28TH JOMBA! CONTEMPORARY DANCE EXPERIENCE

 

(PJ Sabbagha - photo by Christo Doherty)

 

JOMBA honours three giants of South African contemporary dance

Three of South Africa's most influential dance voices PJ Sabbagha, Mamela Nyamza and Vincent Mantsoe, feature at the 28th JOMBA! Contemporary Dance Experience this year, each bringing decades of artistic courage and innovation to the Durban stage.

The University of KwaZulu-Natal's Centre for Creative Arts presents the 28th JOMBA! Contemporary Dance Experience, a 13-day celebration of world-class contemporary dance running from August 25 to September 6, 2026. This year's festival is curated around the theme Choreographies of Activism: Moving Bodies as Disruptive Presencing.

Each year JOMBA! celebrates a South African artist whose contribution has fundamentally reshaped the country's dance landscape.

The festival opens on Tuesday August 25 with JOMBA! Legacy Artist PJ Sabbagha’s work Noah. Choreographer, curator and arts activist, founder and Artistic Director of the Forgotten Angle Theatre Collaborative, PJ Sabbagha has, for more than three decades, taken dance beyond urban centres and into rural communities, through initiatives including the Ebhudlweni Arts Centre and the internationally-respected My Body My Space Rural Public Arts Festival. As part of the Legacy celebration, audiences will experience Noah, the concluding chapter of Sabbagha's acclaimed Noah trilogy - a multimedia dance-theatre work reflecting on climate crisis, loss, memory and survival through the metaphor of the biblical flood.

 

(Mamela Nyamza - Grounded (2022) - Photo by Val Adamson)

 

Past JOMBA! Legacy Artist Mamela Nyamza returns to the festival hot-off receiving the prestigious Silver Lion for Dance at the 2026 Venice Biennale, one of the highest honours in international contemporary dance. 

Nyamza brings her new ensemble work The Herd/Less to JOMBA!, a visually-arresting meditation on community, conformity, vulnerability and survival. Known for her fearless, politically-incisive choreographic language, Nyamza's return confirms her place as one of Africa's most important contemporary artists.

 

(Vincent Mantsoe)

Internationally-celebrated choreographer and performer Vincent Mantsoe joins the Legacy line-up with his new solo, Desert Poems. 

Mantsoe's deeply-embodied practice has long bridged ancestral knowledge with contemporary performance, and this intimate new work offers a meditation on endurance, spirituality and transformation - reaffirming why he remains one of South Africa's most respected dance artists on the world stage.

 

All three artists will also lead-free public workshops during the festival, giving Durban's dance community direct access to some of the country's most significant choreographic minds. Booking for workshops is essential.

Audiences can look forward to a rare convergence of three defining voices in South African contemporary dance with their works reflecting decades of artistic courage, activism and innovation. This is an unmissable opportunity to experience South African dance at its most powerful.

The festival hosts talks, panel discussions, workshops, performances and residencies.

For more information got to www.jomba.ukzn.ac.za

To book for performances, go to Webtickets: https://jomba.ukzn.ac.za

Special full festival passes at a discounted rate are available. To book for workshops email: Thobile Maphanga on 2024jomba@gmail.com

NB: For further information on the Centre for Creative Arts, click on the advert block to the right of this article

 

CONSTELLATIONS FOR HILTON ARTS FESTIVAL

 

(Above: Mark Elderkin & Mwenya Kabwe)

 

Nick Payne’s Constellations will take part in the Hilton Arts Festival Theatre from August 7 to 9.

Directed by industry luminary and renowned choreographer Jay Pather (The Firebird; Bridling; Hold Still; Siwela Sonke Dance Theatre), Constellations is a spellbinding exploration of love, choices quantum theory, and infinite possibility for heartbreak or for hope.

Through a kaleidoscope of moments between two people, it asks what might happen if every version of our lives existed at once - and whether love can endure across them all.

The stellar cast features Mark Elderkin (Speelgoed van Glas/The Glass Menagerie; Amadeus; A Midsummer Night’s Dream) and Mwenya Kabwe (Hold Still; Yellowman; mAnJE! MaNje (an epic)).

