Bollywood-style show, golf and astrology

Catch the last day of the show I-Proud to be India this afternoon. Renowned choreographer and creative director Himal Soni will be showcasing the Bollywood-inspired dance production at the Treasures of India Lifestyle Extravaganza at the Montecasino Outdoor Event Area.

The extravaganza marks the celebration of 150 years of Indian people in South Africa. Soni has led many events on a worldwide scale, including the Miss India World Pageant, Africa Night and is the only male South African to have performed for the likes of Dolce & Gabbana. Also in the show will be local singing sensation Dipesh Nathoo, who will release his debut album. Shows today will begin at 4pm. Entry is R30 for adults and free for children under the age of 12 and senior citizens. For more information, visit www.toindia.co.za.

TICKLE your taste buds and catch the Thai Food Festival. Fans of Thai cuisine will be spoilt for choice by an exotic array of flavours and spices at the food spectacle. International Thai food expert chefs Sakarin Honglattanvolakit, Surasak Kongsawat and Arporn Kummalue have been flown in especially for the festival. Try out prawn, seafood and Thai noodle dishes. The festival takes place at Aurelia's Restaurant, Emperors Palace, and begins with a Thai barbecue on October 31. The festival runs until November 7 with different themed evenings each night. Catch the Thai buffet at Queen of the Nile Restaurant and a Thai wine-and-dine evening at Aurelia's Restaurant that will treat guests to a special six-course meal. To book, contact Christine Hlatshwayo on 0119281727 or chlatshwayo@emperorspalace.com and for Queen of the Nile bookings, call 0119281353/1367.

SUPPORT a good cause and get behind the Global Pink Hijab Day for the Cancer Association of South Africa (Cansa). Muslim women all over the world observe the day by donning pink scarfs to raise awareness. Millions of women are affected by breast cancer every year and it is the number one cancer diagnosis in South Africa among white and Indian females. Islamic Guidance will host the event, the Biggest Tea Party for Cansa, featuring guest speakers and a talk by a woman who has survived cancer. The event will shatter stereotypes of Muslim women as well as raise awareness and funds for breast cancer research. The tea party will take place in the Islamic Guidance Hall, 61 Essendene Road, Overport, Durban, on Wednesday from 7pm to 8.30pm. Entrance is free and those attending are encouraged to wear something pink. For more info, call Rabia on 0847026664 or Adheema on 0834742412.

PRACTISE your swing for the Papwa Memorial Tournament. The Papwa Sewgolum Golf Academy will host the tournament in commemoration of two big events, 150 years since Indians arrived in the country and Sewgolum winning the Dutch Open 50 years ago. He was a golf caddy who developed his golfing skills and went on to win three prestigious Dutch Open titles in 1959, 1960 and 1964. In 1965, after beating Gary Player to win the Natal Open, he was prevented from entering the Durban Country Club's clubhouse because of his race. This sparked an international outcry. He died in 1978. The tournament will be held at the Windsor Park Golf Course, Durban, on December 5. Entry fee is R150 and includes green fees, competition entry and dinner. Proceeds will go to the academy. For more info, e-mail papwagolf@telkomsa.net.

FOR a relaxing evening of jazz featuring some of KwaZulu-Natal's top musicians, catch the concert Dichotomy with singer Natalie Rungan at the Jazz Centre, University of KwaZulu-Natal, on Wednesday at 5.15pm. It will feature Bruce Baker, Mark Royeppen, Tyrell Soobramoney, Thabani Gapara and special guest, sitar player Shanjeet Teeluck. Tickets are R125. For more info, call 0312603385.

THE Miss India Gauteng pageant aims to provide a platform for women and develop leadership. To see this spectacle and to cheer on the pageant entrants, head down to the Patidar Hall, Lenasia, on November 6 at 7.30pm. The pageant features women between the ages of 15 and 20 who will compete in the national rounds of Miss India South Africa. For info and tickets, call 0845118209.

THE third annual Durban International Astrology and Psychic Festival is currently on. It showcases alternative and spiritual methods of dealing with stress and being enlightened. There will be Vedic astrology, palmists, face readers, feng shui, Vaastu, psychic spiritual healers, Egyptian sand reading, tarot-card reading and much more. Also available will be a variety of products, including crystal, gemstones, candles, wind chimes, books and dream catchers. The event takes place at the Durban Exhibition Centre until October 31.

WINE lovers will have a ball of a time at the RMB (Rand Merchant Bank) WineX. The wine festival is a three-night event that will showcase some of South Africa's top cellars under one roof. Wine makers from the Cape will descend on Gauteng for the event to introduce their latest vintage and new wines. There will be an array of wines to try out, complemented with cheeses, olive products and wine accessories. The festival kicks off at the Sandton Convention Centre on Wednesday and ends on Friday, from 5pm and 9pm daily. Tickets are priced from R100 to R120 and are available through Computicket.

THINKING of taking up a hobby? Why not try dancing. Neville Letard Dance School in Durban has launched a beginner course in basic ballroom and Latin-American dancing for people who have no formal dance training. The school will ensure that participants learn the fundamentals of all popular ballroom dances in a fun way. Couples and singles are welcome. The course takes place in the Musgrave Methodist Church Hall, Durban, every Wednesday from 7pm to 8pm. To book, call 0837793864.

PREPARE yourself for a funky, trendy musical which journeys through the '80s in The Absolute 80s. It is centred around a school reunion where you meet a head mistress who takes you on the journey to hear bands like Guns N' Roses, Eurythmics, A-ha, Depeche Mode, The Bangles and many more. The decade of the '80s saw the launching of MTV, the video machine and fax machine and songs such as St Elmo's Fire, Ghost Busters and the popular TV series Dallas. There will also be a celebration of South African 1980s artists, including Brenda Fassie and Sipho Hotstix. The show will run from Tuesday until January 9 2011. Tickets are R120 with discounted specials of R85 for Tuesday and Sunday matinee shows. To book, call 0315663045.