The Masanga Marimba Ensemble is the only existing marimba ensemble performing the centuries-old music of the Shona people of Zimbabwe, according to the Grand Performances website.

Friday, September 8, 2006
12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
California Plaza
350 S. Grand Avenue
Downtown LA
Los Angeles, CA

The Masanga Marimba Ensemble, a nine-piece group of ethnomusicologists, music educators and percussionists, performs centuries-old music of the Shona people of Zimbabwe. The music is rhythmic and spiritually driven by marimbas and the mbira dzavadzimu - a hand-held instrument with 22 to 28 metal keys often used for sacred ceremonies to call, honor, and ask for advice from ancestral spirits.

The group features UCLA Ethnomusicology alum Ric Alviso on marimba, mbira, hosho, percussion & vocals.

The Masanga Marimba Ensemble is presented by Grand Performances -- a series of concerts and events held each summer in downtown Los Angeles - free and open to the public. Come celebrate Grand Performances 20th Anniversary Season this summer.

For other scheduled September/October Grand Performance events, visit www.grandperformances.org

Parking: 300-350 S. Grand Avenue California Plaza garage parking $5 after 5pm on weekdays and all day Saturdays and Sundays. Garage is best accessed from Olive Street between 1st and 4th Streets. Grand Performances personnel suggest carpooling whenever possible.

Cost : Free and open to the public; call or check the website for info about parking on Friday at noon.

www.grandperformances.org

Sponsor(s): Grand Performances. Information on non-JSCASC events is posted for informational purposes and does not reflect opinions of or endorsements by African Studies personnel.