Tangier
The brightest light on Tangier’s cultural scene, Cinema Rif is a combination art-house cinema, cafe and archive. Young locals come to soak up the ambience…
Must-see entertainment in Africa
Accra
This 'Jazz Bar & Grill', as the strapline goes, is probably the best live-music venue in Accra. Bands come from all over the continent and there is a…
West Coast & Swartland
This uniquely South African cabaret, featuring Pieter-Dirk Uys as his alter ego Evita Bezuidenhout, touches on everything from South African politics to…
Kampala
If you’re interested in traditional dance and music, try to catch a dinner-theatre performance of the Ndere Troupe at Ndere Centre. It showcases dances…
Cape Town
Playwright Nicholas Spagnoletti and software engineer Edward van Kuik are the driving duo behind this fun, eccentric space in a gorgeous heritage building…
Tangier
This red-brick teahouse is so gorgeous and well decorated it may indeed be a museum. The walls are adorned with striking artwork and instruments from the…
Nairobi
This may just be the most appealing live-music venue in town. It draws a trendy, upmarket crowd with its fair share of Nairobi hipsters for the regular…
Casablanca
About to open at the time of research, this dazzlingly white, ubercontemporary structure designed by a Pritzker Prize–winning architect dominates one of…
Cape Town
Since the 1970s the Baxter has been the focus of Capetonian theatre. There are three main venues at the centre – a 674-seat theatre, a concert hall and a…
Lagos
Just by showing up you'll get a political education, a lesson in shakin' it and a contact high. Though Fela's original Shrine was burnt down, this…
Théâtre National Tunisien Le 4ème Art
Tunis
Built as a cinema but now functioning as an intimate theatre space, this is the epicentre of Tunis' cultural scene. Home of the Théâtre National Tunisien …
eSwatini (Swaziland)
People visit this place especially for the ever-mutating cultural site/living gallery and experimental-performance space. Part of the Malandela's complex,…
Institut Français Léopold Sédar Senghor
Dakar
This spacious arts centre occupying a whole city block is one of the main hubs of cultural activity in Dakar. It features an open-air stage (a fantastic…
Nairobi
This monthly picnic-concert is one of the best-loved features on Nairobi's live-music circuit. Musicians vary, but the underlying principle is to support…
Kirstenbosch Summer Sunset Concerts
Cape Town
Don't miss taking a picnic and some bubbly to one of these wonderful outdoor concerts, staged in the stunning botanical gardens beneath Table Mountain on…
Addis Ababa
This azmari bet rivals any in Addis. It’s littered with Ethiopian cultural items and always offers a good time (whether you understand what's going on or…
Merzouga
The hypnotic rhythms of Gnaoua may be associated with Essaouira but in the tiny enclave of Khamila, 6km south of Merzouga, people have stayed true to…
Gauteng
This R150-million complex is a vividly colourful and creative symbol of contemporary Soweto. Even if you don't come for a show or event, do drop by to…
Traditional Rwandan Dance Troupe
Rwanda
There is a traditional Rwandan dance troupe based in Huye, and its show is spectacular. The Intore dance originated in Burundi and involves elaborate…
Cape Town
The City Bowl has been crying out for a quality live-music venue for a while and it's taken Café Roux (which already runs a successful operation in…
Cape Town
Decorated with giant art murals by Breeze Yoko and Falko One, this new cultural and community centre is worthy of a look in its own right. However you'll…
Faga Faga Fougou Espace Culturel
Conakry
This is one of the most exciting live-music venues in Conakry. The ocean-side stage hosts a diverse array of local and West African groups performing…
Zanzibar Town
Many music genres are studied at this academy and regular evening concerts showcase students' work, from Afro-jazz and fusion to taarab – Zanzibar's…
Centre Culturel Franco-Guinéen
Conakry
French cultural centres in Africa usually put on diverse and exciting events, art-house films, world music concerts and exhibitions, and this one is no…
Alliance Éthio-Française d’Addis-Abeba
Addis Ababa
As is almost always the case with French cultural centres, this centre hosts an exciting and diverse range of art-house films, experimental theatre,…
Sea Point to Hout Bay
A great venue for an evening of lighthearted theatrical entertainment, offering everything from comic plays to classic musicals.
Yaoundé
With a hip, graffitied exterior and a culturally buzzing interior, this is a relaxed spot to catch a film or music event, see an exhibition or have a…
Ouagadougou
A pleasant watering hole by day and live music venue by night, with bands every night from 8pm. Especially popular are traditional music nights; go in,…
L'Institut Culturel d'Expression Française
Malabo
All sorts of artistic endeavours are represented here, from debates to musical evenings, fashion shows, dance and art exhibitions. Both locals and…
Cape Town
Named in honour of Athol Fugard, South Africa’s best-known living playwright, this very impressive arts centre was created from the former Congregational…
Accra
With several concerts a week (rock, jazz, reggae, hip-hop), exhibitions and various cultural events, the cultural arm of the French embassy is a good bet…
Cape Town
The grand auditorium to the rear of the old City Hall has very good acoustics that are taken advantage of by this orchestra and accompanying local choirs…
Cape Town
Newlands would be a shoo-in for the title of the world’s prettiest cricket ground – if it weren’t for a nearby mega-brewery messing up the view towards…
Cairo
The Egyptian Centre for Culture & Art runs this intimate space dedicated to folk music. Don’t miss the traditional women’s zar, a sort of musical trance…
Zanzibar Town
Come for coffee, a meal or a movie – or all three. With comfortable sofas, funky decor and an imaginative menu (snacks from Tsh3000; meals Tsh9000 to…
Cape Town
Most Wednesday evenings from November to April, you can watch a movie outdoors in Kirstenbosch gardens (entry is from 6pm; movies start between 7.30pm and…
Cabo Verde
If you're staying overnight, don't miss the nightly performance (around 6pm) at Casa Ramiro, a grocery store where you can try local goat cheese and…
Addis Ababa
This innovative social project trains young local dancers from underprivileged backgrounds (including some with disabilities) in traditional Ethiopian…
Senegal
The best new venue for live music is in Sor – well worth the taxi trip over if a concert is happening. Music is wide-ranging, from African rhythms and…
Ellis Park – Emirates Airline Park
Johannesburg
The spiritual home of Jo’burg rugby, just east of the city centre, was the scene of one of the new nation’s proudest moments – victory in the 1995 World…
