Aweh! Find out what’s happening in Durban

IF you’re looking for fun activities to take part in this June, we’ve got you covered. From fitness-testing hikes to musical plays the whole family can enjoy, our beautiful city has it all.

Shows/entertainment

Watch family musical The Emperor’s New Clothes at Elizabeth Sneddon Theatre

Another musical of a very different kind comes to Durbs! KickstArt Theatre is proud to present the South African première of The Emperor’s New Clothes, in a version of the famous Hans Christian Anderson fairy tale by Broadway stalwarts, Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty. This team was responsible for the delightful musicals, Once on this Island and Seussical, as well as Ragtime and Anastasia.

This colourful and highly entertaining musical will delight children and adults alike. Directed by Steven Stead, with magical designs by Greg King, musical direction by Roland Perold and fresh new orchestrations by Jaco Griessel, The Emperor’s New Clothes stars Daniel Anderson as Emperor Marcus, with Roland Perold as The Swindler. Others in the cast are Marion Loudon, Lyle Buxton, Mthokozisi Zulu, Keryn Scott, Amahle Tembe and Roshanda Lewis.

Book at Webtickets:  https://www.webtickets.co.za/v2/Event.aspx?itemid=1543429369

Performance schedule:
Saturday, June 15: 11:00 and 15:00
Sunday, June 16: 18:00
Tuesday, June 18 to Friday, June 21: 14:30
Saturday, June 22: 11:00 and 15:00
Sunday, June 23: 14:30
Tuesday, June 25, to Friday, June 28: 14:30
Saturday, June 29: 11:00 and 15:00
Sunday, June 30: 14:30
Tuesday, July 2, to Friday, July 5: 14:30
Saturday, July 6: 11:00 and 15:00
Sunday, July 7: 14:30

Venue: Elizabeth Sneddon Theatre, Howard College Campus, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Mazisi Kunene Road, Glenwood

For more info, call 031 260 2296 or 031 260 3979.

Also read: Brooke Street to close for weeks due to China Mall demolition

A festival of entertainment

The Durban Theatre community has announced that the second annual family-friendly 031 Theatre Festival is set to take place at the Seabrookes Theatre at DHS on Friday, June 7, Saturday, June 8, and Sunday, June 9.

The theatre festival has been spearheaded by Lisa Bobbert and Aaron Mcilroy (Macbob Productions) and Michael Broderick (Theatresmiths) and will feature various productions that are performing at this year’s National Arts Festival in Makhanda/Grahamstown. The festival allows theatre lovers a special sneak preview of some of the productions heading off to the Eastern Cape to represent Durban.

The programme features four comedies/dramas, So, You Want to be a Trophy Wife?; Yesterday’s Hero; Mr and Mrs Normal; and A Vegan Killed My Marriage, and two family shows, Adventure of Who and The Tower and the Tree.

Tickets are available through Webtickets.

Trophy Wife
Friday, June 7, at 18:00
Saturday, June 8, at 20:00
Sunday, June 9, at 14:00
Adults – R150
Pensioners and students – R100

Yesterday’s Hero
Friday, June 7, at 20:00
Saturday, June 8, at 18:00
Sunday, June 9, at 16:00
Adults – R150

Adventure of Who
Saturday, June 8, at 10:00
Sunday, June 9, at 10:00
Adults – R100
Kids – R75

Tower and the Tree
Saturday, June 8, at 12:00
Sunday, June 9, at 12:00
Adults – R100
Kids – R75

A Vegan Killed My Marriage
Saturday, June 8, at 14:00
Adults – R150
Pensioners and students – R125

Mr and Mrs Normal
Sunday, June 9, at 18:00
Adults – R165
Pensioners and students – R150

Watch Mama Mia – Here We Go Again on the big screen

Rhumbelow Theatre Film Club is screening Mama Mia – Here We Go Again on Wednesday, June 12, at 18:30.

