Music unites across faith lines to honour Monsignor Paul Nadal and support the Denis Hurley Centre…. in the month of love!

Valentine’s Sunday Jazz Concert

Durban Jewish Centre: Sunday 16 February at 3pm

The Denis Hurley Centre will host a fabulously retro summer afternoon jazz concert and olde-style “Tea Dance” to be held at the Durban Jewish Club on Sunday 16 February from 3pm, in the company of maestro Melvin Peters and friends.

The Denis Hurley Centre, in the heart of the city, is always looking for interesting ways of bringing people together and generating funds to support the centre’s important projects to help the homeless.  This DHC fundraiser will be an afternoon of gentle jazz from the fabulous Melvin Peters with special guest artists It’s a chance to celebrate Valentine’s as a special date with your loved one; but also an opportunity to celebrate our joie de vivre with friends and family.

Pianist, organist, jazz aficionado, teacher, performer, concert producer and musical director of St Paul’s Anglican church, Melvin Peters is one of the city’s most enduring musical personalities. He has devised a play-list of some jazz standards and great tunes which explore the theme of love, and a few which take us down memory lane! Featured in the band are several well-known Durban-based jazz musicians:  Jeff Robinson on sax, Bruce Baker on drums, vocalist Debbie Mari and jazz veteran Elias Ngidi.

Tea Dances comprise afternoon tea and music – ideally music which can be danced to. For generations they were considered grand society occasions. As a response to the increased popularity of ballroom and Latin-American created by the dance reality shows, the trendy London set re-invented this idea as an opportunity to practice some dance moves over a pot of tea and scones. In the same vein as morning raves and Secret Sunrise, Tea Dances are a family-friendly fun way of enjoying great music, good company, light snacks ….. and the opportunity of a little dance (if one wants to) as a wholesome weekend afternoon activity. 

The afternoon will also honour Monsignor Paul Nadal who celebrates 60 years as a priest.  He was a close friend and co-worker of Archbishop Hurley and has been an untiring fundraiser for the Denis Hurley Centre.  At 87, he is no longer running Comrades or cycling Cape Arguses – but he can lead the dancers on to the floor!

“As always with the Denis Hurley Centre, we are bringing together different religious tradition: in this case the organist from an Anglican church is performing at the Jewish club to honour a Catholic Monsignor!” commented Raymond Perrier, Director of the Denis Hurley Centre.

Tea and coffee will be served (for free) by the deaf young adults from Face2Face, the DHC’s skills development project. They will also be selling home-made cakes, muffins and popcorn.  Guests are welcome to bring picnic baskets. 

Tickets through Quicket / or email tickets@denishurleycentre.org. Tickets cost R200 for a seat at a table (or R1800 for a whole table that seats 10-12 people).  There are also non-table seats at R120.  (Discounts available for children).

Plenty of safe parking on site. The Durban Jewish Club can be found at 44 KE Masinga [Old Fort] Road, North Beach.