The stretch of Jan Smuts Avenue between the corner of Bolton Road and Wells Avenue in Parkwood has long been Joburg's 'Art Gallery Row' and has in recent years become a major dining hotspot too with close to a dozen bars, cafes and restaurants clustered together within this one city block. 

As part of the 2022 edition of Open City event, a two-week, art-focused celebration of Joburg that runs in tandem with the annual FNB Art Joburg art fair, Parkwood's courtyard venues present some special activations on Sat Sep 3.

Here's a look at what to look forward at the Secret Courtyards of Parkwood.

Art exhibitions at Toasted
Start out at the Toasted courtyard at 138 Jan Smuts Ave from 08:00. Known for their exceptional toasties, the courtyard hosts COSMOS, a digital exhibition (accessed via QR code) curated by Nisha Merit that invites visitors to dive into a multiverse of outer and inner spaces between stars, pixels and our bodily manifestations on earth. The exhibition features art by Bubblegum Club, blk banaana and Francois Knoetze, AR collages by Magolide Collective and Aluta Null, photography by Sukuma Mkhize and sound drawings by Mia Thom. View the exhibition from Thu, Aug 25 – Sat, Sep 3. Tasted is closed on Sundays. 

From 18:00-20:00 on Sat Sep 3 catch a special screening in the courtyard of two short films by artists Oscar O’Ryan, Gemma Shepherd & Rochelle Nembhard.

Dining and karaoke at Saigon Suzy
Saigon Suzy's courtyard is another favourite on the strip and on Sat Sep 3 the restaurant and karaoke bar presents a R500 per person special from 17:00-22:00 (group bookings only). Feast on a delicious Asian sharing menu and then head upstairs for a one-hour karaoke session in your own private karaoke room. The offer is based on a group of five and space is limited. Contact +27 76 284 9786 to reserve your space 

Cocktails and live music at Sin + Tax
The award-winning cocktail bar Sin + Tax celebrates its new spring cocktail menu in the courtyard with live music and a selection of Asian-inspired small plates. This one is based on a first come first served basis, we advise you come early. The fun starts from 15:00–22:00.

Parking is available at
Free car park on the corner of Jan Smuts Ave and Wells Ave, Parkwood
Ticketed car park on the corner of Bolton Rd and Newport Rd, Parkwood 

This is an FNB Art Joburg Open City event - curated by Johannesburg In Your Pocket.