Pencil these events into your diary right now!
December 1-30
Which decade rocked your world the most? Nineties vs. Noughties is a show you do not want to miss, whether for a date night or year-end function. This popular song rollercoaster, with a skilled ten-piece cast that resurrects pop and rock icons, will take audiences on an exhilarating ride through the best music of the 1990s and 2000s … from Santana and Def Leppard to Lady Gaga and more, it’s at The Barnyard Theatre at Suncoast until December 30. Shows are Tuesdays to Saturdays at 7pm and Sundays at 2pm. Tickets are priced from R150 to R195. Details: www.barnyardtheatre.co.za
December 2
Home grown comedian Kevin Fraser trail-blazes a path of absurd comedy, hilarious satire and forward thinking connectivity in his newest show, Minister Of Entertainment. The now-international comic, who describes himself as a wild South African who just needs a stage, music and a microphone, and is still trying to understand it all himself, pokes fun at life from the comedy shelf at The Globe at Suncoast on December 2. Show starts at 8pm and tickets are R250. Details: www.kevinfraserofficial.com
December 3
Celebrating music and India’s young singing prodigies in all its glory, Sony TV’s kids singing reality show Superstar Singer 2 winner Mohammad Faiz and finalists Sayisha Gupta and Rituraj will perform to excited local crowds. Accompanied by Indian Idols 12 Winner Pawandeep Rajan, finalist Sayli Kamble and musicians from India, the show promises an evening of unforgettable entertainment at The Globe at Suncoast on Saturday, December 3 at 8pm. Tickets start from R300. Available at TicketPro or Spar stores. Details: Ticketpros.co.za
December 9
Featuring eight South African comedians, The Great Big SA Indian Comedy Show will have you rolling in the aisles with its brilliant line-up of stand-up and sketch comedy, music and dance. The line-up includes Sans Moonsamy, Matthew Govender, Logie Naidoo, Bash with Tash, Koobeshan Naidoo and Henry Ramkissoon – big names, big laughs and a big night out. A highlight is Mariam Bassa – affectionately known as ‘AYA’ from the Kandasamy’s – who has something special in store. Brought to you by SandMan Productions and Enzine Events, it comes to The Globe at Suncoast on December 9 at 8pm. Tickets are priced from R150. Details: Ticketpros.co.za
December 27 and 28
Hot on the heels of her successful season in Joburg, Belinda Davids is back to bring The Greatest Love of All to Durban. A phenomenal vocalist and fierce South African woman, she’s wowed fans across the world with her tribute show to the late, great songstress Whitney Houston. Two nights of glitz and glamour that’ll see her take fans on a two-hour journey of nostalgia featuring some of Whitney’s greatest hits. Accompanied by a live band, backing vocalists, sound, lighting and theatrical effects, this is a beautifully crafted tribute to one of the world’s most revered singers. Don’t miss it at The Globe at Suncoast on December 27 and 28 at 8pm. Tickets are priced from R160. Details: ticketpros.co.za
December10 SA’s cultural icon Mbongeni Ngema is sure to pull out all the stops when he appears in concert at The Playhouse this month! Mbongeni Ngema in Concert is a nostalgic return of the icon to South Africa after 40 years of globe-trotting and wooing audiences around the world with his gigantic theatrical productions like Woza Albert, Township Fever, Asinamali and Sarafina. Mbongeni will perform the best of his best accompanied by a 30-strong cast of musicians, singers and dancers. There’s one performance only, on December 10 at 3pm, so don’t miss it! Tickets are R100 through Web Tickets. Details: www.webtickets.co.za
December 11-18
Don’t miss Clansthal Conservancy’s December Seasonal Craft Markets. Visitors can enjoy a relaxing Sunday in a beautiful garden with magnificent sea views, while browsing more than 40 stalls offering a range of crafts, clothing, décor and food. There will be live music, making the experience that much more enjoyable, so get there early for breakfast and stay for lunch. The markets take place from 9am to 2pm on Sundays December 11 and 18 at the delightful home of Keith and Liz Cunningham, 111 Pig & Whistle Drive, Clansthal. All funds raised will be used to support conservancy initiatives that are focussed on the environmental aspects or needs of the area. Details: Contact Liz on [email protected] or 083 556 8108.
December 22 and 23
A cast of 16 Nateshwar dancers and two percussionists joins forces with Kathak artist, Manesh Maharaj, stage icon Jailoshini Naidoo and Epic Entertainment’s Rakesh Maharaj to bring audiences an evening of dazzling dance performances merged with genial wit that is the Eastern Dance and Comedy Explosion. This fun-filled and colourful production, themed around Christmas, will be staged at The Playhouse on December 22 at 6.30pm and December 23 at 2.30pm. Book through Web Tickets. Details: www.webtickets.co.za
December 18-22
Fresh from the Edinburgh Fringe Festival and touring cruise ships around the world, award-winning performer and internationally-recognised rising star in the art of magic and illusion Brendon Peel brings his mind-blowing magic to Durban. His show, Impossible, that is filled with delightful deceptions, fantastic illusions and mind-boggling mentalism comes to the Bellézar in Umhlanga from December 18 to 22. Shows are at 6pm daily and tickets are R250 an adult and R150 for children under 12. Details: www.bellezar.co.za
December 21-24
Fans of Michael Jackson shouldn’t miss Showtime Australia’s spectacular musical tribute honouring the King of Pop. A cast of international musicians and dancers, led by impersonator Dantanio, who is electrifying in his role as Michael Jackson will perform some of Michael Jackson’s biggest hits in this mind-blowing stage production featuring a live band, authentic costumes, visual effects and more. The Michael Jackson History Show runs at The Globe at Suncoast from December 21 to 24 at 8pm. Tickets are priced from R150 and available at TicketPro. Details: Ticketpros.co.za
December 22- January 1
Party season is right around the corner and Ballito BIG Week is set to heat up the KZN North Coast over the holidays. From December 22 to January 1, locals and holidaymakers can choose from an incredible mix of events, music and line-ups designed to cater to everyone in Mzansi’s eclectic music scene … think Black Coffee, Die Heuwels Fantasties, Mango Groove, Zakes Bantwini, Goodluck, Timo ODV, Springbok Nude Girls, Wonderboom, Mafikizolo, Rubber Duc, Ladysmith Black Mambazo and more. Presented by Savanna Premium Cider and Vodacom 4U, Ballito BIG Week will take place at the Ballito Cane Fields (D173 Esenembi Rd, Dolphin Coast, 4399) between 5pm and 2am unless otherwise specified. Details: Book your tickets or get a full season pass at bbw.howler.co.za
December 22-23 Fresh from a triumphant season in Cape Town where it met with standing ovations, It’s Beautiful at The Ballet is set to take the Durban stage by storm. This exciting collaboration of dance comes to The Playhouse, accompanied live by the KZN Philharmonic Orchestra, and features a selection of short pieces by leading SA choreographers, Veronica Paeper, Sean Bovim, Adele Blank and Dane Hurst, curated as a mixed programme of wow-factor ballet entertainment. There are three performances: on December 22 at 2pm and 6pm and on December 23 at 3pm. Tickets are priced from R100 to R150 and available at Web Tickets. Details: www.webtickets.co.za
