2007 Grammy® Award Winner Soweto Gospel Choir Debuts at the Kimmel Center as Part of the Verizon World Pop Mix Series on February 25
February 13, 2007
The internationally renowned Soweto Gospel Choir debuts at the Kimmel Center’s Verizon Hall on Sunday, February 25, 2007 at 7:30pm. Recently heard on the Jay Leno Show and now returning for a third tour of the United States, the riveting 26-member choir introduces their third CD, African Spirit, a Newsweek top pick on "The Tip Sheet." Their songs, a lush medley of soulful harmonies, include an exotic mix of traditional South African hymns, traditional Zulu, Xhosa and Sotho gospel songs, along with interpreted material from around the world. Audiences have been inspired by their powerful message of hope, as Soweto Gospel Choir continues to elevate African gospel to a higher level across the globe. The January 2005 American debut Voices From Heaven topped Billboards World Music Charts. Sold-out tours in Australia, Europe, Singapore, and the United States followed, and have secured Soweto Gospel Choir’s place as one of South Africa’s most exciting new finds. Soweto Gospel Choir’s second album, Blessed, recently won the 2007 Grammy® Award for Best Traditional World Music Album.
Soweto Gospel Choir is the 11th concert in the Verizon World Pop Mix Series. Upcoming concerts include Chava Alberstein and David Broza on Thursday, March 1, 2007 and The Chieftains on Sunday, March 11, 2007.
Tickets for Soweto Gospel Choir on February 25, 2007 at 7:30 pm in Verizon Hall are priced at $29, $40, $46, $51 and $61, and can be purchased by calling 215-893-1999, online at www.kimmelcenter.org, or at the Kimmel Center box office, open daily from 10am to 6pm and later on performance evenings. (Additional fees may apply.) For group sales call 215-893-5883.
A limited number of $10 tickets are available for every Kimmel Center Presents performance at the Kimmel Center. Tickets go on sale the day of the event and can be purchased at the Kimmel Center box office beginning 2.5 hours prior to curtain time and 11:30am for matinees. Limit one ticket per person.
Comprised of young musicians mostly in their 20’s, Soweto Gospel Choir hails from in and around Soweto, South Africa, an area with a long history of gospel music that dates back to Africans’ first contact with European missionaries and churches. In 2002 Australian Producers Andrew Kay, David Vigo and Clifford Hocking decided to create a “super choir” that consisted of a powerhouse of singers and a capella talent from South Africa. Executive Producer/Show Director Beverly Bryer and Musical Director David Mulovhedzi held auditions to form the all-star choir made up of the best singers from Mulovhedzi’s own Holy Jerusalem Choir, as well as various Soweto churches and from the general public. Since 2003, the Soweto Gospel Choir has toured internationally to much critical acclaim, and shares the joy of faith and belief through powerful and soulful melodies and harmonies. The Soweto Gospel Choir is the 2003 and 2004 winner of the Best Choir Award at the American Gospel Music Awards and the 2004 winner of Best International Choir at the Gospel Music Awards.
In 2005, the Soweto Gospel Choir performed alongside Diana Ross and Christina Aguilera in South Africa at the "Unite Of The Stars" concert that benefited Nelson Mandela’s Children’s Fund and the Unite Against Hunger charities. The Soweto Gospel Choir is also recognized for their charitable donations and their commitment to helping the less fortunate. Not only does the choir serve as Ambassadors for Nelson Mandela’s AIDS foundation, but they also have formed Nkosi’s Haven / Vugani, which funds AIDS Orphans establishments in Africa that receive no government or private funding.
Kimmel Center Presents' 2006/2007 season is supported by: Mellon Financial Corporation, University of Pennsylvania Health System, National Endowment for the Arts, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Pennsylvania Council on the Arts, ARC Wheeler, The William Penn Foundation, The Wachovia Foundation, Verizon Foundation, The Presser Foundation, Philadelphia Music Project and Dance Advance, Initiatives of The Pew Charitable Trust administered by The University of the Arts. American Airlines is the Official Airline of Kimmel Center Presents. Toyota is the Official Vehicle of Kimmel Center Presents Jazz and World Pop programming. NBC-10 is a Media Partner for Kimmel Center Presents. The Philadelphia Inquirer, the Philadelphia Daily News, and Philly.com are media sponsors for the Great Orchestras on Tour series.
FREE AT THE KIMMEL events are made possible through the Wachovia Gateway to the Arts Community Access Program supported by a generous grant from Wachovia Foundation.
KIMMEL CENTER PRESENTS
Sunday February 25, 2007 | 7:30pm
Verizon Hall
World Pop Mix Series
Soweto Gospel Choir
Performers: Lucas Deon Bok, Jabulile Dladla, Jeho Fata, Nomvula Gebashe, Nkosinathi Hadebe, Shimmy Jiyane, Bongani Khumalo, Mirriam Matshepo Kutuane, Sipokazi Luzipo, Vusumuzi Madondo, Sibongile Makgathe, Joshua Mcineka, Lungisani Mhlongo, Zanele Mkhwanazi, Mandla Modawu, Nersia Mofokeng, Paseka Motloung, Original Velile Msimango, Mulalo Mulovhedzi, Maserame Ndindwa, Gregory Ndou, Sipho Ngcamu, Linda Nxumalo, Rebecca Nyamane, Vusimuzi Shabalala
FREE AT THE KIMMEL EVENT
Sunday, February 25, 2007 | 6pm
Commonwealth Plaza
Magauwane Mahloele
Accomplished in the making and playing of a wide range of traditional instruments, Magauwane Mahloele performed at the Philadelphia Live Arts Fringe Festival in September 2004. His style ranges from African to avant garde, and his art is a unique style of world music using instruments such as the kora, the mbira, and the djembe drum.
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