Lots to Cheer About! (list updated 15 September 2009)

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August:   

Glenwood Community Festival
Fri 21 – Sun 23 August: Various venues in Glenwood
Info: tel Glenwood Prep : Jolene Kruger 031 201 5165 / www.forum.glenwood.co.za
Fri 21 - Glenwood Proms with the KZNPO at 6pm;
Sat 22 - Life Entabeni Hospital Fun Run and Walk at 7am; 8am onwards family events at Glenwood Prep; 10am Bulwer Park Waltons Treasure Hunt; Glenwood High Rugby Festival;
Sun 23 - 6.30pm Glenwood High School Interdenominational Church service.
Entry: Tickets for Proms. Other events free and all are welcome

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Renee Fleming in Concert
Thurs 27 Aug: Durban City Hall
Info: KZNPO offices on 031 3699 555
Probably one of the most fabulous concerts in the last decade awaits with a gala concert featuring world opera superstar Renee Fleming. It is the chance of a lifetime to hear a music legend at the height of her career
Entry: Tickets at Computicket

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Throughout the season:

Creative Writing and Story Telling
Aug / Sep: Durban Botanical Gardens
Info: Deena Nair – 031 311 2445 / 2446
Creative writing and story telling module hosted by Libraries and Museums
28 Aug – Botanic Gardens Educational Centre – Inner District Quiz Final
8 Sept - Botanic Gardens Educational Centre - Creative Writing Awards
11 Sept – Durban Art Gallery – Storytelling Market
18 Sept - Botanic Gardens Educational Centre – Storytelling competition
All programmes start at 9am and end at 12 noon
Entry: Entry free and all are welcome / other events by invitation only.
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KZNPO Spring Season
10 Sept – 12 Novt: Durban City Hall
Info: KZNPO offices on 031 3699 555
The KwaZulu Natal Philharmonic Spring Season sees a season of orchestral music with international and acclaimed soloists and conductors every Thursday evening
Entry: Tickets at Computicket

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Movable Arts Feast
Info: Domy Cortes 031 208 9430 / 073 719 0444 / domy@pubmat.co.za
Saturday mornings: Participating Galleries
The Arts Bus - a free hop-on, hop-off city bus service which allows arts lovers to visit the city’s premier galleries in one Saturday morning - is being hosted again as part of the Celebrate Durban season over Heritage month and October.

The Celebrate Durban season bus schedule will cover eight weekends - Sat 12, 19, 26 Sept and 3, 10, 17, 24, 31 Oct leaving from the KZNSA Gallery at 9am and returning to the gallery after lunch. There is safe parking at the KZNSA Gallery.

Entry: Buss free but booking is essential - Book Online Here

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KZN Heritage Arts Festival @ Kizo
All Sept: Kizo Gallery and Gateway Theatre of Shopping
Info: Nathi Gumede / Sharon Crampton: tel: 031 566 4324 / nathig@kizo.co.za or visit www.kizo.co.za.
The Gateway Theatre of Shopping and Kizo Art Gallery’s annual Heritage Arts Festival is once again an ambitious multi-layered, forward-thinking festival of 20+ art themed events which will be held throughout Heritage Month
Entry: Entry free and all welcome

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Shared Histories: The Indian Experience in SA
Aug to Oct: venues in and around Durban
Info: Nameshni Govender / 031 332 4221 / icc1@cgidbn.com
The Consulate General of India in Durban presents a comprehensive, extensive mix of events to examine the complex shared experiences between India and South Africa.
Entry: varied

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Celebrate Durban Ward Based Sports Programme
July to Sept: throughout municipality
Info: Dept of International and Governance Relations
As part of the overall programme, the city has scheduled 100 community events which will take place in every one of the 100 wards across the municipality. The 100 wards to be divided into 4/5 areas viz. North, South, Central, Outer West and Inner West.

