THIS weekend offers a host of activities in and around Durban. Tune in for a Heritage Day performance by the Durban organist and pianist Melvin Peters featuring an international guest organ player. Join in the fun at a Heritage Day lawn bowls celebration or attend an exciting dance event at the Kloof and Highway SPCA. There’s something for everyone this Heritage weekend.
Here’s a list of events coming up.
Saturday, September 24
Heritage Day lawn bowls
The Wentworth Bowling Club will host a Heritage Day lawn bowls play-off on Saturday, September 24. The exciting event will commence at 10:00 and those wanting to try their hand at bowls can join experienced bowlers at the fun-filled celebration.
Attendees can pay just R50 for the bowls game, boerie, pap and sous. The club will host karaoke after the games. Those who will be bowling should wear flat shoes or sandals. Bowls will be provided. Both the young and old are invited to participate in the event, and attendees can follow the rainbow-colour-themed dress code.
Around the world in 80 sways
DANCE maestro Kevin Ellis does it again with an eclectic morning of entertainment at the Kloof and Highway SPCA’s Village Green on Heritage Day.
From 09:00 until 14:00 on September 24, the audience will be treated to a colourful line-up of Celtic, Spanish, belly and line dancing. The Celtic dancing will be presented by Samantha Wood and her sister, Melissa Alberts, from Celtic Heartbeat.
Samantha Woods and Melissa Alberts were stars in the recent Shall We Dance event held at the Playhouse Company and are both teachers at the KZN Academy of Celtic Dance. Line dance will be performed by the Dance Magic studio, and Michelle Clark Dance Academy will wow the tea garden audience with Spanish dance in swaying skirts and clicking castanets.
Be carried away by the magical voice of Belinda Dolphin, and keep the children entertained with a dance class or learn the Jerusalema with world-champion dancer Ellis himself.
Ellis encourages the audience to come dressed up in their favourite heritage outfit to stand a chance to win a prize for the best-dressed individuals.
Date: September 24, 09:00 to 14:00
Venue: Kloof and Highway SPCA, 29 Village Road.
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Donate life-saving blood
The Specialised Tactical Accident Response Team (START) is holding a blood drive at the South African National Blood Service (SANBS) Hillcrest Blood Donor Clinic on September 24, from 09:00 to 14:00.
START is a ‘non-profit organisation that forms a synergy between private and volunteer organisations’, according to their Facebook page.
When you visit your local blood-collection centre, the staff will undertake a full screening for the safety of both donor and recipient. Donors who have A or AB blood groups are particularly suitable for the platelet donation programme, and SANBS is eager to increase this section of their donor base.
The Hillcrest Blood Donor Clinic, Colony Centre, 50 Old Main Road, Hillcrest is open from 09:00 to 17:00 on Monday to Friday and 08:30 to 13:30 on Saturdays. For more information: 0800 11 90 31 or www.sanbs.org.za
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Heritage Day organ concert
Two highly respected organ maestros – Melvin Peters and visiting organist Tim Gunther – will be performing a mid-morning Heritage Day organ concert in the majestic St Paul’s Church based in Durban Central.
In keeping with the cultural diversity of the parish, the concert will feature a variety of music genres and musicians. The main performer is Tim Gunther, an organist and choirmaster from Bremen, Germany. Tim Gunther will be visiting Durban under the auspices of the City Partnership that exists between Durban and Bremen.
Tim Gunther is a church musician, and Peters and Gunther have been performing together regularly since 2010.
Durban’s own pianist and organist Melvin Peters straddles the worlds of sacred music and pure jazz with a repertoire that ranges from mainstream to modern. Melvin is known for his solid musicianship, his creativity and his imaginative improvisatory skills.
Tim Gunther is currently the music director at St Stephani Kulturkirche in Bremen, a venue dedicated primarily to the promotion of the arts. This church, therefore, enjoys a rich musical culture and tradition and has played host to many artists from Europe and beyond. Melvin Peters was invited to perform in a special concert at this church, in honour of the centenary of the birth of Nelson Mandela.
Apart from performing a programme for piano and organ together, they typically also take part in group concerts and have workshops with students working with various genres – from jazz to sacred, from choral works to German Romantic pieces.
Booking Details
Tickets are priced in R100 or R50 concessions. To book, call 081 2400 964 or visit www.stpaulsdurban.org.za
St Paul’s Anglican Church is located at 161 Monty Naicker Road in Durban Central, directly opposite the Workshop.
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