(Left to right:
Back: Dr Paul Bushell,
Jane Linley Thomas, Liesl Coppin, Lisa Bobbert
Front: James Armstrong,
Jenna Van Eyssen, Mo Magic, Yashmay Sooful, Mzwandile Khumalo. Pic by Shelley
Kjonstad)
An evening of hope for the Delfi family after the fire.
Members of the Durban creative community will host Durban Loves Delfi - a special one-off, star-studded evening variety show in support the family of the Delfi Greek Taverna restaurant fire, at the Milkwood Theatre at Danville Park Girls High School on Monday, October 19 at 19h00.
The event is hosted and MC’d by Hello Poppy– an NPC headed up by Jane Linley-Thomas in support of the dignity, joy and emotional-wellbeing of our elders. Working alongside psychologist Dr Paul Bushell, Hello Poppy hopes to collaborate with like-minded partners in creating and offering interventions, activations, and events that foster joy activism for elders in our community.
The line-up includes the much-loved sparkling musical theatre trio, the Glitter Girls, featuring the fabulous Lisa Bobbert, Liesl Coppin and Marion Loudon; prominent South African magician, mentalist, and MC, Mo Magic, known for blending world-class illusion, mind reading, and family-friendly comedy; Rory Petzer - storyteller and multi-talented entertainer whose content is equal parts hilarious and heart-filled; and the brilliant young triple threat performers from ISPA – the International School of Performing Arts.
Members of the creative industries have offered their time and talents in support of the Delfi family – The Hello Poppy team and all performers are giving their performances for free; school principal Linda Scholtz has made Milkwood Theatre available under the leadership of Liesl Coppin and Black Coffee have provided technical infrastructure. All monies raised through ticket sales go directly to the family.
The fire started at the back of the Delfi Greek Taverna and spread to the entire building. Restaurant owners and family members Doddy, Maria, and Manuel Teranes have lived upstairs since 1964.
Family member, Linda Landzanakis, says: “A devastating fire on 3 September took away not only the beloved Delfi restaurant, but all their lifelong possessions. Their home of six decades is gone, along with all the beautiful memories. It was not only a restaurant. It was a home filled with love, kindness, and warmth. They were left with the clothes on their backs.”
Ayakha Godlwana (32), a chef at the Palm Terrace Cafe, was regarded as the hero of the day after he rescued Doddy Teranes from her room while the flames were spreading through the upstairs apartment and restaurant.
Maria Teranes says: “We honestly never expected anything like this. To see performers giving their time and so many people coming together for us has been incredibly moving. Since the fire, we have been overwhelmed by the love and generosity of the community. We are so grateful to each and every person who has reached out, helped and supported us.”
Jane Linley-Thomas added: “Hello Poppy is incredibly proud to be part of the Durban Loves Delphi fundraiser, supporting a much-loved family in our community who recently lost their home and business in a devastating fire.
“We have been overwhelmed by the generosity and willingness of so many people to get involved. For Hello Poppy, it is a beautiful reminder of the power of community and collaboration. It is a privilege to give back to elders who have given so much to their community over so many years.”
Good to Know:
Tickets: R220 (R200 - students and pensioners). Book through
Webtickets
Milkwood Theatre is located at Danville Park Girls High School, 21 Middlebrook Avenue at Virginia, Durban North.
Park on the school grounds, accessed via Newport Avenue in
Durban North specifically through the gates situated between the astro turf and
the church.
Refreshments will be on sale in the foyer before the show
There is a Back A Buddy account for the family:
https://www.backabuddy.co.za/campaign/delfi-will-rise-from-the-ashes
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