What’s on!

THE September school break starts on Friday. There are a number of upcoming shows, events and activities in and around Durban to keep the kids busy. Here's a glance at some options:

ON STAGE

◆ Once On This Island Jr: This theatre production is a new adaptation of the classic tale of The Little Mermaid. It features a cast of pupils from Westville Girls High School and Westville Boys High School. It will be staged from September 29 to October 2 at the Roy Couzens Theatre in Westville. The tickets are priced from R60 to R100 at webtickets.co.za For more information, log on to www.wbhs.co.za

◆ Aladdin and his Wonderful Lamp: This timeless story has been translated and adapted for the stage by Astrid Productions.

It is based on an original text by producer Anjil Naidoo. Aladdin has been re-imagined for the stage by an international team of awardwinning theatre artists and a cast of 20 South Africa’s young and established actors and dancers. The musical will run from September 29 to October 9 at The Globe at Suncoast. Tickets are available at Ticketpro.

◆ Andre the Hilarious Hypnotist: The showman provides an 80-minute feel-good act, welcoming his voluntary guests onstage to become the stars of the show. Andre’s return to Durban is combined with the celebration of the Elizabeth Sneddon re-opening for public shows. This year’s show is a combination of the old and the new. It will be held until October 9 at the Elizabeth Sneddon Theatre. Tickets are available at Computicket.com

MOVIES

◆ Tad the Lost Explorer and the Emerald Tablet (animated, family, adventure, comedy. 7–9PG V): Tad accidentally unleashes an ancient spell, endangering the lives of his friends: Mummy, Jeff and Belzoni. With everyone against him and only helped by Sara, he sets off on an adventure to put an end to the curse of the Mummy. It stars Óscar Barberán, Luis Posada and Michelle Jenner. Release date: September 30.

ON STREAM

◆ Hocus Pocus 2: It’s been 29 years since someone lit the Black Flame Candle and resurrected the 17th-century sisters, and they are looking for revenge. Now it is up to three high-school pupils to stop the witches from wreaking a new kind of havoc on Salem before dawn on All Hallow’s Eve. Release date: September 30 on Disney+.

◆ Monster High: The Movie: This is a live-action movie musical based on the iconic Monster High franchise about the children of famous monsters and creatures. Release date: October 6 on Paramount+.

◆ Mortal Kombat Legends: Snow Blind, a shattered hero, must overcome battle-inflicted blindness and seemingly insurmountable odds to save his village and, ultimately, all of Earthrealm in Mortal Kombat Legends. Release date: October 9 on VOD/Digital.

◆ Guardians of Time: What if you entered a world full of magic and mystery but couldn’t get back home? When Sybil, her kid sister Alex, and two cousins discover a magical book in the family manor, it opens a hidden door. As the powerful Warriors Four, the girls must now locate secret temples and solve puzzles to gather crystals that will allow them to control time. But when Alex is captured by an evil force, they must rescue her and find a way home or stay trapped forever. Release date: October 11 on VOD/ Digital.

MARKETS

◆ Paddock Flea Market @ HollywoodBets Greyville Racecourse: This is a gourmet food and artisanal craft market based inside the HollywoodBets Greyville Racecourse with a safe kiddies area and secure parking in the racecourse. Live music and dancing, free entry through Gate 8 and free WiFi. The market is based indoors. It will be open on Sundays at 10.30am and on race days. Call Sue on 076 300 8634 for enquiries.

◆ Buzz Market: It is a local community market that started out of necessity during the Covid-19 lockdown. The market has now become a regular Saturday feature in Westville. Find local unique and authentic gifts, organic vegetables, funky clothing with a local flair, and treats including brownies, biscotti and muffins. There is also decor and jewellery, and second-hand books. It is held at 38 Pitlochry Road next to the Garden Centre every Saturday from 9am to 2pm. For more information, email info@ buzzmarket.co.za

◆ Shongweni Market: The market reopened after the road to the venue was repaired. The road was damaged following the April floods. It operates from 7am to 1pm with an extra market day on the last Sunday of each month from 8am until noon.

OUTDOOR

◆ Krantzkloof Trail Run 2022: There is a 15/22km trail run or a 6km fun run/walk. Both events start and end at the Forest Hills Sports Club. The trail run will take participants through riverine forests and grasslands past waterfalls and the Nkonka Crack. A 15km option is available to entrants of the 22km run. The 6km route passes through the forest to Mphithi Falls before returning to the club. For the age limits and more details, email www.kknr.org.za/trail-run/

◆ Sugar Rush Park: Set among the farmlands of inland Ballito, Sugar Rush has activities for the whole family. The highlights include the jump park, unicorn slime and craftopia, Ndlondlo snake park, sugar rush and putt putt. It is located at Esenembe Road, Ballito, Dolphin Coast. See www.sugarrush.co.za

FAMILY FUN

◆ Mindgame Escape Room: Bring your friends and family to form your own team of adventurers. Gather clues, solve puzzles, combine information, decipher secret meanings and trigger hidden mechanisms. Success can only be achieved by working together, and you will need to combine your brainpower to stay cool and profit from each other’s strengths while the clock is ticking. There are three themed rooms to choose from and 60 minutes to solve it. Will you escape in time? Located at Granada Square, Umhlanga. Bookings via www.mindgame.co.za

◆ Durban Natural Science Museum: This Durban landmark is over a century old. Highlights include a life-size T-Rex model, near complete Dodo skeleton and an Egyptian mummy. It is located at the Durban City Hall. Entry is free.