Long Walk To Freedom
Venue: Zellerbach Hall
Price: $24/$34/$46
Subscription Series: Choose-Your-Own
Founded in the early 1960s by the visionary singer and activist Joseph Shabalala, this 10-man a cappella group is one of the superstars of world music and considered a national treasure in their native country. South Africa's most popular vocal group for more than 30 years, they revolutionized traditional South African choral-group singing with their distinctive version of isicathamiya, the powerfully uplifting songs of Zulu mine workers during the apartheid era, and their performance on Paul Simon's groundbreaking album Graceland won the hearts of listeners all over the world. Long considered their country's cultural emissaries both at home and abroad, the Grammy Award-winning group also performed at Nelson Mandela's presidential inauguration and accompanied Mandela and F. W. de Klerk to receive the Nobel Peace Prize. They are joined for this double-bill program by fellow South African Vusi Mahlasela, who was recently featured in Amandla! A Revolution in Four-Part Harmony, the award-winning Sundance Festival documentary about the importance of music and song in South Africa's anti-apartheid struggle.
Patron Information
Program Notes: Program notes are available online, click here.
Education and Community Events:
Just announced! A Lecture/Demonstration by South African Artist Vusi Mahlasela
Thursday, February 3 at 2:00 p.m.
125 Morrison Hall / Free
Presented by Cal Performances in cooperation with African Studies and the Department of Music
Vusi Mahlasela was born Pretoria, South Africa and grew up in a township outside of the city. By the age of seventeen, Mahlasela was a seasoned performer and began composing original lyrics using themes of social and political significance. He performed at political rallies and joined the 'Ancestors of Africa,' a group of poets and musicians who were often harassed and monitored by the police. His debut album in 1991 was dedicated to those who had sacrificed their lives to the solitude and suffering of political exile. In 1994, he performed at the inauguration of South Africa's new president, Nelson Mandela. Vusi has since traveled globally, playing to sold out audiences, and continues to bring his skilled guitar work and vocal poetic passion to the world.
Related Performances:
Sweet Honey in the Rock
Balé Folclórico da Bahia
Artists links:
Official Ladysmith Black Mambazo site
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