SECOND ACT FOR M-NET

(Jennifer Lopez)

M-Net (channel 101) will air Second Act tomorrow (December 29) at 20h05.

It's street smarts versus book smarts in this Jennifer Lopez comedy. When a 40-year-old box packer gets an opportunity to work on Madison Avenue, she uses the chance to prove herself.

Second Act is a 2018 American romantic comedy film directed by Peter Segal and written by Elaine Goldsmith-Thomas and Justin Zackham. It stars Jennifer Lopez, Leah Remini, Vanessa Hudgens, Treat Williams and Milo Ventimiglia, and follows a woman in her 40s who pursues a second chance at a corporate career, after a friend creates her a fake resume and credentials. The film was released in the United States on December 21, 2018. It received mixed reviews from critics and grossed over $72 million worldwide.

Maya Vargas (Jennifer Lopez) is the assistant manager of the Value Shop store she has worked at for the past 15 years. During that time she dramatically improved sales, customer relations, and general store culture through her intuitive and innovative methods. She awaits a store visit by an executive of her company, Mr. Weiskopf, anxiously hoping to be promoted to manager. Her boyfriend Trey (Milo Ventimiglia), co-workers, and several regular customers all assure Maya she’s guaranteed the promotion, but instead she’s passed up in favour of Arthur (Dan Bucatinsky), a non-local company employee with an MBA from Duke. Mr. Weiskopf explains that while he values Maya’s dedication and success, she only has a GED and no college degree, which makes her ineligible for the promotion by company policy. Maya is bitterly disappointed but reluctantly agrees to stay on as Arthur's second-in-command at the store.

FRIENDS OF MUSIC 2020 PROGRAMME

Friends of Music have announced their programme for 2020.

Concerts take place at the Durban Jewish Centre in K E Masinga (Old Fort) Road. This year sees the introduction of afternoon concerts.

February 11 at 19h30: The Opera Angels

The “Opera Angels" are a unique and dynamic duo featuring pianist and soprano Dr Lisa Engelbrecht and mezzo soprano Lindsay Thomson. Having worked together in Cape Town on various opera productions, they created Opera Angels, who are in great demand throughout South Africa. Prepare to be transported through a broad and colourful spectrum of music during their show ... from iconic opera works, classical masterpieces and musical theatre medleys to some surprising arrangements of popular favourites.

February 25 at 19h30: Romantic Antics 

Well-known and popular Durban musician, teacher and arranger, Nina Watson (piano) will be in concert with members of the Quattro Femmes String Quartet: Petya Koleva (violin); Jane Baillie-Magner (violin); Annamaria D’Andrea (viola); Marguerite Spies (cello). They will perform works by Antonin Dvořák, Sergei Rachmaninoff and Robert Schumann.

April 21 at 19h30: Bach Into Myself

Italian violinist Luca Ciarla pays tribute to his favourite composer - re-arranging, with a modern touch and live looping techniques, some of Johann Sebastian Bach’s greatest compositions. A surprising and informal concert, constantly in balance between improvisation, traditional and contemporary sounds. It is jazz but also baroque music and much more – the music crosses the boundaries among musical genres, as they didn’t exist. Listening to him has been described as an astonishing musical experience. Bach into Myself also features music by Ciara himself and other composers that have been strongly influenced by Bach such as Villa-Lobos and Piazzolla.

May 3 (Afternoon) at 15h00: Durban Opera Potpourri 3

After the tremendous success of the first two versions of the Opera Potpourri last year, i Grandi Tenori will be back with more scenes from much loved and well-known operas. Featuring the leading opera voices in KZN with the occasional special guest, this is an event not to be missed.

June 7 (Afternoon) at 15h00: Charl Du Plessis (Piano)

Charl du Plessis rose to fame when he was the youngest pianist in Africa to be named a Steinway Artist. He has since embarked on an international career working simultaneously as classical and jazz pianist. In a return visit to Friends of Music, he will perform a concert which will include popular works from Beethoven, Rachmaninov, Strauss, Gershwin, Piazzolla and Scot Joplin. He will also perform a selection of his own solo compositions.

