Durban is the place to be when it comes to entertainment this March, from poetic symphonies to live music and an out of of town splash of colour, the city has it all. To find out more about the upcoming events, see the details below.

One night stand with McIlroy

On Friday, March 14, there will be plenty of laughter and entertainment as comedian extraordinaire Aaron McIlroy takes to the stage for a one-night-stand-up comedy show at the Rhumbelow Theatre on 42 Cunningham Road, off Bartle Road, in Durban at 17:30.

McIlroy will bring his unique brand of humor, quick wit, clever observations, and infectious energy that will leave the audience in stitches. Tickets for the show cost R200. Booking is essential, and there is limited secure parking available. You can also bring food picnic baskets or buy at the venue. No alcohol may be brought onto the premises; there is a bar available at the venue which opens 90 minutes before the show starts. To book email: roland@stansell.co.za or visit Webtickets 

St Mary’s hosts jazz evening

Prepare for an evening filled with exciting twists, improvisation, and a selection of familiar tunes from the American, Afro-Cuban, and South African jazz songbooks as Burton Naidoo and friends take to the stage at St Mary’s Diocesan School for Girls in Kloof on Friday, March 14.

Naidoo is an accomplished jazz pianist, composer, arranger, and educator. He has performed, and continues to collaborate, with some of South Africa’s top musicians across various genres. His talent has graced major jazz and world music festivals both locally and internationally. For the concert at St Mary’s DSG, Burton will be accompanied by an exceptional line-up of musicians.

The ensemble features: Martin Sigamoney on saxophones, Zoe Masuku providing vocals and percussion, Braydon Hore on upright and electric bass, and Bruce Baker on drums. The jazz evening session will start at 18:00 and finish at 21:00 on Friday at the LRC, high school library. You can bring your own snacks and refreshments – glasses and ice will be provided. Parking via Chapel and Jubilee gates. Tickets range from R80 to R120 and can be purchased via Quicket

KZN Youth Orchestra Sunset Soiree

In aid of raising funds for the Westville Conservancy, the KZN Youth Orchestra will be performing an hour-long concert in Westville Methodist Church on Friday, March 14, at 18:00.

The KwaZulu-Natal Youth Orchestra is a group of talented young classical musicians, aged between 12 and 22, who rehearse and perform throughout the school year and play a wide range of classical, contemporary and African music. They will be performing a carefully curated and diverse repertoire that spans classical, romantic and modern music as well as some contemporary pieces.

The line-up includes: Schubert’s Symphony No. 8; Korsakov’s Scheherazade, Monti’s Czardas; a Johnny Clegg classic, All that Jazz, and the thrilling theme from Mission Impossible. Conducted by Lykele Temmingh, former resident conductor of the KZNPO, and presented and narrated by Cathy Peacock, trumpeter and founding member of Platform Jazz, the KZNYO comprises young musicians from across KZN who are passionate about preserving and celebrating the enduring magic of orchestral music.

“The exuberant and talented young performers are a joy to behold. Many great musicians have passed through our doors and continue to make their mark in the music industry,” said publicist Illa Thompson. She said this is the second fundraising collaboration between the KZNYO and the Westville Conservancy. “Their vision is to conserve, restore, protect, revitalise and improve the quality of the natural environment in Westville,” added Thompson.

Tickets for the event are R120 adults and R80 for pensioners and students, and can be booked through Quicket. For more info email admin@kznyo.co.za. Call or WhatsApp Karen on 083 235 6072.

Rockin’ All Over the World

Renowned saxophonist, Andrew Young, is heading to the Rhumbelow Northlands Bowling Club on Saturday, March 15, and on Sunday, March 16, where he will entertain his South African fans with his new and exciting music programme.

Reflecting on his extensive world tours, the song Rockin’ All Over the World came to mind and a new programme emerged. Young, who will be accompanied on stage by Durban pianist Shem Mahabeer, will performing at 19:30 on Saturday and 14:00 on Sunday.

Roland Stansell of the Rhumbelow Theatre said Young’s storytelling through music will offer more than just melodies. “It is an intimate sharing of his experiences, from bustling cities in China to the Caribbean, South America to the European landscapes where he has spent much of his time,” said Stansell. “Whether through soulful saxophone solos or energetic ensemble pieces, his performance takes the listener through the ups and downs of life on the road.”

Tickets are available at Webtickets at a cost of R220, and R200 for pensioners. Picnic baskets are allowed. To book, email roland@stansell.co.za or at https://events.durbantheatre.com/ visit . The venue opens 90 minutes before the show.

