9pm - A.M - Durban band

Well, if you’re looking for something to whet your audio appetite with a bouquet of different vibes, then A.M is your new favourite band. A.M is a Durban-based band consisting of three members. Steve Du Plessis (ex-Scooters Union) on the drums and vocals, Jerome Jack (ex Bhora) on guitar and vocals, and the latest addition, Warren Dixon, on Bass. Their influences are varied - from The Raconteurs, Supergrass, Royal Blood, Kaleo and old school 90’s alternate bands. They have just release their first five-track EP titled “Damaged Goods” which has had some good airplay on Zone radio reaching, no 3 with the track Johnny. Check out their Facebook Page and SoundCloud links:

 

8pm – Whipland Marsh

Whipland Marsh is a six-piece band that includes some of Durban’s most renowned metal musicians, who have toned down their sound to mix pop and alternative rock to create something new. Soaring guitar solos with amazing drums, synths and piano create this new sound. The members Steph Plevier on drums, Marcel Smuts on lead guitar, Prashant Pillay on rhythm, Tanner Wareham on keys, Keegan Pratt on bass and Khalil Mansura on vocals.

 

7:30pm - Erin Muirhead

Erin Muirhead is a sparkling young talent who makes a return to the MiTH stage after charming us with her flourishing skills last time around. This is what MiTH was created for...whether it's seasoned professionals or newcomers to the stage, we give talent a platform - for the love of music. Get there early so you don't miss out on this budding

 

7pm – Kevin Gurney

Kevin Gurney is a singer and guitarist from Pietermaritzburg who will be performing for his 5th time at MiTH. This will, however, be his first solo performance. Kevin plays acoustic folk songs and will be playing mostly covers with a couple of originals.

 

ABOUT MiTH:
MiTH is a semi-open mic music club. An opportunity for musicians to share the joy of their music with a friendly audience which includes fellow musicians – who have all “been there” too. (Non-musicians welcome too!) Whether you’re a newbie looking for your first opportunity to perform publicly, or a more experienced / mature musician simply looking for people who are as passionate about music as you are – come along and join us!

 

Bring your own booze. Food and soft drinks are available for sale. Musicians who want to play at MiTH, please contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., Charles Webster (082 331 7271), or Doug Borain (072 340 7034).

 

DIRECTIONS TO MiTH:
Take the N3 to Hilton, take the Hilton turnoff and go South into the Village (away from Hilton College). Travel 5,2km along Hilton Avenue (past two sets of traffic lights and Crossways Pub) and keep going straight as Hilton Avenue turns into Dennis Shepstone Drive. At the 5,2km mark, Knoll Drive will be on your right – the entrance to MiTH is the *second* entrance on your left into The Knoll Historic Guest Farm.

 

Visit www.mith.co.za for more details and directions.

 

Pictured: AM - the band.

 

News supplied.

One of the two Flagship Productions of the 26th annual Hilton Arts Festival which will be hosted on the campus of Hilton College from 14 – 16 September 2018, is Mike van Graan’s contemporary fast-paced South African political thriller, Green Man Flashing.

 

The festival invites the most interesting offerings from the creative industries in South Africa: theatre; dance; comedy; musical theatre; family theatre; classical music; music revue; big band and contemporary music; visual art and crafts, as well as a series of mindscape lectures, events and discussions.

 

Green Man Flashing is written by Mike van Graan; directed by Malcolm Purkey; designed by Denis Hutchinson and with costumes by Margo Fleish, stars Litha Bam, Tessa Jubber, Michelle Douglas, Sechaba Morojele with David Dennis.

 

The play resonates more than ever before, as it explores themes of personal and political violence, as well as the lengths people will go to in the name of greater political good. All this is played out against the backdrop of a young democracy still dealing with its history, but where violence against women is of national crisis proportions.

 

Green Man Flashing takes on the challenge of deep moral and political questions for which there are no easy answers and provides insight into the very real themes that occupy thinking South Africans. It is acknowledged as a quintessential S.A. play and has become a matric set-work. It is regarded by many as a turning point for contemporary South African drama because of the way it dealt with contemporary politics. But it was also regarded as being more remarkable for anticipating the real-life drama of the ANC Deputy President, Jacob Zuma, being linked to charges of corruption in the arms deal and then later charged with rape.

 

“It tears at the heart and soul of our democracy, and rips at the underbelly of corruption and political power through its astute writing.” – The Star

 

“The quintessential South African play needed for this time in our country’s history.” – The Argus

 

“It will in time be recognised for the ground-breaking work it is,” – Mail and Guardian

 

The festival will take place on the beautiful grounds of the Hilton College from Hilton College: 14 – 16 September 2018.

