Nelson Mandela News

The Ordway Center for the Performing Arts announced today the launch of 'Taking Our Place Centerstage: The African Diaspora in Harmony.' This special initiative offers enhanced programming that includes master classes and workshops, an art exhibition, social gatherings and cultural conversations to celebrate the rich artistic traditions of communities of African and African American ancestry. The surrounding events are designed to enrich the Ordway's 2013-2014 season of world-class performances by Rennie Harris Puremovement, Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Maria de Barros, The Gershwins' Porgy and Bess, and Step Afrika!.

African safari and tour provider ET African Journeys will offer two departures of Celebrate South Africa During Black History Month, an eight day tour of Cape Town and Johannesburg, in February 2014. Departing from New York City on February 9th and February 16th, travelers on the tour learn about South Africa's complex history with visits to museums and cultural sites, while also having the opportunity to explore some of the country's stunning natural landscapes.

The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust announced Grammy award-winning Soweto Gospel Choir, will perform at the Byham Theater on Thursday, February 27, 2014, at 7:30 p.m. For tickets ($20-$45), visit, www.TrustArts.org, call 412- 456-6666, or in person Theater Square Box Office, 655 Penn Avenue. This event is part of the Cohen & Grigsby Trust Presents series. In February of this year, Soweto Gospel Choir will launch their fifth major North American tour. Visiting over 30 cities across the U.S. during the upcoming three months, Soweto Gospel Choir's concerts will celebrate their musical heritage that reflects the color and vibrancy of their rainbow nation and honor the life and legacy of their late President and friend, Nelson Mandela.

n Partnership with the UNC Center for the Study of the American South, Carolina Center for the Study of the Middle East and Muslim Civilizations, UNC's Department of American Studies, and Muslim Life at Duke, the North Carolina Comedy Arts Festival is presenting a screening of the new comedy documentary, The Muslims Are Coming, at 7 p.m. on Friday, February 7. The screening will be at the FedEx Global Education Center Nelson Mandela Auditorium on the campus of UNC. Tickets are free. Tickets and more information can be found at www.nccomedyarts.com

In commemoration of Black History Month, the New York City Department of Parks & Recreation is pleased to announce The March, an exhibition that includes seventeen artists at the Arsenal Gallery in Central Park. Open now through February 27, the exhibition reflects on the struggles and victories of the Civil Rights Movement past, present and future, as well as those individuals who have advanced the cause. The March is curated by NYC Parks' Ebony Society.

On Sunday, January 26, 2014, South Africa's Ladysmith Black Mambazo received the GRAMMY® Award for Best World Music Album for their 2013 album Live: Singing For Peace Around The World.

Ladysmith Black Mambazo has won a fourth Grammy Award, the latest in Best World Music category for their album Singing for Peace Live Around the World, a collection of live recordings dedicated to the late Nelson Mandela and his mission of peace. The group's award was announced at the 56th Annual Grammy Awards held on Sunday, January 26, 2014 in Los Angeles.

The American Museum of Natural Historycelebrates Black History Month with Give Your Voice: Honor Black History on Saturday, February 8, from noon to 5 pm. The festivities, which include family-friendly activities and live musical performances, arepresented in association with Community Works and New Heritage Theatre Group. The program will include the world premiere of new works and special arrangements composed for the Young People's Chorus of New York City by NEA Jazz Master Delfeayo Marsalis with the support of the American Museum of Natural History.

Africa Fashion Day Berlin celebrated its one-year anniversary on Friday the 17th of January 2014 at the Mani Restaurant in Berlin, Germany.

The Grammy-winning Ladysmith Black Mambazo will stop in Storrs on a U.S. tour with its latest album Always With Us Saturday, Feb. 1, 2014. The group with the Zulu sound of a single voice despite a thick stack of harmonies, made popular on this continent three decades ago via Paul Simon's Graceland album, will also deliver a tribute to Nelson Mandela in its 8 p.m. performance at Jorgensen.

The Sundance Institute welcomes the members of the six juries awarding prizes at the 2014 Sundance Film Festival, today, January 16-26 in Park City, Salt Lake City, Ogden and Sundance, Utah.

In celebration of Black History Month, the Sony Centre For The Performing Arts proudly presents Soweto Gospel Choir, South Africa's internationally renowned and award-winning choir. On Friday, February 21, 2014, at 7:30pm, for one performance only, the Soweto Gospel Choir will perform "Divine Decade" as part of their 2014 World tour, marking 10 years in music.

The new touring production of MAN OF LA MANCHA stops in Austin, TX this week, and star Jack E. Curenton recently answered several questions for BroadwayWorld regarding the production…

Sundance Institute announced today the members of the six juries awarding prizes at the 2014 Sundance Film Festival, January 16-26 in Park City, Salt Lake City, Ogden and Sundance, Utah. Short Film Awards will be announced at a ceremony on January 21 at Park City's Jupiter Bowl. Feature film awards will be announced at a separate ceremony on January 25 in Park City, hosted by husband-and-wife duo Nick Offerman and Megan Mullally and livestreamed at www.sundance.org/live. Offerman headlines the film Nick Offerman: American Ham in the Festival's Premieres section. Mullally voices a character in the English-language version of Ernest and Celestine, which will have its world premiere in the Festival's new Sundance Kids section.

The nominees for THE 45TH NAACP IMAGE AWARDS were announced today during a live press conference at the TV One presentation to the Television Critics Association during its Winter 2014 Press Tour in Pasadena, CA. David Oyelowo ('Lee Daniels' 'The Butler'), Joe Morton (ABC's 'Scandal'), Keke Palmer (VH1's 'CrazySexyCool'), Bresha Webb (TV One's 'Love That Girl') and Gina Torres (USA's 'Suits') announced the categories and nominees with NAACP Image Awards Committee Chairman, Leonard James and President and CEO of TV One, Alfred Liggins.

Color Struck, by Donald E. Lacy Jr. will be presented on Tuesday, January 14, 2014 at 7:30pm in the Louis B. Mayer Theatre on the Santa Clara University campus as part of SCU•Presents Arts for Social Justice and Visiting Artist Series. Tickets are on sale now with prices ranging from $25 to $10 and may be purchased on-line at www.scupresents.org

Andrew Simpson's interactive murder mystery comedy, To Kill a Koeksister, will be captivating audiences at Kalk Bay Theatre Wednesday to Saturdays from today, 8 to 25 January 2014 at 8pm.

Grammy award-winning South African a cappella group, Ladysmith Black Mambazo, will perform traditional songs and gospel inspired music of peace, love and harmony, at the Byham Theater on Wednesday, January 29, 2014, at 7:30 p.m.

Actress Naomie Harris from the Nelson Mandela biopic, "Long Walk to Freedom," stopped by last night's THE ARSENIO HALL SHOW.