The multiple-award winning Soweto Gospel Choir makes a rare appearance in Durban this December, bringing some early Christmas cheer to the Old Mutual Music at the Lake Carols by Candlelight concert on Friday, 5 December at the Durban Botanic Gardens.
Formed to celebrate the unique and inspirational power of African Gospel music, the 24-strong Soweto Gospel Choir will perform a carefully chosen medley of Christmas carols, as well as a selection of their own classic songs.
Undoubtedly one of South Africa’s most successful musical exports, the Soweto Gospel Choir have appeared on NBC’s “Today Show”, “Late Night with Conan O’Brien” and “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno”. The influential Jazz Times declared them to be “nothing less than an international treasure.”
The annual Carols by Candlelight concert is also a charity drive, with concert-goers asked to donate items in a ‘Christmas box’ – an initiative meant to bring Christmas cheer to disadvantaged children. Suitable items include shoes, clothes, toiletries and stationery.
“It’s a real treat to have the Soweto Gospel Choir for Carols by Candlelight and I urge everyone not to miss this opportunity, but also to remember it is a time for communities to come together and to offer a helping hand,” said Bandile Mngoma, sponsorships manager at Old Mutual. “In Africa we do it with a song, so we encourage all concert-goers to come and enjoy the music, sing if they want to and to donate what they can.”
Pre-sold tickets cost R120 and tickets on the day cost R140. Children aged 8-12 pay R50; kids under 8 are free. All children are welcome at the KidZone for some extra fun and games.
Tickets are available online at www.webtickets.co.za.
Drinks, cooler boxes and picnic baskets are welcome.
Gates open at 16h30 for pre-sold tickets and at 17h00 for on-the-day ticket sales. The show starts at 19h00.
Secure parking is available on the Juventus ground. Entrance to all parking is off lower John Zikhale (Sydenham) Road, adjacent to the Botanic Gardens and the Munies Hockey Field also off lower John Zikhale (Sydenham) Road.
For more information, visit the Old Mutual Music in the Gardens Facebook page or follow them on Twitter.