Production and lighting design are by Wolf Britz and costume design by Michaeline Wessels.

Marianne, a physicist, and Roland, a beekeeper, meet at a barbeque. They hit it off, and go for a drink. Or perhaps they don’t. They go home together, or maybe they go their separate ways. Perhaps Marianne is engaged to someone else, perhaps Roland is. Maybe she breaks his heart, maybe he breaks hers. Perhaps they come together and their love story can finally take root and grow, or perhaps it will be tragically cut short.

Constellations contemplates how even the smallest change in our lives can dramatically alter the course we take.

Director Jay Pather says: “We have all experienced an 'if only' moment. What if I had done something differently, said something else? Would it have worked out better? Constellations is a remarkable play that evokes this human frailty through compelling text, sometimes hilarious, sometimes heart-wrenching that builds steadily with the inevitability of ancient ritual and Greek drama.”

Julie-Anne McDowell, founder of How Now Brown Cow, adds: “In an increasingly fast-paced world filled with AI images and fake news, theatre remains a vital medium to share stories, understand each other and create connection. At How Now Brown Cow, we believe storytelling is not an escape from reality, but a way to understand it. The stories we choose to tell are driven by urgency, humanity, and the need to spark conversation that extends.

“Constellations is a captivating journey of celebrating choices, questioning free will versus destiny, and considering infinite possibilities. Together, these productions reflect the duality of our existence - the personal and the political, the tender and the confronting. They ask us to look more closely at ourselves, at each other, and at the systems we live within.”

Running time: 1 hr 15mins no interval

 

Venue: Main Theatre

Start time: Sat 12h30: Sun 10h00

Ticket Price: R220

Genre / age restriction: Drama

Suitability: All ages

 

Booking through Webtickets

THE SECRET SOCIETY OF LIBRARIANS: REVIEW

 

Thompson’s level of research is impressive, both of conditions during the Blitz and of the horrors of the ghetto, (Review by Margaret von Klemperer, courtesy of The Witness)

 

Kate Thompson, like all writers, is unsurprisingly a great proponent of reading – and libraries, book clubs and any other way of getting books to people. And The Secret Society Of Librarians is something that in these days of social media and the instant gratification of scrolling on devices needs to be emphasized.

 As she writes in the foreword to this novel, while explaining the genesis of her story which was meeting a survivor of two ghettos and three concentration camps, “reading is resistance”.

The main part of the book is set during the second World War, alternating between London in the days of the Blitz and the horrific conditions of the ghetto in Lodz in Poland. The two main characters, Joyce and Dorotha, had met before the war at a library conference, and, with another group of women librarians, had set up their secret society – a way of maintaining their friendship and supporting their mutual interest in reading. This was something that would become ever more important in the dark days ahead as the availability of books became a huge comfort to people enduring the horrors of war, offering both an escape and a way to resist.

Dorotha is a librarian in Lodz, and once the Nazis have taken Poland she is confined to the ghetto but still endeavours to get books to those trapped with her. And as more and more people are deported, she tries to save their books, and deliver them to others.

As the net closes in on the Jews of Poland, she manages to hide the bulletins she has written to the secret society but has been unable to post. They will be found after the war.

Before the ghetto was set up, she was able to get her younger sister, Adela, out of Poland and to Joyce in London. And, even after their library and their home were bombed, the two of them managed to keep their work going, from a mobile library van – a first in Britain. The sheer awfulness of the Blitz is drawn in graphic detail in the novel.

Thompson’s level of research is impressive, both of conditions during the Blitz and of the horrors of the ghetto. There is a lengthy historical note at the end of the novel, which details the accuracy of the background to the book, and adds a great deal to the story.

Thompson has brought into focus parts of the war that have often been overlooked such as life in the ghettos, whereas we hear more, both in fiction and non-fiction, about the camps. She deals, particularly towards the end of the book, with the tragic results of survivors’ guilt.

