ROCK DA BEACH PROGRAMME

(Bafo Bafo: Syd Kitchen & Madala Kunene)

The Durban World Music Festival (aka Rock Da Beach) is an innovative concept that celebrates different genres of music in spectacular fashion with a myriad of top local and international artists converging at New Beach on Durban’s Golden Mile on March 27 and April 2 and 3. The festival is further inspired by the fact that Durban is currently the only major city in South Africa without an annual music festival and follows on to the great success of the FIFA Fan Park at New Beach.

The Durban World Music Festival provides indigenous, African, hip hop, dub step, rock, house, jazz, isicathamiya, maskanda and World Music artists a platform to perform alongside each other and expose the audience to new genres of music. This artistic combination of genres aims to attract a new multi-cultural audience of all ages and a new type of festival-goer. Thus the artistic content caters for a diverse audience with each of the three events being themed.

March 27: The Legends Concert features the long-awaited official reunion of musical icons of yesteryear, The Flames, who will share the stage with Johnny Clegg, Jazzanova (Germany), the Drummers of Burundi (Burundi), Bafo Bafo (Syd Kitchen & Madala Kunene), Shabalala Rhythm, The Kholwa Brothers, Maisha, Brian Finch, John Ellis, Tim Wells and Rene Tshiakanyi (DRC). Syd Kitchen is ill and needs all support - log onto www.sydkitchen.com for more information.

April 2 - beach fever will definitely set in on weekend two with the “Rock da Beach Party” presented by Mr Price and headlined by Edward Maya and his band; the man behind chart-topping Billboard hit Stereo Love. This internationally-renowned Romanian producer, songwriter, performer and DJ will perform for the first time on African soil. The day’s events begin at 10h00 with 30 DJ’s over three stages and will feature the likes of BBC 1’s Danny Rampling (UK), Liquideep, Fresh, Euphonik, Roger Goode, Pixie Bennett and Lady Lea, Cndo, Sox and Deon Govender to name a few.

April 3 - the festival closes with a Jazz on da Beach concert which showcases Hugh Masekela, Ronny Jordan with Quiet Storm (UK/SA), Judith Sephuma, the UKZN Jazz Ensemble conducted Dr Mageshen Naidoo, Just Friends featuring Khaya Dlamini, Heels over Head, Beat-Route feat Gerald Sloane and Dan Sheldon, the Zulu-Indian Collaboration feat Vusi Mkhize, Shanjeet Teeluck & Vishen Kemraj, The Car Boot Vendors, John Manuel, Zoko Dimande with Zoe Masuku & Sue Barry and Natalie Rungan. A really special addition is a unique festival collaboration of African guitar masters entitled GuitAfrika with Steve Newman (SA) and Alhousseini (Niger) together with Eric Triton’s Kreole Tabla Blues (Mauritius).

The community development component of the Festival will be held on April 1 at Ohlange Institute in Inanda, where talent will be shared by accomplished international musicians with emerging artists in this unique outreach programme.

The Festival also proudly plays host to the prestigious Indian Ocean Music Network Conference and AGM – which brings together high profile Festival Directors from the Indian Ocean countries, Africa, Europe, Australia and India. One of the aims of this meeting will be to expose the delegates to our own local talent with the job creation and skills transfer objective being to place them in the various festivals represented within the IOMN network.

Gates open at 11h00 and music begins at noon. R110 booked at Computicket for R150 from the Fountain Park kiosk next to the paddling pools at New Beach. For more information visit www.rockdabeach.com

A HANDFUL OF KEYS

(Roelof Colyn and Jonathan Roxmouth)

Smash hit returns to Durban’s Elizabeth Sneddon Theatre.

What piano show has run for 16 years? Which two-hander revue has won nine awards? Which show has changed cast four times and the sold-out signs still appear weekly outside the theatre? Which show defied all predictions, becoming both a cult show and a mainstream success?

That’s the legacy of A Handful of Keys which now returns for its 17th year, reaching Durban at the end of March.

On paper - the concept is so simple that it is hard to define the show's enormous appeal. Two pianists (admittedly brilliant and superlatively versatile), seated (occasionally) behind two gleaming grand pianos, take the audience on a tour of the maestros, mistresses and magnificent music that the piano has inspired. The result is one of the most satisfying and complete evening's entertainments imaginable.

The sheer virtuosity of the playing is dazzling as is the breakneck wit and interplay between the two gifted comedians. The inventiveness and constant surprise of what should be one long 'in-joke' transcends the limitations of the concept until, as one early reviewer wrote, "Act Two is spent hovering on the brink of a standing ovation, which when it arrives is tumultuous".

The story of how this show opened in a 160 seater theatre in 1994, with 94 advance bookings, and ending up selling out 1,000 seats has become part of South African theatre history. Originally starring its creators Bryan Schimmel and Ian von Memerty (Strictly Come Dancing and SA's Got Talent), it went on to claim nine awards, and played to in excess of 100,000 people in its first 300 shows.

In 2001, Roelof Colyn scored a massive hit when he joined the show alongside Ian von Memerty for another consistent series of sold-out shows, and another 100,000 people streamed into the theatre. Another triumphant tour with Roelof and Jeremy Quickfall in 2005/6 kept the show's momentum going and then in 2008 the musical wunderkind Jonathan Roxmouth partnered with Roelof, giving this evergreen show an injection of energy and sparkle that took the show past its 1000th performance with over 320,000 delighted patrons. Colyn and Roxmouth's red hot double act are on show this year.

artSMart’s reviewer Maurice Kort said: “This sparkling new production has the word "success" written all over it, I have rarely heard such an enthusiastic response from a first-night audience.”

Presented by The Rhumbelow Theatre in association with Essential Vibes, A Handful of Keys runs at the Elizabeth Sneddon Theatre from March 29 to April 17. Tickets R130.

10% of ticket sales in Week 1 will be donated to The Theatre Benevolent Fund which is supported by Essential Vibes, Rhumbelow Theatre, Ian Von Memerty & The Elizabeth Sneddon Theatre.

Ticket prices for pensioners scholars, students and group booking offer 2 For The Price of 1 for the first week, thereafter R100.

Booking at Computicket. For more information contact Roland on 082 499 8636, email: roland@stansell.za.net or visit www.rhumbelow.za.net

ST CLEMENTS

Clowns without Borders and Angelo and the Magical Top Hat for Musgrave venue.

Coming up in the Mondays at Seven programme on March 21 is Clowns Without Borders. Jamie McLaren Lachman, aka Jabulani Nene Mshengu, aka Banjo Max, is the founder and director of Clowns Without Borders South Africa. He is an actor, clown, storyteller, musician, songwriter, director, facilitator, and poet. Always looking for laughter in the life’s simplicity, Jamie strives to live each day fully with compassion and amazement.

The programme on March 28 features Angelo and the Magical Top Hat. Scapino has a nick-nock name. He is also called “the Chameleon”. Scapino has a magical box which contains many strange and wonderful people! Pieter Scholtz and Philippa Savage introduce audiences to some of them.

St Clements is situated at 191 Musgrave Road on the right-hand side a short way down after the St Thomas Road intersection. Mondays at Seven run between 19h00 and 20h00. Booking is advised on 031 202 2511.

VISIONS FROM THE NILE

(Senta Duffield, principal and director of the Maya Dance Company)

Maya Dance Company is to present a Belly Dance Extravaganza titled Visions from the Nile on April 9.

Guest artists include professional Ballroom and Latin-American Dancers, Warren & Andrea, as well as the Shall We Dance Ballroom Dancers and popular singer Jaziel Vaugh'hann.

The performance takes place at 20h00 on April 9 at The iZulu Theatre, Sibaya Casino. Tickets R80 booked at Computicket. More information from Senta on 082 829 3658.

ROCK DA BEACH

(Natalie Rungan)

Rock da Beach Music Festival is an innovative concept that celebrates different genres of music in spectacular fashion with a myriad of top local and international artists converging along Durban’s Golden Mile on March 27 and April 2 and 3.

As the most innovative festival event in the province for 2011, the underlying motivation for Rock da Beach is to create a unique musical identity that will expose audiences to a broad mix of musical genres and focus on nation-building. The festival is further inspired by the fact that Durban is currently the only major city in South Africa without an annual music festival. With its varied musical influences, Rock Da Beach aims to preserve and develop South Africa's heritage. It is especially important in such a culturally diverse region where there are many traditions that may otherwise be lost.

The artistic content is spectacular and caters for a diverse audience with each of the three events being themed and then further divided into different zones where music lovers can move between stages enjoying the sound of their choice. The music festival kicks off on March 27 with The Legends Concert, which showcases the long-awaited official reunion of musical icons of yesteryear, The Flames, who will share the stage with Jazzanova from Germany, Johnny Clegg and Durban’s own Dukes Combo.

If that hasn’t whet your appetite, beach fever will definitely set in on weekend two of this extraordinary music festival with The Mr Price Beach Party headlined by Edward Maya and his band; the man behind chart-topping Billboard hit Stereo Love. This internationally-renowned Romanian producer, songwriter, performer and DJ will perform for the first time on African soil. The day’s events begin at 10h00 with 30 DJ’s over three stages and will feature the likes of BBC 1’s Danny Rampling (UK), Liquideep, Fresh, Euphonik, Roger Goode, Rise, Pixie Bennett and Lady Lea to name a few.

“This is going to turn into one of the biggest parties ever held in this City,” said Durban’s Head of International Relations, Eric Apelgren. “It is one of those events where we are catering for all tastes - the best of the contemporary stuff for the youth combined with jazz, hip hop, rock and funk. It will definitely be no ordinary music festival. We urge people to come out and embrace this musical opportunity.”

The festival closes with a Jazz & Rootz concert on April 3 which showcases Hugh Masekela, Ronny Jordan (USA), Simphiwe Dana, the UKZN Jazz All Stars featuring Natalie Rungan and a unique festival collaboration entitled GuitAfrika with Steve Newman (SA), Eric Triton (Mauritius) and Alhousseini (Niger). In addition, the Rock Da Beach Music Festival will provide indigenous, African, exotic and World Music a platform to perform alongside each other and expose the audience to new genres of music. The artistic combination of genres aims to attract a new audience and a new festival-goer.

Collaborations are a key focal point of the festival with the idea being that people can be reconciled through music as we celebrate our shared histories. The creative team behind Rock Da Beach is acutely aware that South Africa is in need of audience development and has incorporating a development component within the community, sharing the talent of accomplished musicians with emerging artists in an outreach programme to be hosted at the Ohlange Institute in Inanda.

RockDa Beach is supported by the eThekwini Municipality and the National Lottery Distribution Trust Fund.

KZN MUSIC HOUSE 1ST BIRTHDAY

(Mfiliseni Magubane)

KZN Music House will present a special First Birthday Concert at The Playhouse from March 31 to April 2 to mark its first anniversary since its official launch last year.

Devised and directed by Mbongeni Ngema, this special concert programme will feature a star line-up of artists from KZN Music House’s roster, headed by Mr Ngema himself.

Artists set to appear in the show include Mfiliseni Magubane, Natalie Rungan, Bullistic, Sosha, Chaos, Mgarimbe, Matshitshi Ngema, Vusi Mahlanze, with Simphiwe Madela and Afro Soul. Look out for special appearances on April 1 only by Mandoza and Zakes Bantwini.

MEC Michael Mabuyakhulu will deliver the keynote address at a special First Birthday function for invited guests, to be held at KZN Music House on April 1 at 14h30 for 15h00. The function will include Ethekwini Mayor Obed Mlaba on its VIP guest list, and will be supported by the KZN Departments of Economic Development and Tourism, and Arts and Culture.

The occasion will mark the launch of a new in-house music shop, situated on the premises of KZN Music House. The event will also mark the launch of a new KZN Music House audio disc entitled Vezikhono Maskandi Compilation Volume 1. Six groups of Maskandi artists featured on this joint compilation cd will perform at the launch function: Amajili, iMpunyela, Abafana Bemvuselelo, Oqedukuhleka, Cupha Noxolo, Thula Sibone Nolusese.

Following the function at KZN Music House on April 1, the invited guests will attend a VIP dinner at The Playhouse between 18h00 and 19h00, before attending the evening’s performance of the celebratory concert programme in the Playhouse Opera.

Admission is free. To secure a seat and for all telephonic media enquiries, call Silindile Mabhida at KZN Music House on 031 309 6160/5.

FLORAL ART IN KLOOF

The lounge of Crowhurst

The KwaZulu-Natal Association of Flower Arrangers will display the floral art talent of its members for a few days at the beginning of April in Crowhurst Place, a stately home in Kloof.

Set in a magnificent park-like garden, Crowhurst Place was built by Guy Hulett a hundred years ago. It has stained glass windows, beautifully carved doors, classical murals and a sweeping staircase. Individual rooms have their own style often as a result of the art collections displayed in them. It is now run as a lavish five-star Manor House.

Many top floral artists from all over KZN will create designs to compliment the furnishings and art in the large rooms. Teas will be served in the elegant dining room and craft stall will be featured.

The Crowhurst floral art exhibition will be presented from April 1 to 3 on Friday at Saturday from 10h00 to 16h00 (Sunday 10h00 to 12h00). Tickets R50 include teas. Crowhurst Place is situated at 74 Everton Road, Kloof (Exit 26 off the M13 - GPS Co-ordinates S29 47 02” E 30 48 45”) More information from Marieke 082 455 1039 or Jane 031 767 1174.

DEKAF

Comedian Siv Ngesi stars in Dekaf which is currently on a national tour, reaching Durban in April.

Dekaf is a black, white comedy about blacks who think like whites, as told by a black guy who sounds white. Launched at the Baxter in Cape Town in March, the show moves to the Lyric Theatre in Johannesburg and the Sibaya Casino in Durban for limited performances in April. Dekaf stars the up-and-coming stand-up comic Siv Ngesi in a bold production from the comedic mind of David Newton (Politically Incorrect; Defending the Laid Man and Laugh).

Contrary to popular belief there is a new generation of black people who don’t bitch about the ‘struggle’, can swim, aren’t hated by dogs and didn’t vote for Jacob Zuma. In Dekaf, Ngesi takes his audiences into the world of a black man who was raised in the suburbs, schooled in the public school system, dates white women and listens to Josh Groban!

Dekaf debuted at the 2009 Grahamstown National Arts Festival under Newton’s directorship. The show filled its capacity venue and garnered favourable reviews from the local press and audiences alike and at the 2010 Festival, the show won the coveted Golden Ovation Award.

Sivuyile ‘Siv’ Ngesi is a 25-year-old actor and comedian born in the township of Gugulethu, Cape Town. Acting came early to him and at ten years old Siv toured Asia with Les Misèrables in the coveted role of Gavroshe. Since then, he has landed roles in films such as Cape of Good Hope, After the Rain, Love in Africa, Zeenon z3, World Unseen and Schweitzer. He first made a name for himself in the popular SABC 1 television programmes Khululeka and The Adventures of Sinbad, Double Shift and Interrogation Room.

Siv was also one of the leads in M-Net’s League Of Glory that ran during the Soccer World Cup in 2010. His best credit to date must be his scenes with Keifer Sutherland in 24. Siv has extensive theatre experience, having performed in top class productions such as Sizwe Banzi is Dead, The Island, Sex and the Citi Golf, Star Wors, Off Your Trolley, Butlers and Brandy and most recently Dekaf, which he co-wrote with Newton.

Award-winning David Newton is an actor, director and producer. He has become one of South Africa’s most bankable comics, and has made his comedy appealing to his fans through his ability to speak directly and frankly about situations that happen to all of us. Newton has directed all three of his one-man shows namely Defending the Laid Man, Politically Incorrect, both available on DVD, and Laugh. His third DVD, Nothing But The Truth, is a 100min collaboration of the best of the three shows and stars Sivuyile Ngesi as the opening act.

Decaf will have one performance at Krakatoa at the Sibiya Entertainment Kingdom on April 28 at 20h00. Booking through Computicket or 083 915 8000.

BLESS ME FATHER

Gerry Murphy’s Bless me Father was appropriately launched on St Patrick’s Day (March 17) at the current Time of the Writer festival in Durban.

Born into an Irish-Catholic family of ten children, Sean Riley overcomes a poverty-stricken childhood amidst the sectarian violence of Northern Ireland, the harsh reality of life in a poor Irish neighbourhood in post-war London and the terrible abuse of his drunken brutal father.

With self-belief inspired through music, and his anger exorcised by wrestling, the tortured youth, fired with a burning determination to achieve what his drunken brute of a father taunted he was incapable of, finally gathers strength enough to burst through the hopeless rubble of Roman Catholic dogma and broken dreams. He rises up and starts to live a victorious life of great accomplishment and worth. Through the gutsy spirit of this brave survivor, readers live the extraordinary successes of - first the broken boy, then the rebellious man, who without a formal education, becomes not only a Doctor of Philosophy and a leading Educationist, but also the Heavyweight Wrestling Champion of the World.

Bless me Father reveals that Sean Riley’s tragic childhood is not an isolated aberration in the world today. Besides food and shelter, we all need love and moral role models. When these are not present in the home, answers must come from outside. Nevertheless, not all is lost. Through the shattered psyche of this indomitable Irish son, beginning as a small boy, bewildered and unloved, in a hostile and war torn world, we are shown that all we ever need is already within each one of us.

The novel is a moving testament to the courage and resilience of the human spirit against overwhelming odds and adversity. It is also a damning indictment of religion practiced in the letter and not the spirit. The Catholic priests, so long looked up to as man’s link to God, sometimes seem to be the very antithesis of all that Christ stood for. This theme pervades in all three novels.

ALLIANCE FRANÇAISE ACTIVITIES

French is the most widely-spoken language in Africa. The Alliance Française de Durban is a gateway to French language and culture, encouraging arts networks and enhancing business communications.

French language classes are offered throughout the year by a team of qualified teachers and cater to all levels, from beginners to advanced. The next session of 13 weeks will start on May 9, 2011.

The Alliance also invites participation in its social and cultural events calendar which includes concerts, ciné-club and art exhibitions. The new café, The Fat Croissant, is situated at the Alliance at 22 Sutton Crescent, Morningside or phone 031 312 9582. For more information on the programme of activities, visit www.alliance.org.za or join the Facebook Group under Alliance Française de Durban.

TRISH DOWNING FOR SABT

(Trish Downing, new MD of SABT)

The South African Ballet Theatre (SABT) has annouced that Trish Downing has been appointed as the Company’s new Managing Director (MD). SABT is a non-profit making, Section 21 Company and was established in 2001 after the closure of The State Theatre Ballet in 2000 (previously PACT Ballet).

Chairman of SABT Board of Directors, Mr Cedric Ntumba, said “Outgoing MD Fiona Budd’s dedication, tenacity and grace has seen her successfully steer SABT through some difficult times and, along with her co-Director Iain MacDonald, and the SABT management team, she has ensured that SABT reached its tenth birthday milestone this year. Finding a suitable replacement for her has been a challenge for the SABT Board but we are confident that Trish Downing has the experience and passion to make a significant contribution to SABT,”

Having started her career as an actress in KwaZulu-Natal, where she played lead roles in many stage, film and TV productions, Trish Downing went on to carve a successful career in communications and marketing with several of the country’s blue chip organisations. Her acting roles include playing Constanze in Amadeus, Viola in SABC TV’s production of Twelfth Night, Clara in the international TV series Reap the Whirlwind and Mercy-Joy in Send for Dolly, the English translation of the much-loved Afrikaans play ’n Seder Val in Waterkloof, to mention a few, while also being a presenter on M-Net, a regular actor on favourite radio serials and dramas, and doing extensive voice work.

Her entry into the corporate world was as a freelance copywriter for FNB, then Barclays, where she went on to head up the group’s external communication function. Here, she was able to play a continued role in the arts, by sponsoring various arts-related initiatives most notably the FNB Vita Awards programme - which encompassed theatre awards, annual visual arts and arts and crafts competitions and exhibitions, community theatre development laboratories, and the FNB Vita Dance Umbrella. While at FNB she was also responsible for starting the South African Music Awards (SAMAS). She moved to M-Net as Director of Corporate Communications, where she was involved in the development of the local film and TV industries through projects such as the M-Net All Africa Film Awards and New Directions and also ran the M-Net Literary Awards and Red Nose Day.

After the birth of her only child, she moved to ABSA as General Manager: Corporate Communications and Customer Care, and thereafter took up the role of Head of Corporate Communication at Old Mutual South Africa. Trish opted out of the corporate world for some years to spend more time with her son, but continued working as a consultant. She re-entered the full-time work arena by joining Ster-Kinekor Theatres as Senior Manager: Marketing & Communications.

Trish Downing sees her new appointment as MD to SABT as the perfect marriage of her performing arts and business backgrounds. SABT Artistic Director Iain MacDonald welcomed her to the SABT family mentioning that “it is with great sadness that we bid farewell to Fiona who, over the past ten years has been fundamental in ensuring the ongoing success of SABT. We welcome Trish Downing and look forward to her joining us as SABT continues to present quality, glamour, escapism and magic to all.”

Trish Downing is also a Trustee of the Arts & Culture Trust, holds ATCL and LTCL Speech & Drama Teachers Diplomas from Trinity College of Music, London, and is a CPR (Certified PR Practitioner) and APR (Accredited Public Relations Practitioner).

More information from www.saballettheatre.co.za

THE SUITABLE GIRL

Michelle McGrane has released a new poetry collection titled The Suitable Girl.
The collection has received wide acclaim and looks at how women – both now and in the past - have shaped the world. With reference from European history and classical mythology to the here and now, she offers a collection of poetry that effectively refers to her title through subjects as wide-ranging as the threat of AIDS, gender discrimination, anorexia, food, love and travel.

The Suitable Girl can be purchased from Pindrop Press, Mallards, Steers Place, Hadlow, Tonbridge, TN11 0HA at £7.99 plus £1.00 postage in the United Kingdom or £7.99 plus £2.00 postage for those living overseas.