Two-day fest to celebrate unity
MUSICIANS and dancers from Nigeria, Cape Verde and Ghana will gather with local artists to celebrate Africa.
The Joburg Theatre in Braamfontein will host a twoday festival on Friday and Saturday headlined by Ringo Madlingozi and Lira, leading up to Africa Day on Monday.
Africa Day is celebrated on May 25 to commemorate the founding of the Organisation of African Unity in 1963, the predecessor of the AU.
Local musicians will be joined by Lura from Cape Verde, Nigeria’s Femi Koya and Abena Koomson, a Ghanaian based in New York. Together, they will also pay special tribute to the legendary Fela Kuti.
Nigerian saxophonist Femi Koya and his eight-piece South African band will be joined by Koomson, a member of the Tony Award-winning Fela! Broadway show, who will be leading the Fela tribute.
“It is a diverse and exciting programme that salutes Africa’s musical heritage,” said Collett Dawson, the theatre’s spokeswoman.
The shows starts at 8pm on both days and tickets cost between R100 and R200.
Tickets can be bought at www.joburgtheatre.com or the theatre’s ticketing line at 0861 670 670.
Dawson said Ringo was one of the biggest artists on the outdoor festival circuit, while Lira continued to make waves locally and internationally.
“Lura, a Portuguese-speaking artist, stands at the crossroads of the Portuguese and Cabo Verdean culture,” Dawson added.
The celebrations will include workshops at the theatre and in various schools.
Organisers hope to show the world “what unity can do to affirm the continent’s vision to create a better life for all”.