August 30 (Afternoon) at 15h00: Beth Shalom Concert

Friends of Music will once again assist the Beth Shalom Retirement Home with their annual fundraising concert. Featured will be a variety of popular entertainments including once again - the wonderful KwaZulu-Natal Philharmonic Orchestra. This year is the 30th anniversary concert so patrons can expect something special.

September 13 (Afternoon) at 15h00: Rising Stars Concert

Moved to September from the usual December date, this concert will once again be a collaboration between Friends of Music and the South African Society of Music Teachers (SASMT). The concert will feature the best young student performers of the year.

December 8 at 19h30: Miriam Kramer (Violin)

Miriam Kramer has been praised by Strad Magazine as being a 'violinist of superior natural talent, an exceptionally sensitive interpreter and a phrase maker of uncommon expressivity' and by the NY Times as a 'soulful and virtuosic’. She will be accompanied by the accomplished pianist Nicholas Durcan. This will be their return visit to Friends of Music.

The Durban Jewish Centre is situated at 44 KE Masinga (Old Fort) Road. For more information, contact friendsofmusic@webmail.co.za or call 071 505 1021.

KZN PHILHARMONIC 2020 SUMMER SEASON

(Bongani Tembe)

Bongani Tembe, Chief Executive and Artistic Director of the KZN Philharmonic has announced the WSS summer season programme for 2020:

“Following the successful World Symphony Series in 2019, I am delighted to furnish you with details for the KZN Philharmonic Orchestra’s Summer Season 2020. As you have come to expect, the Season continues in the tradition of the World Symphony Series featuring accomplished international conductors and soloists, as well as the cream of South African artists.

The KZN Philharmonic remains sensitive to the current economic climate and has retained the same ticket prices over the past three years for our 2020 World Symphony Series. Please find programme and ticket price details below for the four week Summer Season, running from February 13 to March 5, 2020.

As a Season Ticket holder, you will enjoy the following benefits:

-The convenience of booking your Season Tickets through the KZN Philharmonic Office

-Retaining your preferred seat(s) for all four concerts

-Savings on Season Ticket prices

Season Ticket bookings by Subscribers will open on January 6 through the office and will close on January 22, 2020. Thereafter, unsold tickets held by the office will be handed over to Computicket for sale to the general public. To book your favourite seats, please contact our office from January 6 on 031 369 9438 for reservations or any other queries which you may have. Email contact details are: reception@kznphil.org.za”

WORLD SYMPHONY SERIES: SUMMER SEASON 2020

Concerts take place at 19h30 in the Durban City Hall.

February 13, 2020:

Conductor: Yasuo Shinozaki

Soloist: Maxime Zecchini (piano)

Brahms: Tragische Ouverture, Op. 81 (Tragic Overture); Ravel: Piano Concerto in G Major and Brahms: Symphony No.4, Op. 98 in e minor

February 20, 2020 - Valentine’s Variety Gala:

Conductor: William Eddins

Soloists:  Zandile Mzazi (soprano); Goran Krivokapić (guitar)

Berlioz: Un Bal from Symphonie Fantastique; Rodrigo: Concierto de Aranjuez; Mascagni: Intermezzo from Cavalleria Rusticana; Massenet: Je marche sur le chemins from Manon; Khachaturian: Adagio from Spartacus; Delibes: Ou va la jeune Hindoue from Lakmé; Massenet: Meditation from Thais and Tchaikovsky: Romeo and Juliette Overture

February 27, 2020:

Conductor: Yasuo Shinozaki

Soloist: Jan Jiracek von Arnim (piano)

Beethoven: Coriolan Overture, Op. 62; Beethoven: Piano Concerto No. 5, Op. 73 in E-flat Major, “Emperor” and Dvořák: Symphony No. 7, Op. 70 in d minor

March 5, 2020:

Conductor: Arjan Tien

Soloists: Tai Murray (violin); Aristide du Plessis (cello) and Malcolm Nay (piano)

