Sandton prepares for Joy of Jazz with free events

Alida Canevari, chairman of the Sandton Tourism Association, said: "Sandton is geared and ready to welcome the Standard Bank Joy of Jazz. It has been embraced by all our members and there's plenty on offer for everyone visiting - even if they're not lucky enough to have secured tickets to this world-class festival. Sandton is the place to be this September."

The action takes place at Sandton City and Nelson Mandela Square as well as at other Sandton establishments.

Sandton City's Checkers' Forecourt will host performances at 10.15, 11.15 and 2.10 from Heritage Day on Wednesday, 24 September to Saturday, 27 September. Included in the line-up are Thandokazi, the Bushy Obazana Jazz Band, Shoe Lace and Gurulogic.

Buskers will be performing in Nelson Mandela Square from noon until 4pm from 24 to 27 September.

There will also be performances at a number of restaurants in the Sandton precinct.

Friday, 26 September

• Riffs Bar and Grill (Garden Court Sandton City) 7pm to 8pm Ayo Solanke; 8.30pm to 9.30pm Gurulogic;
• Parc Ferme (8 Maude Street) 7pm to 8pm Cloud Notes Experiment; 8.30pm to 9.30pm Native 2120;
• Hard Rock Café (Nelson Mandela Square) 7pm to 8pm Kyle McDonald; 8.30pm to 9.30pm Lunggie;
• Pappas Greek Restaurant (Nelson Mandela Square) 7pm to 8pm Leandro; 8.30pm to 9.30pm Throwback.

Saturday, 27 September

• Riffs Bar and Grill (Garden Court Sandton City) 7pm to 8pm Victor Kgantlape; 8.30pm to 9.30pm Amandla Freedom Ensemble;
• Parc Ferme (8 Maude Street) 7pm to 8pm Csana; 8.30pm to 9.30pm Bushy Obazana Jazz Band;
• Hard Rock Café (Nelson Mandela Square) 7pm to 8pm Hendrick Mboweni; 8.30pm to 9.30pm Bongi Mvuyana;
• Pappas Greek Restaurant (Nelson Mandela Square) 7pm to 8pm Spha Mdlalose; 8.30pm to 9.30pm Sebenzile Mthombeni.

Meanwhile Jazz meets Lounge at the San Deck at the Tsogo Sun's Sandton Sun Hotel, official hotel sponsor of Standard Bank Joy of Jazz, on Sunday, 21 September and Sunday, 28 September from 2.30pm until late. It features Metro FM's Nothemba Madumo and Jazzy Vez. Entrance is free.

The Maslow Hotel also has a number of activities:
• Sunday, 21 September and Sunday, 28 September from 1pm to 5pm - Jazz Sunday Gourmet Braai with a live performance by the Johannesburg Youth Band (JYO)at the Lacuna Bistro. Cost is R250 per person and includes a glass of bubbly.
• Monday, 22 September to Friday, 26 September from 6pm to 9pm - Jazz evenings at Lacuna Bistro and Bar every evening with the JYO.

Davinci Hotel and Suites on Nelson Mandela Square is offering jazz at its pool deck every Wednesday to Friday from 4.30pm to 9pm 21h00 until 30 October with a resident saxophonist.

For more information go to www.sandtontourism.com and www.joyofjazz.co.za.