Alex Sudheim
330, 330 Point Road. The hardest, fastest club in the country continues to prove that it still has what it takes to push the pleasure buttons of Durban’s hardcore party freaks and seduce every hedonist in town on a Saturday night. Since it opened in 1988, Durban’s first and perennially foremost rave repository has hosted the leading lights of the dance world, has been rated as one of the top 10 in the world, has opened a sister establishment in London and continues to play the hardest house on the biggest rigs for the most unrepentant members of the dance fraternity. Website:www.330.co.za.
Balmoral hotel, 125 Marine Parade. The Balmoral offers ballroom and Latin-American dance enthusiasts a fine night of wining, dining and dancing every Saturday night. Live band the Belltones George Mari (trumpet and keys), Sykes Maheeph (lead guitar) and Trevor Thumbadoo (bass) perform swaying, rhythmic dance numbers including cha-cha, rumba, samba, mambo, bossa nova and even vastrap. It costs R140 a couple, which includes a halaal buffet meal. Vegetarians are catered for. There are also giveaways and prizes. Tel: 368 5940.
Bargo, 15 Mitchell Crescent, Greyville racecourse. Svelte nightclub nymph Bargo indulges in its schoolgirl and schoolboy fetish this weekend when it hosts one of its popular School Disco Reunion parties. Since the staunch discipline of South African high schools instils in everyone the desire to do very, very bad things in their uniforms, now’s your big chance. And if you’re a very naughty boy or girl you might just earn yourself a spanking. The party takes place on Saturday May 4 at 9pm with tickets R40 or R20 for those who dare to step back into the classroom duds. For something different, head to Bargo on Thursday May 9 for the launch of Lifestyles, a new and all-encompassing leisure event that caters to the discerning hedonist with a range of exclusive services and products under one roof. A designer hair boutique, Tangu Records, Vintage Clothing and a cocktail and coffee bar are just some of the attractions, so make an appointment with resident hair stylist Sean, check out the ritzy clothes and vinyl upstairs, get the cut you want and then relax under the gazebo while you listen to chilled tunes with a creamy mocha java in your hands. The launch commence at 5.30pm when Durban’s style meisters will be treated to cocktails, snacks and the sweet sounds of Caf del Mar while local graffiti artists impress with their tagging skills. Tel: 083 327 7418. And next week, for the more libidinous ladies, those rippling, oil-slicked studs the Chippendales will be strutting their stuff on the Bargo stage on Friday May 10 from 8pm. Tickets are R20. Tel: 309 6066.
Bat Deck, Bat Centre, Durban harbour. Still spicing up the tail-end of the summer on the ocean’s edge is the Bat Centre, whose scenic deck sports live outdoor jazz every Friday evening from 6pm to 8pm. Maintaining the cool groove to beat the heat, the Jazz on the Deck series has expanded to include live jazz every Sunday afternoon from 3pm to 5pm. On both occasions entrance, views, vibe and music are free of charge. More info:Tel: 332 0451. Every Tuesday night you can join rhythm-meister Richard Ellis for his weekly drumming circle, which takes place from 7.30pm to 9.30pm. Entrance is R10. Tel: 332 2261/083 412 9746.
Botanical Gardens, Corner Sydenham and Botanic Gardens roads. To celebrate Durban newspaper the Mercury’s 150th anniversary this month, the KwaZulu-Natal Philharmonic Orchestra on Sunday May 5 presents a special programme of light classics and evergreens in the tranquil surrounds of the Botanical Gardens in a performance of its highly popular Nedbank Music at the Lake Series. Performing under the baton of Lyk Temmingh, the orchestra will perform a programme of fun items including Strauss’s Morning Papers and Jockey Polka, Leroy Anderson’s The Typewriter, Sousa’s Washington Post, Eric Coates’s Calling All Workers, a selection from My Fair Lady, Ponchielli’s Dance of the Hours from La Gioconda, and Rimsky-Korsakov’s Flight of the Bumble Bee, among other favourites. Also appearing will be the Kearsney College Choir, who will sing an African medley as well as other crowd-pleasers such as Stand by Me and a selection entitled Concert Celebration by Andrew Lloyd Webber. So pack a picnic hamper, round up family and friends and join the fun at this event. Proceedings kick off at around 3pm. Tickets are R35 (adults), R20 (pensioners, students and children) and R15 (Friends of the Botanic Gardens). Admission for children under 12 is free.
