As the chill of winter sets in, Durban is heating up with a variety of events to suit every taste! From the blooming brilliance of the 1000 Hills Garden Fair to side-splitting comedy with Barry Hilton, live jazz tributes, vinyl fairs, and even a walk in the footsteps of Gandhi, there’s something for everyone this season.

1000 Hills Tourism celebrates Winter Gardens
The third annual glorious Garden Fair comes to the Vuleka Conference Centre in Botha’s Hill on the weekend of May 24 and 25, supported by 1000 Hills Tourism.
A selection of growers, nurseries, retailers, garden product suppliers, manufacturers, landscapers, and those involved in the garden industry have been invited to showcase their wares and services in a farm-type setting catering for those with a tiny green space, patio, window box or indoor garden, to those with larger properties and subsistence farmers.
Provision will be made to promote water-wise gardens.
1000 Hills Tourism invites garden lovers to visit the Garden Fair and consider taking a plant and garden-themed self-drive 1000 Hills meander by also visiting various nurseries in the Valley of 1000 Hills.
Tickets for children under 13 are free, and R30 for adults.
The fair is open from 08:30 until 16:00 daily. Well-behaved dogs on leashes are welcome.
For more information: info@gardenfair.co.za.

Comedy legend Barry Hilton set to light up the stage

Rhumbelow Theatre presents the legendary comedian Barry Hilton in a two-day, laughter-packed offering on May 22 at 19:00 and May 25 at 14:00.
“Hilton, known for his unique brand of clean, family-friendly comedy, has been a staple in the South African entertainment industry for decades. His relatable humour and charismatic stage presence have earned him accolades both locally and internationally. This event is an opportunity for fans old and new to experience his comedic genius up close,” shared the organisers.
Tickets are available at R200 via roland@stansell.co.za or Webtickets. Food picnic baskets are allowed or buy at the venue.
For more information contact 082 499 8636.

Beer, Bites & Beats Festival
Enjoy a variety of food from different stalls by 1000 Hills Chef School students. Six craft breweries will be on site at 2 Wootton Avenue, Bothas Hill on May 31 from 10:00 to 16:00. Beats will be delivered by Vinyl Rocks, as well as Undivided Roots and Gloucester Blues Project.
Entry is R120 at the gate.

Durban Vinyl Fair for a second take
Stella Sport Club in Glenwood will host the Durban Vinyl Fair on May 31 from 10:00 to 14:00. On offer will be vinyls, CDs, cassettes, DVDs and books.
For more information, contact Mark on 061 465 1911.

Remembering Mahatma Gandhi’s Salt March
In 1930 in defiance of a salt monopoly, Mahatma Gandhi announced that he would march 400km to the Indian Ocean and symbolically make salt from seawater. He set off on his own but, throughout the 24-day march, thousands of supporters joined him.
Ela Gandhi, the Mahatma’s granddaughter and a patron of the Denis Hurley Centre, will lead a group in Durban to commemorate the Salt March.
It will start at the Gandhi Settlement in Phoenix at 08:00 on Sunday, May 25 and the walk will move at a gentle pace for 5km to the Gandhi-Luthuli Peace Park. (Please leave your car at the Peace Park; transport to the starting point will be provided).
The public is encouraged to join in the Durban Salt March, now in its 20th year. No booking necessary. For more information email egandhi@gdt.org.za.

The magic of Coppélia sets the floor ablaze

With its charming and mischievous plot, brightly coloured costumes and glorious music, Coppélia is as ideal for families and serious dance lovers, as it is for newcomers to the ballet. True love triumphs in this enchanting fairytale, which features three main characters – the young Franz, his fiancée Swanilda and the mysterious doll-maker, Dr. Coppelius, who creates the life-like doll, Coppélia. Featuring Cape Town City Ballet and the KwaZulu-Natal Philharmonic Orchestra, the event takes place at the Playhouse on May 31, at 14:00 and 19:00.

Tickets are available at R150 – R210 via Webtickets

Transformative Arts exhibition
Unlearn to Learn is currently hosting an arts exhibition at the DUT Satellite Gallery, City Campus until June 13.
It features new works by 16 art makers.

Mensa Membership Test now open
Are you curious to find out exactly how bright you really are? The next test for membership of Mensa, the high IQ society, will be held on Saturday, June 7 at 09:45, near Pinetown.

Mensa International is the largest and oldest high-IQ society in the world, founded in 1946.

There are branches in all four major centres in South Africa. Meetings vary between social gatherings and ones of a more mentally stimulating nature. Should you write and pass the test, you will be offered membership.

Contact kzn.testingofficer@mensa.org.za to book. It costs R130 (R100 for students and pensioners). Candidates must be 16 years or older. Candidates need to book a place, and pay beforehand, by EFT. They will need to bring their ID on the day. There is safe parking at the venue.

Prime Circle’s new release at The Barnyard

Prime Circle is one of South Africa’s most iconic rock bands, celebrated for their chart-topping hits, multi-platinum records, and sold-out tours that have captivated audiences for over two decades.

This release features seasoned vocalist and co-songwriter Gavin Edwards and is produced by long time German collaborator Timon Seidl and engineered by SA’s Howie Combrink. The World We Know offers a fresh mix of rock, pop rock, and introspective ballads that stay true to Prime Circle’s roots while appealing to both local and international fans.

The band’s members are Edwards (vocals and guitar), Marco Gomes (founder & bass), Dale Schnettler (drums), Neil Breytenbach (keyboard), and Dirk Bisschoff (guitar)

The release takes place on June 1 at 20:00. To book tickets visit www.barnyardtheatre.co.za.

South African National Society meeting
The South African National Society (SANS) meeting will take place on Saturday, May 24 at 09:30 at St Margaret’s Anglican Church Hall, 11 Delaware Avenue, Virginia, Durban North.
The speaker for this event is James Perkins who will give an illustrated talk entitled, “One Hundred Days upon the Blue Waters”. According to SANS the talk is about Perkins’ great-grandfather’s journey, as described from his original diary.
The entrance fee for members is R30 and for visitors R50. Refreshments will be served after the presentation.
Booking is essential before May 22 via Myra Boyes at meboyes@saol.com.

Let’s get jazzy with Melvin
Jazz legend Melvin Peters closes out the Who’s Got The Map? series with a tribute to South African icons at Hue Café.
The Centre for Jazz and Popular Music at UKZN, in association with the Centre for Creative Arts and South African Association for Jazz Education, will host the performance by the celebrated pianist on May 24 at 14:30.
This concert takes place one day before Africa Day, and Peters’ set is a homage to the towering figures of South African jazz whose music has shaped cultural identity and resistance.

“The performance will be a tribute to South African jazz music, its icons and the music they contributed,” said Peters. “Audiences can expect interpretations of works made known through the artistry of Abdullah Ibrahim, Bheki Mseleku, and Winston Mankunku Ngozi — musicians whose soundtracks accompanied our national journey.”
Joining Peters on stage will be his band, consisting of Jeff Robinson on saxophone and flute, Bongani Sokhela on bass guitar, and Bruce Baker on drums.
Tickets are available via Webtickets.

For more from Berea Mail, follow us on Facebook, X and Instagram. You can also check out our videos on our YouTube channel or follow us on TikTok.

Click to subscribe to our newsletter – here