Fresh from a cultural exchange programme including live performances in Sweden’s Gothenburg, a twin City to Nelson Mandela Bay, Asanda Mqiki and her band will take to the stage on the Vuyisile Mini Square this Friday 5 September. Asanda and her band were the only South African artists featured at the annual Goteborgs Kulturkalas culture festival that ran from the 12 to 17 August 2014.
Getting a call to perform on such a stage is known for opening up international opportunities and that is exactly what has happened for Asanda Mqiki (A vocalist and music teacher at Stage World) and Mthokozisi Mabiza (A piano student from NMMU).
The band met and collaborated with Goteborg musicians and through that, an International Band emerged with Asanda as the lead vocalist.
“It was exciting and interesting to experience a unique and foreign culture which has opened up our eyes as to how the other side of the world lives and works, in the process giving us many a lessons as to how we can better our own individual crafts. The conversations that took place before we left assisted in the warm welcome we received upon our arrival” said Asanda Mqiki.
It was both an honor and a pleasure to have been welcomed by the Mayor of Göteborg who made us feel at home in her city as well as how our musical sound was received over there. We thank the Mandela Bay Development Agency (MBDA) for the support and guidance” concluded Mqiki.
The band will have their first opportunity to show off what they experienced in Sweden by performing live for enthusiastic bay fans. “We agreed with the band that we would support them on their trip to Sweden to strengthen our twin City agreement. However we stressed the importance of ploughing back all that they’ve learned over there. So the next four events are part of the band way of fulfilling that commitment. They will also host music workshops with aspirant musicians in the Bay and share their experience” says MBDA Spokesperson Luvuyo Bangazi who facilitated the funding for the trip.
Bay residents and visitors are invited to come out and enjoy the sounds of Asanda Mqiki and her band every Friday during the month of September, live in front of City Hall. The show start at 13h00 and will go on for 67min, in celebration of Route 67.
“The live shows are part of our greater Heritage Month campaign, we encourage our Bay citizens to come out to Vuyisile Mini square and spend their lunch time with us. The concerts will feature the three statues of Nelson Mandela, Govan Mbeki and Raymond Mhlaba, currently on view at the foyer inside City Hall” conclude Bangazi.
Heritage month is a great one to visit Port Elizabeth – Click here to find easy on the pocket accommodation.
This is a video of Asanda Mqiki performing her song ‘Squeeze Me’ live at the One Blood Festival 2014:
Alan Straton
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