BUMP AND GRIND

 

Live at the Northlands Bowling Club this festive season!

Durban’s favourite comedy duo, Aaron McIlroy and Lisa Bobbert, return to the Northlands Bowling Club this festive season with their brand-new musical comedy Bump and Grind

Expect new characters, old favourites, and a soundtrack packed with thumping hits as McIlroy and Bobbert once again deliver their trademark blend of side-splitting humour, larger-than-life personalities, and musical mayhem!

Back by popular demand are Bruce and Charmaine as unforgettable Elvis impersonators, Dot and Max settling into the chaos of retirement village life, and everyone’s favourite philosopher of the people, Dr Veejay, offering his “words of wisdom.” Add in a host of hilarious new faces, and you’ve got the perfect recipe for festive season fun!

Directed and choreographed by Daisy Spencer, Bump and Grind promises to keep audiences on their feet — or rolling in the aisles — with laughter, music, and McIlroy & Bobbert’s unbeatable comic chemistry.

Because really — what would the end of the year be without Aaron and Lisa’s show at the Northlands Bowling Club?

The show is presented by Rhumbelow Theatre and will run from December 18, 2025, to January 4, 2026.

Bookings: Webtickets or contact Roland directly on 0824998636

Northlands Bowling Club is located at 50 Margaret Maytom Avenue in Durban North.

 

A BAROQUE CHRISTMAS WITH JS BACH

 

(Margrit Deppe and Yosuke Matsui. Pic by Shelley Kjonstad)

 

A glorious morning Christmas concert of music for trumpet and organ will be performed at St Cyprian’s Church on Sunday December 21 at 11h00 featuring Margrit Deppe on the newly-refurbished organ and Yosuke Matsui, on trumpet.

The concert features works for trumpet and organ alongside solo organ pieces, centred on the music of Johann Sebastian Bach. The concert celebrates the joy and splendour of the Baroque era within the spirit of Christmas. Included in the programme will be some short stand-alone hymns, carols and praise and worship pieces for organ and trumpet.

Yosuke Matsui is a Yamaha performing artist, and principal trumpet player with the KZN Philharmonic, who has served as principal trumpet of the Kyushu Symphony Orchestra; Chiba Symphony Orchestra in Japan, and tutti trumpet in the Sydney Orchestra in Australia. He holds a master’s degree from Tokyo University of Fine Arts and Music. His expertise ranges across various types of trumpets.

Margrit Deppe on organ is the co-principal oboe and cor anglais at the KZN Philharmonic. She teaches piano at Clifton School and for 2023 was the church musician / Cantor at the Nauen Rathenow Church District in Germany. She studied Church music in Halle, Saxony Anhalt in Germany and has her BA honours at the University of KZN.

Tickets R130 (R100 concessions) at Quicket in advance, or cash at the door.

There is off-road and guarded parking at the church. Tea and coffee will be served after the concert, and the pub will be open.

This concert is supported by the KZN Performing Arts Trust and KZN Philharmonic.

St Cyprians Anglican Church is located at 603 Umbilo Road in Durban.

ACTION IN AUTISM’S ENDLESS SUMMER MARKET 2025

Action in Autism will host its much-anticipated annual Market, on Saturday December 6 from 09h00 to 14h00 at their premises 105 Haig Road, Parkhill, Durban North.

This year’s theme is Endless Summer and once again the year-end event will celebrate creativity, inclusion, and community spirit. The autistic students from the organisation’s Shahumna Centre, a Skills Transfer and Business Hub, have been working tirelessly to prepare a delightful selection of crafts, potted plants, and baked goods for sale.

The event promises to be a vibrant day of creative crafts, community connection, and family fun, all in support of the Action in Autism Centre and its programmes.

