Saturday 25 May
10:30 to 17:00
Kids Area - Free
Bag Factory has a lovely kids area that will allow your children to experience the joy of making.
This activity is FREE. No booking required.
Jam Session - Free
The newly launched Mara Lounge is part of the Rand Club in the centre of Johannesburg. Join the Mara House Band who will be performing works from around the continent. You can enjoy the concerts while journeying through the vibrant open studios as part of Contra.Joburg.
Time: 5 - 7pm
Tickets: R100 at the door, Free for Contra ticket holders or musicians with their instruments
Supported by: Department of Sports, Arts & Culture - Mzansi Golden Economy, and SAMRO
Loco Mexican Restaurant & Tequila Bar
We want you to feel special on the day so have a drink on us!
Loco Mexican Restaurant & Tequila Bar is a contemporary Mexican restaurant and tequila bar in the heart of Braamfontein. Show you the Staff at LOCO that you are an Contra.Joburg ticket holder and you will qualify for a two for one drinks special after 5pm on Saturday 25 May*.
*Selected drinks only. This special can only be used once.
Screening of Keeping the Concerts SA Documentary; Keeping the Music Alive - Free
Screening of Keeping the Music Alive
Sony Rodrigue Jazz Band (Congo) @ the Mara Lounge - Free
Join the Mara House Band who will be performing works from around the continent. You can enjoy the concerts while journeying through the vibrant open studios as part of Contra.Joburg.
Panel Discussion and Walkabout: Art as a Queer Safe Space - FREE
On Saturday, 25th May, at 12:30 pm, Tint Talks will host a compelling panel discussion as part of Contra. Joburg, exploring the theme "Art as a Queer Safe Space." This event aims to delve into the role of art in creating inclusive environments where queer individuals can express themselves freely and authentically. During the discussion, a diverse group of artists and creatives will share their experiences and insights on how art fosters a sense of community and safety for queer people. They will discuss the significance of artistic expression in challenging societal norms, breaking down barriers, and promoting understanding and acceptance. The panellists will also address the unique challenges faced by queer artists and the ways in which they use their work to create supportive spaces for others.
Attendees will have the opportunity to engage in thought-provoking conversations, gaining a deeper understanding of the transformative power of art in queer communities. The event promises to be an inspiring and inclusive gathering that highlights the intersection of creativity, identity, and activism.
Learn about the panelists here.
A walkabout of the panellists' works in Studios 21 and 48 will take place after the talk. Brought to you by Tint, the LGBTIQA+ platform of the Fam Agency.
The Fam Agency // everything in; out
This activity is FREE. No booking required.
cckpt satellite • sound art in the busses
A sound art programme by Georg Dietzler gerngesehen.de / Cologne, Germany
Live Graffiti Demo - Free
Grayscale has always been a place for graffiti to thrive and inspire eachother. Grayscale will be offering live graffiti where people who are either new to the scene and want to learn can see first hand how some techniques are done or to allow people from completely outside of this world to get the chance to glimpse behind the curtain a little bit. One of our in house artists will be giving a demonstration.
Grayscale will have a space where people can try graffiti for the first time with a bit of guidance from one of the more experienced artists. Most of us never get the chance to spray a wall so this is always a lot of fun for anyone who just wants to give it a go without too much pressure. Having the 2 walls together is also a fun way of letting people experience spraypaint and to then see someone who is well practiced use it for contrast.
Performance: Vinyl Musical Selection Session - Free
As part of the days' entertainment, we will be hosting a Vinyl musical selection session featuring Johannesburg's best Vinyl DJs who specialize in Afro Fusion, Funk, Jazz and alternative sounds that compliment WLM's persona.
Lungile Shaun // Umlando // Simmy // Levora
This activity is FREE. No booking required.
/their closets/their caskets/ - Group Exhibition - Free
a group exhibition comprised of works by LGBTQIA+ image makers that investigates the ‘mourning’ faced when coming into oneness with queerness.
Screen and block printing with Imbali Visual Literacy Project (Demo/Workshop) - Free
Imbali will be at Play Braam on Saturday 25 May selling our one-of a kind hand printed textile and embroidery pieces. We will also be offering screen and block printing opportunities to the public. Come and print your own tote bag, t-shirt or apron and experience first hand how fun and rewarding these processes are. Also, you get to leave with your own unique hand printed item.
Braamfontein Walkabout with Hannelie Coetzee - Booking required - R120
Join Hannelie Coetzee for a walk through her studio, Indwe sculpture park and the along the watershed.
