--- title: "What to do in Joburg right now — an essential gig guide" description: "Are you looking for the next exciting thing to do in Joburg? From comedy and theatre, to art and music, here is a roundup of entertainment happening in the city soon." type: "NewsArticle" publisher: "Daily Maverick" site: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za" section: "CITY ESCAPE" author: "Maria McCloy" author_url: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/author/m-mccloy/" canonical_url: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2025-11-06-joburg-gig-guide-what-to-do-in-the-city-right-now/" published: "2025-11-06T17:00:59" updated: "2025-11-06T12:50:17" lang: "en-ZA" word_count: 1054 --- # What to do in Joburg right now — an essential gig guide > Are you looking for the next exciting thing to do in Joburg? From comedy and theatre, to art and music, here is a roundup of entertainment happening in the city soon. By Maria McCloy · Published 6 November 2025, 19:00 SAST · Updated 6 November 2025, 14:50 SAST ## Key points - This November, ditch your regular barber for a dose of camaraderie and cultural commentary in Inua Ellams’s Barber Shop Chronicles at the Market Theatre, where six cities' worth of African men gather to snip, chat and dissect the art of masculinity. - The Market Theatre presents the acclaimed *Barber Shop Chronicles*, exploring masculinity and connection across six cities, from 6 to 30 November 2025. - *Not Your Uncle’s Jazz* brings a fresh sound to Brixton on 8 November, featuring live performances and DJs from 3pm. - A collaboration between Mary Sibande and Mantsho at Everard Read showcases the evolution of the character Sophie, running from 6 November to 12 December 2025. - Celebrate Zulu culture at the *Ingoma Yase Soweto* event on 9 November, featuring music, dance, and a meet-and-greet with Shaka iLembe star Thembinkosi Mthembu. ## Content ![The cast of Barber Shop Chronicles. (Photo: The Market Theatre)](https://cdn.dailymaverick.co.za/i/2Pgfyy-NtenieXdwu68nQLJKK44=/200x100/smart/filters:strip_exif\(\)/file/dailymaverick/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/The-cast-of-Barber-Shop-Chronicles_The-Market-Theatre.jpg) *The cast of Barber Shop Chronicles. (Photo: The Market Theatre)* #### **Barber Shop Chronicles, Market Theatre, Newtown** All men will be free this November to cheat on their barber and not regret it, as [The Market Theatre](https://markettheatre.co.za/) ends the year with staging the renowned [Barber Shop Chronicles](https://markettheatre.co.za/barber-shop-chronicles-pg/) for the first time on African soil. Brilliantly written by Nigerian-born British playwright Inua Ellams, the international hit play is directed by Sibusiso Mamba. It will run from 6to 30 November 2025 at the John Kani Theatre. The play chronicles six barbershops across the cities of Johannesburg, Harare, Kampala, Lagos, Accra as well as London. It’s an insightful exploration of masculinity, vulnerability and connection. Ellams explains: “The narrative unfolds over a single day, connecting the lives and stories of African men. These barbershops serve as sanctuaries where men gather not just for haircuts but for camaraderie, debate and solace, exploring themes of identity, fatherhood, history, relationships, culture, race and masculinity. It also offers a poignant and humorous exploration of the African diaspora experience.” Dates: 6-30 November 2025 Tickets: R170-R275 on [Webtickets](https://www.webtickets.co.za/v2/event.aspx?itemid=1565419689&performanceday=01-NOV-2025#EventTicketPanel_divCalendar) Address: 136 Lilian Ngoyi Street, Newtown #### **Not Your Uncle’s Jazz, Brixton** From Johannesburg’s sonic labs, a new frequency lands in Brixton at [Breezeblock