The Shahumna Centre offers a three-year entrepreneurship programme for autistic adults, focusing on skill development in baking and catering, plant propagation and small-scale gardening, as well as arts and crafts. The Market serves as an annual highlight where students take the lead in planning, preparing, and managing their own stalls. It provides a vital platform for students to showcase their talents, apply their skills in real-world contexts, and engage confidently with the public.

This year’s Endless Summer Market will feature a wide range of stalls, delicious food, handmade crafts, and entertainment for the whole family — including pony rides and a jumping castle.

Ashvir Dalu, Manager of the Shahumna Centre, shared: “The Market has become a major annual fundraising event for our organisation that is of a deserving cause to be supported. Moreover, it continuously serves as a platform for our talented autistic students to showcase their learned skills in cooking, gardening, arts, and business management; and enables engagement with the public in an accepting space that is fully supportive of neurodiversity. We look forward to the attendance of many people who would like to support our students and share the important message that they can and will contribute meaningfully to society — and require opportunities to become employed.”

Adding to this, Uday Mahlutshana, a student at the Shahumna Centre, said: “Our Endless Summer Market will be good, and we want it to be successful with your support. I encourage everyone to attend and experience pony rides, a jumping castle, over 20 different vendors, and witness us students showcasing our skills. We really appreciate if you can share our event details and bring your family and friends along for a fun day.”

Action in Autism welcomes community members, businesses, and supporters to get involved by donating goods, sponsoring services, or contributing raffle prizes to enhance the market. Those who wish to make financial contributions may do so by depositing into the organisation’s bank account:

 

Action in Autism

FNB Account: 621 029 10123

Branch Code: 220629 (Umhlanga Crescent)

SWIFT Code: FIRNZAJJ

(All monetary donations, on request, will receive a Section 18A tax certificate.)

 

Local entrepreneurs and crafters are also invited to book a vendor table for just R250 to sell their wares at the market. Interested vendors can contact Action in Autism at info@actioninautism.org.za or 031 563 3039 to secure their spot.

The Endless Summer Market 2025 is not just a fundraising event — it is a celebration of inclusion, empowerment, and community. Every purchase, donation, and act of kindness directly supports autistic individuals in building their skills, developing confidence, and achieving greater independence.

 

A FAIRYTALE CHRISTMAS CAROL: THE MUSICAL

 

(Some of the youthful cast members. Pic by Val Adamson)

Charles Dickens timeless story about life’s second chances, A Christmas Carol, has been joyfully adapted to A Fairytale Christmas Carol, the Musical, to be staged by the Young Performers Project at the Playhouse Drama Theatre from December 5 to 21, 2025.

This original festive season family-friendly production blends familiar fairytale characters with the well-known story about how the miser Scrooge has a change of heart for Christmas.

This clever adaptation is surprisingly true to the original text in theme; yet unlikely, fresh and fun. The Big Bad Wolf is the Ebenezer Scrooge character (James Armstrong from ISPA, who was Donkey in Shrek), who meets the ghost of his old business partner, Jacob Midas who could turn anything to gold (the Marley character). Midas warns Big Bad Wolf that we will be visited by three ghosts: Christmas Past, Present and Future (played with aplomb by Fairy Godmother, Old King Cole and the Queen of Hearts respectively). The ghosts make Scrooge realise what a scoundrel he has been, and that it is not too late for redemption, allowing him to reform and rejoice.

In the true spirit of Dickens, together we rediscover the importance of love, family, friends, kindness, compassion …. and joy.

The production team for A Fairytale Christmas Carol, sees Daisy Spencer in both the director’s chair as well as choreographing the production; with musical direction by Des Govender; costume design by Kathy Singery; props and set by Nicolene Steyn; sound design by Anthony Govender and lighting by Dylan Heaton. In the spirt of training the next generation of theatre practitioners, this year there is an assistant music director:  Damien Butt; and an assistant choreographer Jenna Van Eyssen – both from ISPA.

