The spring season of the KwaZulu-Natal Philharmonic Orchestra’s World Symphony Series is in full swing.
? Is’cathamiya (loosely translated as “move like a cat”) was born in the mine hostels where draconian regulations meant noise had to be kept to a minimum and the men improvised a stealth form of dance they could practice without fear of reprisals. This weekend the Playhouse hosts its 14th annual Is’cathamiya Competition, an all-night, non-stop, 12-hour marathon featuring 174 groups from KwaZulu-Natal, Gauteng and the Eastern Cape.
Playhouse Opera, Saturday September 24, 6pm to 6am. Tickets are R65 from Computicket. Tel: 031 369 9540. Visit: www.playhousecompany.com.
? Ireland’s celebrated piano-led ensemble, the Fidelio Trio, are on a spring tour of South Africa, which kicks off in KwaZulu-Natal this weekend. Comprised of Mary Dullea (piano), Darragh Morgan (violin) and Robin Michael (cello), the trio promotes the work of contemporary composers from Ireland and South Africa. On this tour they will perform music by Irish composers Donnacha Dennehy and Micheal O Suilleabhain, Irish/South African composer Kevin Volans and South Africans Mokale Koapeng and Michael Blake, and the world premiere of a new work by Robert Fokkens.
Howard College, UKZN, Tuesday September 27, 7.30pm; Tatham Art Gallery, Wednesday September 28, noon; 25 Montgomery Drive, Pietermaritzburg, 7pm. Visit: www.fideliotrio.com.
?The spring season of the KwaZulu-Natal Philharmonic Orchestra’s World Symphony Series is in full swing and this week’s concert is the highly anticipated annual National Youth Concerto Festival. The event is the culmination of an extensive nationwide search for the country’s most promising young classical musicians. The winners of the regional auditions will perform a concerto movement, aria or concert piece with the full orchestra under the baton of Lykele Temmingh behind them.
Durban City Hall, Thursday September 29, 7.30pm. Individual and season tickets available from Computicket. Tel: 031 369 9404. Visit: www.kznpo.co.za.