SOUTH AFRICA SINGS: POLOKWANE CHORAL SOCIETY TOURS CANADA JUNE 6-30, 2004

South Africa's spirited Polokwane Choral Society visits Canada this June in celebration of its country's 10 Years of Freedom. South Africa Sings: A Tour of Eastern Canada by the Polokwane Choral Society is the first major artistic tour presented by the Canadian charity FOSAPA - Friends of South African Performing Arts.

Between June 6 and 30, the choir will present 18 concerts in 16 centres between London, Ontario, and Halifax, Nova Scotia. It will also appear at a church service, master class, school workshop and other events.

The prize-winning adult community choir comes from Polokwane in the northern province of Limpopo. Conductor is Matlakala Bopape, with Timothy Mabaso as composer and narrator.

Founded 25 years ago, the Polokwane Choral Society sings in most of South Africa's 11 official languages. Its repertoire includes traditional tribal songs, songs from the struggle against apartheid, tonic sol-fa music and hymns from the various black church traditions. The choir's global outlook also embraces classical music, gospel and spirituals. Singing a capella, the choir is occasionally joined by African drums, shakers and leg rattles.

Polokwane's full-voice singing and energetic choreography are infectious. In 1999, the ensemble performed at Newfoundland's Festival 500. The St. John 's Telegram raved, "Their joyous strains and swaying dance steps drew enormous applause." The choir returned in 2001, performing to capacity crowds in Ottawa and Toronto where they earned cheering, standing ovations ended only by the South African national anthem.

FOSAPA was established as a charitable organization in order to increase Canadians' experience of South African cultural heritage, specifically in the performing arts. It organizes biennial tours in cooperation with South Africa's most outstanding traditional performers.

The following is the brief itinerary for South Africa Sings: A Tour of Eastern Canada by the Polokwane Choral Society. More information may be found at www.fosapa.ca.

The Friends of South African Performing Arts appreciate the support of the High Commission of the Republic of South Africa, McCain Foods, DRL Coachlines and many other friends who have joined to promote this Canadian concert tour.

South Africa Sings: A Tour of Eastern Canada by the Polokwane Choral Society - Dates

DATE (2004)                          CITY
Sunday,    June  6                    Toronto ON
Monday,    June  7                    Stratford ON
Tuesday,   June  8                    London ON
Wednesday, June  9                    Guelph ON
Thursday,  June 10                    Toronto ON
Friday,    June 11                    Toronto ON
Saturday,  June 12                    Toronto ON
Monday,    June 14                    Hamilton ON
Tuesday,   June 15                    Kingston ON
Thursday,  June 17                    Ottawa ON
Friday,    June 18                    Deep River ON
Monday,    June 21                    Québec QC
Wednesday, June 23                    Fredericton NB
Thursday,  June 24                    St. Andrews NB
Friday,    June 25                    Indian River PE
Sunday,    June 27                    Saint-Bernard NS
Monday,    June 28                    Shelburne NS
Tuesday,   June 29                    Halifax NS
Wednesday, June 30                    Wolfville NS

For further information (media only), contact:

Linda Litwack
416-782-7837
e-mail: lalitwack@rogers.com
or
Audrey Conroy
e-mail: fosapa@ns.sympatico.ca
visit www.fosapa.ca

May 14, 2004

N.B. THESE CONTACTS ARE FOR MEDIA ONLY. For all other queries, please call local phone numbers listed on Polokowne's Tour to Canada
Pronunciations Polokwane - polo-KWAN-ee Matlakala Bopape - mat-la-KA-la boh-PAP-ay (ay as in say) Mabaso - mah-BAH-so