However, I do feel that the main weakness of the novel lies in its characterization. Characters are either all good or all bad – there is little nuance – and this, along with what can only be described as an overdose of warm fuzzies, detracts from an otherwise impressive work. - Margaret von Klemperer

Published by Hodder & Stoughton: ISBN 978-1-399-74638-0

KAREN & ME AT HILTON ARTS FESTIVAL

 

(Shannon Kenny & Alan Judd)

 

Karen Carpenter - the voice that touched generations

Karen Carpenter - in her joyful and poignant renditions of songs written for her, and in her collaborations with other others - never failed to garner life-long fans and admirers. Think We’ve only just begun, Rainy Days and Mondays, Close to You, Sing and her reinterpretation of The Beatles’ Ticket to Ride.

There is a Karen Carpenter-voiced song for every occasion - first love, break-ups, make-ups, introspection and sheer joie de vivre.

In Karen & Me, chanteuse Shannon Kenny is accompanied by virtuoso musician Alan Judd on a unique journey to celebrate an international musical great of the 20th century, through snapshots of Karen's life and illustrious career - and its indelible imprint on generations of people around the world, from the USA, to the UK, and on Shannon's life in good old RSA.

Karen Carpenter, like Ella Fitzgerald, was a constant presence in Shannon’s formative years precisely because her mum was - and still is - a massive fan. Yet, it was only once Shannon had exited her brooding teenage phase (read: Dead Can Dance and Russian novelists) and began training as a singer that she truly came to appreciate the level of Karen Carpenter’s artistry and her exceptional talent.

Virtuoso musician Alan Judd has worked on studio projects with the likes of Hugh Masekela and Ladysmith Black Mambazo - and has played live and toured internationally with a variety of musicians. He and Shannon first worked together in musical theatre in the early 2000’s and they have since gone on to collaborate on studio projects, as well as performing in concerts and festivals at home and internationally.

Darren King brings his extensive experience in West End musical theatre and directorial nous to Karen & Me. This will be Shannon’s first production under Darren’s direction.

Alan, Darren and Shannon all have careers that have spanned decades, artistic disciplines, countries and continents - and this collaboration is an adventure in which they pool their talents to capture the unique joy and magic of Karen Carpenter.

 

Karen & Me at Hilton Arts Festival:

August 7 at 16h00

August 8-9 at 10h00 in the Marimba Room.

 

 

ODYSSEUS RETURNS ON HISTORY CHANNEL AFRICA

 

As The Odyssey takes audiences by storm around the world, the History Channel Africa gives viewers another take on the King Odysseus of Ithaca. A fascinating two-part documentary, uncovers claims by a historian that he found the bones of Odysseus. Below is the synopsis for more information.

Odysseus Returns

August 9

Sunday at 11h15 (ep 1) and 12h05 (ep 2)

Is King Odysseus, the Trojan-horse-building genius in Homer’s epic poem The Iliad, merely a figure of ancient fiction? Or was he flesh-and-blood man?

In 1991, Makis Metaxas, a local politician on the Greek island of Kefalonia, discovers a 3000-year-old Mycenaean tomb. Soon, Greece’s leading archaeologist begins two years of excavation. The dig culminates with the unearthing of an object that bears an uncanny resemblance to one described by Homer as a prized possession of King Odysseus.

But these incredible findings only trigger a storm of controversy. The people of Ithaca, who passionately believe their island to be Odysseus’s homeland, become angry at the prospect of losing their ancient claim … and their major draw for tourism. Political rivalries between Ithaca and its neighbour Kefalonia lead to the discovery being swept aside, languishing in the dusty museum storeroom, and remaining unpublished.

Now, after three decades of suppression, the story is at last ready to be shared with the world. Makis Metaxas, and his wife Hettie Metaxas-Putman Cramer reveal how they uncovered ancient clues that lead them to search the area where the tomb, and archaeologist Lazaros Kolonas finally returns to the site to go on the record about what he found.

It will repeat on Monday August 10 at 21h05 and 21h55

ABBA SO-LUTELY FABULOUS! FOR RHUMBELOW

 

Abba So-lutely Fabulous! is back by popular demand! Coming to Rhumbelow Theatre from August 14 to 16, the show stars the hilarious and talented trio Aaron McIlroy, Lisa Bobbert and Marion Loudon. This feel-good show is packed with all the favourite ABBA hits, outrageous comedy, unforgettable characters, and plenty of sing-along moments.

