Aweh! Find out what’s happening in Durbs

DURBANITES, you are in for a treat this week. Check out all the interesting events taking place in Durban and its surroundings.

Shows/entertainment

André brings hilarity

ANDRÉ the Hilarious Hypnotist returns with his signature brand of comedy and hypnosis, providing two hours of side-splitting entertainment for young and old at the Rhumbelow Theatre (42 Cunningham Road, Durban) this month.

The show is meant for all ages and features the people from your own neighbourhood as they are hypnotised into believing they are anything from a washing machine to Superman and a host of suggestions in between.

Tickets cost R180, and booking is essential. Bring food picnic baskets or buy at the venue. There is limited secure parking available, and no alcohol may be brought onto the premises.

To book, contact Roland Stansell on 082 499 8636 or email roland@stansell.co.za. You can also book through Webtickets.

Doors open 90 minutes before the show.

Show times:
Thursday, May 23 (show starts 19:00)
Friday, May 24 (show starts 19:30)
Saturday, May 25 (show starts 19:30)
Sunday, May 26 (show starts 14:00)

KZN Philharmonic’s 2024 Winter Season

THE KwaZulu-Natal Philharmonic Orchestra’s 2024 Winter Season features a spectacular roster of classical music luminaries and will be taking place in The Playhouse Opera every Thursday from June 6 to 27, with each World Symphony Series concert starting at 19:00.

Bongani Tembe, KZN Philharmonic’s chief executive and artistic director, said they are delighted to invite the community of music lovers to join them at their four-concert Winter Symphony Season of 2024 – and pick up on the grand traditions of their long-running World Symphony Series, in which celebrated guest stars join the dedicated orchestral musicians in creating many hours of musical enchantment.

“The season dovetails with our continued commitment to community engagement and skills transfer among new-generation artists and learners.”

Cape Town conductor Brandon Phillips returns to the KZNPO podium to open the season on June 6. His ‘curtain-raiser’, Haydn’s high-energy Symphony No 59, dubbed the ‘Fire Symphony’, is sure to delight concert-goers. Making his local debut, the distinguished Czech pianist Jan Bartoš – lauded by BBC Music Magazine as ‘an ideal interpreter, providing abundant brilliance without sacrificing poetry’ – takes centre stage in a performance of Mendelssohn’s bravura Piano Concerto No 2 in D Minor. Beethoven’s towering Fifth Symphony, one of the cornerstones of Western music, brings the evening to a rousing climax in the second half of the evening,

There are buses to The Playhouse: One from Caister Lodge which departs at 18:20 and costs R60 return; one from Westville Senior Primary which departs at 18:10 and costs R80 return; one from St Agnes, Kloof, which departs at 17:50 and costs R100 return; one from Grace Church Umhlanga which departs at 18:10 and costs R100 return. Book through Quicket, or subscribers can book through KZNPO offices.

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. Seating is unreserved.

KZN Philharmonic Season tickets and bookings for individual concerts are available at Quicket outlets. For more information, call 031 369 9438, email bookings@kznphil.org.za or visit www.kznphil.org.za

End Africa Month with exciting performance

The Gagamela Music Group will be ending Africa Month with a performance at the Bat Centre. Set to take the stage on May 31, the music group comes with a unique South African Cultural Sound.

The musical group is made up of three members with their lead singer being Gagamela Shabalala, the grandson of the late Dr Joseph Shabalala of Ladysmith Black Mambazo. He is also a music student and was mentored by Dr Shabalala’s Music Academy.

Sharon Mthembu is an international performer and has done acting, including theatre performances. She has performed in shows such as Lions of Zululand and Dance Africa Dance. She is also a former member of Shabalala Rhythm.

Skahle Radebe is the son of Maqhinga Radebe who is a member of Shabalala Rhythm. Skahle is also a solo artist in his own right and has released music under his name.

The community is invited to come enjoy the free show, starting at 14:00, on May 31, at the Bat Centre.

Outdoor activities

Family-friendly hike

Durban Hiking and Adventures will be hosting two hiking options at the Everton Conservatory. Established in 1991, the conservancy is the oldest urban conservancy in South Africa. Located west of Durban and upstream of the important Krantzkloof Nature Reserve, it is an area of outstanding natural beauty renowned for the richness of its biodiversity.

Meet at 06:45 for 07:00 at the Everton Conservancy, Acutts Drive, Everton. There are two hike options: The first is a 3km Grade 1 hike which is suitable for families with small kids, as well. Option two is an 8–10km Grade 2 hike.

Tickets cost R129 per person (adults) and R69 per person (U13). This charge includes a donation to the conservancy. Tickets are available via Quicket.

What to bring: Snacks, water or cold drinks and a backpack, and walking shoes/takkies with good grip are a must. No flat shoes are allowed.

Contact Roland Smith on 066 111 1488.

Walk your way

The annual Durban Big Walk – a 10km/5km walk – is taking place on Sunday, May 26.

This year, it will not be a timed event. It will start at the Wahooz entrance, uShaka Marine World, and finish at the Moses Mabhida Stadium.

There will be hydration refreshment stations on the route for all distances. Parking facilities are available. Buses will rotate between People’s Park and uShaka Marine World from 05:30 until 12:30.

You can catch a bus from the finish area to the start area at no additional charge. Children under the age of five can walk for free but will not receive a goodie bag, T-shirt or number. The Big Walk is wheelchair- and pram-friendly. Dogs, however, are strictly not allowed. Entry fee is R150.

To enter, visit https://durbanbigwalk.co.za/event/durban-big-walk-2024/

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.