Durban is the place to be come Christmas weekend as the city will be abuzz with celebrities, socialites and musicians. From gospel to jazz, house, rock ’n’ roll, kwaito, hip hop and R&B, a feast of entertainment has been planned.
lOn Christmas Eve a line-up of local jazz and gospel stars, including award-winning Swazi Dlamini and her husband, violinist and music director Tshepo Mngoma, will take to the City Hall stage at the Carols of Hope concert.
Also on the line-up will be Sifaniso, Brenda Mtambo and the Mdletshe Brothers and Tswi, who’s making waves with his Pure Jesus Poetry album.
The concert will offer a mixture of a cappella, jazz, gospel and classical flavours and will feature young and old dancers. The event also marks a comeback for the Mdletshe Brothers.
The show will feature mainly Christmas carols, but each artist will also do a song from their own repertoire. Starts at 6pm. Tickets: R80 at Computicket.
lMusic sensation Zahara will be at the Amstel Golden Hour during the MTN Durban Jazz Festival at Hazelmere Dam on Monday. She will perform with a mini-philharmonic orchestra featuring the legendary Tsepo Tsola and Afrika Mkhize.
You can pack a picnic basket and camping chairs, bring the family and listen to sizzling SA music.
Zahara collected three gongs at the Metro FM Music Awards and will rock the crowd with her famous tracks Loliwe, Umthwalo Wami and Le Ngoma.
The MTN Durban Jazz Festival’s line-up will include Hugh Masekela, Caiphus Semenya, Lira, Thandiswa Mazwai, Judith Sephuma, Zakes Bantwini, Teargas, Head Over Heels and Malini.
On the vinyls will be DJ Bongz, Muntu and Mlisa.
Starts at 10am.Tickets: R200 to R250 at Computicket.
Raffles Complex at Umhlanga Rocks has a huge line-up of musicians and celebrities who will perform on Christmas Day.
The event, the 14th annual Durban Underground, will feature a host of hip hop musos alongside MCs Bonang Matheba and Minnie Dlamini of SABC1’s Live.
The hip hop line-up will include Metro Award winner AKA, Kuli Chana, Pro Kid, Zakwe, Dot Com, C-Live, T-Bo Touch, Spectacula, Abbu, Mario and Teabag.
On the kwaito deck expect Big Nuz, Fistaz Mixwell, Durban’s Finest, King Deetoy, Sndara, Cndo, Bongz, Twitty, Websta, Deelou, Masiya, Deep and Khamza.
Tickets: R150, R300 VIP. Call 076 108 1393 or 072 132 4321.
lKykNET Idols winner Dewald Louw, will play with Nick and Travis, and DJ Spike, at Wet ’n’ Wild at uShaka Marine World.
Louw was kykNET’s first Idols winner and his debut album, In jou oë, was recorded with Sony Music. His second album, Ek en Jy, received an SA Music Award nomination.
Louw’s show runs from Monday to December 31, with daily performances from 11am to 5pm. Call 031 328 8000.
lElvis Presley impersonator Nathan Belt will rock the city with a blast from the past by bringing the look, the moves, and, most importantly, the voice of The King to Sibaya Casino and Entertainment Kingdom’s iZulu Theatre. Showtime Australia presents Elvis the Show on Tuesday at 8pm. Tickets: R220 through Computicket. Call 031 580 5555.
lBack by popular demand, The Blarney Brothers, Durban’s acclaimed Irish group, return to The Riverside Hotel in Durban North for three festive performances today, tomorrow and Friday.
They will perform in the venue’s new pool deck marquee between 7pm and 10pm. Doors open at 6pm. R80 for adults, kids R40. Call 031 563 0600.
lShannon Hope will promote her much-anticipated second album, Fight a New Day, with a three-night run at the Catalina Theatre, from Thursday to Saturday, showcasing her repertoire in this ideal setting.
The artist received the 2011 Standard Bank Ovation Award for her performances at the National Arts Festival in Grahamstown. Starts at 8pm. R65. Call 031 305 6889.
Other highlights this weekend include:
lOn Monday, aKING are set to rock Unit 11, 190 Stamford Hill Road (next to the Lizzard building there is an alleyway, at the end of that). Starts at 8pm. In support are Gangs of Ballet. R60. Call 082 774 6528.
lOn Wednesday, catch Summer Bliss at Cube, 24 Meridian Drive (opposite Honda Motorcycles), New Town Centre, Umhlanga, where DJs will perform until the early hours. Call 076 980 6249.
lOn Thursday, Gary Thomas will make his way to the Rock Bottom Pub, Lot 60, Station Road, Umzumbe, on the South Coast, for a Christmas show of guitar-driven music.
Starts at 7pm. R30. Call 071 114 8503.