Theatrical Sensation Africa Umoja Opens in DeKalb Oct. 30

Africa Umoja cast at Porter Sanford III Performing Arts & Community Center with DeKalb County Commissioner Larry Johnson

The global sensation Africa Umoja is coming to Metro Atlanta/DeKalb County, Tuesday, Oct. 30 – Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2018 as part of its worldwide tour celebrating the 100th birthday year of the late South African President Nelson Mandela (www.africaumojausatour.com). The high-energy musical tells the story of South Africa through song, storytelling, dance and drama, performed by a youthful, all-South African cast of 32 men and women. The production is particularly appropriate for students, and a number of special daytime performances have been planned to accommodate school field trips. Corporate and individual sponsors are now being sought to underwrite the modest ticket prices for these student groups, and interested parties should contact Richard Jordan at jcommllc@gmail.com to make the arrangements.

All performances will be held at DeKalb County’s Porter Sanford III Performing Arts and Community Center, celebrating its 10th Anniversary this year, and located at 3181 Rainbow Dr., Decatur, Ga. 30034 (www.dekalbcountyga.gov/parks/welcome-porter-sanford-iii-performing-arts). Tickets for the evening performances are $60, with special matinee pricing for students and seniors of $30. Tickets may be purchased at the box office at the Porter Sanford III Performing Arts and Community Center, www.ticketalternative.com or by calling (877) 725-8849.

The special daytime student performances are scheduled for Oct. 31, Nov. 2 and

Nov. 4-6. Seniors are invited to matinees on Nov. 1 and Nov. 6, and church groups on Nov. 4. Evening performances for the public will be offered Oct. 30 (Opening Night), Nov. 1-4 and Nov. 6. Because the tour celebrates President Mandela’s 100th birthday, young people in each market where Africa Umoja will be performed are encouraged to engage in community service projects to honor him.

“From Wakanda to Umoja - we are thrilled to bring this energetic, entertaining and educational musical production from South Africa to DeKalb County’s state-of-the-art, 500-seat performing arts center,” said DeKalb County Commissioner Larry Johnson. “I’m inviting everyone to join us as we celebrate the 10th Anniversary of our own Porter Sanford III Performing Arts and Community Center with this phenomenal stage play. Because Africa Umoja is both a history lesson and a dynamic cultural experience, we want to give as many middle and high school students as possible the opportunity to see a performance as a field trip. Moreover, we are asking the local business community (especially in DeKalb) to step forward to help underwrite the cost of these field trips, as many companies did when the movie “Black Panther” and the stage play “Hamilton” premiered.” #5000studentstoAfricaUmoja

The show, which has played to sold-out audiences in over 50 countries, is an exuberant journey through South African history, using the traditions of storytelling, drum talk, dance and song. The sweeping tale moves from the potent rhythms of tribal music to the intricate steps of Gumboot dancing. It incorporates jazz stylings of Sopiatown, joyful Gospel singing and Kwaito music from Johannesburg. The storyline takes the audience from the country’s early history, through Apartheid and into today. It includes the song Long Road to Freedom, written by Paul Hone as a tribute to President Nelson Mandela, and the song, I Have a Dream, written by Allen Simone as a tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. According to Africa Umoja’s Executive Producer Joe Theron, both men offered their songs to the production after seeing a performance of Africa Umoja.

“Umoja” means “together” in the Zulu language. It was chosen as the name of this uplifting production by co-writers Todd Twala and Thembi Nyandeni, with music by Mariam Makeba, Hugh Masekela and others, to symbolize the struggle of all South Africans to find a way to live together in cooperation and respect. It also embodies the mission of the show’s creators to empower underprivileged youths and expand their opportunities.

The versatile singers, dancers, drummers and marimba players are among South Africa’s most talented performers. In addition to thrilling audiences across the globe, the young men and women are the official representatives to the U.S. for South Africa’s celebration of Nelson Mandela’s 100th birthday. While they are in metro Atlanta, cast members will offer workshops and master dance classes at local middle schools, high schools and dance studios.

Africa Umoja is presented by the non-profit organization International Arts Foundation (IAF, www.internationalartsfoundation.com) and International Arts Solutions, and sponsored by South African Airlines. IAF was founded 30 years ago in New Orleans to promote the benefits of cultural diversity through community projects and economic development, International Arts Foundation has expanded its focus to include art, education and international exchange, using music, dance, song and folklore to enrich communities.