The 5th edition of Masicule! (Let’s Sing!) takes place in the Guy Butler Theatre in the Monument on Sunday 25 March at 6pm and Monday 26 March at 7.30pm. This year our guest artist is the legendary Sibongile Khumalo.
Sibongile Khumalo has won four South African Music Awards for her popular music and jazz recordings, and three FNB Vita Awards for her opera and concert work. In 2008 the President bestowed upon her the Order of Ikhamanga Silver for her contribution to South African music, and in 2009 she was awarded an honorary doctorate from Rhodes University. She has been called ‘one of the greatest mezzo soprano voices of all time’ and ‘South Africa’s first lady of song’, while former President Nelson Mandela declared her to be a ‘national treasure’.
Khumalo will sing some of her own songs as well as front a massed choir made up of choristers from most of Grahamstown’s schools as well as adult choirs from the area – the massed choir pieces are being kept under wraps for the moment but they include some very familiar South African hits and, with upwards of 600 voices combining, they will definitely be goosebump-inducing performances. Choristers and singers also participate as full choirs, smaller ensembles and collaborations in a programme specially arranged for the event.
Participating schools include Nombulelo High School, Graeme College, Ntsika Secondary School, Victoria Girls High School, Kingswood College, Mary Waters Secondary School and Nathaniel Nyaluza High School. The ensemble choirs, Byrdsongs, Sensation 6, #official and Kwantu will also feature on the programme.
Tickets are on sale now and selling fast – book online at www.tickethut.co.za. Alternatively you can book at in person at Fusion Specialty Foods in the Peppergrove Mall or at the Festival Office in the Monument. Or give Kate or Akhona a call on 046 603 1103. Tickets are R40 for adults, R30 for children, students and pensioners, and R20 for block bookings of 10 or more. Tickets, if still available, will be on sale at the door an hour before the start. There’ll be a tuck shop and coffee, wine, beer and soft drinks on sale. Queries and block bookings: kate@nationalartsfetival.co.za. To whet the appetite, watch the video snippet from last year’s concert at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9t4FBIaAYTk
