Online ticket sales for Carols & Kilts 2017 at Howard College Theatre have ended, but you can still buy tickets at the door (R100 adults, R50 pensioners, R25 children). Note that if the weather turns this afternoon the show will still go on.
Carols & Kilts 2017 at Howard College Theatre
Sun Nov 26, 14:00 - Sun Nov 26, 16:00
Howard College Theatre
ABOUT
Presenting the fifth annual production of "Carols & Kilts" with 1 Med Pipe Band and Friends - an opportunity to kick off the festive season with highland music, traditional dancing, and of course Christmas carols.- Saturday 25 November 2017 - 15:00 to 17:00 - Shongweni Farmers Market (book at https://www.quicket.co.za/events/37257-carols-kilts-2017-at-shongweni-farmers-market/)
- Sunday 26 November 2017 - 14:00 to 16:00 - UKZN Howard College Theatre
Witness a rendition by Durban's very own Alistair MacKenzie of the poet Robert Burns' famous Address to a Haggis, and venture to sample the authentic dish during the intermission. The agile dancers of Celtic Heartbeat - Melissa and Samantha Wood - will show off their skilled footwork, and the warm voices of Garth Strydom and Nicholas Tyler will animate a few well-known songs.
Seekers of holiday cheer should not fear - we have arranged several Christmas carols, both merry and solemn, to be played on the pipes and drums, while others will be performed by accomplished keyboardist Nick Mowbray and penny-whistle maestro Thomas Fuller - audience participation on vocals is welcome!
This year the show returns to the UKZN Howard College Theatre for that intimate concert vibe. Regretfully no food & drink may be consumed within the theatre, but haggis and other refreshments will be available outside in the garden during intermission.
Note that tickets will be sold at the door, but at a higher cost of R100 for adults (children and pensioners remain the same), so please take advantage of the pre-booking opportunity.
1 MED PB
1 Medical Battalion is a Reserve Force Unit of the South African Military Health Service and is based in Durban. The unit inherited the traditions of 1 Field Ambulance and 17 Field Ambulance, which amalgamated in 1971. 1 Field Ambulance descends from the Natal Volunteer Medical Corps, which was first mobilised in 1899 for the Anglo-Boer War. A Scottish connection to the Seaforth Highlanders and the MacKenzie clan was established in recognition of the then Honorary Colonel, Dr. Archibald MacKenzie and a square of MacKenzie tartan has been worn behind the cap badge since 1939. The Pipe Band was formed in 1990 and currently competes in the top South African Grade under the leadership of Pipe Major Rohann Ludick and Lead Drummer Clinton Miles.
1 Med Pipe Band takes part in various competitions across the country each year, including the South Coast Highland Gathering, Natal Scottish Gathering, Pretoria Boys' Highland Gathering, and Benoni Highland Gathering. We have also been taking part in the Knysna Celtic Festival for the last four years, and in 2016 made the long drive down to East London for the beautiful but stormy Eastern Cape Highland Gathering. The band has represented South Africa internationally in the past, such as at the Edinburgh Tattoo and in the World Pipe Band Championships in Glasgow.
The instruments themselves, spare parts like reeds and drum heads, and the travel and accommodation costs for a large group of people all add up to become very expensive each year. Carols & Kilts is therefore an important fundraiser for the band, and one that we thoroughly enjoy putting on and sharing with those who can make it out to listen to our musical efforts.
1 Med Pipe Band takes part in various competitions across the country each year, including the South Coast Highland Gathering, Natal Scottish Gathering, Pretoria Boys' Highland Gathering, and Benoni Highland Gathering. We have also been taking part in the Knysna Celtic Festival for the last four years, and in 2016 made the long drive down to East London for the beautiful but stormy Eastern Cape Highland Gathering. The band has represented South Africa internationally in the past, such as at the Edinburgh Tattoo and in the World Pipe Band Championships in Glasgow.
The instruments themselves, spare parts like reeds and drum heads, and the travel and accommodation costs for a large group of people all add up to become very expensive each year. Carols & Kilts is therefore an important fundraiser for the band, and one that we thoroughly enjoy putting on and sharing with those who can make it out to listen to our musical efforts.
