Pencil these events into your diary right now!
July 1
Adrenaline will be flowing among the massive crowd expected at this year’s Hollywoodbets Durban July, for the running of the R5 million, Grade 1. Punters, fans, fashionistas and designers from around the country will join in on all the fun, fashion and entertainment taking place at Greyville Racecourse from 11am. General entrance tickets cost R230 and are available at Ticketpro or from SPAR Payzone Kiosks. Details: ticketpros.co.za
Family fun
We are massive fans of mind-boggling stuff and escape rooms. So, imagine our excitement when we stumbled upon a new space in Kloof called Lost in Time! The setup is in the form of a tasteful café (a great venue to for birthday parties, team building and private functions) that serves a delicious cappuccino, a few quirky themed light meals, and offers a range of mind-boggling puzzles and games to enjoy for the whole family. Two of the venue’s main attractions are the Mirror Maze – the first of its kind in South Africa – and the Mystery Cabin, an escape room with a gravity-defying twist. It’s totally confusing, challenging and fun! Located in Kloof Village Mall, we dare you to see if you can unlock the cabin and escape in 45 minutes. Lost in Time is open Sundays, Wednesday and Thursdays from 8.30am to 5pm, Tuesdays from 8am until 12pm and Fridays, Saturdays and public holidays from 8.30am to 8pm. Tickets for The Mystery Cabin are R125 each, and R75 for the Mirror Maze. Details: lostintime.co.za
July 29
Looking for a new way to get together and make new friends? Learn to dance under the stars with Pa Mi Corazon Dance Studio, who’re offering Latin Nights at the Neighbourhood Café and Bar in La Lucia, on the last Saturday of every month. You’ll get the chance to learn Salsa, Bachata, Merengue or Kizomba – all of which are awesome dance styles that’ll get you moving, but also destressing and having fun in this beautiful and warm atmosphere. Dance classes start at 5.30pm sharp, and finish at 8.30pm. There’s a cover charge of R150 each for the class being taught on the evening, with free social dancing thereafter. Dinner walk-ins welcome too. No ticket is needed to watch! Details: To book contact 083 376 0283 or e-mail [email protected]
July 1 to 9
If you’re hunting for ways to transform your home and gain valuable insight from industry experts, visit the East Cast Radio House and Garden Show at the Durban Exhibition Centre. You’ll have the opportunity to experience the 2 Palettes, 2 Rooms activation, where talented Durban-based designers will conceptualise the rooms using their expertise to create a visually appealing and contemporary atmosphere, showcasing the latest Summer and Winter colour stories. Returning favourites include the Melissa & Doug Play Space, providing hours of interactive entertainment for children, the Home Grown Design Fair, where show-goers can immerse themselves in a captivating shopping haven, the much-loved Foodie Fair, and The Property Pavilion – offering insights from property experts and thought leaders on the latest trends in the property space, from landscaping, finance and interior design industries. Visitors can also look forward to an interactive experience with Plascon’s experts to inspire them on how to transform spaces stylishly and sustainably. Doors open Monday to Saturday from 10am to 9pm and on Sunday from 10am to 8pm. Details: housegardenshow.co.za
July 3 to 5 and 10 to 12
Young aspiring models … don’t miss Roberta Alessandri’s Holiday Model Workshop for girls aged between 11 and 18. The workshop is designed to help promote self-esteem and confidence, and to teach aspiring young models the art of beautiful posture, ramp modelling, make up looks, fashion, style and public speaking. It also includes a photoshoot. For moms of those attending the workshop, there’s a fabulous prize up for grabs … a R2300 gift from Daniyel Berry of Style Me Image Consulting and Mii Cosmetics, a makeover by Tammy Pienaar of PRO Make-up Durban, and a photo shoot with Jon Ivins worth R3500. The workshop will be held in Durban North from July 3 to 5 and Westville from July 10 to 12 (venues to be announced) from 9am to 1pm daily. The cost is R1300 per entrant. Details: To book, contact 062 767 4992.
Walk through history
If you’re fascinated by history, you’ll appreciate everything that the ‘’Seeing Auschwitz’’ exhibition offers. Created by Musealia with the Auschwitz-Birkenau State Museum, in collab with the UN and UNESCO, the exhibition invites visitors to reflect on the horrors of Nazi Germany. Scarce photographic evidence of the surviving camp, as well as the process of construction of the collective memory of Auschwitz, and other contemporary genocides, have been used to confront visitors with the unsettling and stark evidence of mass murder, and the humanity of the people who died there. With more than 100 images, snapshots of the extermination process, scenes of everyday life in Auschwitz, and audio-visual testimonies of survivors, the exhibition paints a heart-breaking piece of history. It runs until August 20, at the Durban Holocaust & Genocide Centre. Entry is free. Details: Book via dbnholocaust.co.za/seeingauschwitz
July 22
Back by popular demand, Darren Maule & Friends returns to the stage for another round of comedy, featuring a line-up of epic proportions. Joining Darren at The Globe at Suncoast are Mpho Popps, Mark Banks, Sifiso Nene, Mo Vawda and Joey Rasdien. With a little something for everyone, and brought to you by Blu Blood in association with East Coast Radio, this is a show not to be missed. Tickets are available at Ticketpro. Details: ticketpros.co.za
July 23
Music-lovers are invited to an intimate Winter afternoon concert in the company of the Durban City Orchestra (DCO), as they perform a magnificent programme of Classical pieces at St Agnes Church in Kloof. The orchestra includes two accomplished professional musicians in Charl van der Merwe as resident conductor, and Jitske Brien as concert master. The programme features Finlandia by Sibelius; Schubert’s unfinished symphony (No 7) and Fantaisie brillante sur ‘Carmen’ for flute by Francois Borne. Details: The concert takes place at 2.30pm and tickets (R150 for adults and R120 for pensioners and students) are available at Quicket outlets and at the door.
