Vusi Mahlasela & Friends Township Performance

Date: 

Friday, October 26, 2018, 8:00pm

Location: 

Somerville Theatre, 55 Davis Square, Somerville, MA 02144

One of South Africa's most celebrated musicians and cultural activists, Vusi Mahlasela is a guitarist, singer-songwriter, and poet but is known simply as The Voice in his South African homeland. Honoring the musical traditions of his youth during apartheid, Mahlasela and his band will be performing a new program he calls Township, which features the music of Dorothy Masuka, Brenda Fassie, Miriam Makeba, Hugh Masekela, and more.

 

Inspired by his early musical experiences listening to mbaqanga, kwela, and marabi, Mahlasela will be performing the music of Dorothy Masuka, Brenda Fassie, Miriam Makeba, Hugh Masekela, and more in a new program he calls Township. This program honors the musical traditions born in Apartheid townships and celebrates the 100th birthday of global peacemaker Nelson Mandela. Commemorating nearly 25 years of freedom from apartheid, Vusi's new solo concert will bring his unique blend of traditional African music, soul and blues, with music showcasing his powerful vocals and poetic lyrics. In conjunction with this tour, Mahlasela will release a live album recorded in Mamelodi with his hometown band, memorializing many of these quintessential township songs.

 
Organizer(s): CrashArts/ WorldMusic