Free Filmmaking Workshop For Durban

As part of promoting and nurturing creativity in the art space within eThekwini Municipality, the Durban Art Gallery in collaboration with Arts and Ubuntu Trust will be hosting a workshop aimed at sharpening the skills of upcoming film-makers.

The workshop will be relevant to people who wish to refresh their minds on the creative process and develop an understanding of film language. It will focus on the practising artists, playwrights, filmmakers, writers, musicians/composers and literature students. 

Internationally acclaimed award winning Somali film director, Abdulcadir Ahmed Said will facilitate the workshop. Attendance on all four days is compulsory. 

The details of the workshop are as follows:

Dates: 07-10 November 2014 

Venue: Durban Art Gallery (2nd floor, City Hall, Anton Lembede Street)

Time: 09h00-15h30 

Entrance is free. Due to limited space, booking is essential. Interested participants should email their CVs to witty.nyide@durban.gov.za before 05 November 2014

Johnny Clegg and Ladysmith Black Mambazo for Durban

Johnny Clegg and Ladysmith Black Mambazo to make history in Durban!

Johnny Clegg

For the first time ever, two of South Africa’s legendary performers will be sharing a stage, and Durban has the honour of hosting the event! Johnny Clegg and Ladysmith Black Mambazo will be staging an historical performance at Old Mutual’s Music At The Lake with East Coast Radio next month.

The epic concert takes place at Durban’s Botanic Gardens on Sunday, 9 November 2014.

As one of SA’s most celebrated sons, Johnny Clegg has sold over five million albums over the past three decades, winning an armful of awards along the way. Returning from his nine week tour of USA and Canada, Clegg will be performing hits from his recent album, Human, as well as all-time favourites.

Ladysmith Black Mambazo

Multiple Grammy Award winners, Ladysmith Black Mambazo have also played a pioneering role in SA music and have helped put the global spotlight on the country’s music landscape.  Their 2014 Grammy winning album, LIVE: Singing for Peace Around the World, is a dedication to the legacy of the late former President, Nelson Mandela.  Founder Joseph Shabalala recently retired, handing over the reigns as lead singer to his son Thami Shabalala. This means the 12 member ensemble now has three generations of family members including Joseph’s grandson, Babuyile Shabalala!

Both these legends are set to make history by performing together in Durban next month. Johnny Clegg will perform for an impressive 90 minutes where he will feature Ladysmith Black Mambazo on three of his songs. Mambazo will stay true to their melodic harmonies for 45 minutes and will see Impi singer, Clegg join them on stage for a duet on one their hits, making this a world first.

Gates open at 12h30 for pre-sale ticket orders and 13h00 for on the day sales. First on stage is Ladysmith Black Mambazo at 15h00 followed by Johnny Clegg at 16h00.

Tickets are available online at www.webtickets.co.za 

Ticket prices:  Pre-sold tickets are R180 and R220 on the day

Kids between 8-12 pay R50, kids under 8 are free.  All children are welcome at the KidZone for some extra fun and games

Drinks, cooler boxes and picnic baskets are welcome

Images - Supplied

This edition by Fred Felton

Twitter @fredfelton 

Events This Week In Durban

Hot Topic Open Forum - KZNSA 

ijusi – Design based in African Experience

“What makes me African, and what does that ‘look’ like?”

Please join us for an ‘Afrocentric design adventure’ with Garth Walker WEDNESDAY 22 OCT 6pm Complimentary refreshments and snacks will be served.

