AZALEA Hall at Margate Retirement Village is reigning supreme on the South Coast’s entertainment front.
And sealing that reputation was `Driving Miss Daisy’ the June supper theatre offering which featured local outfit The Gentry and their sensational singer, Princess Dube.
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From the moment she stepped on stage with her brilliant renditions of Miriam Makeba’s 1967 hit `Phata Phata’ and Soloman Malinda’s `The Lion Sleeps Tonight’ – penned way back in 1939, she captured (in the good sense, that is) her audience.
Bandleader James Carlsen is not only an excellent musician and vocalist, he proved to be an entertaining narrator as well by giving snippets of information about each and every song and singer.
For instance, did you know that George Harrison borrowed Eric Clapton’s guitar when he composed `Here Comes The Sun’ and that Neil Diamond took four months to perfect `I Am I Cried’. It was so good to hear musicians playing real instruments as opposed to modern stuff which is mostly synthesized music – the beat had everyone clapping and tapping along to hits by Simon and Garfunkel, James Taylor, Aretha Franklin, Van Morrison, The Rolling Stones, The Monkees, Elvis and even Ed Sheeran – before long everyone was up and dancing – not on the ceiling as requested by Lionel Ritchie – but in the aisles and between the tables. That joint was jumping and that band was fabulous.
More entertainment
This month’s supper theatre show at the village is `Some Enchanted Evening’.
It features acclaimed pianist/singer Evan Roberts and vocalists Samantha Landers and Anthony Downing as well as a guest artist, cellist Nina Watson.
If you love those wonderful big Broadway shows then this outing is not to be missed. The date to diarise is next Saturday, July 27. Doors open at 6pm and the curtain goes up at 7pm.
Pack a picnic supper, take along your own drinks and glasses. Tickets, at R85 per person, are on sale from either the RAC or admin offices at the village or phone 039 3125000 for more information.
`Seven Brides for Seven Brothers’ is the next Classic Movie on offer at the Ronnie Baker Hall at the village. The film, starring Jane Powell and Howard Keel, will be screened this Sunday, July 21 at 2.30pm. Cost is R5 which includes tea/coffee and biscuits served during the interval.
Sport spot
After the Cricket World Cup and Wimbledon Championships, the sporting spotlight falls on rugby.
Former Bok and Sharks coach Ian McIntosh and Dolphins and Sharks player Errol Stewart are the guest speakers at a pre-Rugby World Cup business lunch which takes place at Margate Bowling Club this Friday, July 19 at 12pm.
The cost is R200 per person which includes a three-course meal and two bottles of wine per table.
To book or for more information phone the club at 039 3120351.
Give a little time
Give a Child a Family in Margate is a non-governmental organisation that offers a safe haven to children in need will hold its annual general meeting this week.
The public is cordially invited to attend the meeting which takes place this Friday, July 19 at 12.30pm. For details phone 039 3172761. If you would like to find out more about the amazing work they do or to perhaps assist in any way – go along to the meeting.
Run, pedal, run
Southcity in Ramsgate invites everyone to take part in the `Banana Bash’ which comprises a run, cycle and another run next Saturday, July 27.
If you would like to take part in this year’s event but need a sitter then read on.
There will be a special `Kidz Zone’ offering lots of different fun activities for the younger set and they will also get juice and biscuits during the morning.
For more information about the duathlon phone 039 3149470.
Move it
Ramsgate’s iconic music venue, Rocky Ridge, in Fascadale Road is hosting `Nu-Rift’ from July 19 to 21. Everyone is invited to go along to dance or stomp while exploring new and different music styles.
Condolences
Deepest sympathy is extended to Christine Moldt-Lootens-Blochet on the death of her beloved mother Lucie Vanderkerken-Macchi (95) on July 9. Her memorial service takes place at the Full Gospel Church in Burns Road, Shelly Beach, this Saturday, July 20 at 11am.
Good wishes
Celebrating birthdays this week are Max Mbili, Lynne MacRae, Mark Perreira and Veryan Redding (17th), Tina Stewart, Collette Hoppe, Warren Danter, Mary Robinson and Bronwyn Korb (18th), Olivia Symcox, Allan Grace, Simone Morkel, Bert Bos, Oliver Silk, Margaret Knott, Michelle Hall, Jaydee Marx, Kaden Rennie and Kaelin Korb (20th), Tony Westoby, Janice Selkon, David Phillips, Liz Knox-Whitehead and Paul Korb (21st), Heather van Rooyen, Deborah Ludick and Michelle McLeod (22nd) and Sean George, Candyce Krishna and Romer Bissett (23rd).
Happy wedding anniversary wishes go to Diane and John Evans (17th) and Blanche and Eckhard Scholtz and Craig and Tish Charlton (19th).
This weekend it will be the 50th anniversary of the first moon landing (July 20, 1969) when astronaut Neil Armstrong took that giant leap for mankind – can you remember what you were doing then?
And don’t forget it is Mandela Day this Thursday (18th) so go and give 67 minutes of your time.
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