SOUTH AFRICA’S SENSATION – THE SOWETO GOSPEL CHOIR
SOUTH AFRICA’S SENSATION – THE SOWETO GOSPEL CHOIR PERFORMS AT MARIN CENTER SUNDAY, MARCH 20, 3PM
SAN RAFAEL, CA – Fresh on the heels of a triumphant European tour the 32 voice Soweto Gospel Choir, one of the most exciting vocal groups to emerge from South Africa, will perform their only Bay Area concert at Marin Center, San Rafael on SUNDAY, March 20, 3pm, as part of the group’s first North American tour. Packed with magnetic energy, joyful spirit, and beautiful harmonies, the choir were handpicked from the churches of Johannesburg’s Soweto district. This one-time performance takes place at the Marin Veterans’ Memorial Auditorium, Avenue of the Flags at Civic Center Drive in San Rafael. Tickets are $35, and $28 (Students 18 and under $18,) and can be ordered through the Marin Center Box Office at 415-499-6800, online at Ticketmaster.com or Ticketmaster outlets throughout the Bay Area. Visit www.marincenter.org for more information.
Soweto Gospel Choir performances deliver a non-stop pageant of all types of inspirational material, punctuated by traditional dancing (an integral part of church worship in Africa,) and energized numbers backed by a live band. “Nothing can really prepare you for the riot of exuberance and depth of emotion” raved an Edinburgh critic after the choir brought down the house at the prestigious Edinburgh Festival in Scotland.
Soweto Gospel Choir was created in 2002 after auditions were held to form an all-star “super-choir.” David Mulovhedzi (Musical Director and Choirmaster) and South African Executive Producer Beverly Bryer created a powerful aggregation made up of the best singers from the Holy Jerusalem Choir, various Soweto churches, and from the general public, including a finalist from the South African equivalent of “Star Search.”
Soweto Gospel Choir is much more than simply a musical phenomenon. The post-apartheid economy of South Africa is marked by high unemployment and black townships such as Soweto have many residents living at a bare subsistence level. The choir is committed to helping raise funds for food and many other essential goods for needy organizations. They recently created their own charity foundation in association with Nkosi’s Haven – a Soweto based AIDS care project that raises funds for AIDS orphans.
Recipients of the American Gospel Music Award’s “Best Gospel Choir 2003,” Soweto Gospel Choir’s American CD debut (Shanachie Entertainment,) Voices From Heaven, delivers the full range of the choir’s talent combining an exotic blend of spirituals, traditional Zulu, Xhosa, and Sotho gospel songs interspersed with popular songs and folk anthems. Soweto Gospel Choir is the most exciting vocal group to emerge from South Africa since Ladysmith Black Mambazo.