‘ijusi’ is a curated ‘retroflective’ of Durban-based designer and publisher,  Garth Walker’s ijusi magazine - an experimental, non-commercial design  magazine first published by Walker in 1995 that has over the years acquired  a venerated cult like following. The ijusi exhibition in Durban is a project of the KZNSA’s Social Art 2014/15  Programme, supported by the National Lotteries Distribution Trust Fund. Garth Walker - Garth Walker founded Orange Juice Design in Durban in 1995. In 2008, Walker again went solo with his new studio, Mister Walker. Walker has been  widely recognised with over 100 design awards, including a Grand Prix at the Loeries, and  published in at least 80 magazines and books. He is represented in the collections of  Museum of Modern Art, Biblioteque Nationale de France, Victoria & Albert Museum,  The Smithsonian, and numerous university and academic collections worldwide. Venue: KZNSA, 166 Bulwer Road, Tel: 031-277-1705 Free Photography Talk Support Local Movies The 48 Hour Film Project - See the Film 'Glances' by Dayakar Padayachee Venue: Suncoast Cinema 6  Cost: R55 Time: 8pm  New Book By Pieter Scholtz Out Now Missed the great book launch for Pieter Scholtz's new book?   You can get it at Adam's Musgrave Centre. Music This Week This Weekend This edition by Fred Felton (Twitter @fredfelton)

2 Big Foodie Events For The Oyster Box

OYSTER BOX Hosts Two Big Foodie Events In November

November at The Oyster Box promises to be a ‘foodie frenzy’ for lovers of fine food and wine, when it hosts two top quality guest Chefs from the Cape.  First off Christo Pretorious, Executive Chef at sister hotel, the Twelve Apostles Hotel and Spa in Cape Town, is the guest chef in the Grill Room on 5 November and well-known Chef and author of numerous cookbooks, Marlene van der Westhuizen, will launch her new book, Secrets of a French Cooking Class, with a celebratory dinner in The Pearl Room on 25 November 2014.

Christo’s five-course food and wine paired evening will showcase Cape Malay spices and flavours, using KZN’s local ingredients.  On the Menu, chilled garden pea and mint Soup;  Prawn Dhal creamed cauliflower, cumin yoghurt, pineapple chutney, hydrated sultanas and verjuice and Barn Raised Quail confit leg lollipop, mushroom agnolotti, shallot puree and hazelnuts with coffee sauce.  For mains, Graaf Reinet Blesbok pearl barley, celery root, apple, shimeji mushrooms, cashew nut cream and juniper berry jus; to end Roast Peach  panna cotta, madagascan vanilla, coconut sponge, sour cream and caramelized white chocolate.  The five-course menu is R550 per person.

Marlene van der Westhuizen, divides her time between her home in Greenpoint in Cape Town and Charroux in France where she runs popular cooking classes.  With other popular titles behind her name - Abundance, Delectable and Sumptuous being the best known, her new book takes the reader-cook behind the scenes, for the inner workings of her 50^th cooking class in France.

This is Marlene’s first culinary visit to KZN and diners will get the chance to savour a

five-course menu of dishes from the new book, prepared by Oyster Box Executive Chef, Kevin Joseph and his Team, under Marlene’s watchful eye. The French-inspired menu includes her popular Gruyere & Onion Tart, Roast Beef Fillet with Potato Dauphinoise, haricot vet and creamed leeks and for dessert, Apricot & Almond Gratin.   The cost of the dinner is R 490 per person.  Marlene will introduce her menu and offer commentary throughout the evening about her experiences and food philosophy, as well as sign copies of her new book, which will be available to diners at a special price.

To book or for further information on any of the events at The Oyster Box contact (031) 514 5000 or restaurants@oysterbox.co.za


Gig Guide - Durban 

Critically Acclaimed guitar virtuoso Gary Thomas returns to Durban for
one show only. Having just completed a 6 show run at the Cape Town
Fringe Festival, he is on a short tour of Durban, Pretoria and
Johannesburg.

GARY THOMAS LIVE AT ST CLEMENTS

St Clements Restaurant
191 Musgrave Road, Durban
Fri 24th October
8pm
Door R60
Albums on sale R100 CDs or R200 for all 4 albums Digital Download
Call 031 202 2511 for bookings or email foodsmart@durbs.com


This edition by +Fred Felton

Your Weekend Event Guide Durban

Music

Book Launch

St Clements, Musgrave Road, Durban - Monday 20th October 2014.
6pm.
Call 031-202-2511
Join Pieter Scholtz for the launch of his new book.
There will be drinks, refreshments and readings from the book.


