Riverdance at Montecasino in January

Of all the performances to emerge from Ireland - in rock, music, theatre and film - nothing has carried the energy, the sensuality and the spectacle of Riverdance.

Riverdance is a theatrical show consisting of traditional Irish stepdancing, notable for its rapid leg movements while body and arms are kept largely stationary.

Riverdance is an innovative and exciting blend of dance, music and song. Drawing on Irish traditions, the combined talents of the performers propel Irish dancing and music into present day, capturing the imagination of audiences across all ages and cultures.

For more information about Riverdance, click on the title of this news piece.

Tickets cost from R221 to R399.
Call Computicket on 083 915 8000 or book online at www.computicket.com

Open for Christmas

Many of the Johannesburg Guesthouses will be remaining open for the festive period this year.

Johannesburg quietens down significantly over Christmas and New Year, along with the wonderful weather, this makes an excellent time to visit the city. Cultural centres like the Apartheid Museum, The Mandela at Joburg Theatre and the Globe Theatre will all be open over the festive period. Tours to Soweto, Sun City and the Pilansburg can all be arranged for you by the guesthouses. Plenty to keep every visitor busy.

The Guesthouses that will remain open are:
Ailsa Craig
Amanzi Guesthouse
Bridge House
Buckingham Guesthouse
Clico Guesthouse
Craighall House
de Pinna's
Graton Guesthouse
Hands On Retreat
Liz at Lancaster
Melrose Place
Premiere Classe
Roscommon Cottage
Rutland House
Seventh Avenue
The Ashford
Village Green Guesthouse
Waterfall Cottages

For closing dates of all the other guesthouses, please go to their individual websites or contact the guesthouse directly.

Wishing everyone a very happy festive season.

Clico Guesthouse - GREAT NEW YEAR OFFER

In order to welcome in 2011, Clico Guesthouse are offering some excellent rates for January 2011. All guests staying at Clico during the month of January will enjoy the following outstanding rates:

R995 per room per night B&B, single occupancy
R1395 per room per night B&B, double occupancy

To take advantage of these rates, please quote ‘JG New year offer’ at the time of booking.
Offer only available for guests staying in January 2011.

Sabine Seeger

Tel: +27 (0)11 252 3300

marketing@clicoguesthouse.com

www.clicoguesthouse.com

Cotswold Gardens - 10% DISCOUNT IN JANUARY 2011

For guests who stay at Cotswold Gardens in January 2011 for 3 nights or more, you’ll receive a 10% discount on your room rate.

Offer is valid only for stays during January 2011. Please quote ‘JG 10% January discount offer’ at the time of booking.

Janine Hobbs
Tel +27 (0)11 442 7553
info@cotswoldgardens.co.za

Premiere Classe Suite Hotel - SPECIAL SUMMER RATES

Take advantage of these great rates available at Premiere Classe Suite Hotel this festive season.
 
Monday to Thursday
Stay for 3 consecutive nights
One bedroom R600,00 per night per apartment
Two bedroom R 900.00 per night per apartment
 
Weekend rates Friday, Saturday Sunday
One  bedroom R550.00 per night per apartment
Two bedroom R800.00 per night per apartment

Offer is valid for all guests staying at Premiere Classe Suite Hotel untill 31st January 2011, when you quote ‘JG Summer Rates offer’ at the time of booking.

Merle Chevreau
merle@premiereclasse.co.za
+27 82 554 9638

Liz at Lancaster - JG GAUTRAIN OFFER

A special offer is available for all Liz at Lancaster guests. For all guests who are flying into OR Tambo International Airport and then catching the Gautrain into Sandton station, Liz will arrange a complimentary transfer to collect you from Sandton station and drop you off at Liz at Lancaster.

Please quote 'JG Gautrain offer' when you book your room at Liz at Lancaster to take advantage of this offer.
Offer is valid for all guests staying at Liz at Lancaster till 31st January 2011, when you quote 'JG Gautrain offer' at the time of booking.

Liz Delmont
Liz at Lancaster
+27 11 442 8083 or
+27 83 229 4223

Cirque du Soleil is coming to Johannesburg

Cirque do Soleil has been a world wide phenomenon for many years now. They've performed all over the world and they are finally coming to South Africa. So don't miss this opportunity to see something spectacular.

With a cast of 50 high-caliber artists hailing from 20 different countries, Saltimbanco is their signature show they are bringing to South Africa. Featuring breathtaking acrobatics and seemingly impossible balancing, jumping and spinning during acts such as the Chinese Poles or the Russian Swing to the gravity-defying Bungees and Trapeze, the crowd pleasing Juggling and Acrobatic Bicycle, to the celebrated and very unique Clowns. Full of colour, amusement and amazement, Saltimbanco is a fun show for the whole family to enjoy.

Cirque Du Soleil will be in Johannesburg, at the Coca Cola Dome, from Wednesday 9th March to Sunday the 13th March and tickets are already available through Computickets.

For more information about Cirque Du Soleil, click on the title of this news piece.

Tickets cost from R272 to R476.
Call Computicket on 083 915 8000, or book online at www.computicket.com

Permanent Error: A solo exhibition by Pieter Hugo

Brodie/Stevenson is pleased to announce a solo exhibition of new work by Pieter Hugo.

For the past year Hugo has been photographing the people and landscape of an expansive dump of obsolete technology in Ghana. The area, on the outskirts of a slum known as Agbogbloshie, is referred to by local inhabitants as Sodom and Gomorrah, a vivid acknowledgment of the profound inhumanity of the place. When Hugo asked the inhabitants what they called the pit where the burning takes place, they repeatedly responded: 'For this place, we have no name'.

Their response is a reminder of the alien circumstances that are imposed on marginal communities of the world by the West's obsession with consumption and obsolesce. This wasteland, where people and cattle live on mountains of motherboards, monitors and discarded hard drives, is far removed from the benefits accorded by the unrelenting advances of technology.

The Exhibition will be taking place in Braamfontein, south of Rosebank a short drive from the area of the Johannesburg Guesthouses, so if you have a chance to pop down there, it should be well worth the visit.

The exhibition opens on Thursday 4 November, 6:30-9pm. The exhibition closes on 15 December 2010.

Gallery Times:
Monday to Friday: 9am to 5pm
Saturday: 10am to 1pm.

Cost: Free

Brodie/Stevenson
t 011 326 0034
e info@brodiestevenson.com
w www.brodiestevenson.com
a 62 Juta Street
Braamfontein

Love your wine?

After a decade of establishing pride of place on the annual wine calendar, RMB WineX remains the wine festival for the discerning wine consumer. 2010’s three night show again boasts the greatest selection of South Africa’s top cellars under one roof with a smattering of new cellars adding intrigue to the line-up.

Each year, the Cape’s top wine makers make the trip to Gauteng to meet the province’s keenest wine lovers, to share past award winners and introduce the latest vintages and new labels. Not only geared for wine gurus, RMB WineX is a fun night in the city with the vast array wines for tasting in Bohemia Crystal glasses and complemented with a fare of boutique cheeses, artisanal olives and olive products, stemware and wine accessories.

5pm - 9pm daily.

Cost: R100 - R120 | Tickets through Computicket

Sandton Convention Centre
t 083 915 8000 (Computicket)
w www.winex.co.za
a Maude Street, Sandton

Mamma Mia opens today at Monte Casino

The phenomenal smash hit musical that has been seen by over 40 million people world wide is opening today at Teatro Monte Casino.

Based around Abba's catchy and well known tunes, a young girl, due to get married attempts to identify who her father is. Set on a Greek island, this show can't fail to make you smile.

Ticket prices range from R100 to R390 and it is worth every cent. The show is running till 29th December and is sure to be a popular draw for Joburg music lovers and visitors alike.

Use the title above to click through to Computickets where you can book tickets. Alternatively call 083 915 8000.

Toast&Co wins Nail Salon of the Year

An enormous congratulations to Toast&Co in Craighall Park, who recently won Nail Salon of the Year, from Professional Beauty Magazine. Chosen from a whole host of exceptional salons, Toast proved that they were a cut above the rest with their service and overall experience provided for their clients. An article will be appearing shortly in the next issue of the magazine all about the awards. http://www.probeauty.co.za

And this month, you'll find another great offer at Toast&Co in Craighall Park. In recognition of Breast Cancer Awareness Month in October, Toast are offering to contribute a portion of every nail treatment carried out where the client chooses pink nail varnish. Pink Drive, will be the beneficiary of the donation at the end of the month to help towards all their excellent work improving breast cancer awareness, education and providing and offering services to women across South Africa. For more information on Pink Drive visit http://www.pinkdrive.co.za

Johannesburg Guesthouses are proud to have Toast included in the Handpicked Jozi Services. www.toastandco.co.za

Jock of the Bushveld - The Musical

The classic South African novel by Sir Percy Fitzpatrick has finally made it to the stage. Of course Johannesburg is the Musical's first outing and is being shown at The Mandela at Joburg Theatre. It runs until 10th October, so there's not long left to see the show.

Jock of the Bushveld - The Musical has been two years in the making and faithfully tells the beloved South African story of the dog with the heart of a lion. The story that millions around the world loved as a child, and whose children will love too, comes alive on stage through a most special application of the magic of musical theatre yet seen in South Africa. From the breathtaking music, to the spectacular costume, set and lighting designs, this is a musical theatre experience not to be missed.

Bookings are being taken through www.computickets.com, or over the phone on 083 915 8000.

Taste of Joburg

The Taste of Joburg Festival is happening this weekend, from the 30 September to 03 October at Monte Casino. It's a food and wine lovers heaven. Restaurants and Vineyards compete for popularity all within the confines of the festival.

This is your opportunity to go and try little bits of food from lots of different restaurants from around Joburg. There will be 16 different restaurants in total. Each restaurant showcases 3 dishes and you can chose whichever ones you want to try for a small fee. Then when you've filled up, you can decide which dish you liked best and make a beeline to book and visit that restaurant another time for an entire meal. The chefs take the festival very seriously and there's a lot of interest at the end of each session as to which restaurant has sold the most samples.

The Vineyards are also there in force allowing you to taste their wines, and order if you wish.

It's a great day out. Well worth a visit. Booking is essential and you can get tickets from www.computicket.com or by phone on 083 915 8000.

Go Bafana Bafana

So, today is the day that Bafana Bafana seal their fate. Will they do the unthinkable and beat France by enough to send them through? We really hope so, all the Johannesburg Guesthouses are fully behind the team, flying flags, wearing their shirts and earrings and hoping really hard that things go our way this afternoon.

If you're not going to make it to Bloem today to see the game live, or any of the other games around South Africa, where should you go in Johannesburg to watch? Obviously, there's the official Fan Parks, but how about somewhere a little more personal?

Melrose Arch has screens up all over showing all the matches. There you'll be close to a bar, restaurant or shop all the time if you get chilly, or there just isn't any action on the screens. The Grace has set up a special Football watching area on their terrace with delicious food and drinks available just a few steps away, and heaters to keep you warm. Or, how about settling down with a delicious pizza at Esspresso on 4th Avenue in Parkhurst to watch the games.

Let us know if you've found a gem of a place to watch the World Cup in Johannesburg.