Ladysmith Black Mambazo Performs at Nazareth College's Arts Center

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Ladysmith Black Mambazo

ROCHESTER, NY (02/15/2011)(readMedia)-- Three-time Grammy Award-winning, South African a cappella group Ladysmith Black Mambazo brings their beautiful sound and powerful message of peace, love, and harmony to the Nazareth College Arts Center stage on Saturday, February 26th at 8:00pm. Tickets to Ladysmith Black Mambazo are $30-$60. To purchase tickets, visit or call the Arts Center box office at (585) 389-2170. Tickets may also be purchased online at boxoffice.naz.edu. Regular box office hours are Monday - Friday, 11 a.m.- 5 p.m. The Nazareth College Arts Center is located at 4245 East Avenue, Rochester, New York, 14618.

International tours, recording projects (such as Paul Simon's Graceland album), soundtracks (including Disney's Lion King II, Sean Connery's The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen and James Earl Jones' Cry The Beloved Country) and mainstream media appearances, such as their legendary Sesame Street performance with Paul Simon (one of the top three requested Sesame Street segments in history), have earned Ladysmith Black Mambazo worldwide acclaim.

Ladysmith Black Mambazo has also performed at many special occasions, including two Nobel Peace Prize Ceremonies, a concert for Pope John Paul II in Rome, the South African Presidential inaugurations, and the 1996 Summer Olympics. In 2002, Ladysmith Black Mambazo was asked to represent their nation in London at a celebration for Queen Elizabeth's 50th Anniversary as Monarch.

Since the early 1960s, the voices of Ladysmith Black Mambazo have combined the intricate rhythms and harmonies of their native South African musical traditions with the sounds and sentiments of Christian gospel music. The group prides itself on the universal appeal of their music, which has touched culturally, ethnically and religiously diverse audiences worldwide. Founder Joseph Shabalala (who is still leading the group) says, "We are teachers. We travel the world spreading our message of Peace, Love and Harmony. What could be better or more important than that?"

What's in a name?

The group's founder created a name with great significance:

• "Ladysmith" is the name of Shabalala's rural hometown;
• "Black" is a reference to oxen, the strongest farm animal;
• "Mambazo" is the Zulu word for ax, a symbol of the group's ability to "chop down" any singing rival who might challenge them.

The group is here in the United States to promote their brand new recording of original and traditional songs, Songs From A Zulu Farm, Volume I of a planned trilogy called Our South African Life. They have six new recording projects they are readying for release, a new concert DVD and a children's project.

Please note:

When there is a performance scheduled for Friday, the box office has extended hours, and remains open until the start of the show.

When there is a performance scheduled for Saturday or Sunday, the box office is open from 11 a.m. until the start of the show.

Nazareth College Arts Center Student Rush Tickets:

The Nazareth College Arts Center Student Rush Ticket program is the best deal in town. Area students, with valid student ID can attend outstanding dance, theatre and international entertainment at the Arts Center for only $5 per show! Arts Center Student Rush Tickets are available for all non­sold-out 2010-2011 subscription series shows – beginning an hour before the performance time. Students must pay cash for all tickets to receive this special offer. Students are limited to one Rush Ticket per student ID. Student Rush Tickets are not available to family shows. Student Rush Tickets are orchestra and value section tickets only. Nazareth College students, with valid ID, will continue to receive one free ticket per performance.

About Nazareth College Arts Center:

Nazareth College Arts Center is the Rochester region's premier mid-size theater and venue for world-class dance, children's theatre and international entertainment.

The Arts Center will present its second annual Nazareth College Arts Center Dance Festival, July 8-16, 2011. The 2011 Princeton Review named Nazareth College the 10th Best College Theater in the country. The Nazareth College Arts Center is the home of Rochester Children's Theatre and the performance home of Rochester City Ballet and Garth Fagan Dance.

For more information, visit artscenter.naz.edu.