 

The festival would not be possible without the generous support of Hilton College, Grindrod Bank, Black Coffee Design, DWR Distribution, Extreme Events, Bidvest Car Rental, KZN Dept of Arts & Culture, Redlands Hotel, Assitej South Africa, Loud Crowd, Sappi, BASA, and Corona.

 

For more info visit http://www.hiltonfestival.co.za/ or like the Facebook page, Hilton Arts Festival. Follow us on Twitter @HiltonFest. All enquiries on 033 383 0126 / 7 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

 

Laddsworth Grade 3 pupils did a waste demonstration on Wednesday 8 August 2018, where they had to design, create and make a useful article out of plastic bottles. This was part of their English Theme and Life Skills Programme.

 

Pictured above Luanyé van Schalkwyk made pot plants.

 

News supplied by Laddsworth Primary School.

The much-anticipated Hilton Food & Wine Fair is coming up on Friday, 7th September. The annual fundraiser in support of Hilton Pre-Primary is proudly hosted by Hilton Quarry Superspar & Tops in association with a wide range of local artisanal food and wine brands.

This year will be bigger and better than before with over 40 vendors taking part in the event. This means that visitors can expect to sample some of the latest products on the market as well as their good old favourites; whilst supporting Hilton Pre-Primary which has been the foundation of education for many Hilton/Howick residents and their children.

There is something for everyone at the Hilton Food & Wine Fair which is always an evening filled with the community spirit and camaraderie that Hilton and the Midlands is so well-known for.

Tickets are on sale for R120pp which includes entry into the lucky draw with some fantastic prizes up for grabs. All proceeds for the event go to Hilton Pre-Primary.

 

News supplied

The Hilton Arts festival invites the most interesting offerings from the creative industries in South Africa: theatre; dance; comedy; musical theatre; family theatre; classical music; music revue; big band and contemporary music; visual art and crafts, as well as a series of mindscape lectures, events and discussions.

 

This year in honour of Mandela’s centenary commemorations, the three day event has a strong Mandela feel .
Confirmed productions include as always a programme of quality drama.

Crystal Viljoen, a Grade 5 pupil at Laddsworth Primary School took part in the Golf Reef Rhythmic Gymnastics Invitational in Guateng on Saturday 4 August 2018.

 

Entries are open to for the Winterskloof Trail Run/Walk. The run/walk will take place on Sunday, 2 September 2018 and the start will be at the Eagles Nest, Valley Road, Winterskloof.

 

 

Hilton parkrun launches at Grace College in Hilton, KZN on Saturday, 29 September 2018. All parkruns are free, weekly, 5km timed events. This event is open to everyone, easy to take part in and for your convenience, you only register once.

The Hilton parkrun begins on the lower sports field at Grace College and follows a route through the forested surrounds, offering lovely views and all the benefits a parkrun route is required to provide. As a location, Grace College offers easy access to the N3, making it convenient for runners/walkers joining in from Pietermaritzburg, Howick and beyond.

Colin Robertson, a Grade 6 pupil at Laddsworth Primary School, participated in the Eisteddfod in Pietermaritzburg during the first week of August 2018.

The Msunduzi Hospice Association will be hosting a morning Tea & Talk with power couple, Steve and Eleanor Pienaar from Pietermaritzburg, who have recently returned from the North Pole, having completed their Grand Slam Challenge Marathon. (A 42.2km marathon or longer on all 7 continents and on the Arctic Ocean at the North Pole).

Super creative husband and wife team, Paul and Carol Slabolepszy, will both be at the Hilton Arts Festival this year – coming to Hilton from 14 – 16 September.

Paul is presenting his play – Suddenly the Storm - and doing a talk – A Slice of Slab – and his wife Carol is displaying her beautiful artwork - My Hares and Graces.

Suddenly the Storm – is one of the two Grinrod Flagship Productions – and has been billed as a “dangerous comedy! Combative, volatile and constantly on the verge of exploding”

 

Dwayne and Shanell Combrink are two halves of a typical South African working class couple. But beneath Dwayne’s angry violent exterior lies the heartbreak that governs his attitude to life. Dwayne’s a man in mourning. Shanell believes that his current level of despair was sparked by the death of his childhood friend and work partner, Jonas. In fact, the source of his mourning and anger lies far further back and goes far deeper. When the elegant and self-contained Namhle Gumede, born 16 June 1976, arrives on their doorstep, seeking answers to questions that have remained buried for 40 years, Dwayne and Shanell finally discover the truth.

