NOTE: I am aware that today is May 6 and this event happened on May 5. The story was printed in the Lethbridge Herald in advance of the event, I am simply posting it to my site as an example of my work.

18 singers, drummers, and dancers from Soweto, South Africa are bringing their unique performance, titled ‘Memeza Africa’ to Lethbridge. The show features African and Canadian music combined with traditional African rhythms and dance.

They will perform at the Immanuel Lutheran Church (on the westside) on Tuesday, May 5.

The group was put together by Alberta singer and songwriter Holly Wright, and provides a wonderful cultural experience with fascinating stories.

Memeza Africa was created by Wright’s determination to re-record her song “The World Shall Love Again” while she was living in South Africa.  She collaborated with Jimmy Mulovhedzi and together, through their mutual passion for the song, decided to bring their cultures together through music. This ultimately led to the Memeza Africa, according to www.memezaafrica.org.

Memeza Africa has toured Western Canada before with sold-out shows, and has had a terrific response from audiences, including thunderous applause and people weeping with emotion.

The ensemble features singing and incredible dancing with traditional African drums and acoustic guitar in a very unique blend of style and sound.

The resilience and spirit of the people helped them overcome difficulties in their lives, and brought them together, making Soweto the home of South African freedom music, the website says.

They have shared stages with Oprah Winfrey, Nelson Mandela, KD Lang, Quincy Jones, and Ladysmith Black Mambazo, and performed at the FIFA confederation Cup in Johannesburg, South Africa.

The performances are not simply for entertainment sake, as they convey important messages on what life is like in Soweto, such as post-apartheid experiences, and the huge impact of HIV-AIDS in South Africa.

By supporting and enjoying the show, audiences are providing income to the performers, and as a result, their families back home in South Africa. The website also makes a point to mention that the the income that the show provides for each performer directly is shared among all family and extended family members.

For more information, call Carlene Shaw at 780-940-9043.

Originally posted 2009-05-06 23:13:04. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

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