Kids T-shirt Priting with Imbali Visual Literacy Project (Demo/Workshop) - Free
Imbali will be at Play Braam on Saturday 25 May selling our one-of a kind hand printed textile and embroidery pieces. We will also be offering screen and block printing opportunities to the public. Come and print your own tote bag, t-shirt or apron and experience first hand how fun and rewarding these processes are. Also, you get to leave with your own unique hand printed item.
iVum Vum - Exhibition by Leogang Mogul Mabusela - Free
Bag Factory Artists’ Studios is pleased to present iVum Vum, a solo exhibition by Lebogang ‘Mogul’ Mabusela, also known as Monotypebabe. The exhibition, consisting of monotype prints and drawings, unravels South Africa’s history with automotive culture.
ConHub Colab Exhibition with TACS - Free
The Arts Company Soweto Group Exhibition (TACS) is all about the arts and the artists. This show dives into a diverse lineup of creatives who have been collaborating with the collective.
Group Exhibition at WLM - Free
Weedlovers Market will be hosting a special 2 day Exhibition that will showcase the best artists that have been participants of the Express:ON exhibitions in 2023/24
Mcedisi King Nkosi // Terry Mnaphi // Dennis Ramashiga // Sakhumzi Mngomeni // Tumisho Ramokonyana // Bongani Khumalo // Olwethu Mashinini // Katlego Love Sithole
This activity is FREE. There is no need to book for this event.
James Findlay Collectable Books at Rand Club - Free
Down the main stairs from the Foyer, next to the Billiards room
Join James Findlay as he shares amazing stories about the CDB and the Rand Club since its founding. The book shop is downstairs from the main entrance.
This activity is FREE. There is no need to book for this event.
“This is a man’s world but it wouldn’t be anything without a woman or a girl.” - an exhibition by Itumeleng Mamase Kaloki - Free
Join Rand Club for a Solo Exhibition by Itumeleng “Mamase” Kaloki entitled
THIS IS A MAN’S WORLD, BUT IT WOULDN’T BE ANYTHING WITHOUT A WOMAN OR A GIRL
Indulge your senses as you immerse yourself in the opulent elegance and profound depth of each meticulously crafted masterpiece. Delve into a captivating untamed spirit, resilience, and grace intrinsic to women, as depicted by the artist Itumeleng ‘Mamase’ Koloko. Through a diverse array of mediums primarily oils on canvas, charcoal, pastel, and acrylic, each artwork serves as a testament to the enduring strength and profoundness of women. Whether you're drawn to the vibrant tapestry of emotions and consciousness or the enchanting dance of fluid strokes and light, this exhibition invites men and women, to uncover the authentic essence within and celebrate the ever changing, misunderstood and indispensable role of women in our world. Join us at the gallery and immerse yourself in the beauty and power of womanhood.
This activity is FREE. There is no need to book for this event.
The Printing Girls Print Demo at 11 Alexander - Free
The Printing Girls will offer some free, interactive printmaking demos for visitors to August House on the 26th May throughout the duration of the day. A table will be set-up with our micro-press, a selection of gel-plates, stencils, inks, linocuts and collagraph plates with which our Demo and technical manager Cloudia Rivett-Carnac will demonstrate a variety of different printmaking techniques and how to combine them to create mixed media prints. Members of the public will be invited to either create their own prints using the matrixes and tools provided or are also invited to choose an artwork from the selection that Cloudia will produce. The techniques that will be demonstrated are: Screen-print/ Linocut/ Monotype and Collagraph.
This activity is FREE. There is no need to book for this event.
“Infekted By Dolphins” an exhibition by Slegh (aka. Krinky Winky) - Free
Slegh’s first solo exhibition showcases work created in various mediums over the past few years ranging from paintings, screenprints, embroidery, animation, sculpture and more.
Animation Showcase - Free
AnimationSA will be showcasing short animated films as well as the first episode and trailer of 2 incubatee projects. Come join us in the kiddies corner for fun and laughter.
Communal Body Weaving - Free
Bev Butkow invites audiences to an experiment in communal body weaving that shows how art extends way beyond the object that we see.
Monotype workshop with Lebogang ‘Mogul’ Mabusela - Book now - R80
Lebogang Mabusela will host a monotype printing workshop during the Contra Fair weekend. Tickets on sale soon.
Graffiti Tours - Book now - R50
City Skate Tours is a tour operator based in Johannesburg that uses the City's vibrant, rich and diverse street culture to provide exciting and vibrant tours in the inner city of Joburg.