FRIENDS
Celtic Heartbeat
Melissa and Samantha have competed with great success at the highest level in both Irish and Highland dancing. They both hold an international Irish dance teaching qualification. Dancing together as Celtic Heartbeat, they have performed in many productions, including Last Night of the Proms in Durban, Pietermaritzburg and Johannesburg, and have recently completed taking part in the 25th anniversary production of Shall We Dance.
The twins have performed together with 1 Med at many diverse occasions, but a highlight both groups look forward to each year is their regular feature at Carols & Kilts.
The twins have performed together with 1 Med at many diverse occasions, but a highlight both groups look forward to each year is their regular feature at Carols & Kilts.
Nicholas Mowbray
Veteran musician Nick Mowbray started playing nursery rhymes on the piano by ear at 4 years, started formal lessons from 7, and by the age of 12 had already fallen in with the wrong crowd and begun experimenting with risky flute, bagpipe and keyboard ensembles. He has been accompanying 1 Med Pipe Band since 1999, regularly travelling all the way from Port Elizabeth to take part in concerts and weddings. This has been by far the most enjoyable aspect of his musical journey.
Back home in his normal life Nick and his brother are now the 5th generation running the family business - retailing men's and school apparel, and manufacturing academic, legal, clerical and municipal attire. His lovely wife and three children are also often seen supporting Nick and the band around the country.
Back home in his normal life Nick and his brother are now the 5th generation running the family business - retailing men's and school apparel, and manufacturing academic, legal, clerical and municipal attire. His lovely wife and three children are also often seen supporting Nick and the band around the country.
Alistair MacKenzie
Alistair is a longstanding member of the Durban Caledonian Society and a great friend to the band. On a regular day he might be hiring out kilts and other highland regalia to the public (or to the odd bandsman who left his in Cape Town..) for weddings and events, or taking part in the North Beach park run. Once or twice a year, however, he dons his gear, walks out on stage, and performs the immortal poetry of Rabbie Burns to a fresh, warm, delicious haggis.
It also happens that 1 Med Pipe Band proudly wears the tartan of Alistair's clan - the deep blue and green of MacKenzie.
It also happens that 1 Med Pipe Band proudly wears the tartan of Alistair's clan - the deep blue and green of MacKenzie.
Garth Strydom
Garth has been playing the guitar for 17 years, after only picking up the instrument during his first year of study at university. While playing in his church band, a friend and bass guitarist there roped him into performing with 1 Med in the mid-2000s. Garth's affinity for the blues and folk music made the fit a good one, and the band has greatly benefitted over the years from his keen musical ear and ability to almost instantly throw some chords together and harmonise with the pipes.
In his other life Garth is a professional independent financial advisor, and he is married with 3 children.
In his other life Garth is a professional independent financial advisor, and he is married with 3 children.
Keely Crocker
Keely Crocker is a 15 year old learner at Kingsway High School, but she is already an accomplished singer and up-and-coming celebrity. She recently won her vocal age group at the Talent Africa regional round and was also awarded Best Performance and Best Vocalist. She will represent her province in Roodeport in April 2018. Keely has been selected to represent her country in New York for 3 years in a row and competed at Talent America in July this year where she won 2 x 1st places for Pop & Country. Keely also recently participated in the International Arts Talent Showcase held at Silverstar Casino and was scouted by international talent scout Kim Myers to participate in the Arts Convention in Orlando, 2018.
Keely’s local highlights this year have been singing, accompanied by 1 Med Pipe Band, at the closing ceremony of the annual South Coast Highland Gathering, being cast as a singer in her school musical, “Let’s Burlesque”, and being part of the Young Performer Project production of Footloose which ran at Elizabeth Sneddon Theatre from July to September.
Keely also released her first music video in February on YouTube, Keely Crocker – Dancing On My Own (Cover).
Keely’s local highlights this year have been singing, accompanied by 1 Med Pipe Band, at the closing ceremony of the annual South Coast Highland Gathering, being cast as a singer in her school musical, “Let’s Burlesque”, and being part of the Young Performer Project production of Footloose which ran at Elizabeth Sneddon Theatre from July to September.
Keely also released her first music video in February on YouTube, Keely Crocker – Dancing On My Own (Cover).
DIRECTIONS
Carols & Kilts 2017 at Howard College Theatre
Howard College Theatre
Howard College Building, Berea, 4041, South Africa
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