World-Famous A Cappella and Dance Group from Zimbabwe are Midland Cultural Centre's Final Feature in their Black History Month Series

"Black Umfolosi" - World-famous Acappella and Dance Group from Zimbabwe are Midland Cultural Centre's Final Feature in their Black History Month Series!

Midland Cultural Centre's closes their 2018 Black History Month series with a very special international concert. Known as Zimbabwe's greatest ambassadors, Black Umfolosi were formed in 1982 by school friends in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe, who named themselves after the Umfolozi Omnyama River in South Africa - where their ancestors can be traced. In 2009, The Black Umfolosi Five continue to present their spectacular songs and dances, thrilling audiences worldwide with a NEW LINE-UP.

Their performances are energy-driven and completely engaging, mixing a great gentleness of spirit and song with an exuberance in dance. Trademark harmonies mixed with intricate rhythms, clicking and clapping are highlighted during their brilliantly-choreographed shows - with a full range of movements from subtle to vibrant stomping and leaping! Their famous Gumboot Dances showcase the traditional styles and rituals of the South African mining regions and are a particular crowd-pleaser. Black Umfolosi have toured extensively nationally and internationally - Europe, USA, Canada, Australia and Asia. They have represented Zimbabwe at international events such as Expo 1992 in Seville, Spain and the 1994 Commonwealth Games in Victoria, Canada.

Wednesday March 7 Doors: 7:00 pm / Show: 7:30 pm
Tickets: $25 - Order Online at: http://www.midlandculturalcentre.com/page.php?page=Events&pageType=events&eventid=100046082or call 705-527-4420

Created by early 20th century migrant mine workers living in all-male hostels, Black Umfolosi's style of imbube (or township a-cappella) is a unique sound that is both uplifting and meditative, focusing on a wide range of themes, such as global warming, respect for oneself and others, human rights and AIDS. Black Umfolosi describe their songs as a "vocal newspaper," and take their music to parts of Africa where there are no radios or televisions, acting as the media to promote healthy living and education.

Known in the west chiefly through the work of Zulu band Ladysmith Black Mambazo, this is music for unaccompanied choirs in which a lead tenor shares a call-and-response with the ensemble's chordal riffs and refrains, rich in bass voices and consonant harmonies. Imbube is kin to doo-wop and hymn singing as well as to African vocal traditions; the refrains drive the music like a breath-powered locomotive.

Watch on this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch/?ref=0&v=hRXr_Ok645o

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