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Carols & Kilts 2018 at Howard College Theatre

By Durban Callies Pipe Band and Friends

Sun Dec 9, 14:00 - Sun Dec 9, 16:00

Howard College Theatre

ABOUT

Presenting the sixth annual production of "Carols & Kilts" with Ethekwini Pipe Band and Friends - an opportunity to kick off the festive season with highland music, traditional dancing, and of course Christmas carols.

Join us and enjoy popular bagpipe tunes including The Flower of Scotland, Auld Lang Syne, and Scotland the Brave, as well as some more contemporary sets requiring fancy fingerwork and dextrous drumming, backed up by talented guitarist Garth Strydom, drum kit maverick Clinton Miles, and the multi-talented djembe-ist/bass-guitarist/MC Wayne Smythe.

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 some 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 we encourage pre-booking to reserve your place and help us cater for the correct numbers.

FRIENDS

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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 the well-known proudly-Durban show Shall We Dance.

The twins have performed together with the pipe band at concerts, ceilidhs, highland gatherings and even weddings, but a highlight both groups look forward to each year is their regular feature at Carols & Kilts.
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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 the 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.
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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 the band proudly wears the tartan of Alistair's clan - the deep blue and green of MacKenzie.
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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 the pipe band 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.
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4 Wheel Drive

4 Wheel Drive - also known to fans as 4 Fold Arts - have been singing together for just on 10 years as a quartet, and have performed at many retirement centres, Churches, and a number of shows all over KZN.  This is their first time joining us in concert, but we hope they will be a regular feature.

They sing in the Babershop style (Acapella), which is sung and enjoyed widely across the world.  Joining together in 4 part harmony, Frank sings Lead, Dale sings Tenor, Graham sings Baritone, and Mark sings Bass.

DIRECTIONS

Carols & Kilts 2018 at Howard College Theatre
Howard College Theatre
Howard College Building, Berea, 4041, South Africa
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