This edition by +Fred Felton

Do you remember Billy Ocean? He's coming to Durban

It's That Time Again

Billy Ocean

The world’s biggest 80’s music festival, 80’s REWIND hits Cape Town, Johannesburg and Durban.

Take a trip down memory lane and join us for a night of neon outfits, scrunchies, denim jackets and big earrings and let’s party like its 1985!

KIA Motors is bringing a selection of your favourite 80’s superstars to a city near you for a ‘one-night only’ music festival.

Coming to Growthpoint Kings Park Stadium in Durban (7 February), 80’s revelers can look forward to a massive lineup including Billy Ocean, Heather Small (from M People), Nik Kershaw, Go West, Wang Chung, Blancmange, and Hazell Dean (in Cape Town and Durban only). The artists will be performing their greatest hits including " African Queen”, “King of Wishful Thinking”, "Wouldn’t it Be Good", “Moving on Up”,  “Living on the Ceiling” and “Everyone Have Fun Tonight” to name but a few.  Hazell Dean is well known for her SA number one hit “They Say it is Going to Rain”.

Returning to South Africa for the third time the 80’s REWIND festival is the world’s biggest 80’s festival with three massive festivals in the UK, as well as events in Thailand and the United Arab Emirates. First held in August 2009 in England, the event’s following has grown massively over the last 5 years and is considered a highlight on the festival circuit.

KIA 80’s Rewind in association with Jacaranda FM, Heart FM, East Coast Radio and VH1 gives you a once in a lifetime opportunity to see your favourite award- winning recording artists performing LIVE on one stage! Between these artists, they have produced massive chart toppers, sold millions of albums worldwide achieving Gold and Platinum Status and won numerous music awards. Billy Ocean is one of Britain’s biggest recording stars ever, having sold over 30 million records. 

Tickets are on sale from Wednesday 8 October  from Computicket www.computicket.com

For more details visit: www.rewindfestival.co.za 

www.facebook.com/80sRewindFestival / 

twitter.com/sarewind

The Tinman Triathlon Is Coming

4^TH TINMAN TRIATHLON: DO YOU HAVE HEART?

From Triathletes-in-the-making, to the serious die-hard kind, the Maxed Elite TINMAN Triathlon is designed for everyone who loves to move. It’s a high-speed, exhilarating race with categories for every one of every fitness level.

Maxed Elite TINMAN Series director, Damian Bradley is excited to welcome Mr Price Sport and the Maxed Elite brand on board with the Series.

"The brand and the event have a massive crossover appeal and we feel that both the Maxed Elite Brand and the TinMan will work well together in developing the sport and attracting new competitors to participate in something different and cool in Durban."

Mr Price Sport Marketing Executive, Nikki Viljoen agrees:

“At Mr Price Sport, our philosophy’s about appealing to every athlete: from the beginners to the pros, each with their own accomplishments and goals. It’s about their best, no matter what that ‘best’ might be.  Not only is the upcoming Maxed Elite TinMan Triathlon the perfect platform for every level of athlete to try beat their best, it’s also ties in with our current ‘What’s Your Best?’ campaign. This is exactly why partnering with TinMan is a perfect fit, and we’re more than excited about being on board!”      

The next Maxed Elite TINMAN takes place on the 16^th of November 2014, with four events taking place on the day. The first of these kicks off at 7am, all with a captivating view of the Indian Ocean along the Durban beachfront. The triathlon sets up camp on the scenic Suncoast Sundeck, with the start and finish line of each event situated on the grass area.

Triathletes from as young as 8 years old can take part in the day’s races – so if you’re a family that loves everything active, this is a perfect way to spend the morning. And for anyone older, today’s the day to ditch the TV, rally your buddies and lace up your racing shoes.

