Entertainment

Sky Grand Prix of Aerobatics gets the thumbs up from local pilots

Published

12 years ago

7 March 2014

Durbanite

The Sky Grand Prix of Aerobatics, to be held at the inaugural Durban Land, Sea and Air Festival on the Durban Beachfront from the 21^st to 22^nd March, will put South African aerobatics on the map while showcasing the country’s best pilots.

Barrie Eales, 47, hails from Johannesburg and has been flying for 30 years. He has 1 100 flying hours under his belt and has competed in 30 airshows. His accomplishments include representing South Africa three times at the World Championships and also winning Advanced National Champ in 2012. His favourite planes are a Zlin 50, Extra 300, Sbach and MX2. About the participating in the event, he said, “This is a great concept. The Sky Grand Prix of Aerobatics will be an exciting place to watch our best aerobatic pilots in action. This is competition at its best!”

Bertus du Preez, 45, is an SAA pilot and comes from Pretoria. He has 25 years of flying experience and boasts more than 18 000 hours of flying time. He has been competiing in aerobatics competitions for 15 years. His accomplishments include SA Aerobatic Champ in the Sportsman, Intermediate and Advanced classes and he represented South Africa twice at the World Championships. His favourite planes are an Extra 330SC, MX, Edge 540, Sukhoi 26/31, Pitts and Slick. He describes the Sky Grand Prix of Aerobatics as a brilliant concept that will hopefully put South Africa on the map.

Johnie Smith, 50, is a cropsprayer from Franfort in the Free State. He has 26 years flying experience with 10 000 hours under his belt. He has competed in eight aerobatics competitions and flown in 50 airshows. He won the Advanced Champ title in 2011 and was runner up in 2012 and 2013. His favourite planes are 2 Cessna 188s, 2 Turbine Air Tractors and the Sbach. He feels the Sky Grand Prix of Aerobatics will grow local aerobatics by giving the sport a platform for exposure.

At 31, Patrick Davidson is one of the youngest pilots to participate in the Sky Grand Prix of Aerobatics. His accomplishments include first place in the South African Unlimited Aerobatic competition in 2007, 2009, 2010 and 2011. He also achieved first place in Ace of Base 2011 and 8^th place in AWAC Hungary in 2012. “The Sky Grand Prix of Aerobatics is an awesome idea and way to bring the public close to the action. The names attending this event are simply the best in the business. I think this will be one heck of a spectacle.

The national pilots will be competing against each other as well as five top international pilots from Russia, the Czech Republic, France, the United Kingdom and Germany.

Aircrafts and pilots will be flying across Durban’s beachfront at speeds in excess of 400km/h while being subjected to plus 10 and minus five times the force of gravity. International Aerobatic Judges will be on hand to adjudicate the competitors on the accuracy of angles and overall aircraft performance on specific aerobatic figures that these daredevils will be undertaking.

Besides the Sky Grand Prix of Aerobatics, the Durban Land, Sea and Air Festival will also feature displays from the South African Navy and Air Force.

For more information, please visit www.landseaairfestival.co.za.

Author: Durbanite

Up Next

Summer Heat Model & Talent Search

Don't Miss

CINEMA NOUVEAU PRESENTS THE OSCAR-NOMINATED DRAMA, PHILOMENA, FOR ‘MOVIE CONNOISSUERS’ IN MARCH

Click to comment

Entertainment

A Celebration of Love – KZN Philharmonic

Published

2 weeks ago

7 February 2026

Carla Wynne

Celebrate love this Valentine’s Day with the KwaZulu-Natal Philharmonic Orchestra at a magical afternoon concert set in the tranquil surrounds of St Agnes Church, Kloof.

“A Celebration of Love” conducted by Chad Hendricks, brings together lush orchestral music with romantic favourites, and two outstanding soloists, Njabulo Nzuza and Andile Ndlela for an uplifting Valentine’s experience.

The concert includes music by Mozart, Dvorák, and Tchaikovsky, alongside well-loved classics such as Moon River, Can’t Help Falling in Love, Make You Feel My Love, Beneath Your Beautiful, and South African favourites.

Food stalls will be available offering pizza, mocktails, and sweet & savoury love boxes, creating a relaxed and festive Valentine’s afternoon.

Whether you’re celebrating with a partner, friends, or simply your love of beautiful music, this concert promises an elegant and heartfelt afternoon.

Event Details:

Date: Saturday, 14 February
Time: 16h30
Venue: St Agnes Church, 53 Abelia Road, Kloof
Tickets: from R100 & available via Quicket

Make this Valentine’s Day unforgettable with live music, romance, and the magic of the Orchestra.

Stand a chance to WIN two tickets to the Valentines Day Concert – A Celebration of Love with the KZN Philharmonic Orchestra valued at R300 -> ENTER HERE <-

Author: Carla Wynne

Just a 30something plant mom, nature enthusiast and happy wife, adventuring through Durbs and life!🌻🌿🤍✨

Attractions

Familie Fest 2026

Published

2 weeks ago

5 February 2026

mrjoelmagic

Familie Fest 2026 Brings Live Music and Family Fun to Hillcrest

Everything You Need to Know About Familie Fest 2026

Familie Fest arrives in Hillcrest for a full weekend of live music, family-friendly entertainment and relaxed festival energy, taking place on Friday 29 and Saturday 30 May 2026 at NU Driving Range.

Designed as an all-ages outdoor music festival, Familie Fest brings together South African artists, open space, activities for kids and adults, and a format that allows families and friend groups to spend the entire day together without feeling rushed.

Event Details

Date: Friday 29 & Saturday 30 May 2026
Venue: NU Driving Range Fields, Hillcrest
Time: From 10am daily
Age Restriction: All ages
Bar Area: Over 18s only

Tickets available via:
• Familie Fest Website
• Webtickets
• Utickets

Ticket Pricing

• Kids under 4: Free
• Kids 4–12: From R129
• Teens 13–17: From R145
• Adults: From R199 to R245

Group Ticket Specials

• Buy 5 tickets, get 1 free: R1,250
• Buy 9 tickets, get 1 free: R2,100

Group tickets are limited and valid for adults or kids.

Camping add-ons are available separately and include access to a secure camp zone with toilets, showers, lighting and security.

Line-up (More to Be Announced)

The initial line-up includes a mix of established and popular South African acts:

• Francois van Coke
• Kurt Darren
• Van Pletzen
• Veranda Panda
• Appel

Friday features acoustic-focused sessions, while Saturday hosts the main acts. Additional artists will be announced closer to the event.

What to Expect

Familie Fest is structured as a full-day festival rather than an evening-only concert, with gates opening at 10am and activities running throughout the day and into the evening.

Across the festival grounds, attendees can expect:
• Live music performances
• A dedicated kids zone
• Arts and crafts activities
• Food and drink vendors
• Potjie competitions
• Access to the driving range
• Putt putt, go-karts and paintball
• Optional secure camping facilities

The layout allows families to spread out, relax and move between music, activities and rest areas at their own pace.

What You Can and Can’t Bring

Allowed:
Umbrellas, camp chairs, blankets, gazebos, bags, towels, baby gear.

Not Allowed:
Cooler boxes, outside food and drink, weapons, fireworks, sound systems, pets, sports or play equipment, bikes or braais.

Camp Zone Only:
Cooler boxes, food and drink, and braais are permitted within the designated camping area.

Why Familie Fest Works

Familie Fest positions itself as a genuinely inclusive festival, catering to families with young children, teens, and adults who want to enjoy live music without the pressure of a late-night-only format. With space to move, activities beyond the main stage, and a line-up that appeals across age groups, it offers a different kind of festival experience for the KZN calendar.

For families looking to introduce kids to live music, groups planning a social weekend, or anyone wanting an outdoor festival that runs at a comfortable pace, Familie Fest ticks all the right boxes.

Author: mrjoelmagic

Art

BUMP & GRIND this Valentines!

Published

3 weeks ago

26 January 2026

Carla Wynne

Durban comedy favourites Aaron McIlroy and Lisa Bobbert-McIlroy return to The Rhumbelow Theatre, in Umbilo this Valentines weekend with their new musical comedy – BUMP & GRIND, a high-energy musical sketch comedy that delivers a riotous mix of song, dance, quick-fire character comedy and heart.

Expect new characters, old favourites, and a soundtrack packed with thumping hits as McIlroy and Bobbert once again deliver their trademark blend of side-splitting humour, larger-than-life personalities, and musical mayhem!

Back by popular demand are Bruce and Charmaine as unforgettable Elvis impersonators, Dot and Max settling into the chaos of retirement village life, and everyone’s favourite philosopher of the people, Dr Veejay, offering his “words of wisdom.” Add in a host of hilarious new faces, and you’ve got the perfect recipe for Valentines fun!

Directed and choreographed by the sensational Daisy Spencer, Bump and Grind promises to keep audiences on their feet — or rolling in the aisles — with laughter, music, and McIlroy & Bobbert’s unbeatable comic chemistry.

Venue: The Rhumbelow Theatre, Umbilo
Dates: Friday 13 & Saturday 14 Feb – 7:30pm (doors open 6pm) | Sunday 15 Feb 2026 – 2pm (doors open 12.30pm)
Tickets: From R180pp
Bookings: Webtickets

Other Info to Note: