GIRLS BEHAVING BADLY

Pic: Elizabeth Perkins, Shelly McLean, Janna Ramos-Violante & Marion Loudon

Four gorgeous girls turn up the heat with fast-paced look at all the “naughty girls” in music.

Shelly McLean, Marion Loudon, Janna Ramos-Violante and Elizabeth Perkins are all well known for their individual work as vocalists, actresses and dancers. Now their combined talents bring Durban audiences Girls Behaving Badly.

These four gorgeous girls turn up the heat with this fast-paced look at all the ‘naughty girls’ in music, from Diana Ross to Britney, Amy and Madonna.

It’s cheeky, its fun, and with stylish choreography and stunning costumes these 'not so naughty' girls are sure to have you up on your feet as they belt out hits from Bette Midler, Pussycat Dolls, Gwen Stefani and Tina Turner and even include oldies from Billie Holiday, Connie Francis and Nancy Sinatra.

This fun cabaret is a powerhouse of talent. Durban will rock as these good girls let their hair down and pay tribute to some of the world’s legendry 'Bad Girls' of the music industry. A rollercoaster of hits from the 1950’s to the present day is sure to appeal to all ages.

Shows take place over two weekends with Friday and Saturday (February 6,7,13 and 14) performances at 20h00 and on Sunday (February 8 and 15) at 18h30. The venue opens 90 minutes before show for picnic dinner.

Tickets R80. Take along food picnic baskets and braais will be available. There is limited secure parking and booking is essential. A cash bar is available (no alcohol may be brought on to the premises). Rhumbelow Theatre is situated in Cunningham Avenue off Bartle Road.

To book contact Roland on 031 205 7602 (h) or 082 499 8636, email roland@stansell.za.net or visit www.rhumbelow.za.net

SYD KITCHEN & ROLY STRUCKMEYER

Pic: Syd Kitchen

Last chance to catch Syd Kitchen as a single man!

Well-known and popular musos Syd Kitchen and Roly Struckmeyer have been consistently jamming new tunes to stir up the Durban music scene for years. Roly has just released his first stunning album after all this time, aptly called About Time.

For those of you who didn’t know, informs Luna Lounge which is presenting the gig, it’s your last chance to catch Syd Kitchen as a single man as he’s just days away from being married!

Syd Kitchen and Roly Struckmeyer can be seen at Yossi’s Moroccan in Glenwood on February 8 from 15h00. Entrance R80.

More information through Debbie on 072 280 1949 or visit www.lunalounge.co.za

BLUES AT ROBSON’S

(Pic: Sea Level)

Robson’s Shongweni Brewery to host Sea Level and TonicAzure.

Robson’s Shongweni Brewery will host Sea Level and TonicAzure in what has been described as the Blues feast of the year, featuring some of the hottest Durban Blues bands around!

(Of course, you won’t find the finest beer in the southern hemisphere any cheaper than at the cool mountain spring where Robson’s beer is bottled at source!)

The performance takes place on February 7 at 15h00. More information from Debbie on 072 280 1949 or visit www.lunalounge.co.za

FIRE-TIME DRUMMING

Crinkley Bottom in Waterfall to host the hottest drumming circle in the Hills.

Lunar Lounge will present Fire-time Drumming with African Drum Shack on February 6 from 18h30 at Crinkley Bottom in Waterfall.

Take your own drum, or hire one of Jon’s for a tenner! The evening offers crazy beats and Luney full moon vibes at the hottest drumming circle in the Hills! Crinkley’s has a full restaurant and bar as well as karaoke. Entry R20.

More information from Debbie on 072 280 1949 or visit www.lunalounge.co.za

FRANSCHHOEK LITERARY FESTIVAL

Third Franschhoek Literary Festival to take place from May 15 to 17.

If you are starved of good literature, crave a good book, or would like to listen to poets and literary experts debating issues, then visit the third Franschhoek Literary Festival (FLF) which will be held from May 15 to 17.

This literary event in the Winelands village of Franschhoek has become an important part of the arts and literary calendar in South Africa and is supported by local and international literary people.

The FLF was started in 2007 as a festival run along the same lines as the Cheltenham and Hay-on Wye festivals, with two main aims: to bring a broad spectrum of good and accessible South African writers together for informal discussions, and in so doing to encourage a reading culture in our valley and the broader Western Cape community.

Moreinformation from Cilnette Pienaar at The Famous idea Trading Co. on 021 886 7743 / Cell 082 410 2382 or email: cilnette@thefamousidea.co.za

M-NET SHOWS SCOOP COVETED AWARDS

No fewer than six M-net shows scoop awards at this year’s annual awards.

M-Net shows did not disappoint at this year's annual Golden Globe Awards®, which were held in Los Angeles on January 11 and screened on MM1 and M-Net respectively. After securing more than half of the nominations on offer, no fewer than six M-Net shows scooped awards.

The coveted awards for Best Drama Series and Best Comedy Series went to Mad Men and 30 Rock respectively. It was a big Golden Globe year for 30 Rock as Tina Fey also got the nod for Best Performance by an Actress in a Comedy Series while Alec Baldwin was also recognised with the award for Best Performance by an Actor in a Comedy Series.

There were also a number of first-time winners in the form of True Blood (Anna Paquin for Best Performance by an Actress in a Drama Series); In Treatment (Gabriel Byrne - Best Performance by an Actor in a Drama Series); John Adams (a total of four awards in the major categories); and Recount (Laura Dern for Best Performance by a Supporting Actress in a series).

All these shows are scheduled to be broadcast on M-Net Channels in the coming months - a feast of top-quality entertainment awaits subscribers!

PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN: DEAD MAN'S CHEST

M-Net to screen popular action adventure starring Johnny Depp.

M-Net will screen the action adventure Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest on February 28 at 21h30. Directed by Gore Verbinski in 2006, it stars Johnny Depp, Orlando Bloom and Keira Knightley.

Once again thrown into the world of the supernatural, Captain Jack Sparrow finds out that he owes a blood debt to the legendary Davey Jones, Captain of the ghostly “Flying Dutchman”. With time running out, Jack must find a way out of his debt or else be doomed to eternal damnation and servitude in the afterlife. As if this weren't enough, Will Turner and Elizabeth Swann are forced to join Jack on yet another misadventure and are arrested and sentenced to death unless Will can get Lord Beckett Jack's compass.

HEARTS AND SOULS

Four ghosts borrow a yuppie’s body in movie to be screened on M-Net.

Four ghosts borrow a yuppie’s body so they can sort him out and take care of some unfinished business of their own.

This is the storyline of the comedy drama Hearts and Souls which will be screened by M-Net on February 24 at 23h00. Directed by Ron Underwood in 1993, it stars Robert Downey Jr, Elisabeth Shue, Kyra Sedgwick, Charles Grodin, Tom Sizemore and Alfre Woodard.

Thomas is a 20-something yuppie who’s so intent on climbing the career ladder that he’s forgotten to have fun. But this changes when the invisible playmates of his childhood reappear, asking him if they can “borrow” his body to sort out some unfinished personal business. The playmates are the ghosts of actual people – a thief, a waitress, a single mother and a librarian -- who died in a bus crash in 1959, the year Thomas was born. Thomas agrees, and comical mayhem ensues.

ELIZABETH: THE GOLDEN AGE

Movie on M-Net takes sumptuous look at the relationship between Elizabeth I and Sir Walter Raleigh.

2007. Directed by Shekhar Kapur, Elizabeth: The Golden Age stars Cate Blanchett, Geoffrey Rush, Clive Owen, Abbie Cornish and Samantha Morton. It will be screened on MNet on February 16 at 20h30.

The film takes a sumptuous look at the relationship between virgin queen, Elizabeth I and Sir Walter Raleigh, the explorer who went on to become her military strategist.

Cate Blanchett reprises her role as the strong-willed virginal queen, Elizabeth I, in this opulent film that was nominated for two Oscars, eventually winning one for best costumes. It’s 1585 and Elizabeth is facing a concerted onslaught from her enemy, Philip II of Spain, who wants Mary, Queen of Scots, to succeed her as queen. Failing that, his mighty armada will take on her fleet. Clearly, this staunch Catholic does not like her Protestant ways.

The arrival of Walter Raleigh, a dashing explorer who charms her with his wit and gifts, diverts her attention for a while, until he gets a little too close to her lady in waiting.

ELECTIONS & ERECTIONS

(Pic: Pieter-Dirk Uys)

Master satirist’s personal journey through the minefield of fun and fear on the eve of SA’s most crucial general election.

Master satirist, Pieter-Dirk Uys, returns to Durban’s Elizabeth Sneddon Theatre from February 17 to 28 as part of a national tour to stage his phenomenal Elections & Erections: a personal journey through the minefield of fear and fun on the eve of South Africa’s most crucial general election.

Pieter-Dirk Uys celebrates the two issues that were illegal for most of his life in South Africa: democracy and sex.

He uses humour, his weapon of mass distraction, and compares today’s freedom of speech to those years of no freedom. And yet then there was enough speech to help end a brutal system and usher in a young democracy. There was also laughter.

The issue of the next President and a new Government is not making South Africans laugh. The tsunamis of recession, economic woes, crime, corruption and denialism merge with the Zunami of Comrade Jacob’s dramatic journey to the most powerful position in the land. Nothing seems to be funny anymore.

It is time to laugh! Pieter-Dirk Uys invites you share that shower with him and his chorus line of politicians and people. Democracy and sex are both freely available in South Africa and each carries the warning of danger. Come and lead the parade with laughter at fear. Turn it into fun and optimism for a future after only 14 years of a remarkable and unique democracy. If the people find the courage to lead in that direction, the government will be just too happy to follow.

Depending on Who’s Who in the Political Zoo, Uys will present a host of familiar and upcoming politicians and opinion-shakers, from the Clintons and Obamas in the USA, a Tutu here and a Mandela there, old Nats, reinvented Communists, designer Democrats, Fat Cats and bloody Fools.

Elections & Erections runs at the Elizabeth Sneddon Theatre from February 17 to 28 with shows from Tuesday to Saturday at 20h00 and Sunday at 15h00. There will be extra performances on Friday (February 27) and Saturday (February 28) at 17h00. Book at Computicket

”Elections & Erections” goes on to run at the Nelson Mandela Theatre at the Jo-burg Theatre (Civic Theatre) from March 3 to 15 and then at the Baxter Theatre in Cape Town from April 7 to May 2.

KILLER COMEDY

Robby Collins- Winner of the KZN new act of the year in 2008

Killer Comedy returns to KZN for third season.

Killer Comedy runs the first Wednesday of every month for the next six months, offering a platform for new, professional and touring comedians to perform in Umhlanga. The last Thursday of the month sees the project in Umbilo at the Winston and tours to the venues are listed below in Feb and March. Durban Comedy will also be represented by new comedians at this year’s Grahamstown Festival as well as performer / promoter Glen Bo taking his solo show just filmed for his DVD to the festival.

The KZN circuit is in:

Boogies Rock Diner in Umhlanga (first Wednesday of the month) on February 4 and at the Winston Rock Pub in Umbilo (last Thursday of every month) on February 26. At the end of February, Killer Comedy will be at La Montange Hotel in Ballito.

Shows will be held every two months at the Chain and Sprocket in Westville - next show in March. Also in March, performances will be held at the Cock & Tail in Margate, the Red Door Nightclub in Pietermaritzburg and at Harry Jacks Restaurant in Howick.

The Catalina Theatre will host the next Festival in July.

Promoted and produced by Chaos Theory Entertainment, the Natal School of Comedy (N.S.O.C) was recently launched in Durban. This project will provide a permanent home for new comedians to train, work and be developed by professionals.

More information available on Facebook in the group: Durban Comedy. To book comedians or tickets contact 079 889 1484.

TATHAM NEWS

What’s happening at the Tatham Art Gallery in Pietermaritzburg.

The Tatham Art Gallery is situated in Chief Albert Luthuli (Commercial) Road opposite the Pietermaritzburg City Hall:

In the main exhibition space, there’s Curriculum Curricula which displays works relevant to the Visual Art Syllabus while the Schreiner Gallery offers Into the Light: Works by KwaZulu-Natal Women Artists. Both exhibitions run until March 1.

Proposals for 2010 Exhibitions may be presented on February 10 in the Schreiner Gallery where forms will be available between 10h00 and16h00. Forms can also be downloaded from www.tatham.org.za (For more information contact Kobie Venter or Thulani Makhaye at 033 392 2801)

Art class registration takes place at the Old Presbyterian Church next to the Tatham Art Gallery on February 6 from 14h30 to 15h30. The Youth Art Classes will be held at the same venue from February 13 from 14h30 to16h30.

For more information on any of these events, contact Education Officer Thulani Makhaye on 033 392 2801 or email: thulani.makhaye@msunduzi.gov.za

The Tatham Art Gallery is closed to the public Mondays and opens Tuesdays to Sundays from 10h00 to 18h00. Contact details are 033 392 2801, Fax 033 394 9831 and www.tatham.org.za