South African Musical Icon Hugh Masekela Is Coming To The Dakota Jazz Club

Bra Hugh Rampolo Masekela

by Nelima

Bra Hugh Masekela is a musical genius who plays the trumpet, trombone, flugelhorn and cornet; he is a great singer and composer as well as a master storyteller, activist and history teacher (by way of his music).

At 72 he is still going strong and will be performing two shows a day on Feb 15th and Feb 16th at The Dakota Jazz Club and Restaurant. You really do not want to miss this.

Especially since you get a $10.00 discount off your tickets if you use the code name ‘MinneAfrica’

We will again be running a lottery to give away 2 pairs of tickets to the 9:00pm shows. Email your full name and phone numbers to www.minneafrica@gmail.com to be entered into the lottery. We will run the lottery at 6pm Monday Feb 13th so have your info to us by then.

General info:

7pm shows are $40.00

9pm shows are $30.00

Vusi Mahlasela ‘The Voice’ is coming back to Minnesota

Update: Feb 10th

Congratulations to our lucky, lottery winners; Doris, Peter and Gabi! For everyone else you will get a $5.00 discount at the door if you use the codeword: MinneAfrica. See you Sunday with your dancing shoes .  Psst: We will have more ticket giveaways and discounts for other African concerts in the very near future so keep checking back at MinneAfrica.

Guess what? Vusi Mahlasela will be coming back to Minnesota and we’ve got tickets for you! If you missed him before, here’s another chance to catch him in action – read this article from his last concert here.   For those of you who aren’t well acquainted with Vusi, here’s a clip from his performance during the world cup;

‘The Voice’ as he is affectionately known in native South Africa, will be performing at Dakota Jazz Club and Restaurant Sunday February 13th. How timely – Valentine’s Day (hint hint)

MinneAfrica will be giving away 3 pairs of tickets. To be entered into the lottery send an email to minneafrica[at]gmail[dot]com . Winners will be announced by Thursday February 10th. There may be something for the non-winners too so keep your eyes and ears open

Event Details;

Where: Dakota Jazz Club and Restaurant

When: February 13th 2011

Time: 7:00pm

Price: $25

For more information click here

Hollywood’s casting of the Mandelas. What’s your take?

 Members of South Africa’s Creative Workers Union (as well as some of my facebook friends) are seething with anger over the casting of Jennifer Hudson to play Winnie Mandela in an upcoming biopic of the South Africa’s former first lady. According this article  production for the film is to begin in May, but the union has threatened to delay shooting in South Africa.

 Oupa Lebogo, general secretary of the CWU, said of Hudson’s casting, announced last month: “This decision must be reversed, it must be stopped now. If the matter doesn’t come up for discussion, we will push for a moratorium to be placed on the film being cast in South Africa. We are being undermined, there is no respect at all.”

Rest in Peace ‘Mama Africa’ Miriam Makeba

by Nelima

Today we mourn the passing of an African Icon. For those of you who haven’t heard the news, the Queen of African music, South African songstress and activist Miriam Makeba, passed away last night in Italy  after suffering an onstage heart attack after taking part in a protest concert against The Camorra. She was 76. Her body leaves this earth, but her music, spirit and soul remain with us forever.

‘Mama Africa’ you will be missed, but will never be forgotten. May You Rest In Peace.

For those who didn’t know her, here is some of her music.