Latest news with #Sankofa
eNCA
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- eNCA
Mazwai marks Sankofa anniversary
JOHANNESBURG - South Africa's renowned singer and songwriter, Thandiswa Mazwai, will be celebrating a year since the release of her album Sankofa with a special presentation at the Lyric Theatre at Johannesburg's Gold Reef City next weekend Sunday. She will also present music from her album Belede and tell her fans about her memories from her encounters with mentors like Miriam Makeba and Huge Masekela as well as her travels across Africa.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
'An American holiday': Nashville celebrates Juneteenth with music, dance and more
Gary Burke looked on proudly in his Civil War-era U.S. Colored Troops uniform as Juneteenth festivities unfolded at the Tennessee State Museum. He watched as the Sankofa African Drum and Dance group performed, filling the Great Hall with drum beats while dancers in brightly colored outfits got the crowd clapping and moving along with them. "Juneteenth is not only an African American holiday, it's an American holiday," Burke said. "It's a chance for people from all backgrounds to celebrate emancipation for oppressed people. It's very important that we celebrate together today." Burke said he is the great-great-grandson of Peter Bailey, who was part of Company K in the 17th Regiment of the U.S. Colored Troops and a veteran of the Battle of Nashville in 1864. Burke has been dressing in full uniform for reenactments for 20 years and had plans to be part of the Juneteenth615 event at Historic Fort Negley later that night. Juneteenth commemorates the day the last group of enslaved people were freed in America. While the Emancipation Proclamation was signed in 1863, it took until June 19, 1865, for Union troops to free the last of those enslaved in Galveston, Texas. The holiday has long been celebrated in the Black community. Then-President Joe Biden declared it a federal holiday in 2021, dubbing it Juneteenth National Independence Day. More: What does Juneteenth celebrate? Meaning and origins, explained A few miles away from the Tennessee State Museum, the National Museum of African American Music opened its doors to mark the day. The public was welcomed in for the free event, which included access to the museum's galleries, live performances, interactive art projects for kids, a screening of a special documentary by the Metro Human Relations Commission and a drum circle that visitors could join. Ariel and Whitney Giles-Paul drove from Murfreesboro to attend with their 3-year-old daughter, Journey. They were excited to experience the museum for the first time and learn more about the rich history of African American music. "We just wanted Journey to experience this, too," Whitney Giles-Paul said, as a recording of the Fisk Jubilee singers performing an African spiritual played in the background. This year's Juneteenth celebration comes in a time fraught with worries over President Donald Trump's efforts to end diversity, equity and inclusion efforts nationwide. In Tennessee, lawmakers passed the "Dismantling DEI Departments Act" earlier this year. More: Trump DEI attacks have changed how companies celebrate Juneteenth Ariel Giles-Paul said she worried about Juneteenth events, including the one at the museum, being a possible target for violence amid political tension. Pro-immigration and anti-Trump rallies have sprung up in recent days around the country. "Even today, I told (my wife), 'Should we even go? What if something happens?'" she said. "But I'm of the mindset that we just have to keep going and keep persisting. We have to live our life. Plus we have a little one. We have to be good role models for her." Reach reporter Rachel Wegner via email at RAwegner@ You can also find her on Twitter or Bluesky under the handle RachelAnnWegner. This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Juneteenth in Nashville: Celebrations include music, dance, history
IOL News
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- IOL News
Thandiswa Mazwai Tiny Desk Concert reaches 1 million views
Thandiswa Mazwai alongside a jazz quartet will be performing music from her albums "Belede" and "Sankofa" at The Lyric Theatre at Johannesburg's Gold Reef City. Image: Armand Hough / Independent Newspapers South African music legend Thandiswa Mazwai's episode on the National Public Radio (NPR) Tiny Desk Concert series has reached 1 million views. Affectionately known as 'King Tha,' she appeared on the popular YouTube show in April 2024. Her episode was listed among the '10 Best Tiny Desk Concerts of 2024'. Mazwai had delivered a spiritual and breathtaking Tiny Desk performance in Washington, D.C., performing her well-known and cherished hits such as 'Nizalwa Ngobani?' and 'Ingoma.' The episode reaching 1 million views comes ahead of her show at The Lyric Theatre at Johannesburg's Gold Reef City. Playing with a Jazz quartet, the icon will be performing music from her albums 'Belede' and 'Sankofa' on Sunday, June 29. Mazwai shared her excitement about performing the body of works. 'It is a special treat for our fans who always ask to see this music live. 'Belede' is of course, a very special album for me and we are also celebrating a year since the release of 'Sankofa'.' 'Belede' is Mazwai's third solo studio album, released in 2016, a collection of reinterpretations of legendary South African Jazz and protest anthems from the 1950s and 1960s. 'Sankofa' is Mazwai's fourth studio album and was released in May 2024. 'Sankofa' is a Ghanaian Twi word that means 'to go back and fetch what has been left behind'. The making of this record embodied that idea. Recorded in Johannesburg, Dakar, and New York, the album combines archival Xhosa samples (which were sourced from the International Library of African Music at Rhodes University), jazz and West African music. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Mazwai shared that 'Within those ancient rhythms and polyrhythms, a common lexicon revealed itself to me and I am excited to share this music with those who have been growing and evolving with me. 'It is about a celebration of the pan-African spirit, healing old wounds, and returning to what honours us." 'Belede' and 'Sankofa' have a strong jazz influence and Mazwai's show will put together a special lineup of musicians to celebrate some of the people who played and the influences that created the music. IOL Entertainment
The Citizen