Musical numbers include a mixture of original songs with familiar and much-loved carols as well as a few surprises…

The Young Performers Project has, for the past 24 years, faithfully staged an annual musical theatre production with a youthful cast (with at least one professional performer) and a professional production team to provide the next generation of theatre practitioners with valuable experience of performing in a professional context. YPP has grown and developed from staging one annual production to three musicals annually. In April this year, they presented Shrek at the new Milkwood Theatre in Durban North; followed by Annie in the Playhouse Opera in July.

The cast includes senior primary as well as high school learners, and members of Durban-based International School of Performing Arts to provide maximum experience opportunities for as many aspirant young performers as possible.

This year, over 300 students from a variety of schools in Durban auditioned to be part of the YPP programme. The cast of A Fairytale Christmas Carol features 80 children from 45 schools from throughout KZN – from as far as Richards Bay. The youngest of whom is nine. They have been rehearsing for seven weekends.

There will be a special Relaxed performance on Friday December 5 where formal theatre etiquette of silence and stillness won’t be enforced, enabling people and families with different needs to feel welcome and comfortable in a supportive environment. For this performance, before the show starts, some of the main characters will come in-front of the curtains to introduce themselves so that patrons become familiar with the performers ahead of the show.

A Fairytale Christmas Carol is presented by The Young Performers Project, The Playhouse Company and Pioneer.

Tickets (R180 to R230): Webtickets (please book through Webtickets, and not through any other ticketing agent)

Show is 75 minutes. And there is one interval.

 

Playhouse Drama: Performance Schedule:

Fri 5 Dec – 14h30 – Relaxed performance

Sat 6 Dec – 11h00 and 14h30

Sun 7 Dec – 14h30

 

Tues 9 Dec – 14h30

Wed10 Dec – 14h30

Thurs 11 Dec – 14h30

Fri 12 Dec – 14h30

Sat 13 Dec – 11h00 and 14h30

Sun 14 Dec – 14h30

 

Tues 16 Dec – 14h30

Wed 17 Dec – 14h30

Thurs 18 Dec – 14h30

Fri 19 Dec – 14h30

Sat 20 Dec – 11h00 and 14h30

Sun 21 Dec – 14h30

 

THE PREDICAMENT: REVIEW

 

He re-creates the life of the 1960s with great skill and delivers a classy, entertaining spy thriller. (Review by Margaret von Klemperer, courtesy of The Witness)

 

The Predicament is the second outing for William Boyd’s secret agent, Gabriel Dax, but there is really no need to have read the previous novel – this works fine as a stand-alone. Dax’s day job is as a travel writer, which gives him a great excuse to turn up in all sorts of places that were of importance in 1963, when the story is set. 

He is also in the employ of MI6, who have got him to persuade the KGB that he is in fact a double agent.

 So there are going to be plenty of moments when the left hand doesn’t know what the right hand is doing.

And there are also many moments when Dax really doesn’t know what either side is up to – because they don’t tell him the whole story, ever. So, who to trust? The KGB seem to want him to visit Moscow, which he doesn’t do in this book, and also to tell them more about his MI6 handler and sometime lover, Faith Green. She sends him off to Guatemala in the guise of a journalist who wants to interview a reclusive left-wing politician. But things go badly wrong and he is caught up in a coup, but not before he has come across some very fishy people.

Still, he manages to investigate a river in Guatemala for his book on rivers, and makes it back to England to carry on with the day job, deal with a fellow writer who is accusing him of plagiarism and visit his psychiatrist, to whom he cheerfully confesses all the strands of his life, which to the reader seems like a foolish thing to do – he is a spy after all, and who knows which side she might be on.

His next assignment is to go to Berlin which is about to be visited by charismatic American president John F Kennedy. But there are plots to assassinate the president, and Dax finds himself mixed up in trying to identify – and stop - the would-be killers, for the CIA. And there is the creeping doubt about whether his spymasters are using him as a handy useful idiot, or whether they really rate his abilities, and just who it is who wants Kennedy dead.