 

Expect:

Iconic ABBA songs

Laugh-out-loud comedy

Interactive fun

A chance to get up, sing along, and boogie!

Fun for all ages —with music, laughter, and a whole lot of sparkle!

Book now — it’s going to be Abba-solutely fabulous!

Limited secure parking available

 

Bar available (no alcohol may be brought on to the premises)

Tables seat 8. All seats are allocated by the theatre management

The venue opens 90 mins before the show and is wheelchair friendly.

Please liaise with theatre management for wheelchair parking and seating arrangements. Contact Roland on 0824998636

 Booking is through Webtickets.

 

MACBOB AT HILTON ARTS FESTIVAL

 

(Left: Aaron McIlroy in “Rugby Mad”)

 

Get ready for a weekend of entertainment as MacBob Productions heads to the Hilton Arts Festival with four entertaining productions - Rugby Mad, Bump and Grind, How To Cook Your Husband and Britney in the Underworld.

Don't miss the chance to catch one - or all four - of these crowd-pleasing productions at this year's Hilton Arts Festival. Come prepared to laugh until your sides ache!

For tickets and performance times, visit the Hilton Arts Festival programme on Webtickets

 

RUGBY MAD

Rugby Mad is a high-energy, laugh-out-loud one-man comedy from Aaron McIlroy. In this dynamic solo show, McIlroy dives into the wildly passionate world of rugby, bringing to life a colourful cast of characters who are completely obsessed with the game. Directed by Bryan Hiles, Rugby Mad promises a winning comedic experience.

Comedy

Venue: Main Theatre

August 8: Sat 18h30. Duration: 55 minutes

Ticket Price: R220

Suitability: All ages

 

 

BRITNEY IN THE UNDERWORLD 

(Right: Kaylee Mcilroy)

Blurring the line between fantasy and reality, Britney in the Underworld reimagines the life story of Britney Spears through a surreal and theatrical lens. The production follows a mysterious, trapped girl who bargains for her freedom by retelling her life story — unfolding through a soundtrack of Britney’s greatest hits. Starring Kaylee Mcilroy, Directed by Lisa Bobbert

Physical Theatre/Cabaret

Venue : Chamberlain Band Room

August 8 & 9: Start time: Sat 16h00 & 20h30. Sun: 13h15

Duration: 50 minutes

Ticket Price: R180

Suitability: PG13

 

 

BUMP & GRIND 

(Left: Aaron McIlroy and Lisa Bobbert)

 

Don’t miss this high-energy musical comedy from acclaimed duo Aaron McIlroy and Lisa Bobbert. 

Packed with their signature brand of character-driven humour, the show takes audiences on a wildly entertaining journey through a kaleidoscope of outrageous personalities and relatable situations. 

Directed by Daisy Spencer, Bump & Grind is a helter-skelter ride through the absurdities of modern life.

Musical Comedy

Venue : Sports Centre

Start time: Aug 8 at 12h30

Duration: 1 hour 10 minutes

Ticket Price: R220

Suitability: All ages

NB: The Sports Centre is approximately a 10-minute walk from the Festival Information Tent and main precinct. Please allow sufficient time to make your way to the venue. Late arrivals may only be admitted at a suitable break in the performance.

 

 HOW TO COOK YOUR HUSBAND 

(Right: Lisa Bobbert & Darren King)

 

Magdelana discovers her husband’s infidelity and has only one solution - he must die! But how to cover her tracks and dispose of the evidence - that is the question? Influenced by Sweeny Todd and inspired by Gordon Ramsay, this Michelin star chef is not for the faint heart or for the strictly vegetarian. The hour-long dark-comedy cabaret looks at the themes of marriage, infidelity, consequences and solutions.

Written by the multi-award-winning, Janna Ramos-Violante and starring Lisa Bobbert and Darren King.

