May 2019 Events
02 May 2019
Below you’ll find a list of literary events featuring PEN South Africa members, as well as a selection of other noteworthy launches, classes, performances, exhibitions, readings and workshops happening around South Africa.
If there is an event you’d like us to feature please let us know.
LITERARY FESTIVALS
Franschhoek Literary Festival
Where: Franschhoek, Western Cape
When: 17 – 19 May 2019
About: We’re pleased to announce that a number of PEN SA members will be participating in the Franschhoek Literary Festival this year.
LAUNCHES, PANELS & CONFERENCES
Launch of Life Interrupted by Samantha Smirin
Where: Love Books, The Bamboo Centre, 53 Rustenburg Road, Melville, Johannesburg.
When: Thursday, 2 May at 6:00 PM
About: Love Books invites you to the launch of Life Interrupted, a memoir by Samantha Smirin. Smirin will be in conversation with award-winning author and publisher Melinda Ferguson.
Launch of The Next Person You Meet in Heaven by Mitch Albom
Where: Exclusive Books, Cavendish Square, Cape Town
When: Thursday, 2 May at 6:00 PM
About: Jonathan Ball Publishers and Exclusive Books are launching Mitch Albom‘s latest book.
1001 SA Stories: Good Words, Featuring Andrew du Toit and Michael Charton.
Where: The Book Lounge, 71 Roeland Street, Cape Town
When: Friday, 3 May 2019 at 5:30 PM
About: The book lounge invites you to this project, which uses storytelling as a mechanism to explore South Africa’s troubled and complex history.
Launch of Strafjaart by Theo Kemp.
Where: Protea Boekwinkel, Berzicht Plaza, Andriga Street, Stellenbosch; Uppercase Books, Central Square, Menlyn Maine, 177 Amarand Ave, Waterkloof Glen, Pretoria.
When: Saturday, 4 May 2019 at 11 AM; Thursday, 16 May 2019 at 6:00 PM.
About: Penguin Random House invites you to the launch of Strafjaart by Theo Kemp. He will be in conversation with Danie Marias at the Stellenbosch launch and Jo Prins at the Pretoria launch.
Discussion with Press Ombudsman Pippa Green
Where: The Book Lounge, 71 Roeland Street, Cape Town
When: Thursday, 9 May 2019 at 5:30 PM
About: The Book Lounge invites you to a conversation with newly appointed press ombudsman, Pippa Green. She will be discussing her job, the role of the press and the state of the media in South Africa with Mervyn Sloman of the Book Lounge.
Launch of Net Mooi Fine by Lanie Van Reenen.
Where: Uppercase Books, Central Square, Menlyn Maine, 177 Amarand Ave, Waterkloof Glen, Pretoria; Foxwood Boutique Hotel, 13 5th St, Houghton Estate, Johannesburg; Tides, The Bay Hotel, 69 Victoria Rd, Camps Bay, Cape Town.
When: Thursday, 9 May 2019 at 6:00 PM; Friday, 10 May 2019 at 6:00 PM; Wednesday, 15 May 2019 at 6:00 PM.
About: Penguin Random House invites you to the launch of Net Mooi Fine. At the Pretoria launch Van Reenen will be in conversation with Phyllis Green; She will be in conversation with Willem Van der Linde at the Joburg launch, and Karin Schimke at the Cape Town launch.
Launch of Wreed en mooi is die dood compiled by Tobie Wiese.
Where: Protea Boekwinkel, Berzicht Plaza, Andriga Street, Stellenbosch
When: Saturday, 11 May 2019 at 11 AM
About: Protea Boekwinkel and Jonathan Ball Publishers invite you to the launch of Wreed en mooi is die dood. Tobie Wiese, Willem Landman, and Willa Boezak will be in conversation with Lizette Rabe.
Launch of Gau-Trained by Flow Wellington
Where: The Book Lounge, 71 Roeland Street, Cape Town
When: Tuesday, 14 May 2019 at 5:30 PM
About: The book lounge is launching Gau-Trained, and the author will be in conversation with Dr Barbara Boswell.
Launch of Lawfare by Michelle le Roux and Dennis Davis
Where: The Book Lounge, 71 Roeland Street, Cape Town
When: Wednesday, 15 May 2019 at 5:30 PM
About: The Book Lounge is launching Lawfare, by Michelle le Roux and Dennis Davis. The authors will be in conversation with Thuli Madonsela.
Launch of The Dragon Lady by Louisa Treger
Where: Love Books, The Bamboo Centre, 53 Rustenburg Road, Melville in Johannesburg
When: Thursday, 16 May 2019 at 5:30 PM
About: Love Books and Jonathan Ball Publishers invite you to the launch of The Dragon Lady.
Launch of Christo Wiese: Risk & Riches by TJ Strydom
Where: The Book Lounge, 71 Roeland Street, Cape Town
When: Thursday, 16 May 2019 at 5:30 PM
About: Tafelberg invites you to the launch of Christo Wiese: Risk & Riches.
Launch of ‘n Spook in die Huis by François Loots.
Where: Protea Boekwinkel, Berzicht Plaza, Andriga Street, Stellenbosch.
When: Saturday, 18 May 2019 at 11:00 AM.
About: Protea Boekwinkel is launching ‘n Spook in die Huis by François Loots. He will be in conversation with Johan Van Zyl.
Launch of But Deliver Us From Evil by Lauri Kubuitsile.
Where: Book Circle Capital, 27 Boxes, 4th Avenue, Melville, Johannesburg; Exclusive Books, Rosebank Mall, 117 Oxford Road, Rosebank, Johannesburg.
When: Wednesday, 22 May 2019 at 6:00 PM; Thursday 23 May 2019 at 6:0 PM.
About: Penguin Random House invites you to the launch of But Deliver Us From Evil. Lauri Kubuitsile will be in conversation with Yewande Omotoso and Karabo Kgoleng at the Melville launch, and Fiona Snyckers at the Rosebank launch.
Launch of Triangulum by Masande Ntshang
Where: Love Books, The Bamboo Centre, 53 Rustenburg Road, Melville in Johannesburg
When: Thursday, 23 May at 6:00 PM
About: PEN SA member Ntshang will be launching his latest novel Triangulum and will be in conversation with Siphiwe Gloria Ndlovu.
POETRY
Jim Pascual Agustin at The Central Library’s Poetry Circle
Where: The Central Library, 1 Parade St, Cape Town City Centre
When: Saturday, 25 May, 2:15 – 3:45 PM
About: PEN SA professional member, Jim Pascual Agustin will be reading from his new book, HOW TO MAKE A SALAGUBANG HELICOPTER & OTHER POEMS. Copies of the book are available at Clarke’s Books and through San Anselmo Publications
Off the Wall, weekly poetry readings
Where: 12 Evergreen Lane, Constantia, Cape Town
When: Every Thursday night, 7:30 p.m.
About: Off the Wall poetry invites established poets to give readings every Thursday night, followed by an open-mix session. The open-mic session is for anyone, from first-timers to veterans, to perform their own poetry or that of other poets.
Reddits Poetry, monthly poetry nights in Grahamstown
Where: Cafe D’Vine, 31 New Street, Grahamstown
When: Last Friday of every month, 6 p.m.–8:30 p.m.
About: Reddits has been running monthly poetry nights in Grahamstown for over a decade. Come for featured readings and an open mic.