Must-see entertainment in Africa

  • Le Bois d'Ébène

    Burkina Faso

    One of the best venues in town for live music. Local bands come to play Afrobeat and there's always lots of dancing. Concerts held Thursday to Sunday.

  • Centre Culturel Français

    Kinshasa

    Kinshasa's premier arts venue, which has an energetic calender of live music, art exhibitions and cultural events. It has a good restaurant-bar, too.

  • Quai des Arts

    Senegal

    The biggest concerts in town (including the main acts of the jazz festival) happen at the vast Quai des Arts.

  • Matti Multiplex

    Addis Ababa

    The multiplex cinema inside the Edna Mall shows all the big-ticket Hollywood, Bollywood, Nollywood and local films, including those in 3D.

  • St George’s Cricket Stadium

    Port Elizabeth

    Home of Eastern Province Cricket, it's famous for its band-playing supporters who turn one-day internationals into tub-thumping affairs.

  • Nu Metro

    Cape Town

    One of the two big mulitplex cinema operations found around town. The best night to go is Tuesday when tickets are half price.

  • Espace Mutombo Buitshi

    Kinshasa

    For a deeply local experience, check out a theatre, music or dance performance at Espace Mutombo Buitshi way out in Bandal.

  • Le Colisée

    Tunis

    Le Colisée is a plush cinema with stunning architecture, showing a mixture of Arabic and Hollywood mainstream films.

  • Joburg Theatre Complex

    Johannesburg

    This leading theatre hosts mainstream local and international acts. Shows range from musicals to open mic comedy.

  • Athenæum

    Port Elizabeth

    This cultural centre in a renovated Victorian building hosts plays, performances and live music including jazz.

  • Lusaka Playhouse

    Lusaka

    From time to time local performers put on a good show; check its Facebook page to see what's playing.

  • Zamba Playa

    Kinshasa

    Concerts and other live performances are given at this fun outdoor venue by local bands and singers.

  • Century Cinemax

    Kampala

    Modern, state-of-the-art cinema showing 3D blockbusters.

  • SK Cinema

    Harare

    Screens the latest Hollywood films in 2D and 3D.

  • National Stadium

    Gaborone

    The National Stadium plays host to football matches between teams in the countrywide Super League as well as the occasional international game. Matches…

  • National Stadium

    Harare

    Zimbabwe's largest sports arena, the National Stadium holds 60,000 people and is used primarily for soccer games, and occasionally for rugby and athletics…

  • Parker Place

    Abidjan

    This is Abidjan's most famous reggae bar – Alpha Blondy and Tiken Jah Fakoly played here before they were famous. The bar is still going strong and…

  • L'Acoustic

    Abidjan

    L'Acoustic's stage has held the feet of everyone from hip female vocalists to jazz and big-band ensembles. The place attracts an arty, musical crowd…

  • Palais de la Culture

    Abidjan

    This is the place to come and see Ivoirian performers – theatre, stand-up comedy, music, you name it – and various festivals. Check the website to see…

  • American Cultural Center

    Kinshasa

    Run by the US Embassy, this cultural centre offers access to a library of English-language books.

  • Ster Kinekor

    Windhoek

    Off Robert Mugabe Ave, this place shows recent films and has half-price admission on Tuesday.

  • Cotton Club

    Lomé

    This jazz and blues lounge bar is polished, homely and welcoming. Snacks are available.

  • Municipal Theatre

    Port Louis

    The appealing Municipal Theatre was built in 1822, making it the oldest theatre in the Indian Ocean region. It was being gutted for massive renovation at…

  • Guiguinya

    Niger

    Belting out African and European beats, this massive place is usually packed with locals (and the odd prostitute). Tear it up beneath the strobing red…

  • American Cultural Center

    Niger

    Your only options for cinematic distraction are the American Cultural Center, which plays more mainstream Hollywood flicks, and the Centre Culturel Franco…

  • 2005

    Niger

    Reverberating with Western and African tunes, this lively club was the best place to cut loose on the dance floor when we were in town.

  • Wassulu Hôtel

    Mali

    When she's not in Paris, Oumou Sangare plays here at 21:00 on Saturdays.

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