Love Norwood

Love Norwood

In recent years Johannesburg has seen a movement towards community revival. As a result there has been an increase in markets, local music and an overall coming together. It’s always a great day for family and friends to visit a new market get some amazing food and be entertained for the day.

This past weekend my local suburb celebrated itself and hosted Love Norwood day in the local park. It was a fantastic way to spend the day! The organisers which were the local residents association managed to organise a fantastic event with a pop up market, great live music, entertainment for the kids and an overall festive celebration of the wonderful and creative offerings our small “hood” has to offer.

Pop Up Market

Artisan Food

I was one of the creative participants with my baby and kids range of clothing and products – Mokopu. The event was held at a local park that borders the main road through the suburb, the events extended from the park all the way down Grant Ave. where all the local businesses got involved.

Pop Up market

It turned out to be a roaring success and a wonderful way to spend the day. In addition to the array of restaurants and shops down Grant Ave. there was a pop up market with a variety of craft and food stalls. Health and fitness such as bootcamp and “self-defense” training had demonstrations. There were short guitar sessions and kids paint sessions. I personally was somewhat saddened that I didn’t get the opportunity to tour the permaculture garden that was offering tour’s throughout the day. I didn’t even know it was in the area. I did however get to enjoy the music, the event had organised a range of local performers and band’s that did an amazing job of entertaining the crowd. Undoubtedly the best part of the day was seeing people come through grab a spot on the lawns and spend the afternoon listening to great performances.

Kids having Fun at the Mokopu stall

Other aspects of the event included an instagram competition that ran through the weeks running up to the event and photo tours on the day. All those instagram images can be seen using the #lovenorwood. Other great pictures from the day can be found on the Republic of Norwood Facebook page.

Lounging to Live Music

Overall, I love our little neighbourhood from the tree lined streets with people jogging or walking their dogs to the coffee shops and central stores on Grant Ave. (where I always bump into someone I know). I knew we had something special but Love Norwood day brought that little something out for everyone.

Maboneng – Sevensounds

Common Ground – The Maboneng Precinct

This past weekend saw the opening and first Seven Sounds event at the Common Ground park in The Maboneng Precinct. Firstly, let me mention that The Maboneng Precinct is a the leader in the revival of Johannesburg’s inner city. The Maboneng Precinct and its many attractions definitely deserve a post of it’s own and I guarantee it will come soon.

Playground

Slide

Industrial inspired swings

Chess Anyone?

The first Seven Sounds live music event was held at  Common Ground in Maboneng, Which as the name suggest’s is a musical line up made up of seven distinct and unique artists, the event started at 11 am with Matthew Mole as the start up entertainment, followed every hour by the rest of the line up including The Muffinz, Guy Buttery and Runaway Train Cult to name a few.

Overhead view of the Park.

Surrounding Street Art

Synonymous with Maboneng, the event was centred around community interaction and being held at the Common Ground park fed directly into that ethos. The park is architecturally designed and utilised by the Spark Maboneng School and the Maboneng Precinct community. This lends itself for industrial recreation as is evident in the adaptations of childrens play area and facilities.

Bar

Stage is set

The “stage” was set in a mini amphitheatre within the park. Food stalls and a bar catered the event and made for a easy, delicious offering. The day started off with wonderful sunny skies and slightly maybe too hot weather, however it was temporarily interrupted by a freak storm, which put off the festivities for a while. However once the bad weather passed over the music and chilled Saturday vibes returned.

Overall, it was a great way to spend a summer Saturday afternoon. The music was really great, the full line up looked something like this:

• Sound Zero – Gates open – 10h00
• Sound One – Matthew Mole – 11h00
• Sound Two – Shotgun Tori – 12h00
• Sound Three – The Muffinz – 13h00
• Sound Four – Guy Buttery – 14h00
• Sound Five – Tidal Waves – 15h00
• Sound Six – Nakhane Touré – 16h00
• Sound Seven – Runaway Train Cult – 17h00

Tickets are limited and details for future events can be found both on the Seven Sounds Website and through a link on the Maboneng Precinct website. I personally love any reason that gets me into the Maboneng Precinct, it’s always a pleasure to spend time in the city the entertainment is a welcome bonus.