Rock school honours Teach Music Week

Glenwood Village Centre will honour International Teach Music Week by inviting teachers of Sycamore Academy of Rock to showcase their talents on Saturday afternoon, March 15. International Teach Music Week is observed every year during the third week of March all around the world. This year, it takes place from March 17-23. The week encourages music lovers, musicians, and music schools to take up new students and introduce them to the world of music.

Teachers will be given the opportunity to perform during the course of the afternoon, from 14:00 until 16:00.
The academy is open to the public every Tuesday evening for lessons from 17:00 until 19:00. Part of the academy’s mission is to provide public platforms for their pupils to gain performance experience. Glenwood Village Centre, which is undergoing a revamp, are excited to collaborate with the academy.

“Our centre supports Glenwood initiatives,” said centre manager Steve King. “Especially those which add value to the neighbourhood. We support and encourage the development of music. When we read about International Teach Music Week, we invited the Sycamore Academy to come along to encourage as many people as possible to learn an instrument and develop a love for music,” he said.
Sycamore Rock Academy is part of the Sycamore Church and School Campus.

Acoustic tribute to Bryan Adams

Rob and Garth Warren of The Black Lapels are bringing their signature acoustic style to the songs that have defined a generation with the Back to You: An Acoustic Tribute to Bryan Adams show at the Rhumbelow Theatre in Umbilo from March 21-23.

Delivering a fresh yet heartfelt homage to one of rock’s greatest icons, this one-of-a-kind performance revisits Bryan Adams’ greatest hits, from Summer of ’69 to (Everything I Do) I Do It for You, reimagined with stripped-back arrangements that capture the raw emotion and storytelling at the heart of his music. “Whether you’ve loved Bryan Adams’ music for decades or are discovering it anew, Back to You is an unforgettable celebration of the power of acoustic sound and the enduring magic of these classic songs,” said Rolan Stansell from Rhumbelow Theatre.

Venue: The Rhumbelow Theatre, 42 Cunningham Road
Date and Time:
March 21, 19:30
March 22, 19:30
March 23, 14:00

Booking is essential and tickets cost R200 at Webtickets. To book email roland@stansell.co.za or visit  https://events.durbantheatre.com/

Decorative arts lecture

The Decorative Arts Society’s presentation on I Am A Butterfly by multi-talented artist Jane Bedford will take place on Tuesday, March 18, from 12:30 to 13:30 at the Visitors’ Centre, Durban Botanic Gardens. The fee is R50 for members and R80 for visitors. Refreshments will be served after the lecture. For more information, contact Lynne on 083 281 2994.

St. Patrick’s Day BFM Colour Run

Anticipation is building as the day draws near for the launch of the BFM 5km Trail Run, which will be held at the Ballito Farmers Market on Sunday, March 16.

The theme for the event is St. Patrick’s Day and it will be a fun and colourful way to enjoy your Sunday. Expect an exciting run through the scenic sugarcane fields, followed by great food, live music, and a festive St. Patrick’s Day atmosphere. The 5km Colour Run starts at 09:00 and is open to runners, walkers, and families of all fitness levels. For the little ones, under 13 years old, the 1km colour run within the market starts at 11:00.

There are outdoor open showers available at the venue. Dogs on leashes are welcome for the 5km. Tickets for the colour run range from R100 up to R150 and can be purchased at Webtickets.

28th Time of the Writer: Poetic Symphony

The Time of the Writer’s Poetic Symphony is an innovative and experimental concert integrating spoken word poetry and music which will be hosted on Friday, March 21, at Seabrookes Theatre, 255 St Thomas Rd, Musgrave, from 10:00 until the start of the last session at 18:00.

The project, created and presented by Poetry Africa in collaboration with the KZN Philharmonic Orchestra, promises to be an interactive, fun event, creating opportunities for poets and musicians to share the stage and perform individually and collaboratively. For each concert a South African composer has been commissioned to write the music for the interactive performance between the KZN Philharmonic Orchestra and Poetry Africa’s celebrated spoken word poets.

Tickets for the poetic symphony can be purchased on Webtickets. The cost is R80 to R300, varying for each session. For more information, visit https://tow.ukzn.ac.za/.

Fame the Musical

Danville Diamonds are set to shine brightly at the staging of the Fame – the Musical at The Milkwood Theatre in Durban North from Tuesday, March 25 to Thursday, March 27.

Fame – The Musical, which follows two successful predecessors, the hit movie and television series, focuses on the last class to graduate from New York’s High School of Performing Arts on 46th Street before the school relocated to Lincoln Center. This musical will be showcased at Danville Park Girls’ High School, in the new state of the art theatre, The Milkwood Theatre, with a cast of 30, including the Danville Diamonds and young lads from neighbouring high schools. The shows begin at 19:00 for all three days and tickets can be purchased for R140 at 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.