Téada: An Ode to Ireland

Ireland came to the Harare International Festival of the Arts (HIFA) in Zimbabwe this year!!!

Traditional Irish music group Téada rocked out!

(I mean, come on! They made flute playing look awesome...
I say that and I once won an award for playing the flute.*)

Check out how wonderful they sound:

(They brought two pairs of traditional dancers!)

Two of the dancers.

Apparently he just won accordion player of the year in Ireland!

This made me laugh. Oh, how I love the Irish.

A traditional broom dance was performed.

What is that you ask? Here's some of it, the footwork at the end is impressive:

Oh, Ireland, you make dancing with a broom look awesome.

Well done, Téada, well done.

I confess, the concert was amazing.
 It reminded me that it has been far too long since I've visited Ireland.

One more video:

Another excellent show at HIFA!!

For more information on Téada!

*okay, I admit: the award was a band award in middle school, but that counts for something doesn't it?
 Like I should know a mean flute player when I see him, right? Right?

Tweet

Harlem + Harare Unite in Gospel Music!

2013's Harare International Festival of the Arts (HIFA) showcased a powerful gospel choir in its Songs of Inspiration show.

Over 70 Zimbabweans' youthful voices raised in powerful praise with members of Harlem, New York City's Songs of Solomon Gospel Choir.

Take a look to see the just pure joy in their performance:

It was amazing to hear so many lovely voices raised in such joy and praise.

(Here is Song of Solomon's director Pastor Chantel Wright leading the choir.)

The Zimbabwean Gospel Ensemble and the Songs of Solomon members spent the week before their performance
touring parts of Harare and performing for different groups.

Here's my favorite performance.
Just listen to the power in this woman's voice before they break into "This Little Light of Mine."

This Little Light of Mine!

The Zimbabwean Gospel Ensemble's director Kundisai Mtero leading the group.

HIFA is just amazing for the so many different types of performances, each leaving you amazed in different ways!

Remember this guy?
 You should, he emceed last year's HIFA too...in just as creatively unusual outfit as this one!

For more information on the show.

For more information on Songs of Solomon.

Tweet

Dutch Jazz...and a Didgeridoo Guest Appearance!

While at HIFA, I saw Holland's Mike del Ferro perform on the piano!

Does this guy look familiar? He should! Blessing was one of the best parts of HIFA 2012...

He always seemed to be having so much fun performing at HIFA.

The trio was wonderful, playing a range of jazz. It was beautiful.

Here they are playing a Duke Ellington piece:

In a surprise, Chris Williams joined the trio!

Chris Williams on the didgeridoo.

Here's what they sounded like:

A parting shot of the lovely Blessing!

For more information on Mike del Ferro.

For more information on the Harare International Festival of the Arts (HIFA).

Tweet