Common Ground Surrounding street art

 

Sunset @ Katy’s Palace

Katy’s Palace Bar – Classy ride

It has been ridiculously hot in Johannesburg the last few days which is uncomfortable during the day but makes for wonderfully warm evenings, perfect for spending time at an eclectic quirky rooftop bar like Katy’s Palace Bar.

Exotic Entrance to Katy’s Palace Bar

I had heard about Katy’s Palace but hadn’t really been mainly since it isn’t open to trade everyday. In fact it’s main function is as an event venue, however they do a Sunday lunch buffet that has received rave reviews. I eventually made it to Katy’s Palace for an event (a work event…not my work event…I didn’t crash I was a plus 1) and I have to say from the moment we arrived I was blown away by the space and the decor to the extent that I didn’t really notice that it wasn’t really my event.

Katy’s Palace is situated in Kramerville Johannesburg, which has in the last few years really become a spot for trendy lifestyle spots and furnishings. Katy’s palace is located in a large warehouse space above a charming an exotic furniture and artefacts store which only adds to the charm. From the moment you approach the building and as you make your way up to the venue you are enticed with a variety of quirky and interesting art and objet d’art.

Quirky Art and Deco at the entrance

Interesting Art

Once you enter the space you find yourself in a voluminous palatial open area, decorated in a rustic and eclectic array of furnishings and artifacts.

 

When we entered the sun was just on the horizon and streamed through the space highlighting and illuminating all the deco. The bar is a well placed an attraction on it’s own and the space flows out onto a veranda with the most spectacular view of the Sandton skyline.

Sandton Skyline view at Sunset

The veranda was the perfect spot for the warm summer night and as drinks came and the band started playing, it really made for a beautiful evening. Since it was an event appetisers were served and ranged from sushi to haloumi, before single servings of chicken curry and rice and pasta came around. The food was delicious and the staff were friendly.

Katy’s Palace Indoor Venue with Upper terrace

Indoor Decor – Fireplace

Overall, Katy’s Palace Bar is definately a distinct venue and one that shouldn’t be missed. I think a Sunday lunch will be on my agenda soon.

Beefcakes Bachelor

XOXO

Coming up very soon, is the nuptials of a very good friend. As a pre-wedding/Bachelor party we celebrated at Beefcakes in Illovo this past weekend.

 

Beefcakes – Illovo Johannesburg

Beefcakes is a restaurant and entertainment venue synonymous with a retro 50’s Miami beach vibe enhanced by the madness of a glamorous drag show, sexy male waiters and delicious burgers. It’s camp chic at it’s best.

Pink and White Flamingo’s

Think flamingo’s, glitter, pink drinks and boy’s! As an entertainment venue it’s popular with bachelorette parties; however birthdays, baby showers, divorce parties and like us a Bachelor’s & Bachelor’s (which we later found out was the first at the venue) worked wonderfully. They have other themed nights through the week such as “Bitchy Bingo” on Tuesday’s and “The Dreemz Drag” on Thursday.

Lights, Sequins…Show!!!

The vibe and layout of the venue is very fun and friendly, everyone from the waiters to the vamp’s are absolutely fantastic. One of the clear highlights of the evening was the drag show put on by “The Vamps” who did a varied, current and entertaining music montage, accentuated with hair, makeup, sequins and extravagant costumes.

 

 

Beefcakes Burger

They are pretty famed for the beefcakes burgers, which are actually extremely tasty and are accompanied with fries and a selection of burger additions, such as guacamole, salsa and cheese’s. They do offer an a la carte menu with a more detailed offering. The Cocktails are pretty pink and yummy!

Pink Drinks

 

Topless Waiter’s anyone?

Finally, the evening end’s off with all the waiters stripping off their top’s revealing buffed, toned bodies that are up for body shot’s. A particularly popular offering especially for the brides-to-be.

Overall, beefcakes is a good, fun night out! It provides an evening of food, laughs, drinks and fancy entertainment!

Beefcakes is located in Illovo next to the Thrupp’s centre and they have an alternate branch in Bedfordview.