Aweh! Find out what’s happening in Durbs

IF you’re looking for fun activities to enjoy this July, we’ve got you covered. From musical showcases to historical dramas and an unmissable music festivals the whole family can enjoy, our beautiful city has it all.

Catch Andréa Chenier at Rhumbelow

At a glittering party in 18th-century Paris, the poet Andréa Chenier delivers an impassioned denunciation of Louis XVI, which will come to life at the Rhumbelow Threatre Cinema on Sunday July 14. Five years later, the Revolution has given way to the Terror, transforming the power balance between Chénier, his beloved Maddalena, and Gérard, the man who could destroy him. Jonas Kaufmann headlines David McVicar’s spectacular staging, under the baton of long-time collaborator Antonio Pappano – who conducts Giordano’s epic historical drama of revolution and forbidden love in his last production as Music Director of The Royal Opera.

Tickets cost R150. Food is available at the venue. Limited secure parking available. Booking is essential. Bar is available, no alcohol may be brought on to the premises.

Contact 082 499 8636. For bookings email roland@stansell.co.za or visit Webtickets

Enjoy the Durban Musical Theatre Festival

What do you get when you combine a powerhouse female bass-playing vocalist with a gruff-voiced virtuoso blues guitarist and a chameleon-esque drummer who can play (and sing) just about anything?

Kerry Hiles, Rob Thompson and Kristo Zondagh combine their respective talents and professional experience, impressing audiences countrywide with their touring trio called ‘Misery Loves Company’. Together, they perform hit tribute shows and cover band material and original songs to rave reviews.

This same trio that brought you the acclaimed Amy Winehouse – the Diva & Her Demons production is in KwaZulu-Natal in July with a superb season of tribute shows at Rhumbelow Northlands and Rhumbelow Durban.

See the award-winning Wela Kapela Productions’ The Story Of Eva Cassidy, performed by Misery Loves Company, as well as A Star Is Born – the Rise and Fall of Judy Garland, which earned Kerry Hiles a Fleur Du Cap 2024 nomination for Best Actress in a Musical. In addition, two shows penned by MLC are also on the bill: Jou Ma Se Platespeler which is 100% Afrikaans and loved by all English South Africans, and My Story with the Blues.

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Line-up for Rhumbelow Umbilo and Rhumbelow Northlands:
Friday, July 12, at 19:30 at Northlands: My Story with The Blues
Saturday, July 13, at 19:30 at Northlands: Jou Ma Se Platespeler
Sunday, July 14, at 18:30 at Northlands: American Sweethearts
Thursday, July 18, at 19:30 at Umbilo: The Story of Eva Cassidy
Friday, July 19, at 19:30 at Umbilo: A Star is Born
Saturday, July 20, at 14:00 at Umbilo: Jou Ma Se Platespeler
Saturday, July 20, at 19:30 at Umbilo: My Story with the Blues

Tickets are R180 each, but you can get a season pass for all four shows at R640. Bring picnic baskets.

There is limited secure parking available so booking is essential. There will be a full bar.

For more info, call 082 499 8636. To book email roland@stansell.co.za or visit Webtickets

Friends of Music concert

Christopher Duigan is back in Durban to entertain with his usual elegant and charismatic performance. He will perform at the Durban Jewish Centre on Sunday, July 21.

Duigan is regarded as one of South Africa’s leading concert pianists, he has performed extensively with leading South African orchestras including the KwaZulu-Natal Philharmonic, Cape Philharmonic and Johannesburg Philharmonic Orchestras, in a repertoire of more than 25 concerti. In recital he has achieved a popular following through his innovative presentation and programming featuring a broad and eclectic taste in music.

Duigan, and his Music Revival initiative, are synonymous with accessible live classical music concerts performed throughout South Africa, with home-town Pietermaritzburg as its fulcrum.

For more than 30 years, he has performed on average 100 performances a year – solo, with associates and with musical ensembles.

Tickets cost R120 for members and R140 for non-members and are available at the door.

For more information email millark.millar@gmail.com or contact Keith on 071 505 1021.

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Comedy dance drama

Veteran comedy writer, creator and performer, Melanie Kisten, has created a fun high-energy, brand-new comedy/dance/drama entitled He Said, She Said, They Said about a mother and her adult son, and a town full of gossip aunties, which comes to Tsogo Globe at Suncoast for one show only on Saturday, August 10 at 20:00.

Created and produced by MKDA and Big Ammas House of Entertainment, this show celebrates Women – in women’s month, in their true beauty, shape and form with complete divine glory. The story unfolds in a small town, a mother and her 40-year-old son navigate the complexities of their relationship while dealing with the influences of the gossip of society. The mother, struggling with her past decisions and trying to protect her son, finds herself entangled in the town’s gossip network. Meanwhile, her son grapples with his own identity and desires, often caught between loyalty to his mother, his love life and the allure of the gossip aunties’ tantalizing stories. As secrets unravel and tensions rise, the duo must confront the consequences of their actions and decide what truly matters in their lives.

“He said, She said, They Said!” spirals into total chaos – a real twisted comedy which is the perfect recipe for disaster in this small town!!! It is well crafted to be an electrifying nail-biting comedy coupled with suspense and exhilarating performances by the MKDA dance troupe. The production is spiced with comedy, drama and a tear jerking moral punch-line. The production features Melanie Kisten, Desiree Kisten, Bhavanie Kisten, Krishna Subrayan, Lucian Govender, Kubeshan Kyra Kiki Naidoo and Elaine Govender.

Tickets start from R150 via Ticketpro.
For further details contact Melanie Kisten on 083 235 1207 or email mkda2zn@gmail.com.

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