Beethoven: Leonore Overture No. 1, Op. 138 Beethoven: Concerto for Violin, Violoncello & Piano, Op. 56 in C Major and Bizet: Symphony No. 1 in C Major

(To link direct to the KZN Philharmonic’s website click on the orchestra’s banner advert on the top of the page or visit kznphil.org.za)

ADHD FOR THE GRAND EXOTIC

(Left: Aaron McIlroy)

Following ongoing hit seasons of ADHD around the country, Aaron McIlroy brings his one-of-a-kind comedy riot for one performance only at The Grand Exotic Rhumbelow Theatre. Catch SA’s master of character comedy on top form, as he lights up this new venue on the North Coast on December 29, 2019.

Produced by MacBob Productions, this hilarious take on the ‘problems’ of ADHD - and other ‘disturbing behavioural patterns’ - is charmingly portrayed, as McIlroy takes audiences on a wild and whacky journey into the fantastical world of learning disorders!

Facts and theories are turned on their heads, as we get a bird’s eye view into the chaotic and beautiful mind of McIlroy, who has lived with this ‘gift’ for the last half century.

“If not exactly autobiographical, I certainly have inside information!” quips McIlroy about his show. The veteran comic’s hugely popular brand of humour has spiced up the theatre scene over several decades.

Billed as a comedic steamroller without GPS, ADHD is scripted by McIlroy and Patrick Kenny, and directed by Kenny.

The performance will take place at The Grand Exotic on December 29, 2019, at 14h00. (Venue opens 90 minutes before show for finger snacks & drinks)

Tickets R350 Centre (R320 - Restricted view because of pillars). Tables seat 8 at this venue. Tickets include platters and pudding. A cash bar is available. No under 14s.

Booking is essential. No food or alcohol allowed on the property. There is limited parking – patrons are encouraged to share a ride or UBER. Car guard on duty.

Book at Computicket or e-mail: roland@stansell.co.za or phone 082 499 8636. The Grand Exotic is situated in Sheffield Beach Road, Salt Rock.

For more information visit http://events.durbantheatre.com

BEAT IT, 2019

Beat It, 2019 with Barry Thomson and Friends will run at Rhumbelow Tina’s at Tina’s Hotel in Kloof from December 27 to 31. The repertoire will include hit songs from The Reals most popular tribute shows in the run-up to New Year.

With only four performances, enjoy a fun-filled evening of music and entertainment with Barry Thomson and Friends. Beat It, 2019 features Barry Thomson on guitar/vocals, Dawn Selby (Musical Director) on keyboards/vocals, Jason Andrew on bass guitar/vocals and Andy Turrell on drums.

The repertoire will include hit songs from Barry’s and The Reals most popular tribute shows, including Woodstock, Traveling Wilburys, Eagles, Neil Diamond, Rock Guitar Legends, Fleetwood Mac, Dire Straits, Bad Company and British Invasion.

Celebrate a special New Year performance on December 31 with an extended show, welcoming in 2020 at midnight.

Performances take place as follows:

-December 27 and 28 at 20h00 and December 29 at 14h00. Tickets R150 (R130 pensioners, students)

-December 31 at 21h00. Tickets R350 – snacks, streamers and party hats will be provided on the tables and champagne at midnight.

(Venue opens 60 minutes before show for drinks). (No alcohol or food may be brought on to the premises). Tickets are cash or EFT only. Secure parking is available. Booking is through Computicket or contact Roland (also for large group booking discounts of 20 or more) on 082 499 8636 or email: roland@stansell.za.net or visit http://events.durbantheatre.com/

Tina’s Hotel is situated at 4 Beryldene Road in Kloof.

(Should you wish to dine before the show at Tina’s, it is recommended that you arrive no later than 90 min before show-time for the restaurant. An a-la-carte menu is available and the Sunday buffet is R135 per head (R110 pensioners). Booking is essential as seating is limited. Payment for restaurant is cash, credit card or zapper. Contact 031 764 7843 or visit www.tinashotel.co.za/ Please indicate that you are a theatre booking when making your reservation.)