First Thursdays is a public event and free to attend. Art galleries and cultural events around Cape Town’s central city stay open until 9pm or later on the first Thursday of every month, allowing anyone to explore the city on foot and experience the cultural wealth this city has to offer. There is no tour, schedule, or guided walk; that is up to you. 

This art culture event is open for participants outside of Cape Town. Participation in First Thursdays and listing on the official programme is broken up into two types: seasonal and monthly. This is valid for both Cape Town (CBD and East city) and Johannesburg (Braamfontein, Rosebank and Maboneng). The First Thursdays programme is curated and focuses on art galleries and other cultural attractions, but also features and boasts a supporting programme of retail stores, restaurants, and bars that add to the experience.

The few participants in Johannesburg on the first Thursday of April include. 

Wits Art Museum is home to an extraordinary collection of African art, including contemporary and historical art from South Africa and art from West and Central Africa.

The Museum is one of Johannesburg’s premier tourist attractions, along with the Apartheid Museum and Constitution Hill. It is part of the Wits University Cultural Precinct, just three blocks from Nelson Mandela Bridge.

Exhibition Opening: Albert Adams - An Invincible Spirit

Tuesday, 2 April, 18h30

WAM is celebrating the 90th anniversary of the birth of Johannesburg-born artist Albert Adams (1929-2006) with a retrospective exhibition. Adams was refused entry to Michaelis School of Fine Art at UCT because of Apartheid, but went on to study at the Slade School of Art in London, the University of Munich, under Oskar Kokoschka and lecture in Art History at City University, London for 18 years. 

Although he left South Africa in 1960 he visited frequently and consistently returned to the depiction of themes related to his country of birth. His paintings, drawings and prints reveal a visceral expressionism, deep social commitment and searing commentary. Subject matter includes powerful reflections on the outcasts of society, incarceration, the dark side of celebration and religious imagery.

Acclaimed South African pianist, Andre Petersen, will be performing at WAM. Petersen is the recipient of numerous prestigious awards and has played, locally and internationally, with countless musical luminaries. This gentle, kind maestro also teaches in the Wits Music Department. The event is organised in collaboration with the Wits Music Department and is part of a series that showcases diverse African musical talents.

Entrance is free and all are welcome, seats are available on a first come, first served basis.

Performance starts at 7 pm until 8 pm.

Underground parking is available for the evening. Entrance left off Jorissen, after the Station Street intersection.

Goodman Gallery is one of the most distinguished and longest-standing international contemporary art galleries. Established in Johannesburg in 1966, the gallery works with artists who are at once contemporary, influential and strive to shift perspectives and engender social transformation.

 

Founded during the era of apartheid, Goodman Gallery offered a non-discriminatory space when museums served the agenda of the autocratic government. Since 2008, under the directorship of Liza Essers, Goodman Gallery has expanded on this legacy, shifted its focus, and introduced numerous pivotal curatorial initiatives and partnerships.

 Browse the extensive selection of quality books and artist catalogues, accompanied by an exciting series of artist talks, listening sessions and book signings.

Johannesburg & Cape Town

30 March - 6 April 2019

Schedule of events: Johannesburg 

Thursday 4 April 

In conversation: Sam Nhlengethwa's personal vinyl collection & DJ Zara Julius

18:00 - 20:00

There are many more participants in Johannesburg First Thursdays  art culture, which include: