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THE COUNTDOWN FOR SPLASHY FEN MUSIC FESTIVAL HAS BEGUN

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The show will go on… in the rolling foothills of the Drakensberg as fans eagerly count down the days until the 2022 Splashy Fen Music Festival kicks off, after a 2 year covid-induced break. And as is to be expected, plans are well underway to ensure that festival goers get to enjoy the very best of local music talent, a beautiful outdoor environment, and a chance to be around like-minded people all longing for a sense of freedom and normality.

South Africa’s longest-running music festival will take place over the traditional Easter weekend from Thursday the 14th of April to Monday the 18th of April 2022, and a stellar line-up of local musicians has been released to get fans even more excited for a long-weekend of LIVE entertainment.

“It has been absolutely devastating to have missed out on two years of hosting Splashy Fen Music Festival”, says Splashy Fen Festival Director Stu Berry. “Not just for our fans, but for the musicians and artists who have had to struggle without work for so long. This is why this is a particularly special event for us, as we work together to reignite the LIVE music scene and to prioritise our local artists in the process. To say we are excited for the Easter long weekend is an understatement.”

Thursday will kick off the festivities with a selection of musicians across the 4 unique stage areas. Fans can look forward to the sounds of the Honeymooners, Mahala, Holy Funk, Isigqisasekhaya, and Freddy-L on the Acoustic Stage. The Treehouse Stage will host Lindo M, Angel Mazibuko, The Kickstands, and more; while The Main Stage area will be quiet on Thursday, but only for those not wearing the Silent Disco headsets blasting a selection of golden oldies and latest dance releases.

Friday’s line-up will include Hayden Rattray, Nipho Hurd, Jason Gladwin, Faraway George, Zen Garden, and more on the Acoustic Stage; Shawn Miller, Dawn Morey, David Fisher and a selection of DJs at the funky Treehouse Stage; while the River Stage will blast the sounds of Tanner Wareham, Out Cry and South Wolves from 10h45, and the Main Stage festivities will kick off with Mali Zulu, 4AM, Steve Umculo, Veranda Panda and the legendary Mango Groove.

The Main Stage will open with Abaqgqobi on Saturday afternoon from 5 pm, followed by Martin Gill, Neon Dreams, the Jägermeister Brass Cartel, Goodluck, and all-time crowd-pleasers Mi Casa. Fans can also catch 4AM, The Kickstands, Faraway George and Full Swing at the River Stage from 10h45; Seth & Reece, Tiaan the Muzo, Gav Ferguson, Matt Gardiner, and Jared Volschenk on the Treehouse Stage; and South Bear, TATUM, Apollo Motel, Rowan Stuart and more on the Acoustic Stage in the Food Court area.

The final day of the festival will not disappoint, with a jam-packed line-up to remind fans why LIVE music and entertainment are so good for the soul. Catch Kat & Kirst, Upbeat Demeanour, Musa Mashiane, and more on the Treehouse Stage from midday; wander over to the Acoustic Stage for some Rorke Hunter, Braxton Hix, Qadasi & Maqhinga, Robin Auld, and Sol Natives, head down to the river for a refreshing dip while enjoying the sounds of the Bradley Grey Band, The Mavericks, Crystal Park and Zebra, then back up to the festival site for some Main Stage awesomeness with Bad Peter, Sean Koch, Rubber DUC, Desmond and the Tutus and Jeremy Loops.

A very limited amount of tickets are still available on the Splashy Fen website: www.splashyfen.co.za. No day visitors will be allowed to the 2022 festival, and Covid protocols will be announced to ticket holders in the weeks leading up to the festival. For any additional information, please email the team at info@splashyfen.co.za.

Shelley
Author: Shelley

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Bluey’s Big Play Coming to South Africa

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Wackadoo! Bluey, Bingo, Mum and Dad are coming to South Africa in the 2025 winter school holidays! For the first time ever, the hit theatre production Bluey’s Big Play The Stage Show makes its African debut at Artscape, Cape Town on Thursday, 26 June, running until Sunday, 06 July 2025. The show then moves to The Teatro at Montecasino, Johannesburg from Wednesday, 09 July to Sunday, 20 July. Tickets are on sale now at www.showtime.co.za and www.ticketmaster.co.za.

Bluey’s Big Play is a theatrical adaptation of the BAFTA and Emmy® Award-winning animated children’s television series produced by Ludo Studio. Now families in South Africa can experience the joy of seeing Bluey, Bingo, Mum and Dad in their first ever theatre show, featuring brilliantly created puppets, iconic sets, live actors and all-new music – it’s Bluey like you’ve never seen it before, in real life and on stage.

The popularity of Bluey’s Big Play knows no bounds, touring internationally across Australia, UK and Ireland, Singapore, Abu Dhabi, Europe and North America. Kiddo Adventures gives Bluey’s Big Play five stars while claiming it’s “A magical theatrical experience for fans of all ages” while Time Out says, This live adventure for fanatically beloved Australian hound Bluey is as authentic as it comes”. The Guardian best sums up the show by saying “Puppy puppets’ sweet show sets tails wagging.

Bluey’s Big Play follows Bluey and her family through a full day from sunrise through to bedtime. When Dad feels like a little bit of Sunday afternoon time out, Bluey and Bingo have other plans! Join them as they pull out all of the games and cleverness at their disposal to get Dad off that bean bag.

Bluey’s Big Play is an original story from creator Joe Brumm, with bespoke music from Bluey composer Joff Bush. The audio track forBluey’s Big Play is prerecorded and features original voices from the TV sensation, including the instantly recognisable voices of Dave McCormack and Melanie Zanetti as Dad and Mum. While the larger-than-life puppets are commanded by Bluey’s Big Play’s talented puppeteers, who bring Bluey, Bingo, Mum and Dad to life on stage.

Bluey’s Big Play The Stage Show is presented by BBC Studios and Andrew Kay in association with Windmill Theatre Co and local live entertainment and show promoter, Showtime Management.

Kate O’Connor, Director of Brands and Licensing BBC Studios ANZ, says: “Following the incredible reaction to the live theatre show in North America, UK, Ireland, Singapore, Abu Dhabi, Europe and Australia, we are so excited to bring Bluey’s Big Play The Stage Show to fans in South Africa.”

Bluey’s Big Play has performed to a global audience including sell out seasons across Australia, USA and UK. The response has been extraordinary. We are so excited to now bring Bluey’s Big Play to South African audiences this winter school holidays,” says Andrew Kay, Producer of Bluey’s Big Play.

We’re thrilled to be bringing Bluey’s Big Play The Stage Show to South Africa,” said Tony Feldman of Showtime Management who added: “The response to the show from fans across Australia, North America and Europe has been nothing short of amazing and we can’t wait for families in South Africa to experience all the fun and excitement of having Bluey and her family live on stage.”


The stage show has enjoyed much success around the world, especially in Australia, where it premiered in Bluey’s hometown Brisbane and went on to perform over 500 times across 65 venues, including the Sydney Opera House.  Bluey’s Big Play was nominated for an Olivier Award for Best Family Show in 2024.

Since bursting on to TV screens in Australia in 2018, Bluey has enjoyed a plethora of critical success at home and abroad, winning a 2022 BAFTA Children & Young People Award in the International category, a 2024 Kidscreen Award for Best Animated Series and picking up its consecutive fifth AACTA Best Children’s Programme award to add to an International Emmy and numerous awards for craft and production around the world.

According to Nielsen, Bluey is 2024’s most-watched series globally on Disney+, and the year’s No. 1 most-watched series on streaming to date through November among total viewers in the U.S., with more than 50.5 billion minutes watched[1]. In Australia, the show goes out on ABC where it is #1 kids show, and it is also rated #1 kids show on CBeebies and Disney+ in the UK[2]. In South Africa, Bluey is ranked #1 on Disney Channel, Disney Junior and CBeebies[3].

Tickets for Bluey’s Big Play are available now and can be purchased at www.showtime.co.za or www.ticketmaster.co.za the official, exclusive ticketing agent. Tickets purchased via any other platform will not be honoured.

Each attendee irrespective of age must hold a valid ticket in any price category to Bluey’s Big Play. A strictly limited number of Meet & Greet Packages are available for each show. The Meet & Greet includes a lanyard and the unique opportunity to meet Bluey after the show.  Children are not allowed access without a VIP paid adult.

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For more information visit bluey.tv

Meet and Greet: R500 per ticket

Limited availability. Includes a lanyard and post-show opportunity to meet Bluey.

Children are not allowed access without a M&G paid adult.

Group bookings

20% discount on groups of 21 and more

Wednesday, Thursday, Friday performances only valid for the top two prices.

Contact Jill Somers office hours only, 9am to 5pm, on 079 218 1658 or via showtime.co.za

Shelley
Author: Shelley

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The East Coast Radio House & Garden Show 2025

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It’s fresh, bright and chockfull of surprises! It’s the 2025 East Coast Radio House & Garden Show, and we’re talking fresh spaces. bright living! A giant breath of fresh air will sweep through the Durban Exhibition Centre when the Show rolls out from Friday 28 June to Sunday 6 July.

fresh spaces. bright living is all about how to tweak or transform your home into one which brings you joy, and allows you to be you! Whether it’s little touches of stylish decor or large sweeps of bold colour and pattern, you’ll leave the Show bursting with new skills from the experts, bright ideas from different brands… and loads of goodies and parcels. Jump on board, the 2025 East Coast Radio House + Garden Show promises to fill your head with creativity to create your own fresh spaces. bright living.

Calling all cooks and homemakers!

This year’s Test Kitchen is the kitchen of the future! Hirsch is at the helm and The Kitchen Studio is creating a space that’ll knock your socks off. Top celebrity chefs (surprises up our sleeve), fabulous personalities (guess who?), crazy cooks (laughter is the best medicine)… the line-up is as long as it is sensational! If cooking’s your happy place, the Hirsch kitchen is the only place to be.

The 2025 East Coast Radio House + Garden Show is going to be child’s play!

This is Durban’s true family show, and we’ve got you well covered for the first week of the school holidays! From littlelies to larger, this year’s kids zone has mushroomed into its own dedicated hall, and has way, way more of what they love! And parents, this one’s for you. Drop and shop – there’s now a super-safe, well supervised drop-off zone, so you can do your thing, while they do theirs. A dedicated Kids Zone in the Coast of Dreams, with a whacky wonderland of activities. Packed with fun, yet competitive, activities and challenges, teens can put their skills to the test! From the incredible Monster Manor to fairytale characters to face-painting, wrestling and bowling, the kids just won’t want to go home.

The East Coast Radio House + Garden Show is always full of winners

And why shouldn’t it be you? With competitions big and small, you could carry home anything from the coolest kitchen appliance to the hottest sound system, a tantalising voucher to something or somewhere sensational or bags full of your favourite products.

This season, the Show is shining a full spotlight on fresh spaces, bright living, both outdoors and in! Plants, landscaping and new tricks and tools for garden lovers; boys’ toys and bits and bobs for outdoor lovers; and goodies and gadgets for those who live to braai! Renovating, restoring or dreaming of adventure, the Show will take you where you want to go.

We can’t wait to see you there!
www.housegardenshow.co.za

Shelley
Author: Shelley

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Review: Create Ceramics Umhlanga

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Create Ceramics Umhlanga is a vibrant ceramic painting café located at 16 Chartwell Drive, Granada Square, Umhlanga. Open daily from 9am to 5pm, it offers a creative oasis for individuals and groups to unwind and express their artistic flair.

Upon arrival, we were warmly welcomed and shown to our seats. The inviting atmosphere, complemented by soft 70’s music, set the perfect backdrop for our creative journey. We were offered beverages from their café menu, which includes a selection of tea/coffee, curated wines, and light bites. The homemade 100% beef burgers paired with hand-cut potato chips are particularly noteworthy.

Choosing a ceramic piece was both exciting and challenging due to the extensive range available, with prices ranging from R100 to R650. The selection includes items like butter dishes, bird feeders, salad bowls, and various animals for the kids. We opted for large fruit bowls, appreciating the ample space they provided for our designs.

Before diving into painting, a friendly staff member introduced us to various techniques, such as using stickers, smudging, and scraping designs onto the paint. Her guidance was great and sparked our creativity. With our chosen paints and brushes, we spent the next hour immersed in our artwork, sipping on cappuccinos and enjoying the therapeutic ambiance.

Once satisfied with our designs, lemons for me and grapefruit with leaves for my mom – we signed the bottoms of our bowls with our names and order numbers. The staff informed us that the pieces would undergo glazing and setting, and they would contact us once ready for collection.

Booking and Additional Information

To experience Create Ceramics Umhlanga, bookings can be made through their website or by contacting them directly at 071 234 4927 or info@createumhlanga.co.za.

The venue caters to various occasions, including corporate team-building events, special occasions, family fun days, and anniversaries.
Whether you’re a seasoned artist or a beginner, the studio provides all necessary materials and a supportive environment to help you create a personalized masterpiece.

In addition to the creative experience, the café offers a range of delectable food and beverage options to enhance your visit. From savory dishes to sweet treats, there’s something to satisfy every palate.

Our visit to Create Ceramics Umhlanga was truly delightful, combining creativity, relaxation, and quality time. We’re already planning our next visit and highly recommend this unique experience to Durbanites.

Shelley
Author: Shelley

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