Music is taking centre stage

It is my job to get you all up on your feet and out of the house. I keep seeing complaints that there is nothing to do and nowhere to go but that is factually incorrect! This week’s event guide has some art, some rock climbing, some shellfish, a few live singers, theatre, volleyball, jazz, karaoke, conferencing and more in and beyond Windhoek.

I promise you, there’s something for everyone, and no excuse to be bored.

Today

College of the Arts is hosting Art Splash, their annual student exhibition, tonight at the National Art Gallery of Namibia. The exhibition opens at 17h30 and will run till 7 June.

This Weekend

The Speakeasy at Liliencron Street is hosting Jazz Night, a soulful evening featuring the soothing sounds of Bubu Kakuva, this Friday from 19h00. Entry is free.

Unwind after work this Friday at Piccolo Cafe & Lounge with their free live music session featuring The Ells from 18h00 till late.

There is the Seafood Festival all day this Friday and Saturday at the Olympia Swimming Pool in Windhoek. There will be stalls, activities and live music, including The Ells and Vaughn Ahrens Band. Tickets start at N$50 for kiddies and go as high as N$900 for VIP access.

Catch some lovely live music at Weekend Melodies with Meno this Saturday, 10 May, at Vinyl’s Music Cafe. Entry is free from 19h30.

Come through for the Omake Volleyball Fun Day this Saturday at Mokati Stadium at Otjiwarongo. Teams can register for N$1 500 and stand a chance to win prizes of up to N$4 500. Entry for viewing will cost N$20 for adults and N$10 for children. There will be musical performances by Yeezir and Mclee the DJ, food and drinks and other prizes to be won.

On 10 May there’s a Drive-In Movie Night at the Windhoek Go-Karts parking lot from 18h00. Ticket prices range between N$150 and N$200 (with popcorn and a slushy) to see ‘Grown Ups’.

Next Week

Theatre veteran Sandy Rudd is celebrating ‘Forty Years of Fabulous’ with two gala performances at the National Theatre of Namibia next Friday, 16 May, at 19h00 and Saturday, 17 May, at 16h00. This event will feature Odile Gertze, Lize Ehlers, Haymich Olivier and Ernst Steynberg. Tickets cost between N$150 and N$200.

There’s a Cancer Conference taking place on Saturday, 17 May, at The Dome MTC Namibia at Swakopmund to empower individuals living with cancer and their families. Between 08h30 and 16h00, you can expect expert-led sessions, food and drinks, as well a supportive and uplifting atmosphere. Tickets are N$400 per person and N$300 for Namibia Medical Care members.

Recurring

Vinyls Music and Art Cafe is hosting a karaoke night every Tuesday from 20h00, and on Wine Wednesdays you can pop in for three glasses of their finest for N$150. The special runs all day long.

Forever Dance Academy is hosting kizomba and semba dance lessons every Monday and Wednesday at 12 Hugel Street in Windhoek. Beginners will practice between 18h30 and 19h30, while intermediate and advanced dancers have the 19h30 to 20h30 slot for both days. One drop-in lesson will cost N$100, while packages of eight lessons range between N$600 and N$700, for individuals and couples respectively.

Beyond

The Climb Namibia Festival is taking place from Thursday, 22 May, to Sunday, 1 June, out in the Desert. Join the team as they traverse the planes of Spitzkoppe, socialise, attend rock climbing workshops on improving strength, and more! Tickets are N$150. If you miss out on this session, you can join Climb Angola between 6 and 15 June.

For these and more events near you, be sure to check out the WhatsOn website.

– Anne Hambuda is a poet, writer and social commentator. Follow her online or email her at annehambuda@gmail.com for more.

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