Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 2005. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.
PRNewswire - February 15, 2005
CHICAGO, Feb. 15 /PRNewswire/ -- SOWETO GOSPEL CHOIR, the most exciting vocal group to emerge from South Africa since Ladysmith Black Mambazo, will bring their magnetic energy, joyful spirits and beautiful harmonies, in addition to making a special Chicago appearance when the DuSable Museum of African American History presents this musical sensation at Christ Universal Temple, located at 11901 South Ashland Avenue on Tuesday, March 8, 2005 at 7:30 PM. The event is sponsored by Gardner Rich & Company and Pamodzi Investment Holdings, a South African Investment House.
The Soweto Gospel Choir received the American Gospel Music Award's "Best Gospel Choir 2003," and recently performed during a triumphant european tour. They dazzled audiences at the prestigious Edinburgh Festival in Scotland and various concert halls and festivals throughout Europe, Australia and Africa. In November 2003 at the 46664 Concert in Capetown, South Africa, organized by Nelson Mandela (taking its name from his prison number) to heighten awareness of the AIDS epidemic, the Choir wowed fellow performers Peter Gabriel, Bono, The Eurythmics, Jimmy Cliff and Queen. In fact many of the international superstars kept the Choir onstage to back their own sets.
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. An Edinburgh critic raves, "Nothing can really prepare you for the riot of exuberance and depth of emotion" while the West Australian says, "Soweto Gospel Choir sings songs that are calculated to go straight to the heart, sung with that joyous sense of celebration and exuberance that only black South African choirs seem capable of achieving." Clearly, Soweto Gospel Choir is on its way to becoming the next great wonder in world music.
More than just a rising international musical phenomenon, the Soweto Gospel Choir also uses their performances to give back. The post-apartheid economy of South Africa is marked by high unemployment and residents in black townships like Soweto are barely able to exist. The choir recently created its own charitable foundation in association with Nkosi's Haven; a Soweto-based AIDS-care project established by Gail Johnson, whose late son Nkosi, at age 11, gave a moving address to a United Nations international AIDS conference that was televised world-wide. The charity called Nkosi's Haven/Vulkani (meaning to arise, do something !!!), raises funds for AIDS orphans establishments that do not receive government or private funding. The choir's contributions are targeted toward food and other essential goods for numerous needy organizations.
Soweto Gospel Choir was created in 2002. Davis Mulovhedzi and South African Executive Producer Beverly Bryer held auditions in Soweto to form an all-star "super-choir". Together they were able to create a powerful sound composed of the best singers from Mulovhedzi's own Holy Jerusalem Choir, various Soweto churches and from the general public. The choir even includes a finalist from the nationally-televised South African equivalent of "Star Search."
Long noted for powerful singers and a capella vocal traditions of great beauty, Africa in general, and South Africa in particular, has a long and diverse history with gospel music. When Africans came into contact with European missionaries and churches, they quickly absorbed the music and blended it with their own to create unique styles and repertoires of spiritual songs. Adorned in traditional and vibrant South African garb, the choir wins audiences with their exotic blend of South African spirituals, traditional Zulu, Xhosa and Sotho gospel songs which are interspersed with popular songs and folk anthems.
The DuSable Museum appearance of Soweto Gospel Choir is being sponsored by Gardner Rich & Company, and Pamodzi Investment Holdings. Gardner Rich & Co. (GRC) and Pamodzi Investment Holdings of South Africa united to create a private equity fund that invests solely in South Africa. The goal is to raise $1 billion. To date $200,000,000 has been committed to the efforts thus far.
Chicago-based GRC was founded in 1989 by Christopher P. Gardner. Pamodzi was founded in 1979 by Ndaba Ntsele and Solly Sithole, and owns dominant companies and investments in key industries in South Africa.
The Soweto Gospel Choir is being presented by the DuSable Museum of African American History. Tickets are priced from $20 to $50 and are available at the Museum, on-line at http://www.dusablemuseum.org or by calling (773) 947-0600 ext 236. Group rates are available.
The DuSable Museum of African American History, one of the oldest institutions of its kind in the country, has been dedicated to the collection, preservation, interpretation and dissemination of the history and culture of Africans and Americans of African descent for 42 years. For more information on the Museum and its programs, please call (773) 947-0600 or you may visit our website at http://www.dusablemuseum.org .
SOURCE DuSable Museum of African American History
Web Site: http://www.dusablemuseum.org
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