Aweh! Find out what’s happening in Durbs
From outdoor events to concerts and a music festival featuring top South African artists, we have a directory of events you can enjoy in Durban over the next few days.
FROM concerts to children’s holidays, we have a directory of events you can enjoy in Durban over the next few days.
Enjoy fun holiday activities in uMdloti
The Marine Walk Shopping Centre based in uMdloti is hosting a festive line-up of family-friendly entertainment until July 5. With a series of engaging events planned, families can look forward to creating unforgettable memories during the winter break.
Visit www.marinewalk.co.za for more information and follow Marine Walk on Facebook and Instagram to stay updated.
Dream On – Young Performers Project
The 2024 annual Young Performers Project (YPP) will have the biggest cast yet: 170 children, from 5–19 years, from more than 50 schools throughout KwaZulu-Natal, will be participating in the production of the specially created jukebox production of Dream On – a pastiche of fabulous musical theatre numbers, coming to the Playhouse Opera with daytime shows from July 5 to 14.
The first musical, Curtain Up! and many subsequent YPP productions are directed by the late Themi Venturas – an integral part of the YPP family over the years. Some noteworthy YPP productions include: One Voice, Grease, Annie, The Wiz, Oliver, Fiddler on the Roof, School of Rock SA, Big River, Hairspray, Seussical, Can You Feel It?, Footloose, Soldiers in the City, Legally Blonde, The Buddy Holly Story, and last year’s Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat.
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The musical is staged by The Young Performers Project NPC, in association with The Playhouse Company, SAMRO and Go! Durban Academy (eThekwini Municipality). The show runs for 90 minutes with an interval. It is suitable for ages four and above. Tickets can be bought through Webtickets. Parking is available at the Royal Hotel.
A first for Durban!
Wrap up your Durban July Handicap weekend with some glorious, mellow, Sunday jazz fusion at the one-day eThekwini Jazz Jam to be held at the MSC Nelson Mandela Durban Cruise Terminal at Durban’s Point on Sunday, July 7.
Phambili Media, working in conjunction with Durban Tourism, are encouraging out-of-town visitors to the Durban July to join local jazz lovers for an exciting Sunday. What could personify that theme more than a beautifully crafted programme of Jazz-inspired fusion music held at the Durban Cruise Terminal, right on the ocean’s edge – a calm and mellow cultural counterpoint to the frenetic majesty of horse-racing thoroughbreds and high fashion from the day before.
This may well be the first time that the public have the opportunity to visit the Durban Cruise Terminal which typically is not open to the public. The Terminal is one of the anchor destinations in the Point Precinct, not far from uShaka Marine World, a host of fine restaurants and coffee shops along the canals, and the Durban Underwater Club – all with magnificent harbour views.
A full and varied programme of eclectic music is on the cards. Among the incredible acts signed up to perform are Durban’s own soul and blues guitarist, ‘Bafo’, Dr Madala Kunene, whose distinctive African folk-singing style has earned his place as one of Durban’s foremost cultural icons.
Also, R&B and Afro-soul singer Zonke Dikana will make a return.
Personifying contemporary jazz fusion is actor, singer, dancer and songwriter Tubatsi Mpho Moloi, who is influenced by the sounds of blues, jazz, rock and African folk music.
Performing a vibrant blend of isicathamiya, afro-jazz and maskandi, Mnqobi Yazo’s brand is proudly African, with his music deeply rooted in traditional Zulu music with a modern twist. The theme for this year’s Durban July is ‘Ride the Wave’. Once you have ridden the frenetic and powerful Durban July tsunami of a wave, enjoy some calm ocean swells at the eThekwini Jazz Jam on Sunday, July 7. To purchase early bird tickets, go to www.ticketpro.co.za
Catch Andréa Chenier at Rhumbelow
Watch the poet, Andréa Chenier, deliver an impassioned denunciation of Louis XVI at a glittering party in 18th-century Paris – at the Rhumbelow Theatre big-screen 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 each. Food is available at the venue. There is limited secure parking available so booking is essential. A bar is available so no alcohol may be brought onto the premises. Contact 082 499 8636. For bookings, email roland@stansell.co.za or go to Computicket.
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.
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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.
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 food 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 go to Webtickets.
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