Mix of comedy, poetry, religion

Comedy, poetry and religion provide an entertaining and educational mix in The Strangers Tour featuring famous funnyman Baba Ali, spoken-word poet Boonaa Mohammed and Islamic scholar Navaid Aziz this week.

VARIETY

. The trio perform in Pretoria on May 5 at 6pm, Cape Town on May 6 at 4.30pm and Durban on May 8 at 6pm. Shows are at the Kit Kat Convention Centre, Old Mutual Campus Courtyard and NMJ Islamic Centre respectively. To book, contact Fatima Asmal-Motala on 0832714500.

THEATRE

. ENJOY thrilling local acts at the Hillfox Family Circus at Johannesburg's Hillfox Value Centre this Workers Day. Expect fire-eaters, acrobats, escape artists, ventriloquists and more at this free show, which begins at 1pm.

. NOSTALGIA, glitz and old-style romance beckon from the stages of Durban and Johannesburg as Chalo Cinema 5 takes to the Playhouse Drama and Lyric theatres in May and June respectively. The retrospective production weaves dance, music and drama to highlight legendary moments from Bollywood's 100-year history. Visit Computicket for show dates and tickets.

. ROLL UP, roll up! for the Moscow Circus on Ice this May at the Joburg Theatre. Dazzling outfits and breathtaking acrobatic displays on skates are set to thrill audiences from May 2 to 13. Tickets begin from R130. Contact the Joburg Theatre on 0118776800 for show times.

MUSIC

. CARNATIC connoisseurs can get their classical music fix on Tuesday at the third of the Gold Coin series' free concerts. Next month's programme boasts several respected artists on violin, mridangam, kanjeera, morsing, tabla and vocals. Join fellow music lovers at the Kampara Conference Centre at 490 Clare Road in Durban at 2pm. Though concerts are free, any contributions you wish to make towards running costs will be appreciated.

. EMPEROR of Bhajans Anup Jalota partners with the SA Hindu Dharma Sabha in May to present a series of concerts in aid of the hungry. Accompanied by singer Shashika Mooruth and a host of musicians from India, Jalota is set to enthrall audiences in Durban, Johannesburg and Pietermaritzburg in five concerts from May 9 to 14. Tickets, venues and times are available via Computicket.

. ANCIENT Sanskrit chants meet the sounds of the electric guitar in the unique offerings of an international artist inVikram Hazra - Africa World Tour 2012. Hazra performs in SA on May 5 at the Gandhi Hall in Lenasia, Johannesburg; at Durban's Kendra Hall on May 10; and at the Olive Convention Centre on May 13. Contact 0826416049 for tickets to the 7pm Johannesburg concert and 0824472903 for the Durban shows.

. CONTRIBUTE to a benefit concert on Saturday for musician Andre Dreyer, who succumbed to cancer recently. It will be at the Musketeers in Durban, Westville, from 3pm. Entry is R50 per person. Contact 0844463581/0312660836 for bookings and information.

. KZN music professionals are invited to join the Kwa-Zulu Natal United Music Industry Association, a nonprofit regional body geared towards "facilitating your needs and desires and protecting and furthering your interests". E-mail info@kumisa.co.za or visit www.kumisa.com for more information.

ART

. PONDER acts of creation and destruction at artist Tanisha Bhana's Transcience exhibition of digital pigment prints, hosted by Cape Town's Lovell Gallery until May 19. Contact 0218205505.

FESTIVALS

. JOIN the Sathya Sai School as it hosts its South Coast/Chatsworth Regional Hindi Eisteddfod today from 8am at the Kasieprasad Hindi Centre at 30 Oak Avenue, Kharwastan. All welcome.

LESSONS

. LEARN more about the principles and ethics of Hindu culture as well as the lives and teachings of the saints and sages through the Durban Arya Samaj SA's Veda Niketan courses. Contact 0313096064.

WINE

. TASTE your choice of wines from over 130 estates at The Wine Show in Johannesburg from May 4 to 6. Connoisseurs and novices alike can visit the Coca-Cola Dome to sample some of South Africa's best for R100 per person, as well as 2011 International Wine and Spirits Competition winners for an additional R20. Visit Computicket for times and tickets.

RELIGION

. REFLECT on the birth, enlightenment and death of Lord Buddha during the Buddha Day celebrations on Sunday. Hosted by the KZN Buddhist Forum at the Greenwood Park Shree Ranganathar Temple Hall, the event is from 10.30am to 12.30pm. Take along flowers, fruit or sweets for the shrine as well as jumble and staple foods for charity if you can. A free vegetarian meal will be served.

HEALTH

. FITNESS, yoga and life-coaching are on the programme of the Ready Set Go workshops with Lisa Raleigh and her team at the Johannesburg Da Vinci Hotel on May5. Featuring workshops by Kanchana Moodliar, Tamryn Taylor and Raleigh herself, the workshop series promises "to help inspire you on your journey to a healthier, fitter, happier you". Tickets are R450 per person. Contact 0112927000 for details.

FUN

. BE a part of history by joining in world- record-breaking attempts in Johannesburg and Durban during May. South African married couples can visit the Zone in Rosebank, Johannesburg, on May 5 or the Palm Boulevard in Gateway, Durban, on May12 to take part in what could be the largest gathering for wedding vow renewals in the world. The event aims to attract at least 1088 couples. Take along your partner and identity document or driver's licence on the day of the event, which begins at 10am in both cities. For more information, contact 0318110500.