The Soraya Welcomes Back Soweto Gospel Choir and their show HOPE—It’s Been a Long Time Coming,Songs from the Great African and American Struggle on Saturday, October 29.
[NoHo Arts District, CA] —Three-time Grammy Award-winning Soweto Gospel Choir returns to The Soraya with an all-new concert, HOPE—It’s Been a Long Time Coming, Songs from the Great African and American Struggle, a timely program honoring artists who have struggled for civil rights and social justice in the U.S. and South Africa. Rousing freedom songs mix with music by Billie Holiday, Aretha Franklin, Harry Belafonte, Mahalia Jackson, and others, combined with traditional African gospel music and from the American Civil Rights Movement.
About HOPE—It’s Been a Long Time Coming
HOPE – It’s Been a Long Time Coming offers a heartfelt message of hope to all people. It combines South African struggle songs sung by communities fighting the oppressive apartheid regime and the songs of America’s civil rights movement. These are the songs of a people all praying for a better life. They are songs of resistance. They come from the soul. Theirs is a heartfelt message of both resilience and of hope.
About the Soweto Gospel Choir
The Soweto Gospel Choir hails from Soweto, the home of South African’s first President, Nelson Mandela. The Choir inspires audiences with its powerful blend of African gospel, freedom songs and international classics. Brimming with energy and thrilling with its transcendent harmonies, the three-time Grammy-winning Soweto Gospel Choir is “nothing less than an international treasure” (Jazztimes), beloved the world over for its ensemble flair and infectious spirit.
Comprising a line-up of some of South Africa’s best vocalists, these uplifting performers have shared the stage and collaborated with the biggest names in contemporary music, including Aretha Franklin, Stevie Wonder, Beyonce, U2, Diana Ross, Peter Gabriel, Chris Martin, John Legend, Pharrell Williams, Jimmy Cliff, Ben Harper, Angelique Kidjo, Robert Plant, Celine Dion, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Hugh Masekela, and Josh Groban.
Soweto Gospel Choir was formed in 2003 at the end of the apartheid era and during South Africa’s inspiring return to democracy. Taking part in some of the major historical events in the new democratic South Africa, Soweto Gospel Choir is proud to have performed on many occasions for the father of their nation, former President Nelson Mandela and sadly at his state funeral in South Africa and at the subsequent commemorative service at Westminster Abbey in London. Soweto Gospel Choir was similarly invited to perform at the funeral service for the late president’s first wife, Winnie Mandela.
The Choir’s patron is human rights activist and Nobel Peace Prize winner, Archbishop Desmond Tutu, and they are proud to act as ambassadors for the Nelson Mandela Foundation. https://www.sowetogospelchoir.com/
What:
Soweto Gospel Choir: HOPE It’s been a Long Time Coming
When:
Saturday, October 29 at 3pm
Where:
Younes and Soraya Nazarian Center for the Performing Arts (The Soraya)
18111 Nordhoff Street, Northridge, CA 91330.
Tickets:
$36-$65 For all ticket information visit www.thesoraya.org or call the Ticket Office at (818) 677-3000.
About the Younes and Soraya Nazarian Center for the Performing Arts (The Soraya)
Located on the vibrant and diverse campus of California State University in the heart of Los Angeles’ San Fernando Valley, the Younes and Soraya Nazarian Center for the Performing Arts (The Soraya) continues its vigorous commitment to innovating, exceling, and amplifying access by offering a wide variety of performances that reflect LA’s many distinctive communities and featuring new and original work from the Los Angeles region as well as artists from around the world.
The Soraya’s 2022-23 season offers a joy-filled reunion featuring a vibrant program of nearly 50 classical and popular music, dance, theater, family, and international events that will further establish it as one of the top arts companies in Southern California that uplifts and inspires its audiences.