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Carols & Kilts 2018 at Shongweni Farmers Market

By Durban Callies Pipe Band and Friends

Sat Dec 8, 16:30 - Sat Dec 8, 18:30

Shongweni Farmer's Market

ABOUT

Presenting the sixth annual production of "Carols & Kilts" with Ethekwini Pipe Band and Friends - an opportunity to kick off the festive season with a blend of highland music and 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. As a respite from the loud notes of pipe and drum, 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 Shongweni Farmer's Market for a relaxing musical afternoon overlooking the top of the Shongweni valley. A range of food and beverages will be available there, so no BYO food & drink - please support the stalls.

Note that tickets will be sold at the gate, but we encourage pre-booking to reserve your place and help us cater for the correct numbers.

FRIENDS

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Shongweni Farmer's & Craft Market
The Market has become well known for its diverse products which range from a large variety of organic foods and fresh produce to all the exciting crafts.

This market oozes with stereotypical country charm. It’s almost mandatory to pack up the family and dog, take a sturdy basket and arrive early. Treat yourself with breakfast and, from your vantage point on a hay bale, decide your method of attack. Peruse stalls at a leisurely place as hands-on producers passionately talk you through their wares from traditional English sausages to decadent baked goods, handcrafted organic cheeses, breads and rustic French staples like terrines and rillettes. You’ll also find Middle Eastern and Mediterranean specialities from baklava to falafel. If you’re shopping with a conscience you can buy organic veg or a pre-installed, irrigated system to grow your own organic vegetables.The Market has become well known for its diverse products which range from a large variety of organic foods and fresh produce to all the exciting crafts.
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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.

DIRECTIONS

Carols & Kilts 2018 at Shongweni Farmers Market
Shongweni Farmer's Market
Lot 457., Mr551 Rd, Shongweni, 3650, South Africa
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