11-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The Citizen
Thandiswa Mazwai says she would've accepted invite to national dialogue had Ramaphosa sent it
Thandiswa Mazwai's music often has social and political commentary On Tuesday, President Cyril Ramaphosa announced the date and names of those invited to the national dialogue, where some of the country's pressing issues will be discussed. 'There have been many of these over the years, and I have attended some,' Thandiswa Mazwai tells The Citizen. The renowned singer-songwriter says she wasn't invited by Ramaphosa, but says she would've accepted the invitation had it come. 'There is much to be legislated in our industry and much to be done to protect artist rights, livelihoods and dignity,' shared Thandiswa. ALSO READ: Ready to dazzle: Afro-soul singer Thandiswa Mazwai releases 'Sankofa' album Singing truth to power In the art and creative space, the president invited elders Dr John Kani and author and poet Gcina Mhlope. The dialogue has drawn mixed reactions throughout the country, with the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) describing it as a 'meaningless publicity stunt by a limping president who is leading a limping former liberation movement'. Through her music, Mazwai has provided social and political commentary, often targeting those in power. Her song, Kunzima: dark side of the rainbow, is a perfect example of her sharp melodic criticism. 'Fools for leaders, their minds left destitute by greed, no souls to speak of, they cannot be redeemed, fiends for war…' Thandiswa sings on the song. The politically charged song is part of Thandiswa's Sankofa album, which was released just over a year ago. Thandiswa spoke to The Citizen ahead of her performance at the Lyric Theatre at Johannesburg's Gold Reef City, where she will celebrate a year of Sanfoka. 'This show will exclusively cover the music from Belede and Sankofa,' she shares. ALSO READ: 'I cannot believe it's been 20 years' – Thandiswa Mazwai on new album and 20 years of 'Zabalaza' A year of Sankofa Sankofa was released on 10 May 2024. Before its release, Thandiswa had last released a body of work in 2016 with Belede. Despite the long break between her albums, during which the world had changed, Thandiswa said she wasn't nervous about how her music would be received. 'Not at all,' she says. 'Even though I haven't released new music, I have been performing a lot, and the audience has been getting exposed to all the things I experiment with. Especially Jozi audiences, who can sometimes get impromptu rock performances or a set with a DJ.' She says the release of Zabalaza in 2004 taught her that people can grow with her sonically. 'Sankofa is a very layered and lush album, and I know there is an audience for that. It has also been very masterfully put together by all the musicians who were involved.' The word sankofa is derived from the Akan Tribe of Ghana, which can be translated into 'go back and get it'. The essence of the meaning symbolises going back in order to move forward. This was somewhat literal for Thandiswa, as she delved into the International Library of African Music (ILAM) at Rhodes University, an archive of African sounds. The launch of the album at Carnival City's Big Top Arena last year was more than a musical experience; it also offered itself as a safe space for black women in particular. Thandiswa's concerts inevitably become a place of healing, love and a safe space for her core fans – a significant part of that fandom is the queer community. She preceded the performance of her latest single, Kulungil, by sharing a bit about her past traumas − her backdrop was an old photo of a young Thandiswa in the rural Eastern Cape. She even revealed that on the day the photo was taken, she had experienced something traumatic. It was more than just a music show for black women. It was a safe space for them to be. Her performances at last year's Bushfire Festival and the Standard Bank Joy of Jazz were equally appreciated by a more diverse demographic. 'We have really enjoyed playing this music along with the rest of the discography around the world. It's always such a trip watching people sing new music back to you,' says Thandiswa with gratitude. ALSO READ: Collaborative Wouter Kellerman bags Grammy nomination as Thandiswa's 'Sankofa' misses out Awards and such Sankofa lost out on a Grammy nomination and also failed to win at the Metro Awards, where it was nominated in the Best Jazz category. 'I don't usually win awards,' Thandiswa says. 'I'm experimental, and awards require very constant ideas on what constitutes genre. For instance, Sankofa was nominated in the jazz category, but it really isn't jazz. It is a sound all on its own, and it definitely has jazz influences, but it also has deep Xhosa and Senegalese influences.' The Metro Award went to saxophonist and composer Linda Sikhakhane for iLandi, whom Thandiswa congratulated. The Grammy nomination, which saw Mzansi's Wouter Kellerman nominated and eventually win, is a lot trickier, where Academy members vote for entries in two rounds. 'This was our first attempt, and we enjoyed the experience, but I am acutely aware of the fact that we don't need these awards for validation,' she shares. 'So as long as it's all good fun and not a bar to measure our worth, it's all good.' Thandiswa has a wide range of fans, from the youthful ones who were aware of her performance on Tiny Desk and cheered her on, to the more senior ones who aren't able to navigate YouTube. 'It feels good to be seen. It feels good to be appreciated. It feels good to be affirmed and reminded that you are indeed doing what you were called to do.' NOW READ: Thandiswa Mazwai creates a safe space for black women at Carnival City
Yahoo
25-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Sankofa 2025: Elevating Live comes to New Bern Civic Theatre
NEW BERN, N.C. (WNCT) — New Bern Civic Theatre set to showcase Sankofa during Juneteenth Celebrations. The show is in partnership with Cynthia M. Evans-Robinson and the Creative Team of Sankofa 2025 – Elevating Live. The show encompasses African heritage & culture shown through the lens of spoken word, music, dance, mime, and martial arts. The newest edition to this original artistic piece can only be seen at New Bern Civic Theatre on Friday, June 20th at 7:30 pm, Saturday, June 21st at 2:00 pm and Saturday, June 21st at 7:30 pm. Tickets are on sale at the New Bern Civic Theatre Box Office at 252.634.9057 or online at Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
