Post by title1parent on Apr 22, 2008 6:05:15 GMT -5
School program celebrates South African culture
Cultural arts, literacy fair to feature renowned musician
April 22, 2008Recommend
By Tim Waldorf twaldorf@scn1.com
Waubonsie Valley High School students are bringing South Africa to Naperville before they head there themselves.
The school is inviting the community to join it Saturday afternoon for "South Africa Alive," a cultural arts and literacy fair. The free event, which runs from noon to 4 p.m. at Waubonsie, 2590 Route 34 in Aurora, is an extension of the school's Warriors Reaching Out service project that will send students in the school's Mosaic Ensemble to work in schools in Cape Town, South Africa, in June.
During this event, Waubonsie students will provide musical entertainment and perform a fashion show featuring South African fashions.
ยป Click to enlarge image Mahlasela
IF YOU GO
What: "South Africa Alive," a cultural arts and literacy fair.
When: Noon to 4 p.m. Saturday; concert at 7 p.m.
Where: Waubonsie Valley High School, 2590 Route 34, Aurora.
Who: Highlight is a concert by Vusi Mahlasela, who has performed with Paul Simon and the Dave Matthews Band.
How much: The afternoon fair is free; concert tickets are $25. Call 630-375-3003.
But this event also will feature a wide variety of exhibitors.
There will be presentations and/or storytelling sessions by Greg Forbe, authors of "The First Thirty;" Mary and Richard Chamberlain, authors of "Mama Panya's Pancakes;" and Nnedi Okorafor-Mbachu, author of "The Shadow Speaker" and "Zahrah the Windseeker." Anderson's Bookshop will host a used book sale. As part of the Warriors Reaching Out program, attendees can purchase books at the fair that will be sent to the library of the LEAP Science and Math School that Waubonsie students will be visiting in Cape Town.
William H. Bigham Galleries will display African art, students from Waubonsie's horticulture classes will construct African-themed floral arrangements, and Kilimanjaro International will display African artifacts and clothing. Happytalk Projects, a nonprofit organization, also will have arts and crafts for sale created by South African artists as a means of supporting their families.
The event will culminate in a concert by Vusi Mahlasela, a South African musician who has dedicated his life to using music to inspire change. Mahlasela - an accomplished guitarist, percussionist, composer, arranger, band leader and performer - blends sounds of folk, world, blues and soul music to connect South Africa's apartheid-scarred past with its promise of a better future. His songs of protest and solidarity became anthems to the people of South Africa as a new nation was created. When apartheid ended, Nelson Mandela requested Mahlasela perform at his inauguration.
Mahlasela just finished a tour with Paul Simon, and throughout his career, he has toured the globe, performing with the likes of Ladysmith Black Mambazo and Dave Matthews, who described Mahlasela as "a voice during the revolution, a voice of hope, sort of like a Woody Guthrie or Bob Dylan of South Africa."
Mahlasela's concert is at 7 p.m. Saturday. Tickets are $25 and are available by calling 630-375-3003. All proceeds benefit the Warriors Reaching Out program.
Cultural arts, literacy fair to feature renowned musician
April 22, 2008Recommend
By Tim Waldorf twaldorf@scn1.com
Waubonsie Valley High School students are bringing South Africa to Naperville before they head there themselves.
The school is inviting the community to join it Saturday afternoon for "South Africa Alive," a cultural arts and literacy fair. The free event, which runs from noon to 4 p.m. at Waubonsie, 2590 Route 34 in Aurora, is an extension of the school's Warriors Reaching Out service project that will send students in the school's Mosaic Ensemble to work in schools in Cape Town, South Africa, in June.
During this event, Waubonsie students will provide musical entertainment and perform a fashion show featuring South African fashions.
ยป Click to enlarge image Mahlasela
IF YOU GO
What: "South Africa Alive," a cultural arts and literacy fair.
When: Noon to 4 p.m. Saturday; concert at 7 p.m.
Where: Waubonsie Valley High School, 2590 Route 34, Aurora.
Who: Highlight is a concert by Vusi Mahlasela, who has performed with Paul Simon and the Dave Matthews Band.
How much: The afternoon fair is free; concert tickets are $25. Call 630-375-3003.
But this event also will feature a wide variety of exhibitors.
There will be presentations and/or storytelling sessions by Greg Forbe, authors of "The First Thirty;" Mary and Richard Chamberlain, authors of "Mama Panya's Pancakes;" and Nnedi Okorafor-Mbachu, author of "The Shadow Speaker" and "Zahrah the Windseeker." Anderson's Bookshop will host a used book sale. As part of the Warriors Reaching Out program, attendees can purchase books at the fair that will be sent to the library of the LEAP Science and Math School that Waubonsie students will be visiting in Cape Town.
William H. Bigham Galleries will display African art, students from Waubonsie's horticulture classes will construct African-themed floral arrangements, and Kilimanjaro International will display African artifacts and clothing. Happytalk Projects, a nonprofit organization, also will have arts and crafts for sale created by South African artists as a means of supporting their families.
The event will culminate in a concert by Vusi Mahlasela, a South African musician who has dedicated his life to using music to inspire change. Mahlasela - an accomplished guitarist, percussionist, composer, arranger, band leader and performer - blends sounds of folk, world, blues and soul music to connect South Africa's apartheid-scarred past with its promise of a better future. His songs of protest and solidarity became anthems to the people of South Africa as a new nation was created. When apartheid ended, Nelson Mandela requested Mahlasela perform at his inauguration.
Mahlasela just finished a tour with Paul Simon, and throughout his career, he has toured the globe, performing with the likes of Ladysmith Black Mambazo and Dave Matthews, who described Mahlasela as "a voice during the revolution, a voice of hope, sort of like a Woody Guthrie or Bob Dylan of South Africa."
Mahlasela's concert is at 7 p.m. Saturday. Tickets are $25 and are available by calling 630-375-3003. All proceeds benefit the Warriors Reaching Out program.