17 outstanding South African singers and a percussion section present HOPE – It’s Been a Long Time Coming
Courtesy photo.
SUMMARY
- UCSB Arts & Lectures presents Soweto Gospel Choir
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- South African freedom singers present an all new program called HOPE – It’s Been a Long Time Coming
- Songs that inspired the Rainbow Nation in the first half; soul classics from the United States’ Civil Rights Movement in the second
- Producers Circle reception before the concert
- Wednesday Nov. 2 | 8:00 PM | Campbell Hall
- $30-$45 General Public | $15 UCSB Students (Current student ID required)
- Tickets & Info: www.ArtsAndLectures.UCSB.edu, (805) 893-3535
- Presented in association with UCSB Multicultural Center
- Patrons can take advantage of discounts to see Soweto Gospel Choir by creating their own series. For more info, visit: www.artsandlectures.ucsb.edu/subscribe-save/
“Nothing less than an international treasure.” JazzTimes
SANTA BARBARA — UCSB Arts & Lectures (A&L) presents Soweto Gospel Choir on Wednesday, Nov. 2 at Campbell Hall. Brimming with energy and thrilling transcendent harmonies, the three-time Grammy-winning Soweto Gospel Choir is beloved the world over for its ensemble flair and indomitable spirit. Commemorating South Africa’s Freedom Movement and the Civil Rights Movement in the U.S., they’ll perform a rousing program of South African gospel and spirituals in a variety of languages, and heartfelt renditions of songs made famous by Billie Holiday, James Brown, Otis Redding, Curtis Mayfield and Aretha Franklin. Prepare to be uplifted by 17 transcendent voices and a driving percussion section!
Watch Soweto Gospel Choir perform UMBOMBELA
About the Choir
Hailing from Soweto (South West Township), a town outside of Johannesburg and home of Nelson Mandela and South Africa’s democratic movement, Soweto Gospel Choir continues to inspire audiences around the world with their powerful blend of African gospel, freedom songs and international classics. Comprising a line-up of some of South Africa’s best vocalists, these uplifting performers have shared the stage and collaborated with the biggest names in contemporary music including Aretha Franklin, Stevie Wonder, Beyonce, U2, Diana Ross, Peter Gabriel, Chris Martin, John Legend, Pharrell Williams, Jimmy Cliff, Ben Harper, Angelique Kidjo, Robert Plant, Celine Dion, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Hugh Masekela and Josh Groban.
Soweto Gospel Choir was formed in 2003 at the end of the apartheid era and during South Africa’s inspiring return to democracy. Taking part in some of the major historical events in the new democratic South Africa, Soweto Gospel Choir are proud to have performed on many occasions for the Father of their Nation, former President Nelson Mandela, and sadly at his State Funeral in South Africa and at the subsequent commemorative service at Westminster Abbey in London. They were similarly invited to perform at the funeral service for the late President’s first wife, Winnie Mandela. The Choir’s patron is human rights activist and Nobel Peace Prize winner, Archbishop Desmond Tutu, and they are proud to act as Ambassadors for the Nelson Mandela Foundation.
Soweto Gospel Choir are three-time Grammy© Award-winners including 2019 Best World Music Album for “Freedom.” They have performed with the biggest names in music including U2, Stevie Wonder, Celine Dion, Red Hot Chili Peppers and Josh Groban. They have over 17 million views on YouTube, and they have been spreading joy to audiences across the globe for nearly two decades.
About UCSB Arts & Lectures
Founded in 1959, UCSB Arts & Lectures (A&L) is the largest and most influential arts and lectures organization between Los Angeles and San Francisco. A&L annually presents more than a hundred public events, from critically acclaimed concerts and dance performances by world-renowned artists to talks by groundbreaking authors and film series at UCSB and Santa Barbara-area venues. With a mission to “educate, entertain and inspire,” A&L also oversees an outreach program that brings visiting artists and speakers into local classrooms and other venues for master classes, open rehearsals, discussions and more, serving K-12 students, college students and the general public.
Soweto Gospel Choir is presented by UCSB Arts & Lectures in association with the UCSB MultiCultural Center. Tickets are $30-$45 General Public / $15 UCSB Students (Current Student ID required)
For tickets or more information, call UCSB Arts & Lectures at (805) 893-3535 or purchase online at www.ArtsAndLectures.UCSB.edu.
Special thanks to KCSB-FM 91.9 for their sponsorship of Soweto Gospel Choir.
UCSB Arts & Lectures gratefully acknowledges our Community Partners the Natalie Orfalea Foundation & Lou Buglioli for their generous support of the 2022-2023 season.