There is a delightful, innocent amateurishness about Dax’s activities, and Boyd manages to make his novel fast-moving, funny and, particularly towards the end, dramatically tense. He re-creates the life of the 1960s with great skill and delivers a classy, entertaining spy thriller. - Margaret von Klemperer

Published by Penguin Viking: ISBN 978-0-241-76114-4

 

TREASURE HUNT BACK IN SOUTH AFRICA

 

(Producer and director Chim Onyebilanma, with cast member Samantha Watts. Pic supplied)

 

Faith, action and redemption - Treasure Hunt comes to South African cinemas after world premiere in the USA

A local film with a global heart is bringing faith to the big screen.

After its debut at the prestigious Oscar-qualifying American Black Film Festival in Miami Beach, Florida Treasure Hunt - a faith-filled, action-packed, feel-good movie made in rural KwaZulu-Natal – is set to be screened at Watercrest mall Ster-Kinekor cinema marking its homecoming after premiering elsewhere in South Africa this past October.

With a powerful redemptive storyline at its core, Treasure Hunt is a film that blends real- life struggles with themes of grace, second chances and the courage to choose what’s right. It’s got it all - action, drama and of course, love.

The film has had a cinema run both in Johannesburg and at Suncoast CineCentre in Durban. It was so well received at Suncoast that it ran for three consecutive weekends because of the high demand.

Now the film is coming home to the community where it was made - the Upper Highway area of Durban and will screen for one week from December 5, 2025 at the Watercrest mall (and simultaneously at the Brooklyn mall cinema in Pretoria).

Set in the Valley of a Thousand Hills, Treasure Hunt follows the story of a man trying to leave behind a broken past. When he stumbles upon a stash of jewellery in a trash bin, he faces a moral crossroads... do what’s right or return to the life he left behind. The story explores faith under pressure and the life-changing impact of standing firm in your values.

Directed by Chim Onyebilanma, a passionate storyteller, the film was created by CAP Studios, a small production company in Embo, in the rural Valley of a Thousand Hills in KwaZulu-Natal that works to nurture local talent and tell stories with purpose and premium production quality.

(Veteran actor Zane Meas in one of the scenes from the movie. Pic supplied)

Even the cast is a testament to the film’s mission. Well-known South African stars Moopi Mothibeli, Muzi Mthabela, Trevor Gumbi, Zane Meas and Samukele Mkhezie — along with many local actors — offered their time for free, in support of a project that carries a bigger message.

Also in the cast are well-known theatre personalities Patrick and Shannon Kenny.

“This is more than a film,” says Onyebilanma. “It’s a message of hope. It’s about the real battles people face every day, and the choice to believe that your story isn’t over.” Whether you're coming for the action, the message or the love story, Treasure Hunt is a film the whole family can enjoy — and one South Africans can be proud of.

Joining in on the excitement of the homecoming of this movie, the Watercrest mall management is planning a special meet and greet celebration including red carpet photos with some of the cast on the evening of the opening night (December 5) from 17h30.

By supporting this film, audiences are helping to ensure that more good local faith-based content makes it to South African screens.

Online booking is now open at sterkinekor.com

ANDREW WALFORD'S CHRISTMAS OPEN DAY

 

(Work by Andrew Walford. Pic supplied)

 

Sunday December 7 from 10h00 to 18h00.

Browse at leisure away from the hustle & bustle at Andrew Walford’s magical mountain top studio overlooking Shongweni Dam. Hear fish eagles calling and glimpse the red flash of a loerie's wings between the many trees. 

There will be lasagne, tea and coffee to be enjoyed whilst relaxing in the garden. The studio is also open throughout the CHRISTMAS SEASON till early evening every day.

Parking is at the usual site opposite the entrance but it is possible to drive up if needed.

Andrew and his wife Leanda look forward to meeting old friends and new art lovers.

You can also buy directly off www.andrewwalfordpottery.com or gift pots to friends around the country.

