Aweh! Find out what’s happening in Durbs
It’s a great time for the vintage and market lovers as well as those more keen on sitting down and watching a great show.
FEELING bored? Look no further – we have some great ideas of things you can do in Durban this coming weekend and week.
Outdoor Activities
Leap day for frogs
Looking for a fun and educational activity for your kids? On Saturday afternoon, February 24, from 17:00 to 21:00, Impithi Nature Reserve in the Upper Highway area will be the venue of a special frog day in celebration of National Amphibian Awareness Day.
There will be fun, educational activities followed by a frog walk and talk with frog lady, Dr Jeanne Tarrant.
Bring your own picnic and refreshments to enjoy as the sun sets and the kids take part in the fun activities. A headlamp/torch, gumboots and a clear container will be useful for frog-finding activities.
Proceeds from the event will go to the upkeep of the Impithi Nature Reserve.
Impithi Nature Reserve is found on Edward Drive in Gillitts. It costs R30 per person to enter and R20 per child under 12. For more information, contact the Kloof Conservancy at info@kloofconservancy.org.za.
Shopping/markets
Get your goodies together, upcyclers!
Become a vendor at the Upper Highway Thrifted and Vintage Treasure Market at the 1st Kloof Cubs and Scouts Hall on 14 Buckingham Road in Kloof. The market will be held on Saturday, February 24. Set-up time is at 12:30 and trading time starts at 13:00.
The Upper Highway Thrifted and Vintage Treasure Market is seeking talented individuals who repurpose, recreate and breathe new life into garments to join their indoor market. Whether you specialise in vintage fashion or unique accessories, they welcome all upcycling enthusiasts. Quilt and toy makers are welcome, too.
The vendor fee is R150. Bring your own table and chairs. Don’t miss this opportunity to connect with a community of like-minded individuals and showcase your upcycled treasures. Spaces are limited, so secure your spot today! To book and for more info, WhatsApp: 073 625 64 27.
Thrift shoppers, pencil the date into your diaries!
Support the SPCA Market Day
Join the SPCA Springfield’s monthly market on Saturday, February 24 from 08:00 to 12:00 at 2 Willowfield Crescent, Sea Cow Lake, Springfield area.
There will be fabulous bargains in the charity shop and stalls, and the book room, garden nursery and coffee shop will be open. Entry is free.
Moonlight Market Treasure Hunt
Visit the Moonlight Market at 21 Uitsig Road, Durban North, on Friday, March 1 from 17:00 to 22:00 and enjoy a special treasure hunt. There will be crafts, food, a kids’ play area, a beer garden, household goodies and free parking with security patrols – tips welcome for guards.
With March being St Patrick’s month, it wouldn’t be the same without including some leprechaun mayhem and fun. This will be in the form of a treasure hunt on market night – family fun finding the treasure which will be hidden somewhere in the public market area. More details to follow on their Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/MoonlightMarketDurban.
The Moonlight Market is always looking for craft vendors and homemade goods/products/services.
Food stalls are currently full.
Shows/entertainment
Big Bollywood Musical 2 comes to Sibaya Casino
Following on from their success and sold-out show last year, Big Bollywood Musical returns with a much-anticipated sequel on Friday, March 1 in the iZulu Theatre at Sibaya Casino.
Big Bollywood Musical 2 will captivate audiences again with nonstop musical drama that promises to be a visual and auditory delight.
Showstopper Michael Johnathan will take centre stage – the Frenchman is renowned for the best Michael Jackson impersonations and will intertwine his performance with Bollywood.
With a cast of over 100 artists from across KwaZulu-Natal, Big Bollywood Musical 2 is directed by Rajiv Mothie, choreographed by Shiksha Singh, Shivani Kara and Riya Singh from the Kumari Shiksha’s Dance Institute, and scripted by Fiona Pillay.
With mind-blowing costumes, spellbinding effects and spectacular dance moves, the creative team has created an experience that exceeds the norm of traditional musicals.