The events should look at promoting awareness and support for the 2010 soccer world cup; poverty alleviation campaigns such community gardens, clean up campaigns, food security etc; education support programmes for children, youth and adults; HIV/Aids awareness programmes and other health support; community safety programmes such as support or launches of community policing forums, safety awareness campaigns, safety awareness campaigns to protect children in our communities and celebrate and promoting our cultural heritage.
Entry: Entrance is free and all are welcome

Info: Gopaul Pillay - Dept of Sport and Rec: pillayg@durban.gov.za
The ward-based sports programme sees 100 of the municipalities’ wards competing in various sporting codes.
24 to 26 September: Indigenous Games National Festival at DUT
24 - 27 September: Confederation of SA Netball Association Games at UKZN, Indoor Sports Centre.
4 October: The finals of the Celebrate Durban Games at Maphumalanga from 09:00 to 14:00. The Games in all 100 wards culminate in the finals.
Entry: Entrance is free and all are welcome

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Clowns Without Borders
Sept: venues in and around Durban
Info: info@cwbsa.org
Clowns without Borders will be complementing many of the events throughout the season by having a presence at many of the outdoor public activities.
Entry: Entrance is free and all are welcome

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September events:

KZN Provincial Launch Function: Arbor Week 2009
Sept 2: Austerville Highbury Sports Ground (by Engen)
Info: Sibongile Dube on 031 336 9546 or e-mail: mthembuw@dwaf.gov.za
The Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (DAFF), is the custodian of forestry in South Africa and as such responsible for National Arbor Week, which is celebrated annually from 1 -7 September. DAFF and partners will promote and create awareness on the value of planting trees and recycling. As part of Arbor week activities, these partners will embark on a clean-up campaign which will focus on certain areas in the Basin. The clean-up campaign will be held on 27 August 2009.

The main objective is promoting awareness of the need for planting and preserving indigenous trees and of raising the profile of forestry in the country. These activities are in line with efforts to decrease our carbon footprint in light of global climate change challenges. The clean-up campaign is a buildup towards the Arbor Day Launch happening on the 2 September 2009..

Entry: By Invitation

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Vodacom Yebo Millionaires Ballroom and Latin American Dance Championships
Sat 5 Sep: ICC Arena
Info: Neville on 076 389 8604 / 076 389 8250
One of S.A.’s most established and glamorous dancing showcase. Adjudicators are all international industry leaders. Complementing the competition element will be international showdance champions.
For more info www.sadtakzn.co.za Entry: Tickets through Computicket from R30 upwards

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Healthy Lifestyle Expo
Sat 5 Sept: Botanical Gardens conservatory / reservoir site
Info: Kevin Pillay, tel: 031 301 3313 / 084 467 4424 / keepthedream@tiscali.co.za
A mind-opening fun morning participatory programme celebrating healthy living - yoga, meditation, tai-chi, dealing with stress, aids awareness, nutrition and a health Q&A. Book signing by Ramesh Ramkumar, author of the book titled Being Human. 8am until 2pm.
Entry: Entrance free and all are welcome. Booking advised. Wear comfy clothes / bring yoga mat / beach towel

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Peace Concert
Sat 5 Sept: Durban City Hall – 7pm
Info: For further information contact Bobby on 083 9699 127 or go to the Ubuntu Peace Project website: www.ubuntupeaceproject.com
A Peace Concert held to help end the violent crime, corruption and poverty which ravages our country. Organized by the Ubuntu Peace Project, the concert will be conducted by Richard Cock, it features popular local artists including our 2009 Idols Singers Lize and Lendel; The KZN Wind Band, The Opera Kings, Natalie Rungan, Marion Loudon, David Salleres, the little Paw-Paw Foundation Choir; and motivator Robin Banks with a message from Dr Deepak Chopra.
Entry: Tickets at Computicket

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Buffelsdraai Community Reforestation Project – Tree Planting
Sat 5 Sept: Near Verulam – 9am until 3.30pm
More than 300 SA scouts from the Durban area are aiming to plant 6,500 trees at the Buffelsdraai Community Reforestation Project near Verulam, north of Durban.
The eThekwini Municipality’s Buffelsdraai Landfill Site Community Reforestation project is a community initiative run through the Greening Durban 2010 Programme and implemented by the Wildlands Conservation Trust, in which more than 200 local “Treepreneurs” produce the trees and barter these to the project for food, school fees and other basic goods. The first phase of the project, scheduled to be completed by June 2010, has been funded by DANIDA and comprises the planting of 62,500 trees. The Comrades Marathon Association and its sponsor, Bonitas Medical Fund, also contributed an additional 13,000 trees to the initiative. With the contribution made by the Scouts, it is expected that 82,000 trees will have been planted by June 2010. This is expected to sink many thousands of tonnes of carbon dioxide, one of the main greenhouse gases. Buffelsdraai landfill site (follow DSW signs from Verulam)
Entry: Entrance is free and all are welcome

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Durban Blue Lagoon Indian Ocean Festival
Sat 5 Sept: Blue Lagoon Lawns
Info: Seelan Archary, tel 031 539 7693 / 083 563 7367/ nwp@telkomsa.net
A music concert embracing a fusion of all of Durban’s cultures. The event will boast a festival-like atmosphere with stalls offering food, craft, jewellery and clothing.
Entry: Entrance is free and all are welcome. Bring fold up chairs.
 
