Aweh! Find out what’s happening in Durbs

DO you love the uplifting and inspiring sound of Christmas Carols? Or do you enjoy singing them yourself as the music transports you back to happy childhood Christmas memories? Or do you relish watching a festive season show with all the lights and traditions and familiar characters? Well, Durban has so much to offer this festive season.

Thursday, November 30

Christmas In Harmony Musical starts (and continues until December 10)

Westville Theatre Club is throwing a Christmas Musical extravaganza featuring all your favourite Christmas hits, like All I Want for Christmas Is You, Santa Clause is Coming to Town, Jingle Bells Rock and so much more! There will also be some funny songs and songs you definitely have not heard before performed together with a live band. Hilarious skits will be acted out to make you laugh out loud. So, join us as we whisk you away to a magical musical winter wonderland!

Bring your children, grannies, friends, colleagues and neighbours! This show is not to be missed! Bring your own food and drinks, and we will serve joy and cheer for all to hear.

Westville Theatre Club is located alongside the Westville Swimming Pool.

Evening shows are on November 30, December 1 and 2 and December 7 and 9. Doors open at 18:30, and the show starts at 19:00. Matinée shows are on December 3, 9 and 10. Doors open at 14:00 and the show starts at 14:30.

Tickets are R100 per person – R80 for members/students/pensioners. To book tickets, contact Dorothy on 083 776 1754 or dorothyannoneill@gmail.com.

Friday, December 1

Non-stop entertainment at the Rhumbelow Theatre

Durban’s busiest and most enduring theatre, the Rhumbelow Theatres in Umbilo and Durban North, is hosting a full and varied programme of live theatre, comedy, films, ballet, opera and original music over the festive season.

The Rhumbelow has been extraordinary in responding to the changing needs of the performing arts and entertainment landscape by offering regular quality movies and filmed live screenings of some of the world’s best ballet, theatre and opera productions, as well as regular live events, music and comedy.

Some of the season highlights include a short four-day season for the fabulous Andre the Hilarious Hypnotist who returns to Durban for the first time post-Covid with a fun and interactive live show – where the cast is the audience.

Musicians extraordinaire, Steve Newman and Nish Pillay Live, are touring the country currently with various gigs in and around town. Both Rhumbelows are hosting them – Northlands on Friday, December 8, and Durban on Monday, December 11. Newman is a virtuoso guitarist who has been a member of several renowned bands, including Tananas, and Pillay is a nomadic percussionist with a love for tabla and other drums.

Lisa Bobbert and Aaron McIlroy wrap up their run with the Durban City Orchestra at the Sneddon and do a turn with a fab comedy two-hander, Mr and Mrs Normal, at Northlands.

Hardworking and versatile Durban outfits, The Reals, are in the house with various offerings: with Tributes and a nod to Eric Clapton.

Finally, start the new year with a good belly laugh – heaven knows we need it – in the company of Barry Hilton for one night only.

There are some fabulous festive offerings on the Rhumbelow big screen – which boasts a quality cinematic experience, which unlike regular cinemas includes the options of adult beverages and snacks!

Full information is available on the Rhumbelow website and social media platforms, and the Rhumbelow WhatsApp group. For more info and bookings, contact Roland on 082 499 8636 or email roland@stansell.co.za or book through Computicket.

The Rhumbelow in uMbilo is at 42 Cunningham Road and the Rhumbelow in Durban North is at 50 Margaret Mayton Avenue. There is off-road, guarded parking. Full bars and light meals are available.

The full schedule is below:

Friday, December 1 until Sunday, December 3: Live show – Tributes, The Reals
Wednesday, December 6 at 18:30: Film Club – The Pink Panther Shot in the Dark, 1964
Thursday, December 7 to Sunday, December 10: Live show – Andre, the Hilarious Hypnotist
Friday, December 8 at 19:30: Live Show – Steve Newman and Nish Pillay Live (Northlands)
Monday, December 11 at 19:00: Live Show – Steve Newman and Nish Pillay Live (Durban)
Tuesday, December 12 at 18:00: Classic Cinema – Royal Opera’s Don Quixote
Wednesday, December 13 at 18:30: Film Club – Pink Floyd, The Wall
Friday, December 15 at 19:00: Film Club – The Dirty Dozen
Saturday, December 16 to Sunday, December 17: Classic Cinema – Andre Rieu White Christmas
Tuesday, December 19 to Sunday, December 31: Live Show – Mr and Mrs Normal / Lisa Bobbert and Aaron McIlroy (Northlands)
Wednesday, December 20 at 18:30: Film Club – Scrooge, A Christmas Carol (2009)
Friday, December 22 to Sunday, December 24: Live Show – The Reals Tribute to Eric Clapton
Wednesday, December 27 at 18:30: Film Club – Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood
Friday, December 29 to Sunday, December 31: Classic Cinema – Royal Opera House’s The Nutcracker