On the day, the swimming phase of each race takes place at Suncoast Beach. The cycle leg takes Triathletes onto the cycling circuit around the Durban Country Club and Kings Park swimming pool. And for each run, racers are treated to the panoramic views of the Indian Ocean, all the way down to Blue Lagoon and back to the Suncoast Sundeck. 

For more information about the Maxed Elite TINMAN, feel free to get in touch through any of these channels:

Online Entry: www.bactiventry.com

Website: www.bactive.com

TinMan Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Tinmantridurban

B-Active Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BActiveSports

Twitter: @tinmantri

Phone: 031 764 1885

(Image - Supplied) 

The Midlands Ultra Triathlon Is Coming

KZN Midlands braces for big Midlands Ultra field

Race date:  30th November 2014 - Midmar Dam

Athlete Gerhard De Bruin - Photo by Anthony Grote

The KZN Midlands is bracing itself for the biggest field the Midlands Ultra Triathlon has had since its inception in 2009 says race director Damian Bradley from B-Active Sports. "Entries from all over Africa and the world have been flooding in since April this year and at this point we have far exceeded our past race entries. The Midlands Ultra, one of Africa's most popular triathlons which takes place on the 30th of November at the beautiful Midmar Dam has an entry cap of 1000 competitors.

On the international stage, our overseas Triathlon field gets stronger each year, with over 35 international athletes already attending the November race coming from Dubai, United Kingdom, Zimbabwe, Spain, United States , Swaziland, Botswana and Germany.

"Past winners of the Ultra include James Cunnama, Kent Horner, Stuart Marias, Donovan Van Gelder, Gerhard De bruin , some of whom have already secured their place on the Ultra starting line. The Event has grown in leaps and bounds over the past 3 years by securing strategic event partnerships. These partnerships have allowed us to focus on giving our Ultra Athletes what they want, One of the best loved triathlons in South Africa" Says Race Director Damian Bradley.

B-Active Sports the organisers of the event, have confirmed a FREE KIDZONE for all the competitors kids to play in while they are racing. The KIDZONE, organised and managed by TOPGEAR promotions who specialise in Kids play areas will provide a safe and secure sign in and out Kids area, where kids will be able to participate in numerous games and activities including: Colouring In Books & Crayons, Swing-ball, Volleyball, Kiddies Pool Table, Soccer Goals, Jumping Castle, Carousel Swings, Mini Trampolines and more. The KIDZONE will open at 6:30am and close after prize giving.

Anyone looking for a quality exciting event, should give the Midlands Ultra or Sprint race a go. The Event can be done in Teams and Individually and there is something for everyone. To book you place at one of SA’s premier Triathlons, go to www.ultratri.co.za

Your Weekend Event Guide Durban - Guitar Music - Food Events - Art Launches - Fashion - Networking

Where To Go This Weekend

For lovers of great guitar music

The conference for those in the aviation industry.
www.aci-africa.aero

The Event For Food Lovers 

Invitation to a walkabout with Cheryl Penn Saturday 11am, KZNSA, 166 Bulwer Road

(Artwork by Steyn Pretorius) 

Invitation to a art exhibition launch - artSPACE durban - Monday 13th October - 6h30pm.

3 Millar Road, Durban. 

Relaunch of KZNSA Gift Shop - Tuesday 14th October 5h30pm.

New artists and designers include Terence Bray, Koop Design, Starbright Girl and more.

A social media evening with some wonderful guest speakers including Emma Sadleir, 

Mike Wronski and many more surprises lined up.

To book: www.socialbythesea.blogspot.com 

This edition by +Fred Felton 

Michael Buble is coming to Durban

He is coming to Durban

The multi-Grammy award winner will be returning to Durban reports East Coast Radio.
He will be performing at the Moses Mabhida Stadium on 17 March 2015.

'I'm very excited to get back on the road and perform for my fans' said Michael.

Some of his big hits include Home, Everything and his latest smash hit It's a Beautiful Day.
He has achieved global sales of 45 million sales.