Take Shongweni exit off N3 freeway and follow signs for 8kms to B9 in the Shongweni Valley M551 Continuation of Kassier Road. (1km past Shongweni Farmers Market)

 

Email: andrew@andrewwalford.co.za

 

 

MITH; DECEMBER 3, 2025

 

(Above: Tom Watkeys & Dominic Momberg. Pic supplied)

 

Where can you meet with friends, and enjoy great music in a beautiful environment with roaring fires, hearty food and a cash bar – all for just R50? Spring evenings in the hills are alive with music — and while the nights are warming, we’ll still have the fires lit and the welcome waiting. Come join us for another night of heartfelt performances, local flavour, and the unique magic of MiTH (Music in the Hills).

The next event takes place on December 3, 2025, at The Knoll Historic Guest Farm.

Entrance: R50 (Cash or Zapper at the door)

For more information contact 082 331 7271

 

20h00: D&T

D&T is an acoustic-pop duo powered by the silky, arresting vocals of Dominic Momberg and the multi-instrumental mastery of Tom Watkeys. United by a simple philosophy - write good songs and produce them beautifully - they craft organic, melody-rich music that feels effortless while carrying the emotional weight of a story in every line.

Both artists bring significant experience to the partnership. D&T have performed at Splashy Fen (multiple years) and opened for The Parlotones on a national South African tour. Dominic reached the Top 10 of Idols SA (Season 4), while Tom has toured Europe as a session musician for the lead singers of The Parlotones and Prime Circle, and completed UK and European tours as part of Braai Army. Their music has resonated widely, amassing 500,000+ Spotify streams and steadily growing as more listeners discover their rich, acoustic-driven sound.

Their influences span modern storytellers and acoustic pop trailblazers, including John Mayer, Dan + Shay, The Maine, Matt Nathanson, Rascal Flatts, and Brandi Carlile – all artists whose emotional honesty and melodic instincts echo through D&T’s sound.

 

19h00: The Stuarts

Reg and Lorna Stuart have been performing as a duo in various restaurants, pubs and hotels for close to forty years, featuring Reg on guitar, flute and vocals and Lorna on bass and vocals. Their musical style encompasses elements of folk, country, blues, jazz, reggae and soft rock. Their musical influences are derived from diverse sources including Eric Clapton, Michael Franks, Bob Dylan, and more recently from their son, Rowan Stuart.

 

 

ABOUT MiTH

KZN Midlands’ favourite music venue! MiTH is a platform for beginners, pros, and music lovers to celebrate the joy of music. Every second Wednesday at The Knoll Historic Guest Farm, Hilton.

Food and soft drinks for sale. Cash bar available.

Info: 082 331 7271

 

Visit www.mith.co.za for more info or email mithbookings@gmail.com to perform.

 

DIRECTIONS TO MiTH

Take the N3 to Hilton. Turn into Hilton Village and drive 5.2km along Hilton Avenue, which becomes Dennis Shepstone Drive. Look for Knoll Drive on your right; the entrance to MiTH is the second left into The Knoll Historic Guest Farm.

 

HIDDEN TRUTHS, HUNTING TREASURE AND HEROES ON HISTORY CHANNEL

(Sitting Bull. Pic supplied)

 

From buried mysteries to iconic figures, the HISTORY Channel Africa uncovers stories that shaped history this November and December. It is a festive season filled with uncovering the extraordinary on DStv 186.

In pursuit of answers, the Curse of Skinwalker Ranch investigators return for season 6 on Friday November 7 at 19h25. In a secluded spot of the Uintah Basin, in Utah in the US, lies one of the most paranormal places on earth - Skinwalker Ranch. This season the team push their investigation for answers to the long-running paranormal and UFO events with the use of new technology. Season 6 unearths bizarre clues, a shocking phenomenon, a mysterious bubble, and an intriguing encounter.