In 1979, young Donna, Tanya and Rosie graduate from Oxford University, leaving Donna free to embark on a series of adventures throughout Europe. On her journeys, she makes the acquaintances of Harry, Bill and Sam, the latter whom she falls in love with, but he’s also the man who breaks her heart. In the present day, Donna’s pregnant daughter, Sophie, dreams of renovating a taverna while reuniting with her mother’s old friends and boyfriends on the Greek island of Kalokairi.

The cast includes Lily James as young Donna; Amanda Seyfried as Sophie; Meryl Streep as Donna; Cher as Ruby Sheridan, and Andy Garcia as Fernando Cienfuegos.

Also read: Brooke Street to close for weeks due to China Mall demolition

The venue opens 60 minutes before the show for snacks/drinks. The screening running time is 114 min excluding a 15-minute interval. The public screening is licensed through MPLC (Motion Picture Licensing Company). Licence No 5166, The Film & Publication Board – Exhibitor Licence FPB8/2022/233051.

Attendance is restricted to Rhumbelow Film Club members only. Membership for January to June is R300. Members can bring guests at R100 each.

Limited secure parking is available, and booking is essential. For more info, contact Roland Stansell on 082 499 8636. For bookings, email roland@stansell.co.za. 

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Outdoor activities

Village 2 Village Cycle Tour

Book a spot and plan ahead for the Village 2 Village Cycle Tour MTB presented by Zinakes Sons Projects, together with Empathy for The Community NPC.

The cycle tour will kick off on Youth Day on Saturday, June 16, on the Mabedlane Sports Field southwest of Botha’s Hill (KwaNyuswa) at 120101 Ntonono Road, Botha’s Hill.

The MTB event is quickly becoming one of the favourites for KZN mountain bikers with some great trails and the easily accessible start/finish location at Mabedlane Sports Field makes it one of the most convenient and popular events on the cycling calendar.

The distance will be 25km, and there will also be coffee and muffins available. During the race, there will be refreshments and water tables, and there will be medals for all finishers.

In 2015, Sifundo Hero Dladla was the winner of an MTB sponsored by Cyclesphere in the aQuellé Tour Durban Lucky Draw. He collected his bike on the Saturday morning on the weekend of the race, entered the 105km race and rode his first road race on the Sunday. His passion for cycling was ignited, and he has gone on to compete in the aQuellé Tour Durban each year since. Not only did this get Sifundo hooked on cycling but it birthed a dream to host an event in his local community to promote cycling and put back into his local community. Sifundo’s passion for helping others has seen him register and launch his own NPC – Empathy for the Community – and he hosted his first Village 2 Village MTB Challenge on June 16, 2017.

The race starts at the sports field at 08:00. Entries are R150 each. You can book at All Events: https://allevents.in/qiniselani%20manyuswa/village-2-village-cycle-tour/80002015337056

For more info, contact 084 924 8194.

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Amazing morning beach and forest hike – uMhlanga to uMdloti

If you’re a nature lover and enjoy exploring the outdoors while exercising, join this beach and forest hike from uMhlanga to uMdloti. The hike will start at Umhlanga Lagoon Nature Reserve and pass through the Sibaya Coastal Forest Reserve. They will also stop at the Umhlanga Lagoon coffee shop.

Time: 07:45 for 08:00 on Saturday, June 8, until about midday
Place: Lagoon Drive (cnr Newlands Drive)
Distance: About 10–12km
Duration: 4 hours
Cost: R149pp
Tickets are strictly on Quicket!

What to bring: walking shoes – you are welcome to walk barefoot on the beach, snacks, water or cold drinks, plus a backpack to carry all that, and cash/card for coffee/snacks. Please note that there will be a small river-mouth crossing so bring a small towel with you.

Kids and well-behaved pooches are welcome! Please also note that dogs are not allowed in the Sibaya Coastal Forest Reserve.

This event is exclusive, and tickets are limited! For more info, contact Roland Smith at 066 111 1488.

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