Shows run from Friday, March 1 to Sunday, March 3. The Friday show is at 19:30, the Saturday show at 19:00 and the Sunday show at 15:00.
Tickets cost R100 per person and can be purchased via Ticketpro. The show is open to all ages, and children over four require a ticket. It is recommended you get your tickets before the performance sells out. Passouts are allowed. For more info, go to www.bbmshow.com.
Venue: iZulu Theatre at Sibaya Casino, 1 Sibaya Drive, Umhlanga Rocks.
Dress code: your favourite Bollywood outfit
Watch Skhumba’s Weekend Comedy Special
Skhumba’s Weekend Comedy Special is back by popular demand. This comes fresh off the heels of his 5th One Man Special, As I Was Saying, which he performed around the country from September 2022 until July 2023. The one-man show was received with great enthusiasm and attendance. With the one-man special behind him, Skhumba Hlophe is bringing the extremely successful comedy ensemble that will kick off at Silverstar Casino. This tour was previously held in 2021 and received a massive response. The shows that will be on display will feature himself and a crazy lineup of his comedian friends. This Weekend Comedy Special will be nothing short of spectacular and crazy funny!
For more info, go to https://playhousecompany.com/
Venue: Playhouse Company – Opera Theatre Messiah, 231 Smith Street, Durban Central
Tickets can be bought through WebTickets.
KZN Philharmonic World Symphony Series 2024 Summer Season starts
The summer season starts on Thursday, February 29 and continues until Thursday, March 21. It will be at the Playhouse Opera Theatre. Feast on Concert 1 on February 29 at 19:00.
Details of the concert:
Conductor: Talia Ilan
Soloist: Benedict Kloeckner (Cello)
Mendelssohn: Fair Melusina Op 32
Dvorák: Cello Concerto Op 104 in B minor
Schumann: Symphony No 4 in Op 120 in D minor
Mendelssohn wrote his concert overture, Fair Melusina, in 1834 as a birthday gift for his sister. The composer dismissed the suggestion he’d been inspired by an ancient myth, well-known in 19th century Germany in which a water nymph sometimes assumed the identity of a mermaid.
Dvorák’s Cello Concerto, the last solo concerto, was written in 1894 for his friend, the cellist, Hanuš Wihan, while in New York City for his third term as the director of the National Conservatory but was premiered in London in March of 1896, by the English cellist, Leo Stern.
Schumann completed his fourth symphony in 1841 but revised it extensively in 1851, and it was this version that reached publication. The symphony is highly integrated with thematic material recurring between movements. The imminent music critic, Tovey, described the overall structure as ‘possibly Schumann’s greatest and most masterly conception’.
Book through Quicket here: https://www.quicket.co.za/events/244749-kzn-philharmonic-orchestra-2024-summer-symphony-season-concert-1/
Bonus spoils from KZN Philharmonic:
The KZN Philharmonic Orchestra wants to make their audiences’ experience as comfortable as possible. Many audience members would prefer not to self-drive to the Playhouse to attend KZNPO concerts in the evening, so the orchestra is providing a free bus service that allows people to park in the suburbs and hop on a bespoke bus into town.
The various routes on offer:
North Durban residents: the bus departs from Grace Family Church in uMhlanga at 18:15.
Upper highway residents: the bus departs from St Agnes Church at 17:45.
Westville residents: the bus departs from Westville Senior Primary at 18:00.
Berea residents: the bus departs from the Caister Lodge in Berea at 18:20.
Safe, free parking is available at all departure points. The bus is free, but you must pre-book your seat.
The Playhouse bar is once more operational for pre-concerts and interval drinks. One can pre-order interval drinks on arrival.
The public is welcome to sit in on the final rehearsal every Thursday morning at 10:00 in the Playhouse Opera. Tickets cost R50 for adults throughout. Unreserved seating is at the downstairs stalls, and the Playhouse Coffee Corner is open for coffee and light snacks.
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