‘IF A PICTURE PAINTS A THOUSAND WORDS’ THEN THESE WILL CERTAINLY HELP TELL THIS STORY!

 

If exciting, bold and inviting were on the list of requirements for an afternoon’s entertainment then a seat at the Somerset Civic Centre in Esk was the place to be on June 7th when UBUNTU, a group of touring young adults from Uganda and Kenya brought this joyful celebration of African culture, music, dance to concert goers.

‘Ubuntu’ is an ancient African word which can be loosely translated as humanity to others and these young inspiring performers, graduates of the African Children’s Choir have been bringing this visual showstopper to many towns along the east coast of Australia, along the way, raising vital funds to promote education back in their home countries.

There may have been a colourful backdrop on the Civic Centre stage but who would have noticed with so much illumination on stage as these 20 or so performers clad in a range of colourful costumes, mesmerized the audience with a spectacle of pulsating sights and sounds which brought to life the culture and landscape of life and dance in Africa.

Sue, Aydan and Alexis learning an Aftrican Dance move

It would be remiss of this writer to not make mention of the musical and cultural contribution by the members of the Esk Community Choir who opened the show with a celebration of Aussie sounds to honour the bonds between people of these two different countries. However, suffice to say the energy and electric entertainment by UBUNTU throughout, notably including the Esk Choir members’ choreographic contributions for the finale, was a spectacle to open any audience to the power of live performances.

Alexis and members of the Esk Community Choir are grateful to Kwa Ya Australia for their support of UBUNTU’S international tour, allowing the sharing of such wonderful talents and the fostering of the bonds of friendship between our two countries.

By: Sue Walker

Malcom shearing  and Tom  on the Largerphone