From buried mysteries to the most infamous criminals in history, the hunt for truth continues. In Original Gangsters with Sean Bean, starting Tuesday November 11 at 19h25, British actor Sean Bean delves into the lives of the world’s most notorious criminals, including the real Peaky Blinders and Al Capone. Uncovering the truth about the gangsters’ nefarious activities, Bean puts on his detective hat as he separates the fact from fiction. Original Gangsters with Sean Bean is a gritty look at the chaos, the chases, the blood, the guts, and the glory, bringing these legends to life as never before.

Another big name on the HISTORY Channel this November is award-winning actor, producer and director Laurence Fishburne. History’s Greatest Mysteries with Laurence Fishburne returns for season 6 on Saturday November 15 at 20h15. This season uses new evidence to unravel details behind mysteries like the Roswell UFO debris, the Franklin Expedition, which disappeared searching for the Northwest Passage, and the Yeti. Hosted and narrated by Fishburne, each episode unpacks dark and compelling facts with the help of top historians, authors, scientists, and researchers.

In larger-than-life figures of a different kind, Sitting Bull is a new documentary event starting Sunday November 30 at 20h15. One of history’s most powerful Native American leaders, and almost certainly its most famous, Sitting Bull unified tribes in their resistance to white settlers and US government oppression. This two-part documentary special charts the extraordinary life of the renowned leader of the Lakota people. Refusing to back down, Sitting Bull gathers an unprecedented alliance of Native nations, becomes an international celebrity with Buffalo Bill Cody, and fights against seemingly impossible odds to save his people and their culture.

Whether it’s history’s heroes or hidden hoards, every discovery holds a story waiting to be told. In December the HISTORY Channel asks what stories our treasures tell, as Storage Wars returns for its 16th season weekdays at 18h10, on December 8. The curiosity-sparking reality show brings back fan-favourite buyers and fierce bidding wars. But for the first time, episodes run longer, giving viewers even more drama and discoveries.

From uncovering hidden treasures to exploring sacred ones, Holy History takes viewers on a journey of faith and discovery over Christmas time - every Sunday and Monday evening, starting December 14.

Jesus Crown of Thorns, starting Sunday December 14 at 20h15, tells the story of Jesus Christ as a gripping docuseries, set against the backdrop of 1st-century Judea where he emerges as a revolutionary figure challenging authority at the time. Season two of Jesus Crown of Thorns will explore Jesus’ ministry and the social unrest it sparked.

Following straight on from season 2, season 3 of Jesus Crown of Thorns will depict the final week of Jesus’s life in Jerusalem, followed by his crucifixion and resurrection.

Whether it’s uncovering ancient relics, chasing hidden riches, or revisiting history’s great figures, every story reminds us that history is waiting to be explored Journey through time with the HISTORY Channel on DStv 186 this November and December.

 

 

CLIMBING THE MOUNTAINS WINS NEW DOCUMENTARY AWARD

Deadline for applications: Sunday, February 1, 2026

Climbing the Mountains announced as winner of the New Documentary Award at DFM 2025.

Durban FilmMart Institute (DFMI) is proud to announce the winner of the new documentary award supported by Just Films to director, Sabrina Chebbi and producer, Kenji Accard for their feature documentary in development, Climbing the Mountains after pitching at the annual Durban FilmMart in July 2025.

The documentary aims to explore the transmission of trauma experienced by Algerian filmmaker, Sabrina Chebbi and is a poetic testament to the resistance of Kabylian grandmothers who are the living guardians of tradition and history.

This award of 10,000 USD is the first of a 4-year award partnership between Just Films and Durban FilmMart Institute.

The Durban FilmMart Institute thanks the jury for their careful consideration and deliberation on the project best deserving of this award. The independent jury included Jihan El-Tahri, producer, writer and director at Big Sister Productions, Mandisa Zitha, Festival Director of the Encounters South African International Documentary Festival and Steven Markovitz, producer, founder and director of Big World Cinema .