Burn, corner of Clark and Umbilo roads. The fire in the loins of Durban’s demi-monde of alternative culture continues to blister the scene with an appetising mixture of the hard and the happening. On Friday May 3 the first three entrants of the KwaZulu-Natal leg of the RP Studios Emerging Sounds Competition go head-to-head while in Burn sibling Darkside/Lightside DJ Jan launches his weekly Retro set. On Saturday May 4 Pietermaritzburg nu-metal merchants Phatlip do the usual.Rock band Fruit Fly Navigators show their kinder, gentler sides with an unplugged gig at the Durban Folk Club on Monday May 6. On Wednesday May 8 Burn celebrates its second birthday with a monster superhero party where patrons are encouraged to come dressed as their favourite fantasy figure. Tel: 201 0076.
Centre for Jazz and Popular Music, University of Natal, Durban. This inspired initiative hosts up-and-coming jazz talent every Wednesday evening. It’s a relaxed, informal setting with cheap entrance, cheap drinks and great live music. On Wednesday May 8 catch a performance by Lebohang Mothabeng and Friends. The music starts at 5.15pm and entrance is R5. To get there, travel along South Ridge Road, turn right into Queen Elizabeth Avenue and take the first left into 75th Anniversary Avenue until you come to traffic circle. The centre is on your left. Tel: 260 3385.
Durban Jewish Club, Old Fort Road. Dynamic Durban classical music initiative Friends of Music has scored another coup with its next recital here on Tuesday May 7, when it hosts distinguished Armenian cellist Suren Bagratuni. Winner of the silver medal at the 1986 prestigious Tchaikovsky Competition while still a student at the Moscow Conservatory, Bagratuni has performed to enthusiastic praise throughout the former Soviet Union, Europe and the United States. He began performing at the age of 10 and by 14 had appeared as a concerto soloist. In the US he was awarded the artist diploma of the New England Conservatory of Music and has performed with all the major orchestras in the former Soviet Union and further afield in Europe. Bagratuni has also won critical acclaim for his various CD releases featuring a repertoire including works by Prokoviev, Shostakovich, Debussy, Rachmaninov, Stravinsky, Beethoven, Brahms and Tchaikovsky. In addition to his solo activities, he is a member of the famed Nobilis Trio and professor of cello at Michigan State University in East Lansing. The concert takes place at this fine venue from 7.45 pm and a cash bar is available. Thanks to funding from the National Lottery Distribution Trust Fund, Bagratuni’s performance is preceded by a brief appearance by this month’s protg in the Prelude Performer series, young trumpet player Mathenjwa Machi. Book at Computicket.
Frequency, 249 Gale Street. Now open every Tuesday night for serious mid-week fun, the revamped dance venue features top local DJs playing the right kind of electronica. On a clear night you can unwind to chilled tunes under the stars on the open-air rooftop bar and dance floor. On Tuesday May 7 anthem-rock outfits Wax Lyrical and Super Nova perform. Entrance is R10. Website:www.clubfrequency. co.za. Tel: 082 795 6686.
Fuze, corner of Musgrave and St Thomas roads. For those for whom a good cocktail cannot go unaccompanied by a good tune comes a fresh series of laid-back sundowner events at this stylish new locale. Entitled Caf del Soul, the soires take place every Friday evening and are described as “an exploration of ambient and chilled beats”. DJs from across the musical spectrum will spin through a selection of tracks inspired by the classic Caf del Mar series of compilations. Manning the wheels of steel will be DJ SomeOne (THC), DJ Rawkiss (Digital Justice) and The Kidd (RetroFunk). All are well-versed in the art of dance music, this event providing them room to experiment with down-tempo grooves and chilled beats. For a suave celebration of glam lounging, cigars, lethal cocktails and a dash of caf society, look no further. Cocktails are on special at R12 and the evenings kick off at 5pm.
Georgi’s, Kloof. This popular restaurant and jazz venue in Durban’s plush western suburbs gears up for another evening of fine live music on Friday May 10 when eminent Durban jazz guitarist Gerald Sloane provides patrons with quality musical fare. The veteran musician has played all around South Africa and Australia, playing jazz standards and his own unique jazz compositions, and performing in the band Five High for many years before forming his current outfit, No Strings Attached. Sloane recently won the prestigious Sheer Sound/Yamaha/Kaya FM 2002 guitar competition, which was for the best solo jazz guitar composition in South Africa. Sloane is joined by bassist Monks Legett for the evening here. The show starts at 7.30pm and tickets are R85, which includes a toothsome three-course meal.Early booking is advisable. Tel: 764 6244.
