Aweh! Find out what’s happening in Durbs
There are many bustling activities happening this week – from tubing on the Mqeku River to Cellist performances and a tribute to Dire Straits. Don't miss out on the fun!
LOOK below to see what a good time you can have this week – it’s going to be exciting.
Sunday, January 28
Cellist Aristide du Plessis to play at St Thomas’ Church
Aristide du Plessis will perform three sublime works for solo classical cello for one concert at 11:00 at St Thomas’ Church, Musgrave Road, Durban. Du Plessis will perform JS Bach: Cello Suite No 1; Georgi Ligeti: Sonata for Solo Cello and Gaspar Cassadó: Suite for Solo Cello.
Aristide du Plessis has established a reputation as one of South Africa’s leading cellists, making regular appearances on national TV and radio, both as a soloist and chamber musician. Having earned his Master’s Degree in 2014 from the Zürich University of the Arts, Switzerland, he has performed as a soloist and chamber musician in some of the world’s most renowned concert halls, from the Zürich Tonhalle and the Vienna Musikverein to the Herkulessaal in Munich, the Wiener Konzerthaus and the Berliner Philharmonie. He has performed as a soloist with all of the South African orchestras and has been the co-principal Cellist of the KZN Philharmonic Orchestra since 2017.
Please note that a Denis Hurley Centre Street Lit bookseller will be selling pre-read books at the venue. St Clement, which is alongside the church, will also be open for a pre- or post-concert brunch.
Tickets can be booked by a call or WhatsApp to Aristide on 076 159 5771. Tickets are R100 with concessions of R80 for pensioners and students and should be pre-booked before the day.
Mqeku Picnic Site Family Day
Durban Hiking and Adventures has organised a full family day on the banks of the Mqeku River in the Valley of 1000 Hills. The programme includes hiking, picnicking, braaiing, swimming, tubing, bird watching and even 4x4ing (bring your own).
Meet at outside the Pot & Kettle in Botha’s Hill at 07:00, and drive in a convoy to the destination – cars with low ground clearance are not recommended for this trip. Tickets cost R399 per adult, R299 per child under 13 years and R699 per person including transport from Durban. The ticket costs include an entry fee to the picnic site, the use of all facilities, tube hire, braai (bring your own meat), hiking and private guide, picnic blankets, a large awning for shade and awesome pictures and videos.
Bring hiking boots/shoes (if you are planning to hike), sunglasses, cap, sunblock, towel, swimwear and dry clothes (if you are planning on swimming or tubing), your own food and drinks (cooler boxes allowed). Please note that children must be accompanied by an adult who participates in the activities. At 15:00 all will pack up and drive back in convoy. Please note that driving to the site on your own is not recommended as the road is long and dusty, making it easy to get lost.
Two hikes are on offer. Option 1: an easy 3km hike along the river. Option 2: a difficult (500m elevation) 7km hike in the mountains which takes about 3 hours to complete. Only 20 tickets are available, and 10 are confirmed already, and paid bookings must be made to go ahead with this event. Payment is non-refundable if you are a no-show. The event will be rescheduled in the case of bad weather. Book at Quicket.
Also read: DIY to make a difference for baby home in Durban North
Sunday, January 28 (until January 29)
One Act Play Festival auditions
The Westville Theatre Club is proud to announce that the popular One Act Play Festival will, once again, be staged on April 12 to 14 and 19 to 21.
Apart from being great fun for both casts and the audience, the festival provides an opportunity to discover and develop new as well as existing talent. Therefore, the club is calling on actors and backstage crew members who want to experience the unique thrill of live theatre – no experience needed. The 2024 Festival will consist of xix different One Act Plays which will be grouped and presented as two shows of three plays each.
If you are eager to get on stage and be part of one of the greatest team experiences ever, then come along to the auditions at Westville Theatre Club (adjacent to Westville Swimming Pool) on Sunday, January 28 from 14:00 until 16:00 or Monday, January 29 from 18:00 until 20:00. If you are auditioning for an acting role, you will be required to read from a monologue or script which will be provided to you at the venue. Due to the nature of the festival, we will only be auditioning for acting parts, and no dancing or singing skills will be required.
Westville Theatre Club is a community theatre, which provides a platform for amateur theatre enthusiasts, therefore there is no compensation for participation. Please contact Melanie for more information by WhatsApp message on 071 461 8515 or email melanievisser1000@gmail.com.
Wednesday, January 31
Herbie Rides Again (1974) at Rhumbelow Film Club
Rhumbelow Film Club in Durban will be showing Herbie Rides Again (1974). The films are available for members only. Please contact Roland at roland@stansell.co.za to become a member of the Film Club.
Friday, February 02 (until February 04)
A Tribute to Dire Straits at Rhumbelow
Back by popular demand, Rhumbelow Theatre presents a tribute to the music of Mark Knopfler and his band, Dire Straits. Starring The Reals – Barry Thomson, Dawn Selby, Mali Sewell and Andy Turrell,
as well as guest guitarist Shaun Dragt.
In 1977, this British rock band was formed by Mark Knopfler (lead vocals and lead guitar) and his younger brother, David Knopfler. Their sound was influenced by a variety of musical styles, including jazz, folk and blues, and contrasted with the prominence of punk rock during their early years. Their more conventional sound appealed to modern audiences weary of the overproduced stadium rock of the 1970s. Dire Straits’ fifth album, Brothers in Arms, released in May 1985, was their highest-selling studio album with sales of over 30 million. It was one of the first albums recorded on digital equipment, and the title track is reported to be the world’s first CD single. The show will feature a selection of their hit songs, including, Brothers in Arms, Walk of Life, So Far Away, Sultans of Swing, Romeo and Juliet, Tunnel of Love, Private Investigations and Money for Nothing.
Show times include:
Friday, February 2 – show starts at 19:30
Saturday, February 3 – show starts at 13:00
Sunday, February 4 – show starts at 14:00
Venue: 42 Cunningham Road off Bartle Road, Durban. The venue opens 90 minutes before the show for snacks and drinks at the bar. Tickets cost R200. No children under 5 years are allowed. You are welcome to bring food picnic baskets. No alcohol may be brought onto the premises. Booking is essential. Book at Computicket or by emailing Roland at roland@stansell.co.za. For more information, contact Roland at 082 499 8636.
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