Tickets go on sale Friday 10 October 2014 at 9am from Big Concerts and Computicket.
FYI: Book Early as his last tour was sold out!

Michael Buble presented by East Coast Radio and M-Net
Another Big Concerts Experience.

This edition by +Fred Felton
(Image - Supplied)

18th Poetry Africa Festival Finale Has A New Venue

18^th POETRY AFRICA FINALE AT RIVERTOWN BEER HALL GALLERY

HHP

Durban: The Centre for Creative Arts (UKZN) is excited to announce a move to a new venue for the 18^th Poetry Africa festival finale. This year, the Rivertown Beerhall Gallery, a satellite of the Durban Art Gallery will play host to a festival programme consisting of workshops, open mic performances, book launches; as well as musical and poetry performances, including the finale performance from South African music veteran Hip Hop Pantsula.

Located in 102 Florence Nzama Street (formerly named Prince Alfred Street) , the Beer Hall was established in the first part of the 20^th century as a means of the Municipality of Durban to monopolize the brewing and selling of beer. This came as a result of the enactment of the Native Beer Act (No 23) of 1908 which allowed the town councils of Natal to be the sole brewers and sellers of sorghum beer. Beer sales and profits were used to finance the establishment of the municipal Affairs Department in 1916 and the system of African control, which became known as the Durban System. The Rivertown Beer Hall served this function until 1968, after which it was rented out to various commercial firms.

The Rivertown Beer Hall Gallery is a key part of the eThekwini Municipality’s on-going inner city regeneration programme. The site was recently activated as a social hub 100 years after its initial opening, as part of XXV International Union of Architects World Congress which took place in August 2014.

The 18^th Poetry Africa is proud to make use of this historical Durban landmark as it evolves into a new and exciting cultural precinct, a development that forms part of the City’s urban renewal project.

 “The eThekwini Municipality supports the growth of cultural precincts in the city as these give not only space for creative expression in the city but move us closer to seeing a city that boasts a creative economy for its Citizens. We are very excited that Poetry Africa will be closing the festival in this neighbourhood.”  said Thembinkosi Ngcobo, Head of Parks, Recreation & Culture at eThekwini Municipality.

The Poetry Africa festival finale programme will begin with the free Creative Writing workshop featuring festival poets Vangi Ganthso and Croc E Moses. This will be followed by open mic and musical performances as well as the launch of three poetry publications – the Uhlanga and Poetry Potion anthologies and the isiZulu poetry book, ‘ Izithunzi zemizwa” by Musa Nhlumayo. The evening programme will kick off with the annual Slam Jam event where Durban slam poets will compete for the title of Poetry Africa Slam champion.  There will then be final performances from Poetry Africa participants before the programme concludes with a performance from award winning South African artist Hip Hop Pantsula (HHP), backed by a full band.

Tickets are available at the door for R80 and through Computicket  at a discounted R70. For more info go to www.cca.ukzn.ac.za or call 031-2602506.

(Source - Centre For The Creative Arts) 

South African Film 'African Gothic' Keeps Winning Awards

African Gothic goes from strength to strength.

(Image courtesy - African Gothic)

It was in 2013 when I saw this film at the Durban International Film Festival.  I was introduced to the cast and crew amongst them the main actor and producer Damon Shalit.

He has just given me some wonderful news about the film.  Since it was shown at DIFF2013 it has achieved the following:

• African Gothic (AG) has played in 7 festivals worldwide
• AG has been nominated 18 times for awards

It has won the following awards:

• Best Film at the Tornoto African Film Festival
• Best Film at the Golden Door International Film Festival presented by Tommy Hilfiger
• Best Screenplay at the Golden Door International Film Festival
• Best Director, Actress (Chella) Best Cinematography and Best Editing at the Golden Door International Film Festival
• Best Actor for Damon Shalit at Salento International Film Festival
• Best Thriller and Best Actress at Houston Wordfest

'Not bad for Diepe Grond' says Damon Shalit. 

Not bad indeed.  