Howard College Theatre, University of Natal, Durban. The University’s School of Music this week lays on two more free lunch-hour concerts in this acoustically superior venue. On Monday May 6 Claude Bolling’s Picnic Suite for Guitar is performed by an ensemble consisting of Leandros Stavrou (guitar), Theo Venter (flute), Anne Duthie (piano), Christie Swanepoel (double bass) and Mike Mazzoni (drums). On Wednesday May 8 a programme of African music and dance features Zama Mchunu, Thulani Khalala and Duduzile Zondi. Both concerts are at 12.15pm and entrance is free. Tel: 260 3353.
The Jam, Backline, Margate. Getting back into a harder groove of solid rock, on Sunday May 5 The Jam hosts a rejuvenated Squeal, erstwhile occupants of the top of the South African music heap. A few years ago Squeal briefly ruled the roost with their hit single Runners and album Long Pig before temporarily fading into the ether. However, Dave Birch and company are back on the scene in their original incarnation as a lean, mean three-piece with stripped-down rock stylings and a clutch of new songs to kickstart their resurgence. Tickets are R20 and doors open at 7.30pm. E-mail: avante@venturenet. co.za. Tel: 082 494 0350.
King Prawn, Port Shepstone. Overlooking the sea that washes up against this tranquil South Coast hamlet is this fine restaurant/bar/ live music venue, which has undergone an impressive facelift and has enlisted South Africa’s top blues guitarist, Larry Amos, to spice up the musical proceedings here on a regular basis. The focus of the King Prawn is great music in a comfortable environment, cold drinks and good food. Live music is provided every Friday evening by a wide spectrum of local artistes. Braai packs are available for those who want to slap something on the coals. Tel: (039) 682 3208/ 083 266 7953.
The Mixer, Shotblast Shed, Point Waterfront. The Mixer lays on a stylish mix of fine dining, ravishing cocktails, tasty cigars and top-notch DJ action on the dance floor while combining the last word in luxury with a balmy harbour-front atmosphere. On Friday May 3 the lusty ladies of Durban can catch the muscle-pumpin’, meat-packin’ Coverboyz, who strut their bulbous bods from 8pm. On Saturday May 4 DJ Vijen keeps the dance floor on fire. The fairer sex can let their hair down every Tuesday when women dining with women enjoy main course items for R25 and East Coast Radio DJ Damon Beard and DJ Charles provide upbeat entertainment. Website:www.shotblast.co.za. Tel: 332 1086/7.
Rivets, Durban Hilton. Every Wednesday evening rock’n’roll/ blues party band Jo-Jo’s cover the spectrum from progressive jazz and blues to good old rock’n’roll from 5.30pm. The ritzy bar/bistro of Durban’s Hilton hotel continues to enjoy a reputation as Durban’s top live-jazz venue thanks to the success of the Johnnie Walker/Rivets Jazz Season, which provides quality live jazz every Thursday evening. The concerts are free. On Thursday May 9 check out the new-wave jazz stylings of the Neil Gonsalves Quartet featuring the gifted Gonsalves on piano. One of Durban’s most respected musicians, Gonsalves further continues his journeys into deep-fusion territory, taking up from where he left off in his previous incarnation, popular jazz band Tonk. Tel: 082 892 6176/336 8204.
Zack’s, Musgrave Centre. This hip eatery provides fine fare for the ear as well as the palate with two live jazz events weekly to seduce diners on the breezy balcony. On Sunday May 5 catch the ever-popular Lounge Act in action. The jazz/swing/soul quartet features honey-voiced diva Carol Trench backed by Evan Roberts, Trish Bailey and Gerald Kerdachi. On Wednesday May 8 husky troubadour Richard Walne entertains with smoky jazz and blues featuring himself on vocals and guitar and Logan Byrne on double bass. On both days the music starts in the early afternoons and booking is recommended due to the events’ popularity. Enjoy some juicy morsels from Zack’s new menu while savouring the musical delights on offer. Tel: 201 4768/ 082 873 1481.
Gig of the week
Armenian cellist Suren Bagratuni performs at theDurban Jewish Club on Tuesday May 7.See listing for more information