 

Dark Musical Comedy

Venue: Chamberlain Marimba Room

Start time: Aug 7. Fri at 18h00. Aug 8 Sat: 16h00 & 20h00

Duration: 60 minutes

Ticket Price: R190

Suitability: PG 16

 

 

THE CALAMITY CLUB: REVIEW

 

(Just shy of 650 pages, this book was an absolute triumph. Review by Fiona de Goede)

 

It has been a while since Katherine Stockett’s debut The Help was first published 17 years ago. But oh boy, was it worth the wait!  Just shy of 650 pages, this book was an absolute triumph.

It’s the story of three women – actually, only two and a bit as the one female character is the 11-year-old orphan Meg Lefleur. She crept into my heart and stayed there. Very firmly. I was rooting for her all the way, feeling her pain when she was ill-treated and sharing her joys when things eventually started to come her way - not to mention her pure delight when she was given proper meals for which she did not have to fight. And she could even go back for seconds! 

Birdie Calhoun, a young woman who has the difficult task of saving her family from financial ruin, is just the right person for Meg to have in her corner. Birdie travels to Oxford, Mississippi in the hope that her sister, Frances, recently married to a wealthy banker, will be able to offer financial support to the impoverished family that she left behind.

Charlie, a woman with a heart-breaking past but with ambitious plans for the future with the sole purpose of regaining what was taken from her, is the glue that binds them all together.   Once Birdie decides to support Charlie in her outrageous plan to make money, the reader is transported into a whirlwind of daring and risk taking.

The supporting cast of characters is colourful and audaciously bold. Despite the vastly differing backgrounds of these women, it is heartwarming to encounter the support and caring they have for each other.

The story is set in 1933 during the Great Depression. The poverty and hardship are always evident but the author manages to not drag you down into the depths of despair – the humour and wit, the dialogue and scenarios plus the unfolding story line guarantees this!

This will go down as one of my favourite reads so far this year. I just hope the author will not make her readers wait another 17 years before her next novel sees the light of day. - Fiona de Goede

The Calamity Club is published by Fig Tree. ISBN 978-0-241-79691-7

MONICA NEWTON LEAVES THE NAF

 

(Above: Monica Newton - Photographer Robyn Davies)

 

Monica Newton has stepped down from her position as CEO of the National Arts Festival in Makhanda (Grahamstown) after 67 months at the helm.

Monica joined the Festival in 2020, unwittingly assuming the CEO role on the eve of the Covid-19 pandemic. The lengthy lockdown and turmoil that followed saw live performing arts across the world face unprecedented disruption. Monica led the Festival's organising team during an intensive one-hundred-day pivot from a destination festival to a fully-filmed and streamed digital festival that maintained a financial lifeline for artists at a time when few opportunities existed.

Post-pandemic, she was at the helm as the Festival again adapted its operations to overcome South Africa's Stage 6 energy crisis, ensuring the Festival could continue hosting live events when the power was out.

Recognising the compounding economic impact of Covid-19 on the Festival’s home town of Makhanda, Newton also spearheaded the Festival's application to manage the Social Employment Fund (SEF) in Makhanda from 2022 till the present.

The project saw a transfer of the Festival’s administrative, logistical and management skills into the management of an employment intervention project that provided short-term job opportunities in the city while rehabilitating local infrastructure and supporting economic recovery in Makhanda.

Monica also facilitated the formation of a collaborative project that saw major arts festivals from around South Africa jointly secure match-funding from the Jobs Fund to form the Festival Enterprise Catalyst.

The FEC enabled the festivals to jointly produce and fund works that could also travel through an extended touring pipeline, creating more (and longer) job opportunities for artists and technicians, more opportunities for networking and the accumulation of technical skills. Beyond these benefits, the project has significantly strengthened co-operation and knowledge-sharing between some of South Africa’s biggest arts festivals.

Economic factors saw Newton consolidate the scale of the National Arts Festival, both to increase its affordability and to better ensure that audiences were not too thinly spread across events. During her time, the Festival also celebrated fifty years – a significant milestone for the creative sector and the cultural story of South Africa - opening a chapter of reimagining what the next decades of the NAF could bring for artists and audiences.

Monica also steered the National Arts Festival’s production of the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality’s Mandela Bay Arts Festival. The homegrown Festival gave the stage to local artists from the area- a chance for them to test their works llive, develop audiences and showcase the cultural diversity and talent in the region. With iterations in 2022, 2024 and 2025, the Festival was a springboard of hope for many artists in the Eastern Cape and a step closer to the full National Arts Festival experience.