It will be staged on Saturday 15 and Sunday 16 both at 10am.

 

Paul will also be doing an informal lecture – A Slice of Slab – talking about his amazing person journey on Saturday at 5pm

 

My Hares and Graces is a collection of life-size sculptures of hares, cats and dogs, by Carol
Slabolepszy - portraying the essence of these animals, capturing them in a moment of unguarded stillness. The animals are sculpted in clay and after a mould is made, they are individually cast in a weather-proof resin and metal powder blend, and meticulously hand- finished.

 

There are now 21 unique sculptures that have been making themselves at home all over South Africa and the world - inspiration and energy ensure that the collection continues to grow. Dedicated to protecting South Africa’s wild hare population, My Hares and Graces donate to the EWT Riverine Rabbit Trust.

 

These works have a gentle presence which will enliven your home or garden. Each sculpture has its own individual character, and an embedded pet microchip identifies it as an original work – a quirky combination of technology and fine art.

 

The festival will take place on the beautiful grounds of the Hilton College from Hilton College: 14 – 16 September 2018. For more info visit http://www.hiltonfestival.co.za/ or like the Facebook page, Hilton Arts Festival. Follow us on Twitter @HiltonFest
All enquiries on 033 383 0126 / 7 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

 

Pictured above: Paul Slabolespszy, Charmaine Weir- Smith and Renate Stuurman.

News supplied.

 

On Saturday 18th August, Break-Free will be hosting a seminar looking at the use of and addiction to pornography.

Matt Bisset, a Grade 3 pupil at Laddsworth Primary School took part in the Ballies & Boys 2018 Shad Competition at Cape Vidal from 1 to 5 August 2018.

Matt was the champion of the Under 9 and the Under 10 categories and received the floating trophy as well as a Bad Boy sports watch.

News supplied by Laddsworth Primary School.

9pm Serrotone

MiTH once again bids a warm welcome to main act, Serrotone. Peter Guthrie, vocalist and prolific songwriter with Spoonfeedas for 12 years, has teamed up with James Robertson and close friend, superb drummer Billy Kruger. Robertson who sang and wrote material for Spoonfeedas in 2001, also went on to form Cubic Inch. Between Guthrie and Robertson they have been part of writing and performing more than ten charting singles (including 2 no 1 singles and a handful of top 10's) on South African radio.

 

With Spoonfeedas, Guthrie has opened for artists like Muse, Velvet Revolver, SImple Plan Marky Ramone (Ramones), Metallica and Ronan Keating. He has also performed the National anthem in Christchurch NZ before a Tri-Nations rugby test. Robertson has opened for Bryan Adams on his SA tour with his band Cubic Inch, while Billy has played with a variety of established artists at some impressive events like the Youth Day concert in Amsterdam with group MIC where they performed after Delirious at Ajax Football Stadium in front of 140 000 people.

 

A special feature is what has become the regular inclusion of Nick Ames who is possibly one of the finest trumpet players in South Africa. Don't miss this special night out as you hear some new arrangements of old favourites and some brand new material!

 

8pm Many Moore

Comprised of three gifted souls, Many Moore, though reluctant to categorize their genre of music sees “Urban Poetic Soul” as the most fitting summary of their craft.

 

7pm Howick High School Rock Band

ABOUT MiTH:
MiTH is a semi-open mic music club. An opportunity for musicians to share the joy of their music with a friendly audience which includes fellow musicians – who have all “been there” too. (Non-musicians welcome too!) Whether you’re a newbie looking for your first opportunity to perform publicly, or a more experienced / mature musician simply looking for people who are as passionate about music as you are – come along and join us!

 

Bring your own booze. Food and soft drinks are available for sale. Musicians who want to play at MiTH, please contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., Charles Webster (082 331 7271), or Doug Borain (072 340 7034).

 

DIRECTIONS TO MiTH:
Take the N3 to Hilton, take the Hilton turnoff and go South into the Village (away from Hilton College). Travel 5,2km along Hilton Avenue (past two sets of traffic lights and Crossways Pub) and keep going straight as Hilton Avenue turns into Dennis Shepstone Drive. At the 5,2km mark, Knoll Drive will be on your right – the entrance to MiTH is the *second* entrance on your left into The Knoll Historic Guest Farm.

 

Visit www.mith.co.za for more details and directions.

The Wykeham Collegiate Maths Fest took place on the 24 July 2018. Grace College’s top ten Grade 8 mathematics pupils attended the Maths Fest together with approximately 144 Grade 8 pupils from schools in the Pietermaritzburg area.