South African Cultural Ambassadors, Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Kick Off UMass Fine Arts Center Spring 2021 Season

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The UMass Fine Arts Center will kick off the spring season on Wednesday, Feb. 17 at 7 p.m. ET  with a virtual presentation of five-time Grammy Award winner, Ladysmith Black Mambazo.  Created during the pandemic, the virtual performance was filmed on site at the Wuswini Arts & Cultural Heritage Centre, just outside of Durban, South Africa. Located on one of the steep hills beneath a forest of mountains between the townships Inanda and Hillcrest and overlooking the gorgeous, serene Inanda Dam, the Centre is a fitting backdrop for the evening’s program of uplifting songs sung in English and Zulu. A pre-recorded conversation, with the artists and Fine Arts Center director Jamilla Deria, follows the performance. Tickets are $12 per household or device and are available anytime online at fineartscenter.com or by phone at 413-545-2511 Monday through Thursday 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Ladysmith Black Mambazo is sponsored by the Daily Hampshire Gazette, the Applewood Loomis Communities, Florence Bank and 93.9 The River.

Formed by Joseph Shabalala in 1960, during the harsh realities of apartheid, Ladysmith Black Mambazo became one of South Africa's most successful recording artists. Their albums received many gold and platinum honors for the intricate rhythms and harmonies of their native South African musical traditions. Featuring the a cappella male choral music called isicathamiya (derived from the Zulu word meaning "to walk or step on one's toes lightly”), the UMass program includes some of Ladysmith’s most beloved songs. Many songs convey a message of love, peace and resilience. Every melody, beat and sound on stage comes from the human body.

“We give people the idea that we can make our life better, no matter what the situation,” long time member Albert Mazibuko said. “We do that with the songs that we sing, about love, unity, being strong and going forward. We want people to be encouraged to do good things.”

The group’s name comes from Joseph Shabalala’s hometown, Ladysmith, located between Durban and Johannesburg. Mambazo is the Zulu word for chopping axe, which is a symbol for the group’s strength. The late South African President, Nelson Mandela, designated the group “South Africa’s cultural ambassadors to the world,” a title the members carry with them with the highest honor. Many American audiences were introduced to Ladysmith Black Mambazo through Paul Simon’s 1987 album “Graceland.” In 2018 the group received their 5th Grammy Award with the album, “Shaka Zulu Revisited,” winning Best World Music Album.

For information and tickets, visit fineartscenter.com or contact the Box Office by email at facbox@umass.edu or by phone at 413-545-2511 or 800-999-UMAS Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., hours subject to change.