In paying tribute to Monica Newton, National Arts Festival Board Chairperson, Professor Siphiwo Mahala said, “Throughout her career in the cultural sector, Newton has demonstrated unwavering commitment to ethical governance and tireless resilience - and her tenure at NAF reflects that commitment through principled advocacy on behalf of artists and the creative industries. Her contribution has steered the Festival through choppy waters and highlighted the need for more government and business support for the creative industries ecosystem. The board, staff and I are sincerely grateful for her commitment to artists and to the National Arts Festival."

Monica Newton is succeeded by Palesa Kadi who will join the National Arts Festival on Monday 3 August 2026.

Professor Siphiwo Mahala concluded: “Over the last five and a half years (six National Arts Festivals and three Mandela Bay Arts Festivals) Monica has brought principle, tenacity and real inventiveness to the National Arts Festival. She has been exacting about the things that matter, resourceful about the things that were possible, and immovable where the Festival couldn’t afford to compromise. We wish her everything of the best for what comes next and we hope to see her in the audience in 2027.”

 

For more information about the National Arts Festival visit https://nationalartsfestival.co.za/

 

ALONE S13

 

(Right: The contestants)

 

The History Channel will present a new season of Alone on August 6 followed on Thursdays at 19h25.

In one of the boldest tests of endurance, 10 contestants will once again enter the wilderness carrying only what they can fit in a small backpack for the new season of Alone.

Set in the extreme Canadian North, a remote area in the Northwest Territories, this season features a landscape rich in natural resources, predators, and prey. The rivers and lakes offer abundant fishing, while the forests and mountains provide ample hunting opportunities.

However, the subarctic climate is unforgiving and teeming with predators like brown bears and wolves. This season of Alone will be a global competition, featuring the most geographically diverse cast in the show’s history to determine who is the world’s top survivalist.

Repeat - Next Day 11h45

 

JUST GEEKIN' FOR HILTON ARTS FESTIVAL

 

(Right: Daniel Sheldon, David Williams and Ewok (aka Iain Robinson)

 Just Geekin’ takes place in the Hilton Theatre complex, with a packed three days programme.

 Just Geekin’ @ Hilton Arts Festival is curated by award-winning, multidisciplinary South African graffiti and hip hop artist, poet, and activist Ewok (aka Iain Robinson) (right) and well-known artist and musician Daniel Sheldon (left), the Just Geekin’ Festival hopes to attract a new audience of creative thinkers, gamers, artists and performers. In centre is Durban-based gamer and adaptive surfer, David Williams of Konke Gamers who is collaborating with the festival bringing adaptive controllers and accessible gaming setups to disabled gamers.

 Just Geekin’ brings dungeons and dragons, cosplay and e-sports to the 34th Hilton Arts Festival.

 Teaser: Geek Culture gets its own stage this August, with tabletop gaming, an Artist's Alley, a cosplay competition and more - running all weekend at Hilton College.

 

(Abisola - by Luke Molver)

 

Artwork- Abisola - by Luke Molver currently works as a freelance illustrator in Durban and self-publishes his own comic books, including his South African cyberpunk series Nero, the swamp-noir horror Sunday’s Slave, and the award-winning historical graphic novel series Shaka Rising and its sequel, King Shaka. Luke will be exhibiting in the Just Geekin’ Artists’ Alley at the Hilton Arts festival this year.

Geek Culture is officially joining the programme at this year's Hilton Arts Festival. Just Geekin', a brand-new addition to the 34th Hilton Arts Festival, from August 7 to 9, 2026, at Hilton College, bringing three days of tabletop roleplaying, Esports gaming, cosplay and comics to the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands.

Curated by award-winning, multidisciplinary South African graffiti and hip-hop artist, poet, and activist Ewok (aka Iain Robinson) and well-known artist and musician Daniel Sheldon, the Just Geekin’ Festival hopes to attract a new audience of creative thinkers, gamers, artists and performers.