To find out more about this film and distribution deals visit their website:

http://www.africangothic.com/

Article by +Fred Felton 

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• So You Want To Be A Film Actor?

Give joy, give a toy

Give joy, give a toy – East Coast Radio’s Toy Story with Game begins

(Odwa Ndungane (Sharks player) Zaba (ECR Presenter) Francois Kleynhans (Sharks Player) and Sharkie at the launch of East Coast Radio's Toy Story with Game.)  

There’s nothing more heartfelt than a smile that creeps across a child’s face. Few things can compare to the gurgle of excitement and squeal of delight when little fingers touch a new toy for the first time. East Coast Radio’s Toy Story with Game initiative has begun, aimed at giving a new toy to every child in government hospitals, state orphanages and crèches, and children’s homes that rely on government funding. For many of these little ones, these are the first new toys they would own.

Funds donated to the campaign will go towards buying food parcels for child-headed households in KwaZulu-Natal, to help see the children through the December holidays until school re-opens.  For many of these children, a school-sponsored meal is the only guaranteed meal of their day. The food parcels will help them make sure they don’t go hungry during the long end-of-year school break. Each food parcel is valued at R350 and contains items that can feed a family of four to six for around five weeks.

Last year, East Coast Radio’s Toy Story with Game initiative touched enough hearts in KZN to inspire the donation of 43 000 new toys and R1.4 million in cash. 100% of these contributions went towards helping ill and underprivileged children across our province. The toys helped lift spirits and warm little hearts while the money bought 4100 food parcels for child headed households.

Speaking at the launch of the initiative at East Coast Radio this morning (1 October 2014), the station’s general manager, Trish Taylor, says: “Toy Story is a deeply meaningful project for East Coast Radio. With the help of our listeners and key partners, we are able to help the poorest of the poor in our community and make a real difference in their lives. East Coast Radio and Game – our key sponsor, is committed to building a better society for KZN.”

Trish also extended East Coast Radio’s heartfelt thanks and gratitude to the stakeholders who make this key social outreach programme possible: the main sponsor, Game; the official couriers of the campaign, Dawn Wing; Round Table; Rotary and the Department of Health for allowing us to take toys and food parcels to outlying areas of KZN on its Air Mercy Services.

Now in its 14^th year, the initiative is once again calling on the people of KZN to help make a difference; to warm little hearts and help lift spirits – to give joy, give a toy. ECR presenter Zaba, who hosted the launch, described how her first toy, a doll named Sibongile, lit up her life, and was her friend, companion and confidant. To this day, Sibongile still has a space in Zaba’s room. “Giving a new toy to a child who is sick in hospital and who has possibly never owned anything new in his/her life, is a great way  to let them know that somebody still cares about them,” says Zaba.

East Coast Radio’s Toy Story with Game campaign wraps up on 17 December 2014. As has been the tradition over the past years, the campaign will move to Newcastle on 24 October 2014, for a live outside broadcast, giving residents and businesses in Northern KZN the chance to physically donate toys or make donations. The campaign’s Corporate Day Challenge moves to The Pavilion this year. From 6am to 6pm on 21 November 2014, celebrities and personalities will team up with East Coast Radio presenters, to man the telephones as the people of KZN pledge towards the campaign. Last year, the generous residents of our province helped raise more than R1 million during the East Coast Radio Toy Story with Game Corporate Day Challenge.

Game’s Marketing Manager, Elisabeth Ric-Hansen, says “Game is delighted to be part of the East Coast Radio Toy Story campaign for our fourth year running. During this time, we have helped made it possible for 133 000 children across KZN to receive a new toy – and indeed give them joy for Christmas. Game would like to thank East Coast Radio for a successful 4 year partnership as well as our Game team across stores and in the offices in KZN. We hope this year will be the biggest year of giving toys for joy across KZN.”

You can help by donating a new toy or making a cash donation at selected Game stores or at East Coast Radio’s HQ in Umhlanga. Cash donations can also be made online at www.ecr.co.za.