The African Music and Dance third year students under the directorship of Dr Patricia Opondo, will be hosting the 13th Annual African Cultural Calabash and African Cuisine event, which is one of the biggest concerts within UKZN’s School of Arts. The concert will be held on Friday 12th of October 2018 at the Howard College Theatre at 7:30 pm.
The theme for this year is Our Culture, Our Pride. Ms Dinono Mdlanzi of the Calabash Organising Team says, ‘This year’s theme celebrates pride taken by celebrating and promoting African cultural heritage, which cultivates a spirit of becoming greater human beings by maintaining traditions and customs especially through music and dance. Come celebrate with us and experience rich culture aligned with an enthralling breath-taking concert and flavoursome tasty cuisine that will leave you rejuvenated and eager for more.’
The concert features a line-up of KZN born artists performing music and dance traditions showcasing African creativity. UKZN alumnus from the African Music and Dance (AMD) programme Ms Thabile Buthelezi is this year’s keynote speaker. UKZN AMD Ensemble students will open the concert with vibrant percussion while Eshowe born griot Mbuso Khoza, will perform a Kiswahili prayer chant to connect audiences with African spirits followed by Amahubo repertoire with the KZN Heritage Ensemble.
Other artists include KZN’s Maskandi maestro Mfiliseni Magubane, contemporary S’cathamiya outfit Thee Legacy, a group that rose to stardom through Sing Off South Africa! and male only hostel group from KwaMashu called Amaphikankani, performing Isishameni .
Delicious African cuisine (Kenyan Pilau Sukuma wiki, samp, tripe, isigwaqane, nhloko, steamed bread, breyani and a variety of vegetarian dishes and salads will be served amongst others) will be available after the show.
Said Opondo, ‘The Annual African Cultural Calabash is a main cultural event of the UKZN African Music Project and provides a platform to celebrate various cultural traditions, and for exiting students to have hands on experience in producing and hosting a large-scale cultural event as part of the training in my module African Music Outreach: Community Development. I thank the National Arts Council of South Africa, SAMRO Foundation and Concerts SA for sponsoring the 13th edition of the African Cultural Calabash.’
Tickets priced at R80 (Adults) and R50 (Students) are available at UKZN Centre for Jazz and Popular Music on the Howard College Campus.
