IF you are a fan of music revues and cabaret shows, then this year’s Hilton Arts Festival – which runs from September 16 to September 18 at Hilton College – has plenty to offer.

Cabaret sensation, Tonya Koenderman, will be taking festival-goers Around The World with songs like O Mio Babbino Caro, Love Paris, Lili Marlene, Special Star and New York New York, all delivered with her powerful voice and fabulous brand of humour.

Around The World is being staged in the Art Block at 6pm on Friday, September 16 and 6.30pm on Saturday, September 17. Tickets are R120.

If you prefer the music of legendary band, Creedance Clearwater Revival, then you will love the tribute from Durban band, The Black Lapels, at 8pm on Friday, September 16 and 8.30pm on Saturday, September 17.

Featuring seasoned and southern honed journeymen, Rob and Garth Warren,  stick man, Gareth Gale, David Keytar and the “young gun” himself, “Cool Hand” Luke Wyngaard, this performance will instantly transport you back to the hedonistic days of the sixties, San Francisco and the southern rock style that made Creedence an  unforgettable force.

Relive the period, the iconography and experience the socially conscious impact John and Tom Fogerty, together with Stu Cook and Doug Clifford left embedded in the chemical haze of the 60s and 70s.

Tickets for the Creedance Clearwater Revival Tribute, which is being staged in the Art Block, are R130.

Festival darling, Anthony Stonier, will be delighting his many fans with Showstoppers in the Art Block at 2.30pm on Saturday, September 17 and 6pm on Sunday, September 18.

This new revue features songs from great musicals, including Hello Dolly, Cats, Camelot, South Pacific, Fiddler on the Roof, The Sound of Music, Chess, Chicago, My Fair Lady, Les Miserables, Cabaret, Oklahoma, West Side Story and The Man of La Mancha.

Tickets for the show are R100.

In Tie A Knot in It (Vegas Baby), three of Durban’s most accomplished performers, Rowan Bartlett, Darren King and Bryan Hiles, take the audience an a chaotic and exuberant romp through the  casinos of Las Vegas and the stars who have made them famous.

Cruise along Route 66 to the Flamingo Lounge for sweet talk, slick moves and smooth vocals. You can expect a cocktail of one part Dean Martin, two parts Sinatra, a  dash of Robbie Williams and a twist of Cher served over crushed Celine Dion, shaken, not stirred. And remember…  What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas. May include nudity … but only if you’re lucky…

Tie A Knot in It (Vegas Baby) is being staged in the Art Block at 4.30 pm on Saturday, September 17 and 11 am on Sunday, September 18. Tickets are R120 (R100 concessions).

Another Durban band heading to Hilton this weekend is Platform Jazz, who will be performing in The Chapel at 6.30 pm on Saturday, September 17.

Celebration Time With Platform Jazz is packed full of jazz party favourites  from the gangster and Great Gatsby parties, evergreen tunes from the Swing era, conga line Latin favourites and songs that just celebrate life.

Listen out for Mac the Knife, Feeling Good, Rum and Coca Cola, Tequila!, Let’s Fall in Love, C’est si Bon, What a Wonderful  World and Quando Quando.

Platform Jazz is made up of Jeff Judge on  sax, Dunc ‘the Hunc’  on  trombone, Kirsten ‘The Kitten’ on  clarinet, Melvin  Peters on  keys, Andreas on  bass, Bashful Bruce on drums, songbird Shelley McLean and Cathy ‘Hotlips’ Peacock on  trumpet.

Tickets are R130 (R100 concessions).

Last, but by no means least, is Just Me & Elton, featuring Midlands diva, Cat Simoni. The show, which is directed by Paul Spence, will be staged in the Chapel at 8.15 pm on Saturday, September 17.

Cat drinks a champagne toast to the fabulous Elton John piano songbook, singing everything from Rocket Man, Yellow Brick Road and Candle in the Wind, to Sacrifice, Nikita and Circle of Life.

Tickets are R120.

To book for all these shows email tickets@hiltoncollege.com

For more information about the festival visit http://www.hiltonfestival.co.za or like the Facebook page, Hilton Arts Festival. Inquiries: 033 383 0126/7 or email festival@hiltoncollege.com