Saturday, December 2

Summer afternoon Christmas Market at the Citadel

Glenwood creatives will be on show on Saturday, December 2 in and around the Glenwood Citadel for an afternoon pop-up Christmas-themed market.
Some of the wares on show include biscuits, cards, pop art, CDs and books, antiques and collectables, face painting, pre-worn clothing, table décor, baked goods, jams, pickles and preserves, gift ideas, soft toys, sweets, jewellery, music and plants.

Citadel wants to create a thriving ecosystem for entrepreneurs as a means to change the landscape of the neighbourhood.

Venue: Port Natal Citadel, 455 Esther Roberts Road, Glenwood:
Time: 12 noon until 16:30.

The Great Big Enormous Turnip play

As a companion to the Citadel Christmas Market, there are two performances of a fabulous play for young theatre lovers, The Great Big Enormous Turnip – a happy, hilarious, vigorous, wild, 40-minute romp through the deep, dark woods – suitable for the whole family, staring Bryan Hiles and Cara Roberts (and various audience members).
Tickets are R50 per person at the door.
Venue: Port Natal Citadel, 455 Esther Roberts Road, Glenwood
Times of shows: Saturday, December 2 at 10:00 and 14:00

Morning event to showcase the work of artisans

‘Artemis’ is a fabulous morning event showcasing the work of a group of creatives, including jewellers; lighting and decor manufacturers; makers of stained glass; crafters; digital designers and painters, who will gather to show their latest ranges of work. Artemis is self-funded, and participation is based purely on merit and the quality of your work. The event is a pop-up, so it is versatile and flexible and can source the best venues to help creative people network, show and retail their latest work.

Artemis will be at the Manna Café, 142 Bulwer Rd, Bulwer/Glenwood on Saturday, December 2, from 09:00 until 14:30. The venue is not only the home of good food and baking, but it is also a popular live music venue, with ‘Pavement Performances’ of live music every Saturday.

Christmas music and Celtic dance at two venues in Durbs

The Durban Caledonian Pipe Band and Friends presents the 11th annual production of Carols and Kilts – at Shongweni Farmer’s Market on Saturday, December 2 at 15:00, and at the DLI Hall in Greyville on Sunday, December 3 at 14:00.

The much-loved Carols and Kilts kick off the festive season celebrations with a blend of highland music and a medley of well-known Christmas carols and seasonal music numbers, including evergreen bagpipe favourites such as Highland Cathedral and Auld Lang Syne, as well as some more contemporary favourites – such as John Farnham’s The Voice; The Gael from Last of the Mohicans and Leonard Cohen’s masterful Halleluiah.

The Durban Caledonian Pipe Band will be supported by musicians on electric, acoustic and bass guitar, keyboard, saxophone, drum kit and the noble cowbell, plus guest vocalists. Among the special guests will be Garth Strydom (electric guitar), Nick Mowbray (keyboard) and Cassie Rae (vocals). They will be joined by dancers performing with the band – twin sisters Samantha Wood and Melissa Alberts from Celtic Heartbeat.

The concert can be enjoyed at the Shongweni Farmer’s Market on Saturday afternoon, overlooking the top of the Shongweni Valley. A range of food and beverages will be available there, so no bring-your-own food and drink.

There is a Sunday matinee show at the DLI Hall, in the middle of the Greyville Racecourse, in Durban. Round tables will be set up in the hall, and picnicking is encouraged. A licensed bar will be set up in the Green Jacket Room, so regretfully no BYOB (bring-your-own-booze). Snacks will also be available.

Tickets can be bought through Quicket or at the entrance for both concerts. Adults are R100 each and children R50 each.

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