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Coca-Cola Bunny Chow Barometer 
Sun 6 Sept: Blue Lagoon Lawns
Info: Fred Hart: tel 083 3060 352 / 031 508 3100 / fred.hart@za.sabmiller.com
The finals of the 6th annual Bunny-chow Barometer will find the best bunny-chow in the city. Bunny-chow connoisseurs have been voting for their favourites. Entertainment by Muthu Murugan and his troupe.
Entry: Entrance is free and all are welcome.

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Living Legends Awards
Thurs 10 Sept: Durban City Hall
Local History Museum is hosting the Living Legends Awards

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Dancing Pencils Book Fest
Fri 11 Sept: Durban City Hall
Info: Felicity Keats - tel 031 464 1556 / felicitykeats@gmail.com
This day long session will launch new books by adult authors in English and Zulu and children’s books. They are also giving packs of books to selected rural schools.
Entry: Entrance is free but booking is essential

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Senior Citizens Health & Beauty Spa Day
16 Sep: Newlands East Community Hall
Info: Rochelle Davidson: tel 083 974 5755
The elderly from in and around Newlands are being treated to a day of health and beauty.
Entry: Entrance is free and all Newlands pensioners are welcome.

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Cardinal’s Concert
Fri 18 Sep @ 7pm: Emmanuel Cathedral
Info: Emmanuel Cathedral – tel 031306 3595
The KZN Philharmonic Orchestra will perform a programme of sacred and classical music in the beautiful surroundings of the Emmanuel Cathedral – a cathedral fundraiser.
Entry: Tickets from cathedral office or at the door.

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Out of Step: ECC 25th Anniversary Commemorations 
Durban Art Gallery: 29 Sept until end Oct 09
Info: Dr Richard Steele – tel 031 201 6508 / rsteele@telkomsa.net
September / October 09 marks the 25th anniversary of the launch of the End Conscription Campaign. One of the Durban events is an exhibition Out of Step looking at the history, role and significance of this important apartheid-era anti-conscription organisation.
Entry: Entrance is free and all are welcome

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Heritage Awards
Sat 19 Sept @ 7pm: ICC Durban.
Info: Sharon or Sheeka on 031 566 4322 or sheeka@kizo.co.za
The ICC will play host to the prestigious Heritage Awards 2009. On the 19 September four hundred people will gather to pay respect to six South Africans for their outstanding contribution to the preservation and promotion of our country’s heritage.
The event will consist of a sit down dinner and entertainment coordinated by Mbongeni Ngema. Gcina Mhlophe will compare what is sure to continue to be a highlight of the South African heritage and social calendar.
Entry: Ticketed event

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What’s Funny in SA?
Wed 23 Sept: Playhouse Opera
Info: Josh Glenny / 082 600 8380 / josh@daretodream.co.za
An evening of comedy featuring some of the city’s finest including Aaron McIlroy, Lisa Bobbert, Ben Voss & Krijay Govender. Fund-raiser for Dare to Dream Children’s Trust.
Entry: Tickets at Computicket / Playhouse Box office. 

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Back To Africa
Wed 23 Sept at 6pm: City Hall
Info: Busi Gumede on 031 311 2249 / 311 2256 / gumedebusi@durban.gov.za
A seminar celebrating our common ancestry. The event includes genetic testing by Dr Himlar Soodyall. BACK TO AFRICA! : Celebrating Our Common Ancestry Wednesday 23 Sept @ 18:00 City Hall 1st Floor, Anton Lembede (Smith) Str entrance. At first glance, Durban is a blend of diversity - different appearances, different origins, different ancestries. But looks may be deceiving. What the eye does not reveal is that every single Durbanite shares a common bond: Somewhere in the distant past, they can all trace their ancestry Back To Africa!
NB: RSVP by 14 September 20009
Entry: Entrance is free and all are welcome. Booking is essential 

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Cell C Durban Music School Street Festival
24 Sep from 10am: Diakonia Avenue / St Andrews St
Info: Music School, tel 031 304 1001
A fabulous day of open air music can be enjoyed at the 8th annual Cell C Music School Street Festival open day.
Entry: Entrance is free and all welcome. Bring deckchair and sunhat!

