NEWS

MINIATURE LIFE

If you're interested in everyday life in miniature, pop along to the Westville Civic Centre on 19 July between 09h00 and 17h00 for the 7th South African Model Railway Convention.

This is an exhibition of models such as cars, boats and helicopters with the main emphasis on trains. This includes opera-ting layouts in various gauges and scales, the creation of 3-D model scenery - sometimes military diorama (the recreation of a scene in miniature), houses and lead soldiers.

"It's really the artistic creation of life in miniature - not just trains," says Frank Graham, well-known award-winning actor and comedian who is hooked on model trains as a hobby.

The entrance fee is R10 (scholars R5). Tickets at the door. After covering costs, a donation is to go to Highway Hospice.

For details phone Track and Trestle on 304-8385 (o/h).

PARIS BOYS CHOIR

The 100-strong Paris Opera Boys Choir will give one performance in the Durban City Hall on July 16 at 19h30.

The choir consists of 75 boys and 30 adults, and will sing a varied programme of sacred and secular music. This choir has performed with world-renowned orchestras and top opera singers.

The concert is presented in conjunction with the Alliance Fran‡aise, the Durban Symphonic Choir and the Durban Boys Choir who will also act as their hosts.

CREATIVE LIVING '97

Creative Living

is the theme for the 1997 NBS House & Garden Show being pro-moted as "the region's upmarket show-case for home and garden innovations." With more than 300 stands featuring a broad range of creative inspirations for the modern home, the 1997 show pro-mises to set new lifestyle trends.

Work by Baissac
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Members of the KZN branch of the SA Chef's Association will be hosts at the Rendez-vous Bistro where the public can watch a variety of top class KZN chefs demonstrate their culinary skills.

Paintings by Jean Claude Baissac will be on view in the Rendez-vous Bistro.

SPECIAL

The NBS House & Garden Show will feature a number of special exhibits including a series of stylish and trend-setting furnished interiors created by members of the South African Guild of Interior Designers.

Entitled Setting the Trends, it promises "upbeat, upmarket and bright new ideas." Another new attraction is the Antiques and Collectibles Fair focusing on Individualising Decor with ideas to incorporate antique and treasures into modern living spaces.

CRAFTERS

A firm favourite is the Crafter's Show with a range of quality hand-crafted items for the home including corrugated card clocks, exquisite basketry, old-world needle-craft linens and textiles, stained glass, hand-painted textiles, paintings and photography.

The NBS House & Garden Show runs from July 11 to 20 at the Durban Exhibition Centre.

ART ALFRESCO

Art Alfresco will be held at the Old Pavilion site on the Snell Parade on July 13 and 27. Proceeds go to the National Cancer Association.

Phone John Whiting on 86-5615.

TEATERPONDOK

"Something's got to be done!" That was the response from singer, actress and translator Mari Visagie had to the lack of interest in Afrikaans theatre in Durban.

Well-known for her performances as a member of the Playhouse Singers and in productions such as The Wiz and Maid in the New South Africa, Maria set about forming an Afrikaans theatre company.

She sent out adverts calling for performers and was overwhelmed by the response. The result is Teaterpondok, a company which intends to produce a wide variety of Afrikaans entertainment on a regular basis.

FIRST

The first show was held last month when Marjaan van Tonder, back from the USA after five years, appeared in Marjaan Doen Natani‰l: Sonder Permissie.

Teaterpondok's home is 131 Francois Road, Umbilo. For details call Marita Nobrega on 22-5772 or 083-753-1064.

ART PLANET

The Art Planet Association situated in Ermont (France) aims to promote artists throughout the world by gathering on their web site the greatest number of artists and galleries of all countries.

Art Planet invites South African artists in all mediums to visit their web site on Internet (www.artplanete.com)

Art Planet offers three ways to make a name in the art world:

Directory inserts range from 1200FF to 1800FF; albums range from 2800FF to 3800FF, and personal exhibitions range from 4200FF to 5500FF. Students are offered a 50% discount.

Those interested are invited to visit Art Planet on Internet www.artplanete.com.

Otherwise write to 94, rue du 18 Juin, 920 Ermont France. Phone 01 34 14 50 71 or fax 01 34 14 50 71.

CHRISTINE TO RHODES

Christine Lucia, well-known in Durban as a music lecturer and music critic, has left KZN to take up a position in the department of music and musicology at Rhodes University in Grahamstown.

But she won't be forgetting her links with Durban - she's just joined up as a Life Member of Durban Arts.

That's REAL support!

JAZZ AT JAVA

Java @ Java Gallery in Marriott Road will host an exhibition this month titled History of Jazz.