Cafe;](https://breezeblock.co.za/)this is [Not Your Uncle’s Jazz](https://www.quicket.co.za/events/321530-not-your-uncles-jazz-2/#/) – *straat* and solid, reclaimed for the now. Experience a piano meditation by Maxwell Baloyi, visual art by Slovo Mamphaga, and the collective narrative of J.O.D. The energy shifts as DJs Lunga Mkila, Snazzo, Flames Shilowa, Rob Tha Banka, Manjik Mak and Mamello Pule take the decks. Date: 8 November 2025, 3pm Tickets: R80 from [Quicket](https://www.quicket.co.za/events/321530-not-your-uncles-jazz-2/#/), R100 at the door Address: 29 Chiswick Street, Brixton #### **Mary Sibande x Mantsho, Sophie’s Closet⁣, Everard Read** [Sophie at the Opera – Dressed in Mantsho](https://www.everard-read.co.za/exhibition/262/press_release/) at [Everard Read Circa Gallery](https://www.everard-read.co.za/) marks a landmark collaboration between visual artist Mary Sibande and fashion designer Palesa Mokubung, founder of [Mantsho](https://mantsho.com/). At the centre stands Sibande’s enduring muse, Sophie, who has journeyed from the uniform of servitude into a vision of possibility.⁣ Once defined by the attire of domestic service, Sophie now appears in couture, embodying the triumph of reimagined narratives and the audacity of Black women’s dreams.⁣ Through this collaboration, Sophie becomes both muse and medium, a living canvas where sculpture, fashion and storytelling converge. Her reappearance inaugurates Sophie’s Social Calendar, a new chapter in her evolving story, where she continues to grace cultural spaces and moments of collective imagination with quiet power. Dates: 6 November-12 December 2025 Tickets: Free general entry Address: 6 Jellicoe Avenue, Rosebank #### **Strictly Soul, La Parada, Rosebank** DJ Akio spends all his time criss-crossing the continent with his super-successful R&B party [Strictly Soul](https://www.strictly-soul.com/). This Saturday he is back home where it all began. As always it will be the best in R&B from old school classics to new school bangers. If you love music by Beyoncé, Mary J Blige, Giveon, SZA and TLC, this event is for you. Sing along to tracks played by him and special guest DJs from 7pm at [La Parada in Rosebank](https://laparada.co.za/location/rosebank/). Date: 8 November 2025, 7pm Tickets: R60-R200 from [Quicket](https://www.quicket.co.za/events/338695-strictly-soul-johannesburg/?ref=organiser-profile#/), R250 at the door Address: La Parada, The Firs Shopping Centre, Cradock Avenue, Rosebank #### **Kunye, Huddle Park, Linksfield** Award-winning DJ Shimza’s massive two-stage event, Kunye, features the best in African dance music producers and DJs. This time round there are international guests too at Saturday’s [Huddle Park](https://www.tripadvisor.co.za/Attraction_Review-g312578-d10257797-Reviews-Huddle_Park_Golf_Recreation-Johannesburg_Greater_Johannesburg_Gauteng.html) party – Alex Wann, Awen and Manoo from France. They’ll be joined on decks by Shimza himself, Demzabeats, Jazzworx, Mentmusik, Mpho.wav, Tenoceans, The Darque Experience, DWSON and Baby Whitz. Date: 8 November 2025, noon-10pm Tickets: R350-R700 from [Howler](https://kunye.howler.co.za/events/kunye-jozi-ix-8a4b?_gl=1%2A19brpcq%2A_up%2AMQ..%2A_ga%2AMTQyMjMyNzg5Ni4xNzYyMjY2Njg3%2A_ga_0X69KFQ5F8%2AczE3NjIyNjY2ODYkbzEkZzAkdDE3NjIyNjY2ODYkajYwJGwwJGgw%2A_ga_PP82175C1J%2AczE3NjIyNjY2ODckbzEkZzAkdDE3NjIyNjY2ODckajYwJGwwJGgw&utm_campaign=Kunye+Events+Curated+Group&utm_medium=Web&utm_source=Howler+Listing+Pages) Address: Huddle Park, Club Street, Linksfield #### **Smoking Kills, Melville** After being closed for a few months, everyone’s favourite dive bar, [Smoking Kills](https://www.instagram.com/smokingkillsbar/?hl=en), is open again every night in Melville. Address: 78a Avenue, 4th Avenue, Melville #### **Ingoma