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Freedom Valley
Thurs 24 Sept: Ekhaya Multi Arts Centre, Kwa Mashu
Info: Xolani Majozi 031 504 6970 or 083 621 6338 Former Premier Sbu Ndebele called KwaMashu,, Ntuzuma, Inanda. “Freedom Valley”. Homecoming concert featuring gospel group Avante will be performing for the people of KwaMashu.. Step Africa – a dance group form Chicago will be performing. Entry: Tickets at door

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Heritage Day event for traditional healers
Thurs 24 Sep @ 9am: Curries Fountain
Info: Tobias Mkhize tel 083 414 6339 / 031 311 3540 / mkhizetobias@durban.gov.za
The newly formed Ethekwini Traditional Health Practitioners Organization will be celebrating Heritage Day with traditional healers.
Entry: Entrance is free and all are welcome

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Emerging Sounds of Durban Festival
24, 25, 26 Sept: Gugu Dlamini Park, alongside workshop
Info: Slingshot Productions / 084 510 3107 / jamad@slingshot.za.com
Three days of alfresco music in the heart of the city featuring some of the region’s most exciting emerging and undiscovered talent. Slingshot Productions and the City of Durban presents THE EMERGING SOUNDS OF DURBAN FESTIVAL, as part of the Celebrate Durban calender. This event showcases emerging Durban bands, that are as yet unsigned and unreleased, together with a few of Durban’s top-notch and highly revered acts to allow our new bands the opportunity to rise to the occasion.
The line-up is dynamic offering Kwaito, Rock, Jazz and hiphop. The line-up includes Mzayonie, Fruit & Veg, Beezory, THOTS, Abdus, Insane, Ewok and The Hypermen and many many more. THE EMERGING SOUNDS OF DURBAN FESTIVAL will give those bands that dont have a demo, the opportunity to walk away with a live demo recording from this event.

THE EMERGING SOUNDS OF DURBAN FESTIVAL takes place over a 2 day-period and are daytime concerts which will run all day from 11am to 5pm on Thursday 24 (public holiday) and Friday 25 September and are FREE to the public. For more details on this event please visit our facebook event page:
http://www.facebook.com/home.php?ref=home#/event.php?eid=119933458557&ref=ts

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Phansi Phezulu Dance Fest
24, 25, 26 Sept: Catalina Theatre, Wilson’s Wharf
Info: Catalina Theatre 031 305 6889 / tsibisi@mweb.co.za
Entry: Booking: Thandeka on 031-305-6889 or email tsibisi@mweb.co.za

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Separate is Not Equal
KwaMuhle Museum: from late Sep
Info: KwaMuhle Museum tel 03 1311 2237 / www.durban-history.co.za .
A brief history of segregation in the USA and SA - with particular focus on the schooling systems in both countries. It was brought to South Africa and re-edited for SA audiences by the Apartheid Museum with financial support from the United States Government.
The Durban installation includes various new local components and is presented by the Local History Museums at the historic KwaMuhle Museum.
Entry: Entrance is free and all are welcome

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Red Eye Ready?
Fri 25 Sep @ 7pm: Durban Art Gallery
Info: DAG: 031 311 11 11
One of the much anticipated events in this year’s Celebrate Durban Heritage season is Red Eye: Ready? a multi-media arts event which will be staged at the Durban Art Gallery on Friday 25 September at 7.30pm.

“Red Eye: Ready?” will mark the dawning of a new era for the Durban inner city. The title poses the question of whether Durban is up to the challenge of once again being a platform for the most popular arts event to date, and also to dare artists and the public to step up and be part of this exciting venture.

Some of the highlights will be the sounds of Manuvah to Land, 340ml and Gazelle. Iscathimiya group “Usuthu” will collaborate with dj Mixin Vixen and also with electronic band “Seake”. “The Little Black Dress” has been reinvented by Red Eye stalwart, young fashion designer Shaun Mbhele, who has pulled out all the stops and is challenging Chanel in this cutting edge fashion show. StepAfrica are in town from the USA and will be presenting gumboot dancing with a twist. Local dance show Phansi Phezulu is sure to wow the crowds.

These will happen in and around the exhibitions currently on view which include Past/Present by Andrew Verster, Rising Up together photographs by Gille de Vlieg.