Tabletop Roleplaying Games, including Dungeons & Dragons sessions for new and experienced players

 

 (Right: Designer, illustrator and graphic artist, Nivesh Rawatlal will be exhibiting in the Just Geekin’ Artists’ Alley at the Hilton Arts festival this year.

The Artist's Alley, showcasing comic and concept art from local creators

E-Sports Tournaments, and free-play stations (entry fees apply for play) in collaboration with Konke Gamers, led by Durban-based gamer and adaptive surfer, David Williams. Konke creates accessible spaces for people with disabilities, bringing adaptive controllers and accessible gaming setups to disabled gamers. Williams teams up with the festival to champion esports for people with disabilities, opening up competitive gaming to a community too often left out of it.

Celebrity Games - with local celebrities (experienced or not) will try their hand at Tabletop Roleplaying Games- including whacky musician Veranda Panda, theatre personalities radio presenter from PlayZN Keri Miller, and Steven Stead. These games can be viewed from arena styled seating or watch on the big screen at the fest or on Twitch.

 

(Left: Artwork - Soothsayers - Jailbird by Ethan Austin, A.K.A Black Light Comics)

Austin, who explores the dark, haunting, and mysterious aspects of humanity through horror and sci-fi storytelling, will be exhibiting in the Just Geekin’ Artists’ Alley at the Hilton Arts festival this year.

 

A Cosplay Masquerade in partnership with GES-Cosplay, on Sunday 9 August, is open to all (experienced pros, beginners, adults, children and the elderly too) - with incredible prizes to be won. These include goodies from the Just Geekin’ Market, a Les Gateaux voucher, and tickets to ICON Durban, the Renfaire Hellfire Gala and to the rAge Expo.

A comic book launch, film screening, workshops and discussions as well as various live art activations and a rotating line-up of other geekin’ activities.

Young Gunz and Trail Blazers is an opportunity for artists between the ages of 12 and 23 to attend and exhibit at the festival, with prizes including an Inscape Graphic Design course, courses from Dweba School, and a signed comic book. This is through a partnership with Dweba School – the online school for artists and creators, that will also be doing hands-on workshops and giveaways, including illustration courses, sticker packs, digital drawing tablets. Just Geekin' @ The Hilton Arts Festival, is curated for newcomers and lifelong enthusiasts in equal measure, offering a complete Geek Culture experience including a Geek Market for geek-styled retail therapy within one of South Africa’s most established cultural calendar events.

A ticket unlocks a whole day. Day tickets are R75, with a full weekend pass available for R100, and both grant access to the Geek Lounge with a variety of activities, with no restriction on coming and going as you please. Additional ticketed activations and add-ons will be available in the Geek Lounge as well.

Follow for updates and programme on social media:

Instagram: justgeekinza

Facebook: Just-Geekin

Website: https://hiltonfestival.co.za/geekin/

 

For participant, vendor and media enquiries, contact justgeekin@hiltonfestival.co.za

 

 

CUBAN CROSSOVER

 

Join the Centre for Jazz and Popular Music next week for the Cuban Crossover with Alfredo and Clarissa Hechavarría (Latin, Jazz, and World Music) on Wednesday August 5, 2026, at 17h30.

Alfredo & Clarissa Hechavarría are bringing their unique musical style – a vibrant blend of Jazz, Latin, Pop, World Music, and Classical to South Africa. Their tour features concerts, workshops, and masterclasses in collaboration with South African universities.

Featured programmes include Mambo Kings, Thank You, Nat, and Cuban Crossover. All arrangements are penned by Alfredo Hechavarría who will be on bass, Clarissa Hechavarría on vocals, and they will be joined by Riley Giandhari on drums, Alberto Chamane on percussion, Neil Gonsalves on piano.

"Our music aims to build bridges – between genres, cultures, and people. Music is the common language we all understand," says Clarissa Hechavarría.

 

Venue: Centre for Jazz and Popular Music, Shepstone Building Level 2, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, Natal

Date: Wednesday, August 5, 2026

Performance Time: 17h30 – 19h00

Entrance Fee: General: R130, Pensioners R100, Students: R70

Tickets available for cash at the door.