 

Applications for the DFM 2026 Pitch and Finance forum are currently open for live action projects in development.

 

DFM Pitch and Finance Forum Application criteria:

-The programme is open to African filmmakers with an active feature length or episodic live action project in development.

-The programme is open to both fiction and documentary projects.

-At least one of the three key creatives (Producer, Writer, Director) must be from Africa or African in the Diaspora (with an African passport). Should you have any questions regarding the acceptability of your documentation which connects you to the continent, especially if it is not an African passport, please write to DFMI via info@durbanfilmmart.com.

-Project applications must be completed in English, however the language of the project itself is up to the imagination of the filmmaker/ writer.

-At least one representative must be available to participate in the online masterclass and mentorship programme and be physically present in Durban for the duration of the 17th Durban FilmMart.

Applications can be made through the Durban FilmMart Institute website: https://durbanfilmmart.co.za/pitch-and-finance-forum-application/

 

Deadline for applications: Sunday, February 1, 2026

To keep up to date on call-outs, filmmakers are encouraged to sign up for the DFMI newsletter on the website  https://durbanfilmmart.co.za/ or follow on social media.

For more information, contact info@durbanfilmmart.com

 

Apply Here

https://durbanfilmmart.co.za/pitch-and-finance-forum-application/

 

Information about JustFilms

JustFilms, through Ford Foundation, supports independent film and emerging media projects that explore urgent social justice issues and seek to challenge inequality in all its forms. They also support the organizations and networks that help further these projects. Funds are distributed in two areas, social justice storytelling and 21st-century infrastructure, which together aim to transform pervasive narratives that produce and maintain inequality, and attract more resources for artist-driven creative visual storytelling around the world.

https://www.fordfoundation.org/work/our-grants/justfilms/

 

About Durban FilmMart Institute

Durban FilmMart Institute is the business hub of the African film industry in a world where professionals and products are globally competitive and celebrated. The mission of the Durban FilmMart Institute is to provide appropriate and effective programmes and services to promote, support and facilitate investment in the African film industry. The Durban FilmMart Institute runs year-round developmental programmes and an annual market (Durban FilmMart).  The DFMI has recently launched Filmmart.africa which is an online tool for filmmakers to connect and which we hope will enhance visibility for African content.  For more information about the DFMI programmes visit www.durbanfilmmart.co.za

 

UMANG: THE SPIRIT OF KATHAK

 

The Playhouse Company proudly presents the Manesh Maharaj Kathak Ensemble in UMANG: The Spirit of Kathak, returning for its third year in the Loft Theatre on December 12 and 13. This captivating production invites audiences into the world of Kathak, one of India’s most treasured classical dance traditions where rhythm, grace and storytelling unite in a celebration of spiritual depth.

Audiences will be transported through vibrant rhythms, expressive narrative, enchanting melodies and exquisite costume design. Each performance is crafted to stir the senses and the soul, revealing the emotional nuance, beauty and technical mastery that define the timeless tradition of Kathak.

“As a Kathakar, my experience of Kathak extends far beyond dance,” shares Artistic Director Manesh Maharaj. “It has shaped the way I see the world; it has made me a student of life and a student for life. Each performance is a surrender to the art, a celebration of discipline, devotion, energy and grace. UMANG offers an experience that uplifts, inspires and honours this divine legacy.”

Manesh Maharaj stands as one of South Africa’s most revered Kathak artists, celebrated for his virtuosity, powerful stage presence and deep reverence for tradition. His performances, celebrated locally and abroad, blend classical precision with thought-provoking innovation, transcending boundaries and reaching audiences from all walks of life. Through his artistry, Maharaj continues to honour the ancient lineage of Kathak while connecting it to contemporary audiences with authenticity and heartfelt expression.

A dynamic cultural ambassador, Maharaj seeks to enrich the artistic landscape of South Africa while expanding the global footprint of his unique Kathak style. His work offers audiences not just a performance, but a rare spiritual journey, one that reflects discipline, passion and a profound connection to the essence of Indian classical heritage.

