Celebrate Durban - Halala eThekwini 2009
Heritage month – time for the eighth annual Celebrate Durban events showcase which features 40 plus eclectic participative events which are on offer this year during September in recognition of heritage / tourism month. The season once more sees a comprehensive calendar with a clever mix of social, family, heritage, sports, arts, culture, health, environmental and spiritual events to celebrate our city’s cultural diversity.
Among the many highlights of the season is the anchor event: MMINO MusicMix “A Boundless Experience” to be held on 24 - 25 September in the ICC Arena. This musical extravaganza features Johnny Clegg, Zimbabwe’s Oliver Mtukudzi, Hugh Masekela, Thandiswa Mazwai, Ladysmith Black Mambazo and Ray Phiri. Musicians from nine SADC countries and Etran Finatawa (Niger) will collaborate with the MMINO Boundless All Star Band led by Neill Solomon to symbolically break down musical barriers and create music without frontiers. The festival includes free workshops.
The MusicMix festival marks the culmination of a four month Boundless Southern Africa Expedition, led by National Geographic explorer Kingsley Holgate to raise awareness of the nine SADC countries and transfrontier parks. An exhibition which showcases the nature, culture and communities encountered on their journey, will be held in the ICC foyer and includes a talk ‘around the camp fire’ with Holgate, beautiful photographs and video footage. The event also includes free workshops and Kingsley Holgate’s Boundless exhibition in the ICC Foyer. More info can be found www.musexchange.co.za.
Another key component of the season is the Heritage Arts Festival – an exciting ambitious festival of 23 art themed events which will be held throughout Heritage month of September primarily at the Kizo Art Gallery and the Gateway Theatre of Shopping. The Heritage Awards is one of the major events of the annual Heritage Arts Festival line up, which takes place at the ICC on 19 September. A major exhibition will be held at Kizo Art Gallery throughout the season, opening on 1 September and curated by resident Kizo curator Nathi Gumede. Entitled A Known Heritage it celebrates the region’s rich multicultural heritage.
The season sees favourites like the annual Coca-Cola Bunny Chow Barometer; the Flavours of Durban Sister Cities Cuisine Festival and the Independent on Saturday Design Durban’s Drink. There will be dance events (Vodacom Yebo Millionaires Ballroom and Latin American Dance Championships and Phansi Phezulu Dance Fest); theatre (What’s Funny in SA?; Freedom Valley and Red Eye: Ready?); literature (Creative Writing and Story Telling and Dancing Pencils Book Fest); fashion and beauty (Miss eThekwini and Durban Young Designers Fashion Extravaganza); sports (Celebrate Durban Ward Based Sports programme and MTN Coast to Coast Cycle Challenge); heritage (Living Legends Awards; Out of Step: ECC 25th Anniversary Commemorations; the Heritage Awards; Back To Africa; Heritage Day event for traditional healers and Separate is Not Equal exhibition)
Of course there will be festivals within festivals (Glenwood Community Festival; Shared Histories: The Indian Experience in SA; Healthy Lifestyle Expo; the Float Street Parade and Durban Blue Lagoon Indian Ocean Festival) and much music (KZN Music Imbizo; MMINO MusicMix “A Boundless Experience”; Emerging Sounds of Durban Festival; Isicathamiya Festival; Cell C Durban Music School Street Festival; Cardinal’s Concert; Renee Fleming in Concert; KZNPO Spring Season; SATMA Awards 2008 and Durban International Blues Festival).
A major component of the season is the eleventh SMME fair which takes place at the Durban Exhibition Centre provides a platform for small businesses to create linkages and networks with each other and with big businesses and service providers. Interspersed with the events will be a strong presence from the Clowns Without Borders.
DURBAN has once again put together a diverse, engaging and participative programme for September to which city residents and visitors are warmly invited to share.
Contacts:
For more information, contact the Department of International and Governance Relations in the eThekwini Municipality on tel 031 311 2104, or for the whole season visit www.durbanexperience.co.za
Related Links:
To book your accommodation for Heritage Month visit Durban Hotels or, if you prefer to stay at a Bed & Breakfast, Guest house or Self catering option see Durban Accommodation for hundreds of options.
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