From Africa Day to election day, May is a special month in our calendar

WHERE: Artscape, DF Malan St, Foreshore, Cape Town

WHEN: May 24 & 25

Ahead of the recording of their forthcoming album, the Kyle Shepherd Trio will be performing at Cape Town’s Artscape Arena on Friday and Saturday. The jazztastic triumvirate consists of the multiple award-winning Shepherd on piano, bassist and composer Shane Cooper on double bass, and percussionist Jonno Sweetman on drums.

The trio has performed worldwide, including at the prestigious Garaman Hall in Japan and the Montreal Jazz Festival. Catch ’em while they’re Saffa-side! Tickets are available from R150 via Webtickets.

A behind-the scenes look at Franklin Players' 'One Acts Play Festival', featuring seven productions. (Jana Eloff )

WHAT: Franklin Players Community Theatre One Act Play Festival

WHERE: Roosevelt Park Recreation Centre, 73 Preller Dr, Roosevelt Park, Johannesburg

WHEN: May 24, May 25 & May 31

Established in 1962, the Roosevelt Park-based community theatre group the Franklin Players have been staging productions for more than 60 years. Comprising thespians, playwrights and crew members who perform for the love of the craft (not monetary gain), the Franklin Players will be staging their annual One Act Play Festival — featuring seven productions — over the course of two weekends. All seven plays feature original scripts, with shows running for one night each.

Tickets are available from R60 via Quicket.

Titi Luzipo is returning to her hometown for one night (and one night only) at 7 Athol Fugard Terrace, Gqeberha, on May 25. (Veli Nhlapo)

WHAT: Titi Luzipo: The Homecoming Edition

WHERE: The Athenaeum, 7 Athol Fugard Terrace, Gqeberha

WHEN: May 25

Eastern Cape-born jazz and soul chanteuse Titi Luzipo is returning to her Heimat for one night (and one night only). From silent concerts at Braamfontein’s Untitled Basement and Stellenbosch’s Daisy Jones Bar to performing at the World Jazz Festival in India, Luzipo’s husky voice has traversed provinces and continents.

Audience members can look forward to new songs, hits from her self-titled debut album, and a live(ly) rendition of recently released single Sin City at Gqeberha’s Athenaeum on Saturday. Tickets are available from R200 via Quicket.

Kingsmead Book Fair's diverse programme includes more than 150 authors participating in no less than 80 sessions
throughout the day in the adult, young adult and children’s programmes. — Kingsmead Book Fair's diverse programme includes more than 150 authors participating in no less than 80 sessions throughout the day in the adult, young adult and children’s programmes. (Supplied)

WHAT: Kingsmead Book Fair

WHERE: Kingsmead College, 132 Oxford Road, Rosebank, Johannesburg

WHEN: May 25

Save the date, bibliophiles: the 12th annual Kingsmead Book Fair is taking place at Kingsmead College next Saturday. Catering for all ages (and genres), the diverse programme includes more than 150 authors participating in no less than 80 sessions between 9am and 6pm.

Featuring adult, teen/young adult and children’s programmes, the day is dedicated to nurturing a universal love of reading, words and writing, with both local and international authors sharing a literary stage.

Tickets start at R100 and are available via Webtickets.

Contra.Joburg offers Jozi’s art aficionados, novices and appreciators a two-day opportunity to feed their souls with all things expressive and creative. (Contra.Joburg)

WHAT: Contra.Joburg (Open Studios.Joburg)

WHERE: Various venues, Johannesburg CBD

WHEN: May 25 & May 26

Formerly known as Open Studios.Joburg, Contra.Joburg offers Jozi’s art aficionados, novices and appreciators the opportunity to immerse themselves in the city’s art scene.

From perusing artists’ studios (and interacting with artists) at Ellis House and August House in Joburg’s CBD to walkabouts, exhibitions and performances throughout the inner city and surrounds (including events at Victoria Yards), this immersive artistic experience will take place over two days (Saturday May 25 and Sunday May 26), with different studios open on each day.

Tickets are available via Quicket from R50 a pop.

May 26 is a special day, because Durban will be hosting the Africa Day celebration. There will be music, food, clothing and accessories, not to mention all-round authentically African vibes. (Webtickets)

WHAT: Africa Day Durban 2024

WHERE: The Villa, 98 Mahatma Gandhi Road, Durban Point, Durban

WHEN: May 26

One continent with 54 countries, including Mzansi. Celebrated annually, Africa Day commemorates the diverse cultures of the world’s second-largest land mass. Head to The Villa at the up-and-coming Durban Point for a day dedicated to celebrating African music (headlined by South Africa’s high priestess of gqom, Babes Wodumo!), cuisine, clothing, accessories and all-round authentically African vibes.

Here’s to raising — and waving — the South African flag amid a bannered sea of fellow African nations.

Tickets are available from R100 via Webtickets.

The IFP was victorious in a by-election in ward 15 in northern KwaZulu-Natal on Wednesday, quashing the ANC's hopes of leading the municipality. File photo. (ALAISTER RUSSELL)

WHAT: National election day

WHERE: Countrywide

WHEN: May 29

Registered? Tick. Valid ID? Tick. Spare (black) pen? Tick. The next step? To make your tick. Remember to head to your voting station (you can double-check your registration details on the IEC’s website) on Wednesday, May 29 to exercise your democratic right to cast a vote and contribute (because, yes, every. vote. counts.) to the change you hope to see implemented in our country.