MUSIC

NEDBANK PROMS



Next month the 1820 Settlers Association of South Africa is presenting two concerts in the tradition of the Last Night of the Proms concerts (held annually in London at the Royal Albert Hall).

A Last Night at the Proms concert will be held in the Pietermaritzburg City Hall on October 11 at 19h30 with the eighth annual Durban concert taking place in the City Hall on October 18.

In Pietermaritzburg tickets are R25 to R55 and in Durban R35 to R75. A cash bar will be available.

FULL

Both concerts will feature the full Natal Philharmonic Orchestra, the Durban Symphonic Choir, the Maritzburg Singers and the Caledonian Pipe Band, all under the baton of Richard Cock.

Included in the programme is Zadok the Priest by Handel, Queen of the Night by Mozart, The Hallelujah Chorus and the traditional Jerusalem as well as Pomp and Circumstance March No 1.

The Caledonian Pipe Band will open the second half of the concert. The soloists, chosen from young, local talent, are Edwin Motlhakoane, Musa Nkuna, Hlophe Hlope and Ruth Smith.

In Durban the KZN Wind Band perform on the City Hall steps before the concert. After the interval the traditional fun part of the concert begins when the audience joins in the singing, waves flags and throws streamers and balloons.

In Durban there will be an after party in the basement supper room with a cash bar and live music.

PROMOTE

The 1820 Settlers Association aims to promote all that is best in British tradi-tion, culture and language for the benefit and development of all the people of South Africa. The Proms other sponsor, Nedbank, is strongly committed to artistic and cultural development in South Africa to celebrate the country's rich and diverse cultural heritage.

Computicket booking opens September 8.

YOUTH CONCERTOS

Another in the Natal Philharmonic Orchestra's successful series, this year's Youth Concerto Festival will take place on October 2 at 19h30. The event forms part of the NPO's 1997 World Symphony Series. The founder of this annual festival, David Tidboald, will conduct the cream of South Africa's young music talent in the City Hall.

Tickets for the concert available from Computicket or at the door.

DBC TOUR

The world-renowned Drakensburg Boys' Choir last month returned from a trium-phant tour of the four main islands of Japan, having given 33 concerts and sung to more than 50 000 people.

"No concert hall seated less than 1 500, some more than 2 500, and every night they were packed to capacity with enthu-siastic and keen concert goers" said Anthony Parnell, rector of the school.

The normally shy and very polite Japanese public are said to have been transformed by the choir. On several occasions they stormed the stage just to greet the boys while crowds gathered outside the dressing rooms and formed guards of honour from stage door to waiting buses.

Parties of fans followed the choir from city to city and some are even expected to visit the Berg shortly.

The tour was also a financial success with more than 3 000 CDs sold and approximately R250 000 was raised for the school's development fund for bursaries and new equipment.

SMART TALK

D'ARTS Editor Caroline Smart writes a weekly column called Smart Talk every Wednesday in the Daily News Tonight section. All events information in D'ARTS is considered for this column but if you have anything that is too late for D'ARTS but it could appear in Smart Talk (deadline Friday night for the next Wednesday), phone or fax 261-6036.

ABBA SOS

Lisa Bobbert and Aaron McIlroy (of Sex Bugs and Rock 'n Roll fame) will present their new show, Abba, at the Elizabeth Sneddon Theatre from early October until mid-November.

This husband and wife duo is well-known for their whacky humour and boundless energy although they are carrying a little extra weight right now as Lisa has just discovered that she is to become a mother.

So, Abba will feature the new member of the Bobbert/McIlroy team, although he/she will remain unseen as yet!

The show is marketed as being ideal for a company's end of year entertainment. Special rates are offered for block bookings. Organisations wishing to make block bookings should contact Sharon on 52-3903 or Lisa on 083 627 7542.

The show will tour selected centres in South Africa later in the year, probably eventually `plus baby'!

DURBAN FOLK CLUB

The Durban Folk Club meets on Monday evenings in Funky's at the BAT Centre. Featured guests for September are:

Sept 1: Megan McCrae - singer, song-writer and guitarist;

Sept 8: King Tin - Rock band (unplugged);

Sept 15: Nevermore - an unplugged rock band recently recorded on Polygram's C-weed album;

Sept 22: Tara Fataar - Talented teenage daughter of ex-Flames Steve Fataar sings contemporary covers with backing band,

Sept 29: Double Axle - duo featuring Tammi Harding (keyboard/vocals) and Mozzie de Fleuriot (guitar/vocals) who perform 1960's to 9O's covers.

Music starts from 20h00 and entrance fee is R7 for non-members and R3 for members. Details from Fiona Tozer on 77-3458.