
When Is It?
Concert 1: Wednesday, 22 May; Thursday, 23 May and Friday, 24 May 2019 at 19:30.
Concert 2: Wednesday, 29 May & Thursday, 30 May 2019 at 19:30.
Concert 3: Wednesday, 05 June & Thursday, 06 June 2019 at 19:30.
Concert 4: Wednesday, 12 June & Thursday, 13 June 2019 at 19:30.
Wits Linder Auditorium, 27 St Andrews Road, Parktown, Johannesburg.
How Much Is It?
Tickets cost between R150 - R345 per person.
Visit Computicket to view ticket prices and booking details.
For More Information
Visit the Johannesburg Philharmonic Orchestra's website for more information.
Don't forget to check them out on Facebookand Instagram for the latest news and shows.
What Is It?
Vivaldi’s Four Seasons is probably one of the best-loved Classical masterpieces of all time. Enjoyed by old and young, across the whole spectrum of music lovers. The original score was written for a string orchestra, church organ and violin soloist. These days the organ is replaced mostly by a harpsichord.
This show will be performed by Petrus de Beer ( a classically trained violinist), Stanislav Angelov ( Classical Accordionist) and Schalk Joubert who is a truly seasoned musician who has been working as a solo artist, freelance bass player, composer, arranger, producer and musical director.
When Is It?
Sunday 30 September 2018 at 17:00
Where Is It?
Four Seasons Hotel The Westcliff, 67 Jan Smuts Avenue, Randburg, Johannesburg