Yase Soweto, Soweto Theatre** The Zulu *ingoma* event at [Soweto Theatre’s Amphitheatre](https://www.sowetotheatre.com/ingoma-yase-soweto/) is a celebration of Zulu culture and music, featuring traditional Zulu music, dance and performance. “Ingoma” is a Zulu word that means “music” or “drumming”, but the event offers more than just music; it’s a showcase of Zulu heritage and traditions. [Shaka iLembe](https://www.dstv.com/mzansimagic/en-za/show/shaka-ilembe) heartthrob Thembinkosi Mthembu will be there for a meet-and-greet and, as if that wasn’t enough, the winner of this year’s Ingoma will walk away with a cow. Date: 9 November 2025, 9am Tickets: R100 from [Webtickets](https://www.webtickets.co.za/v2/event.aspx?itemid=1577446454) Address: Corner Bolani Link and Bolani Road, Jabulani, Soweto #### **Sneaker Sunday, Maracanà, Sandton** [Sneaker Sunday,](https://www.instagram.com/sneakersunday_za/)the ultimate fusion of style, culture and community, at [Maracanà,](https://maracana.co.za/) is a laid-back day celebrating sneaker fashion, live music, good vibes and fresh kicks. You can connect with fellow sneaker-heads and enjoy a Sunday that features hip-hop, amapiano and more from Maglera Doe Boy, Robot Boii, Sizwe Alakine, K. Keed, DJ Doowap, Miano, Killa Punch, MCK and Nandi Ndathane. Date: 9 November 2025, noon Tickets: R100-R200 from [Webtickets](https://www.webtickets.co.za/v2/event.aspx?itemid=1574475255) Address: 58 Wierda Road, Wierda Valley, Sandton #### **Vafa Naraghi: Becoming South African, Protea Fire & Ice Hotel, Pretoria Menlyn** Live comedy in Pretoria at the [Protea Fire and Ice Hotel, Menlyn](https://www.marriott.com/en-us/hotels/pryme-protea-hotel-fire-and-ice-pretoria-menlyn/overview/), Vafa Naraghi’s [Becoming South African](https://www.webtickets.co.za/v2/event.aspx?itemid=1574760055) traces his journey from growing up as a Persian boy in Mahikeng at the tail end of apartheid, to becoming a multilingual performer who has lived and worked across South Africa. Through sharp wit and heartfelt storytelling, Vafa unpacks the absurdities, contradictions and quiet beauty of a democracy still finding itself. With humour that disarms and connects, the show explores themes of identity, culture, belonging and national pride – inviting audiences to laugh, reflect and reimagine what it truly means to be South African. Date: 9 November 2025, 8pm Tickets: R160-R500 from [Webtickets](https://www.webtickets.co.za/v2/event.aspx?itemid=1574760055) Address: Protea Fire and Ice Hotel, 221 Garsfontein Road, De Beers, Menlyn, Pretoria ![Ladysmith Black Mambazo Performing at Joburg Theatre on 25 May 2023. (Photo: Gallo Images / Oupa Bopape)](https://cdn.dailymaverick.co.za/i/oB6JXkUw_EDs0QqJwFVpUelY5z4=/200x100/smart/filters:strip_exif\(\)/file/dailymaverick/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Ladysmith-Black-Mambazo-Performing-at-Joburg-Theatre-on-25-May-2023_Oupa-Bopape-via-Gallo-Images.jpg) *Ladysmith Black Mambazo at Joburg Theatre on 25 May 2023. (Photo: Gallo Images / Oupa Bopape)* #### **Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Untitled Basement, Braamfontein** It is only next week, but tickets are sure to sell out fast for Grammy-winning legends at such an intimate venue. Get ready for an unforgettable evening with South Africa’s legendary voices, Ladysmith Black Mambazo. Experience the timeless harmonies of Ladysmith Black Mambazo at [Untitled Basement](https://www.instagram.com/untitledbasement/?hl=en); it’s a night you don’t want to miss. Date: 16 November 2025, 8pm Tickets: R350 from [Quicket](https://www.quicket.co.za/events/342334-ladysmith-black-mambazo-live-at-the-basement/?ref=organiser-profile#/), R400 at the door Address: 7 Reserve Street, Braamfontein, Johannesburg. **DM**