Don’t miss unforgettable performances of music, movement and narrative, a radiant celebration of cultural richness and the enduring spirit of Kathak.

Tickets are R150 available through Webtickets. Early booking is recommended for this intimate and deeply moving experience at The Playhouse Company.

Performances take place on December 12 at 19h00 and December 13 at 14h00. Booking is through Webtickets.

ANOTHER INTERNATIONAL RECOGNITION FOR BONGANI TEMBE

 (Bongani Tembe. Pic supplied)

 Bongani Tembe, a prominent figure in the South African arts scene, is taking the stage at the Beijing Forum for Symphonic Music, a prestigious international gathering taking place at the National Centre for the Performing Arts (NCPA) in China this week. With over 300 delegates from 190 arts institutions spanning more than 30 countries, the forum promises to be a melting pot of ideas and cultural exchange, focusing on the theme Diversity Ignites Brilliance, and Pioneering Elevates Excellence.

Tembe, CEO and Artistic Director of the Johannesburg, KwaZulu-Natal, and Mzansi National Philharmonic Orchestras, carries a wealth of experience as a Juilliard School trained opera singer and an internationally respected arts leader for decades. His remarks reflecting on the occasion reveal his deep appreciation for South Africa’s musical heritage.

 “It is with a deep sense of humility that I accept this invitation to share my experience at this assembly of top leaders of renowned orchestras and opera companies around the world,” Tembe said. He expressed his commitment to sharing what he learns at the forum with his South African colleagues, ultimately aiming to enhance the cultural landscape and audience engagement within diverse communities at home.

 Joining Tembe at the forum are other eminent personalities in the world of classical music, including Prof. Daniel Froschauer, Chairman of the Vienna Philharmonic; Serge Dorny, General Director of Germany’s Bavarian State Opera; and the internationally-acclaimed conductor Paavo Järvi. The vaunted Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra itself is among the highlights of the week, poised to conduct present two symphonic concerts at the NCPA under the baton of renowned conductor Christian Thielemann.

The discussions at the forum will delve into pressing contemporary issues within the symphonic music world, such as the mounting of festivals, symphony in the digital age, and the concept of symphonic indigenisation. As symphonic music continues to evolve, the forum aims to explore how diverse cultural influences can enrich this universal art form and engage wider audiences.

Sipho Nkosi, chairman of the KwaZulu-Natal Philharmonic Orchestra, expressed pride in Tembe's accomplishments, stating, “We are proud of our brother, Bongani Tembe, and we wish him well as he brings a lifetime of service to music to bear on our behalf at this important international forum.” Tembe has also been recognised for his artistic contributions with the title of Officier des Arts et Lettres bestowed upon him by the French Government in 2016.

Looking ahead, Tembe is gearing up for a significant event following the forum: the Mzansi National Philharmonic Orchestra’s fourth national tour, Voices of Home, set for December 2025. Featuring internationally-acclaimed conductor Marin Alsop and celebrated South African cellist Abel Selaocoe, the tour promises a blend of African soul interwoven with classical music, highlighted by Selaocoe’s innovative Four Spirits Cello Concerto and concluding with Rachmaninoff’s Symphony No. 2.

Concerts are scheduled in Johannesburg on December 10 and 11 at the Linder Auditorium, followed by a performance in Durban on December 13 at the Durban Playhouse, and wrapping up in Cape Town on December 16 at City Hall. Each of these performances aims to captivate audiences and promote cultural dialogue through the power of symphonic music.

 

Johannesburg, December 10 & 11 Linder Auditorium at 19h30

Durban, December 13 - Durban Playhouse at 15h00

Cape Town: December 16 - Cape Town City Hall at 18h00

 

For more information on the KZN Philharmonic, click on the advert to the top right-hand side of this article.