Thorsten, my architect boyfriend, and I recently led a walking tour of Brixton, our home suburb, on behalf of the Johannesburg Heritage Foundation. That tour was a big success so we’ve decided to strike out on our own and host another one – a “Brixton Tour with the Blogitects” on November 12th. We’re teaming up with Kia’s Kitchen and a bunch of other cool Brixton personalities. It’s going to be fun! Sign up now before the tour fills up.
I moved to Brixton a year ago and have sung its praises many times before and since. But I still feel like Brixton falls under the radar as a cool Joburg suburb. There is so much history here – it’s one of Joburg’s oldest suburbs – and it’s become a funky art hub in recent decades. Brixton also has an excellent coffee shop, Breezeblock, and its vibrant community park, Kingston Frost Park, is one of the most well used in Joburg.
Brixton is friendly and walkable and Thorsten and I are eager to show it off to as many Joburgers as possible.
I don’t want to give away everything we’re planning for the tour. But highlights will include:
1) Walking the streets of Brixton and exploring several unique homes and churches, as well as Brixton’s historic alleyways.
2) A visit to the home studio of Brixton artist Bronwen Findlay, who recently worked with a team of mosaic artists to create a spectacular mural at the Everard Read Gallery.
3) A demonstration by the Sentech Croozers.
I wrote about the Sentech Croozers in my recent post about bicycle spinning and stance in Soweto. I’m really psyched that they’ll be joining us.
4) A visit to Frayznix Vintage Rack, a vintage clothing showroom in the heart of Brixton.
5) Live music, drinks, and dinner at Kia’s Kitchen.
Kia owns another historic Brixton house, which was a police station during the infamous 1922 Rand Rebellion. Kia is also a chef and hosts occasional meals and musical performances in his back garden. We’ll be finishing our tour at Kia’s; those who want to can stay for a buffet dinner and/or listen to live music by Ariel & Juana, a fabulous double-bass/voice duo who frequently perform in and around Brixton.
Can you tell I’m really excited about this tour? Please join us. All the details for the tour (times, costs, addresses, etc.) are included on our Quicket invite. Ticket numbers are limited so book now.
I almost forgot! Thorsten and I made a really cool Brixton ‘zine – a homemade magazine – about Brixton, and everyone who joins the tour will get one. Here is the cover.
How have I never blogged about 44 Stanley Avenue, the coolest shopping and dining complex in Joburg, which is only five minutes from my house?
I guess it’s wrong to say I’ve never blogged about 44 Stanley; I’ve mentioned it countless times over the years (see here and here) when writing about specific restaurants or shops that are there. But I’ve never written a dedicated post about 44 Stanley as a destination and it’s about time I did – especially now, with the holidays upon us.
I’ve been dreadfully uninspired lately, struggling to think of anything I want to blog about despite having a long list of great ideas (many of which you, my readers, provided in September). I’m finding it hard to feel positive about life at the moment. But on Saturday Thorsten and I got the chance to visit Indwe Park, an indigenous garden and sculpture park in Braamfontein, and I knew I had my topic for today.
Given this week’s political nuclear bomb blast, it feels like a weird time to publish a light-hearted post about my recent (pre-election) jaunt through the United States. But I’m hoping you’ve have had enough of the U.S. election horror show – I know I have – and are ready (at least temporarily) for some wholesome American travel adventures. If so, please read on about my four-day visit to Maine, the northeastern-most state in the lower 48, with my sister, Susanna.
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It makes me smile, when I see it.