The evening will carry on into the early hours across the road at the glamorous King Club and funky Zulu Jazz Lounge. This promises to be an unforgettable event reviving the excitement which made Red Eye legendary.
Entry: Tickets at door  

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KZN Music Imbizo
25 - 27 Sept: BAT Centre
Info: Sphe Mbhele, Creative Lead Productions / Tel 031 201 6343 / Cell 072 058 6675 / sphe@creativelead.co.za / www.creativelead.co.za
Kzn Music Imbizo is a music business exhibition / expo. It offers the music business person a chance to meet other industry experts, discuss hot new topics and exchange information and views, in a friendly and professional environment.
Entry: Entrance is free and all are welcome

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Miss eThekwini
25 Sept: Durban City Hall
Info: Wiseman Gabela: tel 083 749 6480 / u3@thegolf.co.za
20 gorgeous Durban women will all be competing for the coveted Miss Ethekwini crown. The finals will be held in a glittering gala event at the ICC. The ladies, who also stand in line to win fabulous gift hampers, will showcase wonderful cultural outfits and gowns.
Entry: Ticketed event

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Small Business – SMME – Fair
25 - 27 Sept: Dbn Exhibition Centre
One of the most significant events of the season – the annual SMME Fair in Durban Exhibition Centre which showcases your business at country's premier networking and information hub for SMMEs - Small Medium Micro Enterprises.
Entry: Entrance is free and all are welcome

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Isicathamiya Festival
Sat 26 Sep @ 6pm: Playhouse Opera
Info: Playhouse tel 031 3699 555
One of the city’s distinctive cultural treasures is the all night Isicathamiya competitions – a genre made famous by Ladysmith Black Mambazo.
Entry: Tickets @ Computicket

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Flavours of Durban Sister Cities Cuisine Festival
26 Sept: Dbn Exhibition Centre
Info: Shelley Gielink – Dept of International & Governance Relations– tel 031 311 11 11
A fabulous range of international cuisine specialities with input from Durban’s sister cities. Among the participants who are coming are Christopher L. Brown, the executive Sous Chef from the Sheraton Hôtel in New Orleans who will be sharing tips on traditional American dish, the Jambalaya; Jean Pierre Hubert Maillot (PéPé) from LePort in the Reunion Islands - a Purist and fervent defender of the culinary traditions of the island – specialises in Creole cuisine and will be demonstrating rougail morue (fish with tomatoes which is a traditional food in Reunion); Ntombiyebandla Sibanda – a qualified chef from Bulawayo who specialises in local cuisine – will demonstrate a surprise Zimbabwean dish.

Carrying the Durban flag will be Futhi Ngomane from Zen Africa Chefs Academy who will be preparing corn bread, imfino and chicken livers.
Entry: Entrance is free and all are welcome

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Independent on Saturday Design Durban’s Drink
26 Sept: Dbn Exhibition Centre
Info: Gavin Larkin 031 564 8399
This annual event strives to find a drink which is synonymous with Durban. There are two categories – alcoholic and non-alcoholic. Durban’s barmen and restaurants compete to design the ultimate cocktail of Durban – the quintessential Durban Drink.
Entry: Entrance is free and all are welcome

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Float Street Parade
Sat 26 Sept: Streets of Durban
Info: Toms McDonald and Associates tel 031 701 5145 / tma@iburst.co.za and Skhubumbuzo Xaba tel 083 354 7174 / 031 705 9325
The streets of Durban will come alive on Saturday morning with 20 decorative funky floats that will slowly proceed through town – accompanied by municipal vehicles, as well as drum majorettes and live jazz bands.
Entry: Entrance is free and all are welcome

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MTN Coast to Coast Cycle Challenge
27 Sept: Cyril Geoghegan Cycle Track
Info: Kelvin du Sart / 082 446 9833 / 031 767 4448
The MTN Coast to Coast Cycle Challenge will be held on 27 September 2009 at the Cyril Geoghegan Cycle Track from 6am covering a distance of 20km / 60km / 100km.
Entry: Entry forms at local cycle shops

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Durban International Blues Festival
29 Sept – 4 Oct: Wilson’s Wharf
Info: Catalina Theatre 031 3056889
The fifth annual Durban International Blues and Jazz Festival will again take place on Wilson’s Wharf and Festival Island, hosting an array of top musicians, including guests from Durban’s sister cities.
On 4 October an attempt will be made to break the Guinness Book of World Records for the largest number of guitars playing together in a group.
Entry: Various – ticketed and free events

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SATMA Awards 2008
3 Oct: Durban ICC
Info: Zola Key 082 515 2014 / satma@satmaawards.co.za
The programme features a cultural parade from the City Hall with traditional groups and drum majorettes, a workshop, exhibition and the awards ceremony.
Entry: Award Ceremony / workshop by invitation only.
Cultural parade is free and all are welcome

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