Marimba festival brings cultures together

Education Africa is a non-profit organisation which aims to deliver economy-focused learning while assisting those most in need with opportunities to improve their access to education. Last year, this outreach organisation was a finalist for the prestigious Charity of the Year for the 2012 South African Chamber of Commerce Business Awards.

One of their many projects is an International Marimba and Steelpan Festival, opening in August. The two-day event will be attended by internationally acclaimed musicians who run workshops, judge the competitions and perform. The festival will launch with a concert entitled, Sounds of Celebration, taking place at Emperor’s Palace on 31 July.

The evening features the ‘Pavarotti’ of classical marimba, Alex Jacobowitz, steel-pannist extraordinaire Andy Narell, clarinettist Alan Thompson, and pianist Sonja van Zyl.

The performance will be scripted and narrated by David Bloch with a special performance by Stoneridge; a marimba band made up of recruits from disadvantaged schools who have been trained by Education Africa and who have performed internationally in New York, London and Vienna with stars like Gloria Gaynor and Roberta Flack. The King David Marimba Band, trained especially for this occasion, will also perform.

Corporate sponsorship for the project will benefit Education Africa and the Sydenham Highlands North Community Centre, as well as provide funds to buy marimbas and place them, together with a training programme for teachers, in previously disadvantaged schools. In addition, the sponsorship allows for 850 children from both the King David Senior Primary School, as well as under-resourced schools from all over Johannesburg, to attend a special matinee